jean87510

On 2/28/2024 at 1:23 PM, At Sea At Peace said:

 

@EatonDoolittle, we've taken these kids to water parks in Orlando, while at WDW Grand Floridian; Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach repeatedly. They've been to the biggest water parks in an around Austin TX.  So, we don't book a cruise for a couple of hours at a water park at one of the ports, and we're not tripping up to Orlando (car, Brightline or air) with a hotel overnight, etc. to add a waterpark.

 

We wanted to take the kids on a cruise ship for the first time, we're 1 mile from Port Everglades right on the beach and we have them for 3 weeks from May to June.  THEY wanted to go on a cruise ship.

 

Granted, Celebrity (owned by Royal) is not the best option for kids for onboard activities, we believe Royals ships are, but they were not available here in FLL for the open dates we have and out of Miami the ICON was 3-4X.  Maybe next time.

 

So, we picked an itinerary that would have active ports for them, Cococay (the entire island, various activities (they have their own, best snorkel gear) and 'some time' at the Thrill water park), Cayman (Stingray City and more snorkeling) and to a lesser extent Bimini (still unplanned).  A 6N cruise.

 

The purpose of the cruise was not just the Thrill Waterpark at Cococay for the whole day and nothing else.  It's just a segment piece of one day.  We'll be all over the island with other activities throughout the day.  There are no longer 1/2 day passes and the Thrill park cost has grown from $79 for kids and $129 for adults to the same $189 for both kids and adults; apparently different than even Royal charges and much more than the past 9 months.

 

So, it was just a surprise to just find out now on this booking.

 

Take care, we're fine.  If the weather doesn't look good prior to the full refund date we'll just cancel if there isn't a better offer or promo in the meantime.

Shame you guys didn't leave out of Port Canaveral on the Adventure as there was a sailing that had Aruba and Curacao as well as CocoCay.  I agree the prices for the Celebrity excursions on CocoCay are insane.

We rented a car at the airport and drove around ourselves to see points of interest all over island.  We had a great inexpensive day.

4 hours ago, LobsterStalker said:

What Did he do ?

Guard the door

Doorman?

I have no idea.  He or she did not receive any extra tips from us.  I know the Tip Gods will strike me down but it was one of the few times, if not only time, we did not care to tip our room attendant.  And we had a suite!  I will give Royal the edge on the suite treatment as Carnival was terrible.  

I agree with the review.  

We did a 3 day on the Indy out of Port Canaveral, attended a work conference in Savannah then a 4 day out of Jacksonville on the Elation.  Crowds were the same although the Elation crowd was better behaved.  Food overall much better on Carnival.  Service for our room better on Indy (room attendant on Elation never once cleaned our room or gave us new towels.  We had to call housekeeping).  Entertainment was better on Elation to the point we actually for the 1st time in 30 plus cruises, sat and watched the pool area activities on the 1 sea day.  People were much friendlier and fun on Carnival.  I found some Royal people always seemed mad about something and always look miserable.  

14 hours ago, eggman131131 said:

Traveling out of Galveston on the Harmony in the near future.   Our 7 year old son often wears a skirt but does not identify as a girl.

 

(Note: If this post offends you in any way or if you're inclined to comment negatively, save yourself the trouble and please move on.  There's no room in this world for hate, especially towards a child, and you have no idea what our specific situation is).

 

We are fortunate to live in a place where it's a non-issue at school and in our community.  Given the melting pot that is a ship, we're bracing for different attitudes while aboard.

 

He's a very confident, strong-willed kid that I have no doubt will make fast friends and be running the show, but I'm wondering if anyone in a similar situation (non-binary younger child) has experiences to share with RCL Kids Club staff (positive or negative), or has experienced any kind of comments from adults, bullying by other kids, etc. Also concerned about the bathroom situation if he appears to be a girl using the boys room.  Are there family/gender neutral restrooms in the Kids Club on the Harmony?

 

Thanks in advance.

If he has no issues at home then he should have none on ship.

What does he do at school or out with the bathrooms?  Should be the same situation.  Also applies to any social situation where he is not with you like the kids club.  If he isn't bullied at school and can handle situations, I truthfully would just let it alone and enjoy your vacation.  People come on cruises that are bald from cancer, including kids, or with a missing limb.  Some people dress in clothing that may be questionable to some.  I really don't think anyone gives a crap if your son wears a dress.  If he is having a good time that's all that should matter to him and you.  

Yes.  We already discovered and love MSC YC.  

