Mach1

Thank you for all of your replies, some of them were very witty!! :p I will have my DH just leave them at home.

As for the O'Mara's yes it is in a plastic bottle and it does look like Baily's more than wine. Who knows, maybe if it is plastic and I pack it with my other tolities it might not be a big deal?

We always have a glass of it at sail away. Yes we have the drink package, but it's nice to have in our room. ;)

~Anna

A few questions to the wise:

I have cruised a few times before (as noted by sig) usually with my sister.

My DH wants to know if he can bring his average size Leatherman and Swiss army knife on the ship. He knows he would have to check them on the plane. I'm in the camp "just leave them at home" but said I would check with the "experts"

I have never brought neither, what is the results?

NEXT QUESTION:

I know RCI lets you bring wine, not sure on the exact amount (as never done that either), but has anyone had success with O'Mara's -it is a dessert wine from Costco similar to Bailey's....But with WINE and not alcohol....as in hard liquor like Bailey's....

Thanks so much

~Anna

I agree with most of the other posters here.

I have purchased a few pieces of art - or won some - just have to pay shipping. I like what I got, framed it once at home and enjoy looking at it on my walls. Investment - no - but I like it, and it reminds me of the fun times I've had as the art is from different cruises.

They sometimes have Looney Tunes prints, and to be honest where I live it is very hard to find anything like that, or at a "reasonable" price. My DH and DD love Looney Tunes so I have purchased a few pictures/prints for them and they love them.

My DH likes beer posters too, so when we visit breweries and if they have posters he buys one. No investment there. He frames them and they go up in the basement or garage.

I've also purchased "art/drawings" from the locals on the island if I like it enough - same as above, reminds of that island and the fun we had.

Moral of the story - buy what you like and what you want to see everyday. And do not get sucked into the auctions "upsale" crap.

.

~Anna

They still have the Agriculture check at the airport, they have made it easier - which was a nice surprise last time I was there. But there could be a long line, then check in line, then security check line.

Those can add up as well as the luggage and customs as said earlier.

I have heard some people are able to do it if you do the self assist and bring your own luggage off the ship.

About how long of a drive is it to this beach?

~Anna

I believe muster was at 8 with sail away at8:30.

Thank you - do you recall when all aboard was?

~Anna

Hi,

We have sailed out of SJ a few times, not on the Jewel yet. I am wondering when all board is, muster and sail away.

For our AOS & SOS all aboard was around 5:00ish and muster was 6:00ish and then sail way at 8:30ish ;)

I've heard the Jewel is different - :confused: - can you clear this up for me?

Thank you!

~Anna

We are cruising this Dec on the Jewel and this is our first time on Royal cruise so I have a few questions about dining.

 

1st- My husband does not like the fact that he must wear a suit on formal nights in the MDR so can we order room service or eat at Windjammers?

2nd- On non formal nights is khaki pants with a collard shirt for men and a dressy sundress or dress capri and blouse for women ok in the MDR?

 

Any other dining should know info?

 

Thanks in advance!

We've dressed up for formal night a few times, but it is no fun bringing all that extra clothes just for one outfit for one night (maybe 2)

I like to mix and match my outfits, I do wear dressy capris or a skirt on formal nights, and have seen a mix bag of everything. For your DH khaki's and nice tops work ... that is what my DH wears. Only was in a tux for our wedding ;)

~Anna

We have been on the Adventure twice now and have the third scheduled, great ship, doesn't feel over crowed most the time. Haven't experienced anything super negative that I remember :p

Sailing out of San Juan to the Southern Caribbean is the best, no matter what ship you are on, you will have a great time! :)

~Enjoy

We saw the Superbowl on the Grandeur and they had it in the theater. The commercials were ESPN in Spanish, but at least the game was English so we could understand ;)

They had snacks as mentioned before, they did go fast.

The compass should say where it is being held, we got in line early and it was a very long line to get into the theater, and it was packed. It is a fun experience and that is one Superbowl you don't forget!

Enjoy :)

~Anna

Very interesting topic!

I generally cruise with my sister and in balconies or suites so our beds are separated.

We did stay in an inside cabin once and the beds were together at first, and it did make the room feel small. Once they separated, it was much easier to get around - I liked the middle isle - and it was nice to sit on each bed facing each other so we could talk.

In an OV room we had 4 people with bunk beds so they were separated - I will never do that again!

I am happily married for almost 20 years - and honestly we prefer to sleep together, but if we had an inside I could see us separating the beds for reasons stated above. We are still on vacation together, and can still have fun.

I say do what you feel is best for you during your week vacation and enjoy! ;)

~Anna

Is it possible to check in/leave your luggage at the port around noon and explore Old San Juan for a few hours?

