Tiggerontheseas

On 5/5/2019 at 7:50 PM, mitsugirly said:

Star Lounge

 

I honestly do not remember this place or taking the picture. But when I looked it up, I assume that's what it was.

 

 

 

 

Hi Mitsugirly!

This is so cool.  After reading some of your reviews over the last few years I saw this one and realized we just sailed together on this cruise.  LOL!   I probably saw you out and about and didn't even realize it.  🙂

I just wanted to let you know that, no, this is not the Star Lounge.  I am stumped though.  I have NO clue what it is so big help that I am.

10 hours ago, Thorben-Hendrik said:

How would you know that ...

Trying hard to be funny? 🙄

Actually he quite succeeded in being funny.  😎

Like you, we were booked on the TA.  First one, first time ever to Europe, the whole bit.  SO much planning shot to pieces and we were devastated!  That doesn't change the fact that Royal really stepped up.  They even refunded our suddenly useless airfare from Barcelona to Munich that we had no way of changing into another flight.

5 hours ago, ABQrobin said:

 

We have been to Grand Cayman twice, did not have FTTF or any priority, stood in line with everyone else, and still made it to shore with at least 30 minutes to spare before meeting for our excursions.  Did our excursions and made it back to port in time to shop a little before getting back in line for tender.  Both times.  

 

 

That's awesome.  I'm glad to hear that it's not always the madness that we encountered on our Glory cruise.   Belize was better.   All of our other previous tender experience has been on Princess and the process just seemed far less trouble.  That could have port dependent.

On 4/4/2019 at 3:27 PM, ABQrobin said:

 

So I am not allowed to have an opinion?  Thanks.  Haven't seen your awesome posts here on CC in awhile.  

 

My opinion does matter...  and I was telling the OP that it doesn't help that much with priority tendering as most of the tenders are big enough so that people get to the island within 15-20 minutes.  No need to pay extra just to get the same place everyone else is going.  

Wow!!!!   That is so not true.  Two Words.  Grand Cayman.  We did not have FTTF or any priority boarding and had a horrible, horrible, horrible tender experience.  By the time we finally got to shore we didn't even have time to leave the port area.  It was ridiculous.  

54 minutes ago, eir99 said:

So I just put a Carnival cruise on hold yesterday for my daughter's graduation present. And now I am scrambling to find another cruise line.  Worried that a cruise going out in late June may not happen.  I think Carnival should be accountable for invalidating their probation. I just don't want to get caught without a trip for a group of graduating seniors.  Should I be concerned?  Its going to cost me an extra $500-1000 to get on another cruise line.  Might be worth it for the peace of mind.  

I'm not sure it wouldn't be a bad idea to cancel your cruise (although I have my doubts that they will actually ban ships from docking in U.S. ports) as a 'just in case' peace of mind act.  I've just had a cruise that we've been planning for almost 2 YEARS yanked out from under us 3 weeks before sail date and it is devastating!

However, please make sure that you don't book with another of Carnival Corporation's lines (Princess, Holland America, P&O, etc.) as if the ban does happen those ships will also be banned.

On 4/3/2019 at 12:19 AM, billcancel said:

Im writing this to see if other loyal RCCL customers have experienced  drop in customer service over the last few years.  I cruise on average 4 times a years and have been exclusive to RCCL for 20+ years.  Over last 5 years I have noticed serious drops in customer service. I have made every attempt to work with RCCL to help them improve and they have not done anything to make things better and have just dismissed my concerns. Now to make matters worse they are selling my diamond plus perks to new cruisers with this new "KEY" Program.  I am do disgusted as to how RCCL handled this that I cancelled my most recent cruise and will never cruise with them again. Is anyone else experiencing this? If so please share here so that we can perhaps get RCCL to start listening. Dam shame that after 20+ years of being a loyal customer to RCCL have been dismissed by them. And my parting "spanking" from RCCL for cancelling was a $500 penalty.  They are giving me $300 in FUTURE Cruise credits for cancelling. Not sure why I need future cruise credits since i will never sail with them again.  Most disturbing and really intrigued to see if others are feeling the same or have experienced this drop in customer service.  Kind Regards.

 

 

We were booked on the Oasis of the Seas TA that was supposed to leave on April 21st for Barcelona.  It's been cancelled of course due to the crane accident.   The customer service and Royal's response to this situation while we were floundering around with the ship pulled out from under us (ha!) has been absolutely outstanding.   To me, that is far more important than someone else being granted the ability to buy front of the line access.

