1st time RC cruiser

[andertim1]

we are going on our 1st royal Caribbean cruise in about 80 days. I’ve cruised several times before and have status with carnival but starting from scratch with RC. We are on the HOTS with our 5 & 7 year old and 2 other newbie couples with kids as well. We have everything booked including shows and excursions. Drink packages are paid for too. I’m a planner and have gone through the compasses and read many boards on here. Seems like all the perks are set up to reward C&A members and we have 0 points. Does RC do anything to welcome RC virgins? Casino as well. We are basic M life members but not sure that helps.

 

Also, what tips would you wish you had know on your first RC cruise if it was today?

[Clarea]

These are the perks you get on Royal as an M-Life member:

 

https://www.mgmresorts.com/en/mlife-rewards-program/preferred-partners/royal-caribbean-and-celebrity-cruises.html

[N2DFIRE]

You won’t get anything the first time. If you ask me the perks don’t amount to much anyways, until your diamond.

 

Remember you can board the ship at around eleven, regardless what royal suggest for a boarding time.

 

 

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[Tatka]

Please check your planner and book shows you want to attend.

Also if you have my time dining I recommend booking certain times for your dinner.

[andertim1]

Please check your planner and book shows you want to attend.

Also if you have my time dining I recommend booking certain times for your dinner.

 

Thank you. We did all the cruise planner stuff. I just keep reading about everyone’s C&A status etc.. we booked a hump room on deck 8.

 

We do have my time dining and will probably want 530 dinner every night. I will miss the old midnight buffets that carnival use to put on.

 

We plan on getting the kids signed up for the kids club right away as well. We have 1 specialty restaurant and massage as a TA perk we need to book onboard. We also have 2 out of 4 prepaid tips. I bought a gift for myself of 4 soda and a small vodka bottle to greet me in my room.

 

Any other tips we’re missing? 11am sounds great to board.

[firefly333]

I think the shows are better on RCL. If you like shows, i would see them. The caliber is higher. My last shows on Carnival not only the pit band is gone, but now the singers have to dance as well. Lets just say the main singers, one could barely carry a tune on Carnival.

 

Ill have 168 days on Carnival, so Im not a newbie, just burned out and dont cruise as much.

 

But thats my recommendation, do the shows. they are worth seeing on RCL.

[BNBR]

You won’t get anything the first time. If you ask me the perks don’t amount to much anyways, until your diamond.

 

Remember you can board the ship at around eleven, regardless what royal suggest for a boarding time.

 

 

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We boarded around 10:20 on our last HOTS cruise. I would totally advise showing up around 10AM if not slightly before. But yes, that is an important distinction, that Royal does not enforce the boarding times like Carnival.

[BNBR]

Thank you. We did all the cruise planner stuff. I just keep reading about everyone’s C&A status etc.. we booked a hump room on deck 8.

 

We do have my time dining and will probably want 530 dinner every night. I will miss the old midnight buffets that carnival use to put on.

 

We plan on getting the kids signed up for the kids club right away as well. We have 1 specialty restaurant and massage as a TA perk we need to book onboard. We also have 2 out of 4 prepaid tips. I bought a gift for myself of 4 soda and a small vodka bottle to greet me in my room.

 

Any other tips we’re missing? 11am sounds great to board.

 

 

There is loads of tips, lol! Not sure how many you need or would find interest in.

 

One tip would be breakfast. There is MUCH more than just Windjammer. Solarium Bistro is a great alternative, the restaurant is open to all ages even though the solarium is 16+. Johnny Rockets has free breakfast as well and is a really nice option. Park Cafe has grab and go type stuff which we do when we have a super early excursion and want a quick bite.

