SherieW321

I'll be sailing on Indy again in February (departing the 3rd, I think)!

Fellow lanyard nerd, here! My husband and I also wear lanyards. His is plain navy and boring, mine is floral and cute. I think I even bought mine at a Dollar General because I was looking to be super cheap. I prefer the plastic sleeve instead of the lobster claw but it is just up to you. If it is a night where I am dressed up, I don't wear my lanyard but most of the time, I carry it around my neck. We always have ours handy because we buy the deluxe drink package so we have to show our cards frequently. 

You are correct - It does not show on the deck plans but as the other poster mentioned, it is across from Ben & Jerry's. They even have the Fork/Knife/Spoon symbol to indicate where it is, but it is not labeled. We were on Indy in May and will be on it again this coming Feb. 

I don't know if AT&T offers an international package. I have Verizon and they offer an "international plan" called Travel Pass where if I'm traveling to other countries (Canada/Mexico are complimentary) instead of having to always be on Wi-Fi, I pay $10 a day and it allows me to use my phone as normal. On the ship I turn my phone on Airplane Mode so it doesn't drain my battery looking for new cell towers, but in ports I turn off Airplane Mode. It only charges me for the days that I'm out of the country and it automatically recognizes when I am traveling so if I forget to notify them, I don't have huge overages on my bill. 

7 hours ago, sailing canary said:

 

This actually occurred to me too. We have spent many lovely holidays in the US, but an aspect of the culture there which really grated on our nerves was the seemingly false bonhomie i.e. "I'm your server, my name is......and tonight our specials are .....'

and generally behaving as if they were our new best friend.

Having spent more holidays in Europe, where being a  waiter is a professional job and not someone serving tables while looking for a better job, we found this odd to begin with and then a PITA. So I wouldn't have this sort of personal relationship with crew. I'm pleasant and thoughtful, but definitely wouldn't consider giving them a gift, any more than I would give a gift to a flight attendant.

That is interesting to me because while the over the top sappy "omg how are youuuu" servers aren't my favorite, I do enjoy when someone is friendly and chatty. Maybe because I am naturally more out-going myself (I am a commercial banker - not a server). I guess I don't see how someone "behaving as if they were your new best friend" can be construed as being a PITA but we are all different. I'm not offended when I go to Europe and the servers are curt and efficient. It is just a different culture. 

I also tip my flight attendant, so apparently I just give too much to people that normally don't receive anything. If it is a short domestic flight with bare minimum service, I don't tip. But if I'm flying first class and/or a longer flight with meal service and an attendant that is attentive and pleasant, I tip. 

I also think people are getting aware from the original message - TIP MONEY. If you want to add something IN ADDITION to money, then sure. Go for it, if that is what you want.

Does this work in "real life" - not just vacation mode? For instance, can I put a blue towel in my chair at work so whenever I need to endure another meeting that should have been an email, I can just throw my magic blue towel down and I'll be excused? How far does this magic extend? That is worth it's weight in gold!

6 minutes ago, WarGuyEd said:

I just completed our check-in process at work. Since my wife was not here, I skipped her photo. I know that we can wait till at the port. But, is there a way to go back and edit on the app and add her photo?

 

TIA

 

 

Yes, you can go in and "edit check-in". 

I have seen many people with drinks in the pool and hot tub while cruising with RCI. 

That being said, I am also someone that NEVER gets in the pool or hot tub. I'll sit and drink in my own pool and spa at home with my friends for hours, we call it the hot tub time machine because it starts out mid afternoon and all of the sudden, next thing you know, it's 3am. But stewing in human soup of my own choosing is different than being with a ton of strangers. 

We were in Cabo in December for 10 days  at a 5 star all inclusive resort for a large work event. Everyone would spend hours and hours in the pool, never leaving. After a few days, and a few drinks, I asked why no one ever had to get out to go to the restroom....it was a question I regret asking everyday since 😭😭

10 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

Wow RCI sure has gone cheap 😄 LOL

HAHAHAHA Thanks for catching that. Things are really going downhill, huh? I fixed it lol

51 minutes ago, NRWPA said:

If you have no status, will you still upon request be able to get a bathrobe from your cabin steward or do I need to pack one?