You were not given a $500 penalty for cancelling.  You were given the normal $200 for booking with a non-refundable deposit.   No one is stopping you from using the other $300 but yourself.

I'm sorry that I sound a tad defensive on their behalf right now but it's been a very stressful couple of days and they have been nothing but great through it all.  Just wanted everyone to know. 🙂

3 hours ago, Jim and Monika said:

You are all really serious about snails, so serious that nobody got my joke about being taken off the menu because they were "slow movers"

D'oh!  Apparently the snails aren't the only things slow.  Whoosh over my head.  😅

Thanks for explaining it - that's really cute.

On 3/29/2019 at 6:21 PM, gatour said:

To me frog legs have the mouth feel of chicken, however the flavor is more like rabbit.  Each more earthier than chicken.

 

I love froglegs, rabbit and escargot.

I love frog legs and escargot and I'm sure that I would like rabbit too.  However, I had bunnies as pets as a child and just can't do it.  Ha!

12 minutes ago, jwjax said:

 

It tastes like chicken!😊      Just joking!

 

Escargot does not taste like chicken......  I just had to say that before.   It is a different flavor, that is hard to describe, but very good to eat!    It's more like the frog legs!  😎

 

Both are worth trying! 

 

 

Except frog legs actually DO taste very much like chicken.  🙂

I love escargot but you are right that it is very hard to describe the taste.   But there is no denying that it's a great vehicle for butter and garlic sauce.  Yum!

4 hours ago, hotsauce126 said:

Except Royal has a similar package so clearly there is one. I'm not even saying I'd get it, but Carnival loses nothing by offering one

 

 

 

I had it on Royal and LOVED it.  However, the reason it works on Royal is because their mocktails and stuff, including simple stuff like bottles of water, are more expensive than on Carnival.

1 hour ago, BBigfoot613 said:

It took me a while to figure it out as well and my PVP was of ZERO help. One thing I have noticed on the carnival site is that it will show the last cruise you were into the data for when you log in. There is a little carrot arrow thing on the right. If you click that you can toggle between multiple bookings. I have only ever had more than one booked at a time once before and don't recall the old way it displayed. I could think of a few changes to the current site but since I'm not in charge of it...LOL

On the old system they were all displayed across the top in plain sight and you just clicked the one you wanted to manage.  Easy, peasy.  🙂

3 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

As has also been mentioned, the DDD promotion information is listed under the BOGO terms and conditions and states no Chops.  The terms and conditions have been posted multiple times in this thread showing no Chops.

Yes, it is listed under the 3 night dining package terms and conditions as well.  And the 5-night.   Not to worry - it is like a form letter discussing the terms and conditions of ALL the dining options.  The dining package restrictions are covered in a separate paragraph. 🙂

Online Dining reservations for your sailing will be available up until 19-Apr-2019 11:59 PM EDT. If you are within the cut-off time, you will need to make reservations onboard.

* Prices are per person unless otherwise noted and shown in CAD. All selections are subject to change. Royal Caribbean International reserves the right to verify eligibility upon arrival to the activity.

**Consuming raw or undercooked meats, seafood, shellfish, eggs, milk, or poultry may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially if you have certain medical conditions. Please inform your waiter if you have any food allergies or dietary needs. Royal Caribbean International galleys are not food allergen-free environments.

[For Cover Charge Products], Children between the ages of 0-5 are complimentary and ages 6-12 are $10 per child; children must order from the kids menu.  Please reserve product for all guests who wish to dine. Adult price will be applied for all guests regardless of age; the difference between the adult price and child price will be refunded in the form of a refundable onboard credit (unless booked with non-refundable credit, in which case OBC will be non-refundable). For Dining Packages, children ages 12 and under are excluded from offer. 

Offer is non-transferable and not combinable with Crown & Anchor discounts or any other offer or promotion. Dine, Drink, Discover promotion cannot be redeemed in Chops Grille.  Offer is subject to availability and change without notice and may be withdrawn at any time.

Advertised pricing only applies to mealtime and venue specified above.

