gerig

1 hour ago, nelblu said:

I haven't been that lucky to be concerned of Federal form W2G😁

Well it is only the beginning of May so you may get lucky in the casino.

On 5/5/2024 at 12:06 PM, nelblu said:

Yes, I have one and unlike Pinnies, I don't wear it.🤣

On 5/5/2024 at 9:48 AM, Georgeny said:

Lioness, Thank you for a great postings, especially the gambling honest information. My bride still spends much time in he casino brings about 1 to 2 grand to play away. I was once what might be considered a high roller by some before inflation. Gave it all up when land casinos ( pre-pandemic ) tightened up perks and did away with gambling hosts in some. Then as my IRS deductions changed to only being able to take standard deductions ) unable to take losses against winnings gave it up totally. I would spend a couple of hours on the floor lose say 5 grand. Have 2 grand in winnings hence a 3 grand loss. However still had to pay tax on 2 grand winnings. Annoyed me enough that I gave it all up. Now I bring $100 to play and good books and downloaded movies to spend my time on. Via my wife we do get casino offers that often save us a couple hundred on cabin and gives her a couple hundred OBC or free play. That's just fine.

 

Again thanks for a great ride 🙂  George in NY

Keep a lookout for a possible change in the W2G forms.  There has been talk that the amount 1200 has been in existence since the 1970's and they want to raise it to $5K

What specialty restaurant can I go to when I embark and make all specialty dining.  I don't want to run from one restaurant to another.

7 hours ago, Shelly97060 said:

I just returned from Discovery Princess yesterday so my info is current. Prior to sailing I made reservations for Crown Grill and The Catch by Rudi. The cost was $39 per person, paid in advance, for each venue. We also made reservations for Sabatini which was $35 pp. The day after we dined in each of the venues the 18% gratuity was added to our folio (listed as cover charge). The 360 was booked on the ship at $149 pp and it included the gratuity. 
 

We had the Plus package. Plus covers 2 casual meals and associated gratuity at places like Alfredo’s and Salty Dog Gastropub but does not include any specialty dining so if you have Plus or Standard you will be charged the 18% gratuity.  The Premier package includes 2 Specialty dining meals. If you have Premier you would not be charged the 18% for the 2 included meals.
 

Hopefully this helps answer your question.

i normally tip cash but if they add it to my folio i will not

On 4/6/2024 at 5:13 PM, Tinkrbell said:

We are going on a long cruise and would like to know if anyone has successfully taken a clothes steamer through the security scanner. 

i believe it is strictly a prohibited item only to make royal caribbean more money by sending things out to be pressed.  Think about it you can bring on hair dryers, hair straighteners, hair curlers so why not a portable steamer?  It doesn't make sense other than to have royal caribbean make $$$.  I have heard some people will use the hair straigheners on their clothes to get out wrinkles.  I try buying clothes that don't wrinkle.   I cruise princess and they have laundry rooms with those very dangerous irons on board.

9 hours ago, time4u2go said:

No it doesn't. See post #50. 

That is not so in all ports as they may incur penalty charges.  The dock workers have to work longer and the pilot boat and crew are also incurring more time.

On 3/28/2024 at 8:56 AM, LEMJMcC said:

Would it really matter if the ship was an hour or two late leaving port if the next day is a sea day?  If I was onboard, I probably wouldn't even notice that the ship was late leaving...arriving? yes, but not leaving.  And with the next stop being CoCo Cay, big deal!  I'd much rather give up an hour or two there (or even skip it altogether) than see someone's trip ruined.

It costs the cruise line extra money in port fees. 

On 3/31/2024 at 5:59 PM, OCSC Mike said:

The BOGO is meant to be booked onboard for nights 1 and 2 only. It is not meant to apply to anything booked pre-cruise nor for any other nights.

 

That said, you may or may not get someone to let you use them for another night but many people have said RC has become pretty strict about the night 1 and 2 part. I would address this tonight if I were you.

 

Enjoy your cruise on my favorite ship!

I have always prebooked the bogo free for nights 1 and 2 and haven't had an issue.  However when I was on the wonder in January I was informed that the issue falls with recognizing it has a bogo free, however they worked around.  I prebook only because I don't feel like running from one restaurant and then the next one on the day we embark.  However I have been told that I can make all specialty restaurant reservations at one specialty restaurant.

On 3/9/2024 at 4:37 AM, C-G said:

Price dropped to $26.99 for coco cay Hideaway Beach Day pass for an upcoming Odyssey cruise. Sale price for same thing for Utopia in October is $54.99!

54.99 is the price for a may symphony cruise i have booked.  i refuse to pay that much 

4 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

Yes just go to one restaurant. We have always found the lines are much shorter at Izumi or Wonderland. Almost everyone seems to go to Chop's to make their reservations. If you are waiting in the terminal the App will sometimes let you make reservations. 

