Questions...questions....questions.....

[NewbieCruiser2015]

Can someone explain the "lay of the land" to me- that is, let's start with the pregame -- Things I need to figure out: excursions (I will likely be planning our own- I love that ) and the drink packages ~my teens will want soda and virgin frozens, I am still thinking about my DH and me. He typically is a beer drinker but likes the occasional painkiller type of drink. Is it probably best to buy the beer package and then just put the occasional rum drink onto our account? I like beer and mixed cocktails but I'm not a morning drinker (Bloody Mary etc). Makes me too tired. If I add a couple cocktails on each day, I still don't think that makes the bigger packages cost effective. Do they have a credit card on file and it just goes to that? Our passports are all current. Copies made just in case. Anything else I should be thinking about at this point? I'm a bit of a compulsive micromanaging planner (I hope in a good way ;) )

 

What happens when we get to the Pan Am dock? We are staying at the Hilton Caribe the night before which looks like a nice hotel but I am thinking we may want to get to the dock early. As this is our first time, I feel like we want to get acclimated early. You hand your luggage over right? Typically whenever we travel we just do backpacks or at most carry ons. Very very light packers But we typically don't need so many changes of clothes and my kids have NEVER been asked to wear khakis on a vacation. They don't know about that yet LOL That'll be a fun conversation. So if we did board early, I need to organize bathing suits and change of clothes for everyone in a carry on I assume. Easy enough. Sunscreen. Any other secret tips?

 

When does customs happen? as you process on to the boat, what happens? How does Royal Caribbean organize accounts? I assume if my teens have a different drink package, they have to keep some kind of identification? Do I need to worry about them losing something? Or, put another way--- if they have something to carry around, how many times can they lose it before there is a penalty? :D

 

Do I have an account with the ship that I could add money to prior so to make it a little less painful financially down the road? How do Royal Caribbean gift cards work? I have some rewards with my Chase card and that is one of the options. Anyone ever use them before?

 

So at each new port, you arrive and is there a crazy mass exodus? Is it super crowded or do they stagger it?

 

I am hoping that I will not make the casino a habit. We have some great casinos nearby in CT and thankfully they are just far enough away so as not to be habit forming. I'm typically just a slots/roulette girl, and I'm hearing the cruise ships are "tight". But SHOULD I decide to go :rolleyes: how does it work? Cash? Is it a "ticket" when you win? I assume it's not old school quarters coming out? (though I found that very rewarding in the moment). What is a slots tournament?

 

How does the wifi work? I would love to tell my kids (and myself actually) to try to "disconnect" for the entirety of the trip but I don't see that as likely. Do you buy wifi beforehand? I know it's a sketchy connection so hopefully a once a day check-in to be sure things are okay at home will suffice.

 

What takes place at the meet and mingle? Would my teens go? or would they kill me. :D

 

I could sit here all day and write questions all day but for now, that's a start.

[bouhunter]

If I tried to answer all that I'd be typing here all day:eek::D Will stick with a couple of your questions:

 

You can get to the pier in SJU around 10:30-11:00 they'll usually start boarding around 11:30. Yes you give your large bags to porters there. You can carry on anything that would basically go through an airport scanner.

 

The Caribe is a nice hotel we've stayed there many times.

 

Day of departure: Yes they try to "stagger" it, and yes it's also usually chaos:D

[cflower04]

Wow... Questions questions questions is right!

 

Yes you hand over your luggage to the porters at the pier. It'll be delivered to your cabin later on that evening. So keep swimming togs, medications, etc with you. You may not need a change of clothes with you! No point lugging too much stuff around. Cabins will be open around 1pm.

 

Drink prices have recently increased so depending on how many drinks you will drink per day, they may or may not be a good option for ye. Have a look at the prices online and estimate what ye'll spend per day.

[Ourusualbeach]

You will likely get answers to more of your questions if you limit your questions to 3-4 per post and keep them grouped in one theme as opposed to 30 questions in one post.

 

The Jewel has the coke freestyle machines that dispense hundreds of flavour combinations of soda. You do need the special insulated cups for this though as the machines are RFID activated. Their Seapass cards will have a sticker on them so that if they do not have the cups with them they ca get very limited soda selection at any bar.

 

The refreshment (soda only) package is about $6 per day for kids and the replenish (soda, water, fresh OJ, specialty coffee and tea as well as virgin drinks) is about $20pp per day.

[NewbieCruiser2015]

I wasn't expecting one poster to answer all my questions.

