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If you all go together the first night, you and your spouse can each use your BOGO coupons to pay for the other couple. On Day 2, you'll have to pay full price for both. Have you checked the Unlimited Dining Package, or the 3-night dining package. Might save you some more $$.

It's usually done through the app, and it's a short series of questions about fever, coughing, COVID symptoms, being pregnant. No big deal.

Yes, if it's really important to have lunch in whatever specialty restaurant is open on embarkation day, I recommend booking it online in the cruise planner, paying for it, then they will refund the card when everyone shows up with the UDP. I've done this before, and I'm doing it again next month.

Good on you! It's odd that passengers seem to sometimes think the crew are immune to seasickness!

I'm not trying to argue with you, but explain to you: I asked her if she wanted it. I asked her if she was tolerating the Dramamine OK. I offered to get it for her because I was going to the drugstore in port. I fail to see the difference between me or a co-worker getting it for her. She had NEVER experienced seasickness before: she was new to the ship, and had never sailed up the Atlantic Coast before. The medication was well over $20, and I knew she would not get time off to get it (I asked her that, also), nor spend the money for it. I had her permission to get it for her ahead of time. She thanked me profusely the next 2 days, because she could work, not feel sick, and knew when they kept repeating the itinerary, she would be OK to do her job. I think I've covered all my testimony now, so I'll be done with this topic.

The evening appetizers on most ships are a good variety. About 4 hot/warm offerings: chicken, beef skewers, tempura, wings, mini-quiches. Plus, fruit, nuts, cheese, chocolate covered strawberries, and other mini desserts.

I did not pay attention to the comparison between the MDR and the WJ, but found the WJ to be very iffy on several ships this past Feb, March and April. The Anthem was fantastic!! Many different food stations, great quality, lots of interesting salads and appetizers. The Grandeur: I had a hard time getting a decent dinner in either the MDR or the WJ. I have posted about this cruise before. The Vision was disappointing in the WJ. They had cut the offerings so drastically that only the smaller side buffets as you enter on either side, were plentiful. The mid, round buffet stations were soup, desserts, and EMPTY. I posted about this previously, also. On the Vision I was able to get the UDP with my sister for a very good price, so my WJ experience was lunch only. I have since heard and read that training new dining staff had a lot to do with the diminished offerings, as well as the published menu changes. Supposedly things have improved. Here's hoping.

A. Meclizine is the same ingredient as the Dramamine the ship was giving her, only the slightly more expensive non-drowsy formula. It is also OVER THE COUNTER, not prescription. B. She was not able to get off the ship to buy it herself, and I bought it for her. C. I am not an idiot.

(I wish this board had a cynical font; it would help lessen the blow) I say give the crew member the $25 AND the $5 in candy! I have actually befriended many crew members over my years with RCCL. I have been told many times that having a genuinely friendly conversation helps them a lot, since they are separated from their families for so long. One cabin steward told me she and the Loyalty Ambassador onboard are friends back home, too, and when they have their breaks between contracts, they take care of each other's children if the other one is still on a ship. That really helps them both get by. That particular cabin steward was having a VERY hard time with seasickness up the Atlantic US Coast. I got her a 250 pill bottle of nondrowsy meclizine, because the itinerary was repeated every week. The ship gave her Dramamine and she could barely keep her eyes open. One cabin steward was going home to see his wife after the cruise, and when I found out the hardback book I was reading was her favorite author, I gave it to him with a bottle of champagne (free to me). It's not always about money: it's about human caring, kindness, and chemistry. They take care of me; I take care of them (besides tips).

CFEO.....Chocolate For EveryOne!!!

😇

Wasn't looking for another thank you. Seeing your head buried in the bag when I gave it to you was a huge thank you! (Pssst....I may go back to Kauai next year....stay tuned)

Well, I guess paying off all my cruises in advance didn't work in my favor for the Bahamas, huh? 😉

That would be her daily sugar coma break? Good on her!!

Belgium chocolate is soooooo good.

Another opportunity to build my ignore list. And....I see that two of my other ignore favs reacted to your post. It's like a tiny club.

I went on a "chocolate farm" tour in Kauai in 2021. They gave us samples to eat from 24 different countries so we could taste the difference. Truly educational (hint: it's the soil). Anyway, yes, US chocolate is not made the same, but most people just taste the chocolate flavor. Kind of wine connoisseur vs just somebody that wants a good tasting wine to drink. But, if I was working somewhere I had little access to chocolate, ANY chocolate would taste great to me! IMO, Ghirardelli chocolate is one of the best US made chocolates, but I'm a local and prejudiced. Godiva is next IMO. If you want THE best, order online some from Lydgate Chocolate Farms in Kauai. Also, if Coralc is anywhere on this board, she can tell you what she thinks, too. I brought her a bag of it home with me.

I say give them both so they don't have to spend the tip to buy the candy. Win-win.

I agree. Add the candy to the cash tip. Make it chocolate: like get a bag of the pre-wrapped Godiva chocolate/caramel balls. Little bits of heaven.

Not your question, OP, but flying into Long Beach (LGB) on Southwest is soooooo much nicer than LAX. Small airport, but a great sitting area outside between the terminals. 20 minute drive to San Pedro dock. I Uber to a Long Beach hotel, and then Uber to the dock in the morning.

Excellent suggestion. Also, RCCL will transfer you to the new ship's dock at no charge. In FL, they will transfer you to/from POM and PE.

Speaking of which, I just reserved the UDP on the Grandeur for this September. On sale right now.

It's worth the extra expense, IMO. Depends on the ship and whether I'm with others.

I gave up on MTD last year on the Grandeur. I sailed as a "bridge" cruise between cruising with friends before and after the Grandeur. I went to the MTD entrance early, saw about 250 people waiting in line, and said, "Nope, not for me" in my head. Immediately went to fixed dining, asked to be switched, and have stayed with fixed dining, the WJ, or CK, ever since. This is after some very difficult experiences since 2019 getting tables, overcrowding, and SUPER noisy dining rooms. About 10 different ships, with and without family and friends, over 4 years now. I watch the UDP prices carefully if I'm cruising by myself.

Aware of this. I have no clue about Astoria, except it's beautiful countryside.