Best kept Secrets

[Pootersmom]

Last year, I think it was on the Celebrity board, someone posted a topic called the Best Kept Secrets of Celebrity Cruises. That was the most FASCINATING thread. And it went on for weeks and weeks. I learned where the best coffee was served, which restaurant had the best lunch offering, where the most quiet place to sunbathe was, that you could order your dessert at dinner to be delivered to your stateroom at midnight if you wanted. A lot of things that newcomers, in particular, would never dream of.

 

This will be my first Royal Caribbean Cruise, and I will be on the November 12th Mariner of the Seas Eastern Caribbean cruise. Do any of you have a "best kept secret" benefit or feature you would like to share with some of us that don't know the cruiseline that well?

 

Thanks and I am so excited that words can't express it.

[QTMichele]

Last year, I think it was on the Celebrity board, someone posted a topic called the Best Kept Secrets of Celebrity Cruises. That was the most FASCINATING thread. And it went on for weeks and weeks. I learned where the best coffee was served, which restaurant had the best lunch offering, where the most quiet place to sunbathe was, that you could order your dessert at dinner to be delivered to your stateroom at midnight if you wanted. A lot of things that newcomers, in particular, would never dream of.

 

This will be my first Royal Caribbean Cruise, and I will be on the November 12th Mariner of the Seas Eastern Caribbean cruise. Do any of you have a "best kept secret" benefit or feature you would like to share with some of us that don't know the cruiseline that well?

 

Thanks and I am so excited that words can't express it.

 

I'll be on the Mariner in February (western itinerary) and would love to hear about these tips and secrets too!!! I'm right there with you about the EXCITEMENT!!! I can hardly contain myself!!! LOL

[sjde]

I too would love a thread like this! I'll be on Vision of the Seas in March.

 

Sue

[hyoctane2zzge]

Well, not really a secret -- however, if you enjoy the spa and utilizing their amenities (massage, etc..) you'd better book it the first day you get on the boat! This will ensure that you get the best time to fit your schedule. Also, don't wait until after you get some sun... don't ask why I know that...

[Matisse05]

Here are two to start you off as a newbie to RCI:

1. Instead of using the ATM to get cash, use your seapass account in the casino. You'll avoid bank/teller fees and the charge will show up as an entertainment charge to your account.:D
   
2. If you have a favorite appetizer for instance shrimp cocktail, you can request to have it every night. (ask the waiter on the first night);)

More to come later...:p

[DonnaK]

If the jacuzzi by the pool is overrun with kids, there is a pool in the back of the spa area that is usually empty, and always adults only.

[SJS]

Don' miss the Quest Game, the Ice Show and the parade the first night! Loved the Mariner so much, sailing on her again in 4 weeks! I'm still doing the "doc dance" since I got them this week!

[jillybabes]

Pootersmom & QTMichele: Don't miss the goodies (pastries, cookies, sandwiches, pizza) at the Cafe Promenade:p ...If you are going to go to one of the specialty restaurants, make sure to make your reservations when you get on board Sunday.

Sign up for the Meet and Mingle & GO:D ! you will not be sorry, you get to meet wonderful folks and there are drawings for prizes.

You will love the Mariner;) , this will be our 3rd time on her in Dec. Enjoy...If you have any further questions, ask away...Later, Jill:cool:

[wolfganghowell]

When you first board, you can find a table in one of the lounges where the maitre'd is - you can check your table assignment on a diagram and see if it is acceptable.

 

You can ask your stateroom attendant to empty your mini fridge if you want to put anything of yours in there.

 

If you want your hair blown out or styled for formal nights book when you get onboard. The best times go fast.

 

If you like your drinks a special way and will be a creature of habit, find one bartender in an area you will frequent - the Schooner Bar, the pool etc. Order with them day one, give them an extra buck or two, introduce yourself and tell them you will look for them all week. They will give you extra special service and if you drink the same thing, when they see you approaching, they will get it started even if there is a huge line. Many will even memorize your name and not need your seapass card every time.

[Inshape]

Get the regular glass instead of the ones the waiters bring around. Those are more money. Go to the promanade cafe every day for a delicious taste of wonderful pastries...they change each day and rarely repeat. You do not need to run to the theater to get good seats... there are always plenty for the nightly shows.The artwork on the ships are nice and on each deck there are different pieces to look at. They are even in the hallways... On Voyager class at least, which i have been on. When going to the pool, bring a cover up in case you want to go into windjammer for a bite to eat or to bring it out to the pool... they will not allow swimsuits in there.Bring a lanyard and get sea pass with a hole in it and wear it around neck, or through a belt loop and then tucked into the pocket of the shorts...Always sample more than your one entree, appetizer and dessert....And know that you will not be able to do everything on the ship so do not sweat that...enjoy what you are doing and book another cruise to get to do other stuff!

[Smooth107]

I'm not sure if you are going as a family or a couple, but on our honeymoon last year on the mariner, we had dinner the first night in the windjammer. There was light music and there were only a few other couples in the whole area. we sat in the very back next to the windows, it was very romantic. We could even see the lights from another ship off in the distance. This is only good if you don't mind missing dinner in the main dining room the first night.

[notreba]

Be sure and pack your bathing suit and maybe some shorts for the first day in your carry on. Sometimes it takes a while to get your luggage and you might want to get some sun or maybe just get cool while you wait. take a power cord with you so that you will have more options for hair dryers, curling irons and chargers for ipods etc... Have a great time!!