[celebrity]

Can someone explain the "lay of the land" to me- that is, let's start with the pregame -- Things I need to figure out: excursions (I will likely be planning our own- I love that ) and the drink packages ~my teens will want soda and virgin frozens, I am still thinking about my DH and me. He typically is a beer drinker but likes the occasional painkiller type of drink. Is it probably best to buy the beer package and then just put the occasional rum drink onto our account? I like beer and mixed cocktails but I'm not a morning drinker (Bloody Mary etc). Makes me too tired. If I add a couple cocktails on each day, I still don't think that makes the bigger packages cost effective. Do they have a credit card on file and it just goes to that? Our passports are all current. Copies made just in case. Anything else I should be thinking about at this point? I'm a bit of a compulsive micromanaging planner (I hope in a good way ;) )

 

What happens when we get to the Pan Am dock? We are staying at the Hilton Caribe the night before which looks like a nice hotel but I am thinking we may want to get to the dock early. As this is our first time, I feel like we want to get acclimated early. You hand your luggage over right? Typically whenever we travel we just do backpacks or at most carry ons. Very very light packers But we typically don't need so many changes of clothes and my kids have NEVER been asked to wear khakis on a vacation. They don't know about that yet LOL That'll be a fun conversation. So if we did board early, I need to organize bathing suits and change of clothes for everyone in a carry on I assume. Easy enough. Sunscreen. Any other secret tips?

 

When does customs happen? as you process on to the boat, what happens? How does Royal Caribbean organize accounts? I assume if my teens have a different drink package, they have to keep some kind of identification? Do I need to worry about them losing something? Or, put another way--- if they have something to carry around, how many times can they lose it before there is a penalty? :D

 

Do I have an account with the ship that I could add money to prior so to make it a little less painful financially down the road? How do Royal Caribbean gift cards work? I have some rewards with my Chase card and that is one of the options. Anyone ever use them before?

 

So at each new port, you arrive and is there a crazy mass exodus? Is it super crowded or do they stagger it?

 

I am hoping that I will not make the casino a habit. We have some great casinos nearby in CT and thankfully they are just far enough away so as not to be habit forming. I'm typically just a slots/roulette girl, and I'm hearing the cruise ships are "tight". But SHOULD I decide to go :rolleyes: how does it work? Cash? Is it a "ticket" when you win? I assume it's not old school quarters coming out? (though I found that very rewarding in the moment). What is a slots tournament?

 

How does the wifi work? I would love to tell my kids (and myself actually) to try to "disconnect" for the entirety of the trip but I don't see that as likely. Do you buy wifi beforehand? I know it's a sketchy connection so hopefully a once a day check-in to be sure things are okay at home will suffice.

 

What takes place at the meet and mingle? Would my teens go? or would they kill me. :D

 

I could sit here all day and write questions all day but for now, that's a start.

 

Wow! You do have a lot of questions and I will answer as many as I can.

As far as drink packages , based on what you have stated, your husband should get the beer package and buy the harder stuff of the mood strikes him. In your case,I would not buy any package.

 

Yes, make copies of your passport when you go ashore but your real Id to get back on the ship will be your DL and seapass.

 

If you get to the dock early, drop off your luggage, tip the porter and get ready to wait. San Juan is notoriously slow at embarkation and they don't let you into the terminal early the way other ports do. Out bathing suits, sunscreen, and a change of clothing in your carry on in the event that your luggage doesn't arrive in time for dinner.

 

Customs is at the end of your cruise when you declare any purchases. You will be given a Customs Declaration Form on ship a day or two before disembarking. Save your receipts.

 

Don't bring your kids to the Meet and Mingle. They will be bored!

Edited May 24, 2015 by celebrity

[celebrity]

They don't stagger exiting the ship at the ports but I have never encountered a major problem. You'll feel the most crowded on embarkation and disembarkation day. The other days everyone goes at their own pace.

[celebrity]

I wasn't expecting one poster to answer all my questions.

 

Sorry if we offended you..just trying to advise you that you will get faster responses with several posts rather than one long post.

You'll see there are a lot of helpful people on the boards who were newbies too at one time.

Happy to pay back. Don't hesitate asking more questions. I can feel the excitement in your post.

Edited May 24, 2015 by celebrity

[celebrity]

Let me also add that if you are a wine drinker, you can bring 2 bottles onboard per cabin.

Put them in your carry on.

[cruisenfever]

I wasn't expecting one poster to answer all my questions.

