BEENSAILING

Hope you feel better and that you get to enjoy your time in Fiji.

Thanks for all of the reviews.

PS - for the ice show because you are in a Grande Suite didn't they have reserved seating for you?

My apologies....My previous post was deleted because I accidentally mentioned the name of a travel agent. So I will rephrase my question.

 

My travel agent told me that I would receive some additional perks with my booking at a Private Welcome Reception onboard. Does anyone know when and where this welcome reception might take place? I would like to reserve specialty dining and entertainment when it becomes available and don't want it to conflict with the reception. I've called my travel agent and she didn't seem to know all the details, but that info will be in the cabin.

 

You all have been very helpful & knowledgeable with all my other questions. Hopefully, someone has had experience with this situation. Thank you!

If you book thru a travel agent they ARE supposed to have the answers. Does not seem very competent. And shouldn't your agent be sending you something in writing - in case something doesn't show up in your stateroom. I would find a new travel agent.

I won a cruise playing bingo on our last trip. DH & I have decided we're going to take our kids who will be 13, 11 & 7. They've never cruised. We're going to have other family going along as well. We have it narrowed down to 2.

 

-Allure going to Nassau, St Thomas & St Maarten, leaving out of ft lauderdale.

-Liberty going to Roatan, Belize & Cozumel, leaving out of Galveston.

 

We'd like to do the big ship as we've never done one, but DH & I have been to Nassau 3 times & to St Maarten. We like the itinerary for the Liberty but worry that it's not going to have enough to hold the kids interests. Any of the ports better than the other for families?

 

So which would you choose?

 

A few other questions-does the allure have more to do for the kids than the liberty? Are the kids programs better on one vs the other? Can we leave the ship & leave the kids onboard? I'm worried there won't be enough to do.

 

Thoughts?

No question. I would choose Allure - Great ship! The water show is wonderful to watch. Lots of dining options. great pools (and solarium for the adults). Flow rider. Ice Show. Zip line. The bar that goes up and down. Central Park... so many great things to experience and certainly captivate their attention.

No experience with the teen program and youth program.

Also known a dry erase boards. Think of a writing board about the size of a sheet of paper or larger. They come with magnets on the back. And a pen which you can erase the ink. (They sell these boards and pens at office supply stores an Amazon). Many people hang the boards on the outside of their doors to let family and friends know where they are. Or if someone wants to write a note to them and those people don't have a keycard for the room.

For in room I bring clip magnets (clips with magnets attached), post it notes and scotch tape.

We tried Wonderland on Quantum crossing from Bayonne to Barcelona.I enjoyed the food and the presentation! I am adventurous in my eating. How about an olive that melts in your mouth! If you need descriptions on the food items the waiters are well versed. My husband was not as delighted with the experience as I was and so when we were on the Anthem we did not go.

Of course food is a personal choice but if DH would give Wonderland a second chance, I'd go back!

BEENSAILING, I suggest not changing your US dollars to Aussie dollars on the ship. You will lose big time. Either change it before you leave the US or at a currency exchange in Sydney (avoid the airport exchanges). We were on Explorer recently and the exchange rate was about 10c differnt per dollar than what you'd get at a currency exchange, not in your favour. The pacific islands will generally take small Australian dollars or credit cards. Be aware that if you're going to Noumea it is very expensive. Enjoy your cruise.

We have been fortunate to live in (for work) Australia and vacation there - and cruise from there as well. I am referring to monetary currency accepted in Noumea, Vila and Fiji. If US dollars not accepted on those islands then we will need a few Australian dollars...we are beginning the trip from Seattle.

No you don't need to change your USD to AUD as the ship is all in USD, doesn't change when they come to Australia.

I know the ship uses USD - I was responding to the currency accepted on the south pacific islands on this cruise.

re currency - coming from the US looks like we will need to change our US dollars to Australian currency on the ship (assuming they do that... though I am sure the exchange rate will not be in our favor.)

re closets - when I pack, I pack with clothes on hangers and I have usually found then too many of the ships hangers in my closets. I usually move the life vests to under the bed. If you need more hangers I am sure your stateroom attendant or concierge can arrange for you.

re salad dressings - you are correct - not a big choice...

re dining in your suite - did someone finally give you the number to call? Have there been MDR menus in your suite each day?

I am glad to read the time changes are more prominent in cruise compass.

Have you taken advantage of going to the Concierge/Suites lounge? If you did, I hope you enjoyed...

And one more on my request of "to do..." in Maui please take note of tender schedule and if the tenders are running overnight your first night there. If not running overnight what is the latest for return in the evening on first day and what is the earliest for leaving ship for next morning?

I hope your internet experience does indeed get enhanced with the new VOOM. It is supposed to be fleet wide on May 1.

Thanks again...

We'll be on Explorer crossing - Seattle to Sydney - in October 2016 and will keep your reviews in mind for when we are ready to set up excursions.

We are on the FOS for the May 15 sailing. My husband is out of a job so we can't really afford to do excursions. We had everything booked/paid last year before the job loss, including parking, hotel, food, gas, etc. Has anyone ever just stayed on the boat and not done anything in the ports of call? Is it dead on the ship? We were thinking just hang out by the pool, work out, drink, eat, relax, etc. What was it like if anyone else has done this?

When ships are in port and you stay on it is nice and quiet! Lots of options for where to sit - sun or shade. Lots of space in the pool. Lots of options for tables in Windjammer. Lots of choices of work out machines. Based on your itinerary and ports you can always just get off the ship and walk around in a port. I hope you enjoy whatever options you choose. PS - when you get off the ship in a port you can always find somewhere for free internet.

