lv2bcruzin

Most of the care people have in regards to attire is based on principle and the fact many still associate a cruise with a certain expected level of class which encompasses more than just attire. Most of us know by this point that association no longer exists on cruises made for the masses. You will need to change cruise lines if that is a sticking point. I will eventually move on to another line as I do prefer more of that "Titanic" feel (by which I mean class, not the crashing and sinking part of course) and will be willing to pay for it. But, for now I am good with what RCCL offers which always feels like I'm boarding my home away from home. :)

We'll be on Anthem in a few weeks, so I guess we'll get to see first hand what situation is.

Maybe if we all wish REALLY REALLY hard, it will happen!!!! *fingers crossed*

I've been wishing REALLY REALLY hard, but alas..... no luck yet... :cool:

If this cruise boost's you to D+ you won't be considered or get the D+ perks until your next cruise...sorry...but that's how it works.

Yep. That's how it works. Which was my point about hoping it's still that way in the future as our first cruise as D+ isn't until Oct. '18. It seems the way I worded that had a few people thinking I expected D+ status during the cruise. As much as I wish that was the case, I hope I'm not that lost in the sauce after cruising with RCCL for almost 20 years. :p Seeing that makes me think I may never make Pinnacle at this rate.... ;p:o

I am logging on every day to check, but you seem to be implying it is rare .. some of the threads here have hinted they do bring it out every now and then .. so am I wasting my time ?

I see 20% off all the time. I got 30% of once. We make D+ this cruise, so hopefully the 30% off they have been offering onboard for D+ doesn't go away before I get to use it...

30% off the DBP would be great... 30% of non-alcoholic beverages... eh... :p

Storm chaser Jeff is on Marco Island: https://www.pscp.tv/Jeff_Piotrowski/1MnGnmNQrAyKO

That is intense!

We had a great time. It's not necessarily something I would do more than once. But, dressing up to attend that type of event was fun. I guess it depends on what makes something "worth it" to you. We thought it was. :)

I always have a thank you message in there LOL

 

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I don't even get that. lol

Since Southwest started flying to San Juan the prices have come down across all airlines. We can fly to San Juan just as cheap as flying to Lauderdale, Miami, Houston, or Tampa. Exception being Orlando which is extremely cheap to fly into.

 

 

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Flights to San Juan from Nebraska where I used to live and from Arizona where I've lived for over 12 years have been equal to or cheaper than flights to Miami since I've been flying there (since 2000). In addition, the actual airfare has not increased noticeably either. Other fees obviously have shown up (baggage, etc). But, when I look at my flights booked on Orbitz in 2004 and 2015 the airfare to San Juan is almost identical. Same goes for airfare to Ft. Lauderdale / Miami.

We leave in a few days for our 9nt cruise on the Navigator, so I was in the reserveration on rccl.com reviewing everything for the 100th time. :) I check the "Message" tab every so often, but in the 17 years cruising with RCCL I have yet to receive any messages. So, I was just wondering if anyone has actually had a message there. Perhaps it is used for a very specific type of communication that I guess I have not yet needed. :confused:

We usually split the cruise between specialty dining and MDR. We enjoy both for different reasons. Though, on our last 7 night cruise we actually only ate in the MDR on the first night. The rest of the cruise was specialty dining and the Windjammer.

I must look like I always need a drink. Never any issues. :cool:

That makes two of us. Well, at least I think I can see two of us. Hard to tell after all the great bar service we normally receive. :cool::D:cool:

That has happened to us before as well. It is no issue. You just have to fill out the forms at the terminal. I save all my digitial docs on Google Drive to ensure I always have everything related to my travel in digital form. I didn't originally save the Set Sail Pass there, but I have since then.

Here are two reasons that I hear:

 

I want drinks outside of the 3 1/2 hours of "free" drinks.

 

I want drinks that are not on the approved list.

 

It works for some people. YMMV

+1

To be honest, depending on what you drink and how much you drink it really isn't that hard to come out ahead. I usually drink top shelf hard liquor and martini's. If you start early on a sea days and continue throughout the day you can break even for the entire cost of the package in less than half the cruise. If you don't drink the higher cost drinks and you don't drink very much then, yes, the math becomes a bit more important to ensure you get your money's worth.

We thought the food was good enough to eat there twice on our last cruise. Great margarita's too. In the cruise planner for our upcoming Navigator cruise in April Sabor is $15 per person.

We were just in a JS on the Liberty last December and I will say those sit at an elevated height (probably standard on all RCCL ships - not sure). I'm 6'3" , do not have any physical issues, and did not have any issues with the tub. But, depending on your height and physical wellness I could definitely see those tubs being difficult to deal with.

WE sail again on Liberty and love the Suite lounge , have one more RCCL cruise on a ship without it, but depending how we do might go back to Sandals or MSC, or try Celebrity again

We were on the Oasis in April '16 and the Liberty in December '16. The Suite Lounge on the Liberty was not even close in comparison to the Oasis as far as size, environment, and experience. One reason why the Oasis class really is many steps above other classes. Every area of the ship was designed for that one reason alone as opposed to refitting one area for another use (Liberty Suite Lounge was previously the game/card playing areas). IMHO you can really tell the difference between the two.

You are correct, you would have to apply the "free" companion credit to the non-discounted price of the cruise. In other words, the contant fake sales have broken the best Visa point redemptions. Thanks RC.

Exactly why we switched to the Chase Sapphire Preferred then to the Sapphire Reserve. Can save more with other aspects of our travels (air/hotel) in comparison to the cruise itself.

Had no idea there were perks for neighborhood balconies. Shows how much I've been paying attention. We have a Boardwalk balcony next Thanksgiving, so it's good know we will have a few additional perks.

Thanks for all the suggestions! We will definitely check them out.

I think I have an idea of the location near the solarium.

I was also wondering about Deck 4 Aft (aft facing). I don't remember if there is enough room for a deck chair there or if it gets more narrow.

For those of you who have sailed on the Freedom class or the Liberty specifically, do you have any tips for exterior and interior areas of the ship that are low traffic for a quiet place to relax? We've been on the Freedom and Indy and seemed to have the best luck in the Diamond Lounge during non-peak hours. But, we always like to explore the ship for some of the maybe not so well known areas as well.

I wouldn't be concerned. If there are benefits associate with the stateroom category you book, then that is part of the program. No one else should be offended by - or even realize the difference - in what those benefits bring to you. Needing the early disembarkation, or enjoying the Concerge Lounge while on board, etc., are legitimate perks that come with what what you booked. And they are available anyone who wishes to book in that category.

 

I think it is a matter of how one acts on board regarding those benefits that sets some apart from others. IMO there is a difference between enjoying and taking advantage of benefits provided, and acting as though you are entitled to them. Mostly a matter of attitude and perception as I see it.

 

Book the category you prefer to cruise with and take advantage of all that comes with it in making your cruise better for you. Most of all, enjoy your cruise! :)

+1 Well said.

Verizon has a $10 per day option which allows you to use your existing plan (our is unlimited voice & text, 20GB data). Not excessively cheap, but it works great and at $10 a day it's not too bad. They have other options as well.

We were recently on Brilliance TA, they had cooked to order breakfast in Giovannis for D+ and in Chops for suites and Pinnacles. I think both had the same menus.

 

Julie

As Diamond members we've had the opportunity to take our food from the Windjammer into Chops during breakfast and lunch on the Freedom. But, they did not have food to order. On the Indy that was an option for suite guests only.

In Barbados, we've gone to Boatyard Beach, which is a short cab ride from the cruise terminal. Might have been $10-$15.

 

In St. Maarten, there is a beach right next to the water taxi pier downtown. You can walk there, but if you would rather take the water taxi, I believe that's still $6 per person, round trip.

+1 on the Boatyard!

We go there everytime... Soooo much to do and it's a good deal. It's $15 to get in which gets you a drink, access to all their amenities (lounge chairs, umbrellas, cabanas, rope swing, plank, etc), and free taxi back to the ship. Lot's of fun!

Here's some of our photos of Barbados and The Boatyard

+1 on St. Maarten as well.

We ususally go straight to the beach, specifically Holland House. They have some of the best beach service, prices, and loungers. Here's some of our photos of St. Maarten (you'll have to scroll through for beach photos). We also went to Maho beach, but the beach was covered with boulders in preparation for large storms during hurricane season. And, here is the Holland House Webcam

Here are photos we have of St. Kitts and St. Lucia.