If I may suggest that the next time you have questions, a numbering system is always a good idea.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Can someone explain the "lay of the land" to me- that is, let's start with the pregame -- Things I need to figure out: excursions (I will likely be planning our own- I love that ) and the drink packages ~my teens will want soda and virgin frozens, I am still thinking about my DH and me. He typically is a beer drinker but likes the occasional painkiller type of drink. Is it probably best to buy the beer package and then just put the occasional rum drink onto our account? I like beer and mixed cocktails but I'm not a morning drinker (Bloody Mary etc). Makes me too tired. If I add a couple cocktails on each day, I still don't think that makes the bigger packages cost effective. Do they have a credit card on file and it just goes to that? Our passports are all current. Copies made just in case. Anything else I should be thinking about at this point? I'm a bit of a compulsive micromanaging planner (I hope in a good way ;) )

 

 

 

What happens when we get to the Pan Am dock? We are staying at the Hilton Caribe the night before which looks like a nice hotel but I am thinking we may want to get to the dock early. As this is our first time, I feel like we want to get acclimated early. You hand your luggage over right? Typically whenever we travel we just do backpacks or at most carry ons. Very very light packers But we typically don't need so many changes of clothes and my kids have NEVER been asked to wear khakis on a vacation. They don't know about that yet LOL That'll be a fun conversation. So if we did board early, I need to organize bathing suits and change of clothes for everyone in a carry on I assume. Easy enough. Sunscreen. Any other secret tips?

 

 

 

When does customs happen? as you process on to the boat, what happens? How does Royal Caribbean organize accounts? I assume if my teens have a different drink package, they have to keep some kind of identification? Do I need to worry about them losing something? Or, put another way--- if they have something to carry around, how many times can they lose it before there is a penalty? :D

 

 

 

Do I have an account with the ship that I could add money to prior so to make it a little less painful financially down the road? How do Royal Caribbean gift cards work? I have some rewards with my Chase card and that is one of the options. Anyone ever use them before?

 

 

 

So at each new port, you arrive and is there a crazy mass exodus? Is it super crowded or do they stagger it?

 

 

 

I am hoping that I will not make the casino a habit. We have some great casinos nearby in CT and thankfully they are just far enough away so as not to be habit forming. I'm typically just a slots/roulette girl, and I'm hearing the cruise ships are "tight". But SHOULD I decide to go :rolleyes:

 

how does it work? Cash? Is it a "ticket" when you win? I assume it's not old school quarters coming out? (though I found that very rewarding in the moment). What is a slots tournament?

 

 

 

How does the wifi work? I would love to tell my kids (and myself actually) to try to "disconnect" for the entirety of the trip but I don't see that as likely. Do you buy wifi beforehand? I know it's a sketchy connection so hopefully a once a day check-in to be sure things are okay at home will suffice.

 

 

 

What takes place at the meet and mingle? Would my teens go? or would they kill me. :D

 

 

 

I could sit here all day and write questions all day but for now, that's a start.

 

 

I agree with other posters! You would get a better response by asking more specific questions in a shorter post, however, here goes!

 

You don't mention what ship, unless I missed it.

 

As far as excursions, if planning your own, be very cognizant of time. The ship will not wait for you even if you are a few minutes late. They will wait for ship's excursions, but not private. Thinking emergency things like a cab having a flat tire, so plan carefully and allow time.

 

As far as drink packages, that really depends on how much you and your family drinks. Ship's water is fine, but some people drink only bottled water; soda is extra; alcohol, etc. look at the packages and prices and make your decision based on your needs.

 

Stayed at the Hilton, and it was nice. Haven't sailed from SanJuan in a long time so can't comment. - things change.

 

Each person, including kids, will have a sea pass card. All purchases are billed to the card. Normally your credit card is billed for purchases. When you arrive at the dock and go through boarding procedures they take tour credit card. You also will pre register on line and give this info. I believe you can put a limit on your kids. Also you can add to your account ahead of time and have a credit to work from, if you want.

 

Could never travel with just a carryon - without turning this into a dress code thread, be aware that there are suggested and minimum dress codes, especially in dining areas.

 

Exiting ship can depend on if it is a tender port - can be crowded - can vary greatly.

 

Not sure on wifi - most find it expensive.

 

If there are other kids at meet and mingle it's a good place for them to meet each other. Depends on ages - ask on your thread.

[cb at sea]

I wear my swimsuit (under my clothes) for boarding...that way, since the cabins aren't ready, I don't have to find somewhere to change.

 

Everything is charged to your cabin (like at a hotel) and then, on the last day, charged to your credit card (or whatever means of paying you are using).

 

Anyone who is old enough to go places on their own will need to carry their seapass...it's your room key and ship ID. You can't get in the cabin without it...you can't buy anything without it, you can't leave (or rebound) the ship without it. If you have little kids, YOU will carry their seapass!

