Pack My Bags

Those photos are excellent. Thank you so much for your help! You should post them on cruiselinerooms dot com

We usually order in or get takeout. But we always go to the market to shop for the next day.

The inquisitive soul who may be trying Indian/Thai/whatever cuisine for the first time may be able to appreciate the exotic character of the flavorings without being overwhelmed by a more intense exposure. Sort of like my experience with Indian Pickle--once I got over the shock of the unfamiliar, I actually eventually grew to like it.

And, to me, like a bad day cruising, a mild dish of Indian food is better than a boring commonplace meal anytime.

SO TRUE!!!!! I like the simple stuff, so when I see naan, tikka & tandoori I am in heaven!

That is a good question. All the Caribbean menus I have sailed on over the last 10 yrs on RCI have been the same. With the exception of the elimination of the "Caribbean" menu & it was replaced by the "Get out there" menu. (Thats the parmesan crusted turkey tenderloins menu.) Scary because I usually remind the waiter what's for dinner the following night. My guess is that they are the same.

Interesting though, RCI doesn't really use that get out there phrase anymore since they moved onto the "Nation of why not" campaign so I wonder if & when they will make any new changes. It would be nice... Starting with desserts!

Hmmmmm it's funny. You always remember your good, bad & UGLY meals!

Carnival - Uh braised short ribs. Like mushy pot roast. (I can't stand pot roast.)

NCL - OMG the entire MDR. Especially the Veal parm. Anyone for a prefab chicken rondelet patty? If I ever sail them again I will go to a specialty, every day.

Celebrity-(And I should have listened to the waiter) the quail. LOTS of SAGE wild rice inside a tiny bird cavity. No meat, all SAGE. Also the Branzino at Normandie. It's not a bad fish dish, you just need to like a heavy oilier fish. Like a oil preserved sturgeon.

RCL- Eww That dreaded crabcake. Imitation crabmeat & cracker crumbs. EWWW. Tie for 2nd. -- The briased lamb shank & Lobster bisque.

I think one of the reasons is because a lot of british people go on Carnival, and Indian food is really big there. If you notice alot of times in the morning they have beans and some kind of puff pastry meat thing. Very delicious and very british! I was on the Splendor in February, and they have a separate Indian buffet at lunch and that was it. I personally loved it, but for those who don't there where TONS of other options.

I am sorry its not your thing, but for those of us who like it, its a real treat!

YESSSSS this is very true. And the Dream does have a Middle Eastern section by the pool with different entrees each day. Tika, Mahkni, Tandoori, Roti... What is the same are the sides which are NOT all Indian. There is Nan bread/pitas Tzatziki yogurt sauce (Greece), Hummus (Lebanon), olives, grilled veggies, chick pea salad etc....

It may not be your favorite & no one is forcing you to eat it. Someone who is a "foodie" may give the same ignorant comment about typical boring pizza & burgers being offered every day.

You're on a cruise vacation, really? There is plenty other food to choose from. Enjoy your cruise.

Someone posted about the carpeting on board to help you get your way around.

This should help clarify & is a BIG HELP!

**NOTE **

We are NOT talking about the hallway carpet. Look at the carpet at the stairs/elevator BANK below.

Here is the layout for RCI ships.

If you are PORT (left side) & AFT (rear) then your staircase/elevator carpet is BLUE.

If you are STARBOARD (right side) and AFT staircase/elevator carpet is PINK.

If you are PORT and FORWARD staircase/elevator carpet is PINK.

If you are STARBOARD & FORWARD staircase/elevator carpet is GREEN.

(PINK is on opposite sides!!! Don't get confused.)

Basically, back of ship is blue & pink and forward is pink & green. You don't have to remember all the colors, just the one for YOUR STATEROOM. That way you know where you're supposed to be, or not.

The photo below was taken from the starboard/aft end.

If you look across the CL Lounge on deck 9 you can see the blue carpet.

READ SMALL PRINT! Use caution when booking during promo events like the WOW sale. They have wonderful benefits, but will only apply on the sailing your initially book. If you should need to change your ship or sail date you will lose out on your on board credit.

I learned my lesson the hard way. But lucked out in the end... Got a $400 price drop per person that saved my family $1,600!

