bigboffs

At dinner in the MDR there is always a sugar free dessert choice. Most are very good. There also used to be those options in the WJ, but I have not seen them lately. But you could ask.

Unfortunately the so called sugar free desserts that are available are really complex carbohydrates. Yes they are "sugar" free but as they are made of starches that become sugar, they are bad for people with diabetic issues. Believe me, this has been an ongoing problem that I and others have brought to RCCL attention over the years. Usually, we must resort to some type of fruit which RCCL normally has available and will be provided when asked.

they have all sorts of those jiggly-Jello-puddingy things that are sugar free and not baked (with carbs like flour, etc) .. what kinda things would u suggest?

Unfortunately sugar free jello/pudding/mouse are rarely available on RCCL ships and would be greatly appreciated. They usually have "sugar free" white flower cookies, cake made with white flower and white flower pies with sugar free toppings. White flower is basically a starch that when metabolized is called a complex carbohydrate that breaks down into a sugar. People with diabetes issues, in order to maintain adequate blood sugar levels and an appropriate A1C should generally avoid those types of carbohydrates. This is especially true for people on insulin therapy or being maintained on oral hypoglycemics.

Real sugar free desserts should be available. Baked goods are carbohydrates that become sugar.. Thus for people who have issues with diabetes a so called sugar free cookie/cake/pie is not really acceptable.

A service charge is a fixed amount charged for service irrespective of the quality of that service. It is quite different from a gratuity which is not a fixed amount and is supposed to be based on the quality of the service provided. "Suggested" gratuities amounts are not a service charge. Neither a service charge nor a gratuity really represent an employers paid salary.

What an individual decides to do with awarding a gratuity is a right solely up to that person.

We have, more than once, put a cabin on hold one night when the TA is closed. The next morning we called the TA. While on the phone and with her monitoring the cabins, we cancelled the hold; and when it reappeared on her screen almost immediately, she booked it for us. Suggest you first make sure the TA will go along with this. Good luck

Often on these boards you will see remarks from people who, behind a screen name, offer remarks that reflect having no answer to an OP. We ignore them. We have sailed the Med several times in the Sept/Oct period (once for almost 2 months). Living in Fla., the ambient temps were cool for us to swim; however many people do it. Normally we were very comfortable sitting on our balcony or on a deck wearing essentially summer attire. Try it and have a great cruise

First always bring with you written proof that you are entitled to those OBC. Since OBC is posted the first night out, on the second day take your proof to Guest Services and ask for a copy of your bill...that way if there is a discrepancy you can have it fixed then. On ships with account access on the TV, you may also check your account there, as a fact, we do so daily so as to catch "errors" quickly. If there is an error (like OBC not posted), then go to guest services with your proof. From experience, without that proof, you begin an uphill struggle. There is no way to do this online before you are onboard. Also from experience, suggest you not rely on telephone with RCCL prior to boarding (They may not have the updated account info you need).

If you have loud/noisy neighbors, you will experience their sounds, certainly more with a connecting but both will be a pain. To us more significant is cabin location. For example under the hot tubs or windjammer there is noise. Another example on Oasis or Allure if you are on deck 14, directly under the sports deck you will almost assuredly have disturbance.

Under RCCL rules, to be effective, a booking must be transferred to an agency within 60 days of its origination. We have transferred many bookings to various competent agencies and it has always been completed within 2 working days. The key word is competent and if the one the OP is referring to cannot do this I would suggest finding another

Over the years and multiple cruises we have seen groups of "children". totally lacking in parental supervision, being disruptive. We have also seen "adults" either on some type of chemical or simply being their obnoxious persona, being equally disruptive. That being said, neither of these situations would exist with frequency if RCCL simply enforced their own rules. The ships have cameras all over public spaces and "security" persons that monitor them; however, we have never seen security take action to stop these disruptions. To be fair, although these disruptions are not on every cruise; it happens often enough to have people on take notice.

First, we would always avoid deck 14, it being directly below the sports deck (15); and because of the constant activities, there is noise that many people on 14 would not appreciate.

When we were in a deck 14 Central Park balcony, we could not sit on our balcony because there were huge noisy fans located in the corners near our cabin.

