2MellowCruisers

We were on the Discovery earlier this year. There were two menu's on the counter. The one above with the premium deserts and also another with various named selections. We were able to get items off the second menu for free using our plus package. The premium deserts were too much for us. We ordered them twice on the cruise and both times they were included in the package. I cannot remember the names of the other items, but mine had some coconut flakes in it. I wish I could give you a solid answer but things are not always consistent so we will see if this is still the case when we are back on the Discovery next year.

I found this to be true for both casino and travel agent booked cruises and am not a fan of this. I've wondered if I had to cancel for some reason, would my insurance company not cover this since it was "complementary" from the casino or travel agent? The insurance company may go off the total fare paid and this isn't even an issue but still do not like that it doesn't show that I paid it.

In March I was behind a man who picked up the tongs and then with the same hand the tongs were in, remove the metal lid from the tortillas. He then used his other hand to slide between two tortillas to pick one up. I just looked at him and said, "Are you kidding me!" and he replied, "What?, they are stuck together" like he had no clue about not touching food with his hands. I just used the tongs to take some tortillas out and lay them off to the side on the counter. In hindsight, I wish I would have also let a crew member know. As for Covid protocols, they did ask at the port if we were vaccinated but they did not ask for a card to verify. On the ship it seemed to be like it was before Covid. We wear masks because I have respiratory issues and I think I could count on one hand how many others I saw in masks. This is not a judgment from me regarding masks. I believe everyone should do what is right for them and for me, it is wearing masks. We do the usual, disinfect cabin on first day, wash hands, wash hands again after getting food and before eating it in the buffet. We try to get two person tables in the dining room and avoid sitting in a cluster area in the buffet. Of course, nothing we do is foolproof but we enjoy cruising too much to let some, for us, very minor inconveniences stop that. I wish I could give you information on quarantine but happily we have not gotten Covid on a ship. We have sailed six times since restart and have a couple more coming up so, fingers crossed, it stays that way. Enjoy your cruise!

We were just on Navigator last week. Our excursion ticket for Catalina also indicated that it was our tender ticket so we didn't need to get an additional ticket. We went down about an hour or so before our tour and maybe had about a 15-20 minute wait to board the tender. I would assume that if you booked an excursion outside of Royal, this would not be the case. Our tour was later than yours, so I do agree with those above, the earlier the better for the ticket if needed.

Thank you for this information. It makes perfect sense. I wasn't able to get a dental kit while shopping last night but will pick up some Polident just to keep in the travel kit.

Well, I can't believe I've never heard of this! My partner has crowns that fall out. We used to joke that we knew we were on vacation if a crown fell out. Thanks for the info! Adding to my list. Actually going out shopping tonight for a cruise on Monday.

I also bring some wipes. Just a quick wipe of all surfaces, switches and the remote while waiting for the bags and to meet the room steward. Just the first day, one and done. I look at it this way, if a bar tender uses their finger to stir my drink and even though 99.9% of the germs on the finger may not kill me or make me sick, I'm not going to drink it. There have been a lot of fingers in the cabin before I make it my home. 😄

Even though there is plenty of food onboard, I like to bring packs of trail mix to have in the cabin. So handy if you don't want to run down to the International Cafe but just need something quick. Also a must for me are paper towels. They have come in handy so many times. Not just on cruises, but every trip we take. Always pack or pick up a roll of paper towels. Just started to bring magnets. Definitely help more that I thought they would. After reading replies, I may have to start a list of other essentials.

While we have not had a corner cabin, we sailed in forward facing mini-suite cabin L105 on the Discovery. The balcony door was never locked. At night we had to keep the curtains closed. We did go on the balcony on sea days but didn't stay out too long. It was pretty windy but we could usually find a spot that had less wind. It was perfect sailing in and out of ports. We did like this cabin and did book it again for next year.

Yes, I can confirm. We were on in a balcony on a casino comped cruise when we got our invite.

