monkeyinhat

This restaurant is new to me. Havent had one on my ship before.

are they open Sea days for lunch, every day, or just boarding day

 

We will be on the Radiance

 

thanks

I have gotten a lot of valuable information from these boards. I usually lurk because people get so high and mighty "behind the keyboard" and I have enough family to fight with if I am looking for a fight. but have to chime in on this topic

 

Every one cruises for different reasons, for those who complain rising costs for things they don't use i.e. about free booze that don't drink , lame shows for those who don't go to shows etc. We all have our own opinions and feelings as to what we don't mind paying for. People complain about booze smugglers but bring on snacks etc and seem that is ok.

 

I HATE that cruise lines have a monopoly on ALL beverage costs. But especially alcohol they prohibit you from bringing on then over charge.

 

I went to another cruise line program/spiel. An all inclusive line. The representative from the line told us of interactions she has had with other cruise line reps. The Carnival line beverage manager told her that Carnival pay 35 cents for a 5th of Vodka. There are 25 3/5 ounces in a 5th of Vodka, the average drink is 1 to 1 1/2 ounces of liquor. If the cruise line charges 12.00 for a drink well........... Take this for what you will.

 

I personally feel that they are trying to push the Drink packages which makes them even more money in most cases.

 

For those non drinkers who say just don't drink...then fine give up something relaxing you do on a vacation .

 

For those who say you cant smuggle because the cruise lines want to "control" the amount people drink on board then Congratulations. They have succeeded.

 

and instead of a alcohol smuggler I will consider myself ..a pirate. :cool:

I have worn for several years and have several styles.

I had a pair for not very long and the strap broke. they had me send them back and replaced. I thought that was good service.

I have worn in port but not excursion/Disney World kinda walking shoes.

Has anyone done a ship tour at the end of your Royal Caribbean cruise where after the tour they drop you off at the airport?

 

I am assuming your luggage tours with you on the bus and they drop you off at your terminal. And you still have to deal with your luggage and get your own passes. Or is it like the luggage valet where you put your luggage outside your door the night before and you don't see your luggage again until you get home ?

 

would appreciate any info. fyi We are looking at the Vancover post cruise tour

Aww...Our first cruise. One of the propellors fell off the first night, we had a bumpy limp to Key west. didn't make our ports went to Nassau and CoCo cay.

 

got addicted to cruising

We got off the ship Oct. 4. Our attendant said they were replacing carpet as need ours was good. We got new nice deck furniture the day of boarding and had a flat screen tv.

 

I think they are slowly redoing rooms on turnover days.

 

The ship looked in good shape to me except the Sarfari club looked a little worn in the daylight

Will someone please explain Chrystal block

 

 

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I called Royal about another cruise and asked while I had her on the phone about the pay restaurants on Radiance

 

She said Rita's Cantina and Rita's Crab shack. She couldn't help with my question of which is it, either or both.

 

My guess is it will go to Crab shack on Alaska route and Cantina Aussie route but my question what will it be on my Hawaii route.

I read intently on these boards for info but do not post very often because....some posters are....say..."intense". If I want to be attacked I have family for that. But I have gained a lot of info on here and have seen some random questions so thought I would put in some info . Our last cruise was January 2014 and a couple of years since departing from San Juan

 

But first. For reference you see from my signature our previous cruises. I am easy going and the little things don't bother me. I don't like to complain unless important to me.

 

We arrived the day of the cruise. Taxi to port was 22.00 for the 2 of us plus one dollar per bag. All the cabs we saw were 2 bench seat vans large enough for a good size party. At the taxi stand we told them we wanted a grocery store stop. They said tell the driver and he will charge accordingly. There is a nice Pueblo store next to airport. For info purposes only. ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED TO BE BROUGHT ON THE SHIP. BAD A NO NO. but if anyone is wanting for pre cruise this store sells liquor. We ran in quickly and got soft drinks. at port driver said no charge for stop. He was very nice we gave him 40.00 for the trip

 

A change at port. the cabs let you out with your luggage. you take it yourself all the way to the other end and there the luggage handlers take it from you and put on a cart . plus tip of course.

