cruisegirl1

They have two separate lines, one for those with reservations, and one for those without. We had reservations every night, but often the line without reservations was shorter so that was the line we got in. Some nights, little or no lines at all. We were not seated with other parties, but sone tables were so close together, it seemed like were. m

Deck seven, not far from centrum.

Not that it matters, but not really. It only takes 350 nights of sailing in a suite. Fewer if solo and/or during double points promotion. I know of one or two solo cruisers who reached Pinnacle in one year during double points promotion. And only takes money (or some decent gambling in the casino). Many were able to work remotely, so time away from the office did not factor in. m

Why does the cruising history matter? The rules allow solo, suites, points promotion to count towards C&A status. Also, it doesn’t matter who pays for your cruise (parents, rich uncle, Casino) all you have to do is cruise, and one receives the point It doesn’t matter how the child (Or anyone) reaches 700 points. All he has to do is reach 700 points. Suites, double points promotion, etc. It doesn’t matter how the 700 points are reached, you just have to get there. m

The question was about the pre selected welcome gift. For D it is a bottle of water or can of soda. More options for higher C&A levels. Different from the 4 daily diamond drink vouchers. M

Bed placement ( apart/together) is not an issue that needs the attention of special needs. Simply ask the cabin attendant. M

It seems there is always some type of priority boarding order. Suite/Pinnacle’s, diamond plus, diamond, key, then the rest. Sometimes Key goes before diamond plus and sometimes key goes in between D+ and D but there has been a priority order and D is called. m

My husband decided ONCE to bring plastic hand juicer. We never used it (Who can remember to have enough oranges in the cabin, who remembers to have a knife to cut the oranges in half, who wants to take the time to hand squeeze oranges, who wants all that mess?). It went in the trash and never was on the packing list again. m

Every ship seems to do something a little bit different. Last week on Jewel during Hanukkah (of course, not a high holiday), they had a candle lighting every night led by passenger volunteers. Jewel had a holiday menu offered (brisket, latke, carrots), every Hanukkah night in the dining room, and set up a Hanukkah dinner station in the Windjammer annex Previous years, they’ve hired a rabbi to lead the prayers. I know he was hired as we had dinner with he and his wife one evening. Last fall sailed during Yom Kippur. As I expected, no service. I guess anyone who’s really interested in a service on Yom Kippur would not be on a cruise ship. Ships seem to make a big deal over Hanukkah. m

You can change your welcome beverage from water to a can of soda. Call crown and anchor. No other gift choices until D+. m

There is a small group of cruisers who cruise often (at least 10 cruises or more a year), but in my opinion that is definitely the minority. We travel often but spend most of our time out of a suite/or loyalty lounge and meet a cross section of cruisers. Many never heard of a B2B cruise (and want to learn how it works), don't know much about C&A levels and are happy to cruise once a year or so. Many are not retired, do not live in Orlando ( or other areas of Florida), have to fly to cruise, have the expense of a pre cruise hotel, have travel days to consider, have families to raise etc. We love talking to newer cruisers as everything is so exciting to them, they are wowed with the ship, food, entertainment etc. Rarely do we hear any complaints. B2B passengers vary from ship to ship/cruise to cruise as do upper tier loyalty passengers. We often sail during holidays, Spring Break, Summer and there are way fewer upper tier passengers/B2B on those expensive cruises. Had just 12 Pinnacles on a recent Jewel cruise just before Christmas. Full ship/lots of families. We've been sailing since 1987 and took our first RCCL ship in the early 90's. We became Diamond Plus back in 2008 and took 4 (sometimes 5) cruises each year till about 2015. At that time, we upped it a bit. We've are fortunate that we've been able to travel for so many years. We've seen lots of changes. Some good, others not so much. No telling what the next changes (enhancements as RCCL calls them) will be. m

I kept hitting my head on the window. It has a pretty steep slant. m

Expand your quote to see some responses. SO much has changed. Try to read some of the posts here and on other social media sites. Be aware that some other social media sites look like official RCCL sites but are not. If your ship goes to Coco Cay understand what is complementary and what is not. Basically, the beach, chairs/umbrellas, food are free. The water park and other activities cost. You may consider using an experienced travel professional to answer some of your questions. Enjoy M

Plenty of other options on the menu. No need to eat something you don't want. M

Recently at CK, they simply take the poached lobster pieces and broil it. Didn't care for it. We like the lobster in the shell and simply go to the dining room on the appropriate night if we want a lobster tail. We've never been successful getting any MDR item in CK (or the item is there but dried out because they got it hours before dinner) so we enjoy the MDR the nights lobster or other items are on the MDR menu. Nice change or scenery M

We've had lunches offered on most B2b sailings. Some had too few passengers, I'm told they need 25. Some ships, (Harmony) only offered an early entrance to windjammer or solarium for b2B passengers. Most often the menu is something like Pasta Arribiata, Blackened Chicken, Short Rib for entrees. I don't recall the starters or dessert except that there is a Caesar salad. The menu is limited and spicy. On some ships that B2B menu is the same menu as the Coastal Kitchen day one lunch. One ship we got lucky and the B2B were offered the Chops menu Key lunch as our B2B lunch. Yum M

I believe all ships of seven nights or more sailing from the US have complimentary lobster tail in the MDR. Coastal kitchen serves a poached lobster. Lobster in chops is extra charge over the cover fee. and, just to confuse things, we recently sailed a FIVE night Jewel cruise and had complimentary lobster served one evening. And, it wasn’t the formal night! Royal keeps us guessing. m

sorry - wrong thread. Wish there was a delete key.

Coffee, tea (iced or hot), lemonade enjoy. m

December 9 at T5.

No need to change. Put on your coverup/shorts and attend. On some ships it has been held outside at the Aquatheater. Last cruise it was held at 5PM in one of the lounges. Passengers were happy to have a pre dinner drink (Mimosa) and not use a voucher. M

Had a top tier last week on 5 night Jewel. M

Merry Christmas. T5 had coffee/pastries in December. Not sure if it was a fluke, or new standard practice. Sailing from T5 in a few weeks and will let you know. Hope to see you soon. M

Not sure of your terminal. All have a Suite/Pinnacle wait area for priority boarding. Coffee and snacks in the Suite/Pinnacle areas in T5 in December. enjoy

I have heard that now RCCL will transfer you. Contact guest services once on board. Some report they are notified by guest services, and others have been proactive and have contacted guest services mid cruise. Otherwise, you can take Uber. We just got off the Jewel and Ubered back to our hotel for our car. (Shuttle was not running for another 30 minutes). The Uber area is very clearly marked. We have done a side to side in Port Canaveral several times. Years ago we were on our own. It is nice to hear that Royal Caribbean will transport you from one ship to the other. Enjoy