aeonix01

Ate breakfast in Windjammer. Headed down to Promenade and straight out to the terminal, no slowdown or issue. Family choices made us delayed in the terminal once we had our bags to go through customs because some family members absolutely refused to download anything else or create an account or enter any more information rather than use the Passport app.

The only real issues we faced were brought on by ourselves. The issue mentioned above, and an issue where we accidentally left one bag in the terminal and didn't realize it. I called RCCL while at the airport. They created a claim and took the details. We will get some kind of update to the status of the claim within 7-10 days. So, even though I called within 30 minutes of leaving the pier, with no contact phone number I could fine which answered any phone at the terminal building itself, we had to go this route through RCCL. 7-10 Days, and that's not including how long it would take for them to ship the bag back IF they find it at a minimum cost of $50. Fortunately, we have insurance. We will see what happens.

We should have found and paid for a porter, but we had no issues heading to the ship, so, we didn't think we'd mess anything up on the way back from the ship.

Shhhh....be vewy vewy qwiet....otherwise....

 

be prepared to hear a "Well, I'd give that an 8.7" if I hear you. Did that once at an apartment complex I lived in where a couple was having at it late at night with the windows open. Heard lots of laughter after my "score" and then the window slammed shut. You never know how many others are "witness" to your late night shenanigans. ;p:D

LOL, I actually did this to a couple, only I included that the lost points for the dismount.

Interesting inquiry. I would recommend booking any shows in advance of your trip. Arrive plenty early to those. I recommend the cupcake decorating class $30ish a person I think. Book any activities you want to do early actually, and kinda obviously.

I prepay gratuities to save a few dollars, but it doesn't make all that much difference. I also take advantage of the on board laundering service towards the end of the cruise so I don't need to do laundry when I get home (There are usually coupons in a book in your cabin to help pay for it). See the ice show, the aqua theater show.

Personally, I like early dining so I can do whatever after we eat. On shore days, you may miss your dining but as you know, food is available everywhere all times of the night other than main dining.

Return your towels and confirm check in of your returned towels from pool deck with a service desk other than with the person you returned them to. They are constantly screwing up the return of towels and trying to charge people.

You may want to purchase a water package and/or a soda package. You might also want to purchase VOOM Internet package for one or more devices for various reasons.

If you want to use something like the Wave Rider, Rock Wall or other attractions, remember to sign your waiver online. When on board, get to it as early as possible to avoid lines or complications if one of the attractions are broken.

Be aware of the dress code which is followed and enforced to varying degrees much to the delight or chagrin of various passengers.

When boarding, you may wish to avoid going to the buffet and go to Central Park Cafe, or the Solarium for lunch. The Windjammer is overcrowded and the other areas have better lunch when boarding.

I'm not sure about that, but I was able to watch Allure leave from Nassau yesterday online at 5PM Eastern without logging in or anything.

I will start off by saying, I honor the suggested dress codes when I sail. I have since the time I started cruising because that was what I was taught as a youngster sailing. I was also raised to have proper etiquette when the situation I'm in calls for it. That said,...

I do recognize that dressing appropriately costs money. Some people can afford the trip, gratuities, excursions etc., but may have a limited budget for clothes. I judge people on their actions and how they treat others more than on how they dress. Yes, there are those who lack manners and etiquette/courtesy towards others. There are those who are well mannered and have proper etiquette/courtesy towards other regardless of dress. I do not feel it is my place in this world to judge others. If I do not like where I am seated, I can ask for a change of seating. If that's not possible, I feel it is within my rights to comment on disrespect if I am being disrespected directly. How other people dress does not ruin my day or evening. If it did, I would need to re-evaluate why I am so bothered by it. This is not the cruising world of the years prior to the 2000s. The cruises in the 70s, 80s seemed more exclusive than those in the decades to follow. Cruising has become more mainstream affordable and there are a lot of changes inclusive of that.

