ruready

I just had issues loading a $500 egift card (I received as a present) into Cruise Cash. Read the limit per cruise is $500, but the system kept saying I was over my limit although I had not “purchased” any Cruise Cash. So called Fun Shops and they could not figure it out, so they are sending me over to some other department to try and resolve. So, I thought maybe it is because we are getting $150 credit from TA. So, I just was able to process only up to $350 and any incremental more shows I am over the limit. Maybe this next department can help, but the online system does seem to aggregate the OBC and Cruise Cash as one. To avoid any hassles, I may just use the remaining $150 for steak house dinner and cruise bar cash. I’m on a 15 day cruise, so we will definitely be able to use the funds. Our gratuities alone will total about $480, so the $500 in cruise cash and obc should cover that, assuming the OBC can be used for gratuities.

I will be on the one that leaves Jan 6th and I was on this same ship and similar itinerary in 2022. Very casual. We had 3 formal nights (one is called a throwback or something like that). I would say the average person on formal night looked like they were going to a birthday dinner at the Cheesecake Factory 🙃, with some outliers decked out.

Do you really save money by purchasing it this way? I recently saw this pop up as a presale online option a month or two ago (first under in room food and beverage, and now under drinks). We will be in a 15 day cruise, so I was thinking about it.

I agree. I see rude people and unruly kids on any type of vacation. I see it at my local Target from time to time, lol. 😂

Every year, there are changes to every mass line and I hear the same “disappointed” comments. Nothing in this industry stays the same. They would have to increase prices a ton more for things to be added back, but folks already complain about the current prices. Fortunately no one is forcing any of us to take a cruise vacation on these mass lines. There are other choices out there that will cater to your respective wants, but you will have to “pay” for it and maybe not take as many cruises.

Did pull out the suitcases. Need to get going. Went to grocery store at 6 am to get food for our bbq today. Just told my husband that I will go pack and then come back and clean the shrimp. Been lazy watching the nfl game in Germany.

I’ll be on this trip too. I need to pull out the suitcases and start packing today as I fly out to Miami tomorrow. I normally would pack tomorrow but we are going to a play (theater) this evening and then hosting a bbq tomorrow before I fly out in the evening.

If you can only pick one, which would you pick? Date we are looking to do a lunch has these 2 options, exclusive of the specialty restaurants. If it helps, we will be on Serenade of the Seas. TIA!

Oh wow. With everything going on in Portland Maine… stay safe!

I went on an 14 day Alaskan cruise this year that started in April and there was even teens on that one and they seemed to enjoy each others company a ton. I have never been on any mass line cruise without kids, even when sailing when kids are normally in school and on longer itinerary (my last few have been at least 14 days). I will say the only mass line where I saw limited # of kids was a January Caribbean cruise on Holland America many years ago. My teen kid always enjoys himself, but he seems to make friends pretty easily.

They have been diverting parking for a while now (I get a notice ever time I cruise out of that port). Just not enough parking spaces in their structure anymore. You can still try, but then you may have to over to convention parking or find an alternate parking spot. I am fortunate that I live about 30 minutes away from that port and consequently I have someone drop and pick me up.

If they are going to the Peterson museum, I would suggest the Grove. Then they could meet you there for a late lunch or early dinner and then you guys can Uber back to your hotel together. If you are into talk shows, you could also try to go to a taping over there, depending on the day. As others have mentioned, there are no close outlets. I can only think of the Citadel Outlets in Commerce and that is not really close to me (I do not live too far from LAX - I pass it nearly daily).

Interesting that you are trying them again since you stated you had a bad experience previously. Just curious why you came back? I have not sailed on Royal since 2011, but just booked a cruise for next month on them (just to get my mom out the house). I have no real reason why I have not sailed on them other than I prefer the cruise lines that more all inclusive vs ala crate mainlines.

I just saw this for a hop on and off bus I believe for that port too. It said age not to exceed 75 years old. I was a bit shocked to see that, for such a “mild” excursion. Last time I was on Royal was 2011. Understand it is the third part vendor setting the parameters, but maybe Royal could pick some other vendors.

Those that purchased their tickets from the cruise line were first on board (more related to logistics of their tours - probably aboard 10 minutes prior to general boarding). However it appeared that each excursion were in a distinct car upon the train. IMO, none of the cars are better than the others as all cars have the same views, going and coming back. This is how it worked today. On the way back, you could exit at train depot or closer to where we are docked but both exits are super close to where we are docked. We purchased train tickets independently and thus we were in a car with those who had done the same, although I believe we all happen to be from the same ship. Given how early in the season we are and we took the am ride, the train was not full at all. Everyone could have a 2-seater to themselves.