MandyMooToo

I know this isn't specific to Rci but when we've cruised with Thomson before three of our party have had really swollen feet and ankles. We're going on our first RCI cruise in August. Any tips for feet or legs swelling?

I have problems with edema and take a diuretic daily so cruising can definitely be challenging. On the ship I take my medication of course but I also drink plenty of water, use no extra salt on my food (or margaritas :)) and walk! Take the stairs, have water between adult beverages, it all helps but probably won't keep it from happening completely.

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How did you book these companies? I am afraid of booking online. I rather wait until I get there, but what if they are not available then?

Email them about what you want and then book online. They only require a deposit (which I paid through PayPal) and then you pay the your operator.

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Looking at this all day excursion on RCCL ($99pp) for our August Allure cruise. Anyone done this specific excursion through the cruise? We typically book with outside vendors but for an all day trip with snorkeling, beach time, lunch and beverages (including the adult version) $99 per person doesn't sound too bad. Any experience with this? TIA!

***I posted this on the ports of call forum also but no responses so I thought it may help to ask for experiences from RCCL cruisers specifically.

Looking at this all day excursion on RCCL ($99pp) for our August Allure cruise. Anyone done this specific excursion through the cruise? We typically book with outside vendors but for an all day trip with snorkeling, beach time, lunch and beverages (including the adult version) $99 per person doesn't sound too bad. Any experience with this? TIA!

We are going to Falmouth next summer on the Oasis and I wanted to start checking into some private tours in the area for our family of 5. I know a lot of people highly recommend some of the local companies. I would love to know which ones!!

 

Also, if you did private tours, what were some of the best places to visit? We have two kids, 11 and 6, and my mother who is in pretty decent physical shape.

We have used Peat Taylor while in Jamaica on two different occasions and loved them! He gets great reviews on Trip Advisor also and received their certificate of excellence for 2014.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147312-d780599-Reviews-Peat_Taylor_Private_Tours-Ocho_Rios_Saint_Ann_Parish_Jamaica.html

http://ochoriosjamaicatours.com/

His website says Ocho Rios but they will arrange a tour wherever you are in Jamaica. We used them in Falmouth last year and in Ocho Rios a couple of years before that. The Falmouth trip we were on Oasis and did a full day private tour for four (shopping, Dr's Cave Beach and lunch at Scotchies) for $40 per person plus the cost for food and beach of course. It was great! You can customize the trip anyway you like and get a quote or just pick a prearranged excursion.

Ive never been tempted to go on such a large ship but our Royal choice out of Barcelona is limited to Allure in 2015 so I booked. Are there any quiet decks with sunbeds?

Yes there are quiet decks (we were on Oasis last year and going on Allure this year). The Solarium was quiet and restful also, my husband and I fell asleep in one of the lounge bed things and had a nice nap :p.

I will write a full review when I get home but thought I would post a few thoughts live from the ship.

 

We flew into Miami from Vegas where we had stayed for six nights. We used Larry's Limos to pick us up and take us to the Hilton Marina for our overnight stay. Great service and reasonably priced IMO, they will also be picking us up post cruise.

 

The Hilton is absolutely fine, good location and nice friendly staff. Probably wouldn't want to spend a week there but one night is fine. Took a taxi to the port around 11 am. Very busy but check in was a dream, very well organised.

 

Thanks to a Cruise Critic suggestion we had arranged to have lunch at Giovanni's table and so after wandering the ship for a little while that's what we did - excellent suggestion and I would highly recommend it, a really nice way to start off your cruise. Food was excellent as was the wine and service.

 

We checked into our room about 2.3O and all cases were already there. I was a bit shocked by how small the room was - seemed much smaller than others I have travelled in. The wardrobe is a real pain to get stuff in and out.

 

The Allure is a beautiful ship but I would probably not sail her again as I find the ship just too big. I think it's great for families - lots of big family groups on her this week, but I will be back on the smaller ships in future.

 

The Casino is ok with the one side smoking, you can't smell the smoke on the non-smoking side. It also has a poker room but it is machines(3) not a live dealer other than for the main tournament which is played on sea days but is a bit if a crap fest! There are also nightly tournaments and cash games $100 buy in and $1-$3 no limit. I won a tourney the first night, my brother won one the 2nd night and I won $1400 playing cash! So a good start so far.

 

Apart from lunch on the first day we have eaten in the MDR which has been fine. We did ask for a large table but got a table of 4 and unfortunately had to change it. We now have a table for two. Like others have said the menu is very much limited now but have enjoyed both meals in there so far.

 

The Spa is amazing, we have already spent lots of time there :-)

 

Looking forward to St. Thomas tomorrow.

 

Any questions, please SHOUT and hope I'll be able to help.

 

Cheers

 

Pat

Thanks so much for the live review! We have been on Oasis and will be on Allure this August so I am soaking up all I can in anticipation!!

