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First time on Royal Carribean - Questions


Tampaite

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We just bought cruise tickets via http://www.royalcaribbean.com/ for 4-nights to Bahamas on Majesty of Seas and we are super excited and looking forward to the trip!

We didn't know that, there weren't any balconies on Majesty of Seas and the website continues to show Balcony as "Sold Out" - I thought we missed the boat on getting a deal on a balcony but if we knew that the ship didn't have any, it would have been better upfront.

We booked two interior staterooms as we are 5 adults and 2 kids and it's great that RC is running a kids sail free promotion.

Stateroom #1:

   
   
Guest 1 $169
Guest 2 $169
Guest 3 $131
Prepaid Gratuities $162
Taxes, fees and port expenses $239
Grand Total $870

 

Stateroom #2:

Guest 1 $169
Guest 2 $169
Prepaid Gratuities $108
Taxes, fees and port expenses $159
Grand Total $605

For 5 of us(3 adult/2kids) - a total of $1500 is a great deal!

Questions

  1. Gratuities: We pre-paid $54 per person including for an Infant and I read online that most cruise lines don't charge tips for Infants but called RC customer service @ (866) 562-7625 and they said any paying guest will have to pay tips. We noticed even though the promo said Kids Sail Free eventually, the price was allocated among the guests so that's one way RC says all guests have to pay. We were hoping to see say Guest 3 price paid =$0 but instead it shows up as $131 so the promo is misleading.
  2. Water: why does RC prohibit customers from bring them on-board and I see folks trying to sneak them-in. what's the logic ?
  3. Excursions: With an infant in the party, am not sure what excursions do you guys recommend ? is there child-care on-board while the ship is docked at the port?
  4. My Time Dining: Isn't lunch or say, dinner served during set time like between 5.30 pm to 10pm or should we make reservations for lunch/dinner?
  5. Dress: Do we really need formal attire or can we wear casual clothing(shorts OK for men) ?
  6. Boarding: The ship sails from Port Canaveral at 4pm - What time do you recommend we be on-board?
  7. Stroller: Are they allowed on-board? or are we expected to carry an infant in our arms on the ship?
  8. Rooms:  we have two rooms on upper decks but they are apart and would like them to be closer or next to each other. I couldn't see any option online to request or change. The "modify" link in our online account disappeared after we made the reservation. Should we call RC customer service and if we change it now, will we be charged additional price?
  9. Suggestions/Recommendations: Any other tips for first time cruisers with an Infant to ensure that we have a wonderful time?
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22 minutes ago, Tampaite said:

Water: why does RC prohibit customers from bring them on-board and I see folks trying to sneak them-in. what's the logic ?

I assume the logic is they want you to pay for it.  The reality is you can bring water onboard.  It's kind of a "dont ask, don't tell" policy.  Put it in your carry on luggage (not your checked luggage).

22 minutes ago, Tampaite said:

Excursions: With an infant in the party, am not sure what excursions do you guys recommend ? is there child-care on-board while the ship is docked at the port?

Most Royal Caribbean ships have a nursery, but Majesty is not one of them.

In terms of excursions, depends on the kid.  Beach days are hard to beat with them.  When you're at CocoCay (RC's private island) consider renting a cabana or beach bungalow so you have a shaded spot for the kid to nap.

24 minutes ago, Tampaite said:

My Time Dining: Isn't lunch or say, dinner served during set time like between 5.30 pm to 10pm or should we make reservations for lunch/dinner?

Here's an overview of MTD: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/06/04/what-you-need-know-about-royal-caribbeans-my-time-dining

24 minutes ago, Tampaite said:

Dress: Do we really need formal attire or can we wear casual clothing(shorts OK for men) ?

That's a loaded question because RC doesn't really enforce the rules.  No, you don't have to wear a suit or tuxedo.  A collared shirt and dress pants for men will certainly suffice.

25 minutes ago, Tampaite said:

Stroller: Are they allowed on-board? or are we expected to carry an infant in our arms on the ship?

