MNfamilycruiser

Well, if they ran out, they have been running out since at least last October.

 

Is it pork all the time now - or just sometimes?

We are thinking of our first alaskan cruise and I am at a loss. I have only ever done warm weather cruises and I can dress the heck out of those lol. I am used to capris, flip flops, toe rings and sundresses. But what the heck do I wear to alaska, jeans, flannel ?

I have 2 years to ponder but it is never to soon to plan a wardrobe, am I right?

 

For evenings I had a black skirt with various tops and tights/hose and close toed shoes instead of sandals. My formal dress had a jacket that goes with it - usually I don't bring it for the Caribbean, but took it for Alaska. My daughters got evening shawls to go with their formal dresses.

 

We went at the end of May - pretty early in the season. I would say the passengers were a little older than a typical Caribbean cruise, and very few dressed up. The second formal night we did a specialty restaurant - and still dressed up a little - dresses/skirts - and we were probably among the dressiest.

We have done small food items that are made in /represent our state. Wild rice, Chokecherry jelly, Pearson's candy. Or a coffee mug from the Mall of America.

 

Our favorite item we received was from London -from Fortnum & Mason - The Queen's Diamond Jubilee United Services Tin with tea and biscuits inside. :D

Is it possible to put the small bottles of rum in your checked luggage?

 

Also a 12 pack of diet coke is better in carry on?

 

We have packed the very small ones in with toiletries - shampoo, lotion, mouthwash etc. You can easily mix a few in with the other liquids.

Wound up placing a deposit on the D2's for the B2B. Will see tomorrow when Casino Royale desk opens up what the rates are for both the D2 cabins and the JS cabins and either switch the booking to a JS casino rate or just get the casino rate for the D2's.

Being able to place a hold would have simplified the process. Am sorry to see that option disappear.

 

 

That is what people are going to end up doing - paying the deposit on anything they are interested in, then cancelling when needed. Maybe RC will find this creates more problems/work issuing refunds all the time and they will bring the courtesy hold back:rolleyes:

 

As long as you are still well before the credit card statement/cut off date - it really wouldn't make that much of a difference if you held one for a few days then moved the reservation or cancelled.

I don't see any end in sight.

 

That said you can call and ask them to remove the BOGOHO and still use points for a few cruise. If you do searches you many be able to find one under the dollar amount allowed.

 

They just pay out the maximum if the price without the BOGO is more, so if the price was just a little more you wouldn't be out too much.

Thanks again for the responses! My kids will be farmed off to grandparents, who I trust 10000% with making sure they are well taken care of. It's just a bit of the mommy guilt and my fear that the first time we actually try to take a vacation, that's when something will happen. Obviously it's a quicker flight back to them from the Caribbean than Europe. But mainly, it's just me being paranoid, lol. Not that it will stop from enjoying my vacation while I'm on it.

 

I really want to be able to experience Europe when I'm there, so if a cruise is not really going to give me that, then I will save that for a later time.

 

I see that there seems to be a mix of opinions on which is better, eastern or western Caribbean. Can anyone give me specifics as to why you feel one is better than the other? I was leaning more towards eastern, but a lot of you have said you loved western. (I realize in the grand scheme of things, I will have fun regardless because it's a cruise and I get to go on vacation with the hubs.)

 

My husband is NOT a beach guy. We will spend zero time lounging by a pool or on the beach. (It's sad for me because I LOVE the beach!) So we need options for excursions that are a bit more active. Is one itinerary better than the other for that? (Sidenote: he just got a gopro and is itching to use it for something cool, lol)

 

If your husband is not a hang around on the beach guy - I would do Western. They both include a "private" stop at Labadee or Coco Cay. But Labadee has the Dragon's Breath Zip line. Google that and see some Youtube videos. You can always do wave runners and snorkeling at Coco Cay - but you can do that in either place. Looking at the maps from one of the previous posters it seems like western also has an additional port stop - that would be a plus for your husband if he doesn't want to just hang out and relax. Go to the port of call boards, look at Trip Advisor and do a little research on each port. No one else can really decide what you would like best.

Thanks for the info. That is what I was thinking-I usually can do about 4 a day in the winter. Plus I am a big water drinker and like a non alcoholic drink every now and then. Appreciate the quick answer :)

 

Maybe someone will tell you for certain that they have decaf - but I really can't imagine they don't from the setup.

