CozGurl

We've started cruising much too late in life to ever achieve any of those status marks, but I'd still like to know what the difference in the lounges are. What does one get over the other?

What about the spa area? On Carnival you can use the sauna/steam room free. Anything like that on RCI?

Hmm, that isn't bad though I'm not sure we would have wanted specialty the first two nights. Hmmmmmmmmmm so much to decide!

It is a BOGO 2 night dinner package and we HAVE to do it the first night. I don't see where I can choose the 2nd night. I think we'll pass and see if something else comes along.

Couple more questions!

If I purchase it and make reservations now, can I change the reservation days later? Can I cancel and get my money back or would it be on board credit?

What is your preferred night to do specialty dining - sea or port days? We've never done it so I'm just trying to weigh the pros and cons to the different nights.

So many dining threads and I can't find the info I want!

Which nights are the "formal" nights on a 7 night Adventure? And what is special about the "formal" nights? On Carnival it is lobster night. Same for RCI?

The cruise planner shows a BOGO for $30 pp. Does that mean $60 for two of us and we'd each get a meal in a specialty restaurant? If so, that is a good deal if Giovanni's is normally $35 pp and Chops $42 pp.

I've also read about First Night Done Right. Do they do that on Adventure? Would it be smarter to wait for that instead of a BOGO?

What is first night done right?

Are the gratuities included in that $44 or is it really $52 because of the 18% gratuity added later?

If we are taking our snorkeling gear I take my big Vera Bradley bag. We can put towels, fins, spring floats etc.

If we're not taking a bunch of gear we just use a back pack.

Thanks for the links Hatteras51

Another thing I won't pack is shape wear or anything that needs to be worn with shape wear.

This thread has me rethinking my idea to try this thing! We're in our 50's, will it kill us? Maybe instead of the on the first day we'll try it the last!

Why are children allowed in the spa, especially if unattended?

There are a lot of threads about useful things to pack, but were there things you didn't pack that you wish you had?

I wish I would have had ear plugs. Sure could have used them because we had a balcony door slammer next to us!

And what was the least useful thing you packed?

We bought a power strip for the cabin and never opened the package. I also wish I hadn't packed so many clothes. We didn't wear half of what we took!

Post it notes made it so easy to know where everyone was.

Strong magnetic hooks for hanging damp things inside and towel clips for hanging wet things outside.

Favorite insulated cup. We go through a lot of ice and sometimes we'd just fill one up to take back to our cabin.

Ahh. I haven't yet started investigating where to stay when we fly in. Don't know how close the airport, OSJ and the pier are in proximity.

Thanks

I can't wait to know for sure!

BTW, the airport is near the Pan Am pier right?

I've only made the initial deposit on our fall cruise. Will I only be able to access things like dinner reservations etc. on the Cruise Planner after I'm paid in full?

I also booked with them choosing my balcony cabin. Will I know to which cabin I'm assigned after full payment or does that have anything to do with when the assignment happens?

Thanks seabeew!

Are the menus the same for lunch and dinner?

Thank you! Do you know what the pricing is for the specialty?

RCI website is really not helping me understand what specialty restaurants are on board and I certainly can't find any pricing for them. I feel like every link I go to just shows me ALL of the dining options and not just options for AOS.

Can someone help?

Or this one?

http://www.rhinosxm.com/

http://www.tropicalboat-sxm.com/

Has anyone done this tour either with or without a guide?

How far from the pier to Marigot? Would we have plenty of time?

First of all I know little to nothing about Aruba. We're doing ABC islands (and St Maarten) and I don't want to do the same thing on every island and 8-11 seems like a really really long port time without having a clue as what to do. Suggestions?

We're in our 50s and we love to snorkel but not sure if we'll want to do it every port. Snorkel Aruba or are there better/other things to do?

Aren't afraid to drive/rent car but not interested in the Trikes. We love taking in local culture, not just dong tourist things so maybe we need a car?

We like a sunset sail or some sort of catamaran sail with or without snorkeling.

Don't mind relaxing at the beach but enjoy pools more than ocean for swimming. Are there beach clubs with pools?

Is there really anything to do in the evenings? I read the stores close around 5:30. Are we better off going back to the ship?

Are we too picky?

We're arriving to St. Maarten this fall on RCI Adventures of the sea. I booked this specific cruise to visit the ABC islands as we love to snorkel! St. Maarten is our last port of call and I know nothing about it.

What do we do here? Is it also a great snorkel port? Shop? Beaches? Sail?

Help?