Grandma Dazzles

Easy to bring your own powdered mix to add to water if you don’t want to purchase. 

5 minutes ago, pisymbol said:

 

Yeah, I got that. But accidents do happen even when a kid is "fully potty trained".

I agree!  I think it can depend on the staff and the ship.  Some may say they are out and cannot return; others might give them a second chance. Heard people say best thing is to take them to  the bathroom yourself  before dropping off, and not to leave them there for too long a period of time. I agree he would have much more fun with the kids’program than the nursery. Hope it works out for you. 

Just FYI age is based on the first day of the cruise, so if he turns 3 during your cruise he would be considered 2. Also, potty trained means totally - no pull-ups, has to be able to wipe, and go to the bathroom independently.  Good luck!

Would suggest you double check to make sure she is able to drive a scooter. I had a broken shoulder, but mine was a pretty serious break and involved my arm too; however, my arm was totally immobilized in an orthopedic sling.  I was not able to remove other than very briefly to get dressed and I needed help.  I am not sure that I could have operated a scooter with one hand. You might want to investigate. 

Also, Special Needs will provide a shower chair if you think she needs it.  

Totally against the rules!  Why teach children to steal - if they are caught sharing the package will be canceled with no refund.   They will have a lot of explaining to do. They could be asked for a Seapass card.   Why put them in that position.

People sharing is why cruise lines are requiring everyone in a cabin to purchase some type of package. 

Either stick with the free options - plenty of them - tap water, juice with breakfast, white and chocolate milk, hot and iced tea, coffee, lemonade, flavored waters, punch, etc.  If they want an occasional soda bring a 12-pack on board. 

1 hour ago, rbell said:

You do not have to tip anymore if you don't want to.It's up to you.Some on here will try to guilt you in to tip more.

 

 

No one has mentioned about tipping extra.

OP said he had prepaid gratuities. They cover room steward, dining facilities, and miscellaneous staff.  They do not include bar drinks, which was the question.

Drink packages have an 18% gratuity added to the package.  If you don’t have a package and prefer to pay for your drinks individually then 18% is automatically added as a gratuity to the price of the drink. 

Perhaps the time you cruised could have made a difference. Were your other cruises the exact same dates?  Ship could have had more passengers depending upon the date. 

34 minutes ago, matj2000 said:

Are you really flying cross county to do a New England cruise and bring young kids?

 

They are going to be bored after the first day because those small ships don't have much too do.

 

Probably be to cold to use the pools. 

 

You should go too FL and sail one of the newer, larger ships.   

Your comments are always so judgmental and non helpful. Can never understand why!

Smaller ships might not have all the “bells and whistles” but people book what works for them and their family.  Ship still has Adventure Ocean, if a family chooses, and lots to see and do.  

1 minute ago, SwimCarrie said:

 

One is turning 9 onboard (!) and the other is 10. Small clothes! Woohoo!

 

Great idea on buying it when we get there! Thanks!

 

Also, are there generally 2 formal nights on a 7 night cruise like other lines? 

 

 

Yes, but not ball gowns and tux’s too much. Just not as formal any more. You will see a wide variety of dress - still some people truly formal, but some will be in jeans and even shorts (shorts are requested not to be worn to MDR, but people still do).  

RC does not have self service laundry on board.  Assuming you are visiting before cruise it would be cheaper to do a laundry run prior to boarding.  You can send laundry out for a fee, plus there is a $35 wash and fold bag for underwear, T-shirts, etc. offered on board.

how old are kids - makes a big difference in what you will need to pack. There is a family cruising board that will perhaps be helpful.  If they are young - need diapers, pull-ups, etc. much better to take with you. Also any first aid or medications.  If they are older, you won’t need to worry about that stuff.  Would make sure you have plenty of t-shirts, shorts, swimsuits and long pants and a collared shirt for MDR. Cruising isn’t as formal as it used to be but men/boys are still requested to wear long pants to dinner. 

when flying it’s usually cheaper and easier to buy your toiletries, suntan lotion, beverages, etc. to take on board after you land. 

Call and ask and make sure you get answer in writing. They will probably charge a basic office type fee.  They use the same codes as US so she could probably file with her insurance company, assuming she has out of the country insurance, which is always a good idea. Surprised if it’s a routine shot that she hasn’t been trained to do it herself (similar to how diabetics give insulin).

38 minutes ago, Queen of Oakville said:

 

 

What exactly is prohibited on ships?  Smoking or cigarette smoking?  If smoking is prohibited, that should include all smoking, whether it is for medicinal or recreational purposes.  Even if you have to smoke it for recreational purposes, the designated smoking areas should apply.

 

 

 

All smoking including vaping is not allowed unless in designated areas 

56 minutes ago, Heymarco said:

I totally agree that it’s against the rules and people should not be doing it. Pot in particular has a very offensive odor. However , I don’t understand everyone’s concern about balcony smoke? Does it not dissipate enough outdoors? Is it just the fact someone is breaking the rules, and we need to feel superior by policing? I know it’s truely not about safety, otherwise they would never step foot on a cruise ship (yes, I know there have been incidents of people not properly disposing cigarettes). So someone please explain to me why the kindergarten tattletail attitude?

