akcruz

We did SNUBA in St. Thomas this past summer. We were a group of 9 people with a private tour. The owner took 4 out first while the other 5 did Coral World then we swapped. Total time under water (not including training and practice in shallow water) was about 30-45 minutes. I highly recommend this private tour company instead of going through the cruise line: Virgin Islands Snuba Excursions http://www.visnuba.com

The price of the snuba included entrance to Coral World.

We used this same company a few years back while in St. Thomas and very much enjoyed it. It was just the 3 of us when we went. Would highly recommend them. Having the entry to Coral World as part of the package was also a plus for us.

I bought my Premium Beverage package a month ago- I REALLY hope it still includes soda now that the flyer has changed.

I agree with you. If you look at the pictures the souvenir cup is still there. I would hope that means it is still included, but you never know. Another great job by Royal :rolleyes: Maybe they are just trying to save space on the page :confused:

Everything is counted in nights, so you will be charge 9 x the daily amount.

I think this is really a play by ear type of thing and there is not one answer for a family or even a child. My daughter was fine missing time up until high school and she could easily make up any time missed. We took a long weekend (she missed 1 1/2 days) and asked us not to do that anymore as she missed too much in her sophomore year. My son on the other hand (who was younger fortunately) was struggling to make up the work at a much younger age.

Things to consider, your school policies, the classes your kids are taking, how they are doing in those, and any extracurricular activities they are in that might be impacted. It's a tough choice and we ended up biting the bullet and traveling in early summer (often leaving the day after school ended) to get a little better deal. Now they are both older (one is married) and still love to travel with us, especially is we are footing the bill!

Will definitely be following along. Thanks for doing this. We are doing this itinerary in August and looking for any and all info you can provide. Most of all however, enjoy your cruise!!

If they see you still have a drink in your hand they will not give you another. However, we did not have issues getting an alcoholic drink along with a bottle of water. They know the tricks and stick to the one drink per card rules.

You seem to be missing my point....we have a load of posters on here complaining about people "breaking the rules", and nothing seems to be done....so going into that, a reasonable person says to themselves that while smoking isn't allowed in most areas of the ship, there are the inconsiderate ones who are all about themselves and will smoke on their balconies....we good so far. We already agree that the "smoke police" aren't really going to do anything about these inconsiderate people. So if smoke bothers you that much, and you have been on numerous cruises that it has ruined your balcony time, WHY WOULD YOU CONTINUE TO BOOK A BALCONY ROOM? Book a room with a window or inside room, save money and not be annoyed by the smoke. I personally don't like smoke. I have been on balconies where close by a person was smoking on their balcony. I went back into my room for about 10 mins, came back out and sat on my balcony. Now I see your retort coming...."they shouldn't be smoking"....you are right, but these are inconsiderate people we are dealing with, so they are going to do what they want to do and to heck with everyone else. Its not right, I get it, but they do it anyway

OK, I try to stay out of these smoking threads because they are never really worth it but have to reply.

Using your logic, people are upset about chair hogs and the cruise lines not doing anything about it. What should we do with this, not go to the pool at all? Of course if we think that they might upset us for "breaking the rules" like we know they do, just stay away from the pool deck.

How about those cutting in line in the buffet, or not using the tongs the correct way? Just don't go to the buffet?

Both of these aren't right and people do it anyway, so just let them? Each of us has our pet peeves about what others do. As adults we either learn to live them or use our resource to correct the offending individuals. I am sure I can come up with many more, but hopefully you get the point.

Bottom line, smoking is NOT allowed on balconies. If I see it and it is impacting my cruise I will call GS. I am not going to deal with a potentially volatile situation by directly confronting the individuals as many other here have. If we all just keep ignoring them and letting them break those rules they will continue. If the cruise line doesn't do something about it then I guess its time to move on to a different line or different type of vacation, but I will give it my best shot first.

Isn't it great that we all have so many places to stay (and hump 😇) on each ship? Everyone can hopefully get what they truly do enjoy ☺

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Pricing on cruises does not go by age, but capacity. The 1st and 2nd person in a cabin pay x while the 3rd and on passenger in a cabin pay y. Age limits in other areas in the ship by by your true age. Two distinctly different things. If you are not used to cruise pricing it can seem off, but this is how most lines price cabins.

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We had the corner aft cabin on Vision and absolutely loved the view and the balcony. We usually do spend quite a bit of time on our balcony and having this one was wonderful. Personally I prefer watching the wake to the side view.

For us the walk didn't seem that far and as others have mentioned it was great to work off those extra treats. We did feel a little bit of vibration but nothing annoying at all.

Oh, and regarding the superstructure blocking the view, this is not on all ship classes, and not even every cabin on those classes.

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It is called PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY! You are the parent - 24/7. I don't care if you are 'on vacation' you are still responsible for your child. I cannot believe the lawyer suggested that it was understandable that the parents were in vacation mode, and let their guard down. Seriously? If anything, my maternal instinct increases when away from home - not relaxes!

 

Just how many lifeguards does this woman expect the cruise ship to employ? Because here is an amazing fact - kids can wander in, and drown in the adult pool too. How about the hot tubs? On ships the size of Oasis there are numerous hot tubs. Are we going to have a lifeguard posted at each and every water source 24 hours a day? Or are you going to drain all the pools of water each night?

