Sarah

Enjoy your first cruise.

With reference to the 2 bottles of wine per stateroom you're allowed to take onboard.  You can keep them in your room to drink or you can take them to the restaurant with you.  Royal Caribbean have recently re-introduced a corkage fee of $25 (although some say it's $15) which you may or may not get charged (again I've read different reports on this!) in the dining room

As platinum members you get a one off coupon (loaded on to your sea pass) for buy a glass of wine or beer and get one free, and another one off coupon with a % off a glass of wine or beer.

You sometimes have to say you're using that offer when handing over your sea pass so you don't get charged the full amount

I sailed with P & O last year and was on a bunk - very comfortable and like the usual bed but with steps to climb up to sleep.

Next year I'm on the Navigator with friends and will again be in a bunk - I'm expecting a similar experience

I've always been when I book - what size table I'd like and if I'd like first or second seating. 

My friend and I prefer a sharing table of 8-10 but note that your table mates may not show up!  Earlier this year we were on a table for 8 and there was only one other couple on the table and they didn't come to dinner every night

Your Gibraltar purchases will be left in your stateroom the night before departure.  I know that there is a customs limit but not sure how much it is

Indy is due for dry dock early next year - not sure when you're thinking of going but you may want to look at some of the changes proposed

Arrival at Southampton is usually around 6am with staggered disembarkation thereafter.  I think the latest is around 9am. 

I noticed when I cruised last month from Southampton that you could opt for an "excursion" to stay on board - for a fee - Royal Caribbean will take care of your luggage so you just keep hand luggage and can use the pool, have lunch etc

When we cruise we always ask to go on a larger table (we're asked this at the time of booking when asked which dinner seating we'd like). As there's only two of us we like chatting to others etc.  This year we were on a table for 8 but only 4 people present.

When I first started cruising, only 7 years ago, so not long, there was a pianist in the main dining room.  This hasn't been the case for quite a while and the only music / entertainment I recall is the chefs & waiters parade

A lot of people change after dinner on formal night to be "more comfortable".  I've not noticed a dress code for the theatre. 

I've had a guarantee several times (usually an inside).  Cabin has been allocated within a few days each time and have been upgraded to an outside twice.  Never been disappointed with the location and not had any noise problems

I sailed on Indy last month and my picture was taken at the pier, no facility during online check-in procedure

I haven't seen this video before - which ships is it shown on?

I love the Main Dining Room for breakfast - far more relaxed than the Windjammer, and serves what I like

Thanks for a  great review.  Sorry to hear about the poor weather conditions which limited what you could do onboard and ashore

Thank you for your review.

I was on Indy at the end of June (for the 4th time). Joff is a great cruise director.  No Love & Marriage game show on our cruise either - is thing something the cruise director decides whether to put on?

On Indy last week Roots Vibration played by the pool when the weather was good (the cruise was to Norway & Denmark so not really hot weather!) and on the Promenade when the weather wasn't so good

I was on Indy last week.  Two bottles of Evian up on a high shelf - not touched.  Also received 2 bottles of "other" water, left on the side with a Crown & Anchor compliments tag (first cruise as Emerald so I guess a perk) - these we used

No account statement left on last night / morning - have always received this in the past.  Didn't have time to go to the desk to query it.

RCI emailed my friend her account statement and charges included $6 for one bottle of Evian.  She has queried the charge and is being refunded

I had to email and ask for my account statement and I wasn't charged

Very odd

I usually take a few, ask the stateroom attendant for some and still double up items on hangers!!  Perhaps I take too much!

I think Royal were going to honour any Select packages already booked but give you the option to upgrade for $X per day to the new deluxe package.  I would suggest making enquiries to see how much extra it will cost or see if you're happy with the Select drinks

On 21/06/2017 at 10:30 PM, JLMoran said:

I'm confused about one thing. Maybe this just unique to Oasis class, but I thought the Solarium section on all ships included a complimentary dining area, not a specialty dining venue? Would swear I remember reading that somewhere here on the site, and it was mentioned frequently as a good alternative to the Windjammer when it got crowded, and that it offered a selection of "healthier" choices like salads and sandwiches.

I've sailed on four different Royal Caribbean ships and never seen a dining area in the Solarium; maybe it is Oasis and Quantum cladd

You can buy an internet package part way through the cruise - it's valid for that day and all subsequent days

Hello all,

Wondering if someone can help please.  I will soon be sailing on my first cruise as an Emerald C & A member.  Do I get a discount for getting VOOM surf onboard?

Trying to decide whether to purchase VOOM surf and stream before I go but it's £11.08 per day for one device and I don't want stream

Thanks,
Sarah

I was using my desk top computer last night to book a shore excursion for my cruise next week and had terrible problems with the RCI website.  Thankfully in the end I booked what I wanted but the shore excursions was bad - and is not very user friendly

Which ship are you on?

Most ships give you your sea pass when you report for check in and you can use them straight away.  Although I think Oasis class ships are different - sorry but I haven't sailed on one of those

When I cruised last year a young Australian solo traveller asked to join our lunch table in the buffet.  He was very keen to engage us British ladies in political talk and what we thought would be the outcome of the then forthcoming UK Brexit vote!  He then started to get a bit obnoxious when we said talk of politics and religion can be very sensitive and we made our excuses to leave the table!! 

I know he was trying to have "proper" conversations but I don't feel that this was this to go about it and he certainly didn't endear himself to us!