 

-nonsmoker

No - smoking on the balcony doesn’t dissipate outdoors.  If you are sitting on your balcony and someone is smoking it wafts directly onto your balcony - if there are a couple smoking it’s worse!   Smells - and is very unpleasant not to mention unhealthy secondhand smoke, particularly for anyone with asthma, breathing problems, etc.

It is also a fire hazard.  It’s not a kindergarten tattletale - it’s about people obeying rules, and being thinking they are entitled. 

19 hours ago, SilentHill said:

Hi all,

 

This is my first Cruise on RCI (Anthem of the Seas) this year.

 

I'm use to NCL where I can  just stroll up to any restaurant I want whenever I want and get a table for 3.

 

From looking online, it looks like RCI does this at 2 of the 4 MDR's? Is that correct? Any info is appreciated 🙂

 

Silk, Chic, The Grande and American Icon Grill.

First of all you need to find out what type of dining you have. If you booked through a TA you need to ask them; if you booked directly yourself you should have been asked.  RC has traditional dining with two seatings nightly. They are referred to as early/late seating, or sometimes first/second seating.  Then there is My Time Dining where you can make reservations for different times each evening.  You will have either Traditional or My Time. You cannot switch back and forth between the two. 

57 minutes ago, matj2000 said:

Do you really want him to carry that stupid cup everywhere?

You don’t have to carry the cup unless you are only using freestyle soda machine.  Any bar will give you a glass of soda, but not as many choices.

Another reason not to try sharing - if you don’t have the cup you have to show Seapass card. 

You might get more of a response if you posted on the RC website rather than on the general ask a question. 

Royal Caribbean has corner aft balconies. 

1 hour ago, Dat Cruisin Couple said:

 

Are you referring to a single ship or fleetwide? I know they will use the lounge for overflow when the number of Diamond, D+ and Pinnacles are high because they don't all fit in the one room.  I've been on a couple where all of deck 14 were off limits because the number of top tier passengers during happy hour.

I was responding to original poster’s request about the Navigator. However, I think it’s the same fleet wide on ships where the DL is now a Suite Lounge on Deck 14.  Diamond plus do not have access to the suite lounge unless they are staying in a full suite.  

1 hour ago, Dat Cruisin Couple said:

They are usually open at least part of the day.

 

Depends on the number of top tier passengers. If there are a lot, they will close off for happy hour.

I don’t believe so. They know how many suites there are and number of passengers. They used to do that when it was the diamond lounge. DL is now on deck 5. It’s quite small (old cigar lounge).  They opened up the Star lounge close by and used it for the overflow lounge. 

1 hour ago, island lady said:

WJ, MDR, Promenade cafe, Sorrentos

No Sorrentos. Cafe Promenade has pizza. Other food location included with your fare is Mexican taco bar on pool deck - El Loco?  Can’t remember the name. Food and snacks are excellent. No sit down - self service bar and you take to your chair. 

Suite lounge is the old diamond lounge on the Navigator.  It’s on the same deck as Cosmopolitan Club and Viking lounge but off to one side and accessible by room key.  Cosmopolitan Club and Viking lounge are accessible to all cruisers. Cosmopolitan Club is 18 and over late at night; perhaps after 10:00 pm. 

Depends where you are cruising.  Assuming Caribbean, maxi dress, sandals, shorts, Capri pants, long pants. Also depends on where you are going to be and temperatures. Air conditioning can be cool for example indoors if you are just sitting watching a show. If you are outside, but not by the pool, it’s going to be hot. 

You need to contact TA or whomever you booked the cruise with.  It’s better to check now in case the cruise fills up and you cannot add another person. Even if there is room in the cabin, there also needs to be room at the muster station for that cabin. 

11 hours ago, MaskedTurtle said:

Thanks everyone.  I thought I read on these boards that they won't put a rollaway in an aft JS because it is smaller.  There is no guarantee we'll get one in a side JS, but we may have a better chance.  

 

Does anyone have any opinions on the balconies?  The aft ones seem deeper and more square while the side ones seem more like a thinner rectangle.  Is there really enough room for 4 people out there?

 

A little extra info...the four of us are plus size ladies.  None of us are morbidly obese, just a bit fluffier than average.    My sister and I shared a sofabed a few years ago on the Explorer, and it was tight.  It was kinda awkward because we had to sleep side by side lengthwise.  The cushions were also pretty firm.  I'm told the sofabeds are currently like those at home where you sleep perpendicular to the sofa.  Also, my mom uses a wheelchair but is not confined to one.  

Be aware of the much longer walk from the elevators to the aft cabins; not sure how mobile your mom is as far as walking, or if you plan to use the wheelchair. You would also need to store the wheelchair in the cabin; cannot be left in the hallway.

31 minutes ago, tonandtay said:

I have never cruised on Royal Caribbean. I've been looking at cruises on Royal Caribbean website and I'm confused about pricing. The website will say something like "starting at $509" but when I choose it, it comes up to something like $618." This happens even when I choose the interior room and let them pick the room and before I add gratuities and without taxes. I just can't figure out why the price is more. I've only cruised on Carnival and the price posted is the price. Can someone explain?

 

TIA

Tonya

You also need to select the date.  The “starting at” price is usually a specific date.  For example - a ship may sail every Saturday in a specific month but not every date is the same price - one or more is usually the lowest “starting at” price. Call and talk to a representative for more information.