vistapat

Are they actually in Dallas?  If so, they may be able to take Southwest from Love Field to Fort Lauderdale, find a room for the night there, and Uber to Miami in the morning.

Pat

We were just quoted $618 by RCL for insuring a cruise which would be in the range of $6500.  We are, however, in our seventies.  We have found a cheaper quote on Insure My Trip which has much more medical and evacuation coverage, and will probably go with that.  It does not have cancel for any reason protection.

Pat

On 2/6/2019 at 3:47 AM, Host Clarea said:

 

Oatmeal, one of the few hot items you can get from room service for no extra charge.

Second that.  I like oatmeal.  That said, the oatmeal in Windjammer is usually ....not great.  But the oatmeal we've had from room service was very good.

Pat

3 hours ago, OSUZorba said:

Did you have the full Giovanni's lunch menu or was it a reduced one?

 

Did you take advantage of the MDR menu room service?

I've never eaten lunch in a specialty restaurant other that this cruise, so I'm not sure what constitutes a "full menu", but as I recall there were three or four appetizers and perhaps four entrees, and I don't recall about desserts.  We did not order from the MDR menu for room service, but we certainly could have.  BTW, there is a very nice dining table in the suite, not huge but very nice.  We ate breakfast there several times - no upcharge for a full breakfast.

Pat

Thank you for the help, Bob.  I really had no clear idea where it was.

Pat

Sarah ,I'm sorry.  That one I can't answer, since we don't often use the pools.  I have a very vague recollection of seeing it on an upper deck, overlooking the main pool deck, but I'm totally not sure.  Perhaps someone else can chime in on this one.

Pat

1 hour ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Seriously doubt it, because we would have seen at least several ranting threads here if so.

What Bob said.  The screams would still be echoing somewhere!

Pat

We were in an Owner's Suite on Liberty last May.  You also have the option of free breakfast (during limited hours) in Giovanni's, as well as free lunch there on sea days.  We enjoyed both.  And the reserved suite area seating for the shows, particularly the wonderful and very popular ice show, was great.

Pat

Keep in mind that many (if not most) women think that men look especially handsome in a tux.  Then choose accordingly.

Pat

2 hours ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

I'm pretty sure I'll be doing the first LIVE thread on her first Alaskan sailing on May 13.

I'll look forward to following along with you.  We're on Ovation for the August 30 sailing.  This will be our sixth Alaskan cruise, but first on Quantum class, so give us lots of details, pretty please?

Pat

This information was posted by Pierless Cruisers about the highway changes:

We have cruised from Seattle before, and the drive to the airport, especially on a Friday, is about 45 minutes IIRC.  That said, we have made flights at 9:30, though not with much comfort level.

Pat

2 hours ago, AlanF65 said:

 

I paid $115 including the service fees for a 5 night package on black Friday which is $23 a night so the $69 is close if it included the service fees.

Yes, it does include the service fees, which makes the prices identical.

Pat

We were in 7676, just next door, about a year ago.  We honestly never heard any noise from the lounge - maybe depends on how sensitive you are to it.  It didn't appear to be a much-used lounge, in my opinion.  The balcony was huge, and much enjoyed.  From the deck plans, it looks like 7674 would be a little bit less deep, but not much difference that I can see.  There is a VERY long walk aft from the elevators, but we didn't mind it and I think it kept a few pounds off!  I think  you would enjoy 7674 if it's still available.

Pat

Does Ovation have the Broadway-style shows such as the ones on the Oasis class ships?

Pat

On 1/17/2019 at 5:53 PM, LibrarianBecky said:

  Also, for experience Alaskan cruisers, should I consider another ship (or even another cruise line) to get 'the most' out of an Alaskan cruise?  

 

We're booked on Ovation for the end of August of this year.  This will be our 6th Alaska cruise (so yes - we love it) and we are going for the ship rather than the ports this time.  Our first Alaska cruise was a one-way northbound on an old Carnival rust-bucket ship, followed by a land tour to Denali and ending in Fairbanks, and was amazing.  As others have said, Alaska is a place to consider the ports more than the ship, and the Ovation itinerary is lacking, in my opinion.  I think your son will be old enough to be engaged with the ports, the scenery, the people, and the animals and wouldn't miss all the activities on Ovation.  In fact, I second the opinions that you might want to consider other cruise lines as well as Royal.  Whatever you decide, I'm confident your family will have a wonderful experience.

Pat (Librarian Lisa's mom)

Great information, Rich.  Thanks again.  We're going to be in Las Vegas in April and will take advantage of it.  Thanks again.

Pat

19 hours ago, RichYak said:

I matched from Celebrity Select -> MLife Gold -> Hyatt Explorer. I also matched MLife Gold -> Total Rewards Diamond -> Wyndham Diamond.

 

Some write-ups on the process here and here.

Rich - thanks for posting your writeups on status matching.  I noticed your item was dated July of last year and stated that the promotion was good until Labor Day.  Do you know if it's good this year as well?

Thanks, Pat

Thanks for your reply.  We talked it over and decided it might be smarter to wait until we're actually going to Vegas to get the status upgrade.  I can't imagine it would be very hard to spend $100 or $200 at Caesar's - probably costs you that to walk in the front door..  Thanks again.

Pat

Thanks for bringing this to our attention.  I have two questions about the program.  Do you know if the $100 dollar dining credit has to be used immediately after it's issued, or if not, is there an expiration date on it?  And, do you know if the certificate is usable at any Total Rewards property, or only in Las Vegas?  We're asking because we're MLife Gold and are thinking of going to a Harrah's casino here in Southern California to apply for the Total Rewards Diamond status.  But we're not going to Las Vegas for a few months.  We'd like to get the dining credit here, and then use it later in Las Vegas.  Any idea if this is doable?

Thanks,

Pat

There is also the Solarium Bistro, which is no charge, and which accepts reservations for dinner.  I've heard good things about it, especially their selection of Mediterranean appetizers.  It is buffet style, but your entree is brought to your table.  We understand that there are two entrees which do have an upcharge, but I don't remember what they are. We plan to go there on the nights we don't have specialty dining booked.

We will be on Ovation in August for Alaska, and have purchased the 3-night package.  It started out at $89, then went to $79 and I booked it at that price.  Then a couple of weeks ago it went down to $69 and I cancelled and rebooked at that price.  I do know that the prices can vary considerably from ship to ship, and from cruise to cruise on the same ship.  I always check the cruise planner prices at least once a week.  We also got very good reductions on two shore excursions during the Black Friday sale.

Pat

7 hours ago, bowler15547 said:

Am I the only one that thinks the exterior of this ship is really ugly?

Really a lovely ship.  But to me, the feature along the side of the ship, with the rust-red paint job and extending up into the air, looks like some construction equipment left attached when she sailed!

A quick update on the block we didn't receive on Liberty on our just-finished cruise.  I called C&A on Monday afternoon, which was after 5:00 in Florida, and spoke to a very nice woman.  She offered to ship it to us, and we received the block yesterday, Saturday of the same week.  It's lovely and we're happy to have it.  So....thanks, and well done, Crown and Anchor.

Pat

We were on Liberty (same class of ship) two weeks ago, and for the second time went to Cafe Promenade for lunch at embarkation.  We were able to have plenty of food and avoid the crowds at the Windjammer.  The people watching was lots of fun, too.

Pat

47 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

cruisedeckplans.com

 

Then click on "Drag Decks" and you can move the deck you are interested in anywhere you want. 

Pat