WrittenOnYourHeart

If it contains more than 100mls and you are flying, you may have trouble getting it through airport security. Id rather take the risk of my case being delayed on the ship

Unless Royal Caribbean is picking up the checked luggage from the belt at the airport, the poster should be able to retrieve the bottle from the checked bag before turning it in at the port and put it in his carry-on.

There was only a handful of children on the cruise. There was also rather more then 9 cabins that were empty.

A handful that YOU saw.

Plus while I know most on here cannot fathom putting 3 or 4 adults in a cabin, there are people who do it successfully all the time.

The number of cabins on the ship does not determine when a ship is full.

This is determined by the numer of lifeboat spaces. If there is a large number of three or four person cabins filled up, they will not be able to use some of the two person rooms.

Exactly what I was going to say. "Full/Sold Out" does NOT mean every cabin is booked; it means that every available lifeboat seat is accounted for.

To download new books some need wifi. I have a 3G kindle that works in other countries - And even on board when the cellular signal is good enough.

I make sure to stock up my nook with books BEFORE I leave for a trip. The last thing I want to do is spend time shopping for new books while on vacation.

You post about the supposed "large number of incidents" yet there are no threads that can be found here on cruise critic or on a google search.

 

Kids are allowed to be aged down, this happens all the time with the Autism on the Seas groups. That group also provides staff that is allowed to help in Adventure Ocean with kids that sail with them.

 

To the OP, I would really followup with the cruise line. Did you speak to special needs or just a rep at the 800 number? You should also look into Autism on the Seas. They are a group that sails on all cruise lines and can help you a lot. We sailed on the Jewel of the Seas a few years ago with a group of young adults that were on a cruise with Autism on the Seas. Many of those traveling were kids with downs syndrome. They had a separate area in the theater reserved for them and also a private dining room off the WJ just for them.

You hit on the key reason why they are allowed to be aged down for AAS cruises - there is additional staff in the clubs to help out.

I would imagine the same would be true with a Buddy cruise.

There is not additional staff on a regular cruise.

"Full supervision", In my opinion, you can not expect this. Again, I will mention, these are not health care providers- who would have the special training and experience. This is an activity staff. It is unreasonable, to expect staff to be tied up, with more supervision of one person.

 

Those who are claiming- a "trial" is no big deal, and should be done? Perhaps- however, I would expect this to be done over several hours, WITH those parents right there and accepting of the staff supervisor's assessment.

 

Again, I am not trying to create problems, but, I do come from a health care professional background, and it is not being realized the liability you have to deal with. Training is essential, and risks have to be minimal. Everyone makes the claims- oh they would never do that, we know him, etc. Unfortunately there is NO way to predict the future and precautions HAVE to be in place.

 

Thinking, yep, they can "call" me "anytime"- is pretty worthless. An incident takes place, now someone has to split off, and make calls, a situation could be escalating, time stands still, Plus the responsibility of everyone else. Then it's going to be the staff's "fault". Again, liability in a ligating society

 

I hope both sides can be seen, and from this point, have more involvement with the guardians. I would suggest, not just "dropping off", and instead, be willing to stand by, for a couple sessions. Be available, don't make excuses for unacceptable behaviors. It can all work out very well, and the more this is done, the door opens up for familiarity and tools for safety and everyone's enjoyment.

Exactly to what I have bolded. I teach special ed and have worked with students with emotional-behavioral disturbances, Downs, general developmental delays, and all along the autism spectrum. We have learned (luckily not the hardest way - we haven't lost a child) that when dealing with students with these special needs, you cannot get complacent. Sadly with special needs, past behavior is no guarantee of future behavior. We have had older students who never bit before suddenly begin biting. We have had students who would never leave a chair in the classroom suddenly become runners.

And when do these incidences tend to happen more than any? Towards the beginning of the school year, just before and after vacation times, and sometimes when a new student comes into the class. In other words when they are out of their normal environment.

And that's not even getting into how the children react differently with different people. I cannot tell you the number of IEP meetings I've had where I'm going over the present level of performance or the social-behavioral part and the parent says "Oh, s/he doesn't do (or does do, which usually happens when I say what I have not observed them being able to do academically through constant assessment) that with me at all!" Just like we who are typically developing behave differently in different situations, those with special needs behave differently in different situations as well.

As long as the ship returns to the same port. This above statement is true.

Yes, and as long as you're comfortable with the (granted unlikely, but possible) potentiality of having to get yourself home from Bermuda not by ship (medical disembarkment, injury while in port, missing the ship) and you can absorb the extra cost while you wait for a passport, which even expedited still takes a couple of days.

It's really all about your comfort level. For me, I won't cross the border in any way without a passport. I'd rather have it with me and never need it than not have it and be stuck somewhere trying to get a new one.

I would look into options such as Nuun - which comes in tablet form in tubes - or Ultima - which comes in individual packets or a small tub. Both are electrolyte replenishers and are much healthier for you than gatorade. Much more transportable too. You'd add either to water.

The chronological age thing is pretty much universal and due to liability reasons. It's the same reason that if someone turns 18 on a cruise, their last day of eligibility for the teen stuff is the day before their birthday.

Why not start a new "trend"?

 

Instead of trashing a dress in a port/country that is undoubtedly poorer than the US, see if you can donate it to a young woman soon to be married in that country? With today's social media reach, it should be easy to find someone.

 

I would much rather see pictures of someone doing that, than just trashing what others would consider a heaven-sent, and very worthwhile, gift.

 

Just a thought.

Beautiful idea!

Or even donate it somewhere in your own country. Even in a first-world country there are people who cannot afford dream dresses and would love to have one to wear for their wedding.

