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On 12/21/2023 at 8:21 AM, Numer3 said:

What have you found works for you while cruising? I know people really like the patch. I don’t. I have used the pressure point stretchy bracelets. They are easy and I think helps somewhat.

 

Bonine non drowsy…even 1/4th of a tablet knocks me out if I take it during the day. But on past cruises I’ve taken that amount each night. 

 

Just looking to hear others experiences…our cruise is Sunday out of Galveston on Harmony. 

Thanks!

I use generic meclizine, non drowsy.  I take 1/2 tablet when I fly the day before (helps with air sickness, too), then 1/2 tab at bedtime, then another 1/2 tab sometime the first day of the cruise.  This puts 1.5 doses into my system before the ship starts getting any motion.  Also, 1/2 tab of the non-drowsy doesn't make me sleepy.

I've known people that do this a week in advance of a cruise. Once the medication is in your system in PREVENTATIVE doses, you should be OK.  It's when you take the med REACTIVELY that it's already too late.

I also get the dissolving meclizine, so it dissolves before you even swallow it. 

I have used the UDP for lunch in a specialty restaurant, and then dinner in another restaurant in the same day. The a la carte restaurants are where the UDP is limited, where you are given an "allowance" toward the food.

On 12/21/2023 at 8:20 AM, Cigar King said:

Perhaps this does not happen all the time.  I haven't seen it and I usually don't gamble more than my free play and perhaps another 20.  I took out more than a grand in OBC last time, so if they do require a percentage it's tiny.

Glad to hear this.  I imagine they might have realized there were a LOT of passengers avoiding the casino early in the cruise after cashing out obc, and then being locked out of getting points for 24 hours.

I sometimes have this mental image of RCCL decisionmakers walking through a yard they had just raked for leaves, and stepping on the rake, banging themselves in the head.  Like a knock on the head clears their thinking, and it's all: "what was I THINKING?????"

On 12/21/2023 at 5:31 AM, Tlbecker1 said:

I agree with you 100%.  We also fly from the West Coast for all of our cruises and we usually fly Alaska and 2nd choice is SW.  As long as you book early, there are deals to be had.

I forgot to mention that I also constantly check my pricing on both airlines AFTER I've booked.  I have stretched my "air dollars" considerably over the last year by getting credits.

9 minutes ago, teddie said:

It will be done! 
 

teddie

COOL.................

The protocol is whatever you think is necessary for you.  I got off the Freedom on 9/30 and tested positive for COVID 1-2 days later.  I was sick and quarantining for 10 days total.

So, when I got back on the Liberty, Anthem, and Navigator from mid-November to mid-December, I decided to go back to wearing masks everywhere, ESPECIALLY in elevators.  I have different colored masks I wear to match my clothes, and I downsize an N-95 mask to fit inside my regular masks.  (Actually, this was my cruise companion's "request", since she thought I was an idiot for wearing a non N-95 mask if I was concerned.  She was right. I then combined my more attractive masks and the N-95.)

Do what you gotta do.  I did notice on all of these cruises that people were definitely hacking the last few days.  I happens when thousands of people are confined to one place for days on end.  Just part and parcel of crowds.  'Tis the season.................................

9 hours ago, screenname2004 said:

If OBS is not refundable, how do you cash it out at the casino?

 

I prefer to cash out obc WITHOUT registering my seapass card in the machine. If your card is registered, they put a hold on it if you don't gamble at least a percentage of the transfer. They will know which account to charge the transfer to with your PIN.

Press "Account", then "Personal Banker". Enter PIN. Press "Transfer", then "Room Charge". Enter the amount of your obc.  When it registers on the machine, cash it out and go to the Cashier for the money.

The amount is charged to your shipboard account, and offset by the obc, therefore zero-ing out the obc.

This works for non-refundable and refundable obc, since it's considered a charge to your onboard account.

Two things:

Look to see after 1/1/24 if they allow advance booking for specialty dining with the UDP.  I read another thread recently that RCCL announced this was going to be available.

