Engineroom Snipe

If I can get my plumber's snake past TSA (maybe in checked baggage), I can offer a competing discount. $50 dollars for service within 12 hours and two decks from my cabin. $75 and two drink vouchers per day will qualify for priority service anywhere on the ship. Just try and make the call before I have the two drink vouchers which could affect my response time. Mayber we can add this to "The KEY" package. Do they save the evidence for forensic examination before the additional charge? Can I go to a Master Plumber board of appeals if I disagree with the analysis?

We will eat a luscious meal to disagree on very particular side dish. I can respect your happy place.

Toasted bagel halves, layer of dill cream cheese, smoked salmon, one thin layer of onions, and one thin layer tomatoes. Second dish: melon, pineapple, cantaloupe, and any other fresh fruit of the day. The dishes would be complimented with OJ and coffee. A great way to start the day.

This morning, my Android RCI app updated. I do not allow auto updates so I can see which apps are updating in case there is a problem after the update. The only change I noticed was an advertisement for the Beverage Packages when I swiped left to look at the vertical ship icon with the different subsets like dining, activities, excursions, shops, etc., etc. This is the first time I have seen the Beverage Package being available for reservation on the app. I did not make any dining reservations but I have the option to do so.

The last cruise we took in September was a fiasco for the Disney transfer. They were caught in a traffic accident (not the tour bus but an accident in general). The bus had about a one hour turn-around time. The passengers left at about 1:30pm, delayed in traffic, arrived at 5:00pm and were requested to be onboard the bus by 6:45pm to accommodate the latest boarding time of 8:30pm. They seemed very stressed and unhappy about the situation which they had no control of. I am not blaming anyone. This is a distinct possibility anytime you are trying to sandwich a trip to Disney or Universal in a window of three hours onsite. To me, way too much stress. I will stay onboard and enjoy.

As I stated, I might be 99 cents short of a dollar. I tend to only read RCI forum topics since they are most pertinent to my current cruises. I stand corrected.

I might be 99 cents short of a dollar. The last discussion was on Monday by Biker19 in the "Bermuda Travel Authorization" thread started on September 28. Since the thread is now on page 5 of topics, many people might miss it. I tried my best to just put everything in the main topic line so people can choose to read it or ignore it. Obviously, you are well aware of the news. Thank you for your kind comments. Always fun to interact with my fellow cruisers.

Thank you for the link. Bermuda Online Visitor Form (bermudaarrivalcard.com) The card is online fillable for no charge, can be downloaded or sent to an email address.

Bermuda does not require a travel authorization as of Nov 14, 2022, per their official website notice. Make reservations | Bookings powered by resQwest.com (www.gov.bm)

I tend to go to Next Cruise and book a trip I am interested in for a $200 deposit fee. I do not have to pay for anything else until 90 days before the cruise. I get a $100 onboard credit and the room of my choice. I then transfer it to my travel agent where I get another OBC. If the cruise price goes down, I call and have it immediately adjusted. There is travel insurance available that covers pre-existing conditions with the only caveat being that it must be purchased before final cruise payment. The end result, I can cancel my cruise at any time up to about 95 days before my cruise and only be out $200. That would be the price of rebooking another cruise (change fee). I say 95-days because I will purchase the insurance, then make final payment about two days prior to the deadline. My gratuities (please do not discuss that in this thread, it has been thoroughly discussed in other threads) are charged only after I am onboard. I do not pay for parking unless I physically arrive at the port and successfully take my cruise. I only have $200 in play until three months before the cruise. At ninety-days out, most cruisers are fairly confident that their cruise will take place. If something comes up after that, use the insurance for coverage.

I agree but it is a good example of how the packages have to be profitable. I do not think they are limiting them due to bad behavior of the drinkers.

Interesting, I noticed RCI has a shore excursion at Bimini, Bahamas, which touts "Open Bar" for a set price to include access to resort facilities. Part of the terms when you read them is that you cannot request more than one drink every fifteen minutes. The excursion is about 4 hours long. A way to ensure that the profits are very carefully calculated. Most people will not max out the package for four drinks per hour for four hours (you have to go up to the bar to get the drinks if you are at the pool or at the beach): otherwise, you are at the mercy of how busy the drink attendants are which is another way to limit consumption (costs).

Just checked my NJ DMV website and they are not mandating real id for operating a motor vehicle or renewing their licenses, now, or in the future.

There seems to be some confusion with the mandates for the current drivers licensing being compliant. The Division of Motor Vehicles in many states are still leaving it up to applicant to apply for either one. This is leading to confusion because for years, New Jersey required "6 points" for driver license approval which seems far more secure than previous versions. The "6 point" application does not qualify for real id without the addition of further paperwork which they scan and keep on file. I was offered to get the real id with my last renewal which I did. I was not mandated to get the real Id. They might be trying to "stage" over the renewal periods to keep from getting overwhelmed with everybody doing it at once.

I stand corrected sir. I should have stated that a passenger could be in their original assigned room for at least two hours (or about) since many cabins are available at 1:00pm on day of sailing and the ships' departure times are usually around 4pm to 5pm. A customer could be unpacked in their original room to be moved at time of departure to the upgraded room. 🙂

I cannot mention the name for risking being found out of this site's policy. Junkanoo Beach, Nassau Bahamas, very professional 90-minute massages for my wife and I for much less than the cruise spa prices. Not as cheap as $40 but easily 1/2 of the price of on-board including tips. You will need reservations on cruise days. I would reserve at least two months ahead during the busiest seasons when multiple ships are docking simultaneously.

"No funds for you!" (Meme from Seinfeld, "No soup for you!")

The cruise line states that they can notify you as late as two hours after the ship departs. You can possibly be in your room and then be moved at that time to the upgrade room unless you cancel before they accept your bid. Once they charge your credit card and accept your bid, you have no choice.

Bermuda is still requiring a $40 travel authorization (health visa) but has dropped the testing requirement. Bermuda is still requiring submission of vaccination proof or medical travel insurance proof. Many posters have suggested that it will stop requiring the visa before the next spring sailing season. My best speculation is that it MIGHT (I stress might) be discontinued after March 30, 2023, as their fiscal year is from April to March. This would also align itself with having a fiscal year contract with the company that created the travel authorization. I have a cruise next November 2023 which is stopping at Bermuda and thus my interest. I hope they drop it by then.

This could lead to another problem of the "favorite brands" being massively consumed and then go-out-of-stock. Adding yet another exasperation to the already tense situation. I read about a few cruises were specific whiskey and bourbon would not be available by the third day.

I guess you want some pot-stickers to go with stirring the pot 😁. Blessed are the peace-makers for they shall not get popcorn for the show. We lose much weight by being righteous, but now that I think about it, could I have some of that movie popcorn delicious butter on mine? 😋

Everyone, take a one day time-out. This in not war time in the trenches. Please, one deep breath and look upon this tomorrow. 🤔.

Everyone seems to forget that RCI would like its customers happy and coming back for more. Why would I not accommodate your request and make you a satisfied cruiser if possible?

And it just came back-up when I recently checked. 🤓

In case anyone needs to know, the website was down as about 10:00am EDST today. Still down as of 2:45pm EDST.