LobsterStalker

24 minutes ago, kuku77254 said:

Trying to decide if I should buy a photo package pre cruise. I usually like to get a few of the professional photos so I wouldn't buy more than the 10 digital package. Does anyone know how much that package is once onboard? Or how much a single digital is onboard? Current package is 20% off. This is for Oasis if ship makes a difference. thanks

My experience is your best pricing on almost everything is PreCruise

1 hour ago, dunrobbin said:

Hubby and I are going Fulltime in an Motorhome in a few months, when we retire.

We are leaving from Canada and plan to see as much of North America as we can in the next few years.

Love cruising, even with the issues abound with food and service.

We hope to pickup last minute cruises as we travel around the coastline. (If we can afford it!!)

Does anyone have a magic formula for finding these very last minute cruise gems?

I do check out the 90 Day Ticker from Vacations to go.

Has anyone dealt with Royal on the phone looking for last minute?

Any advice you can share would be appreciated!

Thanks Robby

 

 

Not what you were hoping to hear on the last minute deals side but hey Congrats on the retirement and the plan... Sounds awesome

Cheers

9 hours ago, link99 said:

Just add this to your thoughts. Your at the Pool with your kids. They happen to need something from the room. You send them without another thought about it.  No parent should have to worry about a person hiding in there room much less a cruise line employee. its just sad.

 

Yes its just another thing to worry about. If it happens once it can happen again.I am serious about checking under the bed and sink each time we enter the cabin.We will be boarding in two weeks. 

Many from some other threads who just automatically think that kids ( young kids ) are SOOOO safe on a ship and that nothing could ever happen to them , therefore they should have total "Big Kid" freedom , need to read stories like this and take note . 

Enuf said 

Cheers

Many from some other threads who just automatically think that kids ( young kids ) are SOOOO safe on a ship and that nothing could ever happen to them , therefore they should have total "Big Kid" freedom , need to read stories like this and take note . 

Enuf said 

Cheers

17 hours ago, Aaron3 said:

We’re doing Freedom 4 night straight into Explorer 9 night in april

Based on previous threads, we aren’t expecting a royal transfer between ships (but will ask and if we get something it’s a bonus)

 

is there a way to know which terminals each ship will be in to determine if it’s walkable ? 
or would taxi/uber/Lyft be the only option? 
will they be happy with such a short trip (I’m assuming ok as they’ll get another trip from that terminal)

They will provide a shuttle for you . 

They will also promise a seemless transition and early access to board Explorer immediately when you get there etc. Don't buy any of the B.S. though  , as when we did the same it seemed everyone we approached for help and instruction just passed us down the line . 

Starting with customer service pre cruise telling us GS would look after it once on board . Then GS telling us terminal agents will guide us . Then terminal agents telling us roadside agent will line us up . ...Handed off through 5 different agents roadside , before someone finally got us to the right place ( where shuttle had already left). But they did return and get us there eventually , where the new ship agents treated us like any other new passenger !

EASY ? NO

SIMPLE? NO

ACCOMMODATING? NO... but we got there 

Cheers

2 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

11 minutes ago, LobsterStalker said:

Exactly

There is also a government and Police force in the city . How are they making out ?

I do not think there is a huge likelihood of problems in Labadee , but that said ,I find it humorous how many think that a few guards and some walls would be any match for the gangs, (And now add 3500 more) , that have been terrorizing the city for years .

 

 

Terrorizing the city for years and have yet to make it to Labadee. I don’t think there’s much chance that’s going to change

I stated the same. My point is not about the likelihood , rather that so many seem to think because (it's so heavily fortified) , that it would be an impossibility. 

Glad so many are happy with their heads in the sand

Cheers

12 hours ago, mashisback said:

I get that, and im not overly worried personally, 

however.... it sounds like it has become lawless over their and with 1000's of prisoners escaping and gangs running the show, surely it would be ignorant to think things could not effect somewhere in the same country just because there are walls and guards.

 

Dont get me wrong I am far from knowledgable in this... but after seeing some of the most advanced places breaking into wars etc, my perception of safe and stable areas has changed.

Exactly

There is also a government and Police force in the city . How are they making out ?

I do not think there is a huge likelihood of problems in Labadee , but that said ,I find it humorous how many think that a few guards and some walls would be any match for the gangs, (And now add 3500 more) , that have been terrorizing the city for years .

13 hours ago, BND said:

I don't think some understand exactly where Labadee is in relation to the really populated areas and how far it i from Port Au Prince.   It's 130 miles.

ya , and with 3500 prisoners on the run , Noone would ever stray 130 miles ?