 

Casinos on the ships are NOT like casinos on land. The payout is horrible, and I'm not sure who sets the gambling rules.....it's a fun way to pass a bit of time, but, IMO, it's nothing like Vegas, baby!!!

[Thoie]

I'm bored, so let's begin!

 

Can someone explain the "lay of the land" to me- that is, let's start with the pregame -- Things I need to figure out: excursions (I will likely be planning our own- I love that ) and the drink packages ~my teens will want soda and virgin frozens, I am still thinking about my DH and me. He typically is a beer drinker but likes the occasional painkiller type of drink. Is it probably best to buy the beer package and then just put the occasional rum drink onto our account? I like beer and mixed cocktails but I'm not a morning drinker (Bloody Mary etc). Makes me too tired. If I add a couple cocktails on each day, I still don't think that makes the bigger packages cost effective.

For the kids - the soda package is just sodas, no virgin frozen drinks. If they want those you're looking at the Royal Replenish package (approx $20 a day per person) which includes soft drinks, bottled water, speciality coffees/hot drinks and virgin cocktails.

You'd want to be drinking about 6 cocktails a day to make the higher packages worthwhile, so the Select package (beer and wine for approx $35 per person per day) may be worthwhile for your husband. If you're not big drinkers, I'd just buy as you go.

 

Do they have a credit card on file and it just goes to that?

Yes - you can either set up your onboard account with a credit card, or with cash. If you go for the cash idea, you can give them money on the first day, or they'll let you run up a tab to a certain amount, but then you'd need to go and top it up with money before buying anything else.

 

Your room key is your "everything" while on board. Everything you buy on the ship will be done by swiping your room key. Multiple room keys can be connected to the same account, so they all go on a single bill. You can track your expenditure through the TV in your room. On the last night, if there are no problems, they'll just charge your credit card with the amount of your total bill.

 

I've heard that if you're travelling with kids you can ask guest services to put a limit on their cards (kids' room cards can also make purchases), but I've no experience of that.

 

 

Our passports are all current. Copies made just in case. Anything else I should be thinking about at this point? I'm a bit of a compulsive micromanaging planner (I hope in a good way ;) )

Passports, photocopies, details of any travel/health insurance, leave copies with someone at home "just in case". Let your credit card company know you'll be travelling. Check roaming rates with your mobile/cell provider. Learn how to switch roaming data off on your phones. Print outs of your set sail/cruising documents. Colour print luggage tags (which will come with your documents). Pre-sign (electronically) activities waivers for things like rock-climbing/ice-skating and flowrider if you want to.

 

What happens when we get to the Pan Am dock? We are staying at the Hilton Caribe the night before which looks like a nice hotel but I am thinking we may want to get to the dock early. As this is our first time, I feel like we want to get acclimated early. You hand your luggage over right?

When you get to the pier you can hand over your big suitcases to the porters, with your luggage tags attached. As you enter the terminal there may be security screening (like an airport) where you'll put bags/hand luggage through an x-ray, and you'll walk through a metal detector. After that there will be signs for which queue to join. At the check-in desk, present all your documents (set sail info, passports and the credit card(s) you want to use for your onboard account). You'll be given a room card each - that allows you on/off the ship, into your cabin and to make purchases onboard. They will take your photo for each card as well, so when your card is swiped, staff can see your picture (to make sure it's you). After that you can just wander onto the ship (following the signs).

 

Your cabin won't be available until at least 1pm, sometimes later (they'll make announcements on board). So whatever hand luggage you bring with you, be prepared to carry it around with you until your cabin is open.

 

 

 

Typically whenever we travel we just do backpacks or at most carry ons. Very very light packers But we typically don't need so many changes of clothes and my kids have NEVER been asked to wear khakis on a vacation. They don't know about that yet LOL That'll be a fun conversation.

 

Surprise!

 

So if we did board early, I need to organize bathing suits and change of clothes for everyone in a carry on I assume. Easy enough. Sunscreen. Any other secret tips?

Things I bring in my hand luggage (in case my main suitcase disappears, gets delivered late): swimsuit, sunscreen, all my medications for the entire trip, one complete change of clothes, my kindle and phone charger. Basically, things I couldn't replace easily on the ship.

 

 

When does customs happen? as you process on to the boat, what happens?

Process onto the ship is as above. Customs/immigration happen when you're leaving the ship. Different places do it all sorts of different ways - worst case scenario is it's like an airport, and you queue for a desk when you get off the ship.

