Goodtime Cruizin

IKR? I remembered him from his stint as a weatherman at a local TV station (Orlando, before he moved to Tampa) where he presented a feature called "Weather Babies" and sang country songs with the weather.

 

I was very disappointed at his handling of the Galveston debacle. Now it looks like he better be hitting up RCI for a raise with all this hurricane work because he's being sued for lawyers fees in a Tampa case and blaming having to take a $55K pay cut when joining RCI:

 

https://www.tampabay.com/news/courts/Ex-WTSP-meteorologist-sued-over-almost-60-000-owed-to-lawyers_170784447

So when someone books a cruise in the caribben during hurricane season and a hurricane approaches and messes up a vacation, blame the weather man... when it's a real bad hurricane, sue the weatherman.

Or one could just choose to cruise to the caribbean when it's not hurricane season.

Well we're looking for a 2020 cruise but selection isn't thengreatest right now and the price is at peak. I think we'll wait until we see a drop or when the new sail dates open up.

Thanks everyone!

Most likely March/April timeframe, but some could come out in December.

Thanks Bob. I've set a December date in my calendar to begin looking around.

I could use some help. Does anyone know the typical time frame/month that Royal generally releases their schedule or calendar of cruise dates for Australia & NZ cruises?

TIA

How’s the motion in aft balconies? We tend to stick midship because I get occasional bouts of motion sickness and I’ve heard midship is where you fee motion the least

There are no issues. Keep in mind, the ship moves slowly and it never leaves site of the shorelines. It's the best place for a balcony and it's the most coveted balcony on the ship.

My suggestion is an Aft Balcony! They are amazing for an Alaskan cruise.

With a better drink package rate on enough sailings that could easily turn into 21 cruises booked for the same price overall. I think we'd all here do that. :)

Oh I understand, believe me. But to somewhat internet scold a poster for posting something to help others is a bit over the top for me. While evidently the $39/day rate did not occur for the 20 cruises mentioned, just imagine if they did apply! As you said, the OP could have saved he/she enough funds for their 21st cruise!

Very ship specific. OP - if you are going to post something like this please tell us what ship and sail date! None of my 20 cruises have the package at that rate!

LOL 20 cruises booked and you're scolding a poster about the savings of a few bucks.

We are diamond plus members and were very disappointed on recent cruise on Adventurer that we could not use Concierge lounge( our old lounge now turned into cabins) there wer over 300 people trying to get into Diamond lounge and the lovely club atmosphere is now gone.

I believe that RCI is now doing this on lots of ships and the opportunity to meet like minded cruisers is diminished.

Can anyone tell me which ships still have the concierge lounge for diamond plus guests ?

SIAP. Brilliance on our Baltic Cruise this paat May

I feel sorry for the CC mods the days after this happens - they'll be very busy merging all the different threads that emerge.

Naw... they get paid well. :D

I'm glad we went a couple of years ago, but I think we're done w/ Honduras. Too much hostility these days and there is too many other beautiful places in the Caribbean to see, explore, and enjoy.

Are you sure you really want to do this?

I would never consider anything that long.

 

I don't think you were invited

FYI....

Uber & Lyft both operate in Galveston as of June 1st, 2017. You will not have issues getting from the port on Sundays. Getting around the island before 10am... maybe as the drivers line up near the port/ships and wait on trip requests for leaving Galveston Island.

I haven't read this entire thread, SIAP, but I have a feeling that if a lawyer was hired, Royal would eventually settle this. This is a customer service issue and poor customer service at that. Most large corporations do not wish to deal with law suits of this nature. It may take awhile to reach a plateau of someone w/ common sense to settle it, but IMO, eventually RCCL would.

Suzy Q is my girl. I have sailed many times with her. Most recently on the Anthem where she works the Music Hall. Not sure where she is currently.

Thanks for the update. She indeed is special and happy she's still around.

I haven't kept up w/ the Mariner since she left Galveston. She was our first ship and a real enjoyable cruise. I remember a bartender, Pool Bar, named Suzy Q who was quite fun and very entertaining. She was from the Phillipines and had been with Royal for 15+ years. Is she still around?