Cheers

11 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

Thanks!  How was the entertainment and live music?  Hope you had a great cruise.

Entertainment was as expected . Saturday Night Fever was good , Only watched the family friendly version of the comedian , which was OK. He did have a gentleman in front of me LITERALLY sweating bullets , which I had never witnessed before . It was like watching something from a cartoon , so that was something . The Juggler was amaziing , but I could have done without the LOOONG video he played down memory lane

CHeers , hope you have a great cruise

1 hour ago, alfaeric said:

It depends on how much it matters where you sit. If it doesn’t, just before showtime is fine. If it does, doors open 40-45 min before the show.

We were showing up 10-15 minutes before showtime and sitting 4th row isle . 

There were however more kids on this sailing than i have ever seen  , so maybe more families were not attending...??

3 hours ago, jean87510 said:

I agree with the review.  

 

We did a 3 day on the Indy out of Port Canaveral, attended a work conference in Savannah then a 4 day out of Jacksonville on the Elation.  Crowds were the same although the Elation crowd was better behaved.  Food overall much better on Carnival.  Service for our room better on Indy (room attendant on Elation never once cleaned our room or gave us new towels.  We had to call housekeeping).  Entertainment was better on Elation to the point we actually for the 1st time in 30 plus cruises, sat and watched the pool area activities on the 1 sea day.  People were much friendlier and fun on Carnival.  I found some Royal people always seemed mad about something and always look miserable.  

What Did he do ?

Guard the door

Doorman?

39 minutes ago, cusematt4 said:

Would 20 min early suffice for an ice shoe and Saturday night fever?  Or even earlier for good seats?

just reyurned from B2B ... surprised how empty venues were 15 mins pre show .

Cheers

6 hours ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

@LobsterStalker,

 

So,  I always follow the golden rule, be worth more alive than dead.

 

This reduces the temptation to scrap the barnacle encrusted hull until every penny of profit can be "squeezed" out of it (pun intended).

 

🤣

I made the mistake a few years back of telling my family how much I am worth Dead !

Now I tell them it's all gonna be left to the dog ... but I still sleep with 1 eye open

On 2/20/2024 at 11:14 PM, Engineroom Snipe said:

Thank goodness my wife has your kind eyes.

 

I need some attention and a make-over but she has not decided to put me in dry-dock yet!

 

😁

It's not drydock you should be worried about , It's the scrapyard to turn you in for the newer model !

Cheers

13 minutes ago, pyrateslife4me84 said:

I wouldn’t be disappointed if, at booking, I could pick 5 pm, 6:45, or 8:30. I’d pick what I want and be happy when that actually happens. 

I think you completely missed the context you replied to . 

If you booked 6:45 because that time works for you , to get on board to find out it had been changed to 6:00 or 6:15 you may feel otherwise.

Cheers

4 hours ago, cr2000 said:

Consider that 10, 11, or 12 year olds (that are responsible) doesn't need to have a parent following them around all day. They meet up with friends and build some maturity and independency in a relatively safe environment during the day. What seems to be coming through with this thread is a lot of sour grapes from couples without kids who booked Icon. Let me be clear YOU WILL BE SURROUNDED BY KIDS - lots of them, if you don't like that cancel your cruise. For example, all the jacuzzi's were PACKED with kids. They thought nothing of piling into a Jacuzzi (and using it as a pool) that already had a few adults relaxing in it. Yes you can go hang out in the Hideway, but you best like very loud thumping music all day long. It's more like South Beach, than a Hideaway. Or go sit in the Casino. Lol.

That is the false narrative that you are creating from the OP's Valid concerns about unruly/unsupervised children . Children in general do not bother me on cruises , however when I watch the pathetic actions of parents who think they can just get drunk and let their children go wild , I find it bothersomefor many reasons . Again ...Valid

Cheers

3 hours ago, doghog said:

Currently for our future B2B cruise we have 5:30 in the MDR for both legs. Two top for both legs. Hopefully that sticks or we maybe we'll fashionably late each evening. 🍺😉

I am ALWAYS fashionably late since they changed the early times to 5-5:15 as common starts. We just returned this week from a 5:15 advertised at booking . On night 1 they welcomed us over the PA and informed us that they would be accomodating us with the dining room opening at 5PM nightly . We arrived at 5:30 each night

Cheers

7 hours ago, pyrateslife4me84 said:

This is almost every cruise, now. Even the app will list a time and then a week out, that time will move up 30 minutes. Not sure why they still tell people at booking that early dining will be at 5:30 or 6 pm when they know it’ll be 5 pm. 

Because they would rather disappoint people after they board instead of when they are making their vacation decisions 

JMHO

On 2/28/2024 at 4:59 PM, smokeybandit said:

Some ships have that.

