Grandma Dazzles

1 hour ago, RockHoundTX said:

It completely depends on the ship. In my experience, the older/smaller ships had more pull-downs while the newer ships (Ovation of the Seas) rely on a pull-out/sofa-bed. In either case, be mindful of the size of your kids since the sofa-beds are a little small and the pull-downs have a weight limit.  

Pullmans have a weight limit, but it’s in the area of 275-300 pounds.  My son was playing football, 6’ 2” and around 230 pounds and slept well on one. 

I always carry bug repellent, but I don’t carry a can around with me. Love the small individual packets, similar to hand wipes.  Just tear open and use - individually wrapped and easy to put in your purse, pocket, etc.  Several brands are available. 

43 minutes ago, Deveregirl said:

 

Yes, big difference! But since we’re going on a cruise the next day so cheaper is ok! 😆

Fair enough - but your original complaint was that RC was so much more expensive - now you are happy with a cheaper option - you get what you pay for!

I haven’t seen it during the day. I have seen a container of iced water and cups. 

16 minutes ago, Deveregirl said:

Sorry! RC was charging $127/person for the Renaissance Orlando, and shuttle from pier to airport on return was $24.99/person GoPort is charging $183, total, for the Holiday Inn Orlando and all ground transportation! 

Big difference between the Renaissance and Holiday Inn - difference class of hotel.  

I think poster has not only the suite complication, but one of the passengers is not their child. 

26 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Your situation is complicated by the suite - nonsuite bookings.  If they make you put an adult in each cabin on the bookings, you are right - there will be problems on board.

P

You can ask, but probably will be told no.  It’s probably an insurance liability issue. Program begins at age 3. 

7 minutes ago, Daisymae14 said:

@Grandma Dazzles, They both can get served off ship? They don't check ID?  We plan on doing alot together on the ship,  want them to get as much of the "cruise" experience as possible. But thank you for heads up!! 

No - Caribbean is pretty loose.  I am not referring to RC private island where they can’t be served (Seapass Card) but other ports of call. 

Just FYI, if your 17-year-old is planning to use the teen club on board his brother cannot go with him. Teen club is 17 and under.  Your 19-year-old is considered an adult as far as the ship is concerned. Young adults can do anything on board that those over 21 do, except drink alcohol.  May find some events/clubs may have an age limit after a certain hour.  Technically they are not “boys” especially the 19-year-old.   Watch the shore excursions as far as drinking alcohol - they will be allowed - just a heads up! 

15 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

I’ve never seen an ocean view balcony cabin without a couch. 

 

Not necessarily a sofa sleeper pull out couch. Has to be designated for three people - muster station comes into play. You can’t just let someone sleep “on the couch.”  

29 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Just have the daughter sleep in your room on the fold out couch regardless of what room she is assigned in. 

If cabin is not designated as a 3 person cabin you can’t do this - might not even have a couch. Cabin has to be for 3 people.  

1 hour ago, grapau27 said:

I agree it is unfair for the 18-21 age groups on RCCL.

Sorry to disagree (and we usually agree), there’s nothing unfair. Young people aged 18-21 can do anything those over 21 do on a ship, except drink alcohol. There are many people over the age of 21 who choose not to drink alcohol for many reasons.  It’s unfortunate  that many people feel you can’t have a good time without alcohol.  They can dance, go to shows, sit and listen to music, multiple sports activities, etc.  

Have always seen wine as a raffle prize, including this year on Navigator.  Haven’t seen alcohol offered for free for probably 10 years - usually juice/water/coffee/cookies or some kind of cheese/crackers/fruit with a cash bar.  

Many years ago remember waiters with wine/champagne and the captain came and you could have a photo op - the good old days!  Also ship’s photographer taking a group picture that you could purchase. 

Included with your cruise fare are hot tea, iced tea, tap water, coffee (not specialty ), hot chocolate, white and chocolate milk, lemonade/punch/flavored water in the buffet, juice with breakfast.

You can purchase just a soda package, or the refreshment package that includes soda, fresh squeezed juice, bottled water, specialty coffee, virgin cocktails. 

52 minutes ago, JayTee1 said:

Thanks for all the replies, the information has been helpful.

 

Why is it important that they switch to MTD? If we want to eat together can I not show up for early seating with them and ask for a table of 4 and possibly wait for a little to see one is available? And vice versa? If they wanted to eat with me at 8:30, could they not do the same without switching to MTD? 

