Just off Voyager

[tassie cruiser]

Was there a sticker on your card for the drink package or was it an embossed logo on your card? Different stickers for different packages?

 

There was a sticker on your card. Different sticker for different packages. We had the premium package so our sticker had P1 on it.

Edited January 13, 2014 by tassie cruiser

[tassie cruiser]

We just got off nye on rhapsody and booked next nye on voyager! Very excited to read yr review!

 

We thinking of rebooking as well. :p

[Jarrah-cruise]

Hi tassie cruiser, I have a lot of questions too, and would love any help you can provide!

 

$55 per person, but now only one person in cabin can get or one can get a alcohol package and the other another package (non alcoholic) is much better now as before both had to get.

 

- When did this change? The only reason I ask is because my friends (who are actually the ones going on the cruise) were led to believe that it is still the case that all passengers in the same cabin are required to get the drinks package. Or do you mean that both passengers need to get a drinks package (as opposed to one who does and one who opts out), but the type of drinks package can vary?

 

- Did you have dinner in the MDR at the early or late sitting? If it was the late sitting, did you find that it cut into time when shows or other activities on-board are happening?

 

- Did you have any outbreaks of norovirus on-board?

 

- Did you bring a powerboard (I've read posts here that some people have, others have but they were confiscated, etc.)?

 

- With dining in the MDR, do you know if you have to stick with your early/late sitting, or can you ever just turn up and still manage to get a seat?

 

- How was the ice skating show organised? How did you know which night to go?

 

- When do you find out which nights in the MDR are formal or casual nights?

 

- Any tips/advice you can provide for first-timers to cruising, and any VOS-specific info would be most appreciated!

 

Many, many thanks for your help! :)

[MAI]

Best bar was the Pig & Whistle on the promenade and the sky bar on top deck (our opinion only) our husbands decided to do a bar crawl one day as they counted up 18 bars , they only got to 7 or 8 and were all tucked up in bed by 5-00 in the afternoon. Lol. Soooo funny. Must admit the drinks package was used that day to the max.

Hope that answered some questions for you..

 

Hey Fiona,

 

Were the tap bears in the Pig and Whistle included in the drinks package? I noticed the package does not include specialty beers. My husband prefers random tap beers and if these aren't included at the pub I imagine I would be paying for a lot of extra beers to keep him happy.

 

Thanks

[Jarrah-cruise]

Sorry, just another question to add (I might have more ... unfortunately!):

 

How was your experience with boarding the ship? I've read that there's staggered boarding/luggage drop-off. However, the Set Sail information my friends received give a time frame (e.g. 10AM-2PM) instead of a specific time, but, when I've looked at people's photos, it'll say something like 'Deck 6 - 3:30PM' and so forth.

 

Have I just misunderstood how the process works?

 

Many thanks again! :)

[tassie cruiser]

Hi tassie cruiser, I have a lot of questions too, and would love any help you can provide!

 

 

 

- When did this change? The only reason I ask is because my friends (who are actually the ones going on the cruise) were led to believe that it is still the case that all passengers in the same cabin are required to get the drinks package. Or do you mean that both passengers need to get a drinks package (as opposed to one who does and one who opts out), but the type of drinks package can vary?

 

- Did you have dinner in the MDR at the early or late sitting? If it was the late sitting, did you find that it cut into time when shows or other activities on-board are happening?

 

- Did you have any outbreaks of norovirus on-board?

 

- Did you bring a powerboard (I've read posts here that some people have, others have but they were confiscated, etc.)?

 

- With dining in the MDR, do you know if you have to stick with your early/late sitting, or can you ever just turn up and still manage to get a seat?

 

- How was the ice skating show organised? How did you know which night to go?

 

- When do you find out which nights in the MDR are formal or casual nights?

 

- Any tips/advice you can provide for first-timers to cruising, and any VOS-specific info would be most appreciated!

 

Many, many thanks for your help! :)

 

Hi there, no, with the updated packages, anyone can get. So eg.. if your husb wants and you don't then only he can get, entirely up to you if you want another package or nothing at all.. I will try and be clever and copy and paste where it explains a bit better...[/b]

 

For cruises out of Aus - Cocktails - up to $12 and glasses of wine - up to $14

From memory there was not any cocktails over $12 and the wine the majority was under $14 anyway.. All the beer was inc...

over the 14 days we had and the 6 of us there was never ever any drink that wasn't included..