Yes it is allowed.

25 minutes ago, Tampaite said:

Rooms:  we have two rooms on upper decks but they are apart and would like them to be closer or next to each other. I couldn't see any option online to request or change. The "modify" link in our online account disappeared after we made the reservation. Should we call RC customer service and if we change it now, will we be charged additional price?

This is something you have to book, so the only way to change is to call RC (or your travel agent) and have them change it.  What this amounts to is a cancellation and rebooking, so there could be a price change.

 

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Matt- to the dress attire question. Would a nice collared shirt along with nice (non cargo or baggy) shorts be acceptable for dinner in the MDR, or are pants still required without saying as much.  I plan on bringing pants but just didn't  know how much it's enforced.   

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2 hours ago, Tampaite said:

We didn't know that, there weren't any balconies on Majesty of Seas and the website continues to show Balcony as "Sold Out" - I thought we missed the boat on getting a deal on a balcony but if we knew that the ship didn't have any, it would have been better upfront.

There are a limited number of ocean view rooms with balconies and suites with balconies on deck ten that were added in a dry dock years ago. I believe there are around 60 of those rooms...

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/majesty-of-the-seas/deck-plans/1719/BR

Nick Vitani frequently Periscopes from one of the balcony rooms he gets on his weekend cruises on that ship.

It may be worth calling Royal Caribbean or your travel agent to see if one opens up. It would be a good deal, but it would be quite a bit more expensive than the inside rooms you booked.

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18 minutes ago, Spiegeje said:

There are a limited number of ocean view rooms with balconies and suites with balconies on deck ten that were added in a dry dock years ago. I believe there are around 60 of those rooms...

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/majesty-of-the-seas/deck-plans/1719/BR

 

Suites are different. We were hoping to have a regular balcony rooms like on other ships.

https://www.icruise.com/ships/royal-caribbean-cruises-majesty-of-the-seas-staterooms.html?LsID=13

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According to CruiseDeckPlans.com's info on Majesty of the Seas, the closest you'll get to a regular balcony is a Junior Suite. There are apparently 50 of those, and they are not at all comparable in price to your inside room.

I did a mock booking for a Dec 10 4-night Bahamas itinerary (lowest price of all dates), and for your first room with two adults and one kid under 12, I'm seeing $535 per person for a JS, total price $1,605 after port taxes and fees. With one adult and one kid (second room), it's $803 per person for the JS, and still a total cost of $1605 after port taxes and fees. I'd expect the room with 3 to cost more, but Royal's site is final-pricing both exactly the same. Maybe because all prices are always based on double-occupancy, and with the Kids Sail Free promo you have "only two" in the first room, and a "solo traveler" in the second who's getting hit with the "solo traveler" surcharge? :42_confused:

Anyway, if you want a balcony room, this is the closest and "cheapest" you'll get. At least it nets you double C&A points! :29_smirk:

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1 hour ago, JLMoran said:

According to CruiseDeckPlans.com's info on Majesty of the Seas, the closest you'll get to a regular balcony is a Junior Suite. There are apparently 50 of those, and they are not at all comparable in price to your inside room.

I did a mock booking for a Dec 10 4-night Bahamas itinerary (lowest price of all dates), and for your first room with two adults and one kid under 12, I'm seeing $535 per person for a JS, total price $1,605 after port taxes and fees. With one adult and one kid (second room), it's $803 per person for the JS, and still a total cost of $1605 after port taxes and fees. I'd expect the room with 3 to cost more, but Royal's site is final-pricing both exactly the same. Maybe because all prices are always based on double-occupancy, and with the Kids Sail Free promo you have "only two" in the first room, and a "solo traveler" in the second who's getting hit with the "solo traveler" surcharge? :42_confused:

Anyway, if you want a balcony room, this is the closest and "cheapest" you'll get. At least it nets you double C&A points! :29_smirk:

Running that "data checker" again...lol :10_wink:

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8 hours ago, Koz said:

Matt- to the dress attire question. Would a nice collared shirt along with nice (non cargo or baggy) shorts be acceptable for dinner in the MDR, or are pants still required without saying as much.  I plan on bringing pants but just didn't  know how much it's enforced.   

