leisuretraveler223

Yeah, the Carnival reaction pretty much seals the deal. I would never consider taking them off the ship in another country. But clearly, if that is the draconian approach the lines are currently taking, not worth it!

Thank you. But I'm still a little stunned about the story of Carnival banning someone for life! As for the people talking about getting in trouble in ports, I totally get that. But no way would I ever consider venturing off the ship with them in a foreign country. They would probably just be in my shaving kit in case I wanted one to relax at night. But I guess that's just my "criminal" mind! LOL!

"Criminal Element"? That's rich! So, just to be clear, you've never driven so much as 1 mph above the speed limit, correct?

That's a bit of a draconian view. Clearly, the laws and views on these products are rapidly changing and a widely varied depending on the locale. I do not think I'm "above the law". That's honestly why I asked. If they're just going to take them away (a.k.a. the pocket knife at the airport), then I'm cool with it. But seeing the honesty shocking action taken by Carnival, yeah, it's a hard pass for me.

Thank you. I figured that was out there somewhere, but trying to find specific info on a cruise website can sometimes be a challenge! I guess I was look for some real life answers. I honestly have trouble thinking they're going to actually kick off a couple of unremarkable 50 year-olds for having a pack of gummies in their luggage. Confiscating seems reasonable, but actually booting us off the ship for a first offense sounds a little draconian. I get that they CAN do that, but I would like to hear if anyone can attest to that actually happening. I mean, it's kind of like accidentally carrying a pocket knife through security at the airport. It's totally reasonable to normally have that in my backpack and I forgot to take it out before going to the airport. What do they do? They confiscate it. The don't arrest me or put me on the no-fly list. Just looking for real-life experiences.

I feel like I'm going to get flamed, but I'll try anyway. What is the RCI policy on pot products? I sometimes enjoy a gummy to relax. I don't really really seeing a lot of drug sniffing dogs working the crowd at boarding on past cruises. Anyone have any experience with this? If I throw a bag in my carry-on should I have any issues?

I have a party of 10. Four of us are in The Retreat and have wifi included, the others do not. Usually the more devices in a package, the better deal. So a four-device package would be cheaper than two two-device packages.

Where, if anywhere is cigar smoking allowed on Symphony now? I remember when Oasis first sailed, they actually turned the suite deck and bar into a cigar bar at night. It was really cool because it wasn't a high demand area and it was nicely shielded from the wind and didn't really impact anywhere else on the ship. But I don't think they still do that.

Been a while since I've been on Celebrity. I know Royal has had three and four device packages. I only see one or two device on my upcoming sailing. Is that all Celebrity offers, or am I missing something?

Doing a cruise out of PE with friends in a few weeks. Easier to have a rental car for the day we are there as opposed to ubers. If I drop my friends at the terminal and then go back to FLL to ditch the rental car, can I grab an uber or taxi from the rental car facility to get back to the port? Or do I have to go back to one of the airport terminals?

Port side (north facing) has a nice view of the houses and the beach. The Sarboad (southern) view is just the port. Being port or aft is ideal.

The problem with the Windjammer is it is designed and operated as a very high volume food service. Trying to scale it back for late night operations with a smaller crowd is just not what it is designed and budgeted for. I can't imagine a scenario, even with most of it blocked off and limited offerings, where there aren't going to need to be significant number of staff working for what may be little to no diners. And then there is always the potential of a large crowd when they least expect it. Sorrento's is built to handle a late night crowd- one line, one counter, it overflows into the lively promenade with plenty of other venues and seating options. The last thing they need is to operate the Windjammer at 25% open with a skeleton crew and unexpectedly end up with a big drunk crowd there. Not only is it a logistical nightmare, but there is no way to make money off of it. Unless you're on a Freedom class ship with a nice bar in The Windjammer, there's nothing to buy. So you're literally taking your crowd away from the revenue generating venues and putting them somewhere that's a money loser.

