Grandma Dazzles

We have been on cruises and seen children in the Diamond Lounge during the cocktail time. I honestly think it is at the discretion of the Diamond Concierge. Each time they were young children, appropriately dressed and well behaved. On one occasion I know the children were not "diamond" in their own right as I heard the parents ask the concierge if they could come in (she was checking ID's at the door). This was on the Allure and the Diamond cocktail party was being held in the Blaze nightclub, not the actual lounge.

I am sure you will have a wonderful holiday and sorry that so many people are so rude. It just seems to happen on these boards.

 

You might find it easier and simpler just to pre-pay your gratuities at the standard rate, or have them posted to your account daily. That way everyone gets their money - even if you only eat in the main dining room a couple of times those same people work in the Windjammer (buffet). You really do not have to tip in the Windjammer - the majority of cruisers just pay their "standard" tips, and then give a little extra if they feel they have had special attention/service.

 

By doing it this way you would not have to carry cash around - not necessary. The only people you should tip are the people that deliver room service $2 to $5 depending on how big the order. They are not included in the "standard" tips. Also your drinks have an automatic gratuity included - again no need to add extra.

 

Hope that helps and simplifies a little - above all have a great cruise.

Without trying to start more flaming - for the benefit of Manda and others - I should have added to my post that in addition to "standard auto tips" you should tip the waiters in the Diamond/Concierge Lounge if you have access to these lounges. Also some people tip the Concierge for their services and also Adventure Ocean staff. These people are NOT included in the auto tipping that is paid ahead of time or added to your account daily.

Again, trying to be helpful - enjoy your cruise!

Thank you, it's nice to see someone who understands where I am coming from.

And I am sure I will enjoy my holiday, I am very excited :-)

 

 

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I am sure you will have a wonderful holiday and sorry that so many people are so rude. It just seems to happen on these boards.

You might find it easier and simpler just to pre-pay your gratuities at the standard rate, or have them posted to your account daily. That way everyone gets their money - even if you only eat in the main dining room a couple of times those same people work in the Windjammer (buffet). You really do not have to tip in the Windjammer - the majority of cruisers just pay their "standard" tips, and then give a little extra if they feel they have had special attention/service.

By doing it this way you would not have to carry cash around - not necessary. The only people you should tip are the people that deliver room service $2 to $5 depending on how big the order. They are not included in the "standard" tips. Also your drinks have an automatic gratuity included - again no need to add extra.

Hope that helps and simplifies a little - above all have a great cruise.

Never counted - but there have always been plenty for my needs. State room attendant will also bring more, if you need them - just ask. I have occasionally asked for more pant/skirt hangers and always received them promptly.

Did you print your luggage tags?

Have always used the line in the shower, however, on the Allure our cabin did not have one - we have sailed the Allure 3 times always in regular ocean view balcony cabins; not sure if other cabins/suits have a line. Really missed it! So be aware of this!

Don't really wash much - just undies or rinse out really sweaty t-shirts, etc.

Always take a few clothes pins just to hold swim suits, etc. on the balcony chairs. In the humidity if you are in the Caribbean, they can take a long time to dry.

KDNest - original poster - notice you are from Wisconsin - bet it will be nicer weather than here! Cold, windy, rainy right now!

We have found this website very useful - it will give you information about your specific cruise.

http://cruiseoutlook.com/

Air conditioning on board can be chilly, if that bothers you. Enjoy your cruise!

My sister and I were onboard the Miracle for Halloween. It was awesome. They did have a costume party in the main lobby, which grew SO large the cruise director moved it to the theatre. He said it was the largest turnout they ever had.

We had the costume parade on the way to the theatre, and there they had the costume contest. Alot of laughs. I don't remember any trick or treating for children though. They did participate in the contest, but it was for all ages, not just children.

This is not saying they did not have something in the children's program. The contest in the theatre was for all ages.

I am pretty sure that the Miracle is a Carnival ship - not Royal Caribbean.

Adventure Ocean may have had a costume party for kids - not sure - there were all ages in the parade on the promenade. Did not have a haunted house.

It has been several years since my daughter played, but she had a great time. There were lots of pick-up games. There were also competitions posted daily daily compass.

Balls were plentiful and just loose on the court. At that time, however, she did comment that they didn't have any girls (women's size) balls. Our daughter was used to playing with both mens and womens balls and didn't care, but if your daughter really likes a womens ball she might want to bring her own or try to find out ahead of time.

