FManke

Hi all

 

I've been looking to see if I can make the deluxe package worth it for me. We're on Majesty for the 4 day Bahamas cruise which has 1 sea day. I figured if I drink cocktails (which are my go to when I drink) it'll definitely be worth it BUT I'm confused. The package says it covers drinks up to $12 which it says includes cocktails but the price list I've been looking at has all cocktails at $13 dollars so they won't be included. On Majesty is it fair to say all cocktails will be $13? Excluding any specials at least.

 

Thanks very much.

Your package includes drinks, up to $12. So anything over $12, you are responsible for the extra $. From what I've read, a general rule of thumb, is that you will need to consume about six drinks a day to make it worth the package price. If I'm wrong, somebody will correct me.

As mentioned by Matt recently, Empress has started storage of carry one items during embarkation. Has anybody experienced this recently on any other ships? Any word if this is coming down the pike for other ships?

Hockeyman55,

Off the subject, but with a member name like Hockeymann55, who's your team?

We just booked our first family cruise on the Harmony for May 2018 and super excited :D .  This is our first cruise as a family with my last cruise back in the mid 90s in my teens, my wife's in the early 2000s and our 3 kids (will be 7,6 and 5 at time of cruise) first all together. Western Caribbean itinerary, 2 boardwalk balcony rooms since we will have my mom and brother with us also. My previous cruise was back on the old Norwegian ship the SS Norway so this will be quite a different experience for me. Im sure ill have tons of questions before then so will post here when the time comes. 

 

 

 

 

417 days to go but who's counting lol

I would imagine, since it's been so long since you've cruised, it will be like cruising for the first time again. Seeing how far ships have come and changed, in just the last ten years, or so. Good luck and enjoy!

Online. Following your cruise, you will get an email with a link to fill out the survey.

I'll be sure to mention DocLC in mine, just in case he forgets!

This question might be better answered if you can share what you have in mind to bring off the ship?

 

We always grab a couple boxes of cereal for the kids to bring off the ship.  It's an easy snack and it transports quite well.

 

On a couple of occasions I have tried to bring something like a slice of pizza off the ship (one for the road), and if the crew members see it, they tell me no.  

 

But there may or may not have been times in which the food was accidentally left in my backpack and made it off without issue.  Just saying.

If you accidentally left something in your backpack, how well are they really checking?

I have no reason to believe it will not be.  Empress sailings have always been oddly booked, but until something changes, she is the only ship that can fit in Havana in RC's fleet.

Is Havana an especially small port?

I'm still really annoyed by this change, just in case my 15 other posts on the topic haven't made that clear. ;)

I had no idea! ;) 

I know you know this, but be sure to mention that in your post-cruise surveys.  

When and where are these surveys done?

It lets them know that you have a need and helps them able to supply the foods needed. For instance, if you're celiac, they'll make sure to have gluten free bread onboard. You will still need to talk to the staff, usually the head waiter or the executive sous chef in the buffet. Depending on your dietary limitation, you may need to eat most of your meals in the main dining room.

It's mostly just low fat and low sodium. I had some blood work done recently and need to make some better life choices. Guess I'm just lazy and want the work done for me. :) I think it will just be as easy to talk to our servers about sauces and such.

I see on line you can request a special diet, like low sodium, low fat, no gluten, etc.

How effective is this and is it easier to just let your server know when ordering about any special needs?

Any benefits from having it recorded on your reservation?

You can book the kids in their own cabin by calling RC directly or your TA can do it.  It can't be done online.  It must be the room right next door or directly across the hall.  I've done it and many others say they have booked this way too.

 

There are also connecting rooms.  I usually have my TA search for those.

 

Even with kids in another room, I always bring 4 bottles of wine.  Never been questioned as I take 2 and my husband has 2.

Do you need the extra wine because your kids are with you? :lol: 

I've never had any issues with beverages in travel mugs. I did, however, see people forced to throw their coffee away in one port, but that's only happened once. Mexico, particularly Cozumel, is the most strict and had food sniffing dogs at the port.