Thank you for this! I booked the Jamie's Italian Lunch on our cruise in a little over a week and the burger was the deciding factor. I'm not big on Italian food but DH is, but I do like a good burger so this works for both of us. I'm happy to see the burger is on the menu for our cruise.

Your description is perfect. They told us to meet outside Sabatini's so we did exactly that, RIGHT outside. I don't know how we missed the roped off area and big 360 sign, but we did. We must have looked like lost puppies or something because after a little bit, the host came over and asked us if we were waiting for the 360 Experience. It was a great meal and some fun people in the group. The service was outstanding.

On cruises, we tend to try things we don't normally have at home so it's hard to pin down our favorites. For appetizers, I would have to agree with the cold soups. I had never tried a "cold" soup before a cruise and was hesitant but what a nice surprise. Also any salad that has goat or feta cheese. Dinner, definitely the beef wellington. If it is in menu, we are in the MDR that night. Desert- I usually keep it simple, just a slice of chocolate cake or brownie and one scoop of vanilla ice-cream. As for a restaurant, we like Alfredos for lunch if the ship has one. The pizza has always been very good. Please come back and post a link when the article comes out.

Thank you, Coral, for so much great information! Alaska is our favorite cruise destination. We have taken a few already and have one coming up in July. You have really opened our eyes to some new possibilities. We were on the Crown last year to Alaska and loved it. It was during the time when it was having propulsion issues. We had the choice to change to the Discovery but we stayed with Crown because of the full Promenade. So glad we did. Your post brought back some good memories.

Thank you for your reply. This is something I will surely think about!

Thank you. I've been lurking too long. I am curious how others will respond to OP's post.

We just did our first casino booking online and this is what we have experience so far. We had a cruise in March and before going on this cruise, we decided to look online to book an Alaska cruise for later. We chose a cruise and noticed that it was a casino deal for a free balcony with the option to upgrade to a mini-suite or suite for an additional fee. Since I have to get time off approved, I put in the request at work and went on our cruise. When we got back and with vacation approved, we went back online to book the cruise. To our surprise, every room was now free for the cruise we wanted, suites included. Just this cruise, the prior two cruises have an up-charge for the minis and full suites. Now Princess Plus is included even though none of the ads we get sent are for suites or lately include Princess Plus. Of course, we book a suite since we have not sailed in one yet but have always wanted to. After booking, one of our free play offers is not showing so we called the casino department to have it added. Then noticed that my Captain’s Circle number was not showing so we called the casino department again to add that. But this is bugging me because of course it has to be a mistake and I don’t want them to cancel the cruise when they finally see this mistake. The price to upgrade to a suite on the prior two cruises is reasonable to us since now we are excited to be in a suite and would pay that upgrade amount for this cruise. A week later, this cruise is still showing free for all rooms if we try to book. I call the casino department to double check this being a free cruise and I am assured that it is. They tell me it includes Princes Plus and that the casino has already paid $xxxx dollars. I say “great” and let them know that my worry is that it will be cancelled. The next day, I realize that the dollar amount they said was paid by the casino was actually the exact amount we paid for deposits, taxes, port fees and insurance and including EZ-Air. The next day I call back, this time to Princess CVP line since people have spoken highly of them. They too confirm that it is a free cruise. She tried to up sell Princess Plus or Premier but I told her Princess Plus was included so she checked and agreed that it was included. I told her my worries of the cruise being cancelled since it looks too good to be true but she says that all looks good. I now feel I have done my part to double check this and have it corrected. So now it is a waiting game for an ax to fall. I check daily to be sure we still have our cabin. I also keep looking online by doing mock bookings and the prices have been zero the entire month of April and into May. As of today, the suites are sold out and now show an up-charge for the mini-suite. So as for online casino offer booking, I’m not sure I’m comfortable yet. Maybe this is not a mistake. We do spend a lot of time in the casino. I think in the future I will look online at offers and call the casino line to book. We may also look at getting a CVP. We have used a TA in the past a few times but they will no longer book free casino offers.