akcruz

Bummer! 2 weeks before you :( Would be nice to meet some of you f2f

Join your roll call if you haven't already. Easy way to meet others sailing with you.

As soon as you get your sea pass check where your muster station is, then go and find it before visiting the windjammer.

If you think there maybe a problem speak to CS if you don't mind queuing. generally you will have gained access to your cabin before the drill, have a look on the cabin door, there is a map and directions to your station.

The wait is generally for stragglers who don't want to stand on deck, I think most of the inside venues don't seem to have as many late arrivals.

This ^^

Or if you have issues contact special needs prior to your sailing and you will be accommodated in a muster station meeting your needs. Of course, having said that, there must be a legitimate reason, not just I don't like my muster station.

We have done both inside and outside muster drills. Both have pros and cons, and has been mentioned a ship can have both so just listing ships doesn't really help.

Wonderful news and thank you very much for being so open and honest with your story.

Now for the fun part, keep reading on here and learn all you can so you will be well prepared for your Harmony cruise.

So do you think that those of using spring water are also not eating on the ship? Because if it's the food, then there should be no difference in swelling.

 

I promise I'm not fasting when I drink the Evian. I eat just the same as on the unfortunate days I've had on ships when I'm drinking the ship water. And the difference in swelling is significant.

 

12 liters of water, delicious water, without the awful swelling issues, is well worth $40 to me.

 

 

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Agreed. We used to bring a reusable water bottle and drank a lot of water, still swelled. Started drinking bottled water almost exclusively on the ship and the swelling was almost non existent. I do know that the food is much more salty than I have at home, but personally the water also plays a big part in MY swelling.

For those that can drink the ship water without issue great for you, wish I could as well, but please don't those who can't we are imagining it.

Thanks, everyone. This is very helpful. I'll probably buy it beginning day 4.

 

Also, does anyone have a list of drink prices? Do the packages include beers in the English Pub? Or the fruity, tropical drinks sold by a server walking around poolside?

 

 

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Pretty much all drinks are included except for those that are served in the souvenir glasses. The glasses are not included, if you want one of those drinks you will be charged.

You might think about going to the Ardastra Garden/Zoo. We were in port for more time than you but you should have time to visit it. We walked from the ship (around 30 minutes). It opens at 9AM and there is a Marching Flamingoes show at 10:30. After the show we spent a couple hours walking around seeing the other exhibits. Afterwards we walked back and went to the Pirate Museum. Even though there were 5 ships in port, not many people were at the zoo so it was nice and relaxing.

 

http://ardastra.com/

This is where we went last time with our older teens and they actually enjoyed it quite a bit. It is not the same type of zoo you see in the states. We got there early, saw the flamingos, fed the birds, and walked around a bit, then headed down the hill to the fish fry for lunch and walked back to the ship along the beach. We were on the same itinerary and made it with time to do a little shopping back at the port.

I get the intent, but how is that different than when you use the glass that they have provided you with, for drink #2 or #3?

 

Are you assuming that people won't refill the same glass or is there somebody there enforcing this?

 

What about the soda machines, with the cup they leave in your cabin, which is used over and over?

 

 

 

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The difference is with a water bottle your mouth goes right over the small hole in the top. With a glass you have a larger area. If you put a glass up to the spout to refill you can easily avoid touching the side of the glass to the spout. With a water bottle it is harder since the opening is usually very small. Have seen way too many times people putting the opening, that they just drank out of, right up to the spout of the water dispenser. If you water bottle has a removable top you may be ok.

Yes, I guess you are right...but this is an unborn baby we are talking about and it seems getting a massage is more important. It just upsets me greatly...bowing out with my opinion. I am being viewed as "mean", but the Grandmother and nurse is coming out...It is really because I care. :(

100% agree with you. If I was in the OPS position I would skip the spa this cruise but they seem set on going for whatever they can. Unfortunately only they can decide what they are comfortable with. Not sure why I am even responding other than to give you support.

The age we live in now scares me when people rely on a anonymous message board over their doctor and/or common sense. [emoji6]

There was another recent thread about just this. You may want to search for that. The bottom line, if I remember correctly, is that they won't touch you in the spa if they know of your pregnancy. Personally I would ask my OB and go with their advice, which sounded like skip it all together.

BTW, congrats!

Yes 3 can sleep in some balcony rooms. There will either be a sofa bed or pullman for a 3rd or 4th person. Look on the deck plans for those rooms or call and they will help you.