You can book the lunch (look for Jamie's under specialty lunch in your Cruise Planner) for everyone if you have their reservation number. Then, when you get on board get refunded for the payment when you show all of you have the UDP.  I have done this several times this past year.

11 hours ago, SbbquilterUT said:

Add to silly pricing for the cruise - flights are nearly the same price as the cruise if flying in from the West coast.

I fly from the West Coast. I use Southwest as my go-to airline, and Alaska for flights to EWR.  I've found a one way fare on Alaska from SFO to EWR that can be as low as $129, depending on the time of year I'm flying.  I got an Alaska credit card last year, and stretched those points as far as I could.  

I'm flying SFO-EWR the first week of January, and used some Alaska points for a hotel near SFO so I can grab the earliest (and lowest cost) fare to EWR, arriving around 2:30pm.

I also have a Chase Sapphire credit card that I can transfer points to Southwest.  I use it for everything, and get double points for travel.  So, I will pay for a cruise, and then transfer the double points to pay for airfare at some point.

I have found over the last 2 years, since January 2022, I have paid a lot less using these two airlines. 

On 12/19/2023 at 3:55 PM, cruisegirl1 said:

If there are high numbers of pinnacles on board, and one does not fall into the top, 30 (regardless if they take suite pinnacles in the count) then access is restricted. 

 

I’ve recently had access, but many others have not.
Doesn’t really matter to me, lounge access is one of the least important benefits to me. I know it is important to others.

m

You and I are saying the same thing. The "new" info is they have eliminated Pinnacles in Suites from the count, as being in a Suite takes priority.  So, it allows a few more Pinns into the Lounge.  

On 12/19/2023 at 3:52 PM, teddie said:

We have been on two Anthem cruises at the same time-- 2/4/2023 and 11/26/2023. One day we shall meet--I am sailing Anthem again on 3/17/24!

Teddie

Guess what!  I will be on the Anthem 3/17/24, also!  Name the place and time!  You will recognize me:  I look exactly like my avatar.

I don't recommend solo cabins.  They are skimpy in size and storage. 

I cruise solo and usually book a Virtual Balcony, or a Promenade View, to get extra light in the room.  I had a VB on the Anthem from 11/26 to 12/3/23, and loved it!  My cruise friend came in and said it was only a little smaller than her obstructed balcony cabin, and the second closet was narrower.

My experience with Concierges that have episodes of flagrant rule-breaking, is they avoid direct confrontation.  They will usually call or talk to the offender in private to explain what is and is not allowed.  

I've experienced this personally when there was a problem one night with a man bringing his VERY vocal baby and his 3 year old son in with him.  The toddler was running up and down the window sills all across the width of the lounge, and the baby never stopped yelling.

I had to talk to two Concierges before the first one "got it", and the man was quietly told the next evening that he would have to leave if his children became disruptive again.

On the other hand, I usually don't say anything if the children are there for food, and are gone by 6-6:30.  The Navigator last week was like this.  A mad daycare atmosphere from 5-6, and then quiet until 8pm.  The whole ship had a LARGE number of children, as it was a weekend cruise.

38 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Don't feel too bad.  Pinnacles are often kicked out of the concierge lounge as well so not an option for Pinnacles not staying  in a full suite either.   

M  

Actually, this has changed within the last 30-45 days.  When accounting for the number of people allowed in the Suite Lounge on ships with a Coastal Kitchen, those Pinnacles staying in a suite are eliminated from the "Pinnacle" count.  I was on the Liberty, the Anthem, and the Navigator over the last month, and was in the Suite Lounge every night on all 3 ships, and ate in the Coastal kitchen on the Anthem. I'm Pinnacle and I don't book suites.

7 minutes ago, meadowlander said:

I asked a server in WJ last week about this, his response would indicate it is not being done.

Ask the podium manager as you go into the dining room.  

Between early Jan 2024 until March 2025, I'm on the Odyssey, Freedom, Radiance, Anthem, Vision, and Grand Princess for an average of $90/night (factoring out my solo supplement I pay). Virtual Balcony, partially obstructed Ocean View, and Balcony cabins.

I suggest everyone start going on the hunt for a travel agent with group rates.

