1st RCI cruise...5 questions

[ma23peas]

1. If it shows my two cabins being assigned to specific staterooms..is there any chance for them to be changed? I booked directly through RCI & wondered if I can keep checking back to get the rooms on the same floor if availability opens up. Right now have one on 12th and One on 10th.

2. Will be on Liberty-love steaks-is Chops like the stateside ones? $20 pp or $35? Does that include gratuities?

3. If the ship’s port time is 8:00am..is that the time we can leave the ship or any chance of getting off a bit earlier? Or have port authorities held up the times? (Cozumel, Cayman, Falmouth)

4. Can our 19/20 year olds go with us to bars that have karaoke? None of us drink, but they love karaoke. Or is that even an option on that ship? Is it over 18 for adult pools or over 21?

5. In the compass guide, do they offer meet ups for college aged kids? Disney has Club 1820 for those in that odd age where they can’t go to teen clubs or over 21 spots..the ship organized the first meet up- then the kids planned events they liked. I’ll have three college aged kids and wondering if they’ll have organized meets to meet others their age?

[cb at sea]

1. Call and see if there are cabins OF THE SAME CATEGORIES you've been given that are closer together...they will move you if they have something available, but it HAS TO BE THE SAME CATEGORY of cabin!

2. No..the Chops on the ship is RCI's brand. The fee does include gratuities...although many will leave a bit more.

3. Usually you're ready to go around the stated time....if it's a bit later, it won't be by much.

4. Anyone of any age may to to the bars...it's not like land-side! The Solarium is 16 and older.

5. Can't help with that one, but young adults WILL find others in their age group...around the pool, on the sports deck, arcade, etc...

[Grandma Dazzles]

1. If it shows my two cabins being assigned to specific staterooms..is there any chance for them to be changed? I booked directly through RCI & wondered if I can keep checking back to get the rooms on the same floor if availability opens up. Right now have one on 12th and One on 10th.

2. Will be on Liberty-love steaks-is Chops like the stateside ones? $20 pp or $35? Does that include gratuities?

3. If the ship’s port time is 8:00am..is that the time we can leave the ship or any chance of getting off a bit earlier? Or have port authorities held up the times? (Cozumel, Cayman, Falmouth)

4. Can our 19/20 year olds go with us to bars that have karaoke? None of us drink, but they love karaoke. Or is that even an option on that ship? Is it over 18 for adult pools or over 21?

5. In the compass guide, do they offer meet ups for college aged kids? Disney has Club 1820 for those in that odd age where they can’t go to teen clubs or over 21 spots..the ship organized the first meet up- then the kids planned events they liked. I’ll have three college aged kids and wondering if they’ll have organized meets to meet others their age?

 

1. Keep checking. Sometimes easier to call.

 

2. Chops is just the name of the restaurant. Gratuity is included but many people add an additional tip.

 

3. Docking time is an estimate. Usually pretty close. Announcement is made as to when disembarkation is underway.

 

4. Your kids can go into any bar - lots of younger kids do. They just cannot drink. Only pool with an age limit is solarium and that is 16.

 

5. There might be a mention in cruise compass - don’t remember particularly. Over 18 really are no different than adults other than alcohol.

[billsgal]

Gratuity is no longer included in specialty restaurants. You pay an additional 18% above the cost of the meal, which varies from ship to ship.

 

 

 

 

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[ma23peas]

Thanks!! So helpful!! So much to learn on a new cruise line!

[roadburner]

You will find younger adult mixers listed in the Cruise Compass, usually held in a section of the Viking Crown Lounge, late evening after shows.

[flowergirl21]

I will also have two kit days age 19-20 yrs and hoping there is a meet n greet. They have grown up going to the teen club so this cruise will be different.

[Merion_Mom]

I will also have two kit days age 19-20 yrs and hoping there is a meet n greet. They have grown up going to the teen club so this cruise will be different.

You/they must be proactive. Carefully look for announcements in the Cruise Compass. This is an underserved age group on RC.

[Merion_Mom]

1. If it shows my two cabins being assigned to specific staterooms..is there any chance for them to be changed? I booked directly through RCI & wondered if I can keep checking back to get the rooms on the same floor if availability opens up. Right now have one on 12th and One on 10th.

 

Are you in the United States or Canada? If so, then look at the precise category of the assigned cabins. First of all, are they the same category? Once you have made note of the specific category (e.g., 2N or J3), you can look for any available cabins in that EXACT category. If you find something you prefer to your assignments, call RC and say, "I have Cabin 4582. I see that 4048 is available. Please switch me to that one."

 

2. Will be on Liberty-love steaks-is Chops like the stateside ones? $20 pp or $35? Does that include gratuities?

Right now, if you book before your cruise in your Cruise Planner, you are not being charged gratuity. Most people leave a nice cash tip at the end of the meal. If you book on board, 18% will be added to the charge. Chops is a good steakhouse. You may have multiples of any course except entree - one is included in your set price. The price of your meal will be in the Cruise Planner. (it's not the same on all ships)

 

3. If the ship’s port time is 8:00am..is that the time we can leave the ship or any chance of getting off a bit earlier? Or have port authorities held up the times? (Cozumel, Cayman, Falmouth)

Sometimes the ship docks before its assigned time. But you should not make unchangeable plans based on that. Cozumel and Falmouth are easy ports: You just walk off. But Grand Cayman is a tender port. You must take a small boat from the Liberty to the island. That can cause minor or even major delays.

 

4. Can our 19/20 year olds go with us to bars that have karaoke? None of us drink, but they love karaoke. Or is that even an option on that ship? Is it over 18 for adult pools or over 21?

That age group may go anywhere. They cannot consume alcohol until they are 21, but they can be in bars. (so can small children, although some bars are 18+ after 10 P.M.) They may even gamble in the casino. :cool:

 

5. In the compass guide, do they offer meet ups for college aged kids? Disney has Club 1820 for those in that odd age where they can’t go to teen clubs or over 21 spots..the ship organized the first meet up- then the kids planned events they liked. I’ll have three college aged kids and wondering if they’ll have organized meets to meet others their age?

See my post above this one.