Grandma Dazzles

On 3/13/2022 at 12:33 PM, Ilikebigboats said:

I have 6 adults celebrating college graduations, so I will be spending $3500 for the drink packages for a 7 night Odyssey cruise out of Rome! I should have booked a all inclusive like Celebrity, NCL, or even a Silversea vacation, would have spent a lot less money! Lesson learned😖

Possibly not - cruise would have cost you more -  RC owns Celebrity and you might have found the actual cruise would have cost more. Plus a big difference in Odyssey and Celebrity ships. 

16 minutes ago, xxHadleyxx said:

Is there a specific phone number (or email) or do I just call the main line and ask to be transferred?  My in laws are joining us on a sailing in August and my father in law will need an extension cord and distilled water for a CPAP machine

I believe there is a number for Special Needs but I am sorry I don’t have it. Try googling or call and ask to be transferred. They will definitely take care of both extension cords and water - cabin steward can too but easier to take care of ahead of time. 

You need to contact Special Needs department prior to the cruise. They will have in your cabin when you arrive. You cannot take an extension cord on board. 

I think that’s the price for the gift. I think adult refers to the gift has to be ordered/delivered to someone who is an adult per drinking age. 

1 hour ago, topnole said:

Most health insurance can’t be used

outside the US?   Are you sure about that?  I have zero idea on the break down, but my has always covered me anywhere.  Sure, it is out of network, but I don’t suddenly become uninsured just because I am in the Caribbean.  

Very few US health insurance policies cover you out of the country, including Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans may offer emergency/minimum coverage. You might want to read your policy. If it’s through your employer and just regular health insurance it is doubtful that you would have coverage. 

2 hours ago, kateg said:

We will be cruising in May and both of my kids are bringing a friend.  My son's friend is 19-so I assume a passport and drivers license is all he needs to bring (and covid test etc.).  But my daughter's friend is 17.  I have the RCI form that gives her permission to travel with us and do activities on board the ship.  I plan to get a notarized travel letter for the airport -just in case.  Is there any other document/s I need?  Will the 17 yo be allowed off/on the ship -specifically in Aruba/Curacao.  I've never had anyone in a port ask me if the kids following me around are mine  haha...but I want to make 100% sure we have everything we need.

 

Thanks so much for any advice or experience.  I can call RCI (and I will) but it seems that customer service reps have varying degrees of knowledge sometimes...

You need the permission of both parents to take the child out of the country.  Need a passport, or certified original birth certificate and picture ID. It’s also a good idea to have something in writing giving you permission to allow medical treatment. Would also suggest that you make sure child has medical insurance coverage. A listing of any allergies, medications, shots is good to have. You never know when emergencies or accidents can happen. 

You also don’t mention children’s father.  Normally you require the permission of both parents to take the children out of the country. 

On 3/9/2022 at 11:44 AM, Akkers said:

So if you do not have a drinks package and go for the free (included) stuff, how do you tell which drinks are free and which are chargeable?

anything that is chargeable the waiter or staff member will ask for your Seapass card. Card is then charged. If you have a drink package it’s identified on the card. 
 

Drinks included with your cruise fare are tap water, hot and iced tea, coffee, juice at breakfast, hot chocolate, white and chocolate milk, flavored waters/punch/lemonade. 

You would need to know the actual cabin number - deck plan on line shows the type of accommodations; probably sofa sleeper. 

Holiday Inn Port of Miami is very popular with cruisers. It’s right across from Bayside Market Place with plenty to do, restaurants, etc.  

On 3/4/2022 at 2:19 PM, sharon&family said:

How much is it to order a soft drink?

 

A can of soda is approximately $4 including the automatic 18% gratuity. 
 

Drinks included with your cruise fare are tap water, hot and iced tea, coffee, juice at breakfast, hot chocolate, white and chocolate milk, flavored waters/punch/lemonade. 
 

Deluxe package includes alcohol plus all the refreshment package drinks.

Refreshment  package includes virgin drinks, specialty coffee, fresh squeezed juice, fountain soda and more.  
 

soda package is fountain soda/freestyle machines (if available). 

Unless you are driving and don’t care about luggage weight, it’s not worth bringing your own skates.  Rink is tiny.  No speed skating, jumps, or anything fancy. It’s just a novelty, fun thing to do.  Sessions are short and crowded. 

No - that’s why you receive four free drinks daily - you can use them with your friend at any bar/location. Friends/family are not allowed in lounge unless they are Diamond. Concierge does check Seapass cards. 

Very risky.  You would be leaving no room for error.  Weather, mechanical difficulties, crew problems; airlines have been having difficulties.  Baggage can also be delayed (unless you are doing carryon only).  Don’t forget you can no longer fly to the next port and continue (covid). Also you have to be on board 90 minutes prior to sailing. 

