SC_Floaters

The single device internet package is for ONE device at a time. You can log off of one and log onto another. If you log on and another device is logged on you will be given the opportunity to automatically log of the initial device...  You just can not be logged in on two devices at one time.

Dennis

9 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

I know I will not be popular for saying this, but it´s too much of a show for me...

And no, I am not sexist and really love to see more women at the helm. I just wonder what happened to the other female captains like (Captain Karin, Captain Williams). They are just as capable but not so media effective.
I like Captain Kate and admire her achievements but I think above all she is realy being used as a marketing tool by LLP.

You need to do a Google search of the other Captains, Check out Wikipedia. 

Captain Karin retired is is running a spa-resort in Germany.

Check out Captain McCue on Wikipedia and her Maritime history, she is more than qualified as a Ships Captain and I do not believe any shipping company would put a Captain in charge just for marketing...

Creme Brulee .....

On 1/22/2019 at 2:11 PM, Dana'sDaughters said:

Traveling with my husband and 14 year old daughter. The prices are about the same, and they go to the same ports....We are trying cruising again after some pretty rough waters and seasickness out of Seattle.  Which would you recommend? The ship is Mariner of the Seas for both trips.

Sue & I have made Twenty Eight of the 3 & 4 Night Bahama Cruises out of Port Canaveral (Only 7 were 3 nighters). Mariner OTS is Replacing Enchantment OTS in May out of Port Canaveral. We like the 4 Night cruises much better, seemed that on the 3 nighter you were packing to go home just after unpacking on arrival. We usually spend a night before the cruise as a nearby motel/hotel. We are only about 400 miles from the port we drive down and back. We are both retired so we have the time to spend on a Monday to Friday Cruise...

Dennis & Sue

On 1/20/2019 at 5:32 AM, laginog said:

I’m hoping someone can help with this.  We are booked in an accessible balcony stateroom (3D)  on the Ovation to Alaska in July.  Originally, it was just myself, my husband, & our niece (age 18).   Our nephew (also 18), COUSIN to our niece, is graduating from the Marine Corps Reserves.   He wants to go also.  So, I added him to our booking.  Here comes the “stupid” on my part.  When we have had 4 people, we have always had Pullman beds.  Not even thinking to check when I booked....this cabin has a sofa sleeper.   My hubby and I are both disabled so neither of us can sleep on the sofa.  Of course, these 2 opposite sex cousins can’t sleep together.  TA says no rollaways allowed in this cabin.   No other cabins are available.  Any ideas from anybody?   I thought maybe if we had a balcony lounge chair, we could bring that in & our Marine could sleep on that?   The floor???   Obviously he’s slept in much more difficult places. I’m stressing big time over this.....and I feel stupid after all the cruises I’ve been on & I make this foolish mistake.   Thanks for any suggestions. 

Here is an idea that is way out there... You could do like the old Navy submarine service and hot rack that sofa sleeper...  Split a 12 hour sleep period (10pm to 10am) into two parts... One sleeps 10pm to 4am the other 4am to 10am...  

Dennis & Sue  (USN 1967-1992)

1 minute ago, kag19 said:

 

 

Thank you both!!  Taking pictures of the bottles is an excellent idea.  I will have to do that on our upcoming trip.  It would be good too if you ever need of list of all your medications in case of an emergency.

Actually I have a Note with all my scripts, Names, Dosage, etc...

We have always used weekly organizers for our meds... 67 cruises and not a problem with any cruise line, ship, port, TSA, airline or any other mode of transportation..

I have taken an iphone photo of all my prescription bottles if anyone every asks..

Dennis & Sue

Hopefully you will see this and it will be helpful.

I have been using a CPAP machine for about 5 years and a number of cruises.

I know there are many models out there, mine is a Resmed Airsense 10 model.

A lot of CPAP machines are powered by an external transformer. The transformer plugs into the CPAP machine and a power cord connects the transformer to the wall plug.  Resmed's power cords plug into the transformer, they are usually about 6 to 8 ft in length... I found a 20 foot version on Amazon and I have it in my CPAP bag... Never a problem, it is not an extension cord or surge suppressor, it is a power cord. 

