RamblingReader

The Health Assessment question Carnival had us answer when we got our tickets for April 2nd says "Are you, or will you be fully vaccinated with a WHO or FDA authorized COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before boarding? Fully vaccinated means you received the final dose of a vaccine series at least 14 days before embarkation"   Nothing is mentioned about being "up to date"... According to the CDC definition that means we don't have to have boosters.  Has anyone been hassled about not having a booster?

If I'm going to the pool I carry all the things you mentioned in a tote with my water bottle, etc (I don't really swim, just sit and read my Kindle and soak up the sun, lol). The rest of the time I only keep my SeaPass on a lanyard (touristy, I know, but efficient ;p)

I guess if you need the other stuff at random times I would get a really small "clutch-type" purse with a strap. Something that easily goes "cross-body" but isn't bulky (it's not like you need a wallet).

We bring Kind bars with us, or packaged nuts. I also do a Google search for gluten free restaurants in the area I'll be in. That's not always successful, but sometimes something comes up. My husband is celiac so we bring a card with us that explains the whole gluten free thing in whatever language is required. Below is the website where you can find them. We just hand the card to a server and they let us know what the options are, if there are any.

 

www.celiactravel.com

Thanks for the link to the card! That could be a life-saver.

Most chips I've eaten appear to be and taste like all corn, but whether or not there's wheat flour mixed in with larger commercial brans I don't know. But if any tortillas or chips are made with strictly masa harina, you'll be fine. Just ask.

Good to know! Thanks for your expertise on this :)

Most Mexican resorts don't follow any no-gluten trends.

 

But if you are at an AI, just skip the flour tortillas (100% corn is okay though) and any enchilada sauces. Salsa is okay! Order Fajitas. Order back beans and rice. Order any fruit.

 

If you wish to only visit a beach for a short time and then head downtown San Miguel, you'll find a couple of vegetarian places that will most likely carry more non-wheat based items, ergo, gluten-free.

Kondesa, and Kintas are well known for vegetarian dishes. Pancho's Backyard does have vegetarian dishes, just watch the sauces (salsa is okay). And I've heard good things about Sal de Mar on Callle 3 Sur

You sound like you know what you're talking about! Do you know if their tortilla chips are typically GF? I wondered about just having nachos... I know in the past when I've been in Mexico they tend to make nachos with real cheese (as opposed to the creamy fake stuff Americans use and you can never trust) and I wouldn't think refried beans would have anything wheat based. Fajitas all depend on the marinade...

RCCL and their website are going to be the death of me....Grrrrrr

I can't stand RC's website either. This is why I always go through Expedia. You can still pick the exact rooms you want online (I like being able to SEE them on the deck plan and not just have someone explain to me where they are) But they also have great customer service if you call with any questions before or after booking.

Sounds like I need to add prepackaged snacks to my packing list. Bummer!

Thanks to all who replied. I feel more comfortable booking now that I see others have had positive experiences. :D

Exactly. There's a reason every single cruise cabin has a TV in it. Nobody is spending their whole day in the cabin watching TV but it's nice to have it for a little while in the evening while I'm winding down.

 

But nowadays my "TV" onboard is my tablet computer. Much easier to watch my own content than try to get the actual TV in the room to show what I want. I'm technically savvy and know how to do it, just more trouble than it's worth to me.

My DD usually just watches on her phone but maybe I should mention bringing her laptop so her sister can see too :')

Anyone with experience cruising Gluten Free? I have a true allergy, not just preference.

I'm not too worried about eating on the ship (Royal Carribean's website showed me how to alert them ahead of my allergy AND I sent word through my TA) but in port, I have NO idea how to find an allergy-friendly place. In Cozumel, the consensus for our family is that we just want a fun all-inclusive beach, but how do I find one I know I can eat at?

We will also be going to Jamaica and Grand Cayman.... we know the excursions we want to do, but I don't know how I will eat?:o:confused:

Has anyone dealt with this? Can you pack a lunch from the ship?

Ideas? Suggestions?

I'm right there with you. I hope the VOOM is fast enough on the Oasis in 2 weeks to stream Netflix or Amazon.

 

I like to watch TV to unwind at night.

 

Hopefully you can get the DVD player to work. Enjoy!

 

Bill

My DD claims she can download shows to her Netflix app ahead of time... I sure hope she's right because I'm not paying for VOOM, LOL

Anyone with experience cruising Gluten Free? I have a true allergy, not just preference.

I'm not too worried about eating on the ship but in port, I have NO idea how to find an allergy-friendly place. In Cozumel, the consensus for our family is that we just want a fun all-inclusive beach, but how do I find one I know I can eat at?

Has anyone dealt with this? Can you pack a lunch from the ship? (seems like a waste in paying for the resort, but if it keeps me safe maybe it would be safer to find an a la carte place instead)

Ideas? Suggestions?

We were looking at Mr Sanchos because we saw that you can add on horseback riding (something my kids REALLY want to do)... has anyone done that?

