UkuleleCruiser

I really enjoyed this excursion. According to the excursion people on the ship, it's brand new. They build a nearby facility on a lagoon because it's a 4 hour drive to the factory. They have an outdoor bar where they serve everyone a rum punch.Refills included. Then they have a series of stations set up which depict scenes of rum making from the farms and factory. Then they have everyone into an open-air area where they have you taste 3 or 4 different rums, after watching a video made by the master mixer for each. You get a little gift bottle of rum, and they have a nice little gift shop. The experience includes a jerk chicken lunch. 

On 2/6/2018 at 2:59 AM, Beyond Vertical said:

I paid fedex office to print my luggage tags on a high quality glossy thick paper. Cot less than $2 for 4 copies. The even got wet and had no smearing or discoloration. 

That's a fabulous idea! I just realized we have a laminater in the office, too. I hope no one else from  my office is on this board....

On 2/4/2018 at 3:41 PM, twangster said:

Agreed.  Should have bought them a long time ago.  Worth every penny.  Cruisin' like a pro...

Ah! To buy luggage tag holders or not. We used a roll of transparent duct tape this past cruise. It worked great. By "worked great", I mean the luggage made it to our cabin without any problems! We just stuck the tape and the scissors in the car before we got on the shuttle, and we were off and running...

We got a bite to eat in the windjammer, griped about the windjammer food, and headed up to olive and twist on 14. After lifeboat drill, we watched sailaway from our balcony.

3 minutes ago, Boston Babe said:

I'll let you know after Cruise #1, Hubby hasn't been on one yet! Pray for smooth waters! 

We were all newbies once. I'm sure he'll love it.

2 minutes ago, Boston Babe said:

It's funny I was thinking about those ones!! Have to bring alot huh? Good advice, we really love our coffee!  Starting out on Grandeur for a 5 night to Bermuda in May, September back to Bermuda on Celebrity Summit, January Equinox, July Adventure of the Seas to NE/CA, then Southern Caribbean in Nov on Silhouette, then Edge January 2020! LOL Making up for lost time!! 

Making up for lost time is an understatement! You are an official cruise consultant!

36 minutes ago, Sweety said:

We went into one of the homes restuarant. They gave us so much food that I tipped heavily. The Cuban sandwich with plaintains. Heavenly.

Yum!

Just now, Sweety said:

Empress. The cars were awesome. I was riding aroung in a 58 Mercedes. 

We have SO hijacked this thread!

Just now, Sweety said:

It is small, but the crew was amazing. The food!!!! Havana Cuba. I am doing this in 2019 for the holidays.

Empress or Monarch? I am super excited about Havana. Weird, but I really want to see the cars!

Just now, Sweety said:

I did the Cuba cruise last August. We are deciding to do it in 2019 for Christmas if it's offer.  It is an eight day cruise and they have more stops in Cuba,

I was looking at that eight day! That sounds great! What did you like best about the ship? What was your favorite port?

9 minutes ago, Boston Babe said:

That's great! I'm 80 days and counting!! Starting my next career majoring in cruising!! Haven't been in 30 years! Can't wait for that coffee on the balcony. I'm so glad you had such a great time!

Yeah! What ship? What ports? Have you booked excursions yet?How exciting! So, for room service, always order at least 2 coffees per person, or you'll only get a little bit. I think we finally started ordering 4. The little bagels and English muffins are great. Just order cream cheese the same way you order coffee. And bring ones: We ran out of dollar bills to tip the room service guy...

3 minutes ago, Boston Babe said:

I wasn't going to go there, however my husband being the history freak that he is says he wants to. I'm waiting for the next deployment to come out for rest of 2020. (wishful thinking!)

I'm hoping you were still able to enjoy the cruise! Hey anything beats working! LOL 

The cruise was fabulous. The highlight was enjoying room service coffee on the balcony each morning. Heaven! I tried to keep a journal. I may have more tidbits later. For instance, the room service charges are updated on paper, but not on the television menus. Really? Such a little detail. FYI no problem with room service charges. Still a great value.

On 2/7/2018 at 7:25 AM, D Murphy said:

After posting our concerns about the deluxe drink package..we called RCL once again.

Due to medical reasons..(chemo treatments) my wife cannot drink and thus being forced to buy 2 drink packages is prohibitive

We were told that she wouldn't have to buy the drink package..but WOULD have to purchase one of the other packages

The soda..water..etc..is $20/ day...Has anyone else been told the same?..

That would still bring our total to about $900 for a 12 day cruise out of Baltimore..

 

THAT IS INSANE!!!....As diamond members we expected more from RCL

 

I am not a fan of the drink packages. We didn't purchase one for the cruise we just finished on Sunday. We bought a few drinks, but with the free champagne at art auctions and Captains Welcome, plus from the Chef's Table, we had plenty of beverage. I hope your wife is responding well to treatment, and I'm glad she's able to cruise regardless.

1 minute ago, Boston Babe said:

How was your trip?  Like I was saying, the points add up if you are also using their air to sea or Celebrity air program. They intertwine. I hope you had a great time!!