Dennis & Sue

Often leaving many countries is very easy with a minimum of Identification...

The BIG problem is entering the United States without a passport (when flying). 

I keep a photo of my Passport on all my Ipads/Iphones. It can not be used for ID but it will make it easier at any embassy to get a replacement.

I can only comment on my experience.

In November 2017 we booked a 14 Night S. Caribbean on Reflection sailing this Dec. 7.

We paid $630 pp for the go best package covered, Premium Drink Package ($910 pp), Gratuities ($189 pp), Internet Package ($299 pp) and OBC ($150 pp) ... Total goodies $1,548 pp... Paid $630 ... That was a no brainer for us...

Dennis & Sue

On 7 day & longer cruises it is usually the last formal night (2nd on 7 night cruises)

I is a Tail only in the MDR.

Dennis & Sue

Where are you trying to long on from. Desktop, Laptop, Tablet, Iphone, etc... Which Browser, Windows Edge, Internet Explorer, Chrome, Safari, Firefox, etc...

Whatever the device/browser, turn it off for about 30 minutes.  (That usually fixes the problem when I have it...

Also, I noticed having some problems updating a check-in and printing express passes when I was using Chrome... Switched to Microsoft Edge and it worked fine..

Dennis

On 10/21/2018 at 6:43 AM, Kingseat said:

We are considering a 9 night from New York to Canada and New England early October 2019. 

 

I Understand longer cruises, colder cruises and cruises out with some holidays will be quieter with fewer children. October is our local schools holidays in Scotland for 2 weeks. Could I have some opinions as to whether or not you would with a child?    I presume cruises to warmer climates are likely to have more children. Thanks. 

It sounds like you want to take a cruise for your son to enjoy...  

I would recommend you look at a Disney to the Caribbean...

My wife and I did a 7 day New England a couple years ago (No Children, Did not see many either), we enjoyed it so much we are booked on a 9 Day out of Baltimore in October 2019..

Dennis & Sue

It has been reported by several posters.

Where are these reports ????

We have all our cards from all of our cruises.

Dennis & Sue

Lots of smokers gather in the Casino. They seem to think that it's their personal smoking lounge.

I wrote a letter to Royal last year about smoking, Parts of it are below.

I got a letter back, generic, not signed, it basically told me there was nothing they could do...

Quoted in part...

This letter is to let you know of our displeasure with your Casino Royale smoking policy.

Casino Royale allows smoking. You usually set aside an area for nonsmoking. Passenger traffic through the casino makes these areas useless. We have noticed a great number of smokers using the casino as a smoking only area who do not participate in any of the gaming you provide. This has turned your casinos into dens of smoke even in the nonsmoking areas.

The concentration of smoke in the casino has become so strong we feel uncomfortable in the Casino Royale. Staying away from your casino is good for our health and wallet, bad for your bottom line and takes some of the fun away from our cruising. Remember, all those smokers not gaming are just polluting the air for those of us who do.

We have cruised fifty-four times on Royal Caribbean and Celebrity ships. We always bring cash for fun in the casino.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT PASSENGERS USING THE CASINO AS A SMOKING AREA ONLY ARE NOT CREATING ANY REVENUE FOR YOU AND ARE CHASING MANY OF US AWAY…

I am sure we are a part of a large group of loyal cruisers that are experiencing this displeasure with your Casino Royale Smoking Policy.

We surely hope someone at Royal Caribbean International will find a solution for this problem.

Cruised the Allure 2-9 September.

Uploaded Photos (actual photos used for passport renewal this spring).

Expedited Check-in.

There were two representatives doing expedited check-in, a good idea but they need a bit more training. It took the representative a couple minutes of moving her ipad and my wife's passport to get them aligned to be recognized, then she took my wife's photo and she was checked in...