I hope we don't run into any rogue Mounties at our Canadian ports this Oct! :) 

Cash is King as the crew can use it for what they need. You also need to realize that their cabin space is very limited, so they don't really have room to store gifts. Something like a small treat from your hometown (e.g., pre packaged candy) might be nice, but money is the best way to go.

What do people tip above the added gratuities on a daily basis for say their stewards? $5 a day too little or too much. I usually leave $5-$10 a day at a regular hotel for housekeeping, depending on what type of hotel and service provided. But of course gratuities aren't usually added to the stay.

Only prepackaged and unopened did cab be taken off the ship, which means you're primarily limited to single serve boxes of cereal from the Windjammer at breakfast, what you might buy in the shops (e.g., candy bars), or what you might bring onboard with you.

Same goes for unopened beverages? What about travel mugs?

So full charge for room service for anything but breakfast.

 

And doubling the cost of it as well.

 

 

Anyone else hear about this and happy about it?!....

 

Is it just me or is Royal really going down a path to differentiate  themselves from the other cruise lines....for what I would consider all the wrong reasons??!

Hey monctonguy!

Just a shout out to you for starting this thread!

It really continues to have people really thinking and expressing their thoughts and opinions.

I heard about a senior citizen who insisted that the microwave in his room did not work. When the maintenance man showed up, he pointed out that the "microwave" was actually the safe. So, no, there are no microwaves.

Haha! Gotta love seniors! We will all get there some day, God willing.

Interesting. I saw some folks do a little "tweaking" and though it different. I don't find it strong but rather very flavorful.

I think a lot of times people confuse strong with bitter. They say they don't like strong coffee but what they really mean is that they don't like bitter coffee. You actually get bitter coffee from not using enough coffee. After all the flavor is extracted from a certain amount of ground coffee beans, all that's left is the bitter compounds. Also robusto beans are higher in caffeine than Arabica beans which will make them slightly more bitter. Just an FYI.

Completely different menu for lunch, and I often find some great items on there. In my experience, there can be some overlap with WJ, but it's not total.

 

Just like breakfast, the reason to dine in the MDR for lunch is for something a bit more refined.

 

Also, lunch in the MDR has arguably the best salad station ever: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/05/22/royal-caribbean-classic-tutti-salad-bar

The salad bar does look fantastic! I can't wait! Since there will only be two seas days on our cruise, we plan on doing a MDR lunch both days.

My complaint is when an elevator shows up, and you have to walk to the other end of the lobby to get it, someone onboard presses the close doors button as soon as the doors open so you have no chance to catch it.  Once again, not following good elevator etiquette.

First off, thank you for your service Bob!

I agree with what everybody has said about etiquette. It goes beyond just the elevators of course. The world would be a much better place if everybody just cared half as much for each other, as they care about themselves. A little goes a long way.

A single, flat fee, so it's not that expensive if you're ordering for two or more people. However, it now makes for an expensive mid afternoon snack after a long day ashore.

 

I hope they extend the WJ hours to compensate for this new charge. Many on other ships are open from 6 am until 11 pm with no closing times between those hours.

This makes sense, even with more limited offerings. I don't think they need to run a full menu after regular hours, just give people an alternative to just sandwiches. Although there are those people who feel like not offering a full menu after a certain hour would be another included perk being removed. But as always, you are not going to please everyone.

Does the MDR get very busy for lunch on sea days? I think I read they are only open for like an hour and a half? I have read the Tutti bar is worth it though.

We have an aft cabin, deck 4,  just off the Centrum, so that will be our default elevators. But maybe at least we can use the forward elevators going down from forward decks.

Or better yet, how about, "The Poseidon Adventure." The original of course, not the remake.  :lol:

I've read all the tips about using the stairs instead of the elevators to save time as they are very crowded. I have a bad knee, so stairs are not an option except floor to floor and only going down. Any tips on using the elevators except leave extra time to get where you're going?