RCI secrets they don't tell you

[klemeci]

(1) Beware of how windy it can be on deck at night AND in the morning. I went all the way to the front of the ship on Navigator early one morning, and nearly blew away. For real - it was seriously scary and probably should have been closed off.

 

Enjoy - there is nothing better than a trip to sea.

 

+1

 

And remember that what looks like an awesome opportunity to go on deck and take a picture of an oncoming thunderstorm when you're inside the Viking Lounge turns out to be thousands of stinging raindrops smacking you at 22kts plus the headwind. And yes, driving rain can get inside your camera and make it (and your SO) unhappy.

 

Also, while it may be fun to go to the front of the ship when docking, remember that gulls and other birds like to fly in front of the ship looking for food. What goes in must come out - so have someone watch them while you look through the binocs or you too can take advantage of the on board laundry service...

[subtchr]

+1

 

And remember that what looks like an awesome opportunity to go on deck and take a picture of an oncoming thunderstorm when you're inside the Viking Lounge turns out to be thousands of stinging raindrops smacking you at 22kts plus the headwind. And yes, driving rain can get inside your camera and make it (and your SO) unhappy.

 

Also, while it may be fun to go to the front of the ship when docking, remember that gulls and other birds like to fly in front of the ship looking for food. What goes in must come out - so have someone watch them while you look through the binocs or you too can take advantage of the on board laundry service...

 

These sound like hard-earned lessons...thanks for the heads up (no pun intended on the last tip...ok, maybe pun intended) so that others can benefit from your experiences!

 

One other one I thought of - even if your SO doesn't like trivia or other activities you might be interested in, go anyway. There are always small groups of folks who would welcome another "team member". It's a great way to meet people from all over.

[GCurry]

On the voyager class aft there is are stairways to go from one deck to another. Don't know if you are supposed to used them, but.... they are there and they are convenient if you want to get to aft cabins on higher or lower decks. Not much traffic on them - never saw anyone at all.

We have a cabin on the very stern of the Voyager for Feb.; where exactly are those stairs as they don't show up in the deck plans?

All they show are sets of stairs by the elevators.

 

JMHO since you asked, people in mobility scooters can be pretty rude too, cruise HAL or a super market and you find that out in a hurry.:)

 

Buy new shampoo, soap for the trip. Something tropical sounding with coconut scent or passion fruit or something. Use it on the ship and then continue using it when you get home. Never fails to "take me back" for just another minute or so.

Doesn't RCCL provide these toiletries in your cabin? Other cruiselines certainly do, it's perhaps not the pina colada, coconut butter, sandy sunburn don't touch me aroma after a beach day, but it's something you can relate to your cruise.

 

BTW, gulls work the entire ship especially any open areas where food may be left out. I find them to be equal opportunity offenders. Here in Galveston even in these troubled economic times, they can still put down a deposit on a Mercedes.

 

I just know he wrote the letter in Dear Abby this Sunday about me! It said it was from Wisconsin (but I know it was from Texas) and the DH was commenting on the backseat driving of his DW. She believes just like I do that we desparately need to tell DH how to drive! So to all the DWs out there who keep things moving smoothly - driving and conversation wise - Thank you

It was from Texas; as I find those shap intakes of breath, those feet thumping on imaginary brake pedels, those pointed questions about directions to be very distracting. My tip for the day is to turn your hearing aids off!:D Edited November 30, 2010 by GCurry

[CHAMPDDS]

If you have an iPhone go to the online iTunes store and you will find a couple of applications such as "Ship Mate" and "Royal Caribbean International" that show you deck plans. Great tool for finding your way round RCL's ships!

 

Cool app, but I am a Palm Pre guy...may try pdf coversions of the plans...or, sucker my kids into letting me use their Ipod Touches...

 

DAvid:D

[Rewind]

Cool app, but I am a Palm Pre guy...may try pdf coversions of the plans...or, sucker my kids into letting me use their Ipod Touches...

 

DAvid:D

 

I'm an Android guy and hadn't thought of the PDF idea. I might just have to do that.

[momofmab]

I am fascinated by this. It is obviously a cultural thing, but in the UK in many of our self service restaurants you line up first then find your table.