I wonder what in dept. on the ship they worked - and for how long they had been employed by Royal.

We are on the Seattle to Sydney crossing on the Explorer in October 2016. We are in a Grande Suite. Not happy to read about lack of storage space but would love to see photos if you can post. Your Grande Suite Concierge is there to assist you and should, among other things, be advising you of time changes. We had the clock changes on Radiance around the bottom of Australia and Quantum crossing Bayonne to Barcelona an I remember they were very good about keeping passengers informed of time changes. PS - re your sausage.... just order extra. Re chicken on skewer - order extra. Re salad dressings - did you ask if there were other options?

Yes, Park Cafe in the Solarium.

My comment on Rhapsody pizza and Park Cafe - when you are super hungry and it is late night and nothing else is open... I have been on other Royal ships and the Pizza we had on Rhapsody in South America was - the worst. They kept a mini salad bar open where they put the salad together for you. They ran out of sandwiches late night and didn't replenish.

I have a related question about this. Some have reported points hitting 6 days to weeks after your cruise. What if you attain a status level during the first lef of a B2B? Can you expect your new status to be recognized on the second leg?

Call crown and anchor before you get on 1st leg of the cruise. Go to speak directly with the Crown and Anchor rep on board during first leg.

Your C & A status changes after the cruise - but be sure to go to the C & A rep on the ship after you board - perhaps there may be something he/she can offer to you during your cruise.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I'm taking a hotel shuttle (complimentary) over to Port Everglades. Who do I tip for handling my luggage, the shuttle driver (assuming he takes my luggage off) or the Port luggage handlers checking my luggage in, or both?

Both.

Hi All,

 

New to this forum section, with the Rhapsody of the Seas coming up to the North East, I heard about a 5-Day cruise to Canada/New England. Really want to surprise my parents for Christmas, since they took me on my first cruise. So to those who have sailed this ship, what are some tips, hints and fun facts about her.

 

P.S, we have sailed only on Carnival and Princess, so what is the Royal Caribbean experience like?

 

Cheers!

Smaller than what we prefer in the Royal family of ships. The friendliness and helpful attitude of the crew makes up for the smaller size of this ship. Not a lot of variety of entertainment opportunities because of ship size but for 5 days would be a nice introduction to Royal for you.

Leaving Barcelona yesterday Captain announced overnight rough seas were expected on way to Corsica. Between 4 and 5am a cabin announcement woke us up saying several cabin windows had broken and some cabins were flooded but situation was under control. This morning we found many people sleeping in Schooner Bar and Shall We Dance lounge. Captain Dimas spoke to them explaining a pressure point had been created when the bow and stern of the ship were temporarily supported between two swells with the middle of the ship momentarily out of the water. Five cabins on deck 3 had windows burst at the pressure point. Once water entered many adjacent cabins on 3 and below on 2 were also flooded. He said seven people were injured and treated but OK. Upon arrival in Corsica they'll repair the windows. Crew is working to extract water and dry things out. Had to have been very traumatizing for those affected. They've been given internet day passes to communicate and assured they'll have whatever support they need, even if the captain has to "personally shop for new shoes for all those still wearing wet shoes."

We were on the Rhapsody with Capt. Dimas in South America in March and there were weather related problems that impacted route and ports. This captain cares about his passengers, his crew and his ship. He is a great guy and will do everything he can to take care of everyone.

We used Deep Woods Off when we were at Iguazu Falls in Brazil in March. We had the pump spray bottle and the wipes. (No aerosol spray as not allowed to have aerosol in check in luggage on flights.)

Worked great - no bites.

And if you are using mosquito repellent DON'T wear cologne, aftershave... ps...careful with suntan lotions and oils. there are perfumes in those which the mosquitos like. if using suntan products, spray repellent after.

Feb and March of this year we were on Rhapsody Chile to Buenos Aires. We were told Royal will no longer be doing South American trips. Last Panama was in 2015. Will Royal ever do again? Who knows? Celebrity still does Panama and South America and you get Crown and Anchor level match status benefits.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

I would do Wonderland again. Unique experience - atmosphere and food. Fun and I enjoyed the food. We went on Quantum when we were on Bayonne to Barcelona leg of the ship's Global Odyssey. My husband did not enjoy the experience as much as I did and so when we were on the Anthem he said not interested.

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

The Quest was great fun! We were on Radiance in Australia a few years ago and our team won 1st place. We still have the "Olympics" necklace with the metal "gold" Royal anchor. It was our first Quest experience. We went in not knowing what to expect and not knowing the people we sat with. One of our teammates was definitely prepared (I think she had done The Quest previously.) I shot stills and videos of my husband and he still won't let me show to our children, age-appropriate grands and friends. When I need a good laugh, I look at the videos.

They dropped Moorea as a port stop.

on the website shows cruise to be 16 nights.

on booking confirmation shows 17 nights (crossing the dateline...)

No big announcement from Royal...this happened 2 nights ago.

April 2018 RADIANCE from Sydney to HNL and May 2018 RADIANCE HNL to Vancouver on sale.

April 2018 EXLORER Sydney to Seattle on sale.

Was hoping this April 2018 transpacific from Sydney to Seattle would become available with the Australia releases that should have been released the week of March 22nd. So far the Australia cruises only go to February 2018.

 

Does anyone have any ideas when this transpacific cruise will be released. Thanks for any insight cc may have.

We booked Radiance for the April 2018 Sydney to HNL 2 nights ago - just after it went on sale. also available is 2018 HNL to Vancouver.