bgcruiser

For Theme park tickets already purchased for this year, that haven't been used, Disney has already extended the expiration date to 12/31/2020. If a guess is unable to travel this year, Disney will extend the expiration till 12/31/2021 on those tickets. (Info from Dis Boards).

Everyone is absolutely correct about Social Distancing. Trying to maintain 6 feet, 10 feet, 13 feet or whatever the recommended distance du jour is on any given day is really a herculean task. We all know it's important, I do, so please don't "flame me". But there will always be situations, despite our best efforts will it just becomes impossible,  Theme Parks, Cruise Ships, Parks, Beaches, even grocery stores. People just drift into each others space, it happens. So perhaps what we are headed for is a "wear a face covering at all times in public" edict. As a retired Health Care Provider having to wear a "mask" whenever I am out and about would not be something I would enjoy but if that could move us all forward until there is a proven vaccine, and we are all innoculated then I would certainly embrace the practice.

Anyone else?

The porters can be found on level 3 of the parking garage by the elevator bank.They will be stopping traffic and taking your bags. As shown in  Mr. Fun's pic. I have never seen porters escort passengers from the garage parking into the terminal. But as others have said, I would ask. Perhaps with a nice $$ tip offer, one of them might oblige.

Cel-cruise,

On average I would estimate about 90 mins for a 3-4 course meal. Our dining reservations were between 7-8 pm. We were a party of 2. Perhaps an earlier reservation time and more diners could push it closer to the 2 hour mark. At Jamie's, we were in and out in under an hour as they were probably the least busy in our experience.

What your kids might really enjoy is the "Hot Rock" cooking at Izumi. This was literally what the menu says, they bring a super heated cooking rock to the table and you cook an assortment of seafood, beef and vegetables on top. Sort of a "do it yourself hibachi". 

One more tidbit of dining info to add, on the Nassau port day, Chops was also opened for a special "Taste of Royal" lunch menu. We didn't partake but the Cruise Compass description stated this was an additional cost 4 course tasting menu. Each course "highlighted" a menu item from each of the 4 specialty restaurants. Reservations were required. I didn't find out the cost.

Our next cruise is Oasis in Jan. Once again we will have the UDP. Will report back after our cruise on the details of how we were allowed to use the plan.

Just back from our 4 night NOS cruise and using Terminal A garage for embarkation/debarkation. We found luggage porters waiting by the elevators on level 3 at 10am on embarkation morning. We were off the ship about 9am on debarkation and noticed that the porters were not available yet in the garage for luggage check-in.

Just back from our NOS cruise and ready to answer my own questions about the UDP and 4 night NOS cruise without a day at sea.

On embarkation day we were allowed to use our UDP at Jamie's for lunch. Chops was being used for the Key guest lunch.

We were allowed to use our UDP at Playmakers anytime it was open and the server/bartender knew how the UDP pp credit worked (no charges showed up on our folio).

On our day in Nassau Jamie's was again opened for lunch and we were told we could use our UDP if we choose to.

On our second day at Coco Cay, the MDR was opened for lunch as an extra venue for all guest to use. 

Hope this helps anyone with the same pre-cruise questions I had about the UDP.

BTW, Hooked is off the Hook! What a great new addition to the signature restaurant line-up.

Does every level of RCL Terminal A garage have luggage handlers stationed by the elevators to take your bags or only certain levels?

We are on NOS for a 4 night cruise 10/28-11/1 with the UDP. I know it's always subjective how RCL allows guest to use their UDP onboard in regards to Embarkation/Sea Days/Port Days ect. 

Has anyone used their UDP

1. on Embarkation to eat lunch at Playmakers (I know it's a $35 credit w/UDP) or a specialty restaurant

2. to eat at the pay venue on Coco Cay (Capt. Jack's) or at Playmakers back on the ship while docked at Coco Cay

3. to eat at a specialty restaurant on a Port Day ( Port Day is Nassau)

We have no sea days as we are on one of the "double dip" for Coco Cay. I am hoping that because of the fact we are without a Sea Day RCL might be a little more lenient in their rules with the UDP.

Any first hand experiences to share?

ChickonRules, did you ask to speak with a supervisor? I would call back again and speak to a supervisor this time. I called twice. The first call resulted in an OBC of $50 in my cruise planner. I called back a second time and was told an additional $50 would show in about a week

I wanted to know why I didn't get the full $100 the first supervisor indicated I would receive. I was told by the second supervisor, the initial OBC is for my complaint and given to me by the first supervisor I spoke with. The additional $50 OBC is what everyone who had booked with the now removed perk is going to receive. I am expecting to see $100 OBC, we shall see.

