SeattleAl

If you buy the Deluxe Beverage Package, can you get a cup for the Freestyle soda machines? They have sodas that are not at bars?

I brought a Brita on my last cruise. The water from it did taste better.

We were on Oasis this past summer. Honestly, Windjammer food was uneven. Some was very good and some was tasteless or poorly cooked. At least in a buffet you can always get something else. At peak times lines did run from the entrance all the way back to the elevators and tables were hard to find. We we did find was that almost all the desserts were bland. They looked great, but that was all.

Thanks all. We have the 5:30 slot for traditional and a 2 year old in the group who get's hangry if dinner comes too late. We just realized that our Nov. 6th cruise will begin the day after Daylight Savings time switches back. So 5:30 is already going to be 6:30 for a two year old's tummy. We'll keep it. Still, don't know why we could not change on then app/webpage. We have done this before.

Hi folks. We recently signed up for a 4 night LA-Mexico cruise on Navigator. When we did the online registration the only options for dining were traditional, so I picked the 5:30 seating, but planned to switch to MTD on the Royal web page for the cruise. But when I try, I see boxes with our names in it and below them "Not a flex dining guest". The "Reserve" button is grayed out. Anyone know why this might be? Trying to avoid the hassle of calling Royal customer service. Thanks!

Just a heads up. I was just on Ovation for a week. Checked out the beers in the pub on the menu in the RC app and not a single ale, or anything interesting to me. Last day I went in there and discovered they had Newcastle on tap - a good brown ale. Sorry I discovered it too late.

https://www.cruisehive.com/another-rockslide-impacts-skagway-cruise-ship-dock/78103

Seems to be a ship moored at the far end of the dock this morning, but I can't imagine they would let people walk by the active slide area on the way into town. https://wpyr.com/caboose-webcam/ PS: If you look at the webcam I don't see anyone on the dock and wonder if those two little objects to the right are tenders.

Perhaps one last question here: Let's say I get to the end of the cruise and I would like to give additional cash tips, but am low on cash. Is there a way to access one of my bank accounts to withdraw cash on board - an ATM?

This is a good idea, but just be aware that this is an adapter, not a converter. It will feed 220 volts and will fry anything that is purely 110 volts. Most modern electronics can handle both voltages, just be sure before you plug something into this adapter.

I've never been in an RC casino, but in every casino I have ever been in, while playing a machine, a waitress has brought around a free beer on a regular basis (and got tipped for it). I guess that's not the practice on a cruise ship.

Quick question for a person who hasn't cruised in 20 years, I understand that most tables in the MDR have a waiter and an assistant. When tipping, do you tip both, or only the waiter. If both, do you tend to tip the same? Thanks!

OK, odd question, but... Are there paper towels in the public restrooms or only the air dryers? I'll be on Ovation, if that lakes a difference. Thanks!!!

What bothers me is that it doesn't seem that their "pubs" have any beer or ale on tap. That's just wrong.

Yes, but when I do that my August sailing is not listed...in fact no August sailing is listed.

This was posted in an Ovation FB group this morning: "Onboard Ovation and no blankets. Paid for mine in March. So disappointing." Others reply they had the same experience.

I might do that, but it does not seem to be available for my cruise.

This seems like a silly question, but I’m wondering about blankets on an Alaska sailing (Ovation). I’m planning on spending some morning time on my balcony with a cup of coffee and I expect it to be cold. I’d just wrap up in a blanket. I don’t want to buy one and have assumed that if I ask my cabin steward he can get me an extra for this purpose. Is this correct? I also have seen lots of pictures of people walking the ship wrapped in blankets. Is this a thing (a sailing homeless encampment)?

Much to my surprise I see that lots of people recommend taking a fan with you, specifically on Alaska cruises. I can understand that on a warm, humid Caribbean cruise. How many of you take fans with you on an Alaska cruise (or wish you had)? Thanks!

Also, from a Carnival story: The line says, “Please note that cruises that begin, end or visit Canada will require sailing guests ages 12 and above who are not Canadian citizens be fully vaccinated, unless they are granted a medical exemption.” It’s important to note that guests still need to apply for an exemption. This allotment is up to 10 percent of the voyage, and the line could put occupancy caps on unvaccinated guests allowed to sail to remain in compliance with CDC guidelines.

"Even so, the agency stressed that cruisers should be “up to date” on their vaccinations, meaning not only two vaccinations but booster shots for those who were eligible. The CDC recommended that people who had not received a booster shot should avoid cruising." https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2022/07/18/cdc-ditched-covid-19-program-cruise-ships/?sh=a1b1625372ba

OK, I don't want to start yet another heated tipping thread. I'm not a fan of tipping in general, but try to follow what is the standard practice. Do people tip employees other than food/bar/room service and room attendants? What about the guys on the Flowrider, the bumper cars, the lifeguards, IFLY, etc? Who else should I expect to tip to follow convention? Thanks!

Thanks for all the help everyone!

Seattle. Half our party are locals, so we know our way around. Trying to see if we could fit in a visit with friends between leaving the boat and the afternoon flight.