Will only do Royal again if booking is port intensive and does not include CocoCay or Nassau.  We have 4 cruises booked upcoming.  After that we will stick with either MSC YC for Europe or a smaller luxury line for French Polynesian or Caribbean.  The ICONs and the CocoCay is just not what we want.  Maybe when my kids were younger.  

11 minutes ago, mscdivina2016 said:

Currently on Seascape, was on Seashore last month. Both a YCGS cabin.

 

This is just my observation and my opinion.

Older class of ships had 80 cabins and beautiful top sail lounge, restaurant and sun deck.

New class has about 130 cabins but no additional space.

The issues have been people are needing to wait to eat dinner till a table is available. Was not as bad on Seashore.

Top sail lounge has not had enough seats available in the evening to accommodate everyone and drink service has been slower.

The private island restaurant does not have enough space either so plastic tables and chairs are all around.

 Shaded areas on the sundeck are hard to find.

 

Simply put, when you add 60% more capacity to the same space, you create your own problems.

 

Now they are shutting down the island to allow the new mega World America to be able to dock.

More YC cabins and more YC passengers.

Next there won't be enough loungers on YC island.

 

I found the reason the OC restaurant had little seating was people would not leave once there and after they ate.  We didn't eat there.  But if we did we would just have done it picnic style and brought food back to our chairs.  

I agree with the lack of shade for lounge chairs but there were plenty of chairs and a shower to cool off with at the eating areas.

On 2/24/2024 at 1:12 PM, Two Wheels Only said:

 

On how many different boards are you going to lay this trap?

 

 

 

I am really starting to wonder if cruiseline personnel post on cruise critic and other social media.  This question is asked almost everywhere, everyday.  Or is it TAs doing this to get a bigger cut?  Do these posters not do searches?  Once in a while, yes.  Almost every day?

1 hour ago, Thomo7 said:

Hi,

Wondering if anyone knows if Satellite phones are allowed on the RC cruises around Australia and New Zealand (or anywhere else really)? I have one already, I just activate it when I need it.

Hoping to avoid internet while cruising and just need to call or receive a call every now and then.  Thanks, JT

Isn't it much cheaper overall to buy wifi for one device and then use a router?  We were looking at these at one point for my husband for work but decided it was just too much.  I guess if you just activate as needed like you are, it's worth it.

We actually saw someone using one on one of our cruises while in port one morning but we were in the Caribbean.

On 2/5/2024 at 2:06 PM, dacf said:

Hello, we would like to snorkel or do a discovery dive with sea turtles but we only want to do it once in one of the ports to give us time to see and do other stuff in the other port. 

 

In Curacao, we read if we snorkel or do a dive at Playa Piskado, we'll see lots of them there.   However in Bonaire, if you go with Woodwind, we should see lots of turtles.   We do have a booking with them but we able to cancel if our plans change.   

 

So my question is: between the two places, Playa Piskado in Curacao or going with Woodwind in Bonaire, which of the two would give us a better chance of seeing and swimming with sea turtles?  Do they both have equal amounts or does one island have more than the other? 

 

Thanks for your help!  

I know it's a couple of weeks but definitely Playa Piscado.

We rented a car in Curacao and drove ourselves.  We have our own snorkeling gear so we had total freedom of doing it ourselves as opposed to the literal herds of cruise ship people.  I strongly suggest renting a car here.  

If you enjoy snorkeling, I also recommend skipping Woodwind and taking a much cheaper alternative to Klein Bonaire and do the drift snorkeling.  You will see turtles but not like Curacao.  

If you REALLY want great snorkeling spots from shore in Curacao, I have a few more gems.  You do not need excursions.  Just a rental car.  Same with Bonaire.  The best snorkeling is the drift snorkeling at Klein Bonaire.  No overpriced excursion needed.

16 hours ago, barric said:

This will be our first RCL cruise.  Vision has the Centrum for viewing entertainment, and I see only one indoor lounge.   We have access to the Suite and Diamond Lounges.  Will there be any music there, late afternoon, early evening?

No.  Unless people bring their own music with them....

14 hours ago, Two Wheels Only said:

 

^^ I'll also never understand posts that begin like this. ^^

 

If it's your final post, it's your final post.

If you wish to reply, you will reply.

There's no need to announce that you won't continue to post. 

 

 

What is expected on a ship is DIFFERENT than what is expected on land, correct? 

 

I've already posted what NCL has in the FAQ.....

 

"Additionally, there is an 20% gratuity and spa service charge added for all spa and salon services, as well as an 20% gratuity and beverage service charge added for all beverage purchases and an 20% gratuity and specialty service charge added to all specialty restaurant dining and entertainment based dining." - NCL

 

...which is not applicable to land restaurants nor land bars. 

