alphawave1

I started the post on Voyager storm. Somehow someone posted their plight from The Dream. 

Just got off the Jan 22nd -27th cruise. Actually B2B since 18th. 
Last day of cruise a strong storm began around 1:30. The rain escalated rapidly to the point where ALL outside decks were locked down. My friend and I proceeded to Viking Crown lounge, as our Jr suite balcony had inches of water, and it was coming into our cabin. The VC was crammed full of people, many of whom were young teenagers who were private school students. 
The wind was incredible. Tied together lounge chairs on deck 11 were flying around together and culminated into a tangled mess. Then we listed (reports of 8-18 degrees). Bar glasses, liquor bottles flying off shelves and breaking, continued for 3-4 minutes. A huge mess, and many  people severely shaken. I tended to one person( nurse here), and the young people sprung into action to prevent more glasses from breaking under the direction and help  of my friend.
The only announcement overhead was before the dramatic list we experienced, was an urge to “hold on to something now”. 
Reports of 80 mph wind gusts and only slightly lower continuous winds, were discussed and overheard from crew members later that evening. This explains why the shelves blew over and crashed in liquor store, perfume shop, and art gallery. Restaurants had dishes and glasses breaking, and were closed down for a while for cleanup.Our cabin experienced breakage of glasses and wine and drawers found wide open. The carpet was pretty soaked by the balcony The scarier damage was in the casino where many slot machines fell over and some on top of a few people. Water was everywhere on the inside  decks and in cabins. The storm intensity lessened after 2.5 hours, but certainly didn’t stop. 
The crew were wonderful, placing dryers and towels down for our safety. I congratulate the Captain and all the wonderful people manning the bridge, They navigated us through a difficult storm. Been traveling since 1999 on RCCI, and always feel they keep our safety as their 1st concern. This cruise was no exception. 
Thank you RCCI!!!!

BTW, I will give a full review of the cruises, later. 

On 1/14/2024 at 12:22 PM, superduper123 said:

Looking for non-alcoholic ideas on how to use the free drink vouchers?

We use most of ours on the bottled Pellegrinos. I don’t eat/drink sugar, so a bit limited. There was a bartender on The Radiance who made sugar free mock mojitos, they were delicious. Wish they always had those available!

Leaving  tomorrow from Galveston on a B2B with my sister. 
Ok, I admit it, my suitcase is super heavy. My sister is driving in today and  spending the night here is Houston. 
My sister, “ OMG, your suitcase is ridiculously heavy,  I will have to help you…..etc.” I will get a lecture driving to the port. 

Also my sister by 2nd  day, “OMG, I forgot socks, do you have hair conditioner, do you have clothes pins, can I use your hand lotion, sun  block toothpaste….etc.” 

Am I the only one? 

7 minutes ago, birdofsong said:

We got off the first, grabbed two more bottles from the car, and got back on.

We were going to do that, but Galveston port apparently has new rules regarding getting  off and on board. People who got off were prevented from getting right back on, as they had no assigned boarding time. They weren’t allowed back on until past  2 pm. Prior to 2024, they always do B2Bs, they hopped right back on. This was info from friends who were traveling with RCCI first week of January. 

So I recently had to call RCCI over OBC issue. While on phone  I asked if we can bring 2 bottles of wine on board per person , as we are doing a B2B. He said yes. Yet, a friend who also departed from Galveston said they confiscated extra bottle and were supposed to deliver on second leg of journey. They didn’t deliver, but instead returned bottle at end of second leg? 
Anyone  have experience with this scenario?

Anyone been in the Diamond lounge on this ship recently? We have a B2B next week, and are just Diamond tier. Dia + after next cruise. 
So, are the Diamond people being kicked out at 4;30 or so? Is the lounge over crowded at cocktail hours?

On 1/2/2024 at 2:08 PM, cruiselvr04 said:

We have one of those plans where they come out for a service charge and fix the appliance for free.  It’s been great a couple of times for the air conditioner units.  I asked the guy when he fixed my temp control on my oven which appliances he has less calls on.  He says Whirlpool is best.  LG, Samsung and Kitchen aide he works a lot on.  Of course I have builder grade LG.
 

 Just kind of waiting for the dishwasher to go out as it’s been 11 years.  My washer and dryer are probably about 20 years old.  DH wanted to get me fancy new ones but I said no.  We will wait until they die and then I’m still getting basic stuff. I have a 40 year old freezer in garage that just keeps going.  My fridge is fancier but that’s the only thing I think is worth it. I have never used my convection oven setting but do use the warming drawer.
 

It’s always something. I have a friend with a new Bosch that she’s had nothing but trouble with.  You can also get a lemon.  

So true. My younger daughter bought a gorgeous refrigerator freezer. I have a basic no ice maker model, btw. She came home from work last year, and her 7 year old ran screaming, “it snowed in here”. Evidently the ice maker went bezerk, and when the ice no longer fit in the freezer it began pouring out ice via the dispenser. All day. 

So we are doing B2B in Galveston in 2 weeks. On previous posts, I have asked if we can go to car and exchange laundry and bring another bottle of wine. So are we able to leave terminal and get right back on once boarding begins? 