*Specialty Dining Packages must be booked at least two days prior to boarding and may not be available for every sail date. One reservation must be used on the first or second night of the sailing. Packages include service charge and food portion only for dinner and, when available, lunch service. Beverages not included. For venues with a la carte pricing, package includes a $35 food credit. Participating venues and cover charge prices vary by ship; additional charges may apply for food selections. Not available on holiday sailings. Not valid for premium experiences including Chef's Table, wine pairings dinners, Izumi Hibachi experience and Mystery Dinner Theater. Offer provides discount off wine selections at specialty dining restaurants with the purchase of a qualifying dining package. Offer provides 40% discount off bottles of wine priced at $100 or less; 20% discount off bottles of wine priced over $100. VAT will be added to the price where applicable. Offer valid only with the purchase of 3-night, 4-night, 5-night, or Ultimate Dining Packages; other Dining Packages excluded. Terms of Royal Caribbean’s Alcohol Policy apply, including a minimum drinking age, which varies by itinerary. Offer is not transferable, not redeemable for cash, and expires on the final night of the cruise. Terms of Dining Packages apply. Offer is subject to availability and change without notice and may be withdrawn at any time. ©2017 Royal Caribbean International. Ships’ registry: Bahamas.

Children between the ages of 0-5 are complimentary and ages 6-12 are half the adult price. Please reserve product for all guests who wish to dine. Adult price will be applied for all guests regardless of age; the difference between the adult price and child price will be refunded in the form of a refundable onboard credit (unless booked with non-refundable credit, in which case OBC will be non-refundable).

Advertised discounts off beverage package, internet packages, select spa treatments apply for a limited time only and may be withdrawn at any time. Promotional Onboard Credit (Promotional OBC) may be redeemed via Cruise Planner. Promotional OBC is priced in US$ and will be automatically converted to the local currency of any cruise booking. Value of Promotional OBC in local currency will fluctuate based on currency exchange until an amenity booking is made via the pre cruise planner. Thereafter the rate of exchange will be fixed for all subsequent purchases using Promotional OBC if there remains any residual credit. Promotional OBC may be complimented with a cash payment via credit or debit card where the value of the Promotional OBC does not cover the cost of any amenities to be purchased. Any unused Promotional OBC at the date of sailing will be transferred for use on-board but will expire at 10pm on the final night of sailing. Promotional OBC cannot be exchanged for cash and no refunds will be given. Changes made to cruise bookings may invalidate/reduce Promotional OBC entitlement. Bookings benefitting from free gratuities or a free shore excursion promotional benefit rather than a Promotional OBC amount will see such benefit in Cruise Planner in the form of a Promotional OBC which will be available, should guests so choose, to utilize to purchase other amenities instead of those allocated in accordance with these terms.

2 hours ago, nelblu said:

So does BOGO = Dine Drink and Discover (NO CHOPS)  OR  Specialty Dining Pkg (NO CHEF'S TABLE /WINE PAIRINGS)?  Or does NO RESTRICTIONS ACTUALLY MEAN NO RESTRICTIONS? 

 

No, as has been mentioned, the Dine, Drink and Discover Promotion is the FREE perk that you automatically get when booking a Central Park or Boardwalk Balcony cabin.  Chops is apparently not included in this perk but that has no bearing on any of the dining packages that you pay for. 

4 minutes ago, P.A. said:

So we'll be there next Feb. Does anyone know what exactly there is to do there that is FREE? I'm just now learning that the waterpark is not free. I guess I shouldn't be shocked at this.  There won't be any kids in our party so probably not worth the extra $$ to pay for waterpark if there is enough free stuff to do.

 

Thank you in advance. 

Here is a link to the charts on Royal's website that lists what is complimentary and what is for fee.  I hope that it helps. 🙂

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/how-much-does-perfect-day-at-cococay-cost

6 minutes ago, robtulipe said:

Also look at your luggage tag as our friend's shows what sector of the ship their cabin is in without having the cabin number on it as shown below.

Thanks!   I checked that out and the sector on our luggage tags matches what we thought judging from our muster station.  Aft it is!  Going to be a long walk to the Solarium.  

3 hours ago, robtulipe said:

Also lately RCI appears to be assigning cabins to guarantees but not showing what cabin it is so one doesn't known what category to look for cabins in.

IMO they are trying to hinder a cabin switch for assigned guarantee bookings.

This has happen to one of the bookings for our group which is a guarantee on our next cruise. The Set Sail pass shows the muster station and eDocs shows a deck number so a cabin must be assigned but that booking still shows as a guarantee. This is still happening even though our Oasis TA sailing next month has no current cabins available.

