arebee

I always get there by 10 or 10:30.  Never boarded later than 11.

1 hour ago, monctonguy said:

And a lot of those Halifax steps would be on some pretty good hills!

Yeah, doubt I can do them anymore.  We spend a week in Vancouver and I hurt almost all the time.  Getting old isn't for the weak...

You can always take the ferry to St. John.

Pool towels in the pool area, I've gotten more than one at a time.  Depending on the ship they might scan your sea pass card.  They aren't too strict on saving chairs, they should be stricter but I don't sit by the pool so it doesn't matter to me.

Its not just Royal, we just got off Holland America and they do the same thing.

18 minutes ago, Pooch said:

If I may add a request from a newbie, itinerary in the title would help, ie.  western/eastern caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas.  For many of you, ship name tells you where its going.  For me ???  

I love reading the blogs but it would help if one is looking for a specific itinerary.

And maybe add the ports in the first post?

I used staples, never had an issue.  I have since used these .  They are larger so if you decide to use another cruse line it will fit in there also.

Can I come too?????????????????? I don't even care where its going...

Gipper looks like a Carin...

Not sure about how many cruises, its really not a choice.  I'm being forced to retire 2 years early.   Either retire or move halfway across the country for 2 years.

1 hour ago, monctonguy said:

man that ship looks nice......24 days and counting till I am on her....so much to do and see...

Wow, I'm counting 24 days too but mine is for work days until retirement.....

I've always added a little extra tip, I also mostly go to the Schooner so they do get to know me and I've had them start the pour before I even ask.  If its not what I wanted, I took it anyway and ordered something after.  I've found most bar tenders will take care of you.  Now the really busy bars like the pool bars on sea days you might not get that same service but know they will appreciate any extra tip.

We just got back from Vancouver and Alaska, might want to bring a light rain coat also.

Don't know about the Bahama Star but I know what you mean about cruising.  I got out of the Navy in 78, it was 94 before I took a cruise then about 2003, it was 2012 before I got back into cruising regular.

Palma changed a little over the last 40 years...

They will direct you to the correct line..

If you don't want to do an all day thing, we've done the Segway tour.  It was fun and something we've never done before.  Since I live in florida, I can go to the beach anytime.

If you like dogs, do a sled dog and musher camp.

6 hours ago, twangster said:

This brings up an interesting question. 

If sailing in a boardwalk balcony but you pre-purchased a deluxe beverage package, do you get cups for each?  A cup for the soda package plus a cup for the beverage package? 

Or do they just give you one cup?

Two sailings coming up in boardwalk balconies.  I've purchased deluxe.  I am curious if I get two drink package cups (soda plus deluxe) or just one?

We've done it twice, one time we got 4 cups the other only 2.    

There will be costumes, even the crew... Some people go all out. Don't remember a specific party but we were on Freedom and the promenade had something. We did it a couple times, it was fun.  Hoping to do Halloween again next year.

1 hour ago, Matt said:

I think @new2cruise is talking about boarding the ship, after completing the check-in.

Oh,  well as long as the upper crust is checked in its a free for all....   Even as gold, the wait wasn't long unless the ship isn't ready and that only happened once to us in Tampa (fog, late arrival).  I did notice in Port Canaveral  they assign numbers to the people in the first timers line and board them by that number after all the C&A's are boarded.

One of the perks is that you will have your own line for check in.  We never waited longer than 5 minutes.

Casual, I think I wore shorts and collard shirt once.  Nothing formal especially since its usually done on the first night.

On ‎9‎/‎10‎/‎2018 at 2:15 PM, RestingBirds said:

Congrats on reaching Pinnacle @Traveler!!

I would call and capitalize on this before they discover their error. 

Its also a good place on embarkation day instead of the wind jammer.