Friends don't let friends use walkie talkies. No one wants to listen to that squawking.

Fair enough. But most people are predisposed to reading things in a certain tone (especially on social media, message boards, etc.). I am inclined to think this is what was done here.

I used to be all-in on specialty dining and literally never went to the MDR for years. Now, I'm basically the opposite. I am a food enthusiast (I HATE the term "foodie"!). And I will travel great lengths and not blink an eye at a cost for a unique or exceptional meal. That's not to say I don't love basic food as well. The thing is, I don't find the specialty dining to really be all that special anymore. There isn't a specialty meal on a Royal, Celebrity, Carnival or NCL ship that I now find to be anything but a pale reflection and far inferior version of that same meal on shore. At the same time, I have learned that there is always something satisfying in the MDR. Sure, on occasion I've gotten something and thought "that's not so great". But it's always very easy and very fast to have something else brought out. I now am and MDR guy. I'll spend my dining $$ when I'm on shore.

"Tone" is a quality of the spoken word. There is no tone to the written word. "Tone" appreciated in the written word is entirely a creation of the reader. So this begs the question: why do you impart a particular "tone" to the words you read?🤔 And I guess I can apologize (?) for my vocabulary. "Hubris" is a perfectly reasonable way to describe people who are confident that they have just kind of come up with an idea "de novo" that an entire department of professionals dedicated to working on such matters haven't considered. And I'm sorry if "pure ignorance" offends you, but if you believe that what I said means "no changes ever", then I don't really know how else to describe that thought process.

Still getting used to this strange new world with assigned boarding times. Am I correct that suite guests are free to board whenever they choose? Or did I imagine that?

Yeah, that's not what I said. I simply stated that when people wonder why cruise lines do or do not do certain things (i.e. keep the Windjammer open late at night), it is the end result of a carefully calculated plan built around maximizing profits. To think that that means "no more changes comin - ever" is pure ignorance. Things change- people change. What people want, and what they are therefore willing to spend money on, changes constantly. That is why cruising changes. Largely gone are the days of everyone eating en masse at large tables with strangers. It just means the change will be handled in such a way that it is at a minimum revenue neutral, and ideally revenue generating for the cruise. Why isn't the Windjammer opened at night? The OP answered the question in the first post! "I would have enjoyed heading to the WJ late at night (10-11pm) to enjoy even a limited food selection, or perhaps just some light snacks and a glass of ice water - and sit and relax - it's quite a nice area on most ships, and late at night it would likely be much less crowded. " You think Royal is motivated to keep it open for someone to do drink water, nibble on limited food and hang out in a mostly empty venue? Thereby requiring staffing and resources, while generating zero revenue?

You saved $2,600, or 44%? "97.3% of everything you read on the internet is made up" - Abraham Lincoln

They are basically operating as a crappy third party travel agent by booking flights. The potential minor savings is far outweighed by the limited options and inflexible itineraries. Just book your own flights and don't be hassled.

Hey, I love cruising too! But make no mistake, cruises are a really impressive and highly sophisticated system primarily focused on making money (shocker!). And literally everything, from the theme of events to the timing of comedy shows is all based on maximizing revenue. So, why isn't the Windjammer opened late? Say it with me: It won't make them more money!😆

Booking through Royal for flights is never a good move.

This adds a lot. You're right. Since you don't ever eat after dinner, maybe no one else should either.😎

Cruises are nothing but a highly sophisticated calculation of how to extract the most money out of the most people. The cruise lines have made billions of dollars by perfecting this calculus. If there was a profitable reason for it, the Windjammer would be open every night from 2am to 3am with midget strippers serving haggis and baby reindeer skewers. If it doesn't generate a further profit, they're not going to do it. And it takes a lot of hubris to believe you're just going to "think" of something their entire department of money extractors working full time year round haven't already thoroughly vetted.

I get that totally. But to think the venue sold out five nights (I believe they usually do two shows a night) in that short a time is something I've never seen before.