Does anyone know if the specialty coffees (on Radiance specifically) in the Royal Replenish package can be made decaf? Can't do caffeine and love the decaf lattes/caps here at home. Would love to get the package if they can be decaf.

 

I had the Replenish package on Radiance in Alaska - I can't say 100% that they had decaf, but the menu and set up of the Cafe Lattetudes looked just like any coffee shop. Same types of drinks and syrups etc., I would really think they have decaf.

 

BTW - it was really nice to have in Alaska - I had 1 or 2 every day. Once first thing in the morning while I was waiting for the rest of my family to get up, and usually one in the afternoon after returning to the ship from our excursions.

If there is a specific occupancy allowed on each ship - the infants are taking two "spaces". Those spaces could be sold to an adult who WILL spend extra money on board.

 

I wouldn't pay that much - you would be better off finding a cruise line that does give a price break to infants.

For you first cruise I would do Caribbean - the flying, time change/jet lag, different languages - would be just too much for your first cruise. I don't think you would get a chance to see what it is really like and if you like it.

 

We are going on our first European cruise next year - it will be our 12th cruise. We are taking our kids and celebrating our oldest daughter's hs graduation. Trip in lieu of party :D

In between usually - not up really late, haven't seen many sunrises :D

 

We usually cruise with kids, all in the same stateroom - so maybe that has influenced our pattern. If anything, I think we would be more likely to shift to the early to bed, early to rise standard.

I realize we cannot discuss specific TAs on CC...but how did you find yours? Generic Internet search, word of mouth...? We booked a cruise through one of the mega warehouses and got a slightly better deal but great OBC...but I am worried that it won't be there on the ship when we want it. (I read here that the OBC tends to show up the second day which is when we'll purchase drink packages and use the rest for speciality dining.) have you had issues with OBC through a TA?

 

We had an issue once with a smaller TA - but using the mega warehouse headquartered in Washington - we have never had an issue. Very generous OBC, and we got refunded what we didn't spend. RCI doesn't allow TA's to discount cruise fares - so depending on what line you are using, you wouldn't expect a better price.

Sometimes TA will buy up a bunch of rooms, and they would discount them - but we are pretty specific about which weeks we can travel, and which staterooms we want - so have never been interested in searching for those TA's.

 

I wouldn't worry about waiting for the OBC to show up before you book things.

I'm a huge fan of wearing a lanyard. Carrying a purse around is too cumbersome, and I'm always wary about theft. I bought this one: Click me!

 

I tucked my sail card underneath my shirt/dress and it just looks like a necklace on top. Plus it's magnetic, which makes it easy to put on and take off. Very sturdy, too. Definitely worth spending a little more on it than a $3 one if you don't want to look too tourist-y.

 

If you haven't used this yet - I just wanted to warn you to keep the magnetic clasp AWAY from your card when you take it off. My daughter had one and after we replaced her card for the 3rd time we figured out why - she would just lay it down on a surface and the magnet kept getting too close to the card. Hang it instead, or lay it down carefully.

You can get them at the Promenade cafe and - I think - any of the bars.

 

Our last cruise (2014- Radiance) I got them at any bar - sometimes the bar would be out of the smaller cheaper bottles and would give you a different brand - but never sparkling.

As an attorney I threw this Temporary Power of Attorney together pretty quickly. It gives me piece of mind while I cruise and leave my kids back home with grandma.

 

I have highlighted the language that needs to be modified, but it should only take 5 minutes and then you can save it and use it for all future cruises, just changing the dates.

 

With over 40 cruises, we have cruised bringing our kids and also leaving them at home. I figured that I would share this template document with anyone who may find it interesting. I make no promise that this will be valid in your specific state. I chose to make a space for 2 witnesses, but one may be sufficient in your state.

 

Thanks!! I didn't even think about that. We have gone on several short land vacations and have always left the kids with my parents. Thankfully nothing has ever happened - but this is really a good idea.

[quote name='frawnsay']Good Morning, all!

We have booked a RFS on the Allure (2bd/2bth) [emoji3]

I truly appreciate everyone's feedback--I'm the planner of the group, so it all falls on me to make the trip a great one. CC is such a great resource...as are you all! [emoji173]️

And now to search for all new subjects (I know, I know...utilize the search option) like the new suite perks in May 2016. We'll be Sky Class, I believe.

Never have been on Allure. As I search for info, is there anything specific that I should be aware of? For instance, the Navigator went through a refurb a few months before our sailing, so I was very interested in reviews and pics from Feb2015 to recent.

