Sarah

From memory there is a question on the post-cruise survey about whether you have been asked by your wait-staff to score them highly / give them a specific rating.

Thankfully on my recent cruise I could honestly answer no, although I did hear the waiter speaking to the couple on the next table about the ratings and encouraging them to give positive scores

I would find it really helpful if people could please post the first name of the ship as I don't know them from the abbreviations! 

Perhaps I need to cruise on different ships!

I love this programme!  This week she was in Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand; continuing this week.

Jane shows you all over whichever ship she is on - never staying in a standard room!  And then takes you ashore on her excursions.

Each time I watch my list of where I want to cruise grows!

Thank you for taking the trouble to reply to me and provide really helpful info.

So far I've cruised from Southampton 6 times and twice from elsewhere in Europe.

I do have my sights set on a Caribbean cruise.

@JohnUK - I've made a note of your agent - thank you.  Previously I've used Planet Cruise (connected to Iglu) and it's not been without problems so looking for a change!

I'm sorry if this question has already been asked - I tried to check before asking...

I live in the UK; am I able to use a company such as MEI to book my cruises with?

Travel agents are different here.  I've used one to book all my cruises (apart from the one next week) but not paid any different price to that advertised on the Royal website and I've not received any other perks from them either.

Next week's cruise was booked directly with Royal and after getting cut off 3 times on the phone, them not applying my C&A details, and problems paying the final balance I'm reluctant to use them again.

Thanks for any assistance

Sarah

Thank you for your fab review

My first cruise was on Adventure and your pictures brought back happy memories

A couple of years ago my parents booked a fly cruise on Rhapsody.  Then my Dad was ill so they offered it to me and a friend for us just to pay the balance.  I called the travel agent who said we each had to pay £150 to change the names on the booking and the balance.  I paid the £300 (balance not due at that point).  The company phoned me back a short while later and said as my parents weren't going the original booking would be cancelled and my friend and I would have to book from scratch at that day's price.  It was super-expensive (my parents had booked early and got a bargain) so I had to cancel.  It then took about a week for my £300 to be refunded.

The only good thing - and it wasn't expected - was that because the company had messed things up with me and given me incorrect information they agreed to refund my parents their deposit

One thing I haven't seen mentioned on this thread is gratuities. 

You may have pre-paid your gratuities when you booked the cruise.  If you haven't done this your onboard account will be charged $14.50 per person per day in gratuities (the charge is higher if you are in a suite).  This is then shared out amongst the staff onboard

I've used the offer in the MDR and they always bring both glasses of wine at the same time - and then give one to my friend who doesn't drink!!

Thanks for all your answers.

I'll certainly be looking into the $25!

Can anyone help with a reservations email address so I can check that my C&A number has now been applied?  I don't want to miss out on the offers on my sea pass or my bath robe!

Thanks for all the help so far

Sarah

2 minutes ago, twangster said:

There are two terminal items to consider.  The queue to check in and then the waiting area after check in but before boarding, depending what time you arrive.

People who are in your cabin certainly can join you in the Emerald queue, however for the other cabin where they will have their own SetSail pass it's more of a gray area.  In theory they can't join you but it comes down to the employees on the floor that day. 

As far as waiting areas again it depends on the employees working that day.

It also somewhat depends which port and terminal is involved as well since some have large waiting areas and others do not so they tend to be more strict about it.

Thanks for the info.  We're sailing from Southampton

I booked the 2 cabins for all 5 of us and paid the deposits.  The phone booking system was terrible!  I got cut off 3 times so had to keep starting from the beginning.

I'm sure I told them my C&A number (but maybe not in all phone calls), but would think they should ask for it.

I booked last May to sail in June this year and have only just noticed the missing info.

I got $150 per cabin OBC when I booked - do you think I can apply for this other money too?

I am Emerald status and will be travelling with some newbies on my next cruise.

Firstly - my C&A number does not show up on my reservation (made by phone directly with Royal) - does anyone have an email address so I can get that updated?  I have added it to my profile online so not sure if that will have updated it.