I didn't see anybody on my recent cruise in shorts, not that there weren't any. Maybe because it was an older crowd. Did see a few guys in just regular jeans and t-shirts though. Most men, including myself usually wore a minimum of a polo/golf shirt and Docker type pants. To each their own though.

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21 hours ago, Koz said:

Matt- to the dress attire question. Would a nice collared shirt along with nice (non cargo or baggy) shorts be acceptable for dinner in the MDR, or are pants still required without saying as much.  I plan on bringing pants but just didn't  know how much it's enforced.   

Shorts are a contentious topic.  Royal Caribbean doesn't have a list of clothes you cannot wear, just suggestions for what you should.

Would your husband be the first person to wear shorts in MDR? Nope.  Would he be the only one wearing shorts in MDR that evening? Likely not.  Traditionalists would argue shorts shouldn't be worn to be MDR, but again, I doubt anyone says anything to you about it if you were to wear it.

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1 hour ago, Matt said:

Shorts are a contentious topic.  Royal Caribbean doesn't have a list of clothes you cannot wear, just suggestions for what you should.

Would your husband be the first person to wear shorts in MDR? Nope.  Would he be the only one wearing shorts in MDR that evening? Likely not.  Traditionalists would argue shorts shouldn't be worn to be MDR, but again, I doubt anyone says anything to you about it if you were to wear it.

Thanks Matt- I figured that was the case and am bringing pants for myself. Now, with the kids are they a little more apt to look the other way, even on a formal night? Kids in collared shirts and dressy shorts acceptable at all times?

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1 hour ago, JBC said:

In my experiences in the MDR, they will allow you to wear shorts on regular nights.  For formal nights, they will require pants.  On my last cruise I witnessed them turning someone away from the MDR on formal night for wearing shorts.  

Interesting, not certain I've seen that, although I don't stand around to see what happens either.

49 minutes ago, Koz said:

Thanks Matt- I figured that was the case and am bringing pants for myself. Now, with the kids are they a little more apt to look the other way, even on a formal night? Kids in collared shirts and dressy shorts acceptable at all times?

Technically, there's no difference in dress codes between adults and kids.  Are kids held to a lower standard when it comes to dress code? Probably.  

I think the key is not to worry too much about the dress code.  It's a suggestion more than anything.  

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1 hour ago, Matt said:

Interesting, not certain I've seen that, although I don't stand around to see what happens either.

Ha ha, I don't stand around at the entrance to the MDR either, I only know this because the person that was refused entry was my father :8_laughing::8_laughing:

This stemmed from the fact that the first night my mother made him wear pants, and then he saw people in the MDR with shorts and got mad.  So on night 2, which was the first formal night, he insisted on wearing shorts and that is when he was turned away.  Needless to say, we all got quite a laugh about it at the table when he came back with pants on and a sour look on his face :1_grinning:

 

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Question: Smoking - Are there designated smoking areas on the ship or if it free for all? I dislike smokers(nothing personal) as am allergic to the smoke and it's nauseating.

For future cruises, Are there any cruise ships that are non-smoking only?

We didn't think about this(smoking) before booking but with an Infant in the group, this has come up now as we are reading more reviews on Majesty of the Seas ship

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1 hour ago, Tampaite said:

Question: Smoking - Are there designated smoking areas on the ship or if it free for all? I dislike smokers(nothing personal) as am allergic to the smoke and it's nauseating.

For future cruises, Are there any cruise ships that are non-smoking only?

