HiCSailor

Officially prohibited, but rarely enforced. Most report no problem putting water or soda in a checked bag.

The water onboard is drinkable and delicious. The engineering department purifies it with great care -- same as the bottlers, if not more. I take water bottles to fill and drink from.

The temperature will be low. I cruised Quantum in November and even the Bahamas was pretty cool and rainy, not much encouraging me to get in the water. Are you choosing Cape Liberty specifically or are you flexible?

I believe you have 48 hours "low price guarantee" so your TA should be able to get you the lower price room with no problem.

If you just want to grab shakes/ice cream, I have read that you don't have to pay the cover.

Or, you could just look it up at the official C&A page.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do

 

Actually, you don't even have to be married.

 

"... For all tiers except Pinnacle Club, a relationship is defined as a spouse or significant other and children less than 18...

What, Royal doesn't even verify the genders. [emoji33]

(Fuse lit, now waiting for the [emoji312] )

Like others have said, being exposed doesn't mean you'll get Noro, but does increase the chance.

Also, about 30 percent of people who get Noro are asymptomatic; so you can be infected and spreading the virus without any ill effects yourself.

I'd recommend looking into a rental car between MCO and the port...

Also post your question I'm the Florida departures section and read there for a wealth of local knowledge and advice.

Pizza and dessert at the Promenade Cafe and/or Sorrento's.

If memory serves, it's for spa sessions on boarding day only because it's a low volume day for them. There may be discounts offered on port days as well.

From cruises to constitutional law, morality, world religion, and definition of disgusting ( I have so often wondered what I should find disgusting). Thank you CC, you never fail to entertain and enlighten. [emoji40]

I believe you can just tell the wait staff when you arrive each night that your kids won't be joining. If you'll all be missing dinner, its nice to give your white staff and tablemates a heads up.

Doh.... Curse you, auto correct!!! [emoji4]

There's a similar thread in the military cruiser section under specialty cruises. Like this thread, lots of opinions, but also a description of what's in the regulations for each service. Each service's regulations vary.

I have worn mine on both cruises and a highlight memory is my picture with the Captain of Explorer.

Safety matters, but cruising around the Bahamas and Caribbean, you are not likely to find lots of folks seething with hatred for the uniform while splurging on a symbol of American excess. Follow the regs, be cognizant of your surroundings, and represent your service proudly.

I believe you can just tell the wait staff when you arrive each night that your kids won't be joining. If you'll all be missing dinner, its nice to give your white staff and tablemates a heads up.

A cruise in the Caribbean is about the most unlikely target of terrorism I can imagine. High difficulty, low visibility, non-US, nonpolitical, nonreligious... The reasons are many. While there is always potential for criminal activity, the likelihood of being victimized on a cruise vacation is comparable to visiting any large city or concentration of people. Take the usual precautions and you should be fine.

You face much more chance of harm on the drive to the port of departure.

I just want to know "Who's on First?"

... and what's on second!

You missed the point, RCL is not involved--it's between the Pax and the TA.

I see it differently. Help me see the errors in my thinking...

If the benefits (eg: bottle of champagne, credit for JR, child's soda package) are to be provided by RCI by agreement between the TA and RCI that us customers are not privy to, and the travel agent communicated the benefits to the cruise line along with the rest of my booking information, then how can the travel agent be solely at fault when RCI doesn't deliver? Is the TA required to physically board the vessel and coordinate every detail of the booking? Does the cruise line assume responsibility for helping me enjoy cruise vacation?

Wow. I had the EXACT same problem on my last cruise and thought I was alone.

Last minute phone call to my TA before sailing, once I boarded and realized the benefits were missing had no effect, even after repeated trips to guest relations.

Welcome to cruising and to CC!

You've covered a lot of ground in your questions. I'll point you towards the ports of call threads here to find out about Nassau and Coco Key, As there are volumes written there.

As to the drink package, you will have to decide if you drink enough to make it "worth it" in your eyes. I recommend waiting until you are onboard to make your decision. I am a light drinker and have been happy with the complimentary lemonade on my cruises. You may also during two bottles of wine aboard.

Also, check to see if your sailing has a roll call thread, which will be folks there are sailing with you provides a great opportunity to meet and ask questions of your shipmates.

Like some have said, the golf balls are satellite antennas, or more accurately, protective covers for the antennas inside. They are called radomes. The antennas inside support a variety of voice and data paths, including internet, phone service, television reception, and stuff the crew needs, like weather reports, safely information, and messages from corporate.

So It's tied to my cruise card and I don't have to carry the cup around?

True, you can get soda at any bar with just your seapass card.

If you are on a ship with the freestyle machines, you will need the cup to use them and access the greater selection of flavors.

Yeah, I've heard this is an option. But we're coming on the cruise as a family, so want us to be together, especially for meals. Our kids may can join the kids club if they would like during the day at times. DH and I can go out to a nice restaurant the two of us at home.

If your kids are finicky eaters, that may be another reason to forego the specialty restaurants. My family has enjoyed the complimentary dining options quite a lot.

That being said, we've also visited specialty restaurants for special treats, such as a fun lunch at Johnny Rockets, a quiet dinner at Portofinos, or a culinary adventure at Wonderland (lefty choosy son out of the last two).

I use two styles of waterproof carriers, one for ID, credit card, seapass, and cash; with a larger bag for my phone when I choose to carry it.

Every time I book a cruise, I come here and read the member reviews. And every time the last few are negative- for whatever ship I'm going to be on. I just booked the Grandeur a few days ago, so you see where this is going. Every time I second guess myself after reading reviews and worry a little I should have chosen another ship. And every time I sail, I forget the reviews and have an awesome time despite earlier fears! So you would think I would either just stop reading them, or just stop worrying when I do- but here I am again, worrying. Someone please tell me you had a recent fabulous experience on the Grandeur!

 

Does anyone else have a love-hate relationship with the member reviews section?

I looked at those reviews before I had discovered the CC boards and was nearly put off trying a cruise, but I said it can't be THAT bad, and now I'm hooked! [emoji1]

I prefer the interactive reviews here, because even if something negative occurred, you can get some context and perspective on the situation, see how it affected the whole cruise experience, and learn how to prepare for/avoid/avert it as you cruise. [emoji41]

Besides, some of the misadventures are downright funny! [emoji28]

I do look forward to your review of Grandeur, as that's a ship I plan to sail one day. Be kind... [emoji3]

Unless you have a reason to be brand loyal, go with the best value for you. I've only sailed Royal, but everything I have seen indicates that most lines delivery a similar product and there are often more differences ship by ship than line by line.

For a broader range of people responding, you might repost under ask a cruise question or another area above the cruise line specific threads.