ihopfar

Thank you!

 

And I'm sorry......I don't really keep up with that kind of thing. I DO know that the fisherman's platter (lobster) and prime rib were NOT served on the second formal night like it usually is. That is a menu that we like' date=' but it was served the night before, when we went to Giovanni's Table.[/font']

Jane - thank you very much for the wonderful review.:)

We are on the 8 night in March.

For all those interested, I matched up what you ordered in the MDR, with the 7-day menus, and other context clues, and I have a best guess at the order (assuming it stays the same from cruise to cruise):

MOJO

SAFFRAN

BASIL

"8th Menu"

PIMIENTO

SHIITAKE

JASMINE

POMODORO

Thanks again,

Brad

Thanks all.

Any recent reports from anyone who used it from the IOTS recently?

Or any further reports of being told it has been discontinued?

Thanks!

Brad

I disagree with the 7PM alfresco dining suggestion on Ocean Drive without the warning that many of those restaurants are complete scams.

 

Otherwise, GREAT article and thanks for sharing!!

It has been a long time since I have been to South Beach, and I do recall the Ocean Drive restaurants being overpriced (which is why I did not eat there), but in what way are they complete scams?

Wow.. discontinued? That stinks.

Is that for all ships in Ft. Lauderdale, or just IOS, does anyone know?

Thanks,

Brad

For anyone recently on the IOS, do you recall what the earliest and latest flight times out of FLL that qualified for Luggage Valet?

Thanks,

Brad

Here you go:

 

Thank you very much!

Did you go to the Welcome Aboard Show? Do you recall how long it was?

Thanks again,

Brad

Last month tickets were passed out on the Promenade deck. At the announced start time the line stretched the entire length of the Promenade. I waited a couple of hours and although selections were limited I had no trouble getting tickets and there was no line. There were four performances and I just selected a time I preferred.

At first I thought you meant the line was so long that you waited a couple of hours on the line!:rolleyes:

When you went a couple of hours later, what do you mean "the selections were limited"? How many of the four shows did you have to choose from at that point?

Thanks,

Brad

But you don't cruise Independence for the entertainment...it was bad.

So, is the concensus that the Independence entertainment is below RCCLs standards, Oasis/Allure/Liberty excluded?

If so, my wife will be disappointed.

Thanks to all who have responded... seems there is a consensus for #3. :)

And thanks PCWalton -- those pictures appear to provide irrefutable confirmation.

Thanks again,

Brad

I found three different sample menus for Chops.

Which is the most current/accurate? Sailing on the Independence of the Seas if it makes a difference.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/ChopsGrille_Menu_Eng.pdf

http://www.royalcaribbeanincentives.com/docs/rccl-pdfs/menus.pdf

http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-kit/9/culinary-press-kit/

Thanks!

Brad

Sailing on the IOS and sorry to hear that we can't reserve on-line -- I thought we would be able to. :confused:

I know the ice show is on multiple times, on multiple days during the cruise. Is it all the same show, or are there two different shows?

Thanks,

Brad

When I read the article, I wondered if by pre-tipping your server in this fashion, are they then giving better service because they expect more of the same at the end?

If so, then by giving your tips at the beginning instead of at the end, perhaps you are deceiving them.

Just a thought...

Not very comfortable, there is no inside waiting area and only a few benches.

In my opinion Terminal 29 is the worst terminal in Port Everglades.

I hope this is not a silly question.

If there is no inside waiting area, are there restrooms available?

Trying to make heads or tails of the discussion of the different restaurants/clubs at Orient Bay and trying to figure out which one to go to.

Is there a list of all the different places that compares/contrasts them?

Where will the "shared" taxis drop us off? Is this the same place or places that there will be a taxi line to grab a taxi afterwards? I know if we take a taxi just the 2 of us, they will drop us wherever we ask.

We would like a beach that is not rocky, with calm surf, with nice/clean restrooms (knowing "nice" is relative when talking about beach restrooms.) We are willing to pay a little more for chairs/umbrella if the location is better. We figure we will be eating enough on the ship, so don't plan to each much, if anything, at the restaurants on the beach, so price/quality of those is the least important to us. Closer to a taxi stand is a plus, but not essential because we are big walkers.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

Brad

Thanks to all who have replied.

Just to clarify, I am talking preferences not "needs" so I won't be contacting anyone before hand. And chances are I probably won't have many special requests.

