cravingthis

3 hours ago, APDMOM said:

All the elevators seem to be up and running now.  🙂

 

No, it was a different server who brought us the OJ.  Benefit of doubt... maybe he was new and just tried to convey that they had fresh squeezed juice, but it was strange.

Glad the elevators are all working, and that you were able to get the orange juice too! 

Thanks!

36 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

At the Emerald C&A level and above, you have a choice of a welcome aboard beverage.  Contact C&A to make your choice.

Thanks for explaining!

3 minutes ago, garnetpalmetto said:

 

I don't think that's the type of theme night OP is referring to.

On Symphony in late September they did an '80s party, a White Party, a Red Party, and a Silent Disco - those are the only ones that I remember. Again, those can change up from time to time though.

Oh, my bad!  I can't delete my post, but edited it, thanks!

Hi - I'm not aware of the welcome drinks?  Can someone explain?  Thanks!

4 minutes ago, jagsfan said:

Spinners have a handle on the side and one on the end. Easy to grab no matter which way the luggage was placed. 

Our luggage is older, but thank you for explaining.  May need to look at buying the spinners.  This cruise is getting pricey ...lol

Pls disregard

On 10/8/2019 at 5:22 PM, BillHana said:

Look on Amazon for "Cruise Luggage Tag Holder" and you will find lots of things much easier to use than the sticky labels. They also work for the numbered tags used for disembarkation. Send the luggage tag PDF supplied with your cruise docs to your local office supply store to have it printed in color. I use FedEx printing and its less than $2 for 4 tags. Just cut out the tag and slip into the reusable holder. No tape or staple needed.

I don't have a color printer at home either.  When you say, send the PDF to your local office supply store, do you mean email them?  I was thinking of putting the luggage doc on a flash drive..
 

On 10/8/2019 at 7:41 PM, mitz18 said:

 

We always print them but use clear packing tape to “laminate” them so they don’t tear.  Porters will hand write, but I prefer the “official” ones.

That's a great idea, I heard they stick or the ink can transfer in humid weather.

On 10/8/2019 at 9:37 PM, biomedbob said:

You can print them out in color and there is an app on the internet that will print 4 to a page.  Print as many as you think you will need (I put two on every luggage and carry on) and put them in the readily available boarding pass holders on line.

Some questions ... thanks!
 

1/ Was just curious about printing them in color.  Is it just for the look of it, vs. black/white?  

2/ You mentioned putting two luggage tabs on each suitcase?  There is only one handle, are you putting the second one somewhere else? 
3/ Is the luggage tag for your carry on, just in case it gets lost on you? 

20 hours ago, APDMOM said:

 

1) We did the cabin crawl today and the aft elevators were definitely more crowded and slow. Forward elevators are not much of a problem, except when shows let out and after muster drill. 

2) We do not have UDP, but something strange happened at Johnny Rockets this morning.  For 4 cruises on Oasis class we were always able to get free orange juice for breakfast at JR.  Yesterday was no problem either.  Today, we were told they only serve freshly squeezed juice, which is an upcharge.  We opted for water and fee coffee.  Then, they brought us the free orange juice that we had yesterday.  We saw many other tables also receiving the free orange juice.   I am not sure if there is a strong push from management to sell the freshly squeezed juice or if the waiter lied to try to sell juice for an extra gratuity.  

I read the elevators were out of service for a while now.  Just curious ... do you think it's because the ship would have to be in port for several days in order for them to fix the elevators.  If she's constantly at sea, it would be difficult to repair?

Re: OJ, that is very strange!  Was it the same server who said they only had fresh squeezed (for a fee), and then offered the free version?

3 hours ago, APDMOM said:

I will try to find out for you about the Windjammer.  We are not spending much time there, but I will see if we run into it or find it in the app.  

Thank you!!!

Thanks for sharing while on your cruise vacation!  The pictures look amazing. 

What camera or phone are you using?
Please let me know if/when there is the seafood and chocolate buffet in the WJ!

Thank you!

On 11/6/2019 at 6:56 PM, BirdTravels said:

We were not particularly impressed with the Solarium dinner food. And our waiter was pretty obnoxious about upselling,,, so much so that we decided not to take the upsell. 