 

If anyone wants to tip beyond that (I do), that person cannot give a wrong amount if that person gives what that person feels is appropriate. NOBODY on the forum can give that amount for someone else. Forum members can give what THEY gave as an example but that amount should not determine what amount the next person should give. 

 

 

Again, there is nothing wrong with forum members giving the amounts that THEY tip. What is wrong is the idea that the person asking should base their amount on those other forum members' answers. The person asking makes the decision no matter what forum members answer therefor the person asking already has the ability to answer their own question of "How much should I tip?" even if the question is phrased as "How much do you guys tip?"

 

 

No, people giving examples of what THEY believe is the correct tipping amount have been "around forever". 

 

 

Suggestions which are NOT given now. 

 

 

Which (again) has nothing to do with how much someone should tip their room steward. Each person can/should/will decide for themselves how much to tip their stateroom steward. No other forum members can/should/will make that decision for the person who asks. The person asking should put their big boy/girl pants on and decide entirely on their own instead of worrying about "...I hope that other forum members think that my amount is ok....."

Bingo

1 hour ago, California Traveler said:

Does RLC have aqua fittness classes onboard? 

Not regularly.  I think I have seen it 1x.

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I think RCI has done a great job marketing themselves, especially with Icon. I live in Florida and you can’t turn on the TV without seeing a commercial for Icon. Having said that, I don’t understand why people are paying so much to cruise on Icon. I was on the second Icon cruise and while I enjoyed the cruise, the ship definitely wasn’t built for people who like quiet areas like the Solarium on other RCI ships. The majority of cruises I have been on the last two years (RCI and Celebrity) have been casino comps. As long as the offers keep coming, I will continue to stick with RCI and Celebrity. But if it gets to the point where I have to start paying for most of my cruises, and assuming the prices remain at current levels, I will definitely branch out to other cruise lines. Right now a lot of people are paying more to cruise on Icon than on a luxury cruise line, which makes no sense to me. 

I too don't understand the Icon draw especially with the pricing.  If I may add, I don't understand CocoCay draw either.  We visited Ocean Cay which is MSC Island.  Complete difference.  Quiet, lots of places to stretch out, YC has their own area (which CocoCay does not for the suite guests).  We ended up walking all over.  There's even a place for the spa to give massages.  Much more water activites available of course for a fee but still there.

7 hours ago, schooner_Drinker said:

I will sail BELLA if you do - Deal 

Sorry, must have misunderstood.  It didn't read as you liked it.

On 2/10/2024 at 5:29 PM, SSBrickNJ said:

I struggled to get the very specific filters that I presented here. I am confident that with patience there will be people here that will drop me some links and suggestions. 

So basically you want people on here to do the work for you.  If you venmo me, I will gladly help.  Otherwise, sorry, I don't want to waste my time planning your vacation.  If this comes off a bit harsh, so be it.  This information is on the website and I see no need for me personally as well as others cutting and pasting info on here so you can just peruse at your leisure.

3 hours ago, yogimax said:

Those are the dates I'm considering as well.  I see the status match requires an RCCL membership card.  Would our last Sea Pass Card be accepted?  

 

Can I assume the status match does not include the five free drinks or two days of free internet?

no.

BUT (yes pushing YC again) if you do YC, drinks and wifi included and the refrigerator is stocked for you plus they put daily bottles of wine in cabin.  We had 7 or 8 bottles our butler wrapped for us that we put in our suitcase (we aren't big drinkers).  

Edited to add - and free room service...

2 hours ago, schooner_Drinker said:

First time we sailed in YC, we never met our butler until day 6 😳

 

Really didn’t matter as our room attendant was excellent and took care of the only two things we ever request 

Extra hangers and a few extra pillows.

 

We don’t need them unpacking or folding our smalls 🤣

 

Nancy 🍹

You didn't use them to skip lines? You should have just saved money and did Bella if all you wanted was hangers and pillows.  You can get them there.

3 minutes ago, yogimax said:

Thanks for the great advice.  Somehow, I can't see myself with a butler.  Probably the result of my background, growing up in a relatively poor family in NYC.  I'd have to really think that one over.🙂

Trust me, you'll love it.  They can read you well.  We aren't the type who have our butlers wipe our behinds and throw palm branches down when you walk.  They are there when needed.  It was amazing service for the price.

38 minutes ago, Boaterman50 said:

We are wondering if RC Vision of the Seas will bring your luggage to the cabin,

Yes.  