 

Do they have "egg crates" for the beds?

 

We have the drink package. Are bars open and package still available on disembark day?

 

Many people have an opinion about dress codes and I really only want facts. My SO very seldom wears long pants but will on formal nights. On other nights, can he wear short khakis with a collared shirt into the main dining room?🙂

Regarding boarding, I agree with the above. You can show up at any time, even before your posted time as they aren't super strict at that port, however you might have a wait. 

The bathrobes are for junior suites and up but I have had extra nice stewards provide me with one with no problem. 

There are no "egg crates" for beds. They may add additional comforters under the sheet for a small amount of softness but I haven't asked since we prefer firm beds. 

I don't know if the bars are open on disembark day - that is a good question. Usually we choose to carry our own luggage so we are off the ship very first thing in the morning. 

Long pants work for formal nights but are definitely not required on other nights. My husband frequently wears khakis or golf shorts with a collard shirt and no one even glances at us. To be honest, MDR is pretty flexible even though it is "traditionally" more dressed up. You will see flip flops, tank tops, shorts and hats. It doesn't bother me so do what you are comfortable with. 

Another thing I forgot to mention was to bring a small travel digital clock (battery operated) or wrist watch that isn't a smart watch. As the ship crosses time zones, it does not necessarily always mean that the "Ship Time" reflects "local time". Make sure you refer to the ship time, which you can always view in your RCI app. We carry a very small, compact travel alarm clock (seriously so tiny that it folds closed and is smaller than a deck of cards) so we don't set our phone alarm and have them auto update to local time when we dock somewhere and then potentially miss our excursion. 

We had trouble on one of our RCI cruises (deck 9). We researched it before we called because my husband didn't want to be embarrassed 😃 but after a few minutes, it flushed itself. I read that sometimes the shower drain can impact your vacuum for the toilet so it seemed common. It only happened once and it resolved itself within 5-10 minutes. 

57 minutes ago, liz24601 said:

I am a group of only two people will we be able to do this event

Yes, you can do the escape room (with an additional cost) but you will be placed in a group with other people. 

Black Friday is always the day after Thanksgiving (in the US). This year it is November 29. Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving when online shopping sometimes offer large discounts - it will be December 2. 

Trust me, I would love for them to be wrong. I don't drink enough to make the deluxe package worth it for me but my husband does, so each time we have to go with deluxe for both of us. If you find me an agent that says otherwise, I would love to talk with them. Who wouldn't want to save $400 if I only want to have a couple drinks throughout the whole cruise? I just haven't wanted to take the chance and then pay a premium price of the on board deluxe package price if that happens to be the case.  

4 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Your planner is wrong.

Okay, that is fine - that is the information I have received from Royal Caribbean multiple times now.

If my husband purchases the deluxe and I only purchase the refreshment, but I order one drink using my card, I will be charged for the whole deluxe package. There is not a way to "pay as you go" if the other person in your cabin has the deluxe. 

This particular guy is not a travel agent, he works for RCI. Until I hear otherwise from another RCI agent, I won't take the chance. 

Okay this is from my official RCI planner:

27 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

I assume you misunderstood and whomever you spoke with meant you would be charged for that drink, not the entire package. Imagine if everyone who bought a drink would be charged the entire package - even as shady as some RCI practices are, even they would not stoop that low.

I thought it sounded crazy but because my husband purchased the deluxe beverage package, there was no way for me to "pay as you go". If I were to purchase one alcoholic beverage, I would charged for the deluxe package. 

I understand the theory - too many people could just use their spouses "deluxe" package and skirt the cost. This way, if my card gets scanned for a drink, I'm obviously drinking, and I would be charged the deluxe package cost.  

If no one in your cabin purchased the deluxe, of course you can pay as you go. 

I emailed my go-to RCI planner for clarification and I will let you know what he says. 