Thank you

4 minutes ago, DennysDad said:

Not at this time. But it's supposedly in the works.

Once you get on board can you make reservations at one restaurant for all the restaurants.  Meaning does chops have the capability of looking at giovanni's or do you have to run from one restaurant to another?

If you purchase the dining package can you make all your dining reservations through the app before the cruise?

4 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

I'll take the old "Barefoot Beach Club" (used to be for suite guests) on Labadee over Coco Cay anytime. Used to be a great buffet. We weren't impressed with what they put out on CC. Next time after spending some time on the beach we'll go back to the ship for lunch.

Royal C wants you to pay for the coco cay.  If you utilize the barefoot beach club without booking a cabana they don't make any money

2 hours ago, MommaBear55 said:

I love the lamb both in Chops and in Jamie's, I like the presentation slightly better in Jamie's.

i agree

41 minutes ago, Sprocket said:

We’ve each gotten one and put it towards a hot stone massage.  Solo cruises I usually opt for a mani/pedi.

The last prestige cruise I was on in September 2023 my husband had $150 spa credit and I had $150 spa credit.  Have they changed it so that it is $150 spa credit to be shared if you bring a guest?

2 hours ago, Sprocket said:

This is the email I received from my Executive host. 

 

• Parking

If you are driving to the port yourself, we will reimburse you for parking at the port for the full cruise length. Please bring your receipt with you to the casino on embarkation day to receive your cash.

 

• Flying in and out

We will provide you complimentary transportation for up to 2 guests in an executive sedan, you will be picked up on the date when the cruise will depart from the hotel or airport and on the date the ship will return to the home port from the ship to the airport or hotel.

 

If you select this option, we will reach out to the phone number provided with more details.

 

2. Select your package by completing the survey. Details about each package can be found below:

• BASK: Go all in on relaxation with a spa treatment valued at up to $150, five chances to scratch and win, plus dinner with your Executive Casino Host.

   

• TREK: Bet on excitement with an onshore jaunt valued at up to $150, a chance to make a Deal… or No Deal, and a photo package to remember it all.

   

On embarkation day, visit your Executive Host in the casino for more information about your suit selection.

 

Absolutely make a parking reservation and prepay that way you will have your paid receipt to take to the casino.

Please clarify the $150 spa perk is that for you and your guest of just for you.  

9 minutes ago, JGmf said:

Wondering out loud if the Prestige benefits outweigh what I'm assuming are more crowds and tougher-to-get-a-seat problems on that Prestige cruise.

 

I'm thinking I'd want to avoid a gambler event cruise just to have more elbow room...

Not only that the more crowded it is the more smoke in the casino.  The benefits of princess plus and transportation to and from the port plus the prestige extras are very nice.  The last prestige I was on was in Sept. 2023 to the British Isles and it was pretty crowded at night.  I may have to gamble a little more during the day.

6 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

Poor dog, why do they do this to him? He should have a life as a dog and not as a mascot prisoned on a noisy crowded ship.

I had goldens and if given the choice of being outdoors and running around they preferred to be indoors because they love to be around people.

13 hours ago, Mikew0805 said:

Agree to disagree. 😝

Golden retrievers are very smart and I also disagree because they are soooooo much cuter than any cat

On 12/30/2023 at 10:15 PM, PhoenixCruiser said:

No, that was discontinued after Covid, except for Seattle. 

I agree.  I tried in the past.  Can't use VPN with Royal Caribbean either.

2 hours ago, PhoenixCruiser said:

No, that was discontinued after Covid, except for Seattle. 

I was just on the Symphony and they are still using it.

3 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

We have never had any issues getting reservations on Anthem when we have stayed in a JS.  They have always given priority to JS.  We have experienced the opposite on Oasis class, which is why we only book full suites on Oasis class.

I have stayed in junior suites on anthem and could maybe get reservations 4 nights out of 7 and at later times.  When we have gone on Oasis in junior suites it is about the same maybe half the time.  

8 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Pax in full suites get an email from the concierge about 5-6 days in advance.  That is when we reply back for requested reservations...which is far in advance of in person visit on embarkation day.  

I believe this helps the staff figure out how many guests they can accommodate each night.  I am on a 6 night symphony cruise starting Sunday and let the concierge know the dates and times I requested a reservation.

1 hour ago, TeeRick said:

Do you have an email address for the Symphony suite concierge?  Thank you!

It is SY_Concierge01@rccl.com

9 hours ago, RFerrington said:

5 days prior to sail day seems to be standard these days

I was contacted by the suite concierge yesterday for my Symphony cruise which sails on Sunday December 10th.