On deck 8 is Central Park where the Rising Tide is located and Dazzles is between Central Park and Boardwalk (some find them noisy); however, rooms on 7 not near these venues would not affect most people.

RCL has had a failed/failing IT system for as long as we can remember. Speaking with IT people on various ships, it is clear that the Company is well aware of the systems failures. We believe that the Company, for some unknown reason, has been unwilling to hire competent people to fix the IT

Altho we are frequent RCCL cruisers, we cannot ignore two issues with the cruise line that seemingly need improvement. First the IT system, especially shipboard, is long overdue for meaningful improvement. Secondly, all reps on the company phones should be so well trained that customers should not get different responses from different agents.

Bowser and Marty Allen top our list. Another is Finis the singer

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No,

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We also now avoid sailing when children are out of school. It is not the crowds but as others have said, its what appears total lack of supervision by many parents. The children often roam in groups enjoying themselves while doing mischief(some examples being elevator tag, removing/switching room service and/or do not disturb tags, and games in the pools). We here must note that RCCL must bear some responsibility since we perceive that seldom are their own rules enforced about such behavior.

As frequent cruisers, we are repeatedly amazed that RCCL can build and operate great ships providing great cruising experiences, yet have a public IT system that often is poor and/or unreliable at best ( especially while onboard a ship). .

We bought an annual Medical Evacuation policy ($400 per year for 2) - that will, with one call/text/email, transport the patient and traveling companion to a hospital of YOUR choice. Beware, most policies will transport the patient to the nearest "appropriate" hospital (they decide). This is true of Cruise line policies as well as some options available in Insure my trip. Needless to say, there have been horror stories of people transported to 3rd rate hospitals. We bought MASA because we wanted to be protected

Over the years we have had occasions to talk with hotel directors and other officers about sewage sewage issues on ships. Unanimously they explained that on ships sewage lines from toilets to sewage treatment have many bends and curves. When passengers throw into the toilets non soluble objects (especially female sanitary products that swell dramatically), blockage occurs causing back up issues. Unfortunately, there are many who believe that rules they do not like, only apply to others.

We normally use a T/A; however, they must meet our criteria. These include 7 day access, no fee for booking or changes, and a knowledgeable person to deal with. While the basic cruise cost will be virtually no different than booking direct with RCCL will provide, the differences are the goodies that may be offered by a T/A. Often, to get my booking we have received "sweeteners" such as prepaid gratuities, specialty dining, spa credit and/or OB spending credit. Both RCCL and T/A will honor the OBC one gets from a next cruise cert or booking onboard. Keep in mind that unless you book within final payment, you have 60 days or final payment whichever comes first to transfer to T/A. That being the case, often we are "comparative shoppers."

As we travel a lot, we buy a yearly policy which is significantly cheaper than piece meal.. We are primarily concerned with medical issues, especially evacuation insurance that will take both of us to a hospital close to home (rather than the nearest "appropriate" facility offered by the cruise line), this is what we pay for.

I would not suggest it. While you may be able to do an express walk off, that is the easy part. Sometimes traffic out of the port can be slow; however, from there to the airport is quite fast ( perhaps 20 minutes). At the airport at that time of the morning we have on occasion found long lines getting to the check in desk ( several times about 20 minutes). We have also on occasion ran into long lines in the TSA area ( we have had times of well over 30 minutes). Since at Fll boarding closes well before departure time, your chances of getting on that 8:55AM are at best 50/50. Having used that airport numerous times, I suggest to be comfortable, you find a flight 10 AM or later. Of course, if you are a gambler, then take your chances with the 8:55 flight.

RCCL web site says the "kids" sale ends 3/31. As to price drops, there does not seem to be a distinct pattern: we just watch.

During Dec 14 2013 sailing aboard the Independence and docked in Labadee. A helo landed on the pier and evacuated a ship passenger. Later that day a bridge officer told us the person was taken to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. Note: Cruise insurance says an evacuation will be to the nearest appropriate medical facility.

For those of us that have problems with RCCLs computer site on land, those of us trying to use their IT on a ship usually have even worse experiences.