Panda3

Who wants a HOT tub in the hot caribbean.

At night even in the Caribbean it gets Chilly....nice to have the hot tub! IMHO

when we were on oasis in 2014 The Guiness (widget) cans were not covered by any package. So..we didn't get the package. that is all DH will drink. I'm glad to hear it's part of a package now, going on oasis on June 25th.

Thank you everyone, I just realized there is also great info in this forum under the stickies. I don't know why I never look at the stickies I thought they were for really large threads but the ones here are short, concise and verrrrrry helpful. I appreciate CC and everyone's insite.

I think you will find that most people are pretty loyal to the lines that they have traveled most with... Do your research, compare itineraries, read reviews but be aware that people tend to more vocal when negative than positive! Don't rule out Vantage or Grand Circle just because they don't use travel agents. You will love river cruising!

Ahh...Vantage and Grand Circle are two that aren't on my radar - Thanks..will check them out!

Hi:)....I have been an Ocean Cruiser for the past 13 years and took

my first River Cruise in April on AMA. It was in my top 2 cruises ever:)

Food, service, excursions, everything was just outstanding.

Here is a link to my review if you want to take some time to read it.

(It is a little long)......I has such a wonderful time I booked another

one for next year:).

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2344645

Oh Wow Lois. Thank you so much! and to garycarla also

You should try the sandwich for sure...but don't feel like you have to go running for cafe. In my opinion, the roast beef sandwiches are okay. Are they tasty? - yes, very bready though and if a lot of bread is your thing you will like them. Are they a mouth flavor explosion and life changer? - no. The meat could be more tender. They just have some kind of urban legend on cc. Maybe if you live in a geographic area where those types of foods aren't available I'm sure it is a treat. I recommend trying it so you can see for yourself.

To avoid lines and hassles, find a nice seafood restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale at the port to eat before you go onboard. That way you can just enjoy the sailaway and not worry about finding food.

Good Luck! I stopped my thyroid meds a few years ago. 1st doc said I had thyroid issues so was on meds. new doc says I don't. I really think I do..going to see an endo next week.

Hello,

I'm planning my first river cruise for 2017. I've only done ocean liners to this point and I also grew up on lakes and rivers and we had our small boats.

I ordered brochurse from Viking, Uniworld, Crystal, AMA, Avalon, American Steamboat, and Pearl.

I immediately discarded American Steamboat and Pearl. They are just too expensive, I guess being in North America and I am more interested in Europe. Thought I would do my first one in the USA but again, too rich for my blook

The line I am being drawn towards is AMA. The staterooms look great and I love that there is a pool. They have bicycles also.

Would appreciate anyone's quick thoughts on any of these lines. Many of the itinteraries look the same so would like thoughts on public spaces of the ship and the quality of the tours/excursions.

My husband and I are both 45.

you will have a great time on either ship, regardless of the main show or if one has a certain kind of food or not. That won't make it or break it. Now, depending on price or stateroom, that may make your difference.

I have a question, a few months ago I booked a TA cruise on the Navigator on a casino rate that I recieved via email (450$ off) I had decent play in the casino on my Allure cruise in January but was just a few points shy of getting invited to club royal according to the host. When I booked the cruise, I asked if I was in ClubRoyal and was told no. When I went on the TA cruise I talked to the casino host on day 10 or so and she just started laughing at me and told me that I was club royal and gave me my sticker for drinks and told me how foolish I was not to come on day one. She told me I was clubroyal but at no point did I ever sign paperwork in the past. To this day I still get tons of emails for cruise rates and exclusive casinoroyal cruises/event. I even got a cruise voucher for 750$. So am I in or no? Should I just call ClubRoyal and ask?

That's what I don't like about their program. It is so vague.

If you got the sticker you are in. there is no special card for it. I'm sure by calling they could confirm and if you are getting the vouchers you are in. They could really ramp up their marketing and if anyone is reading this please hire someone to re-vamp and make the club royale transparent!!

ahhh just remembered another one.......This happened on my last cruise, on the oasis of the seas. Daily, there was a man who would come to the solarium sanctuary area, get a lounge (that he had saved by chair hogging) He brought his own boombox. daily.... well..today's version, an ipod and speakers. He would very loudly play latin caribbean music. I was always near him because i was in the covered solarium area of the oasis of the seas where people (like me) read books. His music was so loud, why not use headphones? I did "rat" on him to a crew member and the crew member said there was nothing he could do.

