normannna

If you play and qualify for a certificate, can you take multiple lower certificates or do you have to take the certificate for a cruise that equates to your total points? Also if you have a comped cruise and have free play is there a strategy people use to keep as much of the freeplay winnings as cash if you're not feeling lucky and would rather just keep the cash to offset previous losses a little?

I would definitely miss the stingray trip if organisers do not treat them well.  I did a whale watching trip in Mexico and I was appalled as all the boats including mine seemed to hound the whales to get closer and it made me really uncomfortable.  Really not a good memory.

You can always buy the velcro straps so the mask is held away from your ears to reduce pain and it can hang around your neck when needed.  Just don't touch the front of the mask when moving it up and down - never ceases to amaze me how many times people touch the front of the mask and then touch other things.  

7 hours ago, CynBeth6 said:

We are going on a Med cruise this summer.  The docking time is 5 am.  When do they let people off the ship?  If we take our own luggage how long does the process take?  We will be arranging transportation to get us to the Rome train station so want to have an idea of what time to book the private car.  Thanks!

The train station is quite close and we actually walked it with suitcases.  I'm sure there were taxis waiting so I personally wouldn't see the need to pre-book. 

7 hours ago, Drock20J said:

I agree, aside from the hangers in the closer banging around.

Every last night of a cruise we automatically put the hangers on the floor as the banging empty hangers keeps me awake even on a calm night!

3 minutes ago, GMoney said:

Finishing up a great 9 night cruise on Explorer. Was very concerned by some reviews going into the cruise, but things have gone well. Service good to excellent (especially in Schooner Bar and Giovannis Table). Ship is older and shows her age in spots, but no major issues or anything impacting my cruise. I’ve enjoyed sailing on the last Voyager class ship that still resembles her original design. The 9 night itinerary is the best - perfect pace of sea days and islands (ABC). 

Good to know thanks.  I'm doing the 9 nighter in Feb.  Nice to get the ABCs for a change

2 hours ago, little britain said:

Friday is their Sunday.

The young and the expat community go out for brunch, usually in 5* hotels, which is a huge spread of everything and anything you want to eat and drink. It’s about £100pp which given the price of booze is a good deal believe it or not.  Lasts about 4 hours. I’ve only done it at Atlantis in Dubai. 

Loads of hotels in Dubai do the brunches and some cost a small fortune.  You can get them without alcohol but £100 is cheap (by their standards) if alcohol included.  Time Outs in Dubai and Abu Dhabi will give loads of info.

25 minutes ago, thrifty99 said:

My only issue with Windjammer is the cleanliness. I pretty much avoid it now (especially cruises with lots of kids). The last time I ate in Windjammer I saw 2 things that turned me off on the same day. One child dropped a serving spoon on the floor and then picked it up / put it back in the food. Another child was licking his hand that had some food on it and then was using a serving utensil. I decided eating at Windjammer and using any shared utensils increased the chance of picking up a bug. 
 

If I had to go, i would do so right when it opens to ensure everything was cleaner. 

I know what you mean.  I like the Windjammer for convenience and just a quick dinner. I'm not overly germ averse but I now bring hand gel and use it before eating.  Some people just don't know how to behave around food!

One thing that gives me shudders is seeing people eat the food off their plates with their hands while going round the sections and then handling more tongs.  Can't people wait until they get to the table.

In terms of portion control I really really wish they would do smaller serving spoons.  it is almost impossible to get a small portion of some items with the size they are.

I got married in the Bahamas 21 years ago but we were staying there and not on a cruise.  What I do remember is that they really took their time checking over all the documentation to make sure everything was in order.  Please make sure you are totally prepared with all your docs and meet their requirements fully as it would be awful if there was a problem.

Congratulations!

19 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

I think the cashier was a little miffed at me.  I asked at the cage and was told to get it at the machine, 2 minutes later I was back at the cage with a cash out ticket for the exact amount I asked her for the first time. 

Nice one

Oasis actually refused to give money at the cashiers desk if it was for slots.  We got it at the machine and didn't get charged.  

My central park view cabin recently on Oasis was a bit shabby.  The drawers were badly marked and constantly had wood shavings.  I asked for some plastic to line the drawers.  

Reason I'm asking about the onboard drink package price is I've never bought one before as I didn't t really drink enough to make it worthwhile.  I'm also D+ and have lounge access, however, I feel the alcohol prices are getting really high and the package is almost making it worthwhile unfortunately.  I might try it for the final 3 or 4 days (can't remember how many days needs to be left on the cruise to purchase it) and was comparing prices.

8 minutes ago, little britain said:

BOGO onboard is buy one at $74 and get 2nd person at $37 FYI 

Is that the price plus 18% gratuity?

7 minutes ago, little britain said:

BOGO onboard is buy one at $74 and get 2nd person at $37 FYI 

Many Thanks 

You also need to have signed permissions from the parents and complete the RCI form.  Check out the RCI website on what you need to do - its not straightforward and I would definitely want a confirmed name much sooner than 24 hours.  

21 hours ago, JPR61 said:

I paid just over £38.00 pppd plus 18% gratuity.  Hope this helps. I booked it yesterday. 

Thanks anyway but it was current onboard price I was looking for

41 minutes ago, little britain said:

Only time they will honour price drop is if you have booked a cruise whilst on board.

 

It's really not good how RCI treat non US passengers sometimes.  I usually book through US but have never managed to time it for a price drop request as my drops have been past final payment.  I booked these cruises and 2 for Dec this year with UK as they were significantly cheaper than US so I only book UK if price difference justifies it

Just now, Host Clarea said:

 

Not one number, it can vary cruise to cruise.

Understand.  But the prices recently will help give me an idea. 

Anyone know the price of the drink package onboard please?  

7 hours ago, little britain said:

I assume it was their Away strip ??!!

 

LB - who is one of the £735pp crowd.... Booked direct with RCI last March who wouldn't honour a price drop!  Miffed doesn't cover it!!! 

Did Royal give a reason why they wouldn't price drop?  Is it a UK thing?  I've always wondered if they just honour price drops for the US or other markets

45 minutes ago, Norwich Cruiser said:

 

Allegedly a guy I spoke to who uses the casino a lot said if he spent $250.00 in the casino he gets a free cruise in an inside stateroom.

 

Take it for what it is worth as I said I have no confirmation of this at the moment. 
 

But if correct it’s obviously well worth a casino visit.

 

Maybe the guy had too many drinks.! 🙂 When you reach Prime status in the casino you get a free (up to 8 day ) cruise in an inside cabins but you need 2500 points per year.  You get 1 point per $5 spent/bet.  You also get free casino drinks

 

 

 

 

35 minutes ago, Norwich Cruiser said:

I’ll try and report more tomorrow I should really get to bed we are three hours ahead were four but lost an hour somewhere.

Probably left it in the diamond lounge.

Think I may have to pop out and put my towels on the chairs in the diamond lounge before I get to bed ready for tomorrow evening just to be sure.

😅😀🤣😉🤪🤩😎

Thanks for the updates.  I'm on 27 Jan and 3rd Feb

Read a comment on Jewel (meet and mingle) that Canadian government has. advised against travel to Oman.  Given the geography I’m surprised that Oman is still part of itinerary.

My older niece stopped going to kids club for a few years in her early teens but last year when she was 16 she spent ALL her time in the teens club or out and about on the ship on the sports deck or just hanging round with kids she met. She loved the extra bit of freedom.

Also, pretty sure they can get some teen treatments in the spa to help fill some time and get some mother/daughter time there too if they're into that.

I've no doubt they'd prefer a bigger ship for amenities but look at all the trips they can do too.