DannyDisneyFreak

On 9/28/2021 at 10:51 PM, Case1096 said:

Our DD has Celiac and we've done RCCL and Disney.  Both cruise lines have been wonderful.  But each handle it differently.  First question, are you GF for Celiac or for preference?  If Celiac make sure to fill out the special services forms in advance.  For Celiac our pre-Covid strategy has always been to meet with the Windjammer manager on embarkation day.  They would introduce us to the head Chef and take us on a mini tour telling us what is OK to take directly from the buffet and what they could do in the back.  Plan some extra time for dining since some things have to be specialty made.  MDR is chaotic the first night, but after that they know the routine.  We would pre-order dinner the night before.  Overall the crew really went above and beyond to make sure things were safe and she never went hungry!  A memorable example, one day my DD got very sad that she couldn't eat the ice cream from the soft serve machine.  We went into the Windjammer, saw our usual contact, he reiterated that we should not go anywhere near the soft serve machine.  He told us to give him a few minutes and he came back with a big sundae in a bowl for her that he took everything fresh from the supply room!

What is the special services form and when do you get it?

Interested also! 

We are getting on the ship when you get off on Saturday for the reverse itinerary. We have never sailed Princess. How is the food? Did you happen to get any menu pics? How about the room service menu? I can’t wait to hear more! 

My wife has celiac disease so I'm wondering if there's anywhere that serves a decent/authentic Key lime pie? Not frozen or anything as many GF items are. Hoping for find her something as close to the authentic as possible. Thanks!

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We are cruising on Jewel in July and my 10 year old loves pizza. He isn't much of a gourmet and thinks Costco pizza and Little Caesars pizza are good. Would the pizza on board at least be as "good" as those? I wonder if the pizza is any different off the children's menu in the MDR?

I think most kids would like the pizza if they like other generic pizzas like you mentioned.

Seaview cafe has a fee starting at 8pm when they are offering Burgers and Brews. Your other post says you went to the Seaview cafe once, was that during the day? That could explain why you did not have to pay a fee.

Yes during the day. There were nights that it wasn't open though.

Thanks for all the replies. Just to update: Our West Jet flight was the best flight I have ever taken. Thanks for the reviews and encouraging me to book.

A fee for SeaView Cafe...:confused:...Not when I was on it last October...surprised if this is true...since the cafe will be gone when JOS has her next drydock...sad to see it go.

There was no fee for SeaView this past week.

Just back from Jewel. The Solarium had hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken salad wraps (which were great!), and pizza, which is the worst pizza we've had on a cruise. This is the first cruise we've been on where food wasn't available 24 hours to some degree. And the ice cream machines didn't work very well. The cookies were good, though! When the WJ closed in the early evening, the doors were locked, so you couldn't even get beverages. We only ate in the Seaview Café one day. I ordered the vegetarian sandwich, which was completely inedible. Others in our group had burgers and other sandwiches - they said they were just "okay". Because our bodies were still on CST in a Pacific time zone, we always seemed to be hungry when food wasn't available - LOL! We had a great cruise, and we were thankful for a Captain who refused to take the ship out to sea on just one engine. He kept us updated and handled it beautifully. We arrived into Victoria about 6 hours late, but from what I could tell, everyone still managed to have a great time in port since it stays light for a long time in that area right now.

Just back today also. We must have hit the solarium cafe on different nights cause I was extremely disappointed. Both times I wish I just ordered room service but it was late night and I didn't want to wait. I agree the pizza was awful, but the hot dogs and burgers were also cold and not good imo even if warm, the wraps were lackluster, and the staff member was just as cold as the food. Sea view cafe is the best snack option if it's open, I was only able to catch it once open. Food was actually good and service was so so. Ruben was good, the chocolate brownie look very yummy and would have been satisfying if it was rock solid cold. After hours dining isn't great. I would stick to room service even though it's not great it's better than the other options. If you want something sweet though Lattetudes (Starbucks) have great complementary desserts, the willy wonka peanut butter like pie was my favorite, as well as the the peanut butter and plain rice crispy treats.

