AmyWrites

I think it's just funny to see people so desperate for a cheap award.

With the two wine bottle allowance, it wasn't worth it for us at all. We only bought two alcoholic cocktails and about four sodas in the entire cruise. I'm glad we didn't buy the packages. If you're a heavy soda drinker though, the soda package is most certainly worth it. However, I think you'd have to drink quite a bit to make the alcoholic packages worth it.

Word of caution though, don't buy the packages just if you want specialty coffee/tea, because depending on your ship, said coffee/tea might not even exist. As I understand, Starbucks isn't included in the packages, and that was the only "specialty" coffee/tea available at the Jewel, that I saw.

I just came off the Jewel. We used MTD, and always had a table for two, and decent enough service. The MDR though is very loud, crowded, long wait times between meals, and the food portions are quite small. I don't find it worth it, much more enjoyable to go elsewhere.

Just got off the Jewel. Windjammer was, I'd say, a solid 7 or 8 out of 10, MDR was so awful in every possible way, I prefer the Windjammer.

First RCI cruise for me was the Radiance. The WJ food was wonderful! Second RCI cruise was the Adventure, WJ was horrible. Think it just depends on the ship.

What about the Replenish package for $20 per day?

Yeah, depending on the teas offered we might get that. Can't find much info on the teas.

Wish they had a "Caffeine Junkies" package. Hubs and I don't drink alcohol, but would love a package that only includes tea/coffee.

That still looks delish!

We just want to get to Tortola, and ask a cab driver to give us a tour of the island. We're not interested in most of the tours we've seen. Is this something people do?

Thanks, all this is very helpful!! I'm a late night snacker and was worried I wouldn't be able to bring food in my room or something.

Sad about not being able to order MDR items for room service. Back in my last cruise we could, on an interior suite.

To add, snacks generally are 3-4 dollars. I usually bring my favorite splurges, and pack them in my suitcase. Depending on your ship, there's lots of places to get free snacks on board, plus there's always the free, and for fee ice cream/yogurt.

Wait the ice cream isn't free anymore?

1. Can you order food, say, from MDR's dinner or something, and get it delivered to you via room service?

2. Are there any stores onboard that you can buy snacks in?

3. Can you bring food from ports on board?

Tried to purchase one, can't find it for the life of me on the site.

Nothing gets cheaper. Last time I cruised was 2004ish and I'm astounded at how much more expensive the add ons are (especially beverage packages).

I went on the Adventure some years ago, and the Radiance a tad before that.

(I'm introverted and quiet, so, if you're not like this, maybe you'll have a different experience). I did not have a great time on the Adventure. Too many people, too much stuff going on, just, too much, always. I also didn't like the itinerary much, and the crew seemed overwhelmed most of the time. The food was also not that great. Disembarking was awful.

It did have a lot more activities and so on that the Radiance, but still, not my style.

If you want a quieter cruise, I'd recommend the Jewel... a smaller ship. I can't imagine going on a huge cruise like that every again.

EDIT: Totally forgot about Johnny Rockets. That was wonderful.

I went on the Adventure back when it was the largest ship in the world.... aside from disembarkation day, all was good.

For me it depends on who I cruise with. My first two cruises have been with family, so, a room with a window's been fine. Now that it's a more romantic trip with only my husband, having a balcony to have a glass of wine on will be worth it.

Crazy excited for my cruise here too. Always checking on excursions, keep debating whether I need a beverage package, annoying my husband with random cruise facts ("Did you know JS suites have kettles?!"), etc. Already planning my next cruise too....

Agh, wish I had booked a JS now :(

Do staterooms have these? If not, can I ask for one?

Is it cold in the ship, I mean, is the AC very cold? Dunno if to pack sweaters or not....

AmyWrites, you are so helpful. THANK YOU for taking the time. Would you please provide your insight on InterContinental - Isla Verda? I am booked there 2 nights pre-cruise and 1 night post-cruise. Will be myself and my 20 year old daughter. Any safety issues in that area? We plan to explore Old San Juan and get some pool/beach relaxing time in. Any restaurant recommendations in that area? We do not plan to rent a car and will rely on bus/cab to get around.

 

Thanks again for your knowledge.

 

_____

Karen

Looooooove the pool in that hotel. Isla Verde is safe enough, worst thing might be drunks, but honestly, it's not too bad, IMO Condado can be iffier. There's not so many great restaurants there as in the Condado area, so I'd get a taxi (or walk, it's not that far) to Condado, there's many more choices there. In Isla Verde it's mostly chains, Denny's and stuff like that.

Buses in PR are notoriously slow, late, just generally not something to depend on.

The Pandora store might be a 20-25 min walk, if you go relatively quickly. Only thing is San Juan is hilly and often (except on this time of year) HOT... I'd get a cab/trolley if the weather's in "boil people alive" mode that day.

I just booked La Terraza De San Juan. It was a little pricey being a little more than $300 for one night. Has anyone ever stayed there?

Yes, it's lovely. Near a lot of great restaurants/cafes too.

Word of warning about the Condado area expensive hotels (La Concha, etc). Don't pay for it just because of the beach. The beach is NOT private. You can stay somewhere cheaper and have the same access to the beach.

IMO, the best big hotel with a private beach in the area is the Caribe Hilton. GREAT beach.

No beaches very near old San Juan, except Escambron, which is not a wonderful beach by any means, but at least you can catch some sun and hear the waves.

So I called them, and for anyone else in this situation, the visa requirement is WAIVED for legal permanent residents to the US. :)

So happy to see these, we'll be going on January 11th. I went on the Radiance of the Seas a few years ago, LOVED it, that's why I didn't hesitate to book Jewel.

I gotta ask though, how's the food on the ship these days?