Secondly - as my friends haven't cruised before (there will be 5 of us in total over 2 cabins) can they join the queue with me or do I have to queue with them in the first-timers line?

Thanks for any help

Sarah

Norway is beautiful; beautiful but expensive!  I would suggest either taking some Norwegian currency with you - buy before you go; I can imagine RCI will charge a fee for changing currency on board.  Or you could use debit / card as you go - very commonly accepted.

If you buy an alcohol package each person in the stateroom has to buy the package; as you say your wife doesn't drink much so possibly not worth getting a drinks package.  Again, it's quite expensive - US $ 55 per day + 18% gratuity - it depends how much / what you drink as it may be cheaper to buy drinks as you go.  You can buy the package partway through the cruise and it's then valid for that day and all subsequent days.

I don't think you can "vape" in your room - you'd have to use the designated smoking areas.

When you cruise you register a debit / credit card either as part of your online check in before your cruise or at the departure point - this card covers all of your onboard purchases - drinks package, shore excursions, shops - you do not hand over cash whilst onboard.  Your seapass is your door key and is linked to your payment card - you hand that over to pay onboard.

There are sometimes offers of drinks packages, shore excursions etc before you sail - look online once you've booked.  The most recent offer for UK bookings was 30% of drink packages purchased before sailing

Enjoy and welcome to the world of cruising!!

My first cruise was a fly cruise.  Lots of "locals" boarded the ship and I have to find were so rude, and were part of the "older" generation!  I know us Brits are known for queuing.  I went to a towel folding demo and was pushed out of the way afterwards when I was patiently queuing for a leaflet! 

When I sailed on Explorer a couple of years ago there was a US power socket and also a European socket.  I hope that helps

Love the MDR for lunch on sea days.  Usually a good menu choice and the salad bar is fantastic

As far as I know you are only eligible for priority boarding / check in if you are enrolled in Royal Caribbean's loyalty programme, the Crown & Anchor society.   You have to have cruised with them to earn points and you start at Gold level.  This means a separate queue at check-in which may mean you can board quicker.  There are so many people who are return cruisers the queue may be shorter for first timers!

Some cruise lines match the loyalty status - maybe your status with Carnival transfers over but I'm not aware of that.

If you're staying in a suite or are sky / star class (will depend on the ship you're on) you may qualify that way. 

What ship / what kind or room are you in?

WAAAYTOOO  - thanks so much for your very comprehensive and helpful reply.  I've only had fixed time dining before

Sorry to jump on this thread and ask a question.

I'm sailing with friends next year on the Navigator and trying MTD for the first time.  There are 5 of us and we'd like to dine together.

Can we book a time once onboard?  We'll probably stick to the same time each night apart from the nights we're in St Petersburg when I guess we may end up in the Windjammer. 

If we have a night or two away from MTD will we be able to get "our" time back again?  

Thanks for any advice you can give

Sarah

You can book your excursions before you board - tickets will be in your room and will give details of time and place to meet for your trip; or you can book them onboard at the Shore Excursions desk if there are any spaces left

Unless you have prepaid your gratuities, a daily charge ($16.50 per person in a suite I believe) will be added to your onboard account each day. 

You will register a debit or credit card either when you check in online or when you arrive to board the ship - this is used as a key to your room and to make all onboard purchases. You can monitor your spending via the TV in your room or at Guest Services. 

Guest Services can help you to adjust the amount / remove the daily gratuities if you would like to do that

I was on Indy earlier this year and had a connecting door.  We could hear the TV from next door and sometimes the people talking.

I did miss the sofa as we only had one chair.

I've not sailed on Anthem but have been on other RCI ships.  A hair dryer is provided, usually located in a drawer in the stateroom.

The only toiletries I know that are provided (unless you're in a suite or high up member of Crown & Anchor Society) are soap (2 tablets - one on sink, one in shower) and a pump bottle in the shower which I think is shower gel.  I personally take my own as I like to use brands I'm familiar with.