So thats my peeve, crew allow some guests to disrupt other guests. Maybe there is no rule against loudly playing your own music, but...c'mon!

I loved my first cruise in 1983 with my parents. even when I started cruising again as an adult in the 90s it was thrilling. Actually, every new ship is thrilling but some of the excitement wanes if you read cruise critic too much. . I have a love/hate relationship with cruise critic. I love much of the information here, especially travel planning.... But some is over the top. Do you really need to see the cruise compass of the people that were just there. Do you need to see pictures of the buffet? Let's leave something to be discovered, right? Some people want to know the prices of a particular drink. Do you call the restaurant in your town to ask the price before you go there? do you need to know who the assistant cruise director is? lol. there are some mega planners in the world and cruise critic is there for them. I'm the type of person who used to cruise because I was a little isolated from "home" now they have wifi on cruises. you can skype. no chance to really "miss" someone. you can e-mail your latest plate of food to your friends and put it on facebook. Some people spend so much time taking selfies and pictures and posting they are not enjoying life. wow. sorry for the rant, lol

I would say the carnival one, they really cater to kids and are the fun ship. (I also find there are too many kids on Oasis, so I am slightly biased)

Thank you!

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Very tight slot machines!

Yes, agreed!

see signature, it's coming up!

Put some pants on. No one wants to see men's nasty legs while they eat. On Allure in Mar they turned men in shorts away but did allow LITTLE BOYS in shorts.

I agree but mostly because the MDR is so beautiful and the table service so fine dining. It just will feel out of place for the person wearing docker shorts. I'm sure a man would feel more comfortable in say docker pants at such a fancy place. I think there are plenty of places on the ship to wear shorts say the windjammer.

That being said. Royal Caribbean is a budget cruise line and like other posters have said it won't be enforced. It doesn't really bug me........ If I felt strongly I would cruise a more upscale line that enforced it.

I didn't want to add to the "poor etiquette" string and I'm sure there are other strings out there but just wanted to hopefully start a fun thread and maybe it will bring awareness to any offenders.

What are your pet peeves, things that will spoil your own cruise. From minor annoyances to biggies?

I'll start with my two main annoying things. Note: I don't let them win and spoil my cruise, it's just annoying.

1. Chair hogs - Folks that get up early put their towels and an inexpensive personal item (flip flop) on multiple lounger near the pool. (my sister does this and I won't travel with her anymore, so rude). The flip side, Crew that won't do or say anything about it.
    
   
2. Rushing into the elevator before people have exited (and going in before elderly/disabled folks)
   

I'm not sure that I understand the problem. If you want a duvet, say you want a duvet on your list. If there's a duvet already, there's simply one less thing to be done. If there isn't, hopefully one can be provided. Or state your preference for sheets and blankets if that's the case.

And most duvets are covering feathers, goose down, or non animal - make sure to put your preference.

31 days to Brilliance Med/Venice!! 28 days to Barcelona flight!!

 

 

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See signature for days until my cruise

How was your cruise? Can't wait for details!

Royal cares about what they make in the till or register for you yanks :)

 

It also might be cheaper to fuel and supply in USA as Europe food and fuel will be more expensive

You hit the nail on the head. Fuel is so cheap here in the USA compared to Europe.

All of the reasons folks are mentioning are excellent reasons Oasis class should reside in warmer climate. The other is simply economics for Royal. They are able to fill up these ships easily from warmer or predictable weather places. Will then be able to fill them up from the UK?. Maybe, maybe not...but the US is a sure thing.

Also, I don't want to get off topic but here in Orlando, Florida when brits come to visit they have a reputation (sorry just posting this and have heard this from several friends) for not tipping well or at all because it's not part of your culture. Maybe the tipping is better from the US for the crew and it's more profitable.

OP - pls give us more details. I've never had a problem there and am going on Oasis in 3 weeks. (yikes)

Was the disembarking so terrible you won't cruise oasis again? or just never out of that port? I can't imagine what would be so terrible other than a long line, and even then, no biggie to me. I give them credit for loading and unloading the behemoth.

Thank you,

Bill, the taxes are very high on that cruise, around $420. Could that be the difference?

Yes, the taxes are a real killer on this cruise. The rate seems competitive for a 7 nighter pacific northwest, exactly what I'm paying for the oasis/caribbean next month. Any obc included?

I agree, the pricing can be confusing.