Most all ships now have that !

22 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

When I read that blog article, I thought they planned to squeeze in three faster seating (trying to get diners out in 75 minutes, and leaving a bit for leeway and cleaning) and push back late a bit.  For example on ships in earlier dining cultures: early at 5:00, middle at 6:45, and at late at 8:30.  Or on other ships maybe early at 5:30, middle at 7:15, late at 9:00.

Sooooo , This is 1 area where I think the geniouses at the helm need some help . How about with 3 dining rooms , have 3 separate dining schedules ...??

Deck 3 : Early 5 P.M , Mid 6:45 , Late 8:30 ....More relaxed , Traditional

Deck 4 : Early 5 P.M. ,2nd 6:15 , 3rd 7:30, Late 8:45 -- 2 and 4 tops only to allow for shorter dining times 

Deck 5 : True MTD ! 

So many possible variations to fix the current system which many believe is broken . 

Personally don't feel 3 times set at 5:00 , 6:45 , and 8:30 would fix most peoples complaint .

Cheers

23 hours ago, doghog said:

We'd like to see RC got back to 6:PM and 8:30 PM TD and same times for MTD. We hate the later start time for MTD and not thrilled with the 5:30 start time for early TD. But we've gone back to early TD. We don't cruise on the huge ships. Freedom class is the biggest we've been on. 

...Exactly my position

1 Thing to add is that it is not always 5:30 , but sometimes much worse at 5:00

Cheers

19 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

With all these comments I just started to consider this for our March cruise. Please tell me more. Are there better/different free food choices than the buffets? Is the lagoon area good for snorkeling? Pictures look like it is more sheltered by rocks. Will the ocean be too cold in March? Is it an area you can come and go to other beach areas easily if you have friends with kids?

Was there twice last week . I'll share my thoughts .

Most of the positive comments so far I would agree with . There are some Cons I would add however .

Windy side of the island: . On the first stop , the wind which was by no means extreme was blowing hard enough that the infinity edge could not be enjoyed at all . anywhere within 10 feet of the edge had water constantly whipping up into your face .

Food: . Though some have stated a few new options ( coco shrimp , A very good chicken sandwich,  pizza ) , the lack of a buffet for those that may want some chicken , ribs , self made salad etc. certainly limited options.

DJ: also of note was the DJ that was always available (and a big draw) at the Oasis pool has been removed forcing anyone who wants that to book a $$ venue to enjoy it . This to me makes hideaway not just an upsell as it should be , but at the same time taking away what once was a free service feels like another typical money grab .

It was a 50/50 for us based on our 2 days . 2nd day was beautiful . First day due to the breeze , made it much less enjoyable. Took a walk to south beach that day , and you wouldn't have known it was breezy at all .

5 hours ago, SeanGR said:

Its not that there are kids thats the problem. 
its absentee parents and kids in what should be adult areas problem.

what crappy parent brings their kids into bars so they can get wasted?

who allows their kids to do cannonballs in a small swimup bar area?

what parent ignores “adult only” events/venues and brings thier kids?

Exactly ! 

So many people on here seem to grasp onto 1 point (usually the wrong one ) And think there are never any valid concerns that may trump that point . Kids behaving properly or improperly is  not the main issue  . Parents behaving as poor parents with no regard for other cruisers IS the main issue here . We fully understand the whole (kids will be kids) when vacationing , and sometimes that means they may be a little more rambunctious than we may like. That's understandable.  If all these cheerleaders really believe that watching a 10 year old Diving into a hot tub over and over while parents watch and laugh , is just something that should be expected because it's a "family" cruiseline , I can only imagine what kind of parents they themselves must be .

There are SO MANY  other examples of unacceptable , ( and dangerous ) , behavior from children , and adults , and the cheerleaders think you NEVER have a right to comment or complain .

Ridiculous

Cheers

1 hour ago, soremekun said:

A transatlantic interests me but I couldn't last that long in the air (flying there or back home).  I absolutely hate flying.  I wish I could be unconscious during flights. I fly fairly often but just cannot shake this flight anxiety.

2 words to get you started

..Airport Lounge !

Cheers

5 hours ago, ChutChut said:

How are lots of people affording these prices? Credit card debt is at an all-time high, most older Americans don't have anywhere near the retirement savings they should, the majority of Americans don't have $1,000 in emergency savings, car loan delinquencies are at pre-Covid levels and rising, and salaries haven't kept pace. Moreover, there's a stealth debt no one can really gage - the buy/now-pay/later as those companies don't report to credit agencies. Just don't get how people are paying these prices....

I believe you solved your own mystery