Eisco-- thank you so much. I have written several posts regarding the treatment we received on our last cruise on multiple boards I had to gobback & find which one. I cannot fathom the petty things people complain about while cruising. Preposterous!!?! Just because you are on a well-deserved vacation does not entitle people to disregard courtesy, patience and simple manners. I do hope my post encourages you to cruise again real soon!

If people are wondering about the post, here it is again....

It was in response to someone advising to save $$ on board for spending instead of overtipping.

I must seriously disagree with this. They work their butts off for you. I just came off the Explorer. My DM is not only blind, but cannot walk well. The My Time Dining attendant booked us a nice table close by, in a nice corner by the railing so it was easy for her to navigate with her cane. He held it for us EVERY DAY. Every evening we would find the next day's compass & the next evening's dinner menu on the bed printed IN BRAILLE. In the dining room, the waiters would "announce" they were reaching in to lay out her napkin and bring/remove her plates. At night when I would walk to the room & have water in my hands & my mom walking latched on my arm, they would run ahead of me to key into the stateroom. The tender crew could not have been more helpful either.

A great trip is not about the deal you get on board for a bottle of vodka or another $20 you blew in a slot machine. It is these little touches that make your trip more meaningful, and in our case, liberating. Besides mentioning their names in the customer survey, service like this needs to be acknowledged. It's the proper way to say thank you & job well done!

Oh just reading my old post again made me laugh! Going nuts at the office today & listening to people complain. This was the perfect tension breaker!!! I told my dad about this post too. He nearly wet his pants!

-Ria

It's still me, Ria but no longer Cruise718. I put in a request to change my screenname & its been approved. Hi, I'm Pack My Bags, pleased to meet you!

The P - Yes I did get it but have many docs & pix saved on work computer... Will send it tomorrow.

This is Christina & Eddie:

Is anyone out there cruising November 26, 2011 on Brilliance of the Seas?

You should click on the board for that ROLL CALL. You will find a slew of people on that sailing! They will have lots of ideas & info. In most cases Rolla calls also have activities planned, and gather people for group tours & such!

P -- Some clarification. RCI does not place robes in every cabin. If you are traveling with them for the first time they will not provide them in your room.

There are many apparent differences you will see betw. RCI & NCL. You sound very passionate about it, as I am too! If you like, I have a slew of info & will send it to you. My email address is cruise718@yahoo.com let me know what email address to send it to.

-Ria

Sureeee P.

Well the room is on the starboard side of the ship. Your closest bank of elevators are the aft & starboard side (pink carpet.) During our sailing we were mostly facing the islands so it was nice to see everything, but we don't know who else will be in port during your sailing. Although the cabin is just off the elevator bank you do not hear anything from the stairwell or elevators. The concierge lounge is there also, so there is a bit of foot traffic there, but not any noise. Your muster station is convenient. B13 is a small stroll out on deck 4. You are also just 2 flights down from the windjammer (take the stairs!) and a short elevator or 4 flights down to my time dining.

If you are Platinum or above there should be robes waiting for you in the room. If they aren't, just ask your steward. Her name is Marica from the Philippines. She is so sweet.

The room is well sized. Probably like the size of a standard hotel King room. There are 2 beds, a large couch, two upholstered chairs, a coffee table, 2 nightstands, drawers, storage cabinets, vanity mirror w/ hair dryer in the drawer & 2 desks... YES, 2 desks. The vanity at the first desk has TWO outlets for charging electronics etc. My parents were in 9614 and the 2nd desk was omitted in their room because that's where their connecting door was. However 9328 is not a connecting rm. We took the liberty of moving the two chairs (they were opposite from the couch) & putting them against the sliding balcony doors & turned the coffee table lengthwise along the couch so we had a direct unobstructed route to the balcony.

Our TV was not working so they replaced the flat screen with a new one. There is a safe, coffee maker, mugs, stocked minibar, ice bucket, tongs & glasses.

