Cruise Raider

I get what you are saying 😉 …. I only tip for a carry on sized bag when I check it.

It’s customary in North American ports to tip $5 per each large suitcase and $2 to $3 for each carry on sized bag. I would also tip anywhere between $5 - $10 for wheelchair assistance, depending on the distance they have to go.

You are right .. the food has been consistently great onboard in every single venue we’ve tried so far on this ship. We haven’t yet been to the buffet but the room service orders have been great, quick and accurate every time.

I ordered the shrimp and rice soup, the Asian salad, both of which were outstanding (the soup is a bit spicy) and the scallops, which was also very good. Our waiter just automatically brings us each an extra bowl of steamed vegetables (cauliflower, broccoli, carrots and green beans) and those are great as I love extra vegetables with my meal. My DH had the pork and he said it was good and he also ordered the soufflé, which he loved. We haven’t had a meal onboard as of yet that was just so so. Every meal so far has been really great! We definitely ask the waiter(s) for their suggestions and they haven’t steered us wrong yet.

We had the most perfect day in Loreto today. It’s hard to believe there is a hurricane just down the coast. We will be back on the Ruby in November and then we are debating on whether or not we will be going back on the Royal out of San Francisco or the Diamond out of San Diego in January 2023. The Diamond’s itinerary requires a long drive or a flight to the port but includes La Paz and Loreto, as well as Cabo. We are going to the usual three ports out of LA in April already so may have to look more deeply into the Diamond sailing. There are pros and cons to each one.

I really like Manzanillo but I love Loreto and La Paz … yes, we got lucky because the SF departures usually don’t include either of these ports! I am excited to get back to Loreto!

I love the liquid hand soap and the lotion dispensers. I did confirm that on the Ruby, the small bars of hand soap are available upon request.

Let’s hope this works … I’ve had a hard time with the WiFi .. haven’t been able to connect at all on my iPhone and it’s spotty on my iPad. Everything else on this sailing has been total perfection IMO. The food is great, the service has been superb, our cabin is awesome and our room steward has kept it so nice and tidy and it is so clean! Some of the nice touches that I wasn’t really expecting: - there is a live duo playing music during the daily PES event - goodies in the cabin include conditioner, body lotion, a shower cap and a small sewing kit (they might be elite goodies) - lotion and liquid hand soap are available in refillable bottles in our bathroom (I like the no plastic waste)

The cost of the Plus and even the Premier package makes total sense for us .. but, I also travel with friends that don’t get any real value from it. We almost always book specialty dinners, we drink wines over the $12 limit, we use the WiFi, as I’m doing right now while currently onboard and the prizes are kind of an extra perk if you win. We haven’t purchased the premier package on longer sailings as it really adds up. I think adding specialty dining based on the number of days to the cruise might be a better idea… 1 for a 3-6 night cruise, 2 for 7-10 night cruise and 3 for 11-16 and maybe 4 for 16+ nights. Anyway, from what you describe above, I don’t think you’d find great value in the package. As your title suggests, each person really has to put the pencil to the paper. I think you are at the break even point with the Plus package if have a specialty coffee and at least two alcohol drinks per day, that is if you use WiFi. The premium package is only of value if you drink fine wines and like to eat at the specialty restaurants.

We are on three cruises, all of which appeared to have availability on cabins but are showing as ‘Currently Not Available’…. All of which are on the Royal Princess. When booking a cabin for a friend, my CVP said she would have to check capacity before booking it because of a staffing shortage. I didn’t think to ask her about it at that time, wish I would have as she is so busy, I really don’t want call her back and waste her time with such an insignificant question. However, if there are any travel agents on here that might be able to answer the question of limiting capacity, particularly on the Royal Princess, I’d really appreciate it. Maybe they are all actually sold out and have no cabin availability? Just wondering what to expect.

I am still undecided on this cruise but am checking out the inside cabins on the Coral Princess and am looking for a little advice as to which are decent rooms and which are 'avoid at all costs' rooms. I see that P629, D720 and some aft cabins on the Caribe (C710, C711, C723, C724) and Emerald (E718, E719, E729) decks are available. I am not really interested in the Baja deck as it appears to be right under a public deck in the back .... so assuming it would be noisy. Not sure but does anyone know if B629 is ok in terms of noise from above? On this cruise, not at all interested in booking a balcony, or should I say, cannot justify the cost so am mainly interested in any pros and cons of these aft inside cabins. The one on the dolphin deck (D720) looks to be a bit larger. Is this correct? Also the ones on the Caribe deck are sideways cabins. Is this good or bad? Of the cabins listed, does anyone have any experience with noise issues?? Thanks in advance!