If someone is a jerk to you or your family, call them out on it. If their clothes at meal-time are the only offense.... well.. perhaps find a way to look beyond it. Life is just too short to be bothered by things you can do nothing about.

Not one person correcting the program name to RCCL's "Royal Flush" campaign? You guys are slipping.

If only there were devices which allowed users to play their own music selection and have the sound play through some sort of device you wear on your head and the sound comes out directly into their ears. Someone should get on that. It'd be HUGE!

My wife and I last sailed on Explorer of the Seas back in 2011. Asked for a towel ONE day, returned it immediately. The person at the pool scanned and I thought all was well. Later, I was reminded that I still have a towel. I explained I'd returned it to (insert name) immediately after. They fixed that immediately at Guest Services while still on board. I feel like it's a game of he said she said. I don't steal, ever. If push came to shove, I'd ask them if they feel intimating that I'm both a liar and a thif and charging me for the towel was work all potential future business I do with them after I say I returned it and they refused to believe me. I don't mess around too much if you get on my bad side.

I think that needs to be updated. According to the Cruise Compasses from the new Allure Western itineraries formal night is night 6, not 5.

Could be. I took that from RCCL's site just directly before posting. LOL.. but.. as we know.. they can be a bit slow on updating this type of information.

I hope this might help with your question.

When you’re onboard, the right look will vary by venue. But here are a few types of suggested attire you’ll see, grouped by item.

• Casual: You’re on vacation – relax! Jeans, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck. Shorts are welcomed for breakfast and lunch.
  

• Smart Casual: Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are snazzy and welcomed.
  

• Formal: Make it a night out in your best black-tie look – suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns. There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion.
  

Formal nights:

• 3/4/5 night cruises - usually on Day 2
  
• 6 night cruises - usually on day 2 and 5
  
• 7 night cruises - are usually on Day 2 and 6
  
• Oasis and Allure use Day 2 and 5 on Western itineraries and Day 2 and 6 on Eastern itineraries.
  
• For longer cruises - Click Here
  
• Formal Night will not be offered on any of the currently scheduled Empress of the Seas sailings.
  

Please note that bare feet are not allowed at any time in any venue and tank tops are not permitted in the Main Dining Room or Specialty Dining venues for dinner.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/images/customer_support/faq/DressCode_Table.jpg

19 Days - Allure of the Seas. First family cruise vacation I've been on with my family (not my wife's) since July 14, 2004. First family vacation involving my father, who has never been on a cruise, since the very early 90s.

I'm not sure how many cruises I've been on since starting in my childhood, but, probably at least 17.

I'm actually way more excited to see how my father takes to going on a cruise. He deserves this trip and so much more. Hopefully he likes it and decides to keep going on trips.

There are many benefits to using a TA, however, it's up to you obviously. I've booked both ways. I would recommend first, researching cost for booking online and placing a free 24 hold on a cabin if you're truly interested. Next, I would check the common price websites about cruises and also contact a few recommended TAs. Find out their pricing. You already know what you're going to get with your online booking because you booked it. You would also know if you could do better at the moment.

Pricing changes all the time based on various factors, so, knowing if you should wait or not before booking is up to you. With a TA, at least, you know they will keep you posted about price changes. Booking yourself, you wouldn't, but again, if you don't check it after booking, you won't be disappointed either.

Last cruise I was on, 2011, Explorer of the Seas. Played Blackjack one afternoon, was the only one at the table. Won close to a grand off a $100 starting point, and that's after pocketing the original $100.

One other cruise I recall, a LONG time before that was in the 90s playing Blackjack on The Nordic Prince. Started at around $100, won an additional $1300 on the way to Bermuda. On the way back, after spending a bunch of money, began playing Blackjack again. Regained all of the money I'd spent. My brother walked up behind me, said "How ya losin'?" as a joke. Within two hours, I lost everything I'd won, re-won, and the $100 I brought to start with. LOL.

