cruising maniac

I have a couple of questions. Are we allowed to bring on water and soda? I have seen mixed answers on this in regards to RC rules. Also, what dining room is used for early dining guests?

Thanks

This is going to be our first Royal cruise and I have a question. What happens to the cheaters? Are they charged for the "other" drinks? Are they put off the boat? Just curious. BTW - I will be buying one drink package as soon as I see them on sale again.

We just signed up for the credit card to get $100 OBC and got $125 from our TA. I know this doesn't really count as OBC, but I brought $500 back from our last cruise on Carnival and used that as our down payment for this Royal cruise. Even though it is not OBC for this cruise but the last cruise, it is still free money. We also got a free specialty dinner from the TA.

How bad was the smoke in the casino? How crowded was the buffet and how was the food on the buffet? Thanks

I always use an online TA because of the OBC. Usually it is about 10% of the cruise price. I just sent her an email that the price had gone down and within 30 minutes I got back an email that said "Got it." I don't pay a booking fee, or a cancellation fee, or price change fees. The company I use is also in Orlando as am I. I have booked about 15 cruises with her and yet we have never met. It is a large online agency but I would call and get a "person" in that agency so that I can build a relationship. I have to talk to the person to make sure that they are at least as knowledgeable as I am. I have been on 26 cruises. I also send her a lot of business.

We went the first week of August and the ice did not interfere with the ship. The weather was cool but a lightweight jacket was sufficient. I would probably recommend that the later the better or the ship might not be able to navigate the fjords. Late August or September. My favorite cruise. Hands down.

I always sail during hurricane season and, yes, we have had some really rainy cruises. Take a poncho and remember there is a BIG difference between rain and thunderstorms. Have fun!!

Dear Cleophus12 - Could you please tell me about the drink card? First I have heard about that. Thanks to everyone for the reviews.

Just out of curiosity, why not just carry the rum runner on your person? Like in a pocket?

I know you must be excited for your first cruise. Bet it won't be your last. All cruise lines try to extract as much of your money as they possibly can. Just say no thank you. Have a fantastic time.

We are sailing October 15th in a category D5, deck 12 for $1990 per couple without tips included. This is our first on Royal and our 26th overall.

No one knows at this point what is going to happen with Matthew. The airlines and the cruise lines will keep you safe by cancelling when necessary and changing itineraries when necessary. The one thing I do know for sure, it will be rough as hell on the seas. Bring your motion sickness pills.

Yes. On the Legend on an exotic western in 2004. We were moved without our knowledge from a balcony cabin on deck 7 mid ship to an aft balcony on deck 8 under the Lido buffet. We did not know until we checked in and I was pissed. It was so noisy that we did not sleep for 8 nights. I'm more careful now.

I just checked and there is no staggered check in for Port Canaveral yet. So, we are both on the 22nd Southern, huh? A bunch of us have been having a great time planning events and activities.

I'm sailing Valor on October 22nd and I did not get a letter about staggered check-in. What did your letter say?

You need to call. Speak with whoever is in charge and don't stop until you get satisfaction. Next time, don't wait even one day and if you need too, threaten to change TA's. Then do it. I have always used a TA because of the OBC and I have never had a problem. On Sunday or evenings when she is not available, someone else from the company helps me.

I'll never join another slot pull because the guy who sponsored it put his card in the slot, got all of the points, and drank free for the week. He's the only one who won anything.

Celebrity took mine because of the little, teeny, tiny knife so I broke it off of my new corkscrew. I had never had a problem or question before in more than 20 cruises.

Last time on the Breeze in November, they glanced at our invitations. I can't remember if they collected them or not, but they expected you to be invited. And I don't think that your spouse would be invited if they are not platinum or diamond. Make the decision that is best for you and your family. My husband had way too much to drink and could not help me pack. :eek: But we had fun.

I use the putty that teachers use in their classrooms. It works great and keeps the decorations up all week. Plus it is very easy to remove. I bought it at Wal-Mart for a couple of bucks in the school supplies.

Frankly, I really don't think Carnival cares. They just want you to get off so they can load up the next group.

October will be my 25th cruise and I have had a guaranteed exactly once. Enough said.

listen folks your are only as important as your last dollar you spent with CCL. They don't care if you are a balcony, suite or inside. It is all about how much you spend. If you spend 10k on one cruise or 10k on 10 cruises, when they close the books it is still 10k.

They care about you coming back for another cruise and they care about how much money they make on you. What you said does not make sense because they would have to feed you and clean up after you 10 times instead of one time. That would cost them money and they would not appreciate so much profit.

I do a mock booking daily or sometimes twice daily to keep a check on price and available cabins. Also, there might be a social media site for your cruise that would help you with early saver info and other cruise related stuff.

I have not had to do staggered check in yet. And besides we are platinum, but I believe that you still have to pick a time but can show up whenever you want. If you pick a late time, it will free up early time slots for folks that are not platinum, diamond, of fttf. And you can go when you want. Just a thought.