 

The Royal Replenish Package

 

$20 per guest each day, includes:

•Premium coffee

•Premium tea

•Bottled water

•Sparkling water (375ml)

•Still water (500ml)

•Fresh squeezed orange juice

•Non-alcoholic cocktails

•Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup

 

The Select Package

 

$40 per guest each day, includes:

•Beer

•Wine by the glass (up to $8 value)

•Non-alcoholic cocktails

•Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup

•20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

 

The Premium Package

 

$55 per guest each day, includes:

•Call and premium cocktails (up to $12 value)

•Frozen cocktails

•Beers

•Premium wine by the glass (up to $14 value)

•Non-alcoholic cocktails

•Still bottled water (500ml)

•Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup

•20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

 

The Ultimate Package

 

$65 per guest each day, includes:

•Premium coffee

•Premium tea

•Bottled water

•Sparkling water (375ml)

•Still water (500ml)

•Fresh squeezed orange juice

•Call and premium cocktails (up to $12 value)

•Frozen cocktails

•Beers

•Premium wine by the glass (up to $14 value)

•Non-alcoholic cocktails

•Fountain soda with souvenir Coca-Cola cup

•20% discount on purchases of bottles of wine

 

The other major change to the unlimited alcohol packages is now any eligible guest in a stateroom may purchase a package. This is a change from the previous policy where all eligible guests in a stateroom had to purchase a package.

 

The new unnlimited beverage packages will be available for guests purchase starting today, November 15th on all ships, and pre-purchase online the first week of December at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/cruiseEnhancements.do or by calling our pre-cruise planning specialists at 1-800-398-9819. Once available online, you can purchase them approximately 2 months before sail date.

 

All package prices include the 15% gratuity. Also the the basic soda package and water package stay intact.

Edited January 13, 2014 by tassie cruiser

[tassie cruiser]

Hey Fiona,

 

Were the tap bears in the Pig and Whistle included in the drinks package? I noticed the package does not include specialty beers. My husband prefers random tap beers and if these aren't included at the pub I imagine I would be paying for a lot of extra beers to keep him happy.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

Yes, included all beers, no worries there..... I am not a beer person but my husband had Crown Lagar (Crownies) Guiness and quite a few others

[tassie cruiser]

Sorry, just another question to add (I might have more ... unfortunately!):

 

How was your experience with boarding the ship? I've read that there's staggered boarding/luggage drop-off. However, the Set Sail information my friends received give a time frame (e.g. 10AM-2PM) instead of a specific time, but, when I've looked at people's photos, it'll say something like 'Deck 6 - 3:30PM' and so forth.

 

Have I just misunderstood how the process works?

 

Many thanks again! :)

 

Boarding is supposed to go by deck numbers but we got there early to drop bags off and they said you can board now if you like... Most people we spoke to just got on when they arrived at the terminal, I guess they do the staggered times just incase heaps of people turn up at once but a friend that was on the cruise was supposed to board at 1-30 and she was on before 11.

[tassie cruiser]

Hi tassie cruiser, I have a lot of questions too, and would love any help you can provide!

 

 

 

- When did this change? The only reason I ask is because my friends (who are actually the ones going on the cruise) were led to believe that it is still the case that all passengers in the same cabin are required to get the drinks package. Or do you mean that both passengers need to get a drinks package (as opposed to one who does and one who opts out), but the type of drinks package can vary?

 

- Did you have dinner in the MDR at the early or late sitting? If it was the late sitting, did you find that it cut into time when shows or other activities on-board are happening?

we had late seating - 8-15 you could go to the early or late shows

 

- Did you have any outbreaks of norovirus on-board?

No, not at all, they were great with making people wash their hands..... There was this georgeous lady at the buffet and as you were walking in she would say...washy, washy, woop woop.....lol there were hand sanitisers at every entrance

 

- Did you bring a powerboard (I've read posts here that some people have, others have but they were confiscated, etc.)? No problem with power boards, but this time I took on 2 x double adaptors as there were 3 x outlets in cabin (European adaptors needed)

- With dining in the MDR, do you know if you have to stick with your early/late sitting, or can you ever just turn up and still manage to get a seat? If you are allocated late seating for example, you have to go to late or you may chose the buffet or portofinos or johnny rockets... Anytime dining is to be chosen at time of booking (so you can go anytime you want) that's at a different level of the dining room but if you chose this you have to pay grats and cannot remove them

- How was the ice skating show organised? How did you know which night to go?

We were allocated days/times, depending on your dining (late,early or anytime) and our muster number... example, our muster number was B13 (your muster number is printed on your card) and we were late dining so they would say ::: late seating and odd number muster at such and such a time, and late seating with even number at such and such,, if that makes sense.. If you wanted to go again you could just turn up and stand in the "stand by line" and once the people were in then the stand by line went in, no one ever missed out if they were in the stand by line

 

- When do you find out which nights in the MDR are formal or casual nights?

they don't have a lot of.... think we had 3??? with our 14 night cruise..