Have been on board larger ships during Halloween - Mariner, Liberty, etc. Each time there has been a parade for passengers down the promenade - lots of participants - very funny/entertaining. Promenade was also decorated. Windjammer also had a display of carved pumpkins and decorations at the entrance.

Booking a full suite, not a junior suite or regular balcony, would give you access to the concierge lounge, which is very nice on the Allure.

You will not be denied entrance to the dining room wearing jeans, even on formal night. You will find lots of threads on this subject. RC posts a sign outside of the dining room saying no shorts and no tank tops (for men). You will also find many people are very opinionated on this subject.

My personal opinion, I would not wear jeans in the main dining room on any night; tend to follow the suggested dress code. Note the dress code is "suggested."

It seems that cruising has become less formal, and the "suggestions for dress" are not always followed. On our transatlantic cruise, however, did find that people did follow the suggested dress and formal night was quite formal.

I think there is sometimes confusion between the Comedy Club (Oasis and Allure) and a regular comedy show in the main theater - headliner show.

The Comedy Club is definitely for adults, hence the age limit for making reservations. The two nightly shows are the same (perhaps a little different because of audience participation, but basically the same material.

The comedians in the main theater often do an "early" and "late" show. The late show is geared more towards adults, but in my opinion is still not as adult as the comedy club. The early show is usually more family oriented; however, as with all comedy shows there can be some jokes that may "go over the head" of younger children.

Main thing to remember is that the comedy club is for adults. Hope that helps.

Airlines deliver their loyalty members luggage to carrousel for first pick up. Why can't RCL deliver Diamond members luggage to staterooms first? Oh yes, I am only Gold.

Never known our bags to be there any sooner than anyone else's. Bags for our last cruise were among the last to arrive - airline tags indicating million mile flyer status were attached. Bags were amongst the last 20 or so - we were getting concerned! I think it is more likely on how they were loaded rather than loyalty members getting preferential treatment. Have never felt bags received special treatment - have "loyalty upper tier membership" on three different airlines.

I think RC does a great job of trying to get the bags to the staterooms as quickly as possible considering the number of bags involved.

The early show is "PG" rated. The late show is a little raunchier and I would say "R" rated! :cool:

I don't think anything in the Comedy Club is PG! Could be wrong, but I believe there is an age limit (adults only). Also, early and late shows are the same - just a little different based on audience participation.

Just posted this on a similar thread - thought original OP might find useful.

Have sailed on two different cruises approximately one month after torn meniscus surgery.

Each time it worked out fine. I took the elevators more than usual - even just for one floor - as the bending on stairs was a problem for me more than just "straight" walking.

Also asked the cabin steward for extra ice - I was still icing down frequently. Steward was wonderful - when he knew what I needed it for he brought a huge bucket (I think it was one they used around the bars, etc.. to bring ice - it was more like a pail than an ice bucket). Ice worked out very well and steward was great in making sure he brought it.

I also explained at the muster drill that standing on deck for the entire time might be painful. Again, everyone was very nice and let me go with the truly handicapped people in wheelchairs, etc. who were in one of the dining rooms.

Good luck! Enjoy your cruise.

Have sailed on two different cruises approximately one month after torn meniscus surgery.

Each time it worked out fine. I took the elevators more than usual - even just for one floor - as the bending on stairs was a problem for me more than just "straight" walking.

Also asked the cabin steward for extra ice - I was still icing down frequently. Steward was wonderful - when he knew what I needed it for he brought a huge bucket (I think it was one they used around the bars, etc.. to bring ice - it was more like a pail than an ice bucket). Ice worked out very well and steward was great in making sure he brought it.

I also explained at the muster drill that standing on deck for the entire time might be painful. Again, everyone was very nice and let me go with the truly handicapped people in wheelchairs, etc. who were in one of the dining rooms.

Good luck! Enjoy your cruise.

We made diamond plus on the second week of a B2B. Had hoped the loyalty ambassador would make the change for both weeks - he definitely would not! Kind of annoying as we were 1 point short of diamond plus during the first week.

Anyway, he told me to come back the second week and he did make the change. We had to go to guest services, after he made a phone call to them, and they printed new cards for us so that we could access concierge lounge.

Make sure when they print your new cards that your "new benefits" are loaded on the card - they forgot and had to return to get them re-done.

