dacsmom

To me it is a tradition and means my cruise has officially begun. Is it the best food I ever ate, no, but it can be quite tasty. To the OP, everyone has different tastes and just because you do not like something does not mean that everyone else shares your opinion. There are so many things to eat on the ship and because you do not like the Honey Stung Chicken means there is more for the rest of us who like it.

I really like Chankannab in Cozumel. A quick taxi from the pier and they have snorkeling, good beaches, dolphin and manatee swims. Search on the Internet for the Chankanaab Park and it will give you all the information

I got the Premium Package and drank pretty much whatever I wanted. I loved frozen mojitos made with Grey Goose.

 

* The Premium Package worked great for me and I love that they added bottled water (I drink a lot of water). When getting off the ship at a port, stop by a bar on the way out and pick up a bottled water to carry with you. I definitely got my money's worth with the package. I even used it for all my drinks/wine/water in Chops and Izumi.

 

*** The biggest problem I had was that I felt like an RCCL trainer for the new packages. Often times I was told that something wasn't included in the package, but my research ahead of time made me somewhat of an expert. I got several thank you's from the bar managers on the ship and on Labadee (it was being run by the other ship that was also in port) for helping them get up to date with the new enhancements. It looked like RCCL sent out new envelopes with all the information, but no actual training of the new packages was done. I had to ask for the special soda cup (Just wanted it for as a souvenir) and my ship only had the big bottles of water until the last port. Therefore, I asked the to give me big bottles until the smaller ones were made available.

 

**** I'm guessing it will be several weeks before everyone is up to speed on the new packages. Until then, I HIGHLY recommend using these boards to find out everything about them. Be ready to ask for a manager if you are told something is not included and you believe it is. I did NOT pay for ANYTHING extra for any drink the 10 day cruise I was just on (I didn't hear of anyone paying the extra few cents or so for the drinks that were slightly above $10).

***** I always tip extra when paying for drinks. Therefore, I just brought a bunch of $1 bills with me this time. Easy way to count drinks/water if you give a $1 each time. The extra tipping also gets me EXTRA special attention with service. Something for everyone to consider. CASH is king with tips on ship. Apparently, RCCL pools a lot of the tips now (that are added to slips or included in the packages). Fortunately, they are able to keep the entire amount of cash tips.

You got the Premium Package and not the Ultimate Package? That deal sounds perfect and is $10 per day cheaper. I have not sailed since they changed the packages but I was very happy with it in Feb.

The insides on Deck 3 are directly under the Casino and Deck 14 are under the pool. Do you have any other options? I don't think I like either one.

We've only cruised on RC once, will that qualify us for the coupons?

Make sure you join the C&A, then you will get the coupon book in your stateroom (they are going paperless and putting the coupons directly on your Seapass, but you still get a list of what is available in your stateroom)

RCCL changed its drink packages effective all sailings after Nov 15th of this year. The website was supposed to be updated by Dec 1. Doesn't look like either of those things happened exactly as planned.

 

This looks like the old premium package. Its pretty much the same thing with the following exceptions:

No more excluded drinks, now there is a $10 limit per drink (and you can just pay anything above that $10 for the more expensive drinks)

Now includes wine by the glass ($12 limit) not just house wine

Bottled water is now included

and

Not everyone in each cabin must purchase

here is a link to the new packages.

http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/_images/Royal%20Alcohol%20Beverage%20FAQ%20All%20Ships%20Web%20Nov%2013_tcm16-27947.pdf

We went in Feb of FOS. It is cheesy, goofy and so much fun. You start out with drinks and appetizers in Olive or Twist where the story begins then you go down to Portofino's for a wonderful dinner. The show continues and the waiters refill your wine glass constantly. At the end you try to guess the killer and the correct guesses are put into a basket and someone wins a pretty nice gift basket.

I didn't know that you could get the same staff/table with myTime, I thought each night you were seated at a new table, etc

In Feb I made MTD reservations at different times based on the ports and shows. We had the same wait staff each night.

What a great surprise, congratulations on your upcoming wedding. You should have no problem, she will probably not have any idea until you open the stateroom door. Just do not let her see the cabin number and the deck plans before the cruise.

I think it depends on the port you are sailing out of. I have put a 12 pack of water in a suitcase in both Tampa and Port Canaveral and had no problem. The official policy is no water but for that little bit of money I usually try it.

Welcome to Cruise Critic, many people here are a great source of information.

It is a toss up because both options have their pros and cons.