Wanted to share what I was told by a supervisor at RC when I called them just now. The OBC of $50 for discontinuing the Neighborhood balcony cabin perk will show in effected guest cruise planner's by next week. An additional $50 OBC is being given to guest who call and complain as "something for our inconvenience". I asked why can't you "grandfather in" already booked guest? Supervisor said because they had to make a cut off somewhere. They didn't want to cause other cruise guest who had booked the same cabin category without the perk to be disappointed if their neighbors had a Soda Cup but they didn't. 🤔.

So look out all of our fellow cruisers who are Diamond and above, with RC "syncopated logic" they may take away the Costal Kitchen and DL/ 3 drinks per day so the rest of us peons aren't disappointed 🤣🤣.

Anyway, everyone who had booked with this perk and has a cruise after Jan1, please call and get your additional credit now.

Thanks for the review. Very helpful! We will be on the Navigator in October and I have a question about the Clamshell rentals on Coco Cay. Did you rent them on Cruise Planner or once you were aboard the ship? I am not seeing them offered in my Cruise Planner yet.

I am a "lurker" and very rarely post but had to add a comment to this thread about our experience with partial charters. February 2018 our ship FOS had a partial charter group, "Singing at Sea". Turned out to be an Amish Family group. Hands down, best bar service we ever had on any cruise. LOL.

Thanks sgregel for the info!

Thanks for the quick review. We will be on FOS for the 2/11 6 night. This will be our second RCCL cruise. Sailed Allure a few years ago.

I have a question about cabin amenities. Just a lowly Gold level so no product upgrades for us ;). Anyway, is there bar soap by the sink in the cabin bathroom for hand washing and does the shower have a fabric/plastic curtain or actual door like the Oasis class?

Thanks!

We are in Celebration, just south of Orlando. Eyewall came across us around 130am. never lost power, on Disney Grid, but extensive wind damage in neighborhood. Lots of downed trees, tree limbs and debrides. Major roof damage for us and other homes close by. Need to check our attic for any leaks. Already have been in contact with our homeowners insurance. Big clean up day for us, looks like enough leafs in bottom of our pool to make a tree. Son in Clearwater has no power, unsure of his home damage as he evacuated and is not back yet.

Hello Ft Myers. We are Sallie and Al from Orlando (Celebration) and have booked the Transpacific portion of your B2B cruises on the Radiance as well. We plan to spend the week prior seeing a bit of Australia and then a few days in Hono after disembarkation.

I looked on the Roll Call boards but didn't see our cruise listed yet. Too early maybe.

I thought I had seen Jam Jar on the Allure wine list, but of course the list does change. I have seen posted that different bars sometimes have different wine list so you might want to check once onboard.

I did see a Sokal Blosser Pinot Noir listed ( not by the glass though). I am not familiar with this wine but I do know the winery is known for their sweeter, lighter whites. Make a great Riesling that pairs well with Sushi and spicy foods. So perhaps it follows that their reds are sweet vs dry as well.

But the best bet is to try a few of the wines that have been suggested before you cruise and if they can't be purchased onboard bring a couple of bottles with you.

Cheers!

Another option might be a Champagne Cocktail. The typical Champagne used is a "Brut" which is on the dryer side, however the other ingredients are an Agostura bitters infused sugar cube and a lemon twist. The bitters just add a spice note to the cocktail. The overall taste is sweet. I suggest ordering this drink at one of the bars vs. in the MDR. On the Allure, the bar venue cocktail was far superior to what was delivered in the MDR.

Plus you get the added bonus of that :cool: "Rat Pack" vibe at the bar, LOL.

For a red wines on the sweet vs. dry side, look for red blends where you purchase wines. One red you might like is a South African shiraz called "Jam Jar". Name says it all ;).

Thanks so much for that info!

I keep reading that the limit for cocktails and wine by the glass on the Ultimate pkg is $13. I can't seem to find what the limit is for the Premium pkg. Is it also $13?

(RC used to include that info on their drink pkg site but for some reason it's disappeared).

I got the VOOM special for my Allure July 10th sailing.

VOOM Surf 1 device $63.63 with tax for the week.

I saw the special pricing in my cruise planner. Now just hoping for a Beverage special too!

I am on the July 10 Allure cruise and did purchase the internet special for myself and DH. I actually spoke with a RCL phone rep who put the purchase thru at the correct discounted price. My CC was charged correctly and the VOOM Surf package is added on in my cruise planner. My DD and her DH also purchase this package without any issues online.

Maybe it's only the Beverage packages that are incorrect for some sailings?

Thanks for the info!

I am traveling with several young grandchildren who love chicken nuggets/fingers.

Are these items available on both the WJ and Solarium buffet? Does RCL have a "kids friendly" section on their buffets?

Do any of the complimentary food venues have chicken nuggets/fingers? I believe the room service menu does but will we be able to find these items elsewhere?

With the Solarium being an adults only area, are kids welcomed at the Solarium Buffet?