We will set sail in almost 2 day to Alaska out of Vancouver. I just realized I have no clue about the Embarkation process! Where exactly do we go? I know Canada Place but will it be obvious once we get there? Will be taking a cab, what do we tell the driver? What time can you get there? Earliest- latest. How long does check in take? What should I be sure to have prepared and in hand for check in? When will our rooms be ready? Really excited but the anxiety of the unknown is starting to building. I need to be prepared.

Can someone explain room service? And what is the menu like?

I love HOHO bus tours. The driver talks about the area and is fun to listen to on most of them. You can choose where you get off the bus and how long you stay at that specific attraction. How many minutes between drop off and pickup vary and you can plan accordingly after choosing the company. If you never get off a bus the tour completes in 90 minutes, but I strongly recommend getting off the bus. You don't have to buy your tickets early - just have them before you leave home. One great thing about these tours is you can start and end anywhere, so it is OK if your hotel is not near the first bus stop. I will do this in Vancouver the morning before embarkation and stop at the aquarium in Stanley Park.

This could be interesting, do you have a link?

Friendly

Oh I see. What it different from the original?

Definitely not first run! Put that on the comment card almost every time that newer movies would be nice. Dont remember them all...but the movies for the current sailing and the one before....(Jewel)

 

 

 

Gravity

 

Into the woods

 

Imitation Games

 

Unbroken

 

Finding Nemo (autistic friendl)

What does the autistic friend mean?

Does Royal play first-run movies on board in the theater? Is there a way to find out what movies will be playing on board? We are sailing next Friday on the Jewel.

Form the Blue Horizon... I would walk East to see one of the many restaurants along Robson street for dinner. If the evening is early, walk down to the nearby cruise terminal to catch Fly Over Canada before it closes at 9pm.

 

 

 

If there isn't time, you might be able to catch of of the early shows pre-cruise.

Fly Over Canada; is that like a motion simulator ride? I'd love that but my wife gets motion sickness from those.

To clarify... Which hotel are you at so we can target suggestions to your location?

Blue Horizon Hotel at 1225 Robson Street

Can you use your on board credit for laundry?

There is no self laundry, but they do have cleaning and pressing. Having something pressed is half the price of washing or cleaning. They also do a bag of laundry mid week for a set price, I think $30. Undies, pjs and the like. If it fits in the bag it's all good. Stuff and stuff some more. We bring a little bottle of detergent for do it yourself in the cabin, and there is a line in the shower. Bring a couple of clothespins

Okay, great to know, thank you!

I'm trying to minimize my packing but going to Alaska I'm packing a little heavier than I normally to on vacation. Usually vacations are much warmer for me, not dressing in layers. Is there laundry facilities on the Jewel? If so where are the located and how much do they cost? Thanks!

We are staying at the Blue Horizon Hotel at 1225 Robson Street

So if we wanted to head over to Gastown and/or Chinatown would it be wise to do so on foot? Is there and option for public Trasportation?

We are staying at the Blue Horizon Hotel at 1225 Robson Street

I agree that Vancouver and area are worth visiting for several days. For many of us, though, vacation time is limited. Adding extra days just isn't a viable option for many cruisers.

Even if I wanted to add extra days I already have my flight booked coming in, the cruise isn't going to wait for me, and we disembark in Seattle. I don't have the option to reconsider my time in Vancouver.

A 5pm airport arrival means 6pm hotel check-in. You'll just have enough time for a good dinner, Fly Over Canada and a walk around the downtown. You need to serious look at revising your itinery to have more days in Vancouver to appreciate a port bigger than all the Alaskian ports combined.

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With regards to when to get to the port.... depends on....

• what is your PAT or boarding time? Typically between 11am to 2pm.
  
• typically luggage are accepted 11am or a little earlier...
  
• how important is the welcome lunch trough on the ship to you... especially when they close early afternoon and you paid for it.
  

We won't have anymore time in Vancouver than stated. Understandable that it is a very short time but Vancouver isn't the destination for this trip. I'm just want to have a plan to make most of our short time there.

I didn't think about lunch to be honest.

We are sailing this month on our first RCCL and first Alaska cruise on RC Jewel of the Seas and departing from Vancouver. So we will be arriving around 5pm and our hotel is downtown. Any suggestions on what to do in Vancouver? Also, what time should we get to the port? Should we plan to do anything in the morning?