Ok so we bought unlimited specialty dining for upcoming cruises 2 weeks from now. The AP won’t let us make reservations except the initial day for dinner. Do we have to make the other reservations when onboard? Thought that it was suggested to make reservations?

Ok, week after next starts B2B cruise with my sister. Our first, so pardon the dumb questions. 
We have reserved close in parking to Galveston RCCI port. Can we get off ship, change out dirty clothes for clean ones that we have stored in car? Do we have to wait to get back on ship? We are Jr suite, Diamonds (160points, lol). 
Is there an area for breakfast for B2Bers?  
 

1 hour ago, sddsddean said:

Usually you don't have to check in as such for the 2nd cruise. You will get a letter saying the procedures for turn around day, which normally says that your new card will be left in your cabin the last night. If you are staying in the same cabin, no problems. If you are moving, you can do it yourself or staff will help. In US ports, you will be escorted off last, go through 'immigration' and then return on board. You usually get a b2b lunch somewhere. Any other country, you don't normally have to do 'immigration', but you can get an 'in transit' card that lets you skip security lines if you decide to get off the ship.

If you are staying in the same cabin, tell your steward to leave 'changeover' day to the next day...gives them more time and they will appreciate it.

If you are changing cabins, go and find your new steward and ask them to do your new cabin first, so you haven't got to hang around waiting for it.

Though cabins will be available at 1pm (or whatever), as you are on a b2b you will be allowed into your cabin anytime.

Thats all I can think of!

 

Simon

If the doors that block entrance to cabins are locked, how do you get in cabin before 1pm? Our first B2B in 2 weeks. 

37 minutes ago, pcur said:

 

I was on b2b cruises several times between mid-November and mid-December 2023, and we did not receive our new seapass cards until after we were cleared by immigration, and started back to the ship again.  Then, we had our choice of coming back on the ship or leaving.

 

 

So it sounds like all B2B people have to exit ship and go through immigration?

Thanks everyone!

We are on Voyager on the 18th. We got the Refreshment package because we love Pellegrino and Diet Coke. Last cruise there was a problem, we are Diamonds, and the bartender would charge our 4 Diamond free drinks instead of refreshment package. We of course stated ahead with our order; charge to refreshment package, but it kept happening. 
Anyone else have this difficulty?

Suggestions?

5 minutes ago, njkruzer said:

Yes you can get off and go anywhere.  We do b2b and just send some dirty clothes to be washed.   No special place for breakfast but often lunch in the mdr.  You'll get a letter a couple of days in advance with instructions.  If you get off you'll get an intransit pass to be able to get back on, though not sure on timing.

Thanks! 

Warning. Years ago we parked inadvertently far away from old RCCI terminal  port. We had to roll suitcases over gravel for almost a mile.There was simply no other way. It was  a workout for someone with moderate heart issues. It ruined the rollers on both our suitcases, btw. 
 

Ok, week after next starts B2B cruise with my sister. Our first, so pardon the dumb questions. 
We have reserved close in parking to Galveston RCCI port. Can we get off ship, change out dirty clothes for clean ones that we have stored in car? Do we have to wait to get back on ship? We are Jr suite, Diamonds (160points, lol). 
Is there an area for breakfast for B2Bers?  
 

On 12/23/2023 at 8:23 PM, GetToLivin said:

I'm with you on this one. Unless we have a suite with access to CK/Suite Lounge, I have no desire to arrive earlier than when cabins become available. Any earlier and everyone is just sitting around waiting for rooms to open, so every venue is full, Windjammer is an absolute pile of insanity, and I just don't see the draw. I get being excited but dealing with an influx of crowds isn't the right way for me to start out my vacation.

So agree. As I approach 70, I have grown to detest lines for this type of thing. My sister and I like a relaxed start to a vacation; it sets the mood. Next month we sail for a B2B from Galveston, and plan to wait until 12:30-1:00, to board. 

I too am on a B2B in January, wondering the exact same thing. 
When  do they allow the B2B off and then  back on? Is there a special breakfast before disembarking? 

7 minutes ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Sure, you can leave the ship, but you'll have to go through check-in again.  

 

If you have your own car, you could leave and come back easily.  If not, you could take a taxi or Uber. 

 

Yes, you can carry on two bottles -- one for each cruise.  Do bring both boarding passes so you can prove you're a B2B cruiser.  

Thank you!

So this is our first B2B coming up.

is it possible or allowed to get off ship and go to parked car and exchange dirty laundry for clean? Would significantly cut down on heaviness of carry-ons. 
Also, can you carry on 2 bottles of wine (2 cruises,after all ) or are we limited to 1 each?

Going on Voyager B2B in January. Still Diamond at 160 points.  So wondering how big this lounge is, and if anyone who has recently been on this ship knows if Diamonds are suddenly not allowed for 5 pm drinks and pre-dinner snacks. 

32 minutes ago, toxicfairy said:

Look at black Friday sales next month.

Thanks! Definitely will! 

Since apparently you cannot buy huge 12 packs of sparkling water anymore, we are relegated to getting refreshment package for our cruise in January. Right now they are 10% off for $33.99 a day, plus gratuity. 
Don’t these packages go down in price, say 30% off, closer to cruise?