EmersonNZ

We had the cup waiting for us in the room along with internet details etc so I guess you couldn't use the cup before you got room access. I am sure though if I wanted I could have ordered a coke and just used my sea card etc..

Looks like they realised it was too much of a good thing... and made it not so much of an average thing...

I've had absolutely no issue including our Disney suitcase, wearing tee shirts and probably even underwear... ok... no one saw the underwear but my wife....

I'd be worried if I was a non RCB member... heck I'd be worried if I WAS a RC member sailing on he cruise.... we're cccccrrrrrraaazzzzzyyyyyy I tell ya!

We've never had an issue getting a able for two. Just ask and I am sure they will help you out.

I'm not too sure it will cost them a lot of business (Apart form in Asia....). I think there are a lot of people that will actually pick a cruise line because it was smoke free which might equal out those that would o the opposite. I know my wife for instance with her asthma would absolutely give extra consideration marks to a ship that was completely smoke free. I remember about 20 years ago when New Zealand went smoke free in bars, restaurants and public places there was an outcry that 'bars will close' and 'no one will go to restaurants'.... well it didn't happen and in fact they suddenly found a whole new audience that weren't going to bars due to the smell of smoke etc. A cruise ship is a bit different due to the length of time you are on it but I can imagine that it isn't too far in the future until this will be a reality (or mandated... New Zealand is aiming for smoke free by 2035 (not law at the moment to ban but it is the goal and they have initiated lots of programs in place to both help people quit, make it less desirable to purchase and increase education regarding issues etc) so if that was the case it'd be illegal for a ship to allow smoking in NZ waters etc... I imagine other countries will probably do the same in the future).

Agreed... I ask them to double or triple the chocolate....

The bartenders seem to have very little idea of mocktails in my experience. Apart from a virgin daiquiri, virgin lava-flow & virgin mojito you are pretty much out of luck. When I asked what virgin options they knew they came up with nothing.

I think that is a pretty fair assessment and certainly in line with my thoughts having sailed both cruise lines.

That si how I read it as well.... $345 for an hour for as many people as you want to share with (I imagine there is a limit) and 552 if you want to hire a staff member for lessons....

Does anyone know if the FlowRider Private Experience price is 'per person' or by the hour? Last year I did the FlowRider Surf Lesson and and for our next cruise I was thinking of my doing a private lesson with Keryn and myself.

Ps - Just noticed that the blog post on the Coke Freestyle machines mentioned that Quantum of the Seas was rumored to have had her machines removed when it went to China/Australia. While I can;t confirm if they stay on board in China I can confirm they were onboard this year during her Australian/New Zealand season. I would guess they probably were on board in China as well as I can't imagine them taking them off in China then returning them again in Australia etc.

We did the behind the scenes tour of the Ovation and really enjoyed it.... so much so we are doing it on Voyager on our next cruise.

For me 'the best' was actually something that cost them very littler..... On the first night of the cruise we were looking coke zero in one of the coke freestyle machines. Turns out the 2 machines in the Wave Jammer were out of all diet drinks. We ended up asking a staff member who then rang around the other locations on the ships to see if any machine had coke zero only to find they had not been stocked for the cruise. As we were talking to him we found out he was the manager of the Wave Jammer. Anyway... long story short every 2 days after that a plate of an assortment of cookies would be delivered to our room compliments of the team at the Wave Jammer. Again... this cost them very little but meant so much to us and will be something we will always remember.

I am sure it will not apply to you or those traveling with you that there are exceptions to the visa waiver program. For example if a US citizen wanted to visit New Zealand then they would be eligible for to do so under the visa wavier program unless they had a criminal conviction which resulted in a 1 year or more jail sentence, did not satisfy immigration that they did not intend to work in New Zealand, did not satisfy immigration they did not intend to leave the country after 90 days or had been denied entry into any country in the previous 5 years. I believe entry conditions are the same for New Zelander heading to the US under the Visa wavier scheme as well. In these cases you may still be granted a visa but would have to apply for one before leaving your home country (For example if the criminal conviction was a number of years ago and they weren't seen as a risk to the community then it is likely they would be granted a visa). Again, I am sure non of this is an issue in your case but it should be noted that just because the US and the UK (and Australia and New Zealand etc) have visa wavier agreements it does not meant that this applies in every case. When in doubt check with your travel agent (Another good reason to use a travel agent as they will know all the ins and out for visa requirements for countries you are visiting) or check on that countries governments immigration or tourist websites.