I asked politely why she took my wife's picture as it had been uploaded, she told us because it was a picture of a photo... I politely told here it was the actual photo used to passport renewal, she ash ooohhhh...

She scanned my passport, still took a bit of fiddling around to get the distance and alignment right, but, she did not take my photo...

A good idea they have and it should work good when everyone gets a bit more practice..

Dennis & Sue

There may be people on board who are less than welcoming but there will be more others, me included, who will smile at your little one and play peek a boo at the dining table! The staff are usually great with babies

1 1/2 to 2 hours of peek a boo at a main dining room table would stress me, thank you...

SEP 2-9, 2018 on the Allure.

All bars had Blantons Bourbon

Package Store had 160 bottles in stock, price was good, brought one home.

Hard to find in the US..

Everything You Always Wanted to KnowAbout Sewer Gas...But Were Afraid to Ask

Question: What is sewer gas?

Answer: Sewer gas, at least that which causes anodor problem, is a mixture of inorganic gases created by the action of anaerobic(needing no oxygen) bacteria on sewage and sludge. This gas can containhydrogen sulfide, ammonia, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen, and hydrogen.

Question: What makes it smellso bad?

Answer: Almost always, hydrogen sulfide is theodor culprit, although ammonia may be formed in rare cases. The rest ofthe gases listed above are odorless. The odor threshold, the lowestconcentration that can be detected with the nose, for hydrogen sulfide issomewhere between .001 and .01 parts per million (ppm), an extremely lowconcentration. As an illustration, 1 ppm on a linear scale is one inch in15.8 miles.

Question: Can these gases harmthe people who come into contact with them?

Answer: Only under extremely unusualcircumstances. Although hydrogen sulfide is a toxic gas, it will not harmpeople at the concentrations that exist with sewer gas odor problems. Studies have shown that hydrogen sulfide has a depressant effect on the centralnervous system in concentrations above 150 ppm. This is 15,000 to 150,000times the amount detectable by most people. Not enough gas is generated inthe sewers for concentrations to approach the dangerous levek.

However, if a person were to enter a tunnel or deep hole thatcontained sewage undergoing anaerobic breakdown, there is a chance he couldbecome poisoned.

Question: How does it get intothe house?

Answer: The only way sewer gas can get loose isif there is something wrong with your plumbing. The most common fault inthe plumbing system is unstrapped drains, especially floor drains

Other ways sewer gas can get loose include:

1. 
   
2. A dry trap. If there is a trap in a drain line that is not often used, the water in the trap may evaporate, breaking the trap seal.
   
3. A damaged trap. Obviously, if the trap is cracked and allows the water to run out, the trap seal is again lost.
   
4. A damaged drain line. If the drain line is cracked or broken between the main sewer and the trap, there is nothing to impede the flow of gases through the crack or break in the line. Also, a damaged drain line may allow sewage to drain into a low area you may get a sewer odor from that accumulation.
   
5. A damaged or plugged vent. The vent system in your plumbing is designed to equalize the atmospheric pressure differences caused by wastewater flowing through the plumbing, and also to allow sewer gases to escape the plumbing system by venting them into the atmosphere. If this system has an unstrapped opening, gases may escape through that opening.
   

If the vent is plugged or absent, those unequal pressures it wasdesigned to eliminate may siphon the water out of the trap to such an extent asto ruin the trap seal.

Question: How is it producedin the sewer?

Answer: Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is produced whenthe sulfate radical (SO4) is reduced to H2S and H2O (water). Thisreaction can take place only when there is no oxygen or other oxidants in themicrobial environment. Studies have shown that H2S is not produced infresh wastewater for two or three days, by which time it is normally to orthrough the wastewater treatment plant.

There are, however, some environments where hydrogen sulfide isproduced in the sewers:

1. 
   
2. The slime layer that coats the sewer pipe below the water line. Although this layer can be only .040 of an inch thick, the three-quarters of the layer closest to the sewer pipe is so oxygen-poor that H2S is commonly formed.
   