 

 

How does Royal Caribbean organize accounts? I assume if my teens have a different drink package, they have to keep some kind of identification? Do I need to worry about them losing something? Or, put another way--- if they have something to carry around, how many times can they lose it before there is a penalty? :D

Your room card has your name, your partial cabin #, your dining table # and time, your muster station, a folio (account) # and a sticker/printing showing what drinks package you have, if any. You can get a hole punched in the card at guest services, and put the card on a lanyard for the kids (and yourself if you want). With the drinks package you can go to any bar, ask for a drink and they'll swipe your card - that will show them that there's 0.00 charge for the item.

 

I managed to lock my card in my cabin twice on my last cruise :o They didn't punish me, but I'm not sure what would have happened if I'd done it a 3rd time. Walk the plank maybe?

[Thoie]

Do I have an account with the ship that I could add money to prior so to make it a little less painful financially down the road?

 

Not sure about adding money up front, but you could preload your credit card with savings, or save the cash up and lodge that towards your account at guest services in the first few days. If you lodge, say, $500 and don't spend it all, they'll give you the remainder back at the end.

 

How do Royal Caribbean gift cards work? I have some rewards with my Chase card and that is one of the options. Anyone ever use them before?

 

No idea, sorry.

 

So at each new port, you arrive and is there a crazy mass exodus? Is it super crowded or do they stagger it?

 

People who've booked Royal Caribbean excursions and suite guests, etc can normally disembark first. There's a certain element of staggering. Personally, unless I've got something specific booked, I just have a leisurely breakfast, then saunter off after the crowds are gone. A lot of the time ships dock around 7am - I don't think I've ever been up, dressed, and waiting at the doors when they open :)

 

I am hoping that I will not make the casino a habit. We have some great casinos nearby in CT and thankfully they are just far enough away so as not to be habit forming. I'm typically just a slots/roulette girl, and I'm hearing the cruise ships are "tight". But SHOULD I decide to go :rolleyes: how does it work? Cash? Is it a "ticket" when you win? I assume it's not old school quarters coming out? (though I found that very rewarding in the moment). What is a slots tournament?

You can put cash into the slot machines, and the winnings are printed out on a voucher. You can either put that voucher straight into other machines, or you can put it into an ATM -type machine that will give you the cash value of it (in notes and coins).

 

I've never quite understood slot tournaments (though I took part in one). Basically you're seated at a particular machine (selected by the casino). A timer starts and you keep hitting the button really quickly, then the timer stops and you stop. Whoever gets the most... points? during that time, wins... something. I'm sure if you're into slots, there may be more to it than that :D

 

 

How does the wifi work? I would love to tell my kids (and myself actually) to try to "disconnect" for the entirety of the trip but I don't see that as likely. Do you buy wifi beforehand? I know it's a sketchy connection so hopefully a once a day check-in to be sure things are okay at home will suffice.

 

Once on board if you connect to the wifi (it's named something obvious) a page will come up showing you the different packages. If you decide to go ahead with one of them, it will be charged to your room account (the folio number from your card has to be entered when you're agreeing to it). The packages vary - you could get unlimited access for one device or two for the entire trip, or buy an hour's worth of access for one device, or a 24 hour package, etc.

 

Personally I'd tell the kids that a week of wifi (that isn't good enough for streaming) costs around $200 each, and that if they want wifi on board they better start saving. But I'm a bad person ;)

 

The only time I've needed wifi on board was earlier this year when I was trying to find out if a French air traffic control strike was going ahead, and there were a load of other people interested in that too, so I just used the wifi on someone else's device (they were already signed up) to check. Other than that I write mails etc offline, and just hit send on them if I hit a free wifi spot on land.

 

What takes place at the meet and mingle? Would my teens go? or would they kill me. :D

 

I could sit here all day and write questions all day but for now, that's a start.

 

Meet and mingle varies from ship to ship, but (depending on numbers) there's usually a member of staff present, sometimes there are little free gifts (like notebooks) and a raffle for some door prizes. Sometimes people arrange gift exchanges, but mostly it's just a chance to meet a few people from your roll call. I'd suggest inviting the teens, let them turn up and see if there's anyone their own age, or anything to interest them, but let them wander off after a few minutes if they're bored. It's not terribly formal - people come and go.

 

 

There we go - how was that? Next set of questions?

[Bizzie07]

My teen did not appreciate being hauled along to a meet & mingle. I did though as she won the wine in the raffle and I HAD to drink it. lol

 

Make sure your teens go along to the Teen Club registration on the first night. No activities are organised on the first night but this is when they all get to know each other. My daughter never misses this. From that they hang around the pool together and go for pizza etc. you'll hardly see them.