 

Otherwise, I think just explore the ship and enjoy it. Very easy to get around it. Since this will be your first Oasis-class vacation, you are in for one heck of a treat. Some people can't go back to the smaller ships after :)

[RC Tim]

Welcome to RCCI. I love the ships and time aboard. I don't know what ship or port you will be going out of, but I am sure you will enjoy. I do not recall any special "first timer" perks. But all of my cruises with RCCI have been great. They have plenty to do for the kids too. I think, for the most part RCCI has a good mix of ages. So they are pretty well rounded on entertainment and activities. ENJOY

[ma23peas]

There is loads of tips, lol! Not sure how many you need or would find interest in.

 

One tip would be breakfast. There is MUCH more than just Windjammer. Solarium Bistro is a great alternative, the restaurant is open to all ages even though the solarium is 16+. Johnny Rockets has free breakfast as well and is a really nice option. Park Cafe has grab and go type stuff which we do when we have a super early excursion and want a quick bite.

 

Otherwise, I think just explore the ship and enjoy it. Very easy to get around it. Since this will be your first Oasis-class vacation, you are in for one heck of a treat. Some people can't go back to the smaller ships after :)

 

Do you know the earliest option for breakfast? Do they all open at 7am or earlier? We have a few early excursions.

[BNBR]

Do you know the earliest option for breakfast? Do they all open at 7am or earlier? We have a few early excursions.

 

I don't remember, others will chime in I'm sure. But I do know they open so early that it was trivial. You will be able to eat before an excursion.

[Biker19]

I will miss the old midnight buffets that carnival use to put on.

Some RCI old timers say the same thing. Now you can get your midnight buffet fix for $7.95 via room service.

[andertim1]

Welcome to RCCI. I love the ships and time aboard. I don't know what ship or port you will be going out of, but I am sure you will enjoy. I do not recall any special "first timer" perks. But all of my cruises with RCCI have been great. They have plenty to do for the kids too. I think, for the most part RCCI has a good mix of ages. So they are pretty well rounded on entertainment and activities. ENJOY

 

Ft Lauderdale western itinerary.

 

I need to have my coffee with baileys in the AM. I think I read park cafe for that. Johnny rockets for breakfast will happen also. Is the MDR open for breakfast. Last cruise I was able to get corn beef hash there. Different cruise line though.

 

The room service thing is confusing because it says 7.95 for ... breakfast but doesn’t mention lunch or supper but maybe that’s assumed.

 

My kids are pumped for the ice cream station. I promised they could go there daily. I use to really like the pizza station and Caesar salad station on carnival.

 

I lov all the tips.. keep them coming.

[cb at sea]

Room service CONTINENTAL breakfast is still free. Only hot food items incur that fee. All other meals incur the fee, unless you're in a GS or above.

Breakfast is also great in the MDR....very casual at breakfast and lunch.

[RC Tim]

Ft Lauderdale western itinerary.

 

I need to have my coffee with baileys in the AM. I think I read park cafe for that. Johnny rockets for breakfast will happen also. Is the MDR open for breakfast. Last cruise I was able to get corn beef hash there. Different cruise line though.

 

 

My kids are pumped for the ice cream station. I promised they could go there daily. I use to really like the pizza station and Caesar salad station on carnival.

 

I lov all the tips.. keep them coming.

 

Yes you can get coffee in the Promenade cafe 24 hrs. Same with pizza I believe. MDR IS open for breakfast, and my wife and I really enjoy it every morning. Corn beef hash, if not in the MDR you can get in the Windjammer (I like it as well)

 

And ICE CREAM is normally on the pool deck.

Edited September 21, 2018 by RC Tim
forgot domething

[N2DFIRE]

Don’t forget to checkout the dreamworks show. Your kids are the age, they would like it.

 

Look up the videos on youtube

 

 

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[andertim1]

Don’t forget to checkout the dreamworks show. Your kids are the age, they would like it.

 

 

Is this different then the parade?