 

This lawsuit is crazy - simply a way for the parent to relieve some of the guilt she feels for her poor parenting choices. Blame the cruise line, and then I won't feel so bad since it wasn't 'really' my fault. The real victim here is her child who is the one who is suffering the consequences of her carelessness.

Agree. When I saw the comment in the article about relaxing since the parents are on vacation, my first thought was no way, I was much more vigilant with my kids when some place we were not familiar with. Not an excuse at all, and definitely the victim here is the child who will most likely suffer as a result of this incident for the rest of his life.

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I have left the luggage tag to the porters for the past 12-15 cruises. It takes on average an indiscernible amount of time. They do it as they take your luggage. It adds no time to your drop off.

 

Going to Staples on vacation.... Just crazy.

What does it matter how the OP wants to spend their time? I am sure there are things you do on your vacation others would think are crazy and a waste of time.

We all gave them various suggestions now for them to decide what works best for them. Personally I would rather take care of the tags before getting to the port, have done it there in the past and not my preference, but I do understand that may not be everyone's preference.

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Not to pile on as I am sure you are already feeling bad enough but you were given 2 options that you declined. You chose not to take either so now you are owed nothing. Very expensive lessons learned.

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Yet another head scratching waste of time on vacation....

So taking 2 minutes to ask for copies vs having to wait in line for a porter to make them up for you is a waste of time? We found we were one tag short on a recent cruise. Had plenty of holders just not enough of the actual tag. Was a good use of my time, to me, to get a copy at the hotel front desk while coming back from breakfast.

To the OP, no need to worry you can get copies if you like of have the porters fill them out for you. Enjoy your cruise.

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How can anyone be skipping a tip that is already included in the daily auto gratuity?

Room service is not included in the daily auto gratuity. It is expected that if you use room service, which many do not, you tip at that time.

Another situation where you can likely thank your fellow passengers. My guess is they are finding people ordering after 10 and either not responding when it gets to their cabin or skipping a tip altogether. Whether that is due to falling asleep, having imbibed too much or something else who knows. Remember however, the 3.95 does include the tip so depending on what you are ordering it may not be too bad.

Either way not a good thing.

DH and I have sailed for the last 25+ years and were thrilled when MTD came about. For the most part, traditional dining for us was a bust. Many evenings of awkward conversations or complete silence between tablemates. With MTD, we can be by ourself but usually close enough to other tables for two to carry on conversations if we so choose. We also eat early enough to catch the shows. There have been a couple of times where we were waitlisted and didn't clear so back to tables with awkward conversations [emoji15]

Agree, we switched to MTD after a few awkward tablemates, or complete no shows. We got tired of sitting at a large table basically on our own. We have asked to be seated with others in MTD but have never had the opportunity to. We find with the tables as close as they are with 2 we can talk to others if both tables are amenable. If we have a larger group we stick more to our own table. We can also get in and out of the dining room much quicker than traditional leaving us with more time for other activities. We do most of our conversations with others at the various venues.

It is possible that it is already booked because I made reservations for my July 28 sailing. Good luck!

Yep, we have made our reservations for August so they may be full for pre booking. Head there right after boarding to see what they may have open for onboard booking.

We had a balcony cabin that had a sofa bed and pullman. There aren't many. Either check the deck plans or give them a call and see what is available in the category you are looking at.

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Woo hoo!! So glad it all worked out for you. Enjoy that balcony and don't worry about all the naysayers here.

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If you don't get the cabin you originally booked, keep that JS...much nicer space!

Have you ever stayed in one of the corner afts on Vision? I have and would give up a larger cabin for that larger balcony. I was out there so much more than in my cabin.

To the OP, fight it and please do let us know how it turns out. Have been hearing stories like this far too often lately.

The most important event is the meet and greet on the first night. That is when everyone gets to meet each other and start to form relationships (not literally :eek:) with each other.

Does anyone have a child, or themselves have gone, to one of these young adult meet & greets? My daughter tried about 6 years ago and it was not organized at all. They held it in one of the lounges where other things were going on. She couldn't figure out which group it was, if any. Gave up and ended up just hanging out with us. She never tried again after that on other cruises so wondering if they have made it more formal.

Bob has answered your question on the balcony dividers. For the drinks package sharing is very much frowned upon. There have been many reports of packages being taken away (without refunds) for those found sharing. Be prepared to be hung out to dry by simply posting that question here. It is truly up to you and your beliefs as to whether up attempt it or not.

My wife & I are Emerald but traveling with a group of 4 couples who are not C & A members. My question is can they board with us if our reservations are linked as traveling together?

If you have one or two others with you that are not C&A members they will usually let them board with you, however with a group that large chances are slim. I would stay with them. Honestly there usually is not that much of a difference in the lines anyway.

Thanks for the info! Our next cruise (Ovation 14th + 17th April) will be our first since reaching Platinum status, and I was rather looking forward to having bathrobes.

 

Will we have to contact Royal Caribbean in advance to request, or once on the ship, do you think?

You would request them from your stateroom attendant and if available they will provided to you. It may take a few hours but we have never been denied when we asked.