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On 5/6/2022 at 2:56 PM, Mapleleafforever said:

What have I been missing all these years of cruising with Royal!?!?!? 

Nothing. You see the same thing on Royal that you see on Carnival.

On 4/24/2022 at 2:40 PM, bucfan2 said:

Interesting. We love Royal, but the edge is probably our favorite ship.

Similar here except it's the Carnival Mardi Gras that's my favorite.

If I could take Royal's loyalty program and put it on Carnival's ships that would be a marriage made in heaven.

On 4/23/2022 at 12:04 PM, baelor said:

Yep--and to add on, as I said above, the price also clearly says "per guest per day."

Nah, not deceptive at all. It clearly states what the cost per day is per person. 

When it comes to cruising, I'm only loyal to my wallet.

Have friends on the Harmony now and they sailed with 5,000 pax. Not sure what percentage this makes it but that's quite a few folks.

3 hours ago, PhillyTom said:

Still trying to decide on whether or not to purchase drink package, but with some feedback from fellow Cruise Critic members, hopefully I will make my decision.  Sailing on Oasis of the Seas next year (I realize prices may change between now and then), so I"m wondering what domestic beers costs per purchase, and mixed drinks (ex. gin/tonic), and also the slushy drinks like a pina colada costs if I purchase individually. And I also realize the 18% gratuity is tacked on.  Please be kind in your responses. No mean spirited comments.  Thanks

On the Jewel a couple of weeks ago and all of the frozen drinks were just over $15 ($15.34 if I remember correctly) including gratuities.

9 hours ago, jean87510 said:

Speaking of internet, I am hoping in the future Elon Musk Starlink becomes available for cruise customers. 

Doubtful since you have to use a small satellite dish to pull the signal in.

Not to mention, it costs $700 for the equipment and $110 month for service.

On 3/30/2022 at 9:29 AM, kokopelli-az said:

I'm on the Jewel right now.   I can't tell if there is a non-smoking side of the casino.    Smokers are sitting around the casino smoking at machines, but not playing them.  People are smoking in the casino even when it's not open.    

We always go to the casino early so for some reason haven't been that close to any smokers.   

 

There's a nice smoking area out by the pool but maybe smokers just go to the closest smoking area.   

There is a nice smoking area by the pool with only 6 tables and Super Mario is taking up one of those by himself. Doesn't leave much room for the other smokers on board.

4 hours ago, Islandtime17 said:

Sorry, I know this has been asked before but I’ve searched a lot of pages here and didn’t find the current info. Sailing ( hopefully) on Sunday, are we still getting 4 drinks anytime, anywhere for diamond. I have a friend that just came back from a cruise and said it was only at certain times. I had thought it was changed when the cruises started back up. Again, sorry for a repeat question. Take care.

On the Oasis and Jewel it was anywhere, anytime.

7 hours ago, shofer said:

This happened to us on a Princess Cruise.  DH and my cousin's husband were waiting "saving" seats for us as we stopped in the bathroom prior to the show.  A man with his wife wanted those 2 seats.  Never mind that we were right behind him and the next row was completely empty!   He became very confrontational with DH who was reasonably pointing out that we were right there and pointed out all the empty seats available.  This guy would not quit demanding those seats.  Finally, DH put on his "cop" face and told him he'd better move on or else.   A few days later, we saw them again as we entered the theater and I heard him say to his wife, "we'd better stay away from that guy."  I hate to say that we had a good laugh over it, but we did.

I've never had a problem with a husband/wife saving a seat for his or her spouse. Two people attempting to save an entire row was a bit over the top, IMO.

15 hours ago, MOSusan said:

Coco Cay for us.  The biggest difference for me is the water.  Coco Cay is so clear and the sand is almost like powder.  I do wish I could snag a bungalow as cheaply at Coco Cay as I have been able to at Labadee. 

I concur. The clarity and color of the water at CocoCay is much nicer than Labadee.

6 minutes ago, topnole said:

Statute?   Pretty sure you are wrong on this.  

Florida STATE LIQUOR AUTHORITY State of Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco 2601 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1020 Phone: 850-487-1395 Fax: 850-922-5175 Email: abt@dbpr.state.fl.us Website: www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/alcoholic-beverages-and-tobacco/

MINORS ALLOWED ON PREMISE? In establishments where sales from food account for more than 50% of total sales, minors are allowed in the establishment. 

8 hours ago, dcgrumpy said:

I don't know about anyone else, but I wasn't confused when I said it wasn't illegal in NY. I was talking about bars, not restaurants that sell alcohol. In NY children under 16 are allowed in bars with a parent or guardian. Of course individual bars can have their own rules, but it's not illegal. 

And in Florida it is illegal which is why I stated laws are not universal.

8 hours ago, topnole said:

Never had peanuts and pretzels in a SL.  But I have had a ton of coffee, juices, full breakfasts, full lunches, evening appetizers such as shrimp, and full dinners.  Many of the SL bars would be completely analogous to a restaurant bar on land.  Kids can belly right up to a restaurant bar in Florida by law.  The restaurant can insert their own policy on top of course.  

And again you miss the difference between a restaurant that serves alcohol and a bar but at this point I have to assume you're doing that on purpose in an attempt to make an incorrect point. And while the SL make serve more than peanuts and pretzels, it does not "sale" those items so in Florida, it would be illegal for children to belly up to the bar.