Yes!  We are on the same TA and saved a boatload (ha!) on the guarantee cabin but I would definitely like to know what our cabin is.  I thought that maybe once it was shown as sold out they would let us know because, hey, where are we going to move to?  Oh, well.  Between the muster station and deck number we have the general location so I guess that will have to do. 🙂

15 hours ago, SakeDad said:

Cans are clearly listed under the Deluxe Beverage Package on the Cruise Planner website.

My goodness!  So they are.  What a great change.  Of course, the description of the package under the Experiences section of their website lists only fountain soda so it must be new.  Or the cruise planner is wrong...or...who knows with Royal's website. LOL!

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/experience/beverage-packages

1 minute ago, CruiseFamilyx1215 said:

so to reiterate my question - I bought the bubbles package for my daughter and I.  I think I want to switch to the Cheers package just for me and keep my daughter with the bubbles package - can this be done?

Absolutely. 🙂

47 minutes ago, ShillyShally said:

Yours too lol!?  Mine spent her 26th birthday in Cars Land in Disneyland and is headed to Disney World for her 27th 🙂  Her fiance hasn't been on a cruise and is averse to trying one but they've heard the Disney ships are great for all ages so I expect one day I will try one too but it's cheaper to find another line headed to PC and make a day of Disney!

They sound like twins.  The bridal party that my daughter is part of is going to Disneyland in August for the bride's stagette.

Party animals they are. 🙂

On 8/15/2018 at 7:41 AM, RobbieSDA said:

 

Disney Cruise Line does tend to cost about 15% more than other lines for a similar itinerary.

 

I have to agree with the other posters.  My daughter is Disney obsessed (she's an adult now but still Disney obsessed - lol) so I've looked into this a lot in the hopes that something reasonable would turn up for us to do together.  Nada.  Always at least double the price of the other cruise lines I look at (Royal, Carnival, etc.).   Sigh.   Maybe someday.

18 minutes ago, IRMO12HD said:

My list so far (not in any particular order; just the order I "found" them:

 

Caipirinha (kai-purr-REEN-yah) is the national drink of Brazil. – uses Cachaça (a Brazilian liquor (pronounced kah-SHAH-sah) ), sugar, and lime. Check the R Bar. Ask them to make it with raw sugar, not simple syrup.  At the pool bar, they can run into WJ and get raw sugar packets

Lavender Daiquiri in the Schooner Bar

Coco Loco on Coco Cay

Pina Colada with double shot of Malibu (maybe ask for ice cream for the perfect PC as found in Old San Juan?)

Infinity Recipe (one of a handful of "Bionic Signature" drinks)

Ingredients: 2 oz. Beefeater gin, 2 oz. cranberry juice, 2 oz. tonic, 1 oz. lime juice

Add ingredients to cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into glass, over ice.

Miami Vice*

Master Card*

Mudslide

Cosmo

Sex on the Beach

Chocolate Martini (Baleros Bar)

Rising Tide*

Habanero & Grapefruit Daiquiri in the Schooner Bar

Dublin Ice tea

tequila with jalapeños topped with beer

 

* I don't know what's in these; they just sounded interesting!  Any hints as to ingredients?

 

Two more days to complete my list!!

 

 

 

 

 

A Miami Vice is half Pina Colada and half Strawberry Daiquiri.  They're pretty!   

Is this happening for you too, Go to the RCCL site this morning, it opens up and says Labor Day sale but before you can click on it it disappears and you can't get back to it.

 

 

Jimbo:)

Yes, that is happening to me too. What works for me is to click the PLAN A CRUISE tab along the top menu bar and then select DEALS. It will then bring up the current sale.

Correct, the table chips received for non-refundable OBC are white non-cashable ones and must be played so once they have been used up or lost then the winnings, which are paid in regular table chips, should be cashed out.

For slot credits all one needs to do is to insert credit slip in a slot machine and then cash out which should provide a cashable credit slip.

I always add a few dollar cash along with the non-cashable slip to change the balance of the cashable slot credit slip, without actually playing the slot and wait a bit before going back to the cashiers counter to get the cash out.

This has worked as recently as our Anthem cruises earlier this year.

Thanks Bob! This has answered my question. :)

no longer available. They will give you chips or machine credit to use to gamble, but you cannot cash out those amounts. you will, however, be able to cash out winnings.

 

Steve

So, say, if you take $100.00 of machine credit and only play a couple of dollars worth of turns you can cash out and get the remaining $98 turned into cash?

Got anything more recent? Lots of people have been to things Years Ago

I don't understand. The number of years isn't going to change the location of front row (or second row) seats.