Truluv

I will probably do $5/bag -- maybe more depending on the service. My suitcase is HEAVY.

Thanks. This is the info I needed!

Haven't cruised for a few years, and it's definitely time to update my info. (The last guidance I found in the general questions was from 2016.) Can someone let me know the going rate per bag for the porters at the Bayonne port?

Haven't cruised for a few years too, and will be cruising out of Bayonne soon. Time to update my information!!! Can someone let me know the current going rate per bag for the porters when dropping off a bag?

Thank you for such quick answers!

Hoping someone can help me with Oasis JS questions. My last cruise was a few years ago (pre-pandemic) and I see there are a lot of changes. Do the JS cabins still have a hairdryer? And is it possible for a JS passenger to make Coastal Kitchen dinner reservations that include guests who aren't in suites? I'll be cruising this time with kids & their spouses, who are going to be in ocean-view balconies. Thank you!!

Mapleleafforever may not have read all of the prior posts, or she'd understand that most people don't WANT to leave scooters in the corridors. Sometimes one is rented that doesn't fit through the cabin doors, and stewards may not help to move them. I've noticed the rental companies charge a hefty 20% fee plus large deductibles for damage, so nobody lightly just leaves them outside to risk damage. It's obviously better to leave other people's property alone anyway. Despite appearances, I'm not a meek & mild little old disabled lady. I was a lawyer who traveled around the world & worked on high-profile billion+ dollar matters (and even sued someone for nonpayment who became a famous politician...yes, my client DID get paid LOL). Messing with my property isn't a good idea. I bet other disabled people who are forced to use scooters or assistive devices may also surprise disrespectful people, especially if their property ends up being damaged. It's not a good idea, aside from just being rude.

What a great idea!! Thank you!

BecciBoo & SilkySal: Thank you so much - it's so helpful to have this information. BecciBoo -- you've nailed it exactly. I've had my head in the sand too long. I'll take a look at electric wheelchairs too! Hope you have a great cruise next week -- please come back & let us know how the wheelchair worked out. Crazily -- my kids & their spouses who are joining me on my cruise are all in health care (a young doctor, a board-certified cardiac pharmacist & two RNs). They all just ganged up on me to face reality. I either get a mobility aid or I could overuse the ankle & end up spending the cruise in my cabin. 😔

Does scoot-around deliver to your stateroom (and pick up from the stateroom) or are you responsible for picking it up/dropping it off somewhere else? Thank you for your quick information!

I've probably taken about 45 cruises over the last 30 years or so. I'm finally conceding that I might need a scooter for an upcoming family cruise (with two kids and their spouses/two young grandkids) this Fall on Oasis, now that I've hit 70+. I have an ankle that was broken decades ago. It was held together with pins & plates but the bones around the pins are now deteriorating & the ankle has 0 mobility. I've been avoiding ankle replacement surgery due to the lengthy recovery, but that's another story. My last cruise was pre-Covid on a smaller ship. I had a few painful days but didn't rent a scooter. I'm concerned about trying to walk all week on a much bigger ship. I've spotted a site that rents scooters for cruises. Has anyone done that, or is it better to try to rent a scooter through RCL? I see some are 3-wheel and some are 4-wheel. Any tips for a first-timer? Thank you very much for your help.

Thanks all! One daughter-in-law has only cruised Princess and is asking lots of questions about RCL (that I really can't answer anymore - my last cruise was Anthem pre-Covid).

I'm returning to cruising this Fall after a few years break. Can you tell me if Oasis has the little mini refrigerators in cabins (balcony cabins) or have they been eliminated? My last cruises were in a JS, and I'm returning to a balcony this time. Do the balcony cabins still have liquid soap/shampoo? I'm also trying to decide about drink packages. I saw on one page of the RCL amenities that the deluxe drink package includes the cup for the soda machines. However, when I signed into the RCL site and went to purchase amenities, the description of the deluxe drink package was revised & only mentions fountain soda. Does the deluxe drink package still include cup for the soda machines? Does the onboard Starbucks accept gift cards? I'll be traveling with kids & their spouses and was weighing whether to give them Starbucks gift cards to maintain their coffee addictions LOL. Thank you!

I've been on AK cruises in the Spring, Fall & summer -- each cruise a completely different experience (Celebrity, NCL & Holland, although RCL is usually my go-to cruiseline). You will have a wonderful time! I definitely agree with balcony cabins in AK, since the scenery really is incredible. I haven't seen balcony cabins specifically for solos or solo pricing and have just jumped on sales. As you compare trips, my biggest tip is to look at port time. My NCL cruise was a real bargain, but I realized the ship was in some ports for much shorter times. It worked for one excursion but didn't include time to explore a town or add a second excursion. Tip #2: You mentioned May. Choosing when to visit can be particularly important for AK (for packing too). For ex., my Celebrity cruise was early in the season. The days were incredibly long - it was amazing to have so much daylight! We saw a moose by the side of a road, a bear and more. We were told that wildlife tends to go up into the mountains during the summer. Some stores were just opening. The NCL cruise was in late Fall. Days were very short, and stores were already closing for the season. On that trip, we actually had a national geographic experience on a day with sleet and saw whales bubble net feeding. The Holland cruise was in August. We saw some of the Salmon run, with lots of fish remnants around streams from bear feedings. It was also an incredible experience. I really think that every week in Alaska has something fantastic to recommend it!!!! Tip #3: If you are traveling from the East Coast...get some sleep and choose early dining!!! Plan for the time difference!! On my first AK cruise, I think I woke up in the middle of the night and slept through part of the day until I had adjusted to the time difference. It was harder than I thought LOL. Hope this helps! You'll love Alaska!!!