 

This is probably why I find it it most annoying that people feel it right to sit at a table they are not using while I am standing with a plate full of food.

 

I think of it as no different to deckchair hogging - keeping something you are not using.

 

I'm an American and I agree with you on this - although it may be more of a generational thing than cultural. Also annoying is when a party of 2 hog a table for 6 or 8 and aren't willing to share ;)

[Pack My Bags]

jlajla - I LOVE DOING THIS! Royal used to cruise out of Santo Domingo I forgot to bring shampoo, so I went to a local shop & got some sort of tropical shampoo. It was a huge bottle, but the only one I could understand in Spanish. Believe it or not, I still have a little less than half of it & when I need a pick me up I use it at home!

As for lanyards, the casino also has them for free at the cashier. Save, save, save. More money for the casino!

 

I have been in elevators with rude people, where people got on for ONE FLOOR, kids who have pressed all the buttons, people who were were claustrophobic & pushed out others when they tried to squeeze in. I have been run over by jazzy scooters, rudely pushed by foreign tourists, gotten dirty looks for wearing shorts after formal night dinner & seen Americans speak to their children like they are garbage....

I have gotten out of an elevator because kids pressed all the buttons, to avoid breathing obnoxious amount of nauseating colognes, because an elderly woman had to load her luggage cart because her DH had fallen ill in St. Thomas, and most importantly, to walk the rest of the way so someone with a jazzy, wheelchair and/or stroller could make it in together as a family.

 

Everyone has a choice! Now if only EVERYONE could remember that we are all on vacation & there is no rush, nothing so important that it can't wait. I will still say please, thank you, excuse me & keep being polite in hopes that people will extend the courtesy.

 

In the meantime I have learned the MOST important lesson about taking the elevators. If you are able to walk, the difference between taking the stairs either up or down 3 decks or less is 3-5 pounds per cruise!!!?!?!??!! ;) :p :D

[darrelltwo]

You can get a dozen basic whistle lanyards at just about any sporting goods store for under $10. Sell the others for a buck a piece.:cool:

 

That's planning ahead for sure :)

[jlajla]

GCurry - Yes, RCI provides shampoo, but I THINK (someone correct me if I'm wrong) that it is in a dispenser that stays there. My tip is just a fun little thing I have done to bring a little bit of cruise back with me to my morning shower. Not saying it's necessary, just fun. :)

[jlajla]

Do I remember hearing that there is a bathroom somewhere on Voyager class ships that looks out over the water? I can't remember where (it's been awhile), but I remember people telling me not to miss that on my first Voyager-class ship. Anyone help out here?

[snwbnnyinoz]

Do I remember hearing that there is a bathroom somewhere on Voyager class ships that looks out over the water? I can't remember where (it's been awhile), but I remember people telling me not to miss that on my first Voyager-class ship. Anyone help out here?

 

 

I think it's the men's bathroom near Windjammer

[swfla]

Do I remember hearing that there is a bathroom somewhere on Voyager class ships that looks out over the water? I can't remember where (it's been awhile), but I remember people telling me not to miss that on my first Voyager-class ship. Anyone help out here?

 

Yes, it is the Men's room on deck 10 on the Voyager.

 

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1528200718071433157vQrfyR

[imapa4u]

another thing RCL does not tell you is that they are PAID to promote the shops in the port. The shops pay up to $100,000 per year to advertise and have their shops highlighted on the map. And RCL girl gets 10% of all sales from what her cruise shoppers buy. Bigger is not always better. Yes those shops have the "guarantee" but if you know what you are looking for, try the smaller shops for better jewlery deals. We found a great place down the strip in St Thomas called House of Diamonds. Got some wonderful, one of a kind pieces including a nice chocolate diamond ring! So just beware of the PUSH from RCL to go to only the stores they tell you. But also beware of wrip-off artists in other shops. Get their business cards, have them write up an appraisal of their jewlery. Tell them you saw something at Diamonds International or the ship had a better price....

they will DEAL for sure to compete!

[gosaints2006]

Do I remember hearing that there is a bathroom somewhere on Voyager class ships that looks out over the water? I can't remember where (it's been awhile), but I remember people telling me not to miss that on my first Voyager-class ship. Anyone help out here?