Unless you have 2 cabins booked this is not going to work.

 

If you are both booked in the same cabin you would both be required to purchase to package.

 

Bill

We have 2 cabins ... cruise line rules dictate that someone over 25 be in each cabin so the roster says I'm in one cabin with one DD and hubby is in the other with the other DD. (that's not how we'll work sleeping arrangements but RC doesn't need to know that ;))

Have hubby get drink package, it comes with a soda cup your teen can use

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Now THAT sounds like a smart idea! (and if hubby "accidentally" orders a cocktail or 2 that he doesn't like, he could pass them off to me, LOL :'))

Cannot paste the site but google Royal Caribbean blog drink prices.

Thanks! This blog helped a lot!!! I think I would be completely wasting my money on a package - my husband on the other hand.... we'll have to see.

I wish there was one that included soda AND bottled water without all the add-ons of the Refeshment package. I can see my DD drinking $15 or so of just bottled water but not $26!

Can anyone tell me the typical cost of drinks (from cocktails to sodas) on board? I am looking ahead at the various beverage packages and trying to do the math so I know what is the best deal. So far, it seems I would have to drink a huge amount to make the deluxe package worth it, but maybe the cocktails etc are priced crazy high compared to the bars around here. I honestly will probably drink mostly water (and bring my trusty Mio since I'm picky about water taste, lol;)).... but I do enjoy a cocktail or 2 in the evenings when on vacation. :D

I will also have my 2 teens with me and wondered how many sodas they would have to consume a day to make the "Soda" or "Refreshment" package worth it... ;p

Any input... even vague price ranges will help! Thanks!!

I have seen this website (http://www.shoreexcursioneer.com) mentioned by one member who used them with success. After looking at their website I am very impressed but would like to see more people's experiences with them before booking.

Can anyone give me a review of their experience with this company? (or perhaps recommend another that is reputable and well priced?) I really can't stomach the prices of the cruise line, but want to be sure we have a pleasant experience as well. :D

{Itinerary: Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth}

I have never had a problem booking excursions from the ship or another venue (or just wandering around shopping in Cozumel) but this year is the first time I'm taking my kids (12yr and 16yr) and with all the warnings on the State Dept website I'm a little concerned. According to their advisories, Grand Cayman is the only stop we're making that does not have an "Increased Caution" warning.

That being said, has anyone who has cruised to these destinations lately felt at all unsafe? (I say lately because on our last cruise, several years ago, I felt completely safe in all these ports)

I had planned on only booking excursions through the cruiseline, assuming it would be safer that way, but I see that Expedia (where we booked the cruise) has some cool excursions at slightly lower prices. I would assume they would be safe as well, but wondered what other opinions are?

Wow... I had no idea this was such a hotly debated topic when I asked. In all honesty, my question was more about what would be enforced than what people THINK should be worn to dinner.

Personally, I look forward to dressing up a little for dinner. The main reason I will ask my kids to dress up is for the experience (and ironically they are looking forward to that part too, despite not typically liking dressy clothing). I know in the past I've enjoyed dressing for dinner and look forward to showing my daughters the same experience.

BTW- if your opinion is that you shouldn't have to dress up for vacation then you're entitled to it. I just didn't know if they still turned people away from MDR because of shorts like they used to.

And that's fine. You will definitely see some people dressed up like it's Prom Night.

 

But if it would ruin your evening if the guy at the next table over us wearing, for example, khaki shorts... Then you may want to consider a different (more expensive) cruise line.

Haha... I'm not a snob about what other people wear (except my daughters who I am trying to teach to dress for the occasion). If the people next to us are wearing shorts it really doesn't affect me.

I just don't want to be turned away from "the good food" and sent to the Windjammer LOL

WOW.... things have really changed in the last few years if they allow shorts in the dining room for dinner.

I definitely want dinners to be special (which is why I bought my teenage daughters - who HATE dresses - dresses and told them they will be required to wear them)... I want us to dress up for formal nights - to me that's a huge part of what makes cruising fun! (totally agree with the McDonald's comment) I just didn't want to force my husband into a tie every single night or spend a fortune on a FULL suit unless that was expected.

Thanks for the input :D

It's been a few years since we cruised and I can't remember how much a man needs to dress up on "normal" dinner nights? I know the website says "smart casual" but does he need to wear a tie every night? My daughters and I all bought dresses, but if a button up shirt and slacks will pass for "smart casual" for my husband I don't want to bother packing ties except for formal night. I have friends who have cruised Carnival a few times recently and said that there a polo shirt and slacks was perfectly acceptable in the dining room, but from my experience years ago I remember Royal being a little nicer...

Also, for formal nights it says he needs to be in a suit or tux, so is that saying that he can't get by with just a suit jacket (black) and slacks (khaki) but needs an actual matching set?

Thanks for any input.... I want to be sure we pack everything needed but really don't want to pack anything unnecessary (especially if we have to out and buy it like we would a suit! :Dlol).