cindivan

On the Apex recently they had signs at the entrance of several restaurants with their dress codes, all the ones with signs all said no hats.   I would think visor qualifies as a hat. And it was enforced with us as well. 

On 12/19/2022 at 2:53 PM, poocher said:

Teens being teens, maybe you SHOULD have shared a room with them!  My kids are well into adulthood but back in the day, I wouldn’t trust my son as far as I could throw him in this regard.  He would not be out causing trouble but he would definitely have snuck out.  We got a bigger room & all stayed in it.  Peace of mind 😉

Different opinions.  I think kids need rules for sure, but some independence and a safety net when they inevitably make some poor decisions.   Outside of the couple times we got a 2BR suite we had separate rooms when they were teens/adults, and they have turned out pretty great.   They got into way more trouble at home than on cruises!  

Several years ago or then probably 16 or 17-year-old snuck out of his room after he was back for curfew. He and some friends were hanging out on the stairs talking, and security came, got their room numbers, sent them back home, and we got a letter the next morning telling us what happened and to make sure our kids stay in after 1 AM.

I think it really varies by ship. Other times I know our kids have been out getting pizza at Sorrento‘s and no one ever said anything.

Before anyone slams me for being a bad parent, we all agreed that they would be in by 1 AM, and I only found out about these things after the fact.  I don’t share a room with my teen kids and I don’t check on them multiple times after 1 AM. 

Thanks everyone! I think will take our chances in the Retreat. It seems like we usually change seats several times during the day anyway chasing sun or shade.

I am trying to decide the same thing for our group of 4.   We are in suites but wondering if it will be hard to find 4 loungers near each other for a sea day.  

I was wondering if I could reserve it pre-cruise for the last day and cancel and get our ship credit back when we board if the retreat has good availability on the first couple days.

On 8/16/2022 at 1:55 PM, Gpilon said:

We have found that the “Small Excursions” were worth the price and so much more personal. 

Are you referring to the additional $$ on RSSC, or ones you book yourself?    I totally agree smaller excursions are generally so much better.  

2 hours ago, Tsunami74 said:

And Cindivan, the $5000  difference between Oceania and Regent is more than made up by flying business vs. coach.

Certainly how you would want to do that from NC!

Our TA told us on RSSC we are only guaranteed first/business for the non-domestic flights.  Is that not correct? 

Based on that, we will do book w/o included airfare.  It's $7500 pp for air on RSSC which seems steep especially when the NC to west coast is not guaranteed to be first/business, and that's at least 5-6 hours.   I looked at Feb 2023 and while I know prices can certainly change, we can do first/business for about $4500 per person.  

Thanks so much for your replies.  I was kind of thinking/hoping by it's small nature FP wouldn't be able to have very big groups, and I appreciate cwn's statement of that.  

Looking forward to learning more about RSSC before our cruise!

Thanks for the time and knowledge.

I apologize if this has been asked/answered multiple times.  I did spend some time searching previous posts on this forum but couldn't find specific answers/opinions.

We are doing French Polynesia in Feb 2024 and have been waffling between Oceania and RSSC. It's the exact same itinerary, and about 5K more for RSSC, but a bigger room with a better location.  (We are frequent cruisers, but only recently empty-nesters so our time/appetite for more exotic cruises beyond our normal RC cruises is finally being explored).

One of my main concerns with RSSC is that my partner and I like booking our own excursions because we get so frustrated with big tour groups, waiting for everyone to get there, use the bathroom, get lost, etc.  Years ago we had a day long tour to Doubtful Sound that involved big tour bus rides with lots of people and we swore off big group tours and haven't done it since.  I know we could still plan our own excursions, but since many are included with the price, it doesn't seem to make sense to go in with that attitude.

I know a lot of the answer is going to be "it depends."    But hoping to get some perspective on what to expect, particularly in FP if possible.

Thanks!

Thank you so much for all this detail!  We are frequent cruisers but have mainly sailed RC and some Celebrity.  Your detail was very helpful in giving me an idea of RSSC onboard life. 

