CruisingCrewsers

1 hour ago, Tulsacoker said:

question you might ask people that wear certain pins 😉  

Are those pins needed to gain access to certain areas on the ship, ie; the Diamond lounge?  They do sound a little 'look at me', otherwise.

Freedom OTS is currently $48 for a late May 2020 sailing if that helps.  Perhaps the ship and sailing date make the difference?

UDP for my May 2020 Freedom cruise is now at $48. It did drop as low as $51 a week or two  ago.  

The other items in my cruise planner do not seem to have dropped yet.

13 minutes ago, molly361 said:

Black Friday is NEXT week not today

You would't think so with all the store flyers and radio adverts going on now.  Soon it will be Black November, as retailers struggle to break even.

Is there a way to switch currencies?  I am in Canada, and my cruise planner costs are all listed in USD. I do not have a USD credit card, so I would prefer not to pay the foreign transaction fees for any of my future purchases.

19 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Not one from San Juan😉

What is wrong with a PR departure? My first cruise is next May aboard the Freedom.

16 hours ago, Billy Baltic said:

Wow. In Ireland the legal minimum wage is 9.80euro per hour. I don’t necessarily think that’s a good thing but it stops employers shafting their employees and expecting tipping to cover the difference. 

Since the ships are not registered in countries with  "fair" minimum wage laws, who really knows what the base wage is for some of the cruise employees.  A friend of mine worked for another cruise line 15 year ago, and told me a few weeks ago, some of the behind the scenes workers, like a potato peeler or other kitchen prep workers, made $1.00 per day.  The cabin stewards made a low wage as well, but had to pay the cruise line back for room and board. They needed the tips to survive. 

4 hours ago, legaljen1969 said:

I love living vicariously through John and Lala's fabulous adventures. 

As am I, now to figure out how to collect some C&A points while following these cruises.

Just now, rhuntington3 said:

 

Our May trip is the ABC islands  and ST. Maarten,  Not that i want to hijack Sea Dog's excellent trip report.

1 hour ago, rhuntington3 said:

 

Freedom is a great ship!  Sailed on hear back in 2012 and doing so again in 5 days!

What itinerary will your trip be?

Just now, tcmagnum said:

Looks good!!

Just the photos of his beverages alone might convince me to purchase the DBP.

19 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

I don't remember seeing any 4 tops but that doesn't mean there is not a 4 top by the window. Email rcldining@rccl.com for your request.

 

I am a total greenhorn when it comes to cruising. What does the term 4 top(s) mean.  How far in advance did you book the table by the window for your wife and yourself ahead of dining?

7 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

 You miss read my post. It wasn't the deluxe package it was the refreshment package that I purchased for $18. Two different products.

I understand that now thanks. I did read on this form or another, that there was a RC error for the DBP that was a huge discount. Not sure how long ago that was.

9 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

I'm not sure if there is a limit but the sales lady said that someone before me bought 20 bottles but I think she was pulling my leg to get me to buy. I almost went with two but settled on one just for packing purposes. Fast forward to checkin on Southwest Airlines in Orlando who said my bag is now over the 50 pound limit. They said I should try and take stuff out. I knew it was over because of the Blanton's and how I packed it. Needless to say I paid the $75 overage fee. So in the end  my Blanton's cost me $145. I hope it tastes that good!

I guess I should count myself lucky here in Ontario. When Blanton's is available, which it has been for almost 2 months straight now, we pay pay $65 for a bottle. There is even some Green label to be found at $65.  They do not limit us either. I have been able to get all 8 bottle toppers in a short period.  I am hoping to find some Blanton's Gold or SFTB at some of the islands we visit.

10 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

Last year BF and CM the best deal was on the refreshment package for $18. The drink package never went below $49 the entire year that I was booked. They were even offering the BOGO on board the first few days which calculated to $49 each.

That $18 deal was a huge error made by RCI. I am sure that will not happen again. We are likely paying for that error now with increased DBP prices now.

17 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

was that single or small batch ? I get the bottle shape confused

I had to look online to make sure I was correct.  

10 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

was that single or small batch ? I get the bottle shape confused

Looks like the single barrel Four Roses bottle I have at home.

3 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

I'm just here for the bourbon 🍤

My thirst is building too.

1 minute ago, island lady said:

 

I was curious about that also.  When you are on the beach...do you chain it to a tree??

I thought the same,  and if so where is the chain or cable.

4 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Stay tuned to tonight where I will post about it.

Thanks for this thread, I have plenty to learn before my wife and I take our first cruise the end of next May.

What do you connect this safe to?  Do you have a photo of one in use?

It is currently $53 + 18% on my cruise planner for Freedom  May 2020. Is there a chance for a better price?  

How do they calculate final cost, do they include the final day when we leave the ship in the total?