rjac

Here's an interesting link from Cruise Critic: https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2948&et_cid=3005457&et_rid=245092001&et_referrer=Boards - CC-US I know everyone will enjoy it as there are very, very few cruisers here who wine & dine within strict moderation when aboard a cruise ship.

Thank you Sarah.

Yeah, and you don't a lot of sun screen either!

There is a way to speed this service up. If the same waiter/waitress/barperson is going to be the same for the duration of the cruise, tip them generously the first day.

Oops, my bad....but, bcarney did make a post sometime back about a great breakfast idea regarding hash brown potatoes and gravy....or was it curry.......it's been a long day.....you know how stressful retired life can be. But I have found that making a "to do list" is helpful. The #1 thing on my to do list for tomorrow is......NOTHING.

I believe that was bcarny that made that post.

As Larry the Cable Guy says "now that's funny right there, I don't care who you"

That could have been what we had, thanks Matt.

Sabrina, Yes I did see your post and I found twangster's e-mail. It will be interesting to hear about JL's experience. Hopefully it will be a good one!

I think too early, but, don't give up!

Earlier this year we did an 11 day cruise on the Serenade. At that time we were platinum level. I remember each night we both received a free glass of wine with dinner, which we ordered. I can't remember if that was a C&A benefit for platinum level (which I can't find now in the platinum benefits), just a daily special or just because we were such nice pleasant folks. Anyway, we are now emerald and wondering if we will get the same complimentary wine at dinner next year on the Allure or do we have to really ramp up our pleasant act.

Joe, Please let us know how this goes for you. I remember one of your earlier posts where your TA contacted Royal about your wife being a non-drinker and they put a note on your account (?). I have a very similar situation. Thanks. rjac

Come on Floski, where's your sense of adventure??? You could be a real RC hero, the kind the staff would tell tales about and children would sing ballads .......

I like that, noting like a good military acronym.

BB, Not so much getting screwed, just have to know the rules. Points on the RC credit card will start to expire 5 years after they are accumulated (through purchases), but I do not know what the attrition rate is. So, if you cruise every couple of years and convert your RC credit card points to on board credit, no problem. I have a brother in law who got me into cruising in 2006. I told him about the RC credit card in 2007, he got one and now has over 200,000 points on the card....and losses some every month....and complains like hell! So I told him the answer is simple, go on a cruise with us and use your points....my wife and I would appreciate drink packages greatly!

There is one "catch", you have to redeem the points you accumulate on your RC credit card and the "catch" is fairly easy. Here's the link:https://www.managerewardsonline.com/RMSapp/Ctl/entry?pid=grprwd&mc=RCCL. It will take one credit card cycle (30 days) for the points to show up in your account and you do not want to have any on board credit posted greater than 180 days from your cruise date. If you do, they will expire. As I understand it, when you order/buy something (drink package) and you go to check out you will have an option to pay by credit card or use on board credit. Also, any on board credit you receive from a 3rd party (travel agent promotion) will not show up until 2-3 days after you have embarked on your cruise. Perhaps someone else can chime in here if I'm incorrect on this and correct me if I'm wrong.

You're welcome! One other thing I forgot to mention above, a small overhead type suitcase with roller wheels works best.

Glad I could help

Hi Kelcey, Welcome to the message board! If you have made a deposit and the total price of your cruise was $1800.00 then that should be the price of the cruise for you, even if the price goes up, which it normally does as the cruise date approaches. Time to get your confirmation paperwork out and call RC customer service!

At the port, you will go through both metal detector and carry on bag x-ray. Getting on board the ship, hand wand metal detector and bag x-ray. I haven't seen any bags being opened on the cruises we have been on, but that's not to say it does not happen. As far as the size, it's up to you. Your room may not be ready for you when you board, so, you will have to carry/drag whatever you carry/drag on board until your room is ready. What the majority of the experienced cruisers here do is a small carry on or back pack with the essential stuff, ie, medications, camera, passports, bathing suits, etc. You want your cruise vacation to start the minute you step on board the ship. The less stuff you are dragging around, the more enjoyable the experience will be. Welcome aboard, enjoy your cruise and fire away with any and all questions!

Hi Ellen, Welcome aboard! Yes, you can book/pre-pay what you mentioned on the cruise planner prior to sailing, with the exception of the flo rider. That, I believe, is a first come first serve ride. We always pre book/pre purchase at least 150 days prior to sailing or sooner. All depends on when these things become available. This goes for any RC excursions you might be interested in. Pre book and if you decide you don't want to do the excursion, you can cancel before you sail or at least 24 hrs. prior to the excursion date once on board. Do not wait until you are on board to book anything. What you want may be sold out/booked up and you will spend precious cruise time standing in line. Hope this helps, feel free to ask anything you want here. The "Questions" and "Getting Started" at the top of the page also have a wealth of knowledge that may be of help.

Dina, Glad you enjoyed the Allure, we love that ship! Haven't been on the Liberty, but, one tip I can share with you (which is pretty much across the board for all cruise ships) is do not eat the scrabbled eggs in the Windjammer on the buffet line....they are re-reconstituted powdered eggs. Stick to the fresh omelet station and get yours scrambled there if that's what you want.

Thanks for the heads up, Matt. Just checked my Allure B2B for next March/April, not offered yet,but will keep looking. Guess I'm early on this one.