The OP is asking about the boarding waiting areas, not checkin lines.

I actually forgot these were two different things to be honest. I would obviously like it if my Family Member could not only wait with us, but check-in with us, but I would be happy if they could at least wait with us for as long as possible. I called RCCL by phone to inquire, and all the agent would say was to check with pier personnel.

In all honesty, I feel that rules may be rules, but in the case like this where only a single family member, let alone one who has paid for four cabins and seven people, should not be separated at any point of either waiting or check-in. It seems like bad business on many levels. Especially in circumstances where children would be involved. In this circumstance, what if the person paying feels they shouldn't be separated, it may assist that person in deciding not to do return business. Still, the line has the opportunity for the remainder of the experience to change that opinion, I just think it's bad form personally speaking.

Thanks for the answers. The one person who is not a Diamond status (or any other status for that matter) would in fact be in his own cabin. So, I guess we'll just have to see what happens.

I will be traveling with six others, all family. All of us with exception to one of us are Diamond Members. Do you think it would be a problem getting that one person to be able to stand with us to board in the section designated for Diamond Members? Oddly, the family member who doesn't have Diamond Member status (and has never cruised before) is paying for the entire trip.

Thanks! Quick answers everyone! I'm a usually generous tipper, but, right now, I'd like to stick to the dollar a bag I think.

How much do I tip the porter (I'm sure this was asked 800 times, and I'm not sure if there is a search feature on this site or how to use it if there is one.)?

I liked the "How You Cruisin'?" morning show.

I hear a lot of people like that.

Back on my last cruise (1996?) I don't think we had anything like that to watch. I can't remember ever even using the TV.

Do basic balcony cabins on deck 7 have flat screens at this point?

I know not every cabin has them yet, I'm just curious? I thought it was just the suites right now.

I didn't get a final payment notice either, and I was using a TA. I thought perhaps one of them would remind me. Fortunately, for some reason, doing budgets and thing, I happened to look at my last payment receipt, and I was a couple of weeks from final payment due.

Had I not been budget conscious, I'm not sure what would have happened. I may have gotten call, or an e-mail, or, maybe not.

Its the list of daily activities that are going on. You get the next days compass in your room the night before. It has the list of all the things going on, hours for bars, resturants and venues. Plus lots of other stuff!

I'm going on the 9 Night EoS at the end of July. I'll be sure to save/scan the compasses. I work for a major copier/printer/scanner/fax manufacturer, and we have some really nice equipment to scan documents and other things on. If no one has it up by then, I promise I will.

They show ESPN International and any other channel available on the ship. Not sure about specific college games - more soccer than anything else. They did show NBA playoff games.

It is kind of funny how they advertise the sports bar as something in which you can watch games just like you were still at home, only at sea.

I was kind of hoping that they would have Yankees / Mets games, however I'm pretty sure unless they're using DirecTV, that won't happen. Either way, for me, it's probably not that important because it's my honeymoon vacation, and my wife would get really really REALLY mad at me for taking time to watch the game. Lol.

I'll be there with u at 11AM!

Woohoo!! My wife and I will be the ones with a face full of food looking rather lost. If you don't recognize us, well.. we'll just try harder. See you there!

You won't be allowed to board until all the previous cruises passengers have disembarked. This is typically around 11:30 - noonish. We arrived at the port around 12:15 and were able to walk right up to check-in and get on board without any waiting.

 

Typically I arrive a LOT earlier to other ports (10:30, 11 am) but was glad we waited for this one, since boarding didn't start until noon, which is later than I'm used to.

 

I would recommend not arriving before 11 am, since most cruisers aren't even off the boat yet and there will be a lot of congestion with dropping off luggage. If you do arrive before they start allowing boarding, there is space to sit and relax (and enjoy a cookie or two!).

Thanks for the replies!!

I think I'll arrive at 11AM based on how many people say they arrive at 11. Besides.. you had me at cookies!