I'd say it is about what you'd expect in the likes of an office building, mall etc. I think they try and keep it pretty constant no matter where they are sailing.

I like Disney... actually I LOVE Disney. Considering I've been to WDW or Disneyland nearly every year (sometimes twice) in the last 10 year even though we live about 10,000kms away across the Pacific in New Zealand gives you some context regarding our passion. I also really enjoyed the 2 Disney cruises I've taken. The ships are great, wonderful entertainment (especially if you enjoy Disney), I probably prefer the food in the MDR and the Dining Rooms experience on DCL than RCL and yes I do like having room service and soda included. However..... there is absolutely no way I can argue that DCL is better value than RCL. Before we went on our first RCL cruise I did a lot of homework (I probably like spreadsheets a little too much). Adding in the soda package and including the room service charge every day RCL was STILL 1.8 cheaper! I could eat at a specialty restaurant every night (Which I do rate high than DCL MDR and STILL be about 1.5 cheaper (And in fact that is what we are doing next cruise thanks to the new Dining package. Now having experienced RCL I can say that I don't value DCL 1.8 x more than RCL. If the gap was 10% then I'd probably pick DCL now and again over RCL but honestly I really enjoyed our RCL trip and considered it very good value for money (Though I do think it is getting less value for money as time goes by and new charges are added added etc... I'd also say this about DCL and don't even get me start about WDW, let's just say we aren't going this year and probably not next due to their price increases). You might enjoy DCL over RCL for one reason or another (Enjoy the characters, children's program, show quality, MDR experience (Animator Palate etc)and I'd certainly understand your point but to say you think DCL is better value than RCL is something I could not agree at all.

I must admit I like the new program especially as it is optional. It's almost a win/win/win. Royal Wins as they get a little more certainty on occupancy, I win because I get a reward for booking early if I am willing to set firm dates (and I can always get travel insurance to offset any loss) and those who don't want to set firm dates win because... well nothing has changed for them.

Totally agree. The only issue I'd have is adding a fee for something that is 'free' now (Or built into the current cost of the cruise). I wouldn't have so much of an issue if they subsequently dropped my cruise fee by the amount of revenue this would generate divided by each stateroom... but I don't see that happening :-)

I think we have to expect it will return.... there seems to be a consistent theme of adding little fees here and there at the moment in the industry.

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone has one the 'DOG SLEDDING ON THE MENDENHALL GLACIER BY HELICOPTER' and if so what did you think. It seems VERY expensive but maybe I could justify it if it is one of those "once in a lifetime" type excursions (I'm not likely to head to Alaska that often...)

Yeah I imagine we'll see it pretty soon. I've always felt a little upset about them not offering a simular deal for non alcohol packages so it'll be nice to see those who choose not to alcohol also get offered the saving on the internet package

Doesn't seem to be showing up in the Australasia site yet which is rather unusual as normally they seem to keep the deals pretty simular to the US site. Personally I'm really hoping they come up with a Refreshment Package + VOOM! package.

You are going to have an amazing time. The great thing about a cruise is it can be any kind of holiday you want it to be. If you love relaxing by the pool reading you can do that. If you want to be active all day going from one activity to another you can do that too... (and of course if food is your thing then you will be in heaven). You are going to have an amazing time.

Kids Club: This article will probably be useful regarding the kids club for 3-5 year olds: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/03/05/look-royal-caribbeans-kids-club-3-5-year-olds You may also find this one interesting regarding other activities you both might enjoy: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/03/05/look-royal-caribbeans-kids-club-3-5-year-olds Dining: You certainly don't have to go to the specialty restaurants and the main dining room offers a really good menu that I am sure you and the family would enjoy. The main dinning room is included in the cruise price. Depending on the ship there will also be a number of other dining options which are included in your cruise fare including pizza and a cafe etc (Normally drip type urn coffee is provided free). Fitness Club: Accessing the gym is free apart from some of the classes like spin classes etc. Hour seem to be 6am to 1am on most ships but check when you are on baord and they can let you know the hours for that ship The RC App has been discontinued (you aren't missing much). Everyone's best guess is that they are in the process of developing a replacement which we should see later in the year.