docd

I had a drink package and made an effort to try as many different mixed cocktails as I could. The only drink I ordered more than once was the Frozen Mojito.

The bartender should have cut them off. Nobody wants to see drunk people stumbling around, nor is it safe.

However, what does it have to do with a drink package? Really, with your logic, they should cut them off when on a drink package and keep it flowing when paying per drink. People who drink to that extent are likely to keep drinking regardless of how they pay for it.

There is always a chance this is going to happen on a cruise ship and you should know that. It's a floating buffet and bar. There are bars everywhere and people drinking at them. You won't be able to avoid it.

Personally, I don't recall seeing anyone that intoxicated on my cruises yet. So, the majority of people appear to control their drinking.

I'd be all for removing formal night in the MDR while still offering a venue for those that want a formal night. Wearing a tux? Well, what about a free dinner at Chops or other specialty restaurant? Maybe designate one of the MDR floors to strictly formal? There are plenty of reasonable solutions to this.

Does the frozen Mojito count?

The Indian curry they brought me as a special request was quite good. A must have? Well, I guess it depends on what you're used to having.

It's one of the unique things you can do while in the Caribbean. I'd try to work it in to your schedule somehow. We did it as part of our tour and it was our last stop. Traffic was pretty crazy, but I cannot recall how long it took to get back to the port. I'd assume that if the big planes are coming in in the afternoon that's when all the guides will bring their groups there. So it will likely be less busy in the morning but still worth the visit.

So, it's OK to smoke on your balcony, but share a sip of a drink on your drink package and you should be hog tied and thrown overboard YOU CRIMINAL!

Love the logic on here.

Been going through the same exercise for a couple of months now.

You need to go look through the Caribbean Ports of Call forums here on CC. A ton of information on Falmouth there.

I'd suggest looking into the Blue Hole. I think your kids are the perfect age for it. You might have to take a private tour, but there are many companies recommended here on RC. Check the Ports of Call forum.

Margaritaville is family friendly, but it still has a bar [which is no different than being on the ship].

The closest beaches are Red Stripe (RCI excursion), Burwood Public, St. Bran's Burg Public and Silver Sands Public beach. Doctors Cave Beach in Montego Bay is also popular. You have to take transportation to them.

Check http://caribya.com/falmouth/ for info.

Basically, OBC is like having a cash bank account. You can withdraw cash from your account at the casino (max $500 a day) any time and at the guest services desk only on the last full day or the day of disembarkation (I believe).

Your on board account can be set up as a CASH account or attached to a CREDIT CARD. If you have a cash account you should not be charged any fees for withdrawing cash from the casino. You will never be charged fees from withdrawing cash from guest services. If you have a credit card attached to your account, you will be charged a 5% fee for withdrawing money at the casino.

There is no limit to how much OBC you can have, as far as I know.

On the last evening of your cruise you should settle your account. Technically you can do it the day of disembarkation, but it's not recommended. You can take your remaining OBC out as cash or put it on back on a credit card.

Typically, if you purchased OBC to take advantage of the awesome exchange rate, you set up a CASH account. The evening before disembarkation (day 7 of 8) you go to guest services and withdraw whatever OBC you have left as cash [or put it on a credit card] and attach a credit card on your account to cover any possible expenses that have not been charged or will be charged. That's my plan anyway.

I only wish my next cruise had decent Canadian prices. I had to book in $US, so sadly cannot take advantage of this like I did in March. Ah well.

I am curious as to how this occurs. Is it because you used a US travel agent?

Really? Time stamp tracking and video cameras? Lol, ridiculous. The RCI staff can't even agree on standard procedures, let alone worry about who is drinking too many drinks over a specific time period.

You shouldn't do it, but unless you're being completely obvious about it, it's not likely anyone will even notice. A small tip goes a long way too I am sure.

I had the Premium package on my November 2014 FOS cruise. I found the bar service to be lacking for the most part. I had to work to get my drinks! Wasn't horrible, but could have been a lot better. Some bars were noticeably better than others though. Also, an extra tip seemed to help a lot for follow up service.

The MDR I had great service. I had a bottle of wine put on my table as soon as I sat down every evening, without even requesting it [with the exception of the first night of course].

My wife received the Premium to Ultimate upgrade offer email for our upcoming Dec 13 cruise on Allure. We are Gold members. We currently have no drink packages. I never received the email.

People are missing the point. It makes no difference what a particular dietary restriction is, if RCI committed to accommodating it, then they should do so. Otherwise, DON'T OFFER the accommodation at all.

So, who cares what the accommodation is? They failed to deliver as per their agreement.

I just tried twice to add $499USD in OBC, an hour apart, and both times they told me I had to FAX in my CC info since I already have two transactions of $499.

I don't think it's a big deal to do that, so I guess I will. She quoted the exchange rate at 1.1 still.

Anyone else have this issue recently?