Thanks for taking the time to provide such detail

This is yet one more reason why I don’t like booking my flights to the cruise. I don’t even put them on my online check-in anymore after they canceled the flight that they didn’t even make when our boat was coming late into port 

it’s great because if there are changes then the cruise line will cover them versus you having to deal with the airlines, but you are so much at their mercy when you book it through them

We have two kids, now 24 and 25 who have severe nut allergies and have cruised with them a couple times a year on average when they were younger. We inform RC in advance, then tell our MDR waiter. One of the big things for us is to always tell them we only want the white bread rolls for all of us at every dinner. That makes it so much easier than the bread selection that comes along with all the cross-contaminated bread.  And as a plus we all get super warm tasty rolls 

In the MDR our kids will order for the next night in advance. 
 

The other restaurants have been good in general as long as you let them know when you are seated. Except, buffets. Ugh. No thanks for us. My then 16yo son who is very aware of his allergies and safety required spent most of the day in the infirmary because something was either labeled incorrectly or cross-contaminated.   Not necessarily RC fault, who knows what people do with utensils. 

That's like buying a really cool car and not driving it because gas prices have gone up.  I don't want to file an insurance claim, but life is way too short to not enjoy what you like if it's possible.

Now, if it's a hassle or a big worry for you, then absolutely don't bring your favorite pieces.  But if you love them, get a rider on your insurance and enjoy them.

I am cautious about being too obvious in some ports with some bracelets, necklaces etc.  And if I'm scuba diving then I typically don't wear any jewelry.  But on the ship, no worries.

4 hours ago, resetjet said:

800 points for a free inside right now.  On a slot you get 1 point for every $5 played.  When you put in a $100,  you will not get 20 points.  More like 50 or more if you are lucky 100.  I went to craps,  won $100,  blew it in slots repeat and went zero to prime for less then $500.  My wife did it in about $800 all slots.  
 

normally with casinos,  your status is for fringe benefits.  Your play is for future comps.  So prime in itself does not guarantee free cruises.  Your play does.  
 

However the cruise ship table comps are better then Land based casinos. I got 200 points from craps.  In atlantic city i would have gotten less then 5.  An hour at the $10 blackjack on the ship betting $10 is ten points.  
 

i did it mainly for the free drinks 30% off internet and at least 2 free cruises and it paid off in spades.  I got all of that for less then $500.  
 

Plus it was so liberating playing slots,  which IMO are a total waste of money,  at max bet and not caring if i lose,  just buying a cruise!!!!!

Great info - thanks so much for the explanation!

9 hours ago, resetjet said:

Slots are a guaranteed win.  All they need is butts in the seats. Tables are labor intensive and carry some risk and have a lower rate of return.  Why do you think casinos are full of costly slot machines and few tables????

I don't doubt your reasoning, but I also think the fact that they have $25 minimums and individual hands which often get over $50 each time at a large majority of the tables at night excludes a lot of gamblers.

So if I wanted to earn casino points, is it based on the amount I bet at slots or the length of time I stay there?  From a previous post they said something about $800 points.  Does that mean they bet $800 over the course of the cruise?  And then they got offers for a free 7 day cruise?  Maybe I can get some patience for that!  And it would be comical if I got as good of or better offers than my husband for betting such a small amount compared to him.

On 3/2/2022 at 9:37 AM, resetjet said:

No but you have to play machines.  Tables dont get you anywhere.  Last cruise it was 800 pts for a free cruise.  We spent $800 and got 1150 pts and had very little luck.  Got a week cruise on symphony in march inside for $300 in taxes.  Royal upd to a ov balcony for 150pp.  So a $2500 cruise cost us $1400 with the $800 loss.  Going this week and hope to get a canada cruise for summer and make prime for less this time.  

Well that explains why my husband doesn’t get great offers, but spends a lot of time and money at the tables.   And why I have never gotten a single offer (dont have the patience for slots, have dropped some money  at the tables, but usually goes too quick lol). 
 

That seems a little backwards from what they really want which is people with large minimums when the odds are In the casino’s favor.   I guess it’s a good thing I don’t run a casino since I don’t understand that logic 

1 hour ago, ONECRUISER said:

See that happening, before testing ends or both at same time

Maybe at some point, but personally don’t see that anytime soon.  HK and China are among countries that are still dealing with a large number of infections. Until the whole world gets this under control, I don’t see the cruise lines rushing into no restrictions. 

