Cruisin'4Us

On 5/24/2023 at 8:38 AM, chengkp75 said:

It's actually quite easy for a lifeboat to overturn, especially if there are not 150 passengers acting as ballast to weight the bottom.

Passengers should be required to help prevent a potential ballast issue by eating as much as possible in Windjammer.

On 5/26/2023 at 3:27 PM, taglovestocruise said:

Double check the safe, a upside down DL pushed to the back could be hard to see.

and it could be laying very flat against the bottom or side of the safe.  Happened to us once.

20 hours ago, Cru1s1ng2009 said:

did you find out if there is another ship in port with you? If so, some are held for it as well. 

Prior to a cruise, is there an easy way to find out if other ships are scheduled to be in port (Coco-Cay & Labadee) the same day that your cruise is scheduled to be there?

6 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Yes ... but to get this you have to call. But you can get the drink pkg and your sister get the refreshment pkg. .. just call. Cant do it online.

Hypothetically, if person A orders the RP in cruise planner, then person B calls and orders the DBP, can person A later cancel the RP in cruise planner? 

Since this post is about luggage tags, I'll ask some questions here rather than making a new thread.

Are luggage tags still color coded?  If so, what options are there for passengers who would like to print their luggage tags in color (to aid in routing the luggage once the bags are on the ship), but who don't own a color printer?  Are the tags still in PDF format?

Thank you.

1 hour ago, ShillyShally said:

If you buy the Key for both, each person gets internet.  

I was just on Cruise Planner.  For our booking, as soon as one person in the cabin selected The Key, everyone was automatically selected (with everyone being over 6 years old.)

Unfortunately, if only one person in the party needs the Internet, the value of The Key diminishes greatly due to the price.

On 4/24/2023 at 1:02 AM, Traveller1212 said:

Can I buy 4 or 5 beers at a bar & take them unopened back to cabin?  No drink package

Based on the "Yes" responses, don't forget to pack a bottle opener (unless the bottles have twist off caps or you like roughing it!)

1 hour ago, Cigar King said:

Reports are it's been disabled while they work out an issue.

On my phone, the app updated yesterday, and now the chat is missing.  Hopefully, it will be a quick fix for those who use it.

While prearranged plans are good, sometimes plans can change (ex. Minor: "May I please stay longer at the arcade?" or Parent: "May I please stay longer at the bar?", or Bad Minor: "May I please stay longer at the bar?")  (Sarcasm font not found.)  🙂

Also, plans can run late for various reasons.  A backup or "live" communication method is a good idea.

Some minors don't have cell phones.  Is their check-in information available on their parent's phone, or must they use their paper seapass?

9 hours ago, Longhorn Cruiser said:

The two of them should have a back up plan if texting doesn't work in wifi mode.

Semaphore 🙂

A back-up plan is a good idea.

12 hours ago, Katems75 said:

... Do I really want to be in airplane mode?  I though airplane mode meant you CAN'T connect to any internet.  What am I not understanding?...

Not sure about iPhone, but on Android airplane mode is a convenient way to turn off data, WiFi, and Bluetooth (other connections?).  Then, you can turn WiFi back on to connect to the Internet.

I'm the OP.  No ulterior motives with this question.  We enjoy cruising, as you can see from my signature.  Thank you for the helpful responses.

I did not want to influence any responses by listing our suspicion as to what made us feel ill for abut a day and a half on our Grandeur cruise.  We agree that it is difficult, if not impossible, to pin down the cause.  That said, we did have the Escargot, and that is what we thought may have made us ill.  We have eaten it on other cruises with no problems.

We were also interested in learning about other foods to look out for.  Thanks again!

What foods do you avoid eating when cruising because you suspect the food may have made you feel ill in the past.  When I say ill, I mean either requiring medical attention or disrupting your cruise for a half day or more.

For this thread, please don't include foods that you are allergic to, or foods that you just didn't care for.  Food that was spoiled is fine to list.

I was just reviewing the menus that the OP linked to (thank you!)

My wife mentioned that she did not see a duck entree.  Has anyone seen a duck entree on a posted menu or in person?  We will be on a 9-night Liberty cruise next year.

27 minutes ago, paross4 said:

To the towel issue.  We asked our steward to leave extra every morning and never had any problems.  

That's much easier than exchanging the large towels at the pool!