The restroom is standard, but roomy. There is a full size bath tub with standard annoying cloth shower curtain. There is a clothesline in the bathtub, but its a bit worn. There is showerwash/shampoo in a dispenser in the tub. There are toiletry amenities in the bathroom, including a personal kit with an emery board, cottonballs & Qtips. The tub walls are perfect for a bath, however they are a little HIGH, so if your knees give you issues, be careful getting in & out. If needed you can request Marica to bring you a bath tub mat so you won't slip. There is plenty of storage space in the compartments around the bathroom mirror as well as an outlet for intl voltage on the top of the mirror. There are also lots of hooks & bars to hang wet swimsuits etc. The cool thing is that RCI's bath towels now have tiny loops on the end of them that make hanging them on the door hooks so much easier & they don't fall down!!! Small idea, but BIG DEAL! I LOVE THIS!

The balcony is a bit angled, not as big as on Freedom class ships, but large enough to fit 3 chairs & a small coffee table. My parents had a lounge chair, chair & table. Because it is on the hump the balcony is shaped like a a trapezoid. It is very adequate.

The gem of this cabin is the CLOSET! You have 3 racks to hang items. The two are higher & the 3rd is low but it folds up so you can store all your luggage there. On the adjacent wall are two bookcase size ceiling to floor shelving units. About 6 shelves on each side! You can put all your stuff in the closet & still use it as a full changing room if need be. We didn't have to use any drawers!!!! There is also a rack for hanging ties & belts.

Marica will have your ice bucket filled daily, plus there are Evian bottles there if you need to dig into them on your desk/vanity. It's a lovely cabin. I would def. book it again! Actually I will be on the port side on next Feb's cruise because this one was taken!

The cabin's soft lines are quite comfortable. The comforter is full & cozy. The mattress thick & plush. Everything was cleaned to the T. My only apparent observation is the carpet is worn. By 2012, its possible that it may be replaced by then. My parents balcony was painted mid cruise because of chipped paint patches. We later found out at the Captain's Q & A corner that the ship was not originally designed to go from such cold to hot extremes & the metal expansion & contraction makes it hard for paint to adhere without bubbling. Either way, they do make every effort to keep the ship looking its best & being safe. And that's a great thing!

You will enjoy the cabin very much. I will post photos tomorrow after I download them from my camera if you like.

Enjoy your day!

Yes! The Tutti Salad bar is offered on every sea day in the main dining room across the fleet. It offers many items that are not upstairs in the Windjammer. Things like separated spinach, radicchio, romaine or iceberg lettuces, shrimp, grillled chicken, tuna & prosciutto. Also Brie, mozzarella bococcinis & Feta cheeses! Mmmm and artisan breads. Just so you know they WILL take your bowl of salad & use a pizza cutter to "chop it up" so it all blends together. Dont forget you can always get a tray & they weill be more than happy to give you the plate covers so that you may take it up to your stateroom to eat on your balcony if you like.

The Tutti Salad bar is one of my favorites!

Please have it delivered to Queens, NY!

Thanks!

Speaking of Glade plug ins. (I posted that hint!)

We just got off a 12 nighter on the Explorer. We were showing our cabin for a cabin crawl (9328 Jr. Suite on the Hump). When everyone came into our room they all went "Ahhhhh, it smells so nice in here!" just like in the glade commercials! Once I told them they all said... "What a good idea!" It was funny. Even our cabin steward complimented. Nothing fancy, not fruity or perfumey, just smells clean & fresh! It's the "Fresh Waters" scent.

Have spent the last 4 hours browsing boards & reviews. It never ceases to baffle me how people cannot be happy unless they are complaining & miserable!!?! The sense of entitlement is nauseating & courtesy has gone out the window.

It's a cruise! You lifted your luggage once, you're getting fed every 2 hours, they clean up after you, serve you & sort your garbage. You get entertainment & participate in as much or as little activities as you like & they take you to nice places!! I don't know about you but it sure beats work, meetings, cooking, cleaning practice and shoveling!!!

This lady had the best TIP I have ever read.. EVER!!!!

"For people on these boards who complain constantly about food, service, or the attention you didn't get, I highly suggest you shell out $25,000 for a cruise on Crystal Cruises where I'm sure you'll get all your nose hairs trimmed evenly and your belly rubbed nightly to ease digestion."

Reading reviews & venting

Have been spending the last 4 hours browsing boards & reviews. It never ceases to baffle me how people cannot he happy unless they are complaining & miserable!!?! The sense of entitlement is nauseating & courtesy has gone out the window.