I do the same thing - if I notice a better than normal deal, I'll purchase it and then we can always get it repriced. It varies so much but when you keep checking, like you do, then you recognize what deals are worth it. 

I'm sure it depends but one time we were told if my husband purchases the deluxe package, I must purchase the normal refreshment package - however , if I were purchase even one single alcoholic drink with my card, then I would automatically be charged for the deluxe package at the going rate. It wasn't worth taking the risk if I bought one single glass of wine, so we just did the deluxe package for both of us and I drank normally.

It was sort of all or nothing. Either I didn't drink once, or I had to have the deluxe if my husband had the deluxe.

I work with the same RCI planner for each of my cruises - at this point, he is like a weird long distance friend. He told me to wait until Black Friday before I buy any of the packages for our Feb 2020 cruise. 

3 minutes ago, cynt said:

No need to bring hangers from home.  Ask your cabin steward for additional hangers. They will be glad to give you more hangers.

That is true - don't pack extras if you are already overloaded. We carry our travel hangers with us out of habit since we stay in a lot VRBO or Airbnb's that don't have daily service for us to ask for the extras. 

3 minutes ago, cindivan said:

We tend to spend most of our days at the pool so just swimsuits and coverups, and then typically go straight into our dinner clothes. 

One of my favorite things about these boards is hearing how different everyone is. Personally, we never go to the pools or touch a swimsuit unless we are at a port and have a water destination. I imagine it is because as a Floridian I am in a pool or at the beach 365 days a year so I tend to do all the other things on a cruise and leave the pool deck for the sun lovers stuck inside for the winter. 

Either way, I agree that you won't go through as many clothes as you think you will. I am a habitual overpacker but with limited space, multiple people, and all of your Disney clothes, you might feel overwhelmed on the cruise. 

I can't believe I forgot to say my #1 all time travel tip - Packing Cubes!! They are life changing 😃 As you already mentioned, I also love hooks. Make sure they are strong enough - some hooks are only strong when they are on the ceiling because the drag force will pull them down a wall. 

I also have a compact back pack that rolls up into itself and is only about 7 inches. It is super lightweight and great for port days. Instead of an awkward beach bag that you have to carry on your side, a backpack is easier and hands free. It would even be great for one of your kids to have one and carry their own towels, etc. 

A lot will depend on what kind of room you are staying in. How much space you have and how smartly you organize (and stay organize) can make a big difference.

Hooks for lanyards, hats, purses, etc are great on the ceiling or wall in a corner or by the door. Sort of a grab and go situation. I've never used a shoe organizer but I do have a hanging toiletry bag that unzips and does the same sort of thing.

I like to bring dryer sheets to put in the drawers or closet in case they have that musty or wood smell. 

23 minutes ago, clo said:

Do you mean that you remove the auto-gratuity and tip cash or that you always tip in addition to the auto?  Also there have been threads here where people who tip in advance have been labeled as bribing which I can understand.  

I keep the auto gratuity but if someone goes above and beyond, I will tip cash on top of that. I do that at the end of the cruise, if I've had great service throughout (which I always have). 

I'm sure someone somewhere will find a reason to hate the $3 and 2 minutes of my time to write a card and give candy at the beginning of a cruise. Bribing, though? That's a tad dramatic from those people. 

I had no idea this was such a polarizing topic. On the very first day, I greet our steward with a small gift. Usually a card, thanking them and telling them I look forward to cruising with them and some sort of candy. A small non-descript gift bag with a couple boxes of different candy and a card. 
I also always tip cash and formally compliment them through the appropriate customer service channels so they are recognized. Never once has anyone seemed insulted or put off by it. If anything, it gets me perks that I normally wouldn't get. We stay in balconies, but not suites, and the steward usually will give us robes, slippers, a bottle of champagne, etc - none of which I ask for or assume I will receive. 

Like most said, don't substitute candy for the tip, but if you want to add a little extra something, go for it. What's the worst that happens - they throw it away? Don't make it as serious as people are trying to make it. Do it if you want to, I will continue to do so. 😃