Personally our kids have found the pullman beds much more comfortable, however not all ships have them any more.

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We are under 75 days, sailing in August, and ours have not opened yet. I think I saw a thread recently even the sailings in July haven't had the entertainment opened.

As Bob stated, all you can do is keep looking. I am hoping they open up a bunch of sailings soon.

Not pile on but I agree with the others here. You can try to get another exception but it appears they have already bent the rules in giving you a credit that is good for 2 years. All I have heard of is good for 1 year only. Noting your status as emerald only makes me ask if you have cruised before why didn't you know of the rules? It does nothing in regards of how the company will handle your situation. There are many many others out there with much higher status and it wouldn't change for them either.

It seems you agree that you don't want to risk the cruise now that you are aware of the limitations which is a good thing. I wouldn't chance it myself being out in the ocean somewhere and having your daughter go into labor or have some other complication.

At this point as I see it you have 2 choices. The whole family stays home and tries to cruise together in 2 years, or the daughter and family stay home and the rest of you go. We are a family that most often vacations together, but would go with whoever can at this point and enjoy the family at a different time.

Best of luck with your decision, and enjoy the new grandbaby.

Not sure if you are coming back here or not, but how about trying your roll call? Maybe someone in the US can order it for you and then you pay them on the ship? Have heard of people doing this such as this in the past. Just a thought.

 

I do understand service dogs and on my flight to the cruise (the woman, her husband and dog were on a B2B) I met a woman who trains dogs for diabetic alerts. Believe me, this dog, a lab, sat on the floor of the plane and never interacted with anyone.

 

We too have been on flights where true service dogs have been onboard. The flight attendant did come around ask for some people to switch seats so the dog would have room to lie on the floor. She also asked if anyone had issues with the dog near them. We were across the aisle. The dog, a shepherd mix I would say, laid at the owners feet the entire flight. If we didn't know it was there we would not have know a dog was on the flight.

I am an animal lover and have had just about every pet I could. Where I have an issue is with people abusing the rules to fit their desires and not thinking about anyone else. As has been mentioned a true service (whether that be physical or emotional) animal is well trained and most will not know it is there.

We did comment on our survey about the pet being in the dining room. Hindsight I should have said something right then and there but the table was a few away so didn't directly impact me. Next time I will.

Agree with you about the dog. We saw the same thing on Allure in the MDR. I had the same thought about who was at my table before or who had the misfortune to sit at their table next. I get service dogs but they do not need to be on a lap in a dining venue. Also saw the same dog in the lap of someone else in the casino . . .

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Hi I don't mean to hijack this thread but op question was answered and I think mine ties in.

 

If you have a drink package a souvenir Coke cup is provided correct?

 

Will they mix cocktails in those? (I'm going to guess the answer is: no but I can pour it in.).

 

So next question:(if I'm right on the first one) can I pour it in a immediately order a 2nd to fill the cup?

 

Lastly: will they wash them for you? If you were to put a juice or milk based drink (think pins coloda or labadoozee). The cup could get pretty gross after a day or two.

 

 

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Pretty sure they will not make your drink in the coke cup buy you can pour your drink into the cup or any other you choose. Not sure they will make another right away but may depend on the bartender, I am thinking with most the answer is no.

Your question on washing was answered so will skip that.

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Huh? When I called RCI... the lady I spoke with said the premium pkg would cover martini's. Anyone on Allure with premium pkg that didn't cover martini's?? That may make a difference in whether I purchase! I thought I read $13 limit for Allure on threads?

We have definitely gotten martinis with the premium package. No need to get the ultimate for this reason.

Do both passengers in a cabin have to purchase the drink pkg?

No, however packages are per person so if only one purchases only one gets to use it. The cruise lines gave become very good at spotting sharing and will revoke the package without a refund if caught.

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Unless you book your flight through RC :cool: They certainly are able. Our last time on Freedom people on RC booked flights were boarding all the way up until we left the dock. We even left a little late waiting on a few. I dont know how they satisfy the 90 minute requirement but Ive witnessed myself people boarding the ship way after the cutoff.

 

Im wondering how different this situation would have been if the OP had booked flights through RC. My guess is they would be on their cruise right now

 

Another thing is I think the 90 minute mark is set by Royal. Not customs. On Carnival for a cruise leaving at 4pm, you have to be checked in and boarding by 3pm so only 60 minutes. Customs cutoff time is actually 30 minutes before the ship leaves I believe.

