gumbocc1009

1 hour ago, atricks said:

Just to follow up since I hadn't really seen anyone mention how it worked (at least for us on the Thanksgiving Allure cruise)

Thanks so much! 

Heading to Harmony in a couple days and pre-ordered the coffee card (hopefully Harmony also allows the card to be used in the MDR - would be nice to get a cappuccino after dinner!) 

40 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

As has been said, throw in some lightweight plastic ponchos in case the rain extends more than just a few minutes.  Easier to manage than umbrellas.  However, you will want to quickly take off the ponchos as they will trap heat.  Doesn't matter what time of year...the Caribbean will range from warm to hot.

Thanks, good idea!  I'll add some ponchos (and perhaps a baseball cap or similar).

1 hour ago, LittleMissMagic said:

 

I'll also be at CocoCay next week, and I just made an Amazon Prime panic order for a few wetsuit jackets... maybe one will work out.  I booked the waterpark excursion, so I'm hoping the wetsuit jacket will make the water more comfortable.

We will also be there next week (and also have a waterpark excursion planned).  I am definitely a wee bit nervous about the water temps. 

I'm hoping to smuggle some hot tea off the ship to warm me up - too bad they don't offer warm beverages on Coco Cay!!

1 minute ago, molly361 said:

Drink Up (except teen daughter)🍺🍺🥂  think beverage package

: ) Not "my jam" (as the kids say) : ) 

But I do know there will be plenty of other things to keep me and my family busy! 

5 minutes ago, Anna0513 said:

I worry too.  We are sailing Western out of Miami in January.  I'm coming from Jersey so it will be 10 degrees when we leave I'm sure.  I'm worried about what to pack.  Will the boat be cold at night?  Will we need hoodies?  

Yes, my packing has changed a wee bit this past week!  I decided to bring one pair of sweats and one warm, cozie top (just in case)!!  

1 minute ago, bouhunter said:

 

Relax and enjoy your trip, and STOP LOOKING AT WEATHER FORECASTS.  It is what it is

Well, I am a PLANNER (all caps)!!  I am strange and probably enjoy planning vacations as much as the vacations themselves!!

My primary goal is to make sure my family has the right expectations (and that I can pack accordingly).  For example, if we will be inside for a period of time, I might want to pack a few of our favorite board games.  And since we're going on the Amazing Race excursion, then maybe I might pack an umbrella (my my daughter is less grumpy).  (You see, I'm just a crazy planner!!) 

16 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

The app might be good for certain things, but I certainly would not use for the weather forecast.

Yes, very true!  I have also checked the actual weather forecasts for each locale (and the weather forecasts all indicate a lot of rain next week, except for the day we're at Costa Maya).  

12 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

And rain often means just for a few minutes.  I wouldn't worry.

Thanks!  I knew that was true for the Caribbean in Spring/Summer, but I did not realize that was ALSO the case for Winter - glad to hear it!! 

So the RCL APP shows rain for 6 of 7 days of my cruise (starts this Sunday), and I have questions!

Do the ships change their Cruise Compass strategy for raining days?  (Will be on HOTS, if that means anything.)  Do they try to add some additional inside activities to help distribute guests (who might otherwise be in the pools)?

I assume Winter rain in the Caribbean is very different than Summer rain (in terms of duration) - longer duration?? but less intense??

I also assume that Excursions generally still take place (unless there are high winds or lightning) - would this be an accurate statement?

Finally, please share any tips you might have for Winter Rain... (FYI - 3 generation family - Grandparents, Mom, Teen daughter)

Thanks very much! 

Themed parties?  Don't think so.  Looking at old Cruise Compasses, I think they have crew members singing xmas carols the eve of 12/24.  And Santa is available on 12/25 (kids get gifts - note: kids don't need to meet w Santa to get gifts).  

I also saw on an old Compass that there may be a special holiday "show" on 12/25.

FYI - The compasses I've been looking at are on the Royal Car. Blog website...

Thanks everyone!!

Can you send something just to be pressed?  Does anyone know whether that is an option on Harmony OTS? 

Thanks!

Thanks!  I'm not a vegan but was excited about the vegan menu (because I enjoy eating vegan meals). 

Thanks for the heads up about the meals taking longer.  My hope is that the soups would not face the same issue (since those must be prepared in advance). 

And I'll be sure to ask for the vegan menu a night ahead (so I can place an order and not keep my family waiting too long - my child is going to be bored as it is!) 