Just keep in mind that even though the ship doesn't sail away until 8:30 - I do believe all aboard is around 5:00 ... the muster drill is usually around 6 / 6:30

I would double check the all aboard time before leaving the port area and watch the time if you do go back to Old San Juan. Taxis are easy to get at the pier, but sometimes can be a challenge downtown.

~ :)

Thank you for that information, very helpful!

Do you have any suggestions of where to go to relax on a beach?

~Anna

This will be a new stop for us -- couple questions:

Has anyone been to Les Salines Beach? Any experience with the ferry from the port area to the St Anne area? Is it a long ferry ride? To far to go, good schedule?

We are trying to find a nice beach to visit so any help would be great.

Thank you!

My AOS cruise in 2013 I had the PP package and Patron was NOT included. It is nice to know that it is now included :p

~ :)

We did a 5 day cruise out of LA on the Monarch, it was ok, I did miss the longer cruise. But it was a good price and the air was a good price.

For us living in Montana it is cheaper to fly to San Juan then to Florida ... I know crazy right??

So we stick with the 7 nights out of San Juan with usually a few days pre or post cruise.

I would love to book an even longer cruise or do a B2B, we have some on our bucket list we'll need to save up for, but I love the southern route so I am happy with all the ports there, and they have added a few new ones.

With that said, if I could drive to a port and take a weekend cruise for cheap, yeah I'd do that. We do plenty of weekend get-a-way's here in the mountains so it would be the same - right ;)

~ :)

Best advice I ever got.. Look at every piece of clothing you packed, then remove at least a 3rd of it. You will never wear it unless you do several wardrobe changes a day:D

I keep trying to do this each year - and bring more money!

All the other suggestions are good, some are not for everyone, but I've had use for most things suggested.

Oh and dental floss can be used as string when needed ;)

~:)

Menus:

 

http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-kit/9/culinary-press-kit/

wow! thanks - there is a lot of good info on that page!

~ :)

I really hope you can get this straightened out! I agree, try to keep calm, keep notes, dates, names, numbers if you can get them and be as patient as possible. I know that is easier said than done.

They should fix this error and not charge anymore for the air... was everything paid for already? Ask them again about the refund and copies of any documentation that you can get from them.

Please come back and let us know how this turned out.

Good Luck!

~ :)

You can only cash out refundable OBC at GS- some of the OP's OBC is from RCL and is non-refundable

Good to know, I haven't had OBC from RCL before. I will on an upcoming cruise, so this is a helpful tip. I guess we will be using what we can and then cashing out at the casino.

You can cash out any OBC at the casino and pay a 5% service fee. If you are not doing MTD the tips will be charged daily and the OBC can be used to cover them. They are $12 per person per day.

We have cashed out our OBC at Guest Services for 0% fee :)

Then we had some cash for our post cruise stay (San Juan)

Lots of other great ideas listed here too

Enjoy;)

While traveling, the majority of our cash is securely placed in an inside, zippered pocket of my travel bag which I never let go of. (DH holds it if I need to use the ladies room) Cash needed while traveling for taxis, meals, whatever, are in small purse which is attached to my travel bag but easily accessible.

 

Once we reach our final destination (ship or hotel) we use the in room safe & only carry what we think we'll need.

That is pretty much what we do as well.

Banks haven't sold Travelers Checks for years! We don't even carry them. Most popular thing now is a "travel card" which is a prepaid card, similar to a credit card or gift card, load as much $$ as you will need on it.

I was a bit concerned too about flying and the cruise ship itself, but in reality if you look at how this is spread and you beef up your own cleanliness protocol (washing hands, using towel to open door, use sanitizer etc.) you should be ok. On the flight I might bring some Lysol wipes to at least wipe down my chair, table, maybe even my cabin a bit (which a lot of cruisers do already)

Work with my travel companion to remind each other not to touch our face/noise/mouth etc. when we cannot wash properly. Keep hand sanitizer close while in port.

And just simply pay attention to your surroundings – and if someone is sick with actual Ebola symptoms, I would imagine they would be too sick to travel. I understand about the lady that did – but just saying in the case where they are having major symptoms which would make it even more transmissible.

Save travels everyone

How long ago did you go? Could my 15y/o go? About how long was it?

I've done it twice,first time was on my first cruise ... then when I brought my DD who was 13 at the time (that was in 2013), she loved it, no worries with children that age going.

She enjoyed the "play" and the dinner. One of her favorite movies is Clue ... so she had a blast :)

Price is about right at $55 ish pp - need to make reservations ahead of time.

Simple

Laminate

Punch Hole on both ends

Zip tie

 

Put on at pier or at hotel if you stay the night before.

 

Works perfectly and you can carry them in your purse or carryon!

That is what I do, simple and easy. I also type our names on them just to be extra sure they make it to our room ;)

And zip ties are better then twist ties, those can come off easy.

I have them ready to go and put them on before we leave the hotel