Interesting suggestion to have lunch at a specialty restaurant....DH and I have a tradition of going to WJ, so I can have paella for lunch....add to that we don't usually do specialty dining venues. For the first time, when we sail Allure on 6/29, we will go to Izumi. We love Japanese food and this will be nice.

 

Which cabin category do you have, that you are saying is so small? I don't expect you to tell us what cabin specifically you are in.

 

What specifically makes you feel the ship is too big? Is it more walking to do, or difficulty finding where things are because of its size or something else?

 

Thanks,

 

Looking forward to being on Allure

Last summer on Oasis we wondered how a larger ship would be...impersonal? Too much going on? Crowded? Not for us! We loved Oasis and all she had to offer! The staff was wonderful and attentive, there was always something to do if we chose to be active or there were quiet places to go otherwise. As for crowds we never felt crowded unless we were getting off at a port. We enjoyed Oasis so much that we booked Allure for this year. You'll have an amazing time!

It doesn"t offend me if they are at another table. If they are seated at my table I would consider it rude. That's just me; I am old school. If they don't want to converse with tablemates, then they should ask to be seated alone.

This would be the exception for me. I would never read at a table when someone else was present, it would be rude to ignore your table mate.

Being too "tech attached" drives me crazy! Oh, well...that's the age we live in!

I'm not "tech attached" necessarily but I do like to read quite a bit and carrying one iPad with several books downloaded is much easier than three physical books, paper or hardback, for example.

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I do the same...........

Me too...on the ship or on land. Often lunch is the only alone time I get so I like to read on my iPad while I enjoy said lunch.

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I've only rarely had a problem getting drink service aboard any ship in the fleet,

 

except (as already noted) . . .

 

in the MDR. The MDR has been miserable aboard every ship we have been on in the last 10 years. You would think we were trying to serve them with court papers, rather than just ordering a drink.

 

 

D

HA HA! We never had to wait for a drink anywhere other than the MDR. Of course it was the first night and I did ask for a Riesling...my fault for being so picky I guess :D After the first night it wasn't too bad though.

This was not posted to debate the racial issues concerning Paula Deen and I can confidently say that since it was my DH that posted the original post. We want to know if the overall cruise experience would be significantly affected by having a 'theme' on board. She only had 130+ people on her last cruise in February. We don't think she's gained much popularity back in 4 months. Oasis is HUGE! We are leaning toward her group not being that big a deal to us. We appreciate any valid and relevant input. Thanks to those who already responded and to those who will add their thoughts. :)

We were on Oasis last summer when a large group, (or groups?), was on board. They were having several quinceaneras that were a group booking and were loading on racks (like movie set clothing racks that were full--I was so jealous) at the beginning of the cruise. They had a "ball" scheduled and we saw many of the beautiful girls around the ship all gussied up but never were we inconvenienced by having a venue closed or overwhelmed by this group. I had no idea but travel agencies do group bookings several times a year for quinceaneras. I know you are specifically concerned about the Paula Deen group but if we hardly noticed this large group then I doubt her 130+/- will cause you any problems.

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Don't mean to offend anyone, but we're old school. We use post-it notes and actual conversation.

^^ This

I took two 17 year old boys on Oasis last year and was concerned about how we would stay in touch on board (no way am I going to pay ridiculous cell charges). I grabbed a couple packs of post-its and some pens for each cabin. We left notes on the doors so everyone had a general idea of where we would all be and met up around meal times to check in also. Worked very well for us.

There is just something to be said about having your salad tossed in the Main Dining Room.

Ha ha ha! You are sooo bad :eek::D

We went to Doctor's Cave beach in Montego Bay.

+1

We went to Doctor's Cave Beach and it was great. Nice, clean facilities/restrooms, bar with drinks and food right there (waitresses come to you on the beach if you would rather stay under your umbrella), snorkel equipment was $6pp, entrance fee was a few dollars each and the umbrella was a few dollars too. Very reasonable and because it is a private beach there were no vendors when we there. I think the 4 of us spent maybe $30 to get in and get and umbrella and snorkel equipment for the boys (which the worker said to just keep and let us parents use when they were done so we didn't have to pay again).

We booked a private tour with Peat Taylor who we've used before in Jamaica and this was our beach portion of he day. We paid $40pp for the private tour of shopping, beach time and eating at Scotchies.

Actually, you can make a reservation for a 17 year old if accompanied by a parent. My daughter was 17 at the time, and she attended the show with the rest of us. I had no issue making a reservation for her online when I made our reservations, and I did not think the comedy was too adult for her (she's seen/heard much worse on TV, movies, at school, etc)

This is correct, I made reservations for both 17 years old boys as they were allowed to attend as long as they were with us (of course they did not go as I said before). There was nothing they have not seen/heard before I'm sure but I think I still may have been uncomfortable with some of it...that is just me though ;)

Are all the comedy shows on the Oasis "adult only"? I was asking because my youngest is 14 and we like to try to do a show every evening as a family. Thanks!