12 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

To each his/her own but surely you realize how extremely unlikely something like is to occur, right?

About the same as hitting the lottery, I imagine.  🙂

3 minutes ago, BennyandBo said:

OK, everyone had to sleep on deck. You couldn't use your balcony because you couldn't use your cabin. Toilets backed up and 6 inches to a foot of toilet sewer water in cabins and halls. A balcony really didn't help anyone. Just saying.

Good point, and YUK !  I hope you weren't on-board?

How about "A balcony is a barely acceptable backup for an inoperative air conditioner"?  🙂

I loved our interior room (on Celebrity.)  My wife hated it.  It was DARK.  Great for sleeping, but not great for waking up in the morning.  That said, we both like larger balcony cabins better. 

After seeing news footage of Carnival Triumph (2013) stranded in the Gulf of Mexico for about one week, I've insisted on balcony cabins.  Sleeping on the deck to get some relief from the heat inside the ship didn't appeal to me.

1 hour ago, Ret MP said:

That's completely up to you, your option, and basically, none of my business what you do, except for safety issues that could affect my family and friends.

 

I prefer to just follow the rules and try not to be inconvenienced or embarrassed at any point in my cruise experience.   That's why I'm kinda invested in the thread, I don't know for sure what is safely allowed or what isn't.  RCCL, apparently, isn't willing or capable of making a comprehensive policy.  The fact that in the FAQ/public policy, "Surge Suppressors/Protectors" isn't specifically prohibited, I'd feel comfortable bringing one on, even though I don't, I have several power strips/blocks that aren't protected in any way.  

Hi Ret MP.  I'm a little confused by your post.  Do you believe that I suggested something unsafe?  I agree with safety guidelines, but as you mentioned, there is no comprehensive policy (or list).  That being the case, there are two ways that any item can be screened (carry-on and go through port security, or placed in checked baggage and have it go through ship security.)  Both should (ideally) screen out the same items.  I'd rather have an item, that may be determined by security to be prohibited, on the ship and returned to me at departure rather than have it held at the port.  I don't see an issue with either option.  I'd rather not potentially hold up the line at the port, and would prefer to visit ship security when it will most likely impact less people. 

Several years ago, when we brought a plug-in surge protector (no cord) on board, I asked a Royal customer service representative, prior to the cruise, if this was permitted.  At that time, the rep said that it was permitted as long as there was no cord.  This surge protector was screened at check-in, with our camera gear, at Cape Liberty with no issues.  I don't know what the current "policy" is since the policy is not comprehensive.

Edit - the item that received the most attention from port security was our unopened canister of powered iced tea mix!

On 4/13/2023 at 1:28 PM, Ret MP said:

... However, the one thing that stands out to me is that it still doesn't mention "Surge Protectors/Suppresors" or whatever we commonly call them.  I'm still trying to find where RCCL prohibits them.  Almost every social media discussion about extension cords on cruise ships mentions that Surge Protectors/Suppressors are prohibited.  I just don't see it.

I see that Royal prohibits Electrical Extension Cords.  If the surge protector has a cord, it may not be allowed.  We brought a plug-in surge protector (no cord) on board with no issues, but it has been several years since we cruised.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/prohibited-items-onboard-policy

Others may have a different opinion, but I would put questionable items in checked luggage.  I'd rather stop by security (if an item is flagged) to make my case than with security at check-in.

16 hours ago, Tiggerontheseas said:

...Said that none were being printed.

Hmm - paper jam, broken copier, ran out of toner/ink, gremlins, etc.

The Deluxe Beverage Package and the Refreshment Package include shakes from Johnny Rockets.

What information is provided about the "upgrade" that a passenger is bidding on?

Is it always one category higher than your current category, or can it be more than one category higher?

Are any specifics given about the category, cabin number, general location on the ship, etc., that you are bidding on?

If your bid wins, is the cabin number provided to you immediately?  If you don't like the upgrade assigned, can you keep your original cabin instead?

Another use -

Some ships no longer have a curtain between the bed and the sofa bed/seating area.  We brought magnets with us and asked our cabin steward for an extra king sized flat sheet.  We put one edge of the sheet between the ceiling and a magnet every foot or so. Instant room divider.

Keep powerful rare earth magnets away from anything that may be sensitive to magnetic fields, like watches, some electronics, and medical devices (e.g., pacemakers.)