island lady

We enjoy hiding them in a new place. If someone finds one...young or "young at heart" and it gives them a smile....that is joy that is free. Spread the joy! 🥰

The book is presented at check in. It is also what you need to fly international, not the cards. The books stay in our safe. For the "take your picture ID with you" on port visits....it's not our DL...it's our U.S. passport photo ID. It can be used simply as ID...and much more. They slip into our pockets along with our sea pass cards.

I sent my package to their expedited location on the 13th of this month. My check was posted through my account by the 17th. That was quick...and USPS certified tracking still as of today shows the package I sent as "in transit to next facility" ...yeah, snail mail failure as usual. 🤪 Idiots. So I am hoping to get the new passport book and card fairly soon. If not...my trip next month is 6 weeks in Maui....luckily no passport needed there. 😉

I do wish they would specify what size bottles those are. I really don't want the larger bottles. They don't fit well in the "almost cool" little ice box either. And I don't like dragging around those large bottles in port. Soooo I guess I will just take my chances, and my refillable water bottle with me again. When I knew we were going to get those dreadful cans of water sailing out of Barcelona, I poured from can into my reusable bottle. Kept the cans in the fridge until then.

I did go online last week to fill out the form...then printed it and sent it in by mail...certified with tracking (which was a waste of money, since they lost tracking on it), and paid Passport processing extra for the expedited service. Though USPS failed on their tracking, I did thankfully notice my check cashed. Now it's just a "wait and see" to find out how long it will take.

When I preorder online under "plan my cruise"....it gives me the option of 12 or 24. I am assuming the 12 is the larger bottles, the 24 is the smaller ones. Though that may have changed. I have always received the smaller bottles.

D+ that are at that half way point "un-named" tier of 340 (used to be 350) get that lunch as well. Sometimes it is combined with the Pinnie lunch, and most times is separate. Usually same menu.

I am booked in the middle of winter. Twice now in the middle of winter on a "non-carib" attempt with RCI...and twice now RCI has cancelled our cruises. No "three strikes you're out" for us with them. Rebooked for that third attempt with Viking. It is summer time in the "down under". 😉

Bucky is a proud owner of a 2004 Wrangler soft top in vintage shape. Other "Jeepers" love to leave ducks on his hood. 😉 That was the first I had heard of the duck travels, long before they started hiding them on cruise ships.

See posts #28 and #31

Enjoy your cruise Gary and Mary! Just remember what I said about Chops breakfast....or maybe they have cleaned up their act....maybe. If not...do try MDR breakfast. We always asked for two top in the back (quieter).

You are most welcome. I was actually surprised to still see the filet...AND that wonderful Chops wild mushroom soup. Plus paired with a perfectly cooked...not dried out and overcooked (rare to find that) lobster tail. Win..win..win. 🙂

But it's the cheapest by filling those mega ships up. Thus...family magnets.

I order the smaller size 17 ounce water bottles. Easier to toss into a carry back into port.

Just off Jewel B2B on the 11th. We had "surf and turf" both lobster tail and filet for lunch. Quite good. 🙂

Indeed...that is the one thing I don't like about the design of the Radiance ladies. Could be easily solved by putting in a double door system at the entrance to the casino. Why RCI does not finally stop this "smoke distribution" that funnels the smoke through the center of the ship...I am stumped.

I started preordering cases of water to be delivered ahead of time, using the OBC I always seem to collect. Has been working really well, especially for the cruises I have to fly to. 🙂

Noooo really? Say it ain't so! 😄

I hear ya. That is why we are trying to pack it in with the long desired "bucket list" trips while we still can. Good friends Gary and Mary (Cruise Wizard) are finding the same thing now...won't do the longer flights. After that, will stick to local cruises within easy driving distance. Actually the highways these days scare me more than flights. 😮 I like the train idea. 🙂

My newly booked cruises...all involve flights to elsewhere land. 😉

LOL...it's not like I will never cruise with RCI again...will simply keep it to an occasional few local cruises out of our home port. Those points don't expire! 😉

Oh gosh no....never say the "never" word. We did...and have been Pinnies for a couple of years now. 😉 Though...so ironic, now we want to do other lines. 😄

I am not much longer....and no...you can't. 😉 😄

My signature shows my booked cruises. No way to honestly first hand compare the other lines until we actually sail with them, but the lines we have booked, should be a step up from the "mass market" cruising. Have 3 week river cruise coming up as next cruise with Viking. Also have a B2B river cruise with American Queen...then later on we have 45 days with Viking doing Australia, NZ, Taz, and SP. Viking is no kids.

Very interesting information. Thanks all. 🙂 After 15 years of being "Loyal to Royal"....and even with the perks of their highest loyalty tier (Pinnacle) we have decided to explore other lines. Just too many things changing for the worst on Royal...sadly. 😞 We are excited about cruising with Viking, and assuming it is still quite a notch up. Even though there are some not so perfect experiences noted here....I think we will enjoy it with being a much better fit for us. Have the 21 night river cruise this Sept....but then we start with the ocean cruises with Orion and Venus later on.