3 minutes ago, topnole said:

The SL serves food too.  And several of the SLs are part of the CK restaurant (oasis class).  So the restaurant/bar analogy is completely reasonable.  

Sells food. Peanuts and pretzels don't count as food sales in the US. And in Florida, the sales have to equal more than 50% of all sales in the establishment.

1 hour ago, cruisegirl1 said:

So a restaurant that serves alcohol can't allow children?   Good to know.  What state(s)? 

Thanks M

Well, try reading my post again. Did I say a restaurant that serves alcohol? No, I didn't. I said a "bar".

2 hours ago, twinmommy08 said:

They will still allow children in DL and suite lounges and suggestion otherwise is complete nonsense. The question of should parents bring their children to the lounges is another topic. 
 

The laws in the United States about being illegal to bring children into a bar is not blanket, i.e. federal. Each state and locality has their own “laws”. 

I don't think anyone ever said laws in the US were universal but it seems to me that many here keep confusing a restaurant that serves alcohol as well as food (such as a pub or gasthaus) with a bar. Two different kinds of places.

3 hours ago, orville99 said:

Not in any state where I've ever lived.

Guess you haven't lived in Florida then. Children are allowed in an establishment only if 50% or more of the sales comes from food. If less than 50% of sales are from food, children are not allowed.

49 minutes ago, Tin can said:

 

It does seem strange to me when Royal sell themselves as the family line with waterslides, laser quest and the likes and the people paying the most for this in suites can't sit with them in the evening.

Well, the kids aren't the ones paying, are they?

I see no problem with having some adult only locations.

48 minutes ago, xxHadleyxx said:

But it's a law (in some states) based on attitudes about it bring taboo to take kids to drinking establishments.

The point is that a taboo isn't legally enforceable. A law is.

1 minute ago, Tin can said:

 

Yes understand its law, I was talking more generally about how our societies view things.

 

Minors can't drink alchohol in the UK but I quite often bring my son with me when I visit a pub or bar, I did last night for an hour early evening as it happened. I wouldn't hesitate taking him into the DL happy hour.

 

Even it wasn't law in the US I'm  not sure this would sit well with the majority of Americans. Its not a big thing over here but as this is mainly an American forum I expect some criticism of my comments.

 

 

 

 

I've been stationed in the UK and Germany and married a German and I've taken my kids to the pub or gasthaus many a time with no ill effects but I have never taken them to a "bar". From my point of view a pub or gasthaus is a family environment but a bar isn't. That being said I think most US laws are too uptight and prudish but it is what it is.

Funny incident (to me) is when my 7 year old nephew (in a gasthaus) actually went up to the bar and bought a beer.....for his dad (who didn't want to get up and get it himself). No one batted an eye there but here many folks would have had a conniption fit and there would be protests the next day.

33 minutes ago, Tin can said:

 

I do take our son to bars and have taken our son to the old DL happy hour many a time if the letter in the cabin say it is ok when he is accompanied. He is happy to chat with us for an hour before dinner.

 

There isn't really the big taboo with this in the UK that there appears to be in the States, our drinking age is 18 and I'm pretty sure its lower in Europe. Some bars are welcoming and encourage families with children by providing play areas and the like.

 

I can't actually see anything on the link though that states the change but if that's the rule then fair enough.

 

 

It's not a taboo in the States, it's a law. A bar can lose it's liquor licenses if a minor is caught in there during operating hours. Not right, not wrong, it just is what it is.

1 hour ago, xxHadleyxx said:

Personally, I never understood the thought process that taking a kid where people are drinking is in and if itself a problem.  And I am happy with any person behaving politely sitting in the lounges.  Kids being loud or running around?  Sure kick them out.  Also kick out the adult loudly talking on his phone, watching videos at volume in the lounge, drunkenly yelling at staff, etc.

In the US, taking a child into a bar is illegal. Not taking a child to drinking places (such as a restaurant) but specifically into a bar. As for the other things you listed, while they may be obnoxious, they aren't illegal.

On 3/6/2022 at 8:19 PM, Sunshine3601 said:

What I dont understand is how she ended up bunking with the guy that just went thru all the problems with his roommate that got thrown off in PC. Why would he allow her to bunk with him?  

Him - mid 40s

Her - mid 20s with alcohol problems

You think he would say no?!?!?!? 🤣🤣🤣

On 3/6/2022 at 10:29 AM, nelblu said:

The worst experience that I saw was a chair hog and a challenger.  He was controlling some 8 loungers by the pool and located in one of the better spots.  He was able to convince Paxs that the loungers were not available for some like 2 hours.  Then a couple strode by and the wife places her towel on one of the loungers.  The guy goes crazy and his eyes are bulging.  The husband tried to get his wife to let it go, but she was so insisting.  I thought the guy was going to assault the woman, but security stepped in and calmed everyone down.

It's a shame security didn't make him release the saved chairs.

I had the same kind of incident in the theater on a Carnival ship once. Man and wife were trying to save a whole row of seats up front. I walked past him with my wife and we sat down in the middle. He had a conniption fit and said he was calling security. I asked him to please do so and then he sat down and huffed the whole show because his entire extended family couldn't sit in the same row.

They were great seats! 😁