On 6/21/2020 at 3:31 PM, sunsoaked218 said:

There is Filtered water, Lemonade, Iced Tea, Coffee , Tea Bags, and sometimes Hot Chocolate ,Juices during breakfast  hours in the windjammer. You get Soda, Specialty Coffee, bottled water ala cart thru out the ship you do not need a drink package for that. As for the Pool area i don't know about the beverages avail in windjammer delivered to the pool I have never asked  for them i would guess it would be bottled water, soda or bar drinks that would be a charge 

This is not correct.  To get soda, specialty coffee, bottled water, etc. you do have to have a drink package anywhere on the ship.  Otherwise,  you will sign a bar tab and be billed. 

Drinks that are included in the price of your cruise are tap water, hot and iced tea, basic coffee, hot chocolate, white and chocolate milk, juice with breakfast, flavored water, punch, lemonade. The included items are available at food locations and any bar will give you a glass of iced water. 
 

Disembarked from the Serenade March 13. Crew were doing a great job - they were working extra hard and ship was unbelievably clean. Remember Hannah from daily trivia. Glad to know that crew is okay. Have a picture from parade of nations - she was really into waving the Union Jack!

Just a point on closed loop cruises.  Recent cruise people were denied boarding without a passport because they thought I was “a closed loop.”  The Cruise WAS a closed loop.  Sailed from and returned to Fort Lauderdale. Itinerary, however, included Aruba, Curacao, Panama, Costa Rica and Columbia.  Closed loop cruises to the Caribbean are okay, but if Central American ports are on the itinerary you need a passport.  

8 hours ago, Mallefiscent said:

I would do fine with the free drinks. I drink milk, powerade and water - sometimes I'll have a hot tea.  The others want their sodas though, and it said everyone in the same room has to have the same package. 

Everyone in the room does not have to get the same package. That rule applies to alcohol packages only, and even then if one person orders an alcohol package they will allow other adults to purchase refreshment package (not the soda package). You have to call to do this. 

It’s one 12 pack per cabin. A can of soda is around $4.  The refreshment package includes bottled water,  fresh squeezed juice, specialty coffee, virgin cocktails, soda, etc.  There is also a soda package, which just includes fountain soda from the bar or from the freestyle machines. 
 

Included with your cruise fare is tap water, coffee, hot and iced tea, hot chocolate, white and chocolate milk, lemonade, fruit punch, flavored water and juice with breakfast.

If you purchase the refreshment package you can take bottled water off the ship with you. 

,

30 minutes ago, work2cruis said:

Pat-

  I will tell her. Still have my beard but VA made me stay home for two weeks due to the cruise.

 

  Chris

Sorry you had to stay home, but understand.  Wisconsin had me monitor myself and not to go out unless necessary, but I am retired.  I think individual businesses have their own rules. Actually everything is closed anyway; schools, restaurants, bars, beauty shops, etc.  Went grocery shopping yesterday and was pleasantly surprised. Store suggested elderly shop early when store just opened as they were super cleaning overnight. Plenty of everything and people not hoarding (although store had limits) and trying to help one another. 
 

Cruise seems a long time ago - don’t like cooking for myself and no one making my bed, cleaning bathroom, etc.  

5 hours ago, drsel said:

Are the best towel animals reserved for the suites?

I was in a balcony cabin on deck 10 - not a suite. I just think some room stewards are better/more artistic than others. 

1 minute ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

I believe Gabriel was our steward as well. 

He is really talented!  

4 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

I saw your towel guy and I said you must be on Serenade. Where you in a GS?  We had an awesome cabin steward on Serenade along with Concierge Mario. If I find the picture of our towel stuff I’ll share 

Not a GS but on deck 10 - balcony cabin -  next door to suites. I think i had the same cabin steward, Gabriel, as the suites.   Other posters showed some of his animals - I had those too.  He was one of the best stewards I remember ever having - not just the towel animals - he was very thorough and so pleasant. 

52 minutes ago, work2cruis said:

Pat-

 This is Chris, had a great time with you at dinner and hope your trip home was smooth and your family is doing well.

 

Jackie says hi too

So good to hear from you!  Tell Jackie to send me an email or FB (don’t have your email). Would love to stay in touch.  Enjoyed our dinners and trivia.  Hope work is okay and that you still have your beard!  lol!    Green Bay had their first case of the virus yesterday.  Best regards. 

1 hour ago, drsel said:

How did he manage to get the shoes to stand vertically

He used the blue runner that goes across the bottom of the bed to make “legs” and then covered with towels. Shoes were kind of leaning and stuffed with washcloths. Actually pretty easy but very different!