Anything to look out for--or anything that I may see that will be null and void with the enactment of the new suite perk rollout?[/QUOTE]
Congratulations - you are going to love the room! It will be so nice with kids to allow you to hang out and spread out.

I can't help with the rest of your questions - never been on one of the newer biggest ships. But start by searching for threads in this forum, and then searching for posts to get more detailed information.

When does the Norwegian Fjord schedule usually come out, looking for year 2017, but would love the Aft suite, did you ask for a certain room number or type of suite? Thanks

 

I booked 3/19/15, I was watching here on CC for when the announcements were made, and when the date they would be open for booking. That is the day they were available to book.

 

I knew which ship the cruises would be on, I had the deck plans and asked for a specific stateroom, but had the deck plans in case that one wasn't available. We had to book with 5 people for this cruise, that far out.

who in the hell wants to go on a cold as cruise through the northwest passage staring at ice for 3 weeks any paying 21,000 for it.

 

I can get a villa in Europe for 3 weeks, with airfare and good costs, for that price.

 

People who have already been there done that. I am guessing for people who can afford a cruise like this, they have already done the things most of us would think of as a great vacation. They are looking for something different, a place they haven't been/can't get to easily?

We have located a two-bedroom, two-bathroom family suite that can house us all! I'm sorry to be such a bother, but I KNOW that you all KNOW your stuff!

 

Are the family suites all located in a specific area of the ship? My DH prefers aft (um, who doesn't?!). I know that aqua theater suites are all aft, but are the two-bedroom family suites there, too? (Allure)

 

I just went on Royal Caribbean's website and looked through Allure's deckplans - no it looks like the FS - Royal Family Suites are more midship. I would recommend printing out the deckplans or having it pulled up online when you call - then you can see exactly where staterooms are when they tell you what is available.

We can't all be in the RFS, right? That's 5 passengers, but its max is 4???

 

Yes you can all be in one, depending on the exact RFS. And you can just book one with 4 - depending on the exact sailing. We booked the one on Radiance for Alaska very far in advance - but that sailing had very few families since it was before most schools let out.

 

Unfortunately, there is no way to know exactly what you can get until you call.

A couple of corrections:

 

Another difference between the Premium and Ultimate packages is the addition of bottled sparkling water.

 

Plain bottled water is not included in the Select (soda, beer, wine) package.

 

Thanks for the corrections:D Neither of those things affect/interest me so I have a hard time remembering about them.

There's your answer OP.

 

Pick pocket the room cards, quickly dupe them, go to other folks cabins, crack the safe. Your thief pretty much has all week to use people's credit cards before they will even miss them.

 

Except how does the thief know which room? The cards don't have that information on them. Maybe they do if they get swiped? Like you would have to have something to read them with.

A very few might - but few enough that any cruiser reading your book would recognize that you haven't really cruised ;)

Jewelry? OR the pickpocket would have to concentrate on people getting on and off the ship - that would be the time people are carrying cash and ID's as they are heading to or from the ports. Or on the tenders?

 

I am going to add some more details :D

 

When people are getting back on the ship - at a port stop - it can get kind of crowded, busy and confusing. You need to have your ship card out for them to check you back in. They put it in a machine and they can see your picture to see if it is you. If you were carrying a passport or ID to have with you in port, you wouldn't need it at that time - it would be in a wallet or purse. You also have to put any packages or bags you have with you through an x-ray machine - like at the airport. There can be a backup with people milling around waiting for their stuff to come through or to drop it off. This is especially true if a lot of people return at the same time. There also tends to be a lot of milling around waiting for the elevators, especially if you are entering the ship on deck 2 instead of one of the higher decks. That all depends on the port you are at.

 

I can't remember if you have to put purses and backpacks through - but I think yes.

I'm a mystery author setting my 3rd book (Oliver Twisted) onboard a Dickens- themed cruise. Holland America has been very helpful to me, but I have so many questions - maybe you all can help.

 

The crime in this book involves pickpockets - onboard the ship rather than in port. In my current draft, the thieves steal wallets and take $ and IDs from purses.I've been told that most people don't carry them on the ship - might there be any reason someone would?

 

Thanks for your help!

 

A very few might - but few enough that any cruiser reading your book would recognize that you haven't really cruised ;)

Jewelry? OR the pickpocket would have to concentrate on people getting on and off the ship - that would be the time people are carrying cash and ID's as they are heading to or from the ports. Or on the tenders?