slyster

That’s what we do but it’s never enough. Why? I rarely have cash on me LOL

I never went to the bank. I tried to save $1s and $5s as we got closer to a cruise. Never thought about it! I’ll be hitting the bank in a few weeks. That’s so much easier!

Okay thank you. That is very helpful! I will definitely have plenty of dollar bills.

You raise a good point. I know the auto tip generated from the drink purchase is pooled together. But I thought I’d I wrote in an additional tip on the receipt, that server or bartender got the additional tip. I guess that’s not the case?

Ok wow. Im glad I asked! We will be prepared to tip them as they are definitely assisting us with dinner reservations. as for the suite lounge bartenders it sounds like we need cash for that too. In other venues, I have usually signed the $0 receipt and added a little more if warranted. off topic but are they giving out receipts for using diamond vouchers and refreshment package? I usually add a tip there. If they have stopped doing that I want to have extra $1s when we board.

Ok thanks for that. I know there are certain beers and wines that are free from 11-11. We do have a refreshment package too. Do they give you a receipt for your drink so you can tip? Or is cash expected?

Do the daily service gratuities in a suite include the concierge? I know being in a suite, I paid more for the service gratuity, but I wasn’t sure if the concierge was included. I stayed in a suite once before, but never interacted with the concierge for the entire cruise. This time, I plan on asking them assist with dining reservations. We are staying in a Crown Loft Suite. Besides reservations, can you tell me what other things a concierge assists with? I want to make sure I tip them appropriately especially if they do not receive any of the suite tips.

So you feel comfy ordering a lyft or uber on the morning of travel? I wondered if it was better now that Uber can freely exit and enter the terminal now. I have this person also scheduled to pick us up when we disembark. I just sent her another message saying the terminal doesn't even open until 10am. I will see what she says. (she has had really great reviews on her facebook page).

I have heard problems with Lyft and Uber picking up folks locally which is why we went with a private car company. Folks trying to order rides and the drivers cancelling them. That was a few months ago. So that's why we went private. We are staying in Texas City the night before. Galveston Saltwater moms recommended them because they couldn't accommodate 6 of us. I sort of agree about the being dropped off so early. We booked this months ago (February). The cruise is in 3 weeks.

Ok yes I would be curious. Others have confirmed 11. I checked in by 12:02 at my 45 day mark. Thanks for reporting back!

Thanks everyone. Thanks Anton. The earliest check in times seem to be 11am now. At least they have been for a while. At least if we wait outside it won't be too long. I wish they could have dropped us off at 10 or 10:30 like we requested. Oh well...we will make the best of it!

We are sailing on Allure of the Seas. We have a private car company dropping us off at the cruise terminal in Galveston. They want to drop us off at 9:30 and I'm a bit worried that is too early. Will we even be able to enter the cruise terminal? We do have the first check in time at 11am. 2 couples are in 2 suites and another couple (my brothers in-laws) is in a balcony cabin. Will the suite lounge be open (for me and my wife, i'll assume my brother will wait in terminal with his in-laws) or the terminal be open for us to wait inside or will we have to wait outside for a while? Anyone know the recent boarding times on Allure? I read on another board someone boarded around 10:30 which I thought was pretty darn early!

thanks for confirming edited: I see you answered my question in your next post about calling the room service for ordering off MDR menu. Thanks!

I have heard conflicting reports. I have read you can order from MDR for breakfast and lunch too. Others have said yes, some no.

Okay, good to know the vouchers don't cover starbucks. Thank you!

are you able to use the tv to order room service from the MDR or does the tv only allow you to order regular room service? We are in a suite on Allure in a few weeks.

Does the diamond drink vouchers cover starbucks on board?

7 night cruise on Allure: I booked my junior suite 1 1/2 years ago. It cost $3600 for two of us. I thought that was a good deal. For the last several months, it's been much higher. Grand Suites were over $8000 and Crown Loft Suites were over $9000 (for two people). A week after our final payment, the Crown Loft Suites dropped to $2600 a person...I jumped on it and paid $5200 for two of us. 3 days later, it dropped to $2100 a person for a total of $4200 for two people. My brother jumped on it and got the great deal. Best prices are VERY early, or perhaps within 45 days of a cruise.

They only make stops if the cruise ship is in port. This link (scroll to bottom for 2023 calendar) shows you the ships in port on the calendar. So I do not believe they stop at each and every stop when a ship is not in port. https://www.portofgalveston.com/80/Cruise-Lines-Schedules

I am wondering people’s experience with being picked up and taken to the pier for cruise embarkation as well as being picked up and taken to the airport for disembarkation since Uber can now pick/drop off at the cruise terminals? Have things improved? I used to read that people had a hard time getting a Lyft/Uber on morning of embarkation and getting picked up from cruise terminal to be taken to the airport. We have a private car company, but the owner is having some health issues and it’s making me a little nervous with reliability.

Our comedy shows just showed up on the cruise planner to book for our Aug. 27 sailing. Just wanted to share!

Thank you. Good to know. Appreciate the reply!

Yes I use the website to book our shows. oddly though, unless i am missing it, I do not see it on allures current sailing either. usually there are a few shows a week in different days and I don’t see it this week. I’ll keep an eye out to see if it shows up in my cruise planner. It was not there as of yesterday which prompted me to ask. We are on august 27 sailing off allure of the seas.

I will be sailing in Allure in a few weeks and I noticed when I reserved our shows for the week that there were no comedy shows. Do you reserve comedy shows or does this just mean you book them on board? Also, for heck of it I checked this weeks Allure sailing. Did I miss it? I don’t see any comedy shows scheduled either. I am wondering if they have stopped them or at least on certain sailings.

I'm really considering the lamb wellington. Glad to know you loved it!