3. If any sludge has been deposited at the bottom of the pipe, H2S will also be formed in that sludge.
   
4. If there is a problem in the sewer with flow (if it is plugged or partially plugged) so that the sewage cannot keep moving, the oxygen content gets to low that H2S can be produced in the sewage itself.
   

An important point to remember is that all sewage systems, at onetime or another, produce sewer gas.

Question: What can be done tokeep it from being formed in the sewers?

Answer: If the hydrogen sulfide is becoming aproblem in a very localized area (for example at the treatment plant or at alift station), oxidizers can be added to the sewage to increase theoxidation-reduction potential. These oxidizers can be oxygen, hydrogenperoxide, chlorine, permanganates, and others.

If the problem is in part of the sewage collection system, aboutall that can be practically done is to flush the sewers in order to increasethe flow rate and remove any sediments or obstructions. However, this canonly be done to alleviate acute problems, and is not practical on a continuousbasis.

Question: What can be done tokeep odors away?

Answers: The best answer is to find the problemwith the plumbing system and have it repaired. If the floor drains are unstrapped,have traps installed. It is probably not wise to simply plug the drain,because any water that enters will have no place to go and possibly flood theroom. In any case, an experienced plumber will be able to find the shortcomingsof the system and offer suggestions on how to correct them on an individualbasis.

Question: What, exactly, is atrap?

Answer: A trap is a device made from a U-shapedsection of pipe, tubing or tile which traps wastewater. This wastewaterthen acts as a seal to prevent sewer gases from coming out through the drainopening.

Question: How can I tell if myfloor drains are trapped?

Answer: Pour water into the opening (at least 2gallons) and visually inspect by looking down the opening. If there isconsiderable water standing (so that it fills the pipe), then the drain istrapped. Check it again a couple of hours later to be sure the waterhasn’t drained out.

If there is no standing water, then either thereis no trap or it is located somewhere else in the line. If there areodors present, pour some water into the opening and check for odors about anhour later. If the odors are still present, there is probably no trap.

Sep 9-21, 2018 Strong sewer smell still present most days of cruise, starboard midships, room, hallway and veranda.

Original Post from 2010 and you say the Strong sewer smell still present ??? Eight years ???

Hi all,

 

How long is taking from international plane arrival to exiting customs in Heathrow? We are arriving a day earlier for our cruise and don't have any idea on what time to allow to tell the car service. Also, recommendations for a car service to the ports? Thanks in advance

Are you spending the first night in London ?

Heading to Southhampton on Cruise Day ?

Dennis & Sue

Chocolate Espresso Martini

sitting in Port Canaveral waiting to board. On the tv it says anticipated boarding is 12:00. Is this normal? In port everglades I was on the ship at 10:45.

It's just pas noon now. Hope you're on board.

Sometimes that is Royal's best guess... If they say Noon and you board at 11 then you are a real happy camper but if they say 11AM and you do not board to Noon you will be making lots of bad RCI posts...

I am an agent at a brick and mortar agency and when I make a payment it takes about 1/2 a second to post. Within a minute I have an invoice from Royal showing balance due zero.

I have no idea why it should take someone 48 hours for a payment to show up, unless they are a huge agency and have to forward the payment to their accounting department or some other place.

Sometimes I book Direct, Sometimes Direct and Transfer to an Agent, Sometimes with an Agent, I do have a favorite and he is with one of the largest travel agencies (lucky I found him). Every time I make a payment, final or just partial, I always get an updated booking confirmation by email within 10 minutes.

Dennis & Sue

Sue & I booked 8592 for the Apr 19- May 3 cruise (last from Port Canaveral before moving to Miami I believe) just a few cabins from the mid ship elevators. Near the whirlpools on deck 9. This is our 11th Enchantment Cruise... Love the ship and the 4 day itinerary. Just a days drive from SC...

It should be a quiet cabin...

Pool decks usually get real quiet about sundown and later unless it's spring break, then you may not get quiet....

Dennis & Sue