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nlcentralchmps03

nlcentralchmps03

Posted
Posted
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! 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.

 

My favorite place on the entire ship!!!!

 

Although, when we were on the Mariner in May they shut it down at night!:mad:

 

This was the crusie after that man fell overboard so I am not sure if that has anything to do with it or not:confused:

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QTMichele

QTMichele

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These tips are awesome!!! It is great that this one thread has pulled together so many useful ideas and suggestions that may have been offered in other threads but is so much more convenient in this one place. THANKS for the suggestions! Keep them coming!!!

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MisterBill99

MisterBill99

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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

Can someone please confirm that this is still true (that it gets processed as a normal charge with no surcharge)? I know it has been in the past and I have taken advantage of it, but I always hear that they are thinking of changing it (and it works differently on some cruise lines), and there is a discussion on rec.travel.cruises now where I suggested this in response to a post where one of the advertisers, er, agents, posted that RCI now has new ATMs on board and was warned about the surcharge.

 

Anyway, I don't think it shows up as an entertainment charge -- it should get settled as a travel charge when you pay your bill. If you have a Costco AMEX, that means 2% back! Presumably if you have an RCI card, you get points, although I could be wrong.

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MisterBill99

MisterBill99

Posted
Posted
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.

On our last cruise, I had a real problem getting my assistant waiter to figure out that we wanted iced tea every night at dinner. It's not an uncommon thing, and the good ones figure it out early and have it waiting at your seat when you arrive. So if you are having to wait for your iced tea, say something and hopefully they will figure it out and have it waiting for you.

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zotzer

zotzer

Posted
Posted

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.

 

On Royal Caribbean, this is not the case. The auto-15% is split. Any amount that you add on goes 100% to the server who's name is on the check.

 

T

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MisterBill99

MisterBill99

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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.

Last cruise, I just walked into the dining room and figured out where our table was. No one stopped me.

 

Good idea about the fridge!

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FLASHINGLIGHTS83

FLASHINGLIGHTS83

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Can someone please confirm that this is still true (that it gets processed as a normal charge with no surcharge)? I know it has been in the past and I have taken advantage of it, but I always hear that they are thinking of changing it (and it works differently on some cruise lines), and there is a discussion on rec.travel.cruises now where I suggested this in response to a post where one of the advertisers, er, agents, posted that RCI now has new ATMs on board and was warned about the surcharge.

 

Anyway, I don't think it shows up as an entertainment charge -- it should get settled as a travel charge when you pay your bill. If you have a Costco AMEX, that means 2% back! Presumably if you have an RCI card, you get points, although I could be wrong.

 

heres what you do......when you get cash on your seapass in the casino, ask for it in chips....then take the chips to the casino caswhier and cash in.....bam..u got cash money, and they cant question you about it. to make it look real, actually play at a tbl and make it look like ur getting more money to play with...

 

GREG

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PhoenixCruiser

PhoenixCruiser

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heres what you do......when you get cash on your seapass in the casino, ask for it in chips....then take the chips to the casino caswhier and cash in.....bam..u got cash money, and they cant question you about it. to make it look real, actually play at a tbl and make it look like ur getting more money to play with...

 

GREG

 

We didn't even have to do that, yet we spent the $$ in casino. However!!! If we keep bringing this up RCCL will probably change their policies :( Some things are better left unsaid, agreed ;)

 

All of us need to remember that RCCL watches this board!

 

###

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sicsinohio

sicsinohio

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If you enjoy wine with dinner, consider one of the wine packages...cheaper than buying by the individual bottle. The soft drink package is only a value if you drink a LOT of sodas (more than 5 per day). DH likes Diet Coke...he took a 12 pack on board last time, we had the room attendant empty the fridge, and DH had a cold Diet Coke whenever he wanted it. He even took cans to the dining room and just asked the asst. waiter for a glass of ice.

 

Also, we took wide-mouth water bottles from home with us and filled them with ice and water in the Windjammer before getting off the ship during port visits. Much cheaper than the bottled water they sell as you are exiting the ship.