You don’t need to purchase any drink package - unless your cabin mate does. Then you must. Quite simple rule actually but certainly not nickel and diming. Your terminology is totally wrong.

I agree. 7 day/ Alcohol Bev packages are more like $500. That's alot of nickels and dimes!

It's taken many a long time to reach their C&A status....it shouldn't be expected to share that with those that haven't. Their welcome to earn their own.

As a Diamond myself, I've earned the right to either not order them, or give my drinks away, or enjoy them for myself. These are MY drinks and therefore it's MY choice!

I suggest that you visit directly w your Concierge. My wife & I have enjoyed two different Diamond events on two different cruises that both concierges approved at the request of our Diamond+ cruising buddies.

Do ask!

Prices are almost always cheaper when you book early. This has zero to do with the CEOs comment. Also supply and demand drives the prices after that. Again, zero to do with the CEO comment.

Actually, it appears that the profit line drive is the pricing. The cruising public will of course determine the value of these new prices. RCL has built mega ships. They were built via approval of the Board of Directors. If the price of the cruises resach a plateau that can't afford the cruises... they're in trouble. If this occurs, the bankers can/will re-structure the mega ship loans, but at a cost. Service will be the first cut. I only hope that RCL did their homework.

I get that, but "exclusive" also doesn't feel "exclusive" when it seems like everyone has it!:cool:

I think you have it nailed. So if you want exclusive, you'll need to cruise with Gold cards, i.e. Pinnacle or in Suites

Wait. They named the son Ocean?

I called RC today and they said they updated the info on the JR milkshake TODAY. It's for both refresh and the alcohol package, but you have to be DINING in for it to be free....knew there had to be a catch...

Just as I figured. It appears they are using the shakes (free) to create traffic flow. JR always seemed to have little to no action when we walked by and peeped in. Raising the cover must've taken a toll on an already poor traffic flow.

And how weird is it that one can take a drink from bar to bar but one can't take a milkshake out of JR ?

I'm not sure about Radiance, but this was by far the best Margarita I've ever had. We enjoyed a few of them on Liberty! They were served from Sabor.

On our first cruise out of Galveston, we actually stayed NORTH of Houston and drove in that morning. We got up early (like 7am...) and didn't have a problem making it to the ship at all. In fact, that cruise was the first cruise/cruiseship to return to Galveston after the hurricane, so we drove around the island looking at damage, et al. before heading to the terminal.

On our 2nd cruise from Galveston, we stayed way out in Bayport (Our route was a bit different that year with some stops we had to make. I found a good hotel in a good area....and I knew from experience that we had plenty of time to get to the terminal that next morning) It seems like a strange place for a pre-cruise hotel, but it worked for us that year/trip.

On our 3rd cruise out of Galveston, we stayed at the Best Western there on Seawall Blvd...had time that morning to go to Walmart and drive my parents all the way down the island to see it (They'd never been there before)

On our FOUTH trip to Galveston, we actually weren't cruising...we had been there so many times and each time said "We've GOT to return here someday and just see Galveston". So that year, we just drove down and spent time there seeing and doing things on the Island. When we left (after 5 days) we went to Webster....spent a full day at Spaceport (IT WAS INCREDIBLE!!! I imagine your daughter would love it!!!) and an evening at Kemah. Kemah was nice.....not as wonderful as Spaceport, but certainly good for an evening. I think it would be great for a pre- or post-cruise evening. Check their website to find out when they are open...it's not 'all day every day'.... ;)

 

Reading your comment above...I wonder if your plan to drop off luggage at the terminal and walk around will work. If I remember correctly (and barring any changes in the last couple of years) there really isn't much in the area other than industrial and parking garages/lots. If you want to sightsee, perhaps that's something to do BEFORE heading to the terminal.

 

My blog post of our visit to Galveston and things to do there: https://frugaltravelerusa.wordpress.com/fun-things-to-do-in-around-galveston-texas/

The Galveston 'Strand' is only a couple of blocks from Harbourside and the port. I'm not sure when the storefronts would start opening but I imagine at 11am or so.