casinostreer

I totally agree. I was trying to soften the blow if they had already purchased FTTF. We purchased it once - back pre-Covid and found it was totally unnecessary. We do our best to get the boarding time we need/want and then we pack a little patience and know that we're getting on the ship. The other 5+ Sunshine cruises - we've been on board before 12pm - without FTTF.

Fortunately, you don't have to wait until the casino opens. I have DOUE for just myself, so on our cruise in August, we purchased it for my husband at the Havana Bar within the first hour after boarding. It took about 10 minutes, but they were able to confirm that I had the drinks on us - so we were only charged for my husband (at the "on board" price. :-()

Have you already booked FTTF? If so - it does help with getting off at ports and debarkation. If you haven't booked - there's really no need. We've sailed on Sunshine 6 times in the past 3 years and have never purchased it and have always been parked, through security and on the ship, having our drink in the Havana Bar in about an hour.

Call8675309, I agree! We need to stop raving about Jiji's and Havanna Bar! Too many people will find out and ruin EVERYTHING!! But seriously - we like to stay on deck 9 just so that we can be close to coffee and Cuban snacks. I'm glad you enjoyed Jijis - especially after a disappointing night at the Steakhouse. Our cruise is never complete without some Kung Pao Chicken, some crispy pork belly and of course, the duck! Thanks for taking us with you on your cruise. We hope to return the favor in a week or so!

You claim that you had attentive service at the BEGINING of the meal. Did the service wane as the meal progress? If so - that's unfortunate. We've dined in the steakhouse a number of times and our experiences have ranged from good to excellent, but the service has always been top notch. Dining again on our next cruise in 10 days - so I'm hoping for great service. 🙂 Still loving this review. I'm thinking of writing a live review of our upcoming 8 day - and I hope it's as well written and entertaining as yours. 🙂

First - it will depend on the length of your cruise. Buying the Cheers package at $59.95 plus gratuity for a 12 night cruise PER PERSON can be breathtakingly expensive. However - for us - it it always 100% worth it. I build it into the "cost of the cruise" - and it's still usually cheaper than a Disney or Celebrity cruise. I start with some Baileys in my cappuccino (both included in cheers) . . . . . maybe two. I usually have my first cocktail around 10 or 11am as I'm starting to think about lunch. Rum and Diet Pepsi (meh) with lunch . . . maybe two Something fruity or margarita-y on the pool deck or at the casino on sea days mid afternoon. When they kick in - I'm always up for an espresso martini. (I get a double espresso from Java Blue and bring it to the Alchemy Bar if they're open.) Vodka martini just before dinner. Glass of wine with dinner After dinner aperitif (Drambuie, Frangelico, Amaretto, etc.) with coffee Nightcap cocktail in the casino or at the production or comedy show. Plus all the soda, premium coffee, bottled water and milkshakes I can drink throughout the day. 🙂 If that's not your typical(ish) day - don't get the Cheers package.

Can't wait to hear the rest. We sail on the Sunshine quite a bit, next week in fact!

First time getting a casino survey a couple of days ago before going on an Elite next week. I thought it was just because it was an Elite cruise that was coming up. I'll be interested to see how they use the information. I asked them to please remove the non-playing loitering smokers in the casino so that the people who really wanted to play could actually find an open machine. 🙂

Anyone still following this thread? Tagging along on an Elite cruise this coming February (19 days to go) and am just looking to see what to expect. 🙂 We'll be on a small ship for this Elite - so I'm hoping the casino isn't ridiculously packed. But - it's an 8 day so I'm sure there will be plenty of time for playing. Anyone sailed on an Elite recently than the last post in January of 23?

Brother here! Not nearly as eloquent a writer as my sister, but here to enjoy and revisit a city that I visited 23 years ago. Needless to say, a lot has changed, but the feel of the city remains the same. Singapore is an eclectic, beautiful and vibrant city known for its thriving street food, clean streets and spectacular monuments and buildings. I'll be posting along with Rachel -so let us know if you have any questions!

Sadly, no one knows the answer to that question. It depends on many, many factors. Each country visited (Bahamas, Mexico, etc) has their own rules regarding cruise ships and vaccination rates. The CDC updates their policy quite often. It could be sometime this summer. Or, if another powerful variant starts to spread, it could be years.

We've had totally different experiences with the Alchemy Bar - both on Ecstasy, Mardi Gras and Sunshine. In fact, in January, we got shots of espresso from the Java Blue cafe and brought them to the Alchemy bar and they made the world's best martini we'd ever had! On Ecstasy, we told the bartender/s what we were in the mood for (sweet, herbal, spicy, dry, etc.) and they made some amazing drinks. I'm thinking it depends on the bartender and the crowd level. But - we (almost) always get the drink package.

I stick with clear rum and diet soda. Zero net carbs. Stay away from any of the tropical drinks with sugary fruit juices.

Correct - the 15 drink limit is for alcoholic beverages only.

Sorry - you're right. I was thinking of the Mardi Gras.