If you book through RC you can take advantage of price drops if they occur and you have total control over your reservation.

If you book through a TA (I use the one advertised on CC) you can get some great perks. For my cruise last Feb I got pre-paid gratuities, dinner for two at Chops, and $125 in OBC, and 1/2 price on travel insurance. I usually do not get the insurance but my daughter was coming from upstate NY in Feb. so I did not want to take a chance.The downside is if there is a price drop most TA's will not honor it because it cuts into their commission. You also cannot use a RC savings certificate in most cases. For my cruise in October on the Allure it was better for me to book directly through RC but that is not always the case. What I do is call both the TA and RC and get all the information and then make a decision as to which is the better way for me to book.

As for the ports, you have two choices; Eastern or Western. Both are very good but different. It depends on what you are looking for. On the Western itinerary I really like Cozumel, I could skip Falmouth, not a favorite. On the Eastern side CoCo Cay (RC's private island) is a favorite and I also love St. Martin. There are some really good things to do on both the Eastern and Western.

We did it through the ship because it dropped us off at the airport after. I want to do it again because there was a cold snap and it was 37 degrees. We still had a great time and it was so worth it.

There is another thread about this too. It seems some people are getting this e-mail and they do not have a cruise booked. I got it and am not sailing until October.

Another vote for Sea Bands. They work well and do not have any of the drowsy side effects of the pills or patches.

It looks like you got a good deal on deck 6. Even after months of planning you may have chosen the same stateroom. Maybe there is something to be said for deciding in one night. Have a great cruise.

If you only drink two drinks per day it would not be worth you buying a package. For your husband it depends on how much he drinks. Thank you Clarea for that great link.

My only reservation with deck 3 would be if it is directly under the casino. Then I would probably find something else. If not I would save the $200 and take a deck 3 stateroom

Every morning watching a beautiful sunrise with a cup of coffee in my hand.

Guests are not allowed to bring beer, hard liquor or non-alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Guests may bring personal wine and champagne onboard only on boarding day, limited to two (2) 750 ml bottles per stateroom. When consumed in any public area, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of $25.00. Additional bottles of wine beyond two (2) bottles that are brought onboard or any alcoholic beverages purchased in ports-of-call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned.

I have always brought it in my carry-on, but I see no written policy anywhere stating either way.

I got one too and my cruise is in October

I like to spend many months obsessively planning and driving myself crazy. Here are some main points:

Deck 4 - Casino, Studio B

Deck 5 - Promenade, Sorrentos pizza, cupcake cupboard

Deck 6 - Hot dog stand, Carousel, Donut shop, Johnny Rockets

Deck 11 - Library

Deck 14 - Adventure Ocean

Deck 15 - Kids pool, Arcade, sports court

Deck 16 - Zip Line, Flowrider

Sorry I cannot be of more help but I have not sailed on that ship. The only definite thing is if you choose My Time Dining you have to prepay gratuities. On every RC ship I have sailed on there are plenty of trivia games, I am a trivia nut too.

I am on the Allure in October and I chose Deck 9 because there are cabins above and below (less noise) and you can walk to just about every other deck and not have to wait on an elevator.

Now I am confused :confused:

Each person has to decide for themselves if it is worth it but the fact that they have removed the requirement that all members of the stateroom must but the packages has made it more attractive. For me it is absolutely worth it. Google Royal Caribbean drink packages and there is a link to the Royal Caribbean blog that shows what is and is not included. It also shows what you have to consume to make each package worth buying.

Martinis are INCLUDED

Shots are INCLUDED, although certain uber-premium brands, like Patron, were not included.

All beer is INCLUDED

Mixers are INCLUDED (including Red Bull)

The only spirits not avail are any Scotch over 12 years old Cognac VSOP and above

Ultimate Vodka, Belvedere. chopin and Grey Goose are INCLUDED

Patron is NOT INCLUDED

House wine are INCLUDED (although we've heard the included house wines are not very good)

Drinks on Private islands are INCLUDED

Virgin (non-alcoholic) mixed drinks are INCLUDED

Package does not include room service or in-stateroom purchases, specialty coffee, mini bar items, canned sodas, bottled water / juice and souvenir glassware, specialty beers as listed on bar menus, or super premium category beverages.

Officially, all beers $6.25 and under are included. Here are the beers we've found not to be covered.

Sam Adams Imperial White

Sam Adams Double Bock

Foster's Oil Can

Grolsch Premium Lager

Chimay Blue 750ml