Never had a problem getting a taxi - bear to your left as you exit the terminal. People catching shuttles kind of go to the right/straight ahead - the two are well separated.

There are lots of people to help/direct you.

Cabs are lined up and quickly filled by a dispatcher and sent on their way. Very organized - never even had a line - usually the dispatchers take care of everything. Our last cruise on the Allure (October 2013) they had two lines of cabs going simultaneously - no one waited.

Much prefer cab to shuttle (cheaper too).

We felt the same about our balcony cabin on the Oasis. Two or three drawers in the desk, several large shelves and room for hanging clothes in the closet. The only thing we regretted was that our one giant suitcase was too fat to fit under the bed, so we had it tucked between the end of the sofa and the closet door, which made getting into that side of the closet a challenge. About halfway through the cruise I got smart(er) and took what I thought I'd need for the rest of the cruise out of the suitcase and put it on one of the shelves in the closet. Then I didn't have to mess around with dragging out the suitcase every time I wanted to change. Next time I might choose to do two smaller suitcases, one for me, one for DH, so they will fit under the bed.

Only thing I miss is the middle desk drawer - used to keeping paper, pens, Cruise Compass, etc. in there; otherwise no problems.

A little off topic - but we also have large suitcases and have never had a problem fitting under the bed. Once or twice we have had to lift the bed to slide under, but then the bed would drop down and fit; there was just a little "lip" on the bed frame to get under. Also on a long cruise where we actually had a third case our cabin steward was happy to store for the 14 days - said it was not a problem and they were used to storing bags for passengers. Have also put one bag inside another to slide under the bed.

Hope you decide to do the cruise and have a wonderful vacation.

Did a back-to-back on the Allure last October and had a great time.

We had sailed the ship previously and preferred an upper deck - have done decks 10 and 12, all in cabins toward the aft.

It is really personal preference - everyone has given good advice regarding proximity to different locations on the ship. We were just used to upper decks on other ships and so stuck with decks 10 and 12. We did really enjoy the "secret" balconies all the way aft. These are public balconies, not used too much, with great views, especially of the aqua show and the rehersals for the show. Would not do deck 14 - too high and noiser because of the kid's center and pool/sports deck.

We found the B2B to be well handled by the crew. We kept the same cabin, and we were glad that we did. The stewards will move all your hanging items from the closet, but you do have to pack everything else, which to us would have been more work for us. We left the cabin and went to breakfast. We were escorted off the ship for immigration, and back on board quickly. You do have the option of leaving the port if you choose. We went back to our cabin for a while - we were truly amazed at the "turn around" crew - there were so many workers getting the cabins ready - the corridors were full of furniture, bedding, etc., that was why we were glad to have kept our cabin so that we didn't have to lug our suitcases to another cabin. It would have been difficult to navigate the corridors!

The ship also provided a great complimentary luncheon at Giovanni's.

Highly recommend the B2B.

I am looking at E1 or JS on FOS. Because we are a party of 6, we will have too book 2 staterooms. I have 3 teens (2 who are 6' tall) Is the pullman even an option? Will the pullout sofa fit 2 people? Are there any other options for a family of 5 that dont cost $10K? TY...

Would recommend pullman over sofa sleeper - more comfortable and they don't take up as much room in the cabin. Some cabins have a full size sofa sleeper, but a lot have a "love seat" size - you need to check what is in the specific cabin that you are looking at. The pullmans come down from the ceiling/wall and are like single beds - think bunk bed.

My son was over 6 foot and 230 pounds - just a big kid - playing football at the time, etc. He did fine in the pullman. He said it was very comfortable..

Can anyone tell me if men can wear dress shorts in the dining room. We are going on fos in April from the USA. It will be hot and I doubt my 12 year old will have trousers with him or my husband. I know it was allowed in Europe a few yrs ago. But not sure about there. Thanks.

Agree with previous posters - shorts are not allowed in the main dining room (according to RC posted rules) however people often wear them and "get away with it." Have also seen many people turned away and told to go change - it is your choice.

Having said that - be aware that they may be asked to change and would hopefully have long pants to change in to. Your posting indicates they will not be bringing trousers - quite honestly, it is not that hot - especially in air conditioning. Even flying on some aircraft can be cool - can't imagine not at least having a pair of long pants along on a trip.

Also, assume you know that if your son and husband wish to try ice skating on board they are definitely required to wear long pants - and that is strictly adhered to.