xyzcruiser

Something else to consider, the casino is seriously crowded on these premier cruises. If you're like me and like to play particular machines and only certain table games, it can be very frustrating even trying to find something you are willing to play on these cruises. I not only will not book a premier cruise, but I also always double check to make sure I don't inadvertently book under another casino offer for a week that is a premier. I have a much more enjoyable time in the casino and I don't really miss the small gifts or the drawings.

I always go solo. Same process, just say 1 guest when you book so you only get charged one set of port charges. And you'll get double points.

Unfortunately, Royal doesn't have the Lyre's nonalcoholic cocktails as they do on Carnival at the Alchemy Bar- those are great. I personally find the mocktails on Royal very sweet- ordered a couple but just couldn't drink them. Royal does have the Fre nonalcoholic wines, in the bottle only. Not great but IMHO acceptable, the red better than the white. On my last cruise, I brought onboard a bottle of nonalcoholic wine that I like and also some canned nonalcoholic low sugar pre mixed cocktails. Between those and the Fre wines purchased in the MDR, I was covered for the week. There are a plethora of nonalcoholic alternatives available online nowadays- just experiment a little before the cruise to find which ones you like.

I love it but I prefer smaller ships. My favorite Carnival ship is the Pride. I see you've sailed the Legend. If you liked that you would like the Vision. Vision has a better set up for the atrium, in my opinion.

Not nearby, but Paradise Cove in the West End is great. Small place with beach, great snorkeling, kayaks, paddle boards, food and drink. I go every time I stop in Freeport. Price includes transport. Website- deadmansreef.com

Considering a 14 Journeys cruise to Greenland. I'm more interested in wildlife, northern lights, glaciers and icebergs and hiking, kayaking etc than I am in touring villages, sightseeing, and learning local history. I have looked at the ports of call forums and most people are speaking a lot of walking around villages, local crafts, and shopping. For those of you that have cruised to Greenland before, do you think I would be happy on this cruise, knowing I'm mainly interested in "nature-y" excursions?

I have personally asked for items to go from the main dining room after seeing other people do so several times. You just ask the hostess and they will get a server to bring the item to you. Takes about 5 minutes. On every cruise I see this happen multiple times so it is not unusual. One caveat, I always do my time dining, so I'm not sure if it would be any different in the dining room with conventional seating.

I live on the eastern Shore of MD. I usually take rt 50 to 97 to 695 to 95 and get off at the key bridge exit right at the port, about 2 hrs 45 min travel time. But my cruises are always leaving on the weekend. My new arrival time is Mon morning at 10am. I'm not sure how much extra time to leave for rush hour traffic. Don't really want to take an alternate route since I'm not familiar with the area. Any advice?

Carnival said yesterday they would notify us by 2 pm of updated embarkation plans. I'm just assuming that's EST. Haven't got a message yet. Anyone else?

see above, posted same time as you

Just got a message saying Legend having problems with cruising speed and has stopped to allow engineers to fix. Our embarkation on Sunday will be affected, don't leave for port until you receive an update. Any one currently on the Legend been told when they will be arriving back to Baltimore? This has happened to me twice over the years- once no big deal, cruise just embarked 2 hours late, the other one, part needed to be flown in and the upcoming cruise was cancelled. Hoping for the best.

I have been told by several different crew members (both servers and management) that the automatic gratuity goes to the pool, but cash or an added extra gratuity goes to that individual server (in pay- for- item venues also). But really, who knows? I like to tip extra for great service, especially if it goes to that particular server but that's just me. Do what makes you happy.

In the past I have snorkeled from the beach all the way down past the cabanas and by Davy Jones pier with some success. On my last visit in the fall, they had the rope buoys very close to shore so you couldn't swim out, and the far end was marked for the Sanctuary only. So the snorkeling was not as good as in the past. Any recent shore snorkeling feedback?