I was just curious what folks experience with RCCL handling certain requests, especially because it seems that is what the symbols on the menus I have seen mean. That I just need to say "the lactose free version" or the "vegetarian version" and the kitchen will be ready to accommodate without too much trouble. Or, am I misreading the menu?

Thanks again,

Brad

New to RCCL. From looking at the menus, I see that some items are marked gluten free, lactose free, and/or vegetarian. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe in some cases that means it can be made without gluten/lactose/meat, but it may not come that way normally.

For those dishes, can you ask for them on a case by case basis to be made without lactose, for example, as a preference as opposd to a special need that you alert them ahead of time? Is the wait staff/ kitchen set up to handle these requests knowing a lot of items are pre-platted?

For example, I believe the ceaser salad says lactose free. I assume that would mean holding the cheese that would normally come. Is that possible if I don't like cheese on my salad?

I would assume they invite you to do so since they put these notations on the menu.

Does anyone have perience with these requests?

Thanks,

Brad

Has anyone taking this tour with RCCL? "El Yunque Rainforest Drive - SJA7"

Good? Bad?

Any local companies that offer the same tour that you can recommend? We like that this tour is mostly driving without a large hike.

Thanks!

Brad

Does anyone know how much you save by booking the Scenic Railroad directly with the tour operator instead of the cruise line?

Any pros and cons for booking one way vs the other?

Thanks,

Brad

The rental prices.

 

 

Gambee -- what a great review! I know you did not rent chairs or an umbrella, but maybe you can help clear something up.

The sign talks about "returning" the items you rent --- that sounds like you have to carry the chairs and the umbrella to a spot on the beach, and then carry them back. Is that correct? I am used to places that set up the chairs/umbrella where you want them and then take them away when you are done..

Thanks,

Brad

So what changes nightly is the same change in all three rooms? But what stays the same each night is different depending on the room?

 

If that's the case, I also want to know what stays the same for each room!

Yes, that is my understanding.

The "Always Available" in the Manhattan Room are the first two pictures of post #3. The "Always Available" in the Savor and Taste are the first two pictures of post #6. Savor and Taste have the same menu.

The Dessert menu, from what I understand, is the same in all 3 MDRs. The desserts above the line are the three that change nightly. The ones below the line are the ones that stay the same.

Hope that helps!

--Brad

And this is for which restaurant, Manhattan, Savor or Taste?

All three. This appetizers, entrees and desserts that change nightly are the same in all three dinning rooms.

Friday was a crab cake appetizer. Does that help with your menu order theory?

Yes it does! That fits right in, supporting my theory. :)

To anyone following along, here is what I believe to be the menu for each day -- assuming your sailing is the same order as Slice's:

By the way, I notice you live in Maryland --- we are in Montgomery County!

Thanks again for your help and posting the wonderful menus and pictures!

Brad

Enjoy that puzzle! Lol, I really did try to take them in order but after awhile it becomes tiresome to haul my huge camera around.

I think I figured out the order of the MDR dinner menus! I believe you actually have them in order -- just backwards!!

I was able to figure out Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday based on what you ate. The rest is an assumption, but the other days seem to fit the pattern.

So, the first day listed is Saturday, then Friday, and so on, until Sunday at the end.

Thanks again for posting!

Brad

I asked about how consistent the menus are and I think they said there are 14 menus that are rotated so I think it's just random what days you'll will get.

 

If you read my review you can piece together which menu's are from what days. I alternated between my camera and iPhone while taking pictures so they became a jumbled mess. I have about 1,000 pictures I have to weed through and post so if I have time later I'll try and figure it out.

Thanks! I will definitely read your review and piece it together that way - I like puzzles. :D You have done so much already by taking and posting the pictures, please don't bother to figure it out -- I thought you might have known already.

Thanks again!

Brad

Just a quick note about the MDR's. They are in no particular order (the menus are rotated out so just because I had mushroom ravioli on let's say Tuesday your menu might have that dish on Friday).

Thank you very much! I have been waiting for these! Really appreciate it!

I understand they might change days for the menus, but I am hoping they will stay fairly consistent from week to week. If possible, can you please indicate which day was which for the dinner menus? I am trying to plan when to book Moderno, and basing off of last weeks order is better than nothing. ;)

Thanks!

Brad