 

The first day did not go well at all. Lots of little problems. And some things that we were not pleased about. Like I said I am easy going but these were things I needed fixed and unhappy about. Staff was not nice ,not friendly. We were rethinking our long cruise for 2015. Had this been our first Royal Caribbean cruise we both agreed we would not do the line again if this were our reference. Some of the unpleasantness could be attributed to our 3:00 arrival. But there is the thought that the first, middle and last arrivals should receive the same treatment. They were all about washy washy hands, asked that you not shake hands with the staff . Good with me , I am terrified of Norovirus on cruise ships.

 

We were in aft cabin 7174. for those who have asked . They are replacing carpet in cabins as needed. Ours was not replaced but carpet was fine. We had gotten new deck furniture that day. nice loungers like we had on Celebrity , dark blue mesh. We did have a flat screen tv. You can hear the music from the Safari Club below at night.

 

Was disappointed that they no longer have free new movie on tv everynight. We sometimes enjoy a movie late at night or at nap tiem. They only have pay movies and old movies in the theater

 

The overall appearance and cleanliness of the ship is great. The only exception I saw was the Safari Club. Worn, faded, stained furniture, and dated. but at night it probably looked great

 

Really liked the Diamond 3 drink happy hour at any bar deal. The only one who didn't like it was the female at the Champange Bar. She skipped over us for regular paying customers. We went nearly everynight and tipped with every drink we got. I mentioned once how I liked the "perk" she rolled her eyes and said she did not like explaining every night the limited drinks you could get and passengers not being happy.

 

The main dining staff was excellent. They make the cruise for us. Great stateroom attendent .

 

I asked the maître d about menus for the week as there are a couple nights I am not crazy about and wanted to go to alternative venue. He said that they do not know the order of the menus as the chefs change the order night to night week to week. I do know every previous cruise we lobster the 2nd formal, this time the lobster was the night after the second formal. Again I mourn the loss of Vidalia onion tart.

 

It was written that casual dining in MDR no, hats, shorts or flip flops. We saw all was allowed even on formal nights.

 

Upon departure the customs line was ridiculously backed up. the line exceeded the size of the terminal and was curling around. I had read on the boards about the luggage handlers could get you thru faster. We asked the RCI guy how many lines there were because we couldn't tell if there was a third or not. he said 2 lines but the luggage handlers had a third, well he wasn't sure what they were doing but for tips...well... then he smiled. We said yes to baggage handler. Sure enough he took our bags went to a "third baggage handler line" and cut our time in half. we tipped him. Nicest guy. He has been working at the San Juan Port since 1977. said they were all like family and looked out for each other. Maybe this isn't the right thing to do but did it for "cruise critic research".

 

Hope some of the info was helpful. Like I said I appreciate the info I get here and wanted to contribute

thank you for the reply

Thanks for the review. Will be there next Saturday

 

appreciate the Boatyard info. Sounds like a definite do. We did Malibu Beach before and liked it but is further out and I always worry about cab not showing up and missing ship.

 

Did you eat at Seaview or Solarium café? if so any info.

 

Did you notice at the port a little store just inside the door? I seem to remember one. We were thinking of buying some drinks to take on board without a taxi stop as we are flying in day of cruise.

To OP. I enjoy cranberry & vodka.

I might chance it with the coupons and try for a margarita on the rocks. I have never tried for things with more than one mixer.

I agree with everything Ourbeach said.

I would only do it if the double points put me into another Crown Anchor category.

I love it when Penneys sends me the $10.00 off any purchase coupon and I spend 10.00 and get the item free. Gotta love penneys

I do about what everyone else does. travelsmith.com has some mens fast dry boxers I bought for hubs and I take some light fabrics and things I can hand wash .