It's a cruise. You lifted your luggage once, you're getting fed every 2 hours, they clean up after you, serve you & sort your garbage. You get entertainment & participated in as much or as little activities as you like & they take you to nice places!!

I don't know about you but it sure beats work, meetings, cooking, cleaning and shoveling!!!

This lady had the best TIP!!!!

Unfortunately no. I have not been on the Oasis or Allure maybe someone else will chime in. I know the Radiance, Jewel, Brilliance & Serenade have the outdoor seating for sure within the windjammer. As far as the others (Voyager, Freedom & Vision classes) you can always take your food from the Windjammer & eat it outside by the pool, solarium & the pool's peripheral seating. Which many people do. You won't get the view of the ships wake, but you'll see the port & starboard view.

Great post!!!!

 

P.S. We will be joining you on the Jewel in October!![/QUOte]

 

C & J -- Please come join the roll call for The Jewel, I just joined in & those folks are 140 pages in... I am very behind ( & feel so out of the loop) Looking for some travel buddies!

-Ria

Welcome Powell!!!

There will be lots of weeding, lots of personal correspondence, some touchy conversations for comments that may have been bit "hot", "touchy" or misconstrued. Sometimes sarcasm comes across rougher than intended.

The biggest perk however... is the really great info here given by great people! Take advantage CC is an amazing venue! I have made wonderful friends here! It makes cruising more fun when you have friends on board! Plus you have company at your ports, on tours, watching stuff at the beach, sharing cabs, a meal, dining table mates, etc...

This was onthe Explorer but check Chops or Potofino on your next cruise.

Dawna- you want secrets? Its vacation, we're allowed to let our minds wander a little! Great family photos!! I was on the Explorer to watch the game!

Here's a simple way you can save money...

The drink of the day usually comes in a blinking RCL cup or souvenir hurricane glass which runs about $7-8 bucks. You are always able to ask your server for the drink in a regular cup which will only be about $5 bucks or so.They will gladly fulfill the request. If you are at Labadee it might not be available because they use the sports bottles for the coco-locos.

Also... Don't buy t-shirts early in the cruise. As days pass the motherload of shirts will be laid out on tables on the ship for $10 each. Plus if you wait for the make-a-wish walk your T-shirt money will go to a better cause. You'll walk a mile (or not.) You can donate the $10 and get a t-shirt that will help fulfill a wish!

Lastly... There is a new feature called the Savory Lunch! They don't advertise it much but for $50 you get a nice lunch in a specialty restaurant along with a galley tour! Spots are limited, but you may even get the exec. Chef to give your tour. You also receive a copy of the Savor cookbook. I believe you sign up @ either specialty restaurant host desk.

And the hot tip if the day....

If someone happens to cut you in line, don't worry. And don't bother wasting your energy fighting with them. They won't run out of food by the time it's your turn!

I have HTC Droid Incredible (Verizon) and the shipmates feature works fine wnen in airplane mode

Yes, Shipmates works wonderfully! Don't forget you also have a ship diagram at the elevator banks to cheat!

Also... The carpets in the elevator banks are a hint for forward/aft/port & starboard sides if you get confused trying to remember where you are.

Meaning, if you are in:

Forward elevator banks/stairs -Port side carpet is pink / starboard is green.

Aft elevator banks/stairs - Port side carpet is Navy / starboard is pink.

I had a really good breakfast the morning I figured that out!

TIP: Don't tip (beyond the set amount) - save your money or spend it on board

I must seriously disagree with this. They work their butts off for you. I just came off the Explorer. My DM is not only blind, but cannot walk well. The My Time Dining attendant booked us a nice table close by, in a nice corner by the railing so it was easy for her to navigate with her cane. He held it for us EVERY DAY. Every evening we would find the next day's compass & the next evening's dinner menu on the bed printed IN BRAILLE. In the dining room, the waiters would "announce" they were reaching in to lay out her napkin and bring/remove her plates. At night when I would walk to the room & have water in my hands & my mom walking latched on my arm, they would run ahead of me to key into the stateroom. The tender crew could not have been more helpful either.

A great trip is not about the deal you get on board for a bottle of vodka or another $20 you blew in a slot machine. It is these little touches that make your trip more meaningful, and in our case, liberating. Besides mentioning their names in the customer survey, service like this needs to be acknowledged. It's the proper way to say thank you & job well done!