If you don't have it right away, give it an hour or so.  Then just check by the elevators.  The vision is a tiny ship so you won't have to walk far.  

If you are tech savvy, use an airtag.

2 hours ago, yogimax said:

Royal's outrageous prices have led me to consider trying MSC.   Prices are a lot more reasonable and sailing from Brooklyn is certainly more appealing to us than Bayonne.  In addition, friends have highly recommended MSC for their entertainment and food.

 

I know MSC has a status match with RCCL.  What exactly would it mean for a D+?  

 

Any other helpful hints or suggestions for booking with MSC would be greatly appreciated.

I recently did a review on my December 28, 2023 MSC Divina YC sailing.  I am D+ on RCCL and Diamond (the old black - aka highest level) on MSC.  My husband ended up Gold.  I don't know why I'm higher.  

My strong suggestion is to DO THE YC.  But first do the status match.  THEN book.  Reason is you will get an extra 5 or 10% off which comes with gold status.  

We loved the YC so much we are just going to finish up the 4 cruises we have with Royal, the one with Celebrity plus 1 with NCL next month and are going to either sail on Windstar, Paul Gaughan or MSC YC if on the east coast or Europe moving forward.  This is coming from 2 people who weren't sure they wanted a butler, don't drink a lot, don't like lying about pools all day, hate dressing up, ate in WJ almost everyday and used a cruise just for the ports.  YC and the service really changed our views.  And we have been in suites the last few times on Royal.  The staff was so exceptionally nice and friendly everyday, everywhere.  My favorite was how they knew I snuck in the gym off hours around 530sm but told gym attendant I was YC and to let me (i found this out the last day).  And the bartender would have my coffee ready for me and a coke zero for my husband.  When I left I was so sad because I had probably the best cruise.  It was completely night and day from my suite experiences on Royal where the staff tend to cater to the pinnacles.  My husband is a quiet guy who does his own thing and the staff actually got him to talk and share pictures and stories of our snorkeling excursions.  On royal, we never had anyone really bother with us which was ok at the time, but you really notice the difference when you sail YC.

On 1/29/2024 at 9:10 PM, diane.in.ny said:

I don't know if anyone can help but thought I'd try.

We will have a car so it doesn't need to be close to San Juan. 

Would like a place with a nice beach that provides umbrellas and chairs. 

On site restaurant for breakfast.  For other meals would be nice but not necessary since we'll have a car.

Can anyone help?

If you really want to get away, try booking airbnb, vrbo or bed and breakfast in either Vieques or Culebra.  Warning, these are rustic areas and you do need a rental car BUT both amazing unspoiled islands with fantastic snorkeling.  We take puddle jumpers out of either Ceiba or San Juan.  

On 2/17/2024 at 7:44 PM, Rock1t said:

I have no advice to offer because I am looking at a cruise to Progreso in 2025 on Brilliance of the Seas but it looks like the Cenote is at or near the Chichen Itza site.

 

May I ask if you decided on one tour or the other and why? I am looking at booking this cruise specifically for the Progreso stop to visit Chichen Itza. 

We were looking at probably the same excursion as you for our 12/28/24 Brilliance cruise.  We did decide to use an outside vendor and do Uxmal plus a cenote because of the crowds.  We have never made it to Chichen Itza and we will probably try again on a different cruise to Progreso as our port time (7-3) was too short of a window for an outside vendor plus we are going in between Christmas and NY which may be a busy time.  If you do decide to do the cenote plus Chichen Itza, can you let us know how it was?

On 1/7/2024 at 12:19 PM, Vitamin Sea Addict said:

We've always done MB for beach time when visiting but now that kids are older and can swim/snorkel more independently, we're open to trying a new beach to taxi to/from. Loungers/umbrellas would be nice. We're in port from 7-4, along with 4 other ships. I know March is a very busy month too so I'm overwhelmed at looking at all the choices and making the "right" one. But, I don't want to default back to MB just because of this lol. It appears that a lot of private tours/excursions are already booked for our day too. We've got St. Martaan the day before (still undecided on activity there) but still think a beach day is our St. T plans.

Thanks!

Try Secret harbor.  Much better snorkeling.  Or if in Crown Bay, take ferry to water island.  

21 minutes ago, Bigdrinks said:

I wonder if any children who prefer Celebrity over Royal Caribbean have ever asked their parents to take them to DisneyWorld? 🤔

Since my kids are 21 through 33, they don't seem to be interested once they saw how much they would have to pay...😉