We didn't think about this(smoking) before booking but with an Infant in the group, this has come up now as we are reading more reviews on Majesty of the Seas ship

Not a free for all. There are designated areas....casino and a few outdoor areas.  The rest of the ship is smoke free..not even supposed to smoke on balconies as its a fire hazard although some disregard this rule.  Really not hard to avoid the smoke unless you want to gamble.

I don't know any line who has smoke free ships...not even Disney.

I

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19 hours ago, JBC said:

Ha ha, I don't stand around at the entrance to the MDR either, I only know this because the person that was refused entry was my father :8_laughing::8_laughing:

This stemmed from the fact that the first night my mother made him wear pants, and then he saw people in the MDR with shorts and got mad.  So on night 2, which was the first formal night, he insisted on wearing shorts and that is when he was turned away.  Needless to say, we all got quite a laugh about it at the table when he came back with pants on and a sour look on his face :1_grinning:

 

Thanks for the laugh ?!!

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18 hours ago, Tampaite said:

Question: Smoking - Are there designated smoking areas on the ship or if it free for all? I dislike smokers(nothing personal) as am allergic to the smoke and it's nauseating.

For future cruises, Are there any cruise ships that are non-smoking only?

We didn't think about this(smoking) before booking but with an Infant in the group, this has come up now as we are reading more reviews on Majesty of the Seas ship

My wife hates smoke, and has never had an issue on board.  We don't gamble so that helps, and the smoking area on the pool deck is well ventilated, so no issue there either, unless you're walking or sitting pretty close by.

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20 hours ago, Tampaite said:

Question: Smoking - Are there designated smoking areas on the ship or if it free for all? I dislike smokers(nothing personal) as am allergic to the smoke and it's nauseating.

For future cruises, Are there any cruise ships that are non-smoking only?

We didn't think about this(smoking) before booking but with an Infant in the group, this has come up now as we are reading more reviews on Majesty of the Seas ship

Whenever we book a cruise we make sure we find out before where the designated smoking areas are. Then we purposely choose staterooms far from them. I have read on many reviews that cabins around or above smoking areas do get affected, especially if you are sensitive to the smell.

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23 hours ago, JBC said:

Ha ha, I don't stand around at the entrance to the MDR either, I only know this because the person that was refused entry was my father :8_laughing::8_laughing:

This stemmed from the fact that the first night my mother made him wear pants, and then he saw people in the MDR with shorts and got mad.  So on night 2, which was the first formal night, he insisted on wearing shorts and that is when he was turned away. 

 

LOL!  The MDR staff understand that on the first night people may not have their luggage in their cabin yet, so they are a little lax on the "no shorts" rule.  I'll be honest, I use that to my advantage... on pretty much every cruise. :)  

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On 10/20/2017 at 2:50 PM, Tampaite said:

Question: Smoking - Are there designated smoking areas on the ship or if it free for all? I dislike smokers(nothing personal) as am allergic to the smoke and it's nauseating.

For future cruises, Are there any cruise ships that are non-smoking only?

We didn't think about this(smoking) before booking but with an Infant in the group, this has come up now as we are reading more reviews on Majesty of the Seas ship

The Carnival Paradise used to be a smoke free ship.  They found it wouldn't work, and Carnival now allows smoking on it.  The smoke free experiment was about 20 years ago, so maybe it's time for some cruise line to try it again.  I'm guessing it hurt casino revenue more than the cruise line thought.

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Big question- how windy is too windy for tendering?  I'm looking at Accuweather for our cruise next week and now seeing projected winds of 21 to 24 MPH with some gusts. Likelihood of still being able to tender @ Coco with those kinds of conditions?

 

That being said, I'm looking at weather reports today for the 7th and 8th of October, so I realize that alot can change during this time.

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26 minutes ago, Koz said:

... seeing projected winds of 21 to 24 MPH with some gusts. Likelihood of still being able to tender @ Coco with those kinds of conditions?

