karen s

And my $24 bottle of 12-count aspirin.

Ditto. I now make sure I always bring basic OTC meds with me.

Just off the Jewel last Monday, they were offering 3 post-cruise excursions. They were either a tour of Old San Juan, or a tour of the the El Yunque Rain Forest, or a tour of a rum distillery. All with airport drop-off.

We booked a pre-cruise tour in San Juan with Charlie's Custom Tours Puerto Rico and I highly recommend him. His web site is https://customtourspr.com/.

Have a great cruise!

I just got off the Jewel this past Monday and my daughters were in 7600 - the noise from the Centrum late at night is LOUD!! If you want quiet in your cabin in the evenings, avoid the Jewel hump cabins. I was in hump cabin 1554 and although not as loud as 7600, I could still hear the music late at night, earplugs were my friend.

Karen

That is exactly what Radiance TFS 1054 looks like EXCEPT...on Radiance it is a full suite with all the perks and has a narrow balcony where the floor to ceiling windows are. A great cabin!! My sister, her husband, and three kids enjoyed it immensely on our Alaska cruise last summer.

The Haitians eat anything that moves...there are few fish to see there.

Agreed, we took the speedboat/snorkeling excursion on our last Labadee visit, and the speedboat portion of the excursion was AWESOME, the snorkeling, not so much...barely any fish. I'd do it again, but only for the speedboat part...as stated above, the Haitians have fished most of the fish from their oceans.

We had a great day there, shopping a bit, private chairs on Barefoot Beach (we were in a GS and have had a cabana there before so didn't get one again), and then the tour, and then some more beach time. And even though we weren't in a Cabana, we were very well taken care of. Don't think I'd spend extra on a Cabana again after how well they took care of us on Barefoot Beach without one. JMHO. :o

When I first glanced at this thread I thought, how fun, "Payment of the Seas'" how fortuitous, as I just made final payment yesterday...:o eh? :D

Get a couple of led tea lights I got that idea hear on cc and tried it last cruise 1 light in the bathroom or on the desk is sufficient to get back and forth to the bathroom at night!

Great idea on the tea lights...I brought night lights for my daughters when I got them their own inside cabin and they didn't fit in the outlets...wish I had those tea lights then!!

Thank you so much for the above info- it's a massive help for us as this is our first time in a GS. How was your experience of a GS on Explorer? We are so excited to try it! Thanks again for the help

Karen W

 

 

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You are very welcome...I got spoiled by sailing in a suite on my first RCI cruise and haven't looked back.:eek: Enjoy the perks and being spoiled!! You will be well taken care of.

Again, thanks so much!! Knowing that I can purchase the drink packages even on board will make it a bit easier as I can see what our run and free-time schedule will be and if I'd be getting specialty coffees or not and how often before deciding. (We'll have the general schedule a little in advance of sailing.)

You're welcome! Enjoy your cruise, you're going love the Radiance!

Thanks so much!!

 

Is the coffee station you mention included or is that one with pay-extra coffee? I'm debating drink packages this year - I opted not to get one on HAL this past summer and resell regretted it as I only budgeted a set amount for on board spending and with things besides drinks, it dwindled fast. Knowing how my group likes to socialize, I know I won't regret getting a package. I'm just trying to figure out if I want ultimate or premium.

The Verandah 24hr coffee station only has self serve regular coffee, hot tea, and water. For lattes, cappuccinos, etc. you'd have to pay extra or get a package where it's included (and go where it's offered). Café Latte-tudes on Deck 5 sells those specialty coffees. In order to get the premium coffees in a drink package, you'd have to go with the ultimate.

Here's a list of suite amenities that we received from the concierge about a week prior to our sail on Explorer this past December:

As a special VIP guest you are offered exclusive amenities and services not available to other guests onboard Explorer of the Seas. For your

convenience, here is a brief summary of those services:

· Use of the Concierge Lounge, located on Deck 9 aft and the over flow lounge the 19th hole bar on deck 14

from 5:00pm to 8:30pm daily for cocktails .

· Spa Bathrobes for use onboard.

· Upgraded amenities for the bathroom.

· Complimentary Pressing on the first formal night (available for the outfit you will wear on the first formal night)

· Continental breakfast served in the lounge daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 am.

· Suite guest’s private breakfast at Portofino restaurant 7:30am to 9:30 am during port days and 8:00 am to 10:00 am while at sea. Also during lunch time at the Windjammer

Café, meal can be also enjoyed inside the Portofino dining area

using the main entrance of the restaurant. (Please see your service personnel for directions).

· Hors d’oeuvres, petit fours and complimentary bar setup served in the Concierge Lounge on deck 9 aft and 19th HOLE, on deck 14 every evening

before and after dinner from 5:00pm to 8:30pm.. an over flow lounge is set up on deck 14 in the 19th hole bar for your enjoyment

· Daily menus displayed and pre-ordering for your dinner wine.(Concierge Lounge, Deck 9)

· Full Dining Room room-service privilege (available when Dining Room is open)

· Reservations for our specialty restaurant, sports activities, Explorations!, Salon and Spa appointments

(depending on time availability), etc.

· Arrangements for private parties.

· DVD's and Games for PS3 for your use while onboard ( Can be borrowed during the Concierge posted hours)

· Limited VIP lounge chair set-up near the pool bar area between decks 11 & 12.

· Port& Shopping advice.

· Business services such as faxes, copies, etc.