 

If you purchase the soda package for teens beforehand it is pre-printed on their sea pass and the cup will be in your cabin. If you wait until on board it is a sticker. Never purchased the frozen drink package for her as she is happy with the odd frozen drink which she can charge to her sea pass. She is allowed to spend on her card and has never mis-used it. She charges the odd visit to Johnny Rockets with other teens she has met. Ice cream from Ben & Jerry and I tell her how much she can spend in the arcade. Never had a problem. (you can check on their spending on the TV in your cabin)

 

Hope you have a great time.

[BigDaddyCVO]

You asked many questions and some of them more than once. Here are my two cents which are just that...my two cents. You will get varying opinions, which is good, about what to do and what not to do. Just take everything for what it's worth and draw your own conclusions. The only right way to enjoy a cruise is what's right for you. And, every question you asked has countless threads on CC addressing them that you could research.

 

Can someone explain the "lay of the land" to me- that is, let's start with the pregame -- Things I need to figure out: excursions (I will likely be planning our own- I love that ) and the drink packages ~my teens will want soda and virgin frozens, I am still thinking about my DH and me. He typically is a beer drinker but likes the occasional painkiller type of drink. Is it probably best to buy the beer package and then just put the occasional rum drink onto our account? There are many drink package threads on CC which will provide you the info you are looking for. I like beer and mixed cocktails but I'm not a morning drinker (Bloody Mary etc). Makes me too tired. If I add a couple cocktails on each day, I still don't think that makes the bigger packages cost effective. Do they have a credit card on file and it just goes to that? Yes. Our passports are all current. Copies made just in case. Anything else I should be thinking about at this point? Possibly booking excursions before you go, I'm also a bit of a planner who prefers to have all excursions arranged prior to the sailing so I can just sit back and enjoy the cruise rather then standing in line booking excursions. There are countless CC threads dealing with excursions, just look up threads for your specific ports and you'll find everything you need. I'm a bit of a compulsive micromanaging planner (I hope in a good way ;) )

 

What happens when we get to the Pan Am dock? We are staying at the Hilton Caribe the night before which looks like a nice hotel but I am thinking we may want to get to the dock early. As this is our first time, I feel like we want to get acclimated early. You hand your luggage over right? Typically whenever we travel we just do backpacks or at most carry ons. Very very light packers But we typically don't need so many changes of clothes and my kids have NEVER been asked to wear khakis on a vacation. They don't know about that yet LOL That'll be a fun conversation. So if we did board early, I need to organize bathing suits and change of clothes for everyone in a carry on I assume. Easy enough. Sunscreen. Any other secret tips? Once at the pier you will give your bigger bags to porters, they will eventually make it to the hallway outside your cabin. You will then go through airport style screening and then to check-in and then all aboard once finished at check-in. Varying opinions about what to carry on the ship with you, but we normally take swimwear and swim accessories as well as dinner attire and just enough toiletries necessary to make us presentable for dinner. Sometimes your bags don't make it to your cabin before dinner. Keep in mind you will not have access to your cabin until 1p or 2p, so whatever you carry-on you will have to carry around until cabins are open. Once on board we normally register DS for Adventure Ocean and maybe a light lunch depending on what time we it is.

 

When does customs happen? At the end of the cruise. as you process on to the boat, what happens? You will sit bigger bags outside your cabin the last night of the cruise. The next morning you will disembark per instructions which will be provided during the cruise. Once you disembark you will go to a big hall and find your bags that were set out the night before and then go through customs/immigration. Once you clear customs you are done. How does Royal Caribbean organize accounts? You can pretty much set everyone on your reservation anyway you want. There are two main options: 1. link a SeaPass to a credit card and 2. pre-load SeaPass accounts. I assume if my teens have a different drink package, they have to keep some kind of identification? Sticker on the SeaPass and they will be given a special cup with RFID for use in the Free Style machines. Do I need to worry about them losing something? Or, put another way--- if they have something to carry around, how many times can they lose it before there is a penalty? Guest Services will make new SeaPass cards as needed; not sure if there is a cost involved, never lost one. I'm not sure how RCI replaces lost Free Style machine cups. :D

 

Do I have an account with the ship that I could add money to prior so to make it a little less painful financially down the road? Yes. See above. How do Royal Caribbean gift cards work? OBC, I assume. I have some rewards with my Chase card and that is one of the options. Anyone ever use them before? You need to contact Chase for redemption instructions, but basically Chase will add OBC to your account.

 

So at each new port, you arrive and is there a crazy mass exodus? Yes. Is it super crowded or do they stagger it? Yes. Controlled chaos.

