FLTinyDancer08

At cafe promenade on Indy it was a proper espresso machine. Real milk (didn't have skim though) - would assume this is fleetwide

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Thank you for your review...did you see 'Grease'? How did you like it? Any other shows worth seeing?

I didn't but some of our group did and said it was awesome!!! Saw a bit of a solo performer and wasn't impressed. Couldn't find a comedian either. QUEST was a big hit with our group.

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Just off Indy today - had a blast, ship in great shape. Weather in Cozumel was horrible so spent a lot of time on the ship.

Only issues were Main dining room service was slow and we felt rushed out at the end (no coffee even though I ordered it each night) Buffet had 1/2 closed a lot so it was a bit crowded at peak times. Never saw the cruise director but his group did a good job with on deck activities and karaoke.

Drink of the day $10.95 - but none were that great, preferred the frozen drinks instead.

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I see... that sucks. We pay 18% on the packages so you would think some of it would trickle down.

I had the drink package on Princess and one bartender and one server got extra cash tips from us on the last night due to great service the whole time.

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I see... that sucks. We pay 18% on the packages so you would think some of it would trickle down.

I had the drink package on Princess and one bartender and one server got extra cash tips from us on the last night due to great service the whole time.

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Thank you for this!!! I sail on her next month and getting super excited by your updates.

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It might be easier, the last time I was on a ship that didn't have a Freestyle machine and I had the coke package, I had to hide my tumbler till the bartender took my order.

Why did you have to hide it? It's more fl oz than the glasses right?

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RCI should let people know which ships have the freestyle machines before people purchase packages. I would not buy a soda package for a ship that did not have them though I am sure others might buy either way. I would be pretty disappointed if I bought the package then boarded the ship to find there are no machines since when it comes to soda I only drink Coke Zero.

There is a RCI blog post but was from last year, as to which ones had them - I was hoping since I too drink Coke Zero and Sprite Zero and the diet ginger ales from the Freestyle

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Originally, it was ships that were based in the U.S. year-round had them. Since then, I believe a few more were added on other ships, but don't quote me on that.

Since Indy spends quite a bit of time in UK that would make sense then as Freestyles are US only.

Didn't think of the logistics of getting the special cartridges for the flavors.

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What ship?

 

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Independence of the Seas - they're doing a sale for dinner but lunch wasn't available.

Thank you - you guys are quick to answer!

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How much is Giovanni's for lunch? Anyone know? We have traditional dining with our company every night, so I wanted to try lunch instead

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Thank you - do you think they'll retrofit all the ships in the fleet one day?

I like the variety from the Freestyle that I cannot get otherwise.

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Forgive me - but does anyone know if freestyle machines have been added to Independence of the seas?

Also will the tumblers be waiting in our room when we embark? We have the beverage package already purchased.

Last cruise was on Princess and they did not do that and was too much of a hassle to try and get one on embarkation day.

Thanks in Advance!

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Good luck with your new challenge!!

I restarted the cleanse yesterday and already flushing out that excess water - down 1.8 lbs and the DH down 4+ lbs!

Love my Advocare - if anyone is interested, let me know!

I do consider myself a foodie with adventurous tastes.

I had looked forward to Escargot all week up to the cruise - when we had it - it was an oily mess. No breadcrumbs - no garlic or herbs in there either.

They were overcooked too. Rubbery and Oily - I was so disappointed.

Also all meat I had I asked for Med Rare, and everything was over cooked. Even in Sabatini's my Veal Chop was not even slightly pink...

Highlights though - was the Ahi Tuna appetizer, the lovely Princess Desserts, afternoon tea with scones and Pasta Rustica.

Just off the Ruby Princess and sooooo happy we had the drink package with our group.

I save the receipts they give us for the first two days and we easily saved money having the package.

I easily had between 10-15 drinks per day and DH had more. I couldn't help the fresh squeezed Mimosas at the Calypso bar! And Dancing LATE (often til 3:30am) each night at Skywalkers. But I got up every day at 7am and we basically closed down the club each night.

When I'm home and go to a club I'll only have 1-2 just due to costs, but having the package let me not worry. Also we didn't have to drive anywhere and no kids. Many weeks I do not drink at all except a glass of wine with a nice dinner.

We're planning another 2 cruises now and hope they roll out the package fleet wide, or we'll have to switch lines to one that does offer it. :(

Hi Andrew!!!