 Forecasting weather in the Caribbean is hard.  Predicting wind is no different.  They'll be looking at the whole day, not only to offload passengers, but just as important what it will be like to reload passengers.  i doubt they make these calls a week away.  Its more a game-day decision.  RCI is the 1st cruise line with a full time Chief Meteorologist.  You can follow him on twitter @JamesVanFleet, maybe even ask him this question.

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18 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

 Forecasting weather in the Caribbean is hard.  Predicting wind is no different.  They'll be looking at the whole day, not only to offload passengers, but just as important what it will be like to reload passengers.  i doubt they make these calls a week away.  Its more a game-day decision.  RCI is the 1st cruise line with a full time Chief Meteorologist.  You can follow hime on twitter @JamesVanFleet, maybe even ask him this question.

Thanks for your reply. I realize that it's more of a gameday decision but just wonder if we are talking winds of that magnitude, I wonder if it's normally enough to have them scrap tendering and just keep us floating offshore.

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1 hour ago, Tampaite said:

Continuing with the theme of questions: I understand cell phone reception will be limited or unavailable. Are we allowed to bring walkie-talkies onboard?

You can, but there are better alternatives.  You can read about those here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/07/27/how-stay-touch-someone-your-royal-caribbean-cruise

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14 minutes ago, Matt said:

You can, but there are better alternatives.  You can read about those here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/07/27/how-stay-touch-someone-your-royal-caribbean-cruise

Thanks Matt but I don't think they are better alternatives unless you don't mind paying. Don't want to sign up for international phone service for a 4 night trip plus calling via cell-phone or even texting costs an arm and a leg.

To stay in touch on the ship, looks like walkie-talkie are an option but am not seeing any reviews or someone who may have used them in the past.

 

 

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27 minutes ago, Tampaite said:

Thanks Matt but I don't think they are better alternatives unless you don't mind paying. Don't want to sign up for international phone service for a 4 night trip plus calling via cell-phone or even texting costs an arm and a leg.

To stay in touch on the ship, looks like walkie-talkie are an option but am not seeing any reviews or someone who may have used them in the past.

 

 

To be fair, walkie talkies aren't free... :6_smile:

Without an intl plan, you should ask your cell provider how much texting is while roaming.  On most plans, texting while roaming is free incoming messages and outgoing messages are somewhere between 5-50 cents per message.  For a 4 night cruise, texting is going to be cheaper more than likely than buying a few walkie talkies.  Plus, a lot less disturbing to other guests.

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RC could introduce an internal message system - scan your sea pass card or wristband on a fixed terminal/ipad type device so you can type messages to another person/cabin and when they 'sign-in' they can see and reply....

Somebody will tell me this has been around for 10 years!!

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2 hours ago, Tampaite said:

Continuing with the theme of questions: I understand cell phone reception will be limited or unavailable. Are we allowed to bring walkie-talkies onboard?

You can, but everything I've read here indicates that they'll be of limited use due onboard to the interference all that metal on the ship causes.

You can still bring your cell phones and talk via text messaging. Just confirm your carrier allows texting while outside the US (roaming) and what their rates are. Many allow free incoming texts and only charge for outgoing; rate is something like $0.50.

If everyone in your family / group has a smartphone and you were planning to all use an internet package, another option is to use the various chat apps that are available -- Messages if everyone is using iPhones or iPod Touches; Snapchat messaging, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, etc. for Android or mixed Android/iOS chat. The latter is the approach my family will be taking for our cruise on Freedom next March.

 

Important note -- If you do bring your smartphones onboard, make sure they're put in Airplane Mode as soon as you board, then just turn wifi back on to connect to VOOM if you're using that. Without airplane mode enabled, your phones will fall back on cellular data if they lose their VOOM connection, and then you'll be paying a ton for data roaming.

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47 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

Important note -- If you do bring your smartphones onboard, make sure they're put in Airplane Mode as soon as you board, then just turn wifi back on to connect to VOOM if you're using that. Without airplane mode enabled, your phones will fall back on cellular data if they lose their VOOM connection, and then you'll be paying a ton for data roaming.