 

I am hoping that I will not make the casino a habit. We have some great casinos nearby in CT and thankfully they are just far enough away so as not to be habit forming. I'm typically just a slots/roulette girl, and I'm hearing the cruise ships are "tight". But SHOULD I decide to go :rolleyes: how does it work? Cash? Yes. Is it a "ticket" when you win? I assume it's not old school quarters coming out? You assume correct. (though I found that very rewarding in the moment). What is a slots tournament? Never did it, but there may also be a poker tourney.

 

How does the wifi work? Never used it. I would love to tell my kids (and myself actually) to try to "disconnect" for the entirety of the trip but I don't see that as likely. Do you buy wifi beforehand? Not sure if pre-purchasing wifi is possible, but I'm certain it can be purchased on board. I know it's a sketchy connection so hopefully a once a day check-in to be sure things are okay at home will suffice.

 

What takes place at the meet and mingle? Would my teens go? or would they kill me. :D Everyone usually mingles and continues discussions started on the CC Roll Call; sometime you will get a dull group who just sits and looks at one another. An RCI rep will be there with some door prizes and there will be light refreshments. I don't think teens would be interested.

 

I could sit here all day and write questions all day but for now, that's a start.

Edited May 24, 2015 by jacketsfan

[uncle John]

Okay Here we go. When you arrive at the pier everyone needs to keep their passport and cruise ticket on them until you get your sea pass card at the check in counter. You will go thru security check points and scanners same as airport without shoe removal. KEEP you information IN HAND until you get to your check in line and they check you in. You will receive a Sea Pass Card/Room key foe each person that is the ONLY WAY to get into room or PAY FOR anything on the ship KEEP IT ON YOU at all times and NEVER get OFF the ship without it and a photo ID. Many wear Lanyard around neck to hold card. If you loose it report it ASAP so no one can CHARGE stuff to your room. You may set a limit on your children's cards for expenses or they have ability to buy anything. After you get checked in you will go to the ship and show your Sea Pass card to enter the ship and you may take your carry on luggage NOT everything but if all you have is a single backpack per person that is fine. You may take 2 bottles of wine per CABIN thru check in in your carry on bag. The rooms will usually not be ready until 1 or 2 pm but you may use all the facilities on the ship. Whatever BEVERAGE package you RESERVED prior to the cruise will be pre loaded on each individual Sea Pass card with that persons name and you will need it to get your drink. If the ship has a Freestyle Coke Machine your glasses will be in your cabin and you may get a drink from the machine anytime since they have a chip in them that activates the machine. There is a 15-20 minute waiting period between refills. You may go to a bar and get a glass of coke without your glass if you show your Sea pass card and it has the proper package on it. There are ATM machines onboard and you may get cash for GAMBLING in casino with Seapass card, Casino OPEN when AT SEA. You may check each individual card account on the TV in your room at anytime and may prepay or change account access at any time by going to Guest Services. In your room every day there will be a COMPASS and other info for your reading. The COMPASS has all the info you will need for activities and locations, as well as dress code dining and other info you need so please read it so you do not miss anything. They will explain customs to you on the TV and before the ship sails EVERYONE MUST go to the MUSTER drill required by law before they sail. Do not try to get out of it or you could be asked to leave let alone get everyone mad at you since they have to stand in line waiting for you since they must have 100% participation. This is a safety drill so read the BACK of your stateroom door and notice the LOCATION on your seapass card and back of door.

 

That is it for now. Relax / Enjoy / No Worries / STAY ON SHIP TIME and DON'T miss the ship.

[SECdawg]

Not sure how old your teens are but mine always thought it was best to go to the teen area (fuel/livingroom) on the first night of the cruise. They usually make friends there and hang out with them the rest of the cruise. Be aware that the arcade costs money and I have heard of some hefty bills from that. Also make sure and put smart phones in airplane mode or better yet turn off.

[NewbieCruiser2015]

Thank you for taking the time to answer those questions. Apparently I missed the memo on proper posting etiquette but live and learn.

 

I appreciate those of you who took the time to kindly answer my questions. It was informative. I feel like I know more of what to expect. Since my family was adverse to the cruising idea, I just wanted to know what to expect. I will ask fewer questions, use bullet points, avoid repetition and group my questions into themes. Good to know

 

Thank you again.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Thank you for taking the time to answer those questions. Apparently I missed the memo on proper posting etiquette but live and learn.

 

 

 

I appreciate those of you who took the time to kindly answer my questions. It was informative. I feel like I know more of what to expect. Since my family was adverse to the cruising idea, I just wanted to know what to expect. I will ask fewer questions, use bullet points, avoid repetition and group my questions into themes. Good to know

 

 

 

Thank you again.

 

 

Don't apologize! Not a big deal how you ask! I think everyone was trying to say you would get better results if you asked a couple of questions at a time.