Our family primarily cruises on RCL, although we've had 3 NCL cruises including on the Breakaway. Cost was slightly lower on NCL. One thing I dislike about NCL was that some events, like exercise classes, are held in the main lobby instead of in a theatre or other venue. The noise carried all through the ship. On an Alaskan cruise a few years ago, the ship also felt extremely crowded esp. when weather didn't cooperate. The theatre and the shows were underwhelming. When comparison shopping, take a look at the ports you want to see. On our Alaskan cruise, NCL was in port for less time than other cruiselines. RCL is my favorite due to the wide variety of things-to-do on its larger ships. I do suggest also looking at HAL, however. I tried HAL for the first time about 3 years ago and was very pleasantly surprised. HAL felt more traditional and the ships were smaller, but everything was very comfortable. I had a great price on a suite guarantee, and loved HAL's suite lounge amenities. My Celebrity cruise felt stuffy and a little too pretentious. Finally, I've also have been on about a dozen Carnival cruises. It was great for families, and our kids loved Carnival's kids programs. Crazily, I actually liked Carnival's food the best. My tip is to try them all to figure out which cruiseline you like the best!!!

Got mine last month. My renewal took 12 weeks, almost to the day.

PhotoDennis - I was in your shoes -- my spouse's disease was also early-onset Alz. I went through the same stages. This is just a note to say that you have a lot of support too. Plus your advice was generous & really good. (Internet hug.)

My sympathy for your loss. We had cruised very frequently as a family, had 2 vow renewals on cruises (one in Alaska in a Russian Orthodox church -- the other one arranged with a cruise line after my spouse was diagnosed with a terminal degenerative disease), and my spouse's ashes were eventually buried at sea per his wishes. My spouse had raced power boats, loved boating, loved dancing and music/shows, and was very social & adventurous. He enjoyed every activity on the ships and exploring all of the ports...from helicopters to horseback riding to scuba. I did my 1st solo cruise (our kids were grown) about 3 years after he passed. It was difficult at times especially on the first solo cruise. Initially, I was very lonely. It helped to figure out exactly what I liked about cruising. In my case -- it's heaven to spend a week in a Solarium overlooking the ocean with my Kindle, or to watch the sun rise with a cup of coffee. I know that I can read anywhere and save money -- but I love the ocean. I also enjoy the casual dining options, and I don't get hung up on shipboard table arrangements or feel a need to participate in activities. On my last cruise I was very curious about a premier specialty restaurant and decided to go by myself...with my Kindle. I've found that most people are very friendly, and it's easy to have conversations though. (I haven't taken my solo cruises with NCL although they do seem to have the most solo/single fans -- I've been cruising solo with RCL.) My next cruise is with family members this Fall, and I'm actually wondering if I will miss being the peace and the freedom of being solo.

Very romantic! Yes...my husband used to order bouquets and other extras every cruise too. Wonderful memories. Thanks for the suggestion about the celebratory cake. I'm a little embarrassed to say I haven't gone in a diamond lounge since I started solo cruising. I'll have to check it out.

Even higher prices wouldn't be surprising for cruises out of the NY Metropolitan area, but maybe RCL's marketing team decided they can't make $ at this cost. Interesting info. Thanks!

I haven't cruised for a few years (Covid) but will be cruising again with RCL in the Fall. It feels like I've aged 20 years in the last 5 years since my last cruise. (Sigh). I know the standard gratuity has gone up to $16/day per person since my last cruise, while services were cut back -- for ex., to once a day cabin service. My question is whether most solo travelers use the basic daily pp rate for tips, or do solo travelers add a premium to help make up the difference for their cabin between solo/double? For purposes of my question, let's assume service is average and not exceptional. Thank you for the advice!

Toddcan: I've heard similar stories over the years - drat. Sometimes happens with prepaying for other things too. Normally I just roll with it, but I've been hoping to make my kids' experiences special. I decided to go to the pursar's office and give them cabin credits once they're onboard....while not a surprise waiting in their cabins, it will still be appreciated.

It's interesting that the bon voyage site that Magicat provided, still has a page for flowers. It's blank, but maybe it means they're coming back sometime. I'll keep an eye out. Cruisegirl: If all else fails, I'll order them the truffles! Firefly - I remember the free sail away champagne too! It was a nice start to a cruise, even if it didn't taste that great. I get a bottle occasionally from my TA, but it's not the same thing. I'll be sticking a bunch of toys in a bag for the grandkids. This will either be the beginning of a love affair with cruising for the new son-in-law (who has already bought dramamine LOL) and daughter-in-law....OR NOT. Should be interesting.

Firefly - I was cruising pre-Cruise Critic LOL. My very 1st cruise was on the Russian cruise-ship Kazakstan, which was on a cultural exchange with the United States (NYC to Bermuda) in the late 70s. We were so excited to be dressed up & have lots of confetti and streamers at the sail-away, having a porthole, rocking and rolling without stabilizers and our built-in bunks. I still have my samovar & samovar cozy from the ship's tiny gift shop. By the time I cruised on Carnival's Celebration in the 1980s, a ship with approx. 1,400 passengers (and open flames during the Baked Alaska parade in the dining room) felt enormous & luxurious! Cruising just keeps getting better and better, but it has always been fantastic IMO. Our family had very memorable cruises, including one when my spouse & I renewed our vows in a Russian church in Sitka AK -- joined by family who surprised us -- another vow renewal years later on a cruise after my spouse was diagnosed with a terminal degenerative disease, kids' 16th birthday cruises with their friends, some holiday trips and later a family cruise with a ceremony to bury my spouse's ashes at sea as he had requested. Seems like our lives are full of cruise memories. I'm looking forward to enjoying my kids' introducing their spouses and my new grandkids to cruising now.

Thank you! That site has a lot more options than the page that was linked to my reservation!