Here's a quick trip summary: We had a great time. I only had two observations: We'd already been on The Liberty, so we didn't have the fun of exploring a new ship, new shows, etc. And, for some reason, they didn't give us a list of the Chops reservations or Chefs Table reservations when we first entered our room. I suppose they never did, but it seems like such a simple thing so I'd have everything planned for the week right in front of me.

We cancelled Bamboo Beach Club, and did a rum tasting experience at Appleton Rum's local facility opened just for this purpose. 

I didn't buy a ship.

I think our next destination will be Cuba, or a cruise out of San Juan...

On 2/10/2018 at 3:13 PM, Allen2 said:

Had the card for years.  First - use it for all RCCL purchases: double points.  Second: the best VALUE is for cruises.  Example at 50,000 points: (1) $500 onboard credit (2) $500 discount on any RCCL or Celebrity itinerary (3 - 5) Various upgrades worth $500 (6) 3 or 4 night cruise - value up to $1000. (7) Celebrity upgrade for Alaska worth $600.  In terms of "bang for your bucks" the cruise is best value...but sold a list price.

Awesome! I'm fresh off our Liberty cruise, and looking for values. Your logic makes sense, especially since we decided on the ship to be "loyal to royal" because we are invested already...

2 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

There are many who say that other cards give you more perks and I'm sure that's true.  However, we use the BofA RCCL Visa card b/c, as BostonBabe suggests, you can redeem your points directly for cruise OBC and since you receive double points for any RCCL purchases, those points will accumulate quickly.  We use the RCCL BofA Visa exclusively when cruising.

OK, I see. I'm checking it out.

5 minutes ago, Boston Babe said:

If you pay for your cruises with either card, say $1000 you get double points-$2000.   

I'm such a credit card dweeb: I don't know what 2000 points means. Is it dollar for dollar? Does 2000 points mean two free drinks? I don't speak the lingo yet! i'm reading this chart about someone who scored free robes, but not really sure what the points count was to get that... If 5,000 points is about $50 in actual usable "cruise bucks", then 2000 points is like 2 drinks of the day? I am sure it won't hurt. I just don't understand it all yet! :-)

I will check that out! Unfortunately, I also bank with Bank Of America! That should make things convenient.

6 minutes ago, twangster said:

It's gone up 20% in the cruise planner in 2018 but I keep hoping for a sale.

T H A T ' S A W E S O M E!

What do you think of the credit card overall? I have been leery of a lot of the credit cards offered by cruise lines. Are the points worth it? What would you recommend for a travel credit card?

I hope they aren't getting rid of the good features, like scary bus trip thrill ride.

On 1/1/2018 at 1:55 PM, GaCardinal said:

We have a later flight out of FLL and I know it's a short trip over to the airport from the port terminal.  Our flight doesn't leave until 5:00 pm.  Hate to have five kids sitting in the airport all day so I'll take all the extra ship time we can get.  Willing to take our luggage off ourselves, whatever makes it easiest.  Anyone hid in a lounge before?

Hide in a janitorial closet. They won't find you for awhile.

On 1/25/2018 at 1:47 PM, Razerbkfan said:

We just completed our 6th cruise and wanted to offer a general observation.  We love Royal and generally think they do things well in all areas.  However we come back amazed every time how many conversations we overhear that someone didn't know something was available to them on the ship.  For example the last night of the cruise someone eating in the main dining room for the first time.  They didn't know they could order an extra entree if they wanted one or if they have a food allergy the staff will do everything they can to meet their menu needs.  I understand why the company always host a port shopping event early each cruise, to increase their profits.  However I would think the could build brand loyalty by hosting a "newbie" event to offer insights into the ship and the great variety of items available during the cruise.  Maybe they alrady do,but as a still relative newbie we didn't see it on the cruise compass.

Royal shoould recognize that the script for the " newbie show " is already written for them with this blog and all of its great contributors.  We have found so much great information here we always feel at home on whatever ship we are sailing.  We really feel like we are giving back when we can answer a fellow cruisers question.  We also point them here so for their next cruise they will more informed which I think leads to a better cruise experience.

Even for "Oldbies" it would be nice to have an orientation. Each ship has unique qualities and niches. Plus, like other lines do, it would be nice to have an option to learn about the history and culture of a port, without the heavy handed sales pitch. I do have fun in the expensive watch stores: "So, is your store here because they manufacture these watches in Jamaica?" "no." "Oh, so your corporate office must be here. Jamaica must be the BUSINESS home for this watch." "No." "So, these must be specific watches that have a strong cultural or historical tie to Jamaica?" "no. Please leave my store." It never gets old.

My least favorite thing is getting off of the ship at the end of the cruise.

On 9/29/2017 at 7:19 PM, kapekav said:

okay old people here,  do I need to bring my prescription pills in

the original bottles or can I bring my pill case all set up

for each day

I bring my pills already split into ziplock bags labelled "Day" or "night" depending on when I take them. I have never had a problem. This year, I am adding a printed list of each medication that I received from my doctor, just in case.