I have purchased this often on ships with three specialty restaurants and usually go to all three once. On my last Vision cruise, I was very dissatisfied with Izumi (extremely slow service, food so-so). I have another upcoming cruise on Vision where I have purchased the 3-night package again. Can I use the 3 nights any way I want- even all 3 in one restaurant? I was thinking 2 Chops, 1 Giovannis or 3 dinners at Chops and purchasing an extra lunch at Giovannis. Thanks

I live on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and take about 3 solo cruises a year out of Baltimore. The drive is an easy 3 hours and Baltimore port embarkation is always a breeze, so I drive in on the day of departure. Although I have taken many cruises from other Eastern ports(Miami, Ft Lauderdale, Tampa, New Orleans) over the years, I'm not really interested in flying to a departure port anymore, so considering driving to Norfolk or Cape Liberty to get more variety in itinerary and cruise lines. I'm not used to alot of traffic and an unfamiliar drive, so I think NY port would be too much for me. The drive to Norfolk seems easy and about the same distance for me but there are a lot of complaints about Norfolk port on cruise critic and the itineraries aren't great. But I'm a little scared of trying Cape Liberty -seems like it would be across Del Memorial Bridge and then NJ turnpike, about 4 hours. Any thoughts on whether someone used to rural driving could do this easily on day of cruise? If not, suggestions for hotel near port? Also, comparisons between Balt port and Cape Liberty embarkations? Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

yes, you pay for both weeks and they give you a hanging ticket for your car to show that you paid for 2 weeks.

I second this. I just got back from a cruise last week and spend the day at Paradise Cove for the 16th time. I now look for cruises with a Freeport stop. My favorite place to snorkel in the Bahamas!

Am on the Vision Dec 14th cruise in a mid ship deck seven cabin- definitely would like to have more info

Going on my first post covid royal cruise in 2 weeks. I have been reading all these mtd threads with dismay. have always done mtd ( Carnival, NCL, and Royal) back to when only available with freestyle NCL, and loved it. Last 3 years 10 times on carnival where they have it down to a science with their app. I go to specialty restaurants at least half the time, I never know when I will want to eat (depends on time back from ports, how I'm doing in the casino, if I'm just chillin' on the deck and don't want to move, etc) so I don't want to change to set dining for sure. I am however on a smaller ship, Vision of the Seas. Wondering if the ship size affects all the problems reported. Any comments or advice?

You can, but make sure the porter puts your name on the tags too. On my last cruise out of Balt, the porter wrote my room number on someone else's luggage and it showed up in my room. Called steward to tell him it wasn't mine, they took it away. Then it showed up two more times that evening as different staff kept delivering it to my room. Can't blame them, it didn't have a name on it just a number so no way for them to figure out where it belonged. As I have had the paper luggage tags come off during delivery before, I always have my personal luggage tags with my name on mine. I guess the original owner finally went to guest services to find out where their stuff was.

I have tried the steakhouse and Maitre'd email several times on different ships- never have gotten a response, so don't get your hopes up. But I have never had any trouble just going to the maitre'd in the mdr when first getting on the ship and getting any issues addressed then.

Thanks everyone. So I see from the list posted all my C&A benefits are discounts and are preloaded to my card. This is easier than on Carnival where you have to be aware of what you get and where to pick it up or have it delivered. So no casino benefits even though this is a free cabin other than the C&A $2 freeplay. So I can just show up and let it happen. What does Access to Club Royale VIP Events mean? Is this onboard?

I was asking about non casino perks too. I understand about C&A but on Carnival being platinum gets you some free play as well as priority and gifts, drink vouchers and treats delivered to your room. And the offer you booked under determines your perks in the casino. Some come with differing amounts of free play or drinks in just the casino or everywhere. So there I just need to know what offer I booked under to know that info. I guess maybe this is not the same on Royal. Since I haven't cruised on Royal since 2019, I don't remember much but I do remember the level resets annually. I am assuming my level is choice since I haven't cruised on them in 4 years. Does that mean I can look up the perks based on that?

Although I cruised with Royal several times before covid, I am going on my first post- covid Royal cruise in a couple of weeks. As I have cruised several times on Carnival since I booked this Royal cruise I have simply forgotten what the perks are for this cruise. I'm platinum but I'm not sure what the casino offer I booked under was. I booked last winter so I'm not sure how to find this info without trying to contact Casino Royale. Just wondering if I have casino free play, free drinks or whatever. Thanks for your advice.

The last several cruises I have been on, the casino is incredibly busy. I like to just drive to my homeport, so smaller ships. Tables full, machines full (maybe not all, but any I would want to play). Lots of slot players playing minimum bets so they never leave. I prefer to play max bet but consequently when I am losing, my time at the machine is limited and I might not be able to get back on a machine for hours. I find my comps are not as high as they use to be because I am playing less. I don't really want to play in the morning or after midnight and I definitely like to spend time in the ports. So my question is this- I'm going to gamble anyway and I give myself a set budget, but with these circumstances, what is better for comps, keep playing max bets and maybe not get on a machine or park myself at a machine and playing smaller bets for a longer time?