Oh no, sorry to hear that.  What a disappointing experience for you ☹️

We have Solarium Bistro booked for one dinner, but it was a tight squeeze to fit it in.  Can you tell me more about the food?

On 10/31/2019 at 12:40 PM, LHT28 said:

take your suitcases  to a local car dealer & check if they fit in the models  you are looking to rent

Thanks for the suggestion

On 10/31/2019 at 2:03 PM, JohninDC said:

Unless you get pushed into something very small your cases (checked and carry on) should fit.

Thanks, we'll stick with an intermediate.

We're thinking of picking up a rental car at MCO to do some shopping, then check into our hotel, and return it next day to Port Canaveral before embarkation. 

We have two suitcases (regular size for airlines) and 2 carry ons. 

Enterprise and Alamo lists an intermediate (Elantra or similar) can hold 4 suitcases.

Budget lists a full size (Fusion or equivalent) can hold 3 suitcases.

Since we don't know which actual company we'll book with (too far out .. we still have 4 months), should we be looking at intermediate or full sized car?  I read here that we need to check rates a bit closer to our sailing date.  I called two companies, and they weren't very helpful.

We'll be shopping before checking into our hotel, so I'd prefer to keep all luggage in the trunk, and not visible.
 

Thanks!

14 minutes ago, aring75 said:

When you dine in the MDR for lunch, you go to one side if you ONLY want to do the buffet. If you want to sit down and have the waiter take your order, you will go to the a la carte side. However, I think you can still grab something from the buffet if you’d like when you sit here. 
 

Sorry I wasn’t too clear before. 😊

I remember it just like that, but we could still get up and get things from the buffet.  Thanks for clarifying, no apologies needed!  I thought perhaps things might have changed 😂

On 10/27/2019 at 1:59 PM, aring75 said:

Lunch menu for the first Sea Day:

On Symphony, MDR lunch is on Deck 3 and there are two sides. You line up in one side for the MDR buffet and the other for a la carte (ordering from the menu). There are signs directing you where to line up, but this seemed to make the process go much more smoothly than it did on Vision in June. And Vision was a much smaller ship. 

Thanks for taking the time out of your cruise to post! 

You mentioned lining up on one side for the buffet and then the other for a la carte?  The server doesn't take your order, or is this new, and the a la carte items are self serve too?

2 hours ago, Grandma Dazzles said:

I always carry bug repellent, but I don’t carry a can around with me. Love the small individual packets, similar to hand wipes.  Just tear open and use - individually wrapped and easy to put in your purse, pocket, etc.  Several brands are available. 

Thanks!

2 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

We always carry bug wipes.  Deep Woods Off has wipes in a pop up container and also individual packets, like individual wet ones.  

So convenient, thank you!

33 minutes ago, jbethel11 said:

That's how.

Thanks @jbethel11

Yes, can't split a question into 3 when it's all RC ports ... lol 

Appreciate you stepping in!

Hello!

How about Cocoa Beach (FL), San Juan, St. Maarten and CocoCay?

Thanks!

51 minutes ago, Judyrem said:

Yes, I like to cook and try new recipes, this week's efforts were not so good!🙄

 

Maybe the chef at Chops was having a bad night?

I tried a recipe for the Austrian Strietzel bread from some RCI cookbook and it turned out awful too 😥

Re: Chef/Chops - hope that was it ...

10 hours ago, Judyrem said:

I think they changed the menu, we had lots of food, in fact too much!

 

The chateaubriand was wonderful.  

 

I agree with many posters here that said on any given night, ship or venue one can have a variety of results and  different opinions! 

 

This is week I tried two new recipes and though I followed the recipes, I did not care for them at all!  C’est la vie!

Hi Judy - yes, you're absolutely right!  I saw pictures and the menu is definitely different (and of course it would be after so many years ...lol).  The serving sizes are more substantial!  

You mentioned you tried two recipes, did you mean at home?

1 hour ago, Judyrem said:

We scheduled Chops twice and were so disappointed in the first experience we cancelled and went Park 150 twice instead.

We had three specialty dinners.