I haven't cruised in one yet, but my plan is to book one for a Med-Venice cruise next summer. I LOVE being as far forward as possible - I find the motion soothing and wonderful - but so far I've only been on the sides. Super excited to try a front-facing cabin!!

We use an outlet extender from Belkin that has 3 outlet plugs and 2 USB plugs. It only takes one wall outlet and is also a surge protector. Inexpensive and very useful

And also not allowed and a fire hazard because of the surge protector.

Was the guide's name Dan? If so, I had him on a Disney excursion in Feb and he was awful. The girl who had the other group seemed to be awesome.

There are quite a few stores and restaurants within walking distance to the terminal, and it's not a traditional one at that. It's almost like a warehouse with a few computers setup for the check in! There is also a free shuttle that comes around every 30 minutes that you can ride around town, it makes stops at the terminal on cruise days.

 

If nothing else I'd definitely go for a ride on the shuttle, even if you don't get off anywhere it would be worth the ride, the area is gorgeous.

 

Exit Glacier is like a 10 minute drive outside of town (and out of cell range)

http://www.nps.gov/kefj/planyourvisit/exit-glacier-area.htm

 

It's about a 3-4 hour drive from Anchorage to Seward though, so you may not have enough time to go out there.

Thanks.

Our ship didn't depart until 8:30 I think, so it's about the standard 4 hours early. I would definitely keep anything you'll need during the day with you. If you are coming in on the train they we automatically transport your luggage to the ship for you, but you can carry a bag on to keep with you. We each carried a backpack, easy to move and not worry with lugging a bag around.

 

Have fun! It's beautiful! If you have time I'd definitely go see Exit Glacier. It takes about an hour to walk to the base of the glacier and back.

Yeah, this is the one thing I am not looking forward to. The stupid late departure means a Muster Drill that from previous reports impacts the early seating. That seating would never be my choice, but it is what the group I am with has.

I opted for the bus because it is less expensive and they are working to get one pretty much just with our running group, so that should be fun, but it seems crazy to send us down that early from Anchorage if we will just be stuck in the terminal. Oh well. Nothing I can do about it.

Where is Exit Glacier?

Thanks for the review! I'm doing this cruise in less than two weeks now!!

You really can't board until 4pm? That is CRAZY LATE for those of us forced into early dining - and considering we have to be checked in for transportation from Anchorage by 10:30. Guess I better rethink my packing strategy as I highly doubt I'll have my luggage by then if boarding isn't until 4.

Just as a counter-point (not hating on kids at all)... They may be charged as much as an adult and not be taking advantage of everything, but... There are also solos and childless couples whose cruise fares help to supplement the cost of the kids' clubs which they will definitely never use.

It is the Crab Shack, we were just on it last month.

 

I was looking forward to Rita's, I've always enjoyed it - but I'm not a fan of seafood so it was disappointing. :/ Enjoy it though. :)

Glad to know I'm not alone in being sad that it's icky seafood. :( At least it will save me some money I guess.

Well, that's one way to make more cabanas available.

Hasn't made them less desirable aon Disney. If anything the price increase has made them MORE desirable - it's all about being soooooo exclusive and away from the unwashed masses of apparent 21st century steerage.

Honestly, some of the threads about them make me want to send everyone a copy of Dr. Seuss' "The Sneetches". :)

I'm assuming you mean discounts on cruises as "perks"? In many, if not most ports, the employees at the embarkation terminals are not cruise line employees. They are either port authority employees or employed by a subcontractor. They may wear a cruise lines' logo, but if you came back the next day when another line's ship was embarking, they may be wearing that line's logo that day.

The one exception I know of is Disney's terminal in Port Canaveral. The cast members who check you in, who are in the terminal to answer questions...basically everyone other than the porters and security and CBP are employed by Disney Cruise Line.

I don't know if they have part-time or not though.

Last time I was on a ship- they didn't force us to use the fancy features.

 

 

 

So I'm sure both of you can go onto the Harmony and not use the water slide.

No desire to be on something that big. Like I said, if I want a resort I will go land-based. If I want a cruise I look for ships that feel like ships.

How the heck did some of us ever manage to enjoy cruises without water slides, rock climbing walls, ice skating, specialty restaurants, etc.??? :confused:

And yet some of us STILL enjoy cruising without all of those. To me, those are land-based resort things I could do anywhere. I can only cruise on a ship, so that is my focus with cruising - a ship where I know I'm on a ship.

The thing aside from the laundry issue that bothered us had to do with an excursion. We asked the excursion desk for the name of the tour provider so that we could leave a review on trip advisor and they said that they don't give out that information. My guess is that they don't want people booking through companies independently. But I think Disney would have at least wanted to know our opinion of the tour and resolve any issues. RCI didn't care.

I'm curious how you were on an excursion and never knew the name of the tour provider. I've done several ship-based excursions and the name of the company was always visible on the transportation and/or the guide's clothing. I could understand not releasing it prior to the ship's departure for the reason you listed (in fact there are many that will NOT book you if you admit you are on a cruise ship - and if you don't you risk them not keeping as close an eye on the time and possibly missing the ship), but I've never had to ask the shore excursions desk for the name of the company after the fact because it was so obvious while I was on the excursion. And if I had a question about what it was, I asked the guide specifically before leaving for the ship.

16 days to Southbound Radiance!

There's no water slides.

On Disney? Only the Wonder doesn't have an adult slide. (Yey. Sadly that may change when it goes into drydock and they will probably make it a mini-me of the big sisters like they did to the Magic.)

They all have a kid slide. The Dream and the Fantasy have the AquaDuck and the Magic has the AquaDunk.

Is it a water park? No. But not everyone needs to feel like they're on a land resort when they're on a cruise.