danv3

Considering I've already paid for my meals, I'll be darned if I'm going to pay on top of that! MDR/complimentary venues for me!

I'll only buy a soda package on ships with a Coke Freestyle machine. That's where I see value for my money.

 

Otherwise, nope.

I think on our Southbound last summer it was at about 7:30/7:45pm.

Intrigued by the Havana rooms. I'd consider it.

I sent the email and this is the reply I got back:

 

"Since you are confirmed on my time dining we are not able to confirm a table size prior to sailing. Please see hostess once onboard and she will accommodate you."

 

That's new. I just made such a request (table for two in MTD) by email for a cruise two weeks ago and was accommodated. I got confirmation back from someone on the ship.

Sounds like a great compromise to me, but the same people who don't want dress up for two nights won't do it for one. Also I wouldn't expect the cruise line to enforce this rule either (frankly I can't blame relatively low-paid waiters or other crew members who depend on tips for not wanting to confront passengers over attire).

My guess, you will be among the most dressed up people in the room if you're in early dinner.

[quote name='mcatmcat']In other words, we want to attract new cruise costumes. I'm so glad to like royal but not really loyal to them[/QUOTE]

Disney (theme parks, not cruise line) works the same way. Focus on new customers who are willing to spend extra for a once in a lifetime vacation with no concept of how current quality and service levels compare to the past, while actively taking steps to alienate long time customers.

[quote name='richstowe']My principal worry is that this is designed only as a cash grab where there will be less and less included dining and more and more supplemental fee food options . I believe this is $ driven and realize that's a "well duh" comment .[/QUOTE]

I've thought all along the whole point is to increase sales in the specialty restaurants.

Just remembered about the video playing when I entered my stateroom on Oasis and again in the MDR during Muster Drill about washing your hands. There was a song, "Wash Your Hands...", and showed a cartoon about washing hands under running water with soap.

 

 

Saw that on Brilliance last week. It was certainly "interesting." LOL.

It seems to me like there are more tables for two in the My Time Dining section than in the "regular" section.

 

One thing to note is that although you may get a two top, you will be so close to your neighbors that you will essentially have one or two other couples at the table with you.

Saw people hand carrying cases of water around on Brilliance on embarkation day a week ago. Honestly I thought they looked pretty silly.

There's also a Hertz stand located inside the port terminal where Brilliance docks just after customs. They can check you in and the car will be waiting in the parking lot. No need to go to the Marriott.

I picked up a rental car using Hertz after disembarking Brilliance in 2014 at Tampa. There was a representative at a stand in the terminal (after immigration and customs) who had all my details and the car was parked just outside ready for me.

 

Hope that helps. Hertz bring the cars over from the main rental office.

 

Just in case this is helpful for anyone else, this is exactly the experience I had when I got off Brilliance in April 2015. The Hertz stand is inside the terminal just after customs. No other rental car companies were located in the building.

Thanks for your review. We're sailing on Brilliance on April 6!

 

Also, congratulations on your engagement!

I got one too regarding our Alaska cruise from last July. It was intrresting to respond to questions about "ports" like the Hubbard Glacier and Inside Passage. :D

I've always thought that RCI is missing the boat so to speak by not having the Freestyle machines more widely available. I only buy a drink package when a Freestyle machine is available.

 

The supply explanation doesn't really resonate with me. Hard to see why the cartridges couldn't be stocked at non-US ports. RCI and Coke could solve that challenge.

Last Summer on Radiance, there were about four hours mid-day each day when the Solarium pool was open to families. There was a sign posted stating the hours.

RCI went way too fast in rolling out DD. It needed a good year of testing and adjustment on a single ship (for example, the third Oasis ship or one of Quantum or Anthem) before being rolled out anywhere else. They got way ahead of themselves and the solution they're proposing to fix their original mistake presents its own challenges.

I picked up a rental car using Hertz after disembarking Brilliance in 2014 at Tampa. There was a representative at a stand in the terminal (after immigration and customs) who had all my details and the car was parked just outside ready for me.

 

Hope that helps. Hertz bring the cars over from the main rental office.

 

Thanks! This is what I was hoping for! :)

Bump...Anybody?

I'm sure this has been asked, but I couldn't find it with the search function. Hertz apparently has a location right at the port (they call it "Port of Tampa"). https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/location/TPAP15

 

This is apparently separate from the Marriott Waterside location which is a few blocks away. https://www.hertz.com/rentacar/location/TPAC17

 

On the website, the "Port of Tampa" location says "There is not a vehicle rental office at this location. This vehicle may need to be coordinated for pick-up and/or drop-off" but also "Vehicles will be onsite for pickup when Cruise Ships are scheduled to arrive."

 

Anyone have any idea how this works? How do you pick up the car if there is not an office location?

Thanks for sharing your perspective. I've been considering trying out Celebrity and am interested in comparisons between X and RCI.

That seems fairly minor...not sure why the cruise terminals would be affected (at least once the fire trucks were able to get to the scene).

Four ships in port today could be part of the issue. Explorer seems to have arrived at 6:37 this morning.