SheehanDJ

If you put it on the slip they get it with their check, cash they can use that evening for their own drinks or phone card, etc.

Start walking up hill until you get away from the ocean side shops, then check out alley's and non-main roads for the artisan shops.

"...and I remember when airline travel used to be pleasant."

This made me laugh, very accurate, and so do I.

Don't have a ship recommendation, but if you want to avoid families with kids then cruise during school, while avoiding the spring and fall breaks.

Lock the doors 10 - 15 minutes after the start of dinner time. If you can't make it eat at the buffet. Too many dinners ruined by late table mates and now the waiters are killing themselves trying to get everybody caught up and at least close to the same course.

We have stayed in inside cabins before, never on the Spirit, but I can't imagine it would be any different.

The main difference was the need to set an alarm every morning and any time you might take a quick nap in the afternoon. I love sleeping in pitch black, spent a lot of money on blackout curtains for the home bedroom, only need to roll up a towel and put it at the bottom of the door on an inside cabin and it is pitch black.

We just use the cabin for sleeping and showering, we usually stay in cheapest ocean view but don't hesitate for an inside with a big enough price drop.

Tomorrow, Richard logs in:

Welcome, new cruiser and first time user of RCCL website. Since you have never been on a cruise before...

International waters or about 12 miles from shore.

Maybe have them board first and have them stand in the centrum/wherever you board so she sees them when you first walk on the ship? There’s usually enough space to carve out so they wouldn’t block the incoming flow of guests. That’s always such an exciting moment regardless.

I really want Bob's idea about dinner, but I'd be a wreck worrying about bumping into them.

You idea is awesome and possibly much easier to pull off.

All the details are set, wife knows we are going on a cruise, but doesn't know the kids and grandkids are also coming.

I was planning on just giving a cabin key to the kids and springing the surprise on my wife that way, but would like to hear other ideas and how they were pulled off.

There is a very easy test that could and should be performed before the dog is allowed on board.

Take it's vest off and put it away, a properly trained service dog will turn back into a dog. Take the vest out and put it on the dog and the service dog stops being a dog and goes back to work. There is no reason to discuss the persons disability at all.

As for some of the pictures posted, it is highly doubtful that the bull dog is a service dog. It's at the full length of it's leash and not paying any attention to its handler. This dog isn't even properly leash trained let alone trained to be a service animal. The German Sheppard on the balcony is off duty, as there is no vest, the dog should be acting like a dog so there is no way to really tell if it is a service animal or not. The lady with two dogs in a stroller, doubtful either is a service animal, and there is no way both are as one animal ONLY is used per person. If you are blind and deaf your service animal will aid you in both disabilities you won't have one for each.

I didn't forget to mention "emotional support" dogs, they shouldn't be allowed, they are pets. Period.

Yes, but what about <insert what ever real or imagined disability here>. If it is a real condition, get a properly trained service animal. They are very expensive and they are NOT pets.

It's hardly a gift. One has to gamble (and presumably lose) enormous amounts of money (by my cheap $20/night habit) in order to get that kind of invitation. Just a different pricing method.

Actually if you win you will get more and better free stuff at Casinos. They want you to come back because they know the odds are going to kick in and you are going to loose their money back to them hopefully with some of your own.

Hi

do you have a source for Cuba going?

Here's one of many : Reuters

Since Cuba's fate seems to be sealed, will Royal keep the Empress in the fleet to run 3/4 nighters or will they be looking for a buyer?

Businesses must love marketing that uses psychology against one's self financial interest.

No one would take a cruise or go on any vacation if "One's self financial interest" were a driving factor. That money would be much better used saved. Food, water, clothing, and shelter I'm sure is what you spend your money on then save the rest. Just as I'm also sure you are using the free internet provided by your local library to post on topics here.

What I don't understand is how you are able to offer ANY opinion on a cruise. It would be against your own self financial interest to go on one.

We were kind of on the same page as OP when packages first came out, I was very anti-drink package because of the restrictions, no bucket of beer etc. Then we cruised NCL were the package was "free" and we haven't cruised with out a drink package since on any cruise line. We don't fret over will we get our money's worth, we just so enjoyed walking off that NCL cruise owing $0.00 Now we do that on all cruises.

Well you obviously are "Not In The Know". ;)

My God, people I put a winky emoji in the post, obviously sarcasm. If you would have read all the posts completely you would see I was agreeing with the person I replied to.

Here, is this better:

WARNING, what you are about to read is sarcasm, sarcasm is defined as: the use of irony to mock

*****************************SARCASM**********************************************

Well you obviously are "Not In The Know".

*****************************SARCASM**********************************************

What you have just read is sarcasm, sarcasm is defined as : the use of irony to mock

Actually, I know many people who love Nassau and even love Freeport. If a cruiser has never been to those port, how about we let them form their own opinion after they have visited them. I am not a fan of Nassau, but I would never tell someone to stay on the ship - especially if they are asking about excursions. There is plenty to do and see on each island if desired.

Well you obviously are "Not In The Know". ;)

Praising an employee by name on a survey means a lot. Promotions, raises, free phone/internet cards, days off, shore excursion audits, just to name a few.

Mexico is free with AT&T but you have to sign up for it.

We use a large internet based one. Usually we get $100 OBC, some times we get nothing (we booked on the new Symphony they had nothing to give), on our Escape cruise in September we got a front ocean view cabin for $459 p/p as none of their clients were booking them.

Business casual every night. Khaki pants and a polo shirt.

I used to do the suit and the wife did the gown thing, but since luggage costs money now and any more the majority of folks don't dress up that much we have given it up also. Elegant/Formal night used to mean something, free champagne and hors d'oeuvres, lobster, etc. Cruise lines are cutting back on their expenses so are we.

Are people really that messy that they need someone to clean up after them 2 times a day?

 

 

 

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Absolutely not.

That's one of the nice (or used to be) differences between a hotel/resort and cruising. Evening turn down service.

Our airline changed our arrival in to FLL from 11a.m. to 2p.m. Ship leaves at 4p.m. Looks like we may be sticking our neck out here. Would anyone try to do this?

CEI 3.

Definitely not.

However, the odds are there are other cruisers on your flight, some may have booked thru the cruise line. Do a fake airline booking thru your reservation and see if that flight is still offered by Royal. If it is, it may be worth calling them to see what they plan to do about such a late landing flight.

It's not just cruise lines, that is Kohl's entire pricing model, and they are very successful using it.