We took an RCI excursion to snorkel from a boat in Cozumel. Beautiful water and a lot of nice fish. Not so much with corals though, but you can see some. If I were to snorkel in Cozumel again, I'd try out Chankanaab or one of the many other iron shore beaches. We were re-routed on our cruise from East to West at the last minute, so I had no time to do any research on excursions, so I just opted for an RCI excursion. Turned out to be better than our snorkeling excursion in St. Thomas. However, going out on the boat was good though as the current just pushes you along as you look below.

You forgot the best option, BRING GRANDMA! =)

There is nothing official on this. It has been reported that there were a couple ships not allowing this. On some ships you may have to reminded them that there should be no fee if you have a cash account set up.

 

Again Royal is doing exceedingly well at its inconsistencies in policies between ships.

Ok thanks. I did search the RCI site with Google, but didn't find much information about money exchange at the casino. Definitely nothing about any 3%/5% fees.

Doesn't really surprise me. Hopefully we won't have any issues.

Thanks...Cruise critic is great as you can get opinions from those that have actually experienced it. With Orient beach, it's both the topless thing and also I've heard the waves are a bit rougher...but I don't think that'll stop us from going. It just wouldn't be my choice of beach if just doing a beach day.

 

Two more questions:

1. Are kids the same price as adults (i.e. $45)?
   
2. How do you pay the balance? By credit card by USD cash? (assuming that it is USD)
   

Actually, the beach was a little bit rough the day we went. My daughter lost her sunglasses within the first 10s econds after a wave smashed into her, lol. So, yes, you probably need to be a bit more vigilant on that beach but it's not that bad. If I recall correctly, the beach has a non-nude side as well, which is where we went. I might be mixing that up with another beach though, but I never really noticed any topless sunbathers.

I'd suggest you request a tour with a group to a different beach, as I am pretty sure they are very accommodating and go with the majority (assuming it fits the schedule).

I payed in USD (I am from Canada) through PayPal. It was a $15 deposit ($5 per person) and $45 per person total, regardless of age, for Tour II in December, 2014. Honestly, that's pretty cheap for what you get compared to other islands that can charge $75+ per person [which still isn't that bad!].

Based on all the great reviews/recommendations here on CC, we used Bernards Tours for a St. Marten tour on our cruise in 2013. We did the Island Tour II and it was a great experience. We actually booked with them again the following year, but unfortunately our ship was re-routed completely, so I had to cancel. Cancelling was not big deal either, they gave me a full refund no questions asked.

I'd definitely recommend them and the island tour. It's a nice taste of everything on the island.

As part of our tour we went to Orient Beach, so you can definitely get some beach time. I wouldn't worry about the Orient Beach with kids (we brought our 10 year old daughter), it's not that big a deal, but I guess that all depends on how easily offended you are. If you're easily offended by 60+ yo men and women dressed in interesting bathing suits, than I suppose it's not for you. Is it really that much different than any other beach though? Not in my experience.

First, thank you Son3cruisers for posting this up! Also thanks to everyone else for providing the additional info and your personal experiences.

I've currently only purchased $499 USD for $548.90 CDN (told it was the max) but plan to purchase more.

Does anyone have a link to some official documentation regarding the fees being charged at the casino? It would be nice to have something to show the cashier if I have a problem withdrawing cash at the casino.

Thanks!

Hope you are able to come back with an update when you get a reply.

 

I think some of the problem may be to do with marketing problems. Someone with kids is probably not going to look at a website called "bar hop", unless you are a previous customer, who has travelled without kids and been to the site, you are probably not going to go to the site.

Well, I did just that! The Bar Hop got some good reviews so looked into exactly what it was. The website says it they may be able to arrange a private tour for those with kids < 18 yo. I am considering contacting them to find out because it looks like a nice beach tour.

On the Freedom last year, I mentioned to the Maitre d' that I was hoping to try some of the food the staff eat. I had read it was good and I truly enjoy authentic food from other cultures. The next evening after I ordered my dinner I was surprised by a plate of Indian food. It was as good as, and in many cases better than, what I've had at local restaurants. After that, he brought me a plate for dinner each night, lol. I was so stuffed. I am not sure if that is really what the staff eat, but I plan to ask for it on my upcoming cruise on the Allure.

I sailed on the Freedom November 2014 and they would not honor my Premium drink package at Vintages. Seems like I might be in the minority though.

Thanks for all the information. I've used quite a few different action style cameras from cheaper versions through to Sony models and not been 100% happy with any of them. The Sony has been the best and the SJCam SJ5000 gopro copy being the worst for video quality. The USP for the hero4 silver model is that it has a screen on the back so you can frame video much better. At the end of the day I want the best video quality and I believe, after trying lots of other cameras that the GoPro may be the one. Good thing with Amazon is their superb returns policy which will allow me to give it a good try out and return it within 30 days if I'm not happy.

Looks like buying onboard is not the way to go.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I bought an SJCAM4000 for my last cruise and thought the video was great. There are SJCAM cam knock-offs though that reportedly have poor quality (yes, knock offs of the knock off!!).

It might not be as great as the GoPro (never really used one), but for <$100 it was good enough for me.

Here are come poorly shot videos from my last trip: