tinykygal

20 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

You’re welcome.

 

you can buy both smaller and larger bottles of sparkling on board.

 

You don’t need a beverage package to do that.  

Is it the "plastic" that is forbidden?  We have always bought small cans and never been denied bringing them on as tagged luggage.  

Is it actually possible to grab a Lido cabana for just 1 day?

Hope to be able to do so on our March cruise.

4 minutes ago, kazu said:

No - no water allowed to be brought on board.  Plastic is verboten.  rules have changed dramatically - check out Know Before You Go.

 

You can buy water on board, of course.  

Thank you.  

We drink the tap water onboard every day and frequently.  However, my husband enjoys a bottle/can of sparkling water while cruising.

We do not buy a beverage package.

Does HAL still allow a small pk of water onboard if a luggage tag is taped on it and turned in w/our luggage at port?

It has been a few years since we cruised HAL.

Thank you.

We have done that as well.

However, RCCL APP for upcoming cruise has posted updates.  They clearly state that MTD cannot opt out of gratuities.

16 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

So you are saying you don't pay any gratuities for the staff.  And FYI. the article you read was from 2010.

Here’s some additional information to keep in mind:

     

• Dinner is served in the main dining room

• Same menu as traditional seating

• Same impeccable service as traditional seating

• Just pre-pay your gratuities to participate - this includes tips for your waiter, assistant waiter, head waiter and stateroom attendant

• You no longer have to have a table assignment or permanent table mates

• You can request a certain waiter (subject to availability)

Oh, no, not at all.  We tip generously.

We don't pre-pay.  We pay at end of cruise.  

2 hours ago, ellsbells3032 said:

Just booked and was told this too both by rc website and the travel agent 

Thank you 

Guess we won't be eating.  Windjammer...here we come 3X daily.

44 minutes ago, LeeW said:

 

You are reading the wrong blogs.  We never prepay and only do Mytime.

It happens.  🙂

43 minutes ago, LeeW said:

 

You are reading the wrong blogs.  We never prepay and only do Mytime.

OK, thank you.  

We have several times and I had never pre-paid either.

48 minutes ago, CaptainBazz said:

No...we are just off the Navigator and didn't pre-pay our gratuities and had My Time Dining. Not sure why you think the two would be linked.

I read an article/blog this morning re:  My Time/Anytime (which isn't always just anytime) and it clearly stated that gratuities must be pre-paid to dine @ My Time Dining.  

Do we have to pre-pay gratuities in order to choose My Time Dining?

Thank you.

I have read that cabin assignment could be weeks before the cruise or even the day of.

How in the world would I expect our 1 piece of luggage to make it to the correct stateroom with only our "status" and last name?

We have cruised many times and only booked 1 other GTY cabin and we knew the assigned room beforehand.

Thank you.

BTW, I did post this on the P Canaveral page.

We want to cruise out of Port Canaveral, disembark and board another RCCL ship same day for a back-to-back cruise.

According to the port map the Jewel docks at C1 and the other ship docks across the bay.

How does a person travel between piers?

I am aware that if your ship disembarks @ a terminal different from the one where your cruise began that transportation is provided to the parking area.

Thank you.

DH is suggesting we take our first back-to-back cruise and this one being out of Port Canaveral.

However, 2 different RCCL ships and one, The Jewel, uses CT1 and the other Mariner of the Seas uses CT5.

How does one arrange transportation from one terminal to the other?

Looking at the terminal map it appears that it might be about 2 1/2 mi and of course there is no sidewalk that connects.

Thank you for your suggestions.

So, it has been nearly 3 years since we have cruised.  

Is anyone removing daily gratuities and paying cash?

I know there are so many comments as to the good/bad and ugly.

We chose to pay cash when a RCCL representative told me it was ok.  I never felt that we cheated anyone.  In fact, it is easy to spot laundry workers and hand them cash.  

I was once an avid fan of CC.  I read about mosquitoes and how many types.  Well DH laughed at me.  He knows I often have to received medical treatment due to insect bites.

Guess what...he is now a believer.

We were on a June cruise and when walking around the lodge the mosquitos pinged our rain jacket.

While @MendenhallGlacier a local gathering "ice" had a netted hat on.  

So....I pack Natrapel wipes.  They work great!!

20 hours ago, DFD1 said:

Since you asked, I would cancel, get as much money back as possible and I would not give any cruise line any significant amount of money for any cruise for at least one year......too much uncertainty.

I've been cruising since 1965....a lot of years. I've never seen anything like this.

Other friends, however, have a dream cruise in September.  Simply because they cruise 4-5x annually, they are not cancelling their cruise because RCCL will offer possibly 160% on future cruise if the cruise lines cancel.

This sure has messed up my favorite way to travel.

Thank you.

19 hours ago, Aquahound said:

 

A waiver is not going to occur.  Besides, it's the PVSA that applies, not the Jones Act.  

 

 

In truth, I would advise them to cancel.  I've also had friends turn to me, asking about Alaska, thinking they might get some good deals when/if the cruises reopen.  I advised against it.  Even if Seattle and Vancouver reopen their ports on 1 July, I don't think cruising through these ports is a good idea this year.  I would convince them to hold off until 2021.  

Thank you.

These folks have taken many land trips that only some of us could dream of.

This situation for first time cruisers who were a little iffy about liking a cruise I think your advise is sport on.

Thank you.

Friends  booked their FIRST cruise and on HAL because we think the health scores are good and because we love BB King.

Their cruise is to Alaska in AUG 2020.

Final payment isn't until May and I had read suggestions to delay cancelling until perhaps month before final payment in order to receive down payment.

They respect our opinion as we are seasoned cruisers.

What are your thoughts.  I told her I would ask the forum.

On 3/29/2020 at 7:39 PM, rtazz17 said:

If you asked me even a week ago I wouldve said no chance. But right now Im not sure what will happen. Everyday is a new surprise,as of now 50 crew on oasis are positive and im sure its prolly on all cruise ships by now. They will inevitably imo need to test and remove crews from ships further delaying anything that could possibly happen to start up cruising. It looks dismal at the moment. My april cruise was cancelled and im not rebooking anything till I see cruises actually leaving port and returning without any new cases. Honestly at this point cruising doesnt matter to me. Our lives are upside down from top to bottom in my community  

Our friends booked their first cruise and it is to Alaska in August.

We have cruised many times and they respect our opinion.

At the beginning of COVID cruise reports I suggested to delay cancellation until closer to cruise and she should receive 100% of refund.  However, final payment is middle of May.

Would you suggest she go ahead or still wait a few weeks for HAL to contact her?

Airline tickets have been purchased.

Thank you.

On 2/14/2020 at 5:58 PM, d9704011 said:

Fallacy of presupposition....

 

I usually like the buffet choices on the ships I’ve been on.

Our 3 HAL cruises had awesome food and service at the LIDO.  We didn't handle the utensils and felt that was much healthier.

Enjoyed the stir fry choices and the wonderful salad bars.

We never ate in the MDR on our last HAL cruise.  Likewise we never fought our way around for a simple cup of coffee..HAL served us at our table.

The  MDR once entertained us, but 1 1/2-2 hr event is too long for us.

42 minutes ago, wms99 said:

I love cruising. Any cruise. The closest port to me is Mobile, so I have cruised from there on the Fantasy. It is a good ship. It's called little, but there is lots of room and it doesn't feel crowded at all to me.

 

Bottom line: if you look for rust you will find rust, even on a new ship. If you look to be offended or disappointed you will be offended and or disappointed.

But if you are looking for a quick little trip to have fun, guess what, you will have fun.

 

42 minutes ago, wms99 said:

I love cruising. Any cruise. The closest port to me is Mobile, so I have cruised from there on the Fantasy. It is a good ship. It's called little, but there is lots of room and it doesn't feel crowded at all to me.

 

Bottom line: if you look for rust you will find rust, even on a new ship. If you look to be offended or disappointed you will be offended and or disappointed.

But if you are looking for a quick little trip to have fun, guess what, you will have fun.

 

Thank you for your reply.

Those types of things don't bother me.

We sailed her out of Charleston and it was ok.

Health issues were my concern, but bets suffering in this cold weather.

We seldom cruise Carnival except when we just need to escape cold weather on a budget and able to drive to port.

We sailed on Fantasy Our of Charleston a few years ago and are considering Mobile.

I just finished reading an October 2019 failed inspection health report.

While it seemed critical enough to earn a 'failed' score, I am curious if you folks who cruise the Fantasy out of Mobile have experienc d displeasure with her cleanliness?

11 minutes ago, sanmarcosman said:

It's casual but no pool wear or bare feet. 

Thank you.