big al

And RCI charges $80-100 PP for a drink package and that's better?? I am going on the Mariner next week and they want $92 pp PER DAY and you think NCL is bad because they charge gratuities up front? In case you are bad at math, that's between $1120 and about $1300 for a 7 night cruise for 2 people, vs $237.50 pp for NCL and you get much better beer choices..You don't have to take the "Free at Sea " package if you don't want it..I paid $ 9.65 for a Stella on the Anthem of the Seas 3 years ago..ridiculous... ..no matter how you look at it, the deal at NCL is better UNLESS you don't drink much at all, in that case you are at fault..NCL in my 7 cruises has never given me anything other great food, great service, OUTDOOR dining ( something RCI needs badly..), great entertainment ( Beatle's show super..)..I cruise royal because I like their Oasis class ships & shows...beverage plans suck , no free specialty dining, no WIFI, no nothing included..they need to get with it- even Celebrity, their other cruise line, I have free beverage package with them & free WIFI for my NYE cruise in December......

You are correct!!

We are on the Escape next Dec '23 & have 2 free specialty dining meals plus we bought 2 more...check w/ NCL about that...

This is both incorrect & illogical...I have cruised RCI 19x and NCL 7x and much prefer NCL for dining...first they give you TWO specialty dining restaurants included in your fare- RCI gives you nothing..Second, NCL has 6 restaurants where you can dine outside over looking the sea..we dined twice outside on the NCL Encore in January and it was fantastic..Third, NCL has as many as 16 dining venues on board and newer ships have 4 free venues- Taste, Savor & Manhattan Room..the latter sometimes has a dancing area and have a band playing music- also fantastic..we loved it..IMO, they are the best for specialty dining and have it down to a system that works..also, their buffet area called the Garden Cafe IMO is much better than the Windjammer, which I always have felt is mediocre at best..don't get me started on the beer..RCI has the worst beer & choices of drafts on the Seven Seas..the District Brew House on deck 8 on the NCL Encore, Bliss , Joy & Escape all have 26 beers on draft..amazing..RCI has 4-5 in Playmakers and maybe 3 in the British Pub..don't forget The Local or O'Sheehan's , the Irish Pub where you can get food 24/7..their Reuben, wings, fries, burgers are sooooo good...and BTW, IMO, the MDR food in 95% of all cruises I've been on are fair to OK at best..kinda like wedding food...Disney was pretty good..Celebrity is pretty good also for MDR..The NCL Encore we cruised in January had the best food in 42 cruises we have taken...dining outside at sunset eating Tiger Shrimp ( best I ever had on any cruise..), lobster, and Key Lime Pie was superb..I almost called the medics it was so good, lol... I wish RCI was as good as NCL for dining...JMHO Big Al

We are there on a Thursday...

Hi all..we are going on the Mariner in 9 days and DW & I were wondering what is the current items included in the bathroom? Specifically : 1) It looked like on a YouTube video that in the shower was "bath wash & shampoo" container ( no conditioner? ) and also I am interested in the soap- is it just facial soap near the sink, or is there one in the shower too? Thanks... Big Al

Thanks..we will be the only ship that day, so it shouldn't be too crowded...👌 Big Al

I think they will be back, but you can put your own M & M together yourself..I have one on the Mariner Of the Seas for our Bermuda cruise in 16 days..we will meet in the Viking Crown Lounge the first sea day at 11 am..I also put together one on NCL in January..it was great...just takes someone to set it up... Big Al

Thanks for posting! Do you remember if on the 2nd formal night there were lobster tails? It's usually that night...Thanks! Big Al

Does NOT include anything...just transportation...will take the bus for $7...thanks to both!! Big Al

DW & I will be in Bermuda in 3 weeks and RCI is offering a $39.00 excursion RT for Horseshoe Beach...does this sound fair or better off taking a cab?.. stay is up to 4 hours...ship leaves at 3 pm...thanks.. Big Al

Thanks for the tip!!

Thanks!!!

Hi guys & gals...my wife & I will be in Bermuda docking at King's Wharf arriving Tuesday, 8/23/22 at 3 pm on the Mariner Of The Seas..we want to get off & see a bit of Hamilton and go to one of the pubs there..I have 3 in mind: Frog & Onion Pub Brewing, Hammerheads Bar & Grill, and my current front runner, Hog Penny's..the latter has escargots, a fav of mine and an Amber Ale, also a fav...any opinions on these or perhaps recommend another place with quick bites & pub atmosphere not too far away from the dock? Also, we are seniors and walking far can be an issue...a bit of a walk there, or should we take a taxi, bus, etc.? Thanks! 😎 Big Al

Do they take credit cards at Horseshoe Bch for chairs or just cash? Thanks...BTW, is King's Wharf the same as the Naval Docks?

Agree 100% ..and the bar tenders have told me that RCI has the worst beer program & choices on the 7 seas...NCL ( on their newer, bigger ships ) has the best- the District Brew House has 26 beers on draft, 80 in bottles, plus 12 TV's for sports and appetizers for a bit $$...fabulous place...

Hi all- my wife & I will be going to Cozumel around New Year's Eve on Celebrity..we have been to Cozumel about 15x and have been to Nachi Cocum ( love it ), Paradise Beach, and Mr. Sanchos a long time ago..my wife saw something in Coral World in St. Thomas that was like diving with a "space age diving helmet" there and wants to maybe try that in Cozumel..she does not swim, so normal diving not possible..if it's at one of those beach clubs I mentioned or perhaps another one, please advise...thanks!! 😄 Big Al

Hi All- going on the Mariner 8/21 for an 8 night Bermuda cruise...some questions for recent cruisers on the entertainment : 1) What time were the production shows and on what days ( if you remember..) 2) What times were the ice skating shows and what days of the cruise? Thanks!! Big Al

, No, it is not, but it is gorgeous!

Thanks....😀

1kaper: Did you just do a walk up, or did you have a reservation? I was told you needed a reservation for a day pass by an agent at the hotel...Thanks...we are going there Aug. 27th.. Big Al

Hi all- I went on a super Sunset catamaran sunset cruise in St. Thomas while on the Enchanted Princess and I know it said "Castaway Girl" on the side, but I can't seem to find the name of the company that does this..they were outstanding..it left at 4:30 PM and returned at 6:30 pm in early March...I have done a google search, but still can't find them...any thoughts or info on this? Big Al 😎

Hey all you people that have stayed in one of the cabanas on GSC, I have a few questions: 1) I see there are 3 cabanas on the website: Silver Cove, large, and small cabanas..I will be on the Joy next Nov 2020, and there will be 6 adults total. The space is more important than the A/C one ( Silver Cove)..in other words, I like sitting OUTDOORS over looking the beach..any opinions on which type of cabana? I'm leaning towards the large one. Also, any specific number cabana with great views of the beach? 2) Is it true the price of the cabana you see on line ( say $400..) is the TOTAL price, not PP? 3) Does this include alcohol ( yes we have the beverage package) 4) Do you tip the staff for the cabana, and if so, how much? 5) I like the private buffet the cabana people, was it decent? 6) Any other tips would be greatly appreciated , this will be our first cabana.. Big Al