I am no prude but I was glad my 17 year old and his friend decided not to go to the comedy show with us on Oasis last year (apparently there were cooler things to do than hang with us that night, who knew?!). My husband and I found it hilarious but I would have been uncomfortable with some of the jokes being told with my teen present. It does depend on which comedian is onstage as one told very "sexy" jokes and the other was just adult themed, nothing terrible. Of course that is only my humble opinion :)

Interesting, because while I have always had a letter from my kids' father, I have NEVER been asked for it. So I guess the "requirement" is actually up to the individual in charge at any given moment.

 

As an extra precaution, I always have the letter state that my BF is also authorized to take my kids out of the country, make medical decisions and sign any recreational waivers etc. If I got sick or something at the last minute, I would still want the kids to be able to go on the cruise with him, and occasionally he will take them on an excursion or activity (wave runners, for example) that I opt not to do that day. Again, neither he nor I have ever been asked to produce the letter but better safe than sorry in this case.

That is what I found to be so funny last summer when we cruised on Oasis. The worker/agent went over all my son's documents closely but barely glanced at those of the minor child we had with us that was no relation (the cruise was a graduation gift to my son and his friend). They were real concerned about us taking my son out of the country but not someone else's kid?? By the way, you are smart to include your boyfriend as we did the same with my husband...just in case.

I questioned every agent I spoke to and they said it was not necessary, my TA on the other hand said it was. I got a letter with reservation number, ship name, dates and itinerary and my ex-husband stating his consent before I even booked the trip! Yes, it's notarized and I will be bringing it even though a Royal says I don't need it.

You need this letter!!! You were right to get it. I think some of the confusion with the cruise line agents is the letter isn't required by RCCL but it is required for travel by customs/gov't.

Yes, exactly

 

Thank your father for his service from us, please!!

And your husband too of course :)

Yes, it certainly sounds like it was a matter of untrained staff. Hopefully the lady is ok. It's a shame she's not here on CC. Glad your daughter was taken care of! My husband has been a FF Captain / Paramedic for 25 years. When I told him about this, he said the exact same thing I did ... untrained first responders. Hopefully this was just a fluke!!

I was thinking the same thing! My father retired after almost 30 years as Deputy Chief of our fire department (I'm not proud at all :p) and he would have been very upset to see that a person of any size was not placed on a back board with her/his neck stabilized before being moved anywhere.

They may not ask to see all the paperwork on boarding, but we have been stuck behind people in the terminal and the Customs and Border Patrol guy went over each and every detail and questioned the children involved.

You are exactly right. It is the luck of the draw really. You may have a worker that is more thorough or a worker that barely glances...no way to know till you get there and I'd hate to miss a cruise because I didn't bring the right papers.

Taking a cruise out of Galveston with my kids. I'm remarried so our last names are different. I want to make sure I have all the correct documents so there isn't a problem at check-in at the pier. I have spoken to my travel agent and 5 different Royal Caribbean customer service reps....I've gotten 5 different answers. Anyone out there had recent experience? Thanks!!

I did this same thing last year with my son. I am divorced and remarried so I was told by RCCL (and some very helpful posters here on CC) to bring: my marriage certificate, passports for all involved, birth certificates for myself and my son and a detailed travel letter signed and notarized by my ex-husband giving his permission for our son to travel out of the country. I had to have my son's birth certificate, even though he had a passport, to show that I was listed as the mother and then my marriage certificate to show that I had in fact gotten married/name change and then I had to show my passport in my married name. They looked at every form I brought for my son to travel with me but we brought a friend of his (also 17 years old) and they did not look at one piece of paper that I brought for him! We thought it was funny that the worker was more concerned about me taking my own child out of the country than an unrelated child :rolleyes: Regardless, do a search on the forums here for a travel letter and there is a template you can use. I subscribe to the theory of having more than you think you'll need so there won't be any last second phone calls for paperwork to be faxed to the port.

Another vote here for Allure but of course take it with a grain of salt (as you should all votes/reviews) as I have never been on an NCL ship before. My husband sailed NCL previously and hated it, I had to convince (read: force) him to go on another cruise after that. It has been years so things may have changed but he will not even consider NCL. We have been on Oasis and loved it! There was so much to do that we could not get everything done that we wanted in one week so we are on Allure this summer since they are so similar. We have found that either booking way in advance and watching for price drops or booking very close to sail date gets you the best deal. That is only our observation YMMV. Good luck with whatever you decide and please come back to let us know how it went. So many people come here to ask for this type of advice but then never head back to the forums to give their 2 cents after the cruise!

Also, as for extra money/costs during the cruise, we had a bill at the end of around $100-150 I think for our cruise on Oasis last year and that was with two 17 year old boys. Actually over half that bill belonged to them. I had lunch at Giovanni's one day and we had a romantic late lunch/early dinner at Izumi which was where the rest was spent. Had we not done those things the cruise would still have been amazing and we would not have spent a dime more than the cost of the cruise. You don't have to spend more to enjoy it. We go on excursions but we book privately after doing research for safe, reputable companies so the cost is much lower. There are risks booking outside the ship of course but if you look at reviews and such you can make a good decision.