You have to be in either traditional or MTD. You cannot switch between the two. You cannot eat with them in traditional dining. Traditional dining means their table is already assigned in the dining room - the could be seated at a table for two, or with other people; depending on what they requested on their reservation. The traditional dining room table number is printed on their Seapass card. It is the same table and table mates each evening.

if you have MTD you just either show up and wait in line, or make a reservation.  You may have the same table and waiters, or it could be totally different. 

Sounds like your friends need to switch to MTD. Or, you need to switch to traditional; but from your post I think having your friends do MTD makes more sense.  Hopefully you understand how it works now. 

Your friends seem to have early seating. They will need to switch to My Time Dining. You can then just show up together at any time and sit together.  If you don’t have a reservation you may have a short wait to be seated. Incidentally, you can’t switch back and forth between My Time and Traditional, so it’s important that they make the change if you all want to eat together. 

I would check that your ID or credit card hasn’t been compromised. 

*

3 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I have never done that and I have never had an issue with a cabin steward.

I have never had a problem with cabin stewards either. I find some are “more chatty” than others, but all do their job. I posted earlier when responding to original poster who said her husband was very messy.  Poster said her husband tended not to use garbage cans and just dropped garbage, and left stuff out - again, not defending steward, but sounds like they might have been difficult customers. Stewards are not personal servants.  I also have always thought the stewards were instructed not to move/touch too much personal stuff. OP disagreed and said stewards had always picked up all their stuff. So many people are quick to blame stewards for theft. 

3 minutes ago, rusty nut said:

I keep hearing this and it has not been our experience with 11 cruises with RCI. I've been on Viking Serenade, Monarch, Majesty, Navigator, Voyager, Adventure, Oasis and Allure. All of them (don't remember Viking Serenade, it was too long ago) had actual working refrigerators. They kept our bottled water ice cold, not just "cool". I'll be bringing a thermometer on our next cruise to document.  

Perhaps - but they can vary from ship-to-ship and cabin-to-cabin.  A true fridge for medical reasons is probably better maintained than the cabin coolers. Why take the risk with something so important. 

1 hour ago, amandaepperson21 said:

 

 

My husband isn’t as tidy as I am. There would occasionally be trash left in the floor. Like a wristband, cup cover, etc.. Just small stuff. Also other lines do touch your personal items. 

 

Sand in the bed - this itinerary was very port heavy. 5 stops + San Juan home port. Lots of beach days. Lots of coming back and crashing for 3 hours, not always bothering to shower first lol. 

Not trying to be overly defensive of RC, but it sounds like your room was a mess - and you blame it on the steward.  There are trash cans - I cannot imagine just leaving trash on the floor. As I stated originally, staff are reluctant and are trained not to touch too much personal items. Wondering if you just left clothes all over and expected steward to put away.

Many beaches have showers or at least go to the pool on board and use the shower to clean off your feet before going to your bed!  

11 minutes ago, orville99 said:

We just got off of the two-week Harmony Dorian cruise, and they comped us a "wash & Fold" midway. What we got back was so wrinkled (including a couple of pairs of "wrinkle-free" slacks) that they were unwearable.

Lucky that you weren’t charged regular laundry price for slacks.  Instructions say for underwear, T-shirts, socks, swimsuits, etc, not “dress” clothes.  Wouldn’t risk slacks in the wash and fold bag. 

A few things that a little research on RC would have prepared you for on your cruise.

No self-service laundry on any RC or Celebrity ships including no irons.

Cabins have a cooler; not a true fridge. If you need a fridge for medical use, you can request.

Robes are not provided. Available to Platinum C&A members or above, on request, but usually cabin steward will try to get on request.

Sheets are not changed daily.  Can’t imagine getting sand in the sheets,  Never had a problem with bathroom towels not being exchanged twice daily.  Same way with steward cleaning cabin - wonder what you mean about “tidying up” - they tend not to touch your personal stuff. How much tidying up did you expect?

Pool towels are exchanged at pool.  No need to take to cabin. 

Room service is not free on many lines.

Glad you enjoyed the cruise overall, but some questions you should perhaps have researched ahead of time. 

A lot of ships no longer have formal night. It’s been changed to a dress your best type of night. You will see all kinds of dress in MDR. I agree with sticking with long pants. 

Hot tea, iced tea, lemonade/punch/flavored water, tap water, coffee, juice with breakfast, white and chocolate milk, hot chocolate, are all included with your fare. Available at various food locations - all are available at the Windjammer. 

There is a bar in the Windjammer buffet.  Also frequently a roving bartender with a cart.