We typically book suites when we are cruising with a small group.  15ish years ago our youngest (6 or so) was at the suite lounge pre-dinner with with my husband and my parents showing us and my parents a card trick. The concierge told us he wasn’t allowed because he wasn’t 21. He wasn’t being loud or running around, but the concierge was adamant he had to leave. It really soured us for the suite lounge for a while. 
 

We always get the drink package so free drinks are not a draw of the suite lounge, just like the proximity of some pre-dinner apps and down time.    And in my recent memory there are always kids in there. 
 

Maybe an unpopular opinion based on previous responses, but I’m ok with the vaccine and testing requirements. The cruise lines got killed financially with covid and they are doing what they can to make sure it’s not going to happen again.  
 

It does make cruising a little more stressful with breakthrough cases, but I would rather have myself and/or others not get on board and unknowingly pass along the infection. 

There are places to vacation that don’t require vaccines or testing to enter if people prefer.   We went to the in the DR in December with my partners family - it didn’t require  vaccine or testing to arrive and  the provided  US covid re-entry test that was a complete joke.
 

I personally would prefer to vacation/travel somewhere that genuinely tries to prevent the spread. This will not be forever, and it’s a pain for sure. Air travel used to be a lot more relaxing and now it’s a hassle. I see the testing as just the new normal. At least for a while. 

13 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Who is to decide who is handicapped enough to book a hc cabin? I meet a lady onboard booking them who says she is having trouble walking. .. is that enough? Where is the line. I would say she was late 70s and mainly just older than what some call handicapped.

 

Saying someone is a fake might be a bit harsh as you cant always see peoples handicaps. 

 

If someone says hc rcl isnt allowed to ask for details btw. 

Neither of my parents have “handicap” provable status, they do have trouble getting around, but they are 83 and 88 so they are not questioned. 
 

I’m sorry if that came off as my referring to fakers as someone who can’t prove it. I stand corrected. I was more thinking of people who book rooms because they like the location or layout. 
 

I didn’t know RC couldn’t ask for proof.   That is tough then unless you book very early 

I have never personally tried to book a handicap room except for my parents, but I’ve asked the same question to my TA.

According to my TA, , you can book it, but there is a chance you will be bumped if someone who has handicapped status wants to book it. Unless of course you also can prove handicap status. I don’t think there is a contest of who is more handicapped.  
 

Short story, if you can prove handicap status I would find a good TA who will do the research to see if someone non-handicapped booked a handicapped room that you could book and bump them. (I have zero sympathy for fakers)

We did a seven day on the allure in October. There were four of us, and we were in suites so our concierge booked our reservations before we boarded. I have always been hesitant to book it in the past because I have heard limited availability for times etc. 

 We absolutely loved it, but if the ship was selling at full capacity I might be less inclined to do it just because I would be afraid of not getting the times we want

On 2/13/2022 at 2:57 PM, tennislvr8 said:

Ohhh what’s in those?

Not green tea - my kids love these and no have no idea why they are called what they are!
 

It's a mix of equal parts Irish whiskey, peach schnapps, and sour mix that's finished off with a splash of citrus soda. The green tea shot tastes like a sweet-sour whiskey drink with a peachy twist, and it's definitely one of the better-tasting shooters you can mix up.

We have used the same TA for years and have booked our kids under 21 next to us, across the hall, whatever multiple times. It’s not lying. The RC website won’t allow it because it doesn’t have the capability/AI to approve it.
 

RC is fine with it, it just needs to be done with human interaction not the website. 

2 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

No such age limit on gun ownership.  😞

It actually depends on the type of firearm. An 18yo can legally purchase a shotgun or rifle (typically/hopefully  for hunting). Anything else requires 21 up to legally purchase it. 
 

But to the point, the legal age in the US is ridiculous at 21. You can fight and die for your country, but you are not responsible enough to drink. The big issue is that  states lose federal highway funding if they lower it, and that’s a big chunk of change.