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Bob_KY

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  1. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to CGTLH in First Time Star Class!!!   
    I'd probably go ahead and put in your initial requests in response to the introduction email. So far both Genie's I've had really like the "chatty" ones. They might be great at what they do, but they aren't mind readers. More information and requests you can give up front the better.
    For luggage, at the terminal you'll see a Star class purple banner/flag. Best thing to do is find terminal personnel near that banner/flag and have them summon a porter. Under no circumstance should you give your bags to a random porter.
    For Symphony you'll want to be dropped off by the front doors of Terminal A. Otherwise haul your bags to that point. Personnel will try and divert you to the drop off zone prior to the entrance. Best bet is to have the driver tell them you're Star class and was told to be dropped off at the front entrance.
  2. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to Baked Alaska in Star Class Unpacking   
    Yes @BB1to laundry. Didnt' have anything ruined or lost. Will do it again.
  3. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to StayFrosty in Coco Cay Beach Club Update   
    I found this on Facebook from Rob Stone Photography. He brought a drone to Coco Cay (he was initially told he could use it before someone else told him no).  You can see a tiny bit of what is going on behind the construction walls. Unfortunately is is not very much. But hey, something is better than nothing. 
     
    Edit: new link as the last one was private. 
     
  4. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to gnomecruising in Several RC initiated Room Changes prior to Sailing   
    Thank you everyone for the comments and ideas.  We were 'choose your own room' so we did pay the higher price to pick specific rooms. We did that because of the large group of us travelling together and we wanted to be all on same floor/next to each other plus the adjoining rooms was the big push why we chose our own.
     
    I plan to try all avenues listed in all the above posts this afternoon after work.  I welcome any addt'l suggestions people have as well just in case I don't get anywhere this evening.
    Thank you for all the tips!
  5. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to AshleyDillo in Several RC initiated Room Changes prior to Sailing   
    Are you using a TA?  If so, this is a great time for the TA to advocate on your behalf.
    Is your upcoming sailing on Oasis?  There have been reports that this is happening due to the re-configuring of cabin capacity to accommodate the addition of the new cabins during the AMP.
  6. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to WAAAYTOOO in Star Class Unpacking   
    While I guess it CAN be done, we have never asked for it to be done.  I am too picky about my stuff and I would not be comfortable with anyone else unpacking for me....that's just me.
    If you are in a loft suite you need to make SURE that the Genie knows you want your bags taken upstairs.  If you don't say anything to them your bags will be left downstairs.  No bueno.
  7. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to WhiteSoxFan in 6 month passport rule   
    Just found this here: https://www.uspassporthelpguide.com/six-months-validity-rule/
    Caribbean
    Most countries in the Caribbean require you to have a passport with at least six months validity. The ones that do not are US Territories like US Virgin Island and Puerto Rico or The Bahamas, Barbados, Dominican Republic, and Haiti. The ones that do require are Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Martinique, St. Barthelemy, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
     
    For a fee you can expedite your passport renewals.
     
  8. Love
    Bob_KY reacted to michelle in Benefits of using MEI Travel   
    thank you for supporting MEI Travel and Matt's Blog
  9. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to Pima1988 in Beware- Chill Island Cabana Poor Service   
    I am sorry to hear about your experience.  Our experience was the complete opposite.  
    As an example, I ordered a drink and made the remark that I am just running to the bathroom.  My thought was this way she knew she could leave it in the cabana.  I went to the bathroom and as soon as I exited, I hear her say Mrs. Pima.  I look around and there she was with the drink on the tray.  I want to say she checked in on us every 20-30 mins.,  usually less because a couple of us would order drinks and by the time she delivered them, someone else ordered, plus the delivery of food (fruit platter, than delivering the menu, delivering the food, cleaning up the food delivery and than bringing the fruit kebabs in the pm).  On top of that if we were all out in the water, she would fold up the towels laying on the chairs.  Check our water bottle stock.   
    We all remarked that the noisiest thing there when you were in the water were the attendants screaming by the edge of the water their cabana guests name with their drink in hand.  At one point we even remarked that there were 4 attendants standing at the edge with drinks in hand.
    I would contact RCL.
    The one thing I did find out through our attendant, is that the attendant contract is not like the cruise contract for their staff.  It is a 4 week contract.  I state this because it might be that due to the hurricane, maybe their more experienced staff did not come back yet if their family home was destroyed.    She told us that every night they actually have boats to ferry staff back home due to how their contracts work. They leave @ 6:30 p.m.  and the ferry will bring the staff back at 6:30 a.m.   
  10. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to AshleyDillo in Sorry Royal Up Question Again   
    Inventory does not matter when it comes to RoyalUp.  If someone bails on a room, that opens up the inventory and Royal can turn to the bids that have been placed and accept those over putting that room back on the open market if they feel it will be best to their bottom line.  
    Remember if you are in an OS and you bid on something and get moved, that frees up that OS.  For example, if you bid $500 to upgrade but someone bid $2000 for an OS...by accepting your bid and moving you, they can accept that OS bid now and effectively gain $2500 really easily!  Then can then accept a bid for the room that whoever took your OS..it will be a snowball effect down the line. 
    They don't have to try to sell these rooms at the last minute at a discount and instead they get to keep what they originally received from whoever canceled since it's past the final payment mark and then they get all this extra money from the snowball effect of all the RoyalUp bids.  That could end up being more than what they could have resold the room for.  It's a very complicated proprietary algorithm I am sure and I think it's a genius business idea.
  11. Like
    Bob_KY got a reaction from ellcee in 30% OFF Each cost more than BOGO 50% off   
    I appreciate Michelle even more after reading this.  ?
  12. Like
    Bob_KY got a reaction from JLMoran in 30% OFF Each cost more than BOGO 50% off   
    I appreciate Michelle even more after reading this.  ?
  13. Like
    Bob_KY got a reaction from Big Tule in How do you carry SeaPass card   
    Vote 4 lanyard.   I have one that I can carry tip $ too.  I have to wear a lanyard at work.  Funny, all look goofy without one.  ?  plus, I don't care;  cruise, sun, fruity drinks, food, --- do what is comfortable.  
  14. Like
    Bob_KY got a reaction from Big Tule in How do you carry SeaPass card   
    One more thing.  
    Like PatsfanBrian.  Have A "system."  We have magnet hooks by the door.  When we enter our stateroom,  we hang it.  As we leave, we pick it up.  
  15. Like
    Bob_KY got a reaction from Baked Alaska in 30% OFF Each cost more than BOGO 50% off   
    I appreciate Michelle even more after reading this.  ?
  16. Like
    Bob_KY got a reaction from WAAAYTOOO in 30% OFF Each cost more than BOGO 50% off   
    I appreciate Michelle even more after reading this.  ?
  17. Like
    Bob_KY got a reaction from Baked Alaska in How do you carry SeaPass card   
    Vote 4 lanyard.   I have one that I can carry tip $ too.  I have to wear a lanyard at work.  Funny, all look goofy without one.  ?  plus, I don't care;  cruise, sun, fruity drinks, food, --- do what is comfortable.  
  18. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to AshleyDillo in Tipping Question   
    I can't think of any situation on a cruise where it would be rude to offer one.
    Tipping is very subjective and with added gratuities to drinks, room service, daily gratuities for room cleaning and dining it isn't really expected but is always welcome.
    I usually expect to tip for:
    The porter when I arrive to the port.  This will be the person that rushes you to take your luggage to a cart so it can be loaded onto a cruise ship.  This is probably the only point where I ever feel pressured to give a top.  They often do expect one.  The porters are NOT employees of the cruise line.  I generally tip a few bucks per bag.  Depends on what I have convenient in terms of small bills.  They also are around when you get off the ship and can be a big help to get you through customs faster.  I would tip more for that for sure but I've never actually ended up using one. Bartenders.  Even though you are charged 18% with your drink I find that you can brighten someone's day and even get better service by handing over the occasional cash tip.  You can do it drink by drink, every other drink, or if you visit the same bartender over and over again just do it in a larger amount one or two times. Room service.  Unless you are ordering continental breakfast or are in a Grand Suite or above, there's a charge for room service.  It's a single charge per time but you can order as much food as you want at once.  You are charged an 18% gratuity to your room service order.  I always tip whoever delivers.  If it's just a tray with coffee in the morning it may just be a couple of bucks.  If it's stacks of room service plates, then they will get tipped more. Dining.  If you eat in the specialty restaurants you have the chance to leave a tip on your bill just like at a regular restaurant.  I tend to tip $5 per person for lunch and $10 per person at dinner.  It's been a long time since I've eaten in the MDR..but when I used to we would give a tip to the waiters at the end since it was a set dining time and you always had the same waiter team. Room steward.  I end up tipping $20 at a minimum to the room steward, even if they don't do their job.  If they are excellent and I have a good rapport with them I will give them more..usually hunt them down the morning of embarkation to give them the tip. Excursions.  I tip for rideshares, taxis, tour guides.  Some ports have folks out in the port area that expect tips if you take photos with their pet iguanas or monkeys..so be aware of that.  If you have a cabana or waiter at a beach, you tip them. That's all I can think of off the top of my head that I deal with regularly on cruises. 
    Ride on the gratitude that you feel when you give them the tip..I know that tends to make me want to be even more generous.
  19. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to Rob&Ana in Back to back process   
    Don't miss the back to back lunch they offer to consecutive cruisers in the dining room on turnaround day!
    Enjoy your cruises!
  20. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to twangster in Alaska-Northbound or Southbound?   
    I really like taking the train from Anchorage to Seward.  When you go Southbound you can catch the early morning train and be in Seward by noon.  Check in and grab lunch on the ship then explore Seward.
    When you go North the train ride is late afternoon or early evening from Seward to Anchorage.  
    I find that train ride at the beginning of the cruise sets the tone for the cruise and is an awesome way to start the adventure.  The cruise just builds on top of that fantastic start.  Going North the train is after the cruise and does not have the same wow factor.  
  21. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to rjac in Carry on question   
    Hello redraider,
    Welcome to the message boards. Feel free to ask away with any questions you may have. There is a wealth of knowledge here. 
    Regarding your heavy carry on, have you considered signing up for The Key? One of the benefits is once on board, you drop your carry on off at a  designated location and it will be delivered to your room well before you get there. We had the Key this past April on the Anthem and it was nice dropping off our back packs and wine carrier (two bottles of wine) so we could roam round this ship. 
  22. Like
    Bob_KY reacted to TXcruzer in Carry on question   
    find yourself a nice carry on sized bag with 360 degree wheels
  23. Haha
    Bob_KY got a reaction from Pro24 in Are they benefits for early check-in?   
    Now .... cruise early check in means fruity drinks by the pool sooner..  ?

  24. Like
    Bob_KY got a reaction from SPS in Are they benefits for early check-in?   
    Now .... cruise early check in means fruity drinks by the pool sooner..  ?

  25. Haha
    Bob_KY got a reaction from coneyraven in A Memory from your first Royal Cruise   
    Over a decade ago my wife and I decided to cruise.  Liberty of the Seas best fit our schedule.  We were entirely ignorant.  We picked one excursion.   
    Jamaica excursion:  Blue Mtn Coffee-Dunn River Falls-Snorkling with all the rum "kool-aid" U could drink.  We decided that we would not snorkle and enjoy the boat.  Again, first cruise...  we did not remember the excursion details, and dressed for hiking along the "banks of Dunn River."  Well.. My wife was dressed very fashionably with pants and shirt.  
    Loved the Blue Mtn Coffee.  Then, we were organized into groups to go hand in hand, not on the banks but IN THE RIVER.  My wife was a trooper and stuck with it - still not realizing the depth (she is less 5 feet tall) by the time we got to the top she was soaked.  We end up buying at the top of the falls, from the vendors, short gym shorts and a tee shirt.  She changed in the restroom and walked out.  The shorts were lime green with florescent yellow piping with JAMAICA (the bright yellow) across the back of the shorts.  We laughed so hard and bought the video.  As most were snorkling, we drank koolaid.  Yes, my wife lead the Conga line dance before we ended the excursion.   
    I still have photo at the start as a screen saver.  
    What is your first cruise memory?

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