· Limited VIP seats for production shows and ice shows. (Please show Cruise Director’s staffs your gold colored SeaPass card at

the entrance 20 minutes prior to the show).

· Please refer to your muster station number for your assigned Ice Spectacular show time or see your Concierge for more information.

· As a special VIP guest, we are pleased to offer you access to the Barefoot Beach Club & Cabanas, a private beach located in Labadee.

Located on Barefoot Bay, this exclusive experience is only available to our suite guest with gold colored sea pass cards. Simply show your

sea pass card to the Island Concierge at the entrance.

· The Barefoot Beach Club & Cabanas (if rented) offers complimentary non-motorized water sports equipment (floating mats &

snorkeling equipment) in addition to an upgraded lunch menu and service from Suite Beach Attendants.

· For the ultimate way to relax in luxury, why not reserve one of the cabanas for the day? Featuring beautiful views and dedicated cabana

attendant’s service. The cabanas at Barefoot Beach Club are a not to be missed experience. Reservations are limited so please contact

your Concierge for more details & charges.

The Concierge Lounge is a private area accessible on a 24-hour basis, with your suite key you will have access. The Concierge Lounge

has been designated a smoke-free area. We respectfully request that guests observe a Smart Casual dress code when visiting the lounge

(no swim or pool attire is allowed, footwear is required at all times). To ensure all our guests are able to enjoy this exclusive lounge we require that all guests 20 years and younger must be well behaved and accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.

I like to wait for the special wash & fold bag special, but they only take small things like socks, pjs, t-shirts, and the like. But I will say, when sending things out, I have always been happy with the results.

You will love the Radiance - she was built specifically with Alaska cruises in mind with ocean views from every venue!

There's a 24hr coffee station on Deck 11 Starboard in the Windjammer Verandah. The pub and movie theater are tucked away on Deck 6 forward. The pub generally hosts trivia in the evenings -- it was a must do for us last summer.

The Boardwalk Doghouse on Deck 11 Port side is no fee, so enjoy a variety of hot dogs there! The Park Café in the Solarium (adult pool) on Deck 11 is also no fee and have sandwiches/Panini's, salads, desserts, etc. When the Windjammer is kinda crazy, it's a nice place to go to avoid long lines.

You can also go out on the helipad on Deck 6 forward for a "I'm king of the world" Titanic moment.

Have a fantastic cruise!!!

anyone remember the juicy juicy guy

Do tell...or do we want to know!!?? :eek:

Hi

 

I would like to know how many weeks in advance should I request a table for my family only before sailing

 

Thank you very much

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

I send an email to rcldining@rccl.com about a month prior to sailing and have always had positive results. We like to have a large table near a window on an upper deck and have yet to be disappointed when emailing our request prior to sailing. I have then always received an email back from the ship with our assigned table number and its always exactly where we would have wanted.

Enjoy your cruise!!

Who can't ever forget the Windjammer greeter on Explorer and her mantra "Washy Washy" as you entered??!!! She was hilarious and made us all washy washy (with Purell) before going into the Windjammer...she will not be forgotten :) I kinda missed her when she wasn't there...entering the WJ will never be the same :p

Sailing on Navigator of the Seas on April 19, 2015. Is it possible to request a soft pillow? I know that's a different question, but just wondering!

When in a suite on Explorer last month, we had a "Pillow Menu." I don't remember what our options were, but I'm sure you can ask your stateroom attendant if you can swap out your pillows.

You're very welcome!!

Be sure to join your sailing's Roll Call - it can be found here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1876297

It's always great to meet some of your fellow Cruise Critic passengers ahead of your cruise.

Enjoy your cruise!

Have a great cruise!!! Report back your thoughts on BR 1054 if that's what you book.

Karen

Off on the explorer this weekend. Have noticed that she has the side dining room opened for breakfast. Can anyone tell me who all can use this. I am diamond and staying in a jr suite. Also where is the nightly diamond event held

When on Explorer last month the side dining area off of the Windjammer you are referring to was open for full service breakfast for gold card sea pass holders (suites). It was also occasionally open to gold card sea pass holders during lunch for seating while dining at the Windjammer.

The nightly diamond event was up in one of the bars off of the Viking Crown Lounge on Deck 14.

WHAT? That is one thing we really enjoyed on the other cruise..... What happened to it? I guess... what went in it's it's place?

 

Glad you guys see the problems with this decision!

 

the more input the better!

 

What about the promenade staterooms? How did people like them? I always wondered about those.

As previously stated, Izumi did replace the Sea View Café.

Thank you Karen S. Your information was very helpful.

 

Does anyone know how far or where the concierge lounge or the diamond lounge is from this cabin.

 

Thanks for all the help!!

You're welcome. Both the Concierge and Diamond Lounges are on Deck 13. So from 1054 it's a quick walk to the elevator or steps and up 3 flights. Both lounges are just several feet from each other.

Here's the Deck 13 deck plan: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/ships/ship/decks/deck/home.do?deckCode=13&shipCode=BR&shipProfile=1602&sailDate=1150126&hasNavigation=false

Having sailed on both classes of ships multiple times, I have no negatives about either (except...no more Sea View Café on Brilliance :mad:), but if given a choice, I would choose the Brilliance. I just prefer the great views from all the venues on Radiance class ships. But that's just me...

Yes, we had binoculars in our suites on the Radiance this past July. They were really nice ones too! Too bad I didn't notice ours until the last day....:o

I found this link:

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/pdf/menus/sabor.pdf