 

not reba

[alynn]

If doing a b2b be sure to attend the M&M and casually mention you are doing a B2B if the captain attends. You may get an invite to dine with him at his tabBle, 2 couples at our M&M did including us.

[cruisin kim]

Not sure if this is a big secret, or if my DH and I are the only ones who like to do this...If you are looking for peace and quiet on the open seas, go on Deck 4 (or could be 5 but I lean towards 4) and at the front of the ship there is a staircase outside on deck, it leads to the helicopter pad that has benches around it. We like to go sit out there late at night and enjoy the stars, we've even seen schools of fish jumping out of the water around the ship. When the moon is bright, it is so neat. Beware, it is VERY windy up there though. DH had a button down shirt on and it blew the buttons open, he looked like he was stripping!:D You can get a real sense of how little you are in the scheme of things out there, it is humbling in a good way.

Enjoy.

[JEANMR1]

Not secrets but these are my learnings after 1 cruise:

 

-Do not go into the casino randomly and play here and there, have separate money aside for it. I have NO idea how much we spent last time but this time I have a jar I'm saving just for gambling on the cruise.

 

-Get cruise insurance. My partner got sick and the cost of her being in the infirmary for three hours was $950 which goes right on your seapass. (Also, make sure you got some availability on your credit card to take care of unexpected expenses). My insurance reimbursed me for some and the cruise insurance reimbursed me for the rest. We probably broke even in the dollar department with paying for the cruise insurance but it was a wake up call in what could happen.

 

-Get a balcony cabin. It is nice to have your very own piece of ocean. It is worth it.

 

-Play shuffleboard. I think it is on deck 4 and is a wonderful quiet area with noone around.

 

-Play miniature golf at night. There is noone there and it can be very romantic playing under the stars.

 

-Go to the midnight buffet. We missed it and I'm sorry we did. The video we saw of it looked gorgeous.

[Pootersmom]

...enjoy what you are doing and book another cruise to get to do other stuff!

 

 

OH! Now THAT is a GOOD ONE!

[moknits]

We like to board the ship early. I suppose it's a secret that you can board early and that there is sometimes less of a line.

 

My first stop, as soon as we board, is the SPA. I like to get a massage on the very first night. It really helps put me in "aaaah vacation" mode.

 

It's worthwhile to ask your room steward or waiters about good places to check out while you're in port. Sometimes they have fantastic recommendations, and in some cases they've been in the ports hundreds of times already and know what their guests have come back raving about, and what they've come back disappointed in.

 

I haven't been on the Mariner, but I was on the Explorer and I'll echo everyone else who says DON'T MISS THE ICE SHOW. My mother made me go and I said, "Why? I don't watch ice skating on tv, why would I watch it on vacation?" It was great - we sat in the front row and I'd say it was highlight of my trip. I can't believe what they can do - on a moving ship!

 

And, enjoy your trip. It can be hard for some people, but, really, let the little things go and focus on having fun. Some people seem to will themselves to have a bad time by focusing on negative details. This does no good. If there's something you can change (ask to have your table changed, for instance) do it. If it's something that done & over with, let it go - that's what vacation is for.

[DrSeuss]

Look out for the price drop fairy - If the price drops even if you have paid in full you can get a refund for the difference. We did a week before we sailed!!!

[unforgiven]

I agree 100% with the OP above watch your prices after you book. Most of the times you can save some money.

 

 

Smuggle your alcohol in shampoo bottles!! :(

[Madkitty]

oooohhh keeping an eye on these - keep em coming:p

[Swabb3]

I don't know how many of you are traveling but when I travel I make sure to make friends with the cruise staff. They are the people responsible for all the fun activites. I've been so known on one trip that when the cruise staff pulle dme on stage my intro was " Well everybody knows...". Plus they are the people who choose who will be included in an activity rather than those just watching. And don't miss the "Village People" It is great for a laugh. But the most impotant thing about cruising is to have fun. :D

Oh and by the way if you are interested in the jacuzzi, it is usually empty of kids just before early supper. Most parents are getting the kids ready for dinner.

[Kerrupt]

I saw this already....kind of. When you tip your favorite bartender, Do it in CASH money. Just a couple bucks here and there. Spend a little time getting to know them (most of the crew come from incredibly diverse locales). You just may find that your paying for singles and receiving doubles (maybe even the occasion shot on the house).

 

If you add a little to the tip line on the sign off sheet, that amount is thrown into the pool for the entire hospitality staff and will not receive the same desired effect as passing a couple bucks directly to an individual staff member.

[masonpips]

We learned this on DCL Magic but used it last year on the Mariner. If you're in a rush to get a family ready for a night, one of the adults can go shower in the gym area. The showers in the gym on the Magic were far superior to the room showers, but they were about the same in the gym/room on the Mariner. But it saves time and/or a hot steamy room when a bunch of folks are getting ready

 

And it might entice to work off some of that food in the gym first! LOL

[PhoenixCruiser]

Contact your credit cards company(ies) and let them know where you will be traveling to. This way you won't have any problems charging items in the ports.

 

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[morgan1312]

we drink alot of iced tea and the ships don't have it available 24 hours like they used to, I take a 1 qt bottle into the dining room at night and the bus boy fills it with tea for me that we drink back in the room all night with the ice from the room.