 

Glad the answers were helpful. If you log I and read the boards, or do a search, you will find lots of information. Just be aware that these boards can be very subjective! Some people are very passionate about certain things, plus we are all so different. Just try to learn, weigh the answers and have a good time.

[celebrity]

So glad you responded. I was afraid we scared you away.

This is a very helpful community but can appear a bit rough at times.

Wait until you get flamed over some innocent question or remark. :eek:

Then you'll know you've really arrived! 😃

Keep the questions coming but a few at a time. 😃

[NewbieCruiser2015]

I have been a member of TravelTalkOnline/British Virgin Islands for ten years. That's always how we have traveled. Had fabulous discussions from people all over the world. There were no criticisms on peoples' posts- their context or their format. It must have been a smaller group than this forum with less rules.

 

At any rate, I suppose there will always be nice, non judgmental people everywhere who just want to help. And people who just can't help but stand in judgement. Way of the world and it is what it is. I would imagine that every question ever asked on this forum has been answered previously at some point if people took the time to dig. I will go that route moving forward.

 

Interesting that you have to go through an administrator to both delete a text and delete a membership. I wonder why they make it so difficult.

 

Thank you again to those who answered my questions nicely and informatively It was helpful and an interesting experience.

[RadioRob]

I have been a member of TravelTalkOnline/British Virgin Islands for ten years. That's always how we have traveled. Had fabulous discussions from people all over the world. There were no criticisms on peoples' posts- their context or their format. It must have been a smaller group than this forum with less rules.

 

At any rate, I suppose there will always be nice, non judgmental people everywhere who just want to help. And people who just can't help but stand in judgement. Way of the world and it is what it is. I would imagine that every question ever asked on this forum has been answered previously at some point if people took the time to dig. I will go that route moving forward.

 

Interesting that you have to go through an administrator to both delete a text and delete a membership. I wonder why they make it so difficult.

 

Thank you again to those who answered my questions nicely and informatively It was helpful and an interesting experience.

 

I think you're spot on. Some folks are awesome... Very helpful and friendly. Some others on the other hand can be unhelpful.

 

Regarding deleting posts/memberships, it's more of a U.S. thing I believe. In Europe, there are more specific laws regarding privacy and being able to control what you post, etc.

[Grandma Dazzles]

I have been a member of TravelTalkOnline/British Virgin Islands for ten years. That's always how we have traveled. Had fabulous discussions from people all over the world. There were no criticisms on peoples' posts- their context or their format. It must have been a smaller group than this forum with less rules.

 

At any rate, I suppose there will always be nice, non judgmental people everywhere who just want to help. And people who just can't help but stand in judgement. Way of the world and it is what it is. I would imagine that every question ever asked on this forum has been answered previously at some point if people took the time to dig. I will go that route moving forward.

 

Interesting that you have to go through an administrator to both delete a text and delete a membership. I wonder why they make it so difficult.

 

Thank you again to those who answered my questions nicely and informatively It was helpful and an interesting experience.

 

 

Please stick with it and ignore any flames!

 

One thing to add as far as your kids go. Not sure of their ages, but I have read many times that teens especially should attend the first night get together - lots of postings about that's when friends/plans for the week are made. Also if there are any similar ages on your meet and mingle sometimes nice to get together for sail away again to "jump start" plans/friendships.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[arendale1]

I have been a member of TravelTalkOnline/British Virgin Islands for ten years. That's always how we have traveled. Had fabulous discussions from people all over the world. There were no criticisms on peoples' posts- their context or their format. It must have been a smaller group than this forum with less rules.

 

At any rate, I suppose there will always be nice, non judgmental people everywhere who just want to help. And people who just can't help but stand in judgement. Way of the world and it is what it is. I would imagine that every question ever asked on this forum has been answered previously at some point if people took the time to dig. I will go that route moving forward.

 

Interesting that you have to go through an administrator to both delete a text and delete a membership. I wonder why they make it so difficult.

 

Thank you again to those who answered my questions nicely and informatively It was helpful and an interesting experience.

 

I am also new to cruising and as we are off on our first cruise in 2 days, have also been asking lots of questions that to most on here may be obvious.

 

The thing is, if we all just search our queries, then surely there would be hardly any new posts on here? My other thought is that different people reply all the time, so varying advice and help will be given.

 

I am also a member of a very large UK based holiday forum, and mostly it is great, but as in the general population, there will always be some who are a little more abrupt ;) with their replies.

 

Saying that, I don't think anyone has been unkind on this thread, just trying to give their opinion on a better way to get answers.

 

Hope you have s fab first cruise - it's not nice feeling clueless, but it's also exciting experiencing something new.