 

Don't order the Grand seafood tower it was a hideous soggy mess.  They removed it from our bill, but ugh!😝

How did you like Central Park 150? We went there on our first cruise and the service and experience were fantastic.  The menu was completely different back then, and we actually left very hungry.  The portions were very tiny, like a two bite sampling menu, and it was nothing like it is now.  Glad to hear they removed the seafood tower from your bill!

1 hour ago, SoBaycruiser said:

My interest piqued also as we have a 12:30 flight to Los Angeles.  We opted for the 8:15 shuttle.  We haven’t cruised DCL before, but other cruise ships said we had to be out of our room by 8am anyway.  There are 7 of us, including small children.  It just seemed easier to get up and go.  I’ve heard customs doesn’t take long if you have a passport.

Oh wow, I've never heard of that before. 

2 hours ago, mickeygirl78 said:

Yes they did tell us the limit, what I meant was I didn’t push it or question it since I only wanted two anyway. Sorry for any confusion.

Oh no apologies necessary, thanks for clarifying!  Love, love, love your review!  

1 hour ago, mickeygirl78 said:

We didn’t ask about the appetizer limit. It was per person and none of us had more then two picked out. I got lobster bisque and the crab cake and that was plenty. It did not take long at all for the new steaks, they expedited them. 

Oh, I read in your previous post this:  At dinner we were told only two appetizers - one from the soup/salad section and one from the other section and only one main course.

Perhaps I misunderstood it.

1 hour ago, mickeygirl78 said:

I didn’t have the ribeye but the two in my group who did loved it. My dad said it was extremely tender and cooked perfect (med rare). 
 

I do feel each server makes up their own rules with the plan. Nothing is consistent so experiences vary...

The ribeye does look good, it's my favorite cut.  Thanks!

2 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

I should have read the manual but I did not and it was fairly easy to touch a icon and see what it is. It's great for editing pictures too. Example right after I took a picture I noticed my thumb was in the part of the frame. I went straight to edit and cropped out my thumb. Also you can edit, brightness, contrast and shadows to tweak the pic. The only problem I had was in night mode. When there is low light, a little box comes onto the screen with a iris slider on the right to move up or down to open or close the iris. I found this a little difficult to do with my stubby little fingers. It wasn't sliding up or down as smooth as I would like it.

Well you did a good job Greg!  I think it should be fairly for me.  I'm actually going to the Apple store to take a look!  I have a problem with typos, and sometimes need to use a stylus!

17 hours ago, mickeygirl78 said:

Service at lunch was very slow, the waiter was very overwhelmed. 

 

Dinner service was a lot better. The two 6oz filets at dinner were overcooked. The waiter did get new ones. At dinner we were told only two appetizers - one from the soup/salad section and one from the other section and only one main course. It was plenty of food, I couldn’t imagine needing more. 

 

Thanks so much for such a detailed review with pictures!!  We loved Chops Grille from a previous cruise but I recall the service was painstakingly slow, and our server was unfortunately very rude.  It ruined the experience for us, but the food was good.  We have our hearts set on trying it again, but the reviews on service and food seem up/down!

Why were you only able to get two appetizers at dinner time?  Did it take a long time for the new steaks to be cooked?  I would imagine all your sides were cold by then.

16 hours ago, Mendels1029 said:

 We went to chops for dinner one of the nights and had a horrible experience.  Service was excruciatingly slow and when the steaks finally arrived they were well done.  We are talking little to no pink and cold.  Sent them back and they came back warmer but now completely overcooked. Manager came over and offered lunch the next day which was nice but we had the unlimited plan so it really wasn't much help. When we went back for lunch on the last sea day the food was better but service was still bad. 

Ugh, so sorry to hear of your bad experience at Chops.  I wonder why it's so up/down?  Different servers, understaffed?   

16 hours ago, Mendels1029 said:

Yes always good to try the MDR from time to time.  My 9 oz. Filet was ordered med rare and was medium well to well done. My wife's ribeye was well done and should have been medium.  My FIL had a ribeye that was medium well to well done and my MIL had the 6 oz filet that was actually under done but ice cold. Our server was not very personable and just plain slow.  

Wow, it just got worse for you.  I'm seriously re-thinking Chops.  Your server sounds like the one we had back in the day.  The funny thing is the server at the very next table was so friendly and outgoing, I looked at my hubby and said, "I want him!"