 

Also anyone have any ideas on kids and mdr dinner. Not sure they can sit for 2 hours but heard that maybe they can rush through dinner and go to the kids club. I know the could do supper with kids club but not sure I want them eating pizza and chicken strips all week

[Clarea]

... Also anyone have any ideas on kids and mdr dinner. Not sure they can sit for 2 hours but heard that maybe they can rush through dinner and go to the kids club. I know the could do supper with kids club but not sure I want them eating pizza and chicken strips all week

If you have early dinner, you can sign up for My Family Time Dinner, which feeds the kids first and has the Adventure Ocean staff pick them up from the MDR around 45 minutes after the start of early dinner.

[crystalspin]

Please check your planner and book shows you want to attend.

Also if you have my time dining I recommend booking certain times for your dinner.

 

HAL fan-fellas here, also first time on RCI coming up. You have to book shows? You have to make reservations for MTD? These things are strange to me.

[Tatka]

HAL fan-fellas here, also first time on RCI coming up. You have to book shows? You have to make reservations for MTD? These things are strange to me.

 

 

Booking shows really depends on the ship.

OP is sailing on Harmony which is Oasis class ship which includes Oasis, Allure, Harmony & Symphony.

This class and Quantum class (Quantum, Anthem, forgot the third one) do require booking shows.

Well, not require, but free seating opens 15 minutes prior the show and is not guaranteed.

It’s better to secure admission.

Other classes Vision, Radiance, Voyager, Freedom don’t have booking system.

 

As for MDR, if you have assigned seating you don’t need to, if you have MyTimeDining (version of anytime dining), and want to have a priority in particular time then it’s better to book, otherwise you might have to wait longer.

If you don’t book online in personalizer you can go to MDR after boarding and do it there.

[BNBR]

HAL fan-fellas here, also first time on RCI coming up. You have to book shows? You have to make reservations for MTD? These things are strange to me.

 

It's only on Oasis class and it's AWESOME. I don't even like sailing ships where you can't book anymore. Booking is free. No penalty if you don't show. So book what you think you'll want. Then you show up and walk in, great seats, no lining up or any of that nonsense. They do still have a stand by line if you love waiting in lines for some odd reason.

 

But yeah, reservations are like Disney fast passes basically and totally awesome.

[Tatka]

On Quantum class too.

 

Many people on board, so shows repeat over several days in different times.

Edited September 27, 2018 by Tatka

[andertim1]

If you have early dinner, you can sign up for My Family Time Dinner, which feeds the kids first and has the Adventure Ocean staff pick them up from the MDR around 45 minutes after the start of early dinner.

 

Thanks for the info Bob. We are doing the my time dining. We usually like to eat at 530, but would you recommend 5 then. I’m guessing they would pickup around 545 then .

 

Also, there is no way to book the early dining until you’re on the ship correct.

[Clarea]

Thanks for the info Bob. We are doing the my time dining. We usually like to eat at 530, but would you recommend 5 then. I’m guessing they would pickup around 545 then .

 

Also, there is no way to book the early dining until you’re on the ship correct.

You will need to talk with the Adventure Ocean people.about having the My Family Time Dining program when you are on My Time Dining. My understanding is that you have to be on early Traditional dining.

 

 

You can contact whoever booked your cruise to try to switch to early traditional. If they cannot switch you, try getting on the wait list. Failing that, try switching when you get onboard.

[andertim1]

You will need to talk with the Adventure Ocean people.about having the My Family Time Dining program when you are on My Time Dining. My understanding is that you have to be on early Traditional dining.

 

 

You can contact whoever booked your cruise to try to switch to early traditional. If they cannot switch you, try getting on the wait list. Failing that, try switching when you get onboard.

 

Thanks.. we are already on the waiting list for the early. We booked in Marand the TA said it was already full. My time dining and my family time dining are too closely worded. Easily confusing? I’ll do a search for that.

 

We plan on going adventure ocean once we get on board to sign up for that. We can ask about the my family plan. Now that you mention that name, I thought I read that my time dining can do it as well if you take your kids to the pick up spot at the correct time. I think the front desk at the mdr.