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MisterBill99

MisterBill99

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When you get your C&A coupon book, be sure to use the $2 credit at the casino. They'll just give you $2 in cash, you don't even have to gamble. Leave the casino immediately and you won't even worry about losing it :-).

 

Be sure to use the other freebies in there as well.

 

Be sure to go to the Welcome Back (I think that's it) cocktail party for free drinks (and food, but that's not as big of a deal).

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MisterBill99

MisterBill99

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Also, we took wide-mouth water bottles from home with us and filled them with ice and water in the Windjammer before getting off the ship during port visits. Much cheaper than the bottled water they sell as you are exiting the ship.

I read in another thread that you can just bring a case of water with you and put a luggage tag on it. Since we will be driving to the pier this time (vs flying as we have in the past), we intend to do this (assuming my car is not full with luggage). The case of water will probably cost less than a single bottle :D

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Langley Cruisers

Langley Cruisers

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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.

 

YES! We do this too, every time. It's wonderfully relaxing and intimate. We always want to be up on deck and take pictures for the sailaway, and do not want to rush to dinner in the dining room that first night, so now we go to the WJ the first night and sit at the back next to the windows. Ahhh... it's so amazing. Great photo opportunity since it will be sunset!

 

My tip (that we learned right here on these boards!) is the best coffee on the entire ship is the free Seattle's Best in the back of the Promenade Café. Just go to the back and help yourself. It's much, much better than WJ, dining room, and room service - I don't know why because presumably, it's all Seattle's Best Coffee.

 

Have an awesome trip! :)

 

~Karen

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nlcentralchmps03

nlcentralchmps03

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I just found a web site that may be interesting to you...

 

http://www.cruisecal.com/dnn/Default.aspx?tabid=34

 

This site lists the schedule for all/most cruise ships (what port the ship will be in, times the ship will be in port, etc.). It could be useful when planning your excursions and is overall pretty neat.

Great tip and great website. I always love to see which ships are going to be in port with me and on which days!

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QTMichele

QTMichele

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Great tip and great website. I always love to see which ships are going to be in port with me and on which days!

 

Wish I could claim it to be "my" tip, but I found it while researching one of the port message boards. Now that I've claimed my ship, cabin and cruise date I have to figure out what I'm going to do at port... sigh. This will be a tough job, but someone's gotta do it... :D

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nlcentralchmps03

nlcentralchmps03

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Wish I could claim it to be "my" tip, but I found it while researching one of the port message boards. Now that I've claimed my ship, cabin and cruise date I have to figure out what I'm going to do at port... sigh. This will be a tough job, but someone's gotta do it... :D

I enjoy planning out what to do at ports.

 

Tha maker of that website posts here at times. IF he reads this, I just want to tell him what a great site he actually has going there.

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QTMichele

QTMichele

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I enjoy planning out what to do at ports.

 

Tha maker of that website posts here at times. IF he reads this, I just want to tell him what a great site he actually has going there.

 

I was feeling a little overwhelmed so I quit looking - for now. :p My husband bought me a general cruising book with info on ports - will have to look at that to get me going in the right direction.

 

That's great that the creator of the cruisecal.com site posts here! What a great site - very appreciated!!!

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nlcentralchmps03

nlcentralchmps03

Posted
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nlcentralchmps03: by the way, how did you enjoy your Mariner cruise? I'm going on my FIRST cruise on the Mariner - can't wait!

His name is Bs Kc. Have you checked out his Freedom virtual cruise he has on the website? It is a really cool feature.

 

The Mariner is an awesome ship. We really had the 'perfect' cruise on her. Coming from Disney we were a little afraid that we would be spoiled, but man were we wrong. We did the Western itinerary. When you step on her (especially it being your FIRST cruise), you won't believe that that is going to be your home for the next week. I would recommend the Love and Marriage show, Quest, and the Ice show as things not to miss.

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