 

Yes...This Reminds me...

 

Our first cruise was on the Voyager in 2003. The restrooms are strange. One night I went into the restroom and the urinal was a marble waterfall (from what I can remember). I took me a minute to find it when I entered. Well.....a few nights later...after too much to drink in Mexico.....we were dining at Chops and having a few more drinks. I get to the point where I cannot hold it any longer and excuse myself for a mad dash to find the nearest urinal. I go into the restroom, look for the urinal, then head into a stall. When I come out of the stall, there is a nice lady putting on lipstick politley letting me know that I was in the ladies room.

 

So here is my tip. LOOK AT THE SIGN ON THE DOOR!

Edited December 1, 2010 by gosaints2006

[mets550]

Yes...This Reminds me...

 

Our first cruise was on the Voyager in 2003. The restrooms are strange. One night I went into the restroom and the urinal was a marble waterfall (from what I can remember). I took me a minute to find it when I entered. Well.....a few nights later...after too much to drink in Mexico.....we were dining at Chops and having a few more drinks. I get to the point where I cannot hold it any longer and excuse myself for a mad dash to find the nearest urinal. I go into the restroom, look for the urinal, then head into a stall. When I come out of the stall, there is a nice lady putting on lipstick politley letting me know that I was in the ladies room.

 

So here is my tip. LOOK AT THE SIGN ON THE DOOR!

 

Haha! It seems like this incident had more to do with the sangrias than anything else.

[RUBBER DUCK]

Do I remember hearing that there is a bathroom somewhere on Voyager class ships that looks out over the water? I can't remember where (it's been awhile), but I remember people telling me not to miss that on my first Voyager-class ship. Anyone help out here?

 

Yes, it is the Men's room on deck 10 on the Voyager.

 

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1528200718071433157vQrfyR

 

 

Here's a different angle:

[CodyC815]

Yes, it is the Men's room on deck 10 on the Voyager.

 

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1528200718071433157vQrfyR

 

 

It's from that spot on the Mariner that I first saw Alcatraz during one of her PNW cruises last year.

Edited December 1, 2010 by CodyC815

[wallyworld583]

Port and starboard carpets have a different color for the border. Easy way to find your side of the ship

[InsideCruiser]

Yes, it is the Men's room on deck 10 on the Voyager.

 

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1528200718071433157vQrfyR

 

 

Here's a different angle:

 

Is that just on Voyager or all Voyager class?

[trainnut]

This is a very small hint.......When we cruise I am always amazed at the people who wander around the Windjammer with a full plate of food searching for a table......The WJ is usually busy...that is the way it is...however.. find your table first.....put your stuff on it or have one of your party wait there while others get their food. It is so silly to walk around like a sad sack with a full plate looking for a table!:):):)

 

Hey, that "sad sack" is me, looking for the table we got when we walked in. I HATE short-term memory loss!

[TexasR&H]

This may not be a secret but it was great nevertheless.

 

On sailings where we have been lucky enough to have a balcony, in foreign ports and when your balcony is on the docked side of the ship, when the ship is close to sailing time, instead of going up to a deck or lounge for sailaway, just hang out on the balcony - Then as you see all the folks running for all glory be down the dock so as to make the ship on time start cheering and hootin' & hollerin' (you won't be alone) - it was hilarious! This was one of our favorite activities on more than one ship.

 

That is our favorite too! We like having a frosty beverage while enjoying the "view" of that. Also was a great way to meet our balcony-loving neighbors that did the same!

[GCurry]

Hey, that "sad sack" is me, looking for the table we got when we walked in. I HATE short-term memory loss!

I've gotten used to it, as it inhances my ADD.:)

Train Nut, have you visited the Railroad Museum in Galveston, it used to have a nice collection.

 

With other cruiselines we usually avoid the table problem by going to the main dining room for lunch. Does anyone know if it's open on the Voyager at boarding?

[Gretel1128]

Port and starboard carpets have a different color for the border. Easy way to find your side of the ship

 

I never knew that. I have to pay attention on our next cruise.

 

Anne

[earn]

The ladies is much nicer than that! Just outside Windjammer if I remember correctly.

[39august]

I don't believe the dining room is open for lunch on any ship on embarkation day.