There was a few theme nights as well but not many people participated in.. One was the island night which they had on the top deck as we left Wellington duhhhhhh, bit cold lol, then there was a 70's night which hardly anyone joined in and there was a white night, which again, wasn't a hit

 

- Any tips/advice you can provide for first-timers to cruising, and any VOS-specific info would be most appreciated!

 

No laundry on RCCL, so if you have a balcony, can wash out in bathroom and hang on balcony. They have $30 wash bags for just underwear, shorts, tshirts etc... they come back clean but soooooo wrinkly and not folded what so ever..

Remember its all US onboard so if the dollar gets better go and get cash..... If you put credit card on for your account make sure you tick " my bank will convert" not RCCL, they are shockers and rate very low

Edited January 13, 2014 by tassie cruiser

[moonlight_path]

One thing I found with VOS was that it was virtually impossible to get an elevator up to 11 if, for example, you were on level 8 or 9. Even 6 was difficult at times. Much easier to ride the thing down and then go back up. Otherwise it was full by the time it got to 8/9. We discovered this on day 1 after having 3 elevators turn up full on the way to level 14.

[karmac]

Best bar was the Pig & Whistle on the promenade and the sky bar on top deck (our opinion only) our husbands decided to do a bar crawl one day as they counted up 18 bars , they only got to 7 or 8 and were all tucked up in bed by 5-00 in the afternoon. Lol. Soooo funny. Must admit the drinks package was used that day to the max.

Hope that answered some questions for you..

 

18 bars???? we were just on there for the weekend and I must say, we didn't see that many. What were they all? We loved The Pig & Whistle too.

[tassie cruiser]

18 bars???? we were just on there for the weekend and I must say, we didn't see that many. What were they all? We loved The Pig & Whistle too.

 

They counted all bars..inc. bar in theatre, windjammer, ice skating etc.....Fiona.

[Esilef]

They counted all bars..inc. bar in theatre, windjammer, ice skating etc.....Fiona.

 

I guest to count each bar they had to sample a beer at each bar......... Would hate them to have missed 1!

 

Do you want my hubby to do a recount in the name of research on our cruise? He would be happy to sample a beer or 3 at each bar.

 

As someone told me their is the kids clubs for our kids and bars for our husbands. Heaven.

[romanpolitics*]

I just came back from New Years on P&O's Pacific Pearl and have caught the cruise bug! I'm interested in the next New Years on VOS. :)

 

What was the make up of the passengers on VOS? Were there a lot of families/older cruisers (I am currently 19, so would prefer to be around the 18-25's!)?

 

Did the nightclub go off most nights or did it tend to be quieter? I must say, the partying on the Pearl was fantastic!

[tassie cruiser]

I just came back from New Years on P&O's Pacific Pearl and have caught the cruise bug! I'm interested in the next New Years on VOS. :)

 

What was the make up of the passengers on VOS? Were there a lot of families/older cruisers (I am currently 19, so would prefer to be around the 18-25's!)?

 

Did the nightclub go off most nights or did it tend to be quieter? I must say, the partying on the Pearl was fantastic!

 

 

I Love Pearly :p. we had friends on your cruise. Ours was mixed, but there was quite a few your age that's for sure. And the nightclub (the vault) went till early hours of the morn. NYE cruises always attract younger or younger hearted people, not many fuddy duddys :D. The only thing I found a bit disappointing was that NYE was on the promenade (inside) no outside deck party. Can't beat p&o in that area. They do it the best.. No sail away party or anything either :rolleyes:

[tassie cruiser]

I guest to count each bar they had to sample a beer at each bar......... Would hate them to have missed 1!

 

Do you want my hubby to do a recount in the name of research on our cruise? He would be happy to sample a beer or 3 at each bar.

 

As someone told me their is the kids clubs for our kids and bars for our husbands. Heaven.

 

Sounds about right :p. where our boys got into trouble was that at each bar they went to they had a different drink or would ask randoms to pick them a drink, so they had everything from beer to cocktails to sambucca shots, I found them once in the casino bar having mudslides. Lol. Girly drink.

And they free pour so the drinks are soooooo strong, half the time they didn't even put coke or whatever in it, they would have to ask for it..the shots were the size of a normal drink. lol.

Edited January 13, 2014 by tassie cruiser

[Sapphire57]

so much great info on here...cant wait for UR review. We are sailing on VOS in under a month (feb 13)...the only question I have is....what is the coffee really like?? I hear it is like dishwater to sump oil,:eek: even the stuff that you pay for is not the best...Illy I think they said the brand is.