Thanks for the Snack Shack menu!  My child will be so happy they have "free" funnel cake!

Great!  I'm OK with a small drink, but I would definitely want some syrup added.  Thanks!! 

Does anyone know.... with the coffee card, could the coffee syrups be added to your ("free") espresso drink?  (Or would they charge extra for that?) 

Thanks!!! : ) 

Bump

Great news! Thanks!

Thanks!

Would it be better to pre-reserve a taxi van to come pick us up? Or is it more efficient just to ask for one once we're at the airport/port?

Based on what I'm reading, it seems like cabs are plentiful at the Ft Lauderdale port (for folks heading back to the airport). We will have 4 people and 6 pieces of luggage - will there be a sufficient number of waiting taxis that can handle that?? (Trying to decide whether I need to RESERVE something ahead of time, or whether we can just "wing it.")

Same question coming in the opposite direction (from Airport to our hotel) - should I reserve in advance or can I just grab a cab on the fly???

Thanks!!

I agree about the Top Chefs menu. This last trip we ate in the buffet that night based on our previous top chefs experience. The Head Waiter and Maire D concurred that the regular MDR menu was better than the Top Chefs menu,

Something funny: I was googling one of the entree items from the Top Chef menu and I learned that the dish got the chef KICKED OFF of Top Chef. It was the LOSING dish (and it was early in the season, so it's not like the contestant was up against just the best chefs).

Of course, I do not know the particulars of that episode, but it is very strange that the Celebrity team would pick a losing dish for its menu...

Even on the ships that have those things, I doubt most people spend all day doing them. We did iFly and even with the waiting time, getting suited up, instructions etc. it occupied maybe an hour and a half? And the bumper cars was what.. 3 or 4 min? So..... when you and your child weren't doing things like iFly and bumper cars, what did you do on THAT cruise to occupy your/her time? If you list the things you spent the majority of time doing, folks here can give you a better idea of whether or not you can find the same on the Summit. :)

Well, you are right, there was certainly less for us to do on the Quantum than there was for us to do on the Disney ship, but on the Quantum we did:

• roller skating a few times,
  
• rock climbing a few times,
  
• bumper cars twice,
  
• iFly once,
  
• we watched the surfing a number of times,
  
• went to see mini "shows" in the 270 Lounge,
  
• hit the pool just once (we're not big on pools unless my child has friends to play with),
  
• air hockey a couple times,
  
• went on the North Star a couple times,
  
• hit the arcade once, and
  
• went to a character "parade."
  

The daily activities listing on RCL seemed "light" on family friendly activities, unlike Disney, so we definitely had more time on our hands on RCL than DCL... when we had open time (and DD could strong-arm the Grandparents) we played board games to fill time (and I also let her watch some TV - they showed all the DreamWorks movies)...

Thank you so much everyone!

I will be on the look out for the scavenger hunts (both child-only and general). And again, I will encourage her to try the kids club (we shall see).

But I figure forewarned = forearmed, and I will be sure to bring plenty of things for her (and *me*) to do...

Thanks again!!!

:)

Not sure which itinerary you are doing, but it sounds like Bermuda. If that's the case, I think I remember reading that it was the 2nd night and 6th night. (First sea day and last day in Bermuda.)

 

If your itinerary isn't Bermuda, then nevermind :cool:

Thanks!! (yes, Bermuda)

Here's another paragraph from Celebrity showing which restaurants are 12 years and older:

 

If you are dining in Celebrity's Speciality Restaurants you must be at least 12 years old, with the exception of Silk Harvest, Qsine®, Bistro on Five, The Lawn Club Grill, and Tuscan Grille. Guests of any age will be accommodated in these five restaurants. Also, children of any age that are booked in AquaClass® staterooms are welcome to dine in Blu with an adult.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/manage-my-booking/dining-arrangements/speciality-dining/

Thanks, that will be very helpful for the Grandparents. Think I will encourage them to have a nice meal one evening (and my child & I can grab some sushi from the cafeteria).

Sorry, I keep thinking of new questions! How does one find out which nights are formal???? Or should I just call the Celebrity toll free #??

If you check the Celebrity website, for Normandie as an example, it states that guests 12 years and older are welcome.

 

http://www.celebritycruises.com/onboard-celebrity/cruise-restaurants-the-normandie

Thanks!