I'll second that.  A few years back, I cannot remember which cruise it was but I forgot to switch my phone to airplane mode.  We had purchased Surf and Stream and I was using my phone a lot.  Well, the cell phone bill at the end definitely showed that. 

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8 hours ago, Tampaite said:

Continuing with the theme of questions: I understand cell phone reception will be limited or unavailable. Are we allowed to bring walkie-talkies onboard?

You can bring walkie talkies, but I've read on other threads that they don't always keep reception on board, and other passengers complain about the "noise" from them.  I hope someone with experience in this area will chime in for you.

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6 hours ago, RestingBirds said:

You can bring walkie talkies, but I've read on other threads that they don't always keep reception on board, and other passengers complain about the "noise" from them.  I hope someone with experience in this area will chime in for you.

On Harmony recently a little girl boarded the elevator with one.  The conversation with (presumably) her dad went like this:

Dad:  "Where are you"

Girl: "I'm on the elevator"

Dad: "What floor?"

Girl: " 6, no 7"

Dad: "Where are you going?"

Girl: "Deck 16"

Dad: "No, get off at deck 15"

Girl: "I'm going to Windjammer"

Dad: "No, get off at deck 15 and find us, we are by the pool"

Girl: "I'm hungry"

Dad: "Get off at deck 15"

Girl: "I need to eat"

Dad: "GET OFF AT DECK 15!"

Needless to say all this was at top volume and everyone else in the elevator was exchanging glances.  Seriously?

I've flown a bunch and I'm a million miler with Delta.  It always amazes me how you will see people boarding the plane yacking away on their phone while striking people with their 2 carry on bags, coffee in one hand, cell phone in the other, oblivious to how loud they are as they waddle down the aisle.  A couple times they are on speakerphone.  Seriously?  Come on people, have some awareness of your surroundings, have some respect for your fellow travelers.  

So yeah, I am okay with people who use them responsibly, but I don't want to be resting my eyes by the pool  when "BLEEP:  Dad!  Marcus pushed me!!!!!!", "BLEEP:  I did not!!!"  - Actually happened on a Carnival cruise, went on for a lot longer than it should have.  

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Another silly Question:  I hope there are ATMs on Majesty of Seas. Are there surcharge-free ATMs on-board as well? If not, does anyone know the cost of withdrawing money.

The FAQ says ATMs are available and there is a fee for withdrawal but the website search doesn't show anything about cost of withdrawing money nor daily limits for withdrawal.

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I cant respond to Majesty as I don't remember when I was on her and never used one...but I know my last cruise on navigator they had one right by guest services. The fee wasn't that bad I didn't think ($3??).

You aren't going to find a surcharge free ATM anywhere when travelling that I know of.

 

As for the walkie talkies..it would be very annoying and people always tend to talk so loudly on them..and at the end of the day, are your kids really going to listen to you anyways?!...lol

 

I am glad I don't travel with kids....I can imagine that it requires quite an extra amount of planning and stress when cruising.

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59 minutes ago, monctonguy said:

You aren't going to find a surcharge free ATM anywhere when travelling that I know of.

As for the walkie talkies..it would be very annoying and people always tend to talk so loudly on them..and at the end of the day, are your kids really going to listen to you anyways?!...lol

Thanks. We will plan accordingly.

LOL on walkie-takies - they are annoying yes similar to smokers on-board but you put up with them. Don't you? We really don't plan on using them but its an option when it comes to safety of our children.

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Well if you could only use the walkie talkies in certain limited areas on the ship that others could totally avoid, similar to the deal with smokers.....than sure..lol.

 

Not sure how safe it makes children.....with or without walkie talkies, what's going to happen is going to happen. And 99% of parents on my previous 10 cruises I have been on did not have walkie talkies that I ever saw...and they seemed to do fine.

Point is...even if they did work well or were effective, they are annoying. Hopefully if you and your kids do use them, its done in a considerate and respectful manner.

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