 

my grandmother told me a long time ago to use shampoo to get grease stains out and it definitely works on alfredo sauce. I have tested it many times.

 

I roll up the wet clothes in a town and walk on it a few times and get all the water out I can.

 

I use the cabin's clip hangers to dry with

Thank for the reply. We are doing Royal . It may be the same pier. I remember a store. It is definitely not where you get off for port stops. We have been to the CVS when we did port stops.

I get some of what the OP is saying. However, the herding feeling is what I get at Disney World. that is a whole different vacation.

 

We have been cruising a relatively short time since 2005 but are definitely hooked. I have seen changes since we first started cruising. I understand they have to change to get the mass marketing and affordable cruising to a whole new clientele than what cruising a few years ago was.

 

I do get that rushed off the ship feeling on departure day and I HATE IT. But know there are the ones that show up at 10 or 11 just dying to get on board rushing me off. Lots of work for staff to do.

 

The check in..ugh...go to this line ...get x rayed...go to that line...do you have your papers....go to that line....take your picture no? why not?...buy this, buy that. I am exhausted

 

The claiming luggage or carrying off yourself and the your vacation has ended feeling you get at 8 am is deflating

 

I despise the Windjammer. Hate rude people hogging tables cutting in line etc. Others love it. I get it. I do like having choices. Pizza and sandwich shops for snacks.

 

ANNOUNCEMENT!!! bingo, spa, art auction....shut up.

 

Movies on the deck. I think are cool. like the old drive in days. others I am sure cringe at this.

 

I personally don.t need or care for characters, Merry go rounds etc. but may enjoy them when the grandbabies come along

 

We are in the minority I am sure that cruise to relax. I want to go where cell phones and internet is a hassle and expense so work cant get me.

We love huge aft balconies. park ourselves enjoy the wake and read. If I want to get off in port fine if not fine. Do a few comedy shows, little casino , don't care for parades belly flops etc. Personally don't like singing waiters at dinner prefer quiet relaxing meal. I am ok with a fixed time. I like the waiters knowing my name and preferences. Have made great lifelong friends with dinner companions.

 

I will never do the Mega ships. I am sure I would love the luxury lines but cant afford them. Thank goodness we can get some of the small line feel still with smaller Royal ships. The prices are very good. We couldn't go to Myrtle Beach for a week anytime for what we pay for a week on a cruise I enjoy the loyalty perks received on Royal and X. Free stuff is nice

 

We considered a Viking cruise. Even went to a information night. I would do it for the sights, hubs didn't like the limited food choices.

 

I know what to expect on a cruise and the good still outweighs the aggravating for me. I am so looking forward to some jerk knocking into me at the windjammer in 15 days and will be ok being rushed out of bed and off the ship at 8 am 7 days later because it was better than a lot of other land vacations I have had.

 

As they say "Whatever floats your boat"

I seem to remember there was a little store in the port where we check in for embark/disembark.

Can anyone give me any details. we are thinking of somewhere to buy cokes and such as we are arriving same day

thank you very much

We are spending 1 night post cruise in Vancover.

What will be required for customs to back home. We will not have a direct flight to final destination. I know coming back from Europe we had to go thru customs in Atlanta before getting our connecting flight home. and due to the long custom line we barely made our flight.

 

so will we have to do this at our first plane change after Vancover also?

 

Hope someone can answer as my post even looks confusing to me :o

Did you have lounge chairs on your hump balcony

 

Thanks for your report

Thanks for the info mom

Just curious for those who have cruised and had the benefit was there a note in your stateroom also?.

We are cruising in September and have not received a email. Not sure what denotes Fall to the cruiseline benefit arena. But if people cruising February 2015 received a notice that this is available seems like if it were available for our September cruise we would have received also.

Very excited about this benefit

I was told yesterday can make dinner reservations 90 days prior

 

don't know if this helps you

thank you very much Bob. We will have a 9 nighter on Radiance A DL will be nice