RobinCruiser

Here are the current USD prices. Add 18% for gratuity.

 

http://media.royalcaribbean.com/content/shared_assets/pdf/menus/beverage_packages.pdf

Thanks!

I've been reading a lot lately about purchasing packages on board and using OBC to pay. I am Canadian and took advantage of the great 1.10 exchange rate back in December. :-) so I have OBC to purchase the drink packages however, I am wondering about the taxes I've reading about, and do they or do they not include gratuities? Has anyone purchased the drink packages on-board lately? I'm curious too about the current USD rate. We want a Premium, Select and Replenish.

Thanks!

Another question about sail away... is there a deck party while the ship sails away? Music, streamers, etc? Our cabin is starboard side so I am wondering if it would be nice to sit on our balcony with a glass of wine enjoy the sail away from there or if we will be missing out on some fun festivities.

Thanks!

Robin

We're doing our first ever Caribbean cruise in March. I did get to take advantage of the 10% exchange rate and was able to boost my OBC to $1200 (we had $200 for booking) and this was to be used for the Beverage packages. Now, I'm a little concerned that they are A) going up in price and B) I read in another thread that many of the On Board packages purchased don't include the 18% gratuity so I'm wondering if the packages will be worthwhile. Can anyone tell me if typically alcoholic drinks purchased ashore in ports are fairly cheap or are they generally expensive? I know islands will vary and I'm just looking for an idea of what to expect. Our cruise hits St. Croix, St. Kitts, St. Maarten, Barbados and Martinique if that helps. Thanks in advance for your insight!

We used OBC to purchase our drink packages as we boarded on a recent 11 night cruise....the transactions as completed within 10 minutes of boarding!

There was no card swipe involved just a paper receipt given and a sticker placed on our sea pass card to identify the package we had purchased

Charges didn't show up until a few days into the cruise.

 

 

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Thanks! That's good to know because ours are going to cost approx. $1000 for four of us. Would be nice to use out OBC to cover them. We have $1200 at the moment.

Any remaining refundable OBC (that you purchased, not what the cruise line gave you as incentive to book) can be taken back in cash at the end of the cruise. In fact, you can withdraw these funds as soon as it shows up on your onboard account (check your account on your stateroom TV on day 2 of your cruise and it should be there). I set up a cash account when I board instead of using a credit card, this way I can withdraw my OBC at the casino without being charged the 5%. If you withdraw your OBC at Guest Relations there is never a fee.

Although your OBC won't show up until

Day 2, you can charge up to $500 on a cash account without putting any money down before you are asked to pay it off. In other words, you are covered for onboard spending until your OBC shows up.

I took full advantage of this opportunity last month on the Indy, and have purchased a significant amount of OBC for my upcoming Adventure cruise [emoji106]

 

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Thanks for info. I'm wondering about using the OBC to purchase drink packages... for four of us in our cabin, it's going to come to a lot more than $500. Will they let you put the drink packages on the OBC on day 1 or do you have to wait until it shows up in your account?

Did any of you do the zip line through Royal Caribbean? Is it the same location/company that you are all referring to?

I'm curious too! Trying to plan out shore excusions for our RCL cruise on AOS in March. I want to Zipline, never done it before and this one sounds good. I'd like to know the company used and if you booked/can book with RCL or if it's a private company. Thanks!!

Congrats to all of you who have stuck with it and lost! I have not been very motivated and have not really kept with anything but, I'm back to it!

I have my cruise coming up in March, and Christmas dinner with family I haven't seen in several years so I'm back to working out every morning, and eating right. I'm eating clean and trying to avoid breads, pastas and rice. Loading up instead on fresh fruits and veggies.

Good luck to all who are trying to lose for a cruise!

Wow, what a great thread, thanks for sharing so many great ideas. I've cruised twice before but both were short 3 or 4 night cruises and without teenagers so I'm looking for all the tips I can get.

I've also learned that sanitizing wipes will be needed.... definitely!

No food in Seven Hearts on Adventure. Next year, during the dry dock, that room and Cloud Nine next to it will likely be turned into the specialty restaurant Izumi.

Thanks for the info!

Hi all, I was just looking over the deck plans on the AOS and noticed the Seven Hearts on deck 14. It says its a public area and the description is as follows:

Seven Hearts Sit outside, take in the ocean view and enjoy a light meal or simply a snack, in one of our most popular venues, where fun is offered up along with good food

I'm wondering if the light meals/snacks are included or are they at an additional cost like JR or Giovanni's etc? I've not seen or read anything earlier on this venue.

Thanks

Robin

Time to get serious! I was hoping to lose for my daughter's grad - which was last Thursday and Friday and I lost a little bit, but not nearly as much as I wanted. So I'm going to go back on MyFitnessPal. Anyone else on there? My user name is canadiangirl014 and I have an open diary. If anyone wants to be friends on there, just put CC in your request and I'll accept. I need motivation and accountability.

Good luck to all and congrats to those who have been sharing their successes. :-)

Robin

Hi Robin, I feel your pain. I booked my cruise 6 months out, I figured if I did it too far out I would loose interest in my weight loss and start gaining it all back! As soon as I can buy a summer outfit I am going to buy one 2 sizes smaller than I am now and try it on every day, too keep from making bad choices. :)

Great idea! best of luck!

Hi everyone, I'm definitely in! I've got a 7 day Caribbean cruise booked for March 12/16 and need to lose at least 30 pounds, and tone up. Need to be able to wear those shorts and sleeveless shirts. Plus, I've got DD's grad at the end of May and I am desperate to fit into a dress I bought and wore last summer for my nephew's wedding.

I'm on my fitness pal as well but haven't been that committed lately and I just realized that the grad is in 84 days :( I need to get on it. We can do it!!

Robin

There are pizza slices available at Cafe Promenade virtually 24 hours.

 

The soft serve ice cream (probably frozen yogurt) on the pool deck is free, but is only open limited hours, something like noon to 7pm. You can also get Ben & Jerry's ice cream near Cafe Promenade fo extra cost. Ice cream is free every night in the Main Dining Room.

 

The Windjammer (buffet) also has make your own pizza, but I don't know if it's a daily event. No midnight or chocolate buffets.

Thanks, that's a big help.

Robin

Hi Everyone! Just finished reading through all the posts in both threads. Whew. Learned a lot!!

I've sailed with Carnival and Princess previously but never on RCL though I've sold it tons and have clients who love RCL.

So I'm doing the Southern Caribbean March 12/16 and I'm super excited. I'm quite the planner. I like to research and plan everything well in advance.

I've booked cabin D1 1670. Anyone stayed in this cabin before? Got any feedback?

My teenager daughter wanted to know about an ice cream bar, and I've learned about the soft serve so that's great, and she wanted to know about a pizza bar. I saw the post about the make your own pizza - can anyone tell me if that's a daily event or a special one time only experience?

Lastly, I wanted to know if there are any midnight buffets or chocolate buffets on AOS?