I think I saw you at the Aft pool one evening - I was also on this cruise.

I was on the opposite side of the ship (Aloha 718) but saw a lighted cigarette blowing by me while I was on my balcony :eek: Seems the smokers didn't seem to care about setting the ship on fire. I tried to see which balcony it came from so I could call it in but it was too midship for me to make out.

I did not have any problems with eating breakfast or lunch in the dinning rooms, but I went really early most days (730ish) and really late once (855) Cafe Caribe was closed most of the time and late night (after midnight) there was no food selection to be had even in International Cafe and Room Service not answering the phone...

Other than that we enjoyed the cruise - I'll be on another Princess ship but I will be writing to see if they will offer activities for younger cruisers if they are going to be on board. They seemed content to shove us either to the casino or to Skywalkers after 11pm..... rough seas + Skywalkers = no bueno.

Just off the Ruby - had a balcony room on Aloha Deck.

We could only fit one underneath as there were a lot of things under our bed. However the closet area was HUGE and our other two bags fit nicely on the shelf overhead after I emptied them.

We didn't hardly use all the storage space we had. We were very happy with our room - I think we'll try to book these from now on. Aloha Deck seems to be unpopular and was nice and quiet.

Does any of the southern Carribean cruises stop in San Juan ? I love Puerto Rico and my husband has some family there we could meet at port for lunch, and have their transport ion to take us where we lie to go (I love the Bacardi factory and old San Juan and the Moro ) . We may take your advice and buy several of those too.

We were looking for a San Juan stop over and I think one of two itineraries have it!!! Pretty sure it was a 10 day cruise though.

Buy the FCC early - the office was slammed on this last Ruby Cruise.

Your review was pretty spot on! We were first time Princess cruisers and one of the younger couples on board.

Weather to me was a bummer and the ship was really moving on Monday night, several of our group got sick. I think the clouds/weather and amount of people trying to use the internet is what made it sooo slow.

LOVED the ship and the crew, made me want to book another, but unsure if I should try another line first to make sure. Food in MDR was good, Horizon Court was awful to us, and Sabatini's was very nice. Favorite things on board was tea time for me and our awesome crew members that bent over backwards for us it seemed.

Although they intend for these drinks to be consumed in your room, there is no open container policy and who would be able to tell if you got the drink at the bar or in your room?

So long as it's in a similar glass/cup there is no way to determine.

I personally bring a travel mug with me for my coffee and tervis cup for no sweaty drinks and better insulated.

Enjoy your cruise!!

Just got off Royal (Dec 8th) and I think they are total asses $5.00 for bar gin THEN .50 for mix. I have never seen a bar anywhere that charges for mix!! The second week on board we brought our own bottle of gin and tonic on in carry on thru x-ray. This is how to encourage smuggling go crazy with nickel and diming passengers.

 

Any bar in my area - a "well" gin and tonic is anywhere from $5-$10 depending on the bar - so they are charging you for the tonic they just don't itemize it.

On the menu - the wells drinks are listed at $5.50, that being said, they're not overcharging based on what's listed, I think that is probably their way of tracking what the bartenders use.

 

I for one think their pricing and policies are pretty straightforward, and budget my drinks accordingly. Tonic is always allowed to be carried on, unlike other cruise lines that prohibit bringing mixers on board. You CAN order bottles of alcohol from room service and make your own, and with better gin probably than the bar brand, then you wont feel "nickel and dimed"

Hi there,

Princess' carry-on policy does not allow liquor, spirits or beer. I doubt they will let it on the ship, as it's not wine or champagne.

They're now printing this on all boarding passes and luggage tags, to prevent any issues at the dock or with luggage.

Sorry I couldn't have better news for you. Might want to see if they carry what you normally buy in the duty free on board or in another port, so you can still get it on your trip, instead of buying it while on RCCL and them confiscating at Princess Dock.

Hi All!!!

The upgrade fairy finally visited me! But I know nothing about balcony rooms - I have only had inside rooms. We were in an OceanView - and now A718?

Benefits? Downsides? I had Plaza deck prior to - so I know I may feel the ship more.

Thanks in Advance I already know you all will give me plenty of info. :D

Thanks for the details.

We have the late traditional dining and not used to things even getting going until after 11pm. Maybe with early morning activities they will be more prone to earlier bed times.

I'm usually up til at least midnight, so I guess on a Princess ship I'll be a night owl too!! :D