I think the difference here is that if you are booked through RC for your flights and/or transportation they know where you are and that you will be able to get to this ship before the actual sailaway so can add you to the manifest. If you have private arrangements they have no idea if you will make it or not and if they need an official list your name is excluded.

Lots of great lessons to learn from this thread and hopefully a few new cruisers will learn from it.

Not sure why som many are confused By the OP.

 

To me it was quite clear.

 

They were running late for unknwon reasons and missed the check-in time which can´t be any later than 90 min. Prior to sailling time, as the manifest Needs to be submitted to Homeland security.

 

They had sufficient documentation to board the ship, but they did not have sufficient documentation to fly to the next port of call and catch up with the ship.

 

So with missing the ship in FLL they had no Chance to catch up later and had to fly home.

 

 

It´s a hard lesson to be learned, I don´t see any recourse with RCI on this though.

Yes, this pretty much sums it up.

To the OP, I am sorry for your missed cruise and really do wish you had found out about cruise critic before your sailing. Many of your issues/concerns could have been taken care of and now you would have been on the ship.

If possible do try cruising again. It really is a great family vacation for most. Best of luck!

Been looking on the RCCL website but can't find the answer to a couple of questions and hoping someone can help. Is there a limit as to how many drinks you can have a day? Also what is the top price of a drink you can have with the pkg. (Not counting wine)

Thanks

No official published limit to the number of drinks you can have in a day, however if you appear intoxicated they will cut you off. The max limit is 12 in the US, and I believe 14 in Europe. If you purchase a drink for a higher amount you are charged the difference above the max.

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I've been on CC long enough to know that regardless of what you say, someone else will tell you it is wrong.

Just posting my thoughts, people can take or leave it.

 

In a perfect world I'd just link to my blog. It is much easier to follow and includes tons of photos. However, it contains tons of personal info so I'm having to edit and re-type here. In re-reading some of what I've already written I'm afraid it's coming across a bit confusing, but I hope people are able to get the main idea. :/

 

So anyway...

 

Ice skating

We didn't skate long. The rink is much too small and crowded for any sort of enjoyment.

Speaking of small, on 1 day we watched the ice show. It was very well done but we found ourselves cringing for the skaters. The rink is really not big enough for them to get enough speed to do jumps and tricks. Considering the space, they were lucky to have only about 3 falls. But it did take away from the show.

Please don't take this as criticism at all, just a different perspective. We were amazed at what the skaters could do on such a small rink that I am sure the movement of the seas impacted. Maybe we just dont have the ice skating background to see the other perspective?

As for skating ourselves agree, our kids did it on the first cruise with the rink and have never felt the need after.

Please continue on with your review. I know how this crowd can get sometimes and give you kudos for coming on here to do your report. We are all different and what one likes another doesn't. Great to read differing perspectives.

However not in the special container, only a regular glass which is much smaller.

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Anyone else have luck making reservations more than 90 days prior to departure?

I made specialty (and as a matter of fact all dining) reservations for my upcoming Anthem cruise much more than 90 days before sailing date. On-line check-in did open at 90 days. Still waiting on entertainment though :rolleyes: and we are now at less than 80 days to go.

So should I have our three boys (12,14, and 17) wear pants to dinner each night? They intended on wearing khaki shorts to the casual dinner venues. As far as the Grande, they do not own suite jackets! I really don't want to buy them for this one dinner - they will grow out of them before its time to wear them again! I was going to have them wear khaki pants w a nice shirt / tie. Advice, please???

My two cents..........no flaming please.

 

You have the perfect opportunity to show your young men how to DINE and behave which will carry them into the future. One day they will attend a wedding, a funeral or a job interview.

 

We raised two boys and I know how you feel as we also did not have the funds. Their first dress up was a family wedding. I bought them jackets at the Goodwill and a thrift store. They got so many compliments on how nice they looked in their jacket and tie. It was a real ego and confidence booster for them. They were age 4 and 10. You will most likely find jackets for $5 to $10.

 

Just a thought. Have a great cruise:)

Another option, which worked for us, is ask around to their friends. Sometimes they have a jacket you can borrow for the cruise.

For my son, we always had him wear pants to dinner. He put them on right before leaving the cabin, and took them off immediately after dinner. One or two pairs for the week and you are good. My son actually likes to dress up on cruises now as he had gotten many compliments through the years.