grab007

Just off the 9/15 sailing of Freedom. Of the six machines (located in pairs in 3 locations) each day of the cruise one mchine in each pair had a sign saying it was "out of order." This led to a situation where the other machine in the pair was overused and ran out of ice. This went on for the entire cruise. Yes, we could get a can at a bar (with a dirty look from some bar tenders.) My point here is that the FOS staff needs to do a MUCH better job at maintaining these machines!

Song of America was our first cruise. We would love to see a new one and book in a heartbeat!

Booked ours thru our TA and she got it. You can try RCI. Good luck and enjoy your cruise!

Thanks! On Freedom 9/15 and staying at the same hotel! Really looking foward to your review. Can you give us a brief update on how the hotel has recovered?

They have reinstated a $200 OBC when paying with a Platinum card. RCI had not allowed that for 2 or 3 years but now its back. Used it for Freedom sailing in Sept.:)

IMHO, its not the cruise line's responsibilty to control kids. Its their parent's! What you're looking for is a cruise where more parents control their kids. Good luck with that.

Travel agents are a little like doctors...most are competant, a few are quacks but some are outstanding. We have been fortunate in finding an outstanding TA and have used them for 18 years. Control IS important and a good TA will make sure YOU make the decisions and ensure that you get the best deals available. But, like finding a good doctor you can trust, finding a good TA takes some effort on your part. Its been our experience that its worth the effort.

Happy cruising!:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:

My DW (and some one this thread) could not cruise without an HC cabin. We are now booking almost two years in advance to get one. I have advocated for a system where past HC passengers could get a shot at any "last minute" available cabins. Fell on deaf ears....sigh. Regardless of what the policy is...well I couldn't do it.

Question: How many of you will never cruise on RCL again because this happened? I hear a lot of outrage. But how outraged are you really?

NOTE TO ALL FOLLOWERS: Don't try this at home! The OP is a professional!

Let he (or she) who is without sin cast the first stone.

The title of the thread was clear. If it doesn't interest you, don't open it.

Good thread! The fact that it's been around so long is a good thing. The very fact that so many folks are aware and concerned is heartening to all of of in the community.

There are as many types and levels of disabilities as there are people! A few of my favorite sayings:

There but for the grace of God go I.

The definition of "character" is doing the right thing when no one is looking!

Bless you all.

Just imagine trying to feed 5000+ people three meals a day. Each wants to eat whatever they want, whenever they want and they expect it served just the way they want it!

Not a job I want....

Thank you SOOOO much for this thread! We too will be sailing on Equinox in Sept in a sky suite and have never had a butler. GREAT Info! We're traveling alone this time so parties are not in the plans but we look forward to breakfast on the balcony and his (or her!) help as DW is in a wheelchair and cannot walk. It sounds like they will make our trip extra special.

Just a question...Can you fit a scooter in a regular cabin or do you need a wheelchair accessible cabin?

I know Super Shuttle services Orlando Airport and they do have wheelchair accessible vans. Give them a call (or check their website) for times and availability.

You can flame me all you want but here's my take. I have EARNED my Diamond status. RC touts priority check-in for us. If we are traveling with friends why not let them stay with us? Don't give us a perc and then hang all these exceptions and disappoint us before we even get on. I get the lounge rules, there is only so much room in there and the free stuff.

Since I seem to be in the minority on this one, lets ELIMINATE priority check-in for all except special needs folks. That's the only way to be fair and keep everyone happy.

I too have received the speech. I usually respond by asking "Are you asking me to be dishonest?" They of course say "No." If the discussion continues I will add that I take the surveys seriously and answer all questions with my honest opinion.

What's at question here is what RCI does with honest feedback. If they fire a waiter who receives a 4 maybe we, as consumers, should consider where we spend our vacation dollars. Simply firing waiters will not improve the quality of the food. Managing by fear is never a good policy.

My wife is also in a wheelchair - has been for years so we have a lot of experience. Embarking in PC shouldn't be a problem for you. As long as you are physically able to push her up a sustained ramp. It has several switch-backs and is pretty easy to navigate. They won't require you to use their assistance. HOWEVER while on your cruise the ship WILL REQUIRE you to use their assistance getting on and off the ship at the ports you visit. When you return to PC you will be able to get off on your own or use assistance if you need it.

We were just on the Oasis (11/5 to 11/13) so this is current info.

I can speak to how they DON'T take them getting on in Port Canaveral. They wouldn't take my wife's manual wheelchair (which we use as a backup in case her power chair fails.) When we asked why they said they only take luggage, NOT golf clubs or wheelchairs because of liability issues if they are damaged.

The good news is that you can take them directly to your room - even if its before 1PM. The stewards will let you put them in your room right away.

Hope this helps a little - enjoy your cruise!

Inside bets (individual numbers) are $1 and outside bets (red/black, odd/even) are $5.

Basically it was an onboard para-mutual betting "game." They would auction off "horses" early in the cruise and the owners would hype up their horses for the next few days to get as many folks to bet for them when the race was held - usually on the last day of the cruise. Folks would place their bets and get a ticket just like a real horse race. The "race" consisted of the rolling of a large die (one of a pair of dice) and each horse would go in turn and advance on a large game board the corresponding number of spaces on the die. The first horse crossing the finishing line would be the winner and holders of the winning tickets would be paid accordingly. The winning owners would get a percentage of the purse.

I expect that when ships got larger it probably became too much to handle AND the cruise line wasn't getting a cut! There may also have been regulations put in place that may have put an end to it as well.

It was definitely a lot of fun though. Thanks for remembering!

If y'all think the elevators are an issue, try navigating the big ships in a wheelchair! I've posted a number of times how difficult (rude?) some folks can be when a wheelchair passenger tries to use an elevator. We've waited up to 30 minutes trying to catch one!

But the problem - if you want to call it that - is that ships are sooo much larger now. 17 decks!!! The option of taking the stairs is out for almost anyone if you expect them to climb 10 decks! I guess more elevators are needed in future designs.

As for wheelchairs, I'd like to see one elevator forward and aft designated for wheelchair priority. Put up a sign - if a wheelchair passenger is waiting - they go first. IMHO - thanks!

Actually there is kinda a repositioning cruise. Her first trip out of PC is an eight day cruise leaving Sat Nov 5th and ending on Sun the 13th which will put her on the Sunday to Sunday schedule.

I know because we're on it!