 

I know it is a personal taste (I prefer plunger or drip coffee but will drink the stronger instant stuff - Nescafe Dark & Moccona)

 

Karen

[tillydog]

Washy washy (Jenny - Washy Washy WJ lunchtime) was lovely. She got sick tho towards the end of the cruise and was off for 1 day but the impact she had on people with her enthusiasm and happy smile was greatly missed. However, Maria (Washy washy WJ breakfast time) kept being asked how she was feeling now!!!

[tassie cruiser]

so much great info on here...cant wait for UR review. We are sailing on VOS in under a month (feb 13)...the only question I have is....what is the coffee really like?? I hear it is like dishwater to sump oil,:eek: even the stuff that you pay for is not the best...Illy I think they said the brand is.

 

I know it is a personal taste (I prefer plunger or drip coffee but will drink the stronger instant stuff - Nescafe Dark & Moccona)

 

Karen

 

There is a kettle in your room so if you have a favourite coffee take with you. The coffee in dining rooms and room service was very good, the specialty coffee was also good. The coffee from the machines in buffet area weren't real flash :p

When rooms serviced the Robert Tim's coffee bags were put in room, they were great, that was a JS so not sure if that was offered in all rooms, if you like them you could buy a box and take with you, we were talking to a guy in the buffet area and he was explaining how they have just changed coffee brands as Aussies are fussy with their coffee. :D. We took a jar of moccona and didn't use as we loved the coffee bags and the room service coffee. We would just go to buffet and get a jug of milk to take to room as they only leave those little tiny plastic things of long life milk, that you need at least 4 to make normal. Lol

[Jarrah-cruise]

tassie cruiser, thank you, thank you, thank you so much for all your help! :) I really appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.

 

Hopefully, I won't have too many more, but, thank you again! It's really a big help! :D

[Jarrah-cruise]

Sorry, tassie cruiser, back for one more ... (for now, at least!)

 

You mentioned that USD is used on-board. What do you need cash for (sorry if this is a silly question!)? I assumed they just put everything on your SeaPass - Is that not right? Also, does everywhere where you need to make payment have credit card facilities available, or are there places on-board that only accept cash?

 

Very good tip about the credit card though! That's definitely handy to know!

 

Thank you again for all your wonderful help! :)

[cruisine21]

There is a kettle in your room so if you have a favourite coffee take with you. The coffee in dining rooms and room service was very good, the specialty coffee was also good. The coffee from the machines in buffet area weren't real flash :p

When we were on the Radiance in Sept 2012 they did not have any kettles in the rooms.

Edited January 14, 2014 by cruisine21

[keagle]

You mentioned that USD is used on-board. What do you need cash for (sorry if this is a silly question!)? I assumed they just put everything on your SeaPass - Is that not right? Also, does everywhere where you need to make payment have credit card facilities available, or are there places on-board that only accept cash?

The casino will be the only place that you need actual cash to play the pokies. You can withdraw cash from the casino cashier. They have their own conversion rate, so $1.00 US will cost more than that. The casino uses US dollars.

 

You can use any type of cash to pay money of your Seapass account at the Pursers desk (customer relations), or you can just let them bill it to your credit card. I always get some US dollars prior, as the rate of exchange is a little better than on-board, and I put this into my Seapass account.

 

All other transactions on-board will be billed to your Seapass account.

[romanpolitics*]

I Love Pearly :p. we had friends on your cruise. Ours was mixed, but there was quite a few your age that's for sure. And the nightclub (the vault) went till early hours of the morn. NYE cruises always attract younger or younger hearted people, not many fuddy duddys :D. The only thing I found a bit disappointing was that NYE was on the promenade (inside) no outside deck party. Can't beat p&o in that area. They do it the best.. No sail away party or anything either :rolleyes:

 

Thanks for your reply :)

 

I do hear New Zealand ports tend to attract an older crowd though - do you know if that's true? I'd go back to the South Pacific islands but I figure since I've just been there I could give NZ a go for the next cruise :D I love cruising!

[Jarrah-cruise]

When we were on the Radiance in Sept 2012 they did not have any kettles in the rooms.

 

I wrote to Royal Carribbean recently and they confirmed that (at least, the Promenade Staterooms do, so, I assume the rest will too!) all rooms have kettles. :)

 

You can use any type of cash to pay money of your Seapass account at the Pursers desk (customer relations), or you can just let them bill it to your credit card. I always get some US dollars prior, as the rate of exchange is a little better than on-board, and I put this into my Seapass account.

 

Thank you so much, keagle! Just a few questions: When you say 'any type of cash', do you mean including AUD?

 

Also, when you say you get cash to put into your Seapass account, is your SeaPass therefore a bit like London's Oyster Card or Hong Kong's Octopus Card, where you load it with cash, and can therefore use it to pay whatever you need to pay?

 

Thanks a lot for your help, keagle! I really appreciate all the assistance! :)