For instance:  I tried to book with NextCruise on the Liberty last month.  Texted my travel agent who got me the same $100 obc, and a $750 lower rate for a higher category cabin.

The prices don't have to be really high; the travel agent has to be really good with group rates.

I agree that direct booking with RCCL is not the way to get a lower price.

On 12/13/2023 at 4:27 PM, time4u2go said:

How do you know all of this?  I'm not doubting you...it just seems like very specific information so I was wondering where it comes from.

Way back in the way back a MTD manager explained the whole system to me when they first started MTD.

48 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

How do they know where I eat? I don't swipe my seapass when I go into the Windjammer, Sorrento's, Solarium Cafe, Park Cafe, etc. For that matter,  how do they know if I'm in the MDR? Does the server take attendance?

When you are in the MDR at a specific table, your presence is noted.  If you are not recorded in a specific place that can "claim" that portion of that day's gratuities, then it goes to the pooled "Dining Services", and it distributed throughout the no-charge eating venues.

5 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

I’m a bit confused. I thought the dining portion of the gratuity is distributed equally to everyone who works in dining, whether they are in the MDR, WJ, Sorrentos, etc.

 

For example, If don’t eat in the MDR, where would our portion of the days tip be diverted if I eat in the WJ, Sorrentos, Park Cafe, or just nibbles in the Diamond lounge. They would have no idea who would get it.

 

I’ve pre booked meals in specialty dining and the 18% is already added, so why would my portion from MDR be distributed there, when they’ve already received the 18%?

 

And if many people never go to MDR, then the servers there get no gratuity ever?

 

I saw a crew member working in the WJ, Cafe 270, and Giovanni’s as a server on Odyssey. She was all over the place. So did she get extra tips because she was working in so many different places.

 

sorry I’m so confused, maybe I didn’t understand your post.

 

 

Whenever your room number is recorded, or you are assigned a table, those servers get their portion of your dining gratuities.

When you are out and about, and no specific restaurant records you as dining with them, your dining gratuities goes to "Dining Services".

On 12/5/2023 at 12:15 PM, budmeister said:

 I did not mean to start this kind of a breakdown thread. I meant more about dining positions, as I rarely eat  in the dining room. I am curious, but I do not need to know. I am glad that all tips go to crew and that they are not jipped because of bad or no surveys. I don't know how tips are distributed by position anywhere I tip at home either. 

It's my understanding that if you do not eat in the main dining room, then the "dining related" portion of your gratuities are distributed to the "dining services" category.  This is all the other eating venues that do not record your cabin number when you go in. 

Every time your cabin number is entered into the system, the portion of your grats that would have gone to the staff in the MDR, now are diverted to the restaurant where you are recorded as eating that meal.  The tips are pooled for the staff in that restaurant.

20 hours ago, Zach1213 said:

 

Oh I believe you that the $139 fare from Newark to West Coast is real (I fly Alaska a lot, they can have some crazy low fares), and the $298 EWR-SEA one way in July is real (assuming EWR-SEA what was $298 one way and not GSP-EWR, I guess perhaps I am confused), but assuming it's EWR-SEA, that's still almost $500 roundtrip not counting the flights to get to Newark in the first place. 

 

And the checked bag prices I quoted are to get up to Newark from Greenville, not to get from Newark to Seattle. Having free bags on Alaska is great, but it won't do anything to help you get free bags on the United flight to get to EWR. 

 

Regarding EWR-West Coast, United operates tons of flights as EWR is a major hub for them. Then, of course, there's the countless JFK-west coast flights if one wants to make the trek to JFK, or lives in between EWR and JFK. 

Thanks for clarifying............

Yeah!!  Quantum from San Pedro or SD.............I'm soooooo there!!

14 hours ago, lovelife said:

Have not seen this posted so....On Symphony now and just received this in my cabin. The price has increased to $29.

OH, HALLELUJAH!!!  I'm taping a printout of this to my suitcases for my FLL trips next year.  Thank you very much.

The time for a quieter swim in the main pool is early in the morning, and around 4-6pm when everyone is going to dinner.