sredish

Are you limited to the amount of drinks per day on the packages

Not a limit per day, no. There is a time limit of 10 minutes, I believe, between transactions...but we never ran into a problem. So you cannot order two drinks at once...but you ARE allowed to order an alcoholic drink and a bottle of water together. We did that often.

We also waited until Day 4 to purchase our package. It worked out best because our port stops were at the front of our cruise, and our sea days were at the back end of the cruise. We came out ahead doing it this way, as we were off the ship and would not have used the package on port days.

A "regular drink" Absolute Vodka and Soda ran me $10.50 total from the Sky Bar at sail away on the navigator on Oct 4.

We purchased the premium package on the final day, day four. Because our port stops were at the front of our itinerary and our sea days at the end, we decided to wait and get the pro rated package price on the last day the packages were offered. I can say that we came out way ahead doing it this way.

As long as the cruise is 5 days or longer, you can purchase on day 2. You must do this onboard, partial drink packages cannot be purchased via Royal's website.

Just off the Navigator and we had until day 4 to purchase drink package. Since our itinerary had our ports up front and our sea days at the end, we waited and made use of the pro-rated Premium package. Worked out excellent for us!!

Just got off we were on the 6th floor and had the middle Balcony, on each side the rooms were connected. Made it a nice big balcony, thought ours were on the small side but enjoy being able to see stern to bow.

 

The Man

We're going to be on deck 8, right in the middle. Did your balcony have two chairs and a small table, or just two chairs?

We had two reg mixed drinks, they are 7 dollars each plus tax and 18 percent gratuity. The foo foo drinks ran between 9 and 12 each plus the gratuities. We don't drink enough to make the package worth while

Thank you!! :D

Thank you for starting this!

My specific question involves your comment on your two sail away drinks. What kind were they? I've read DOZENS of posts where drink prices are complained about...but they are always what I call "froo-froo" drinks such as daiquiris, colada's, drink of the day, etc. By any chance, did you happen to notice the general price of a plain old Crown and Coke or a Vodka and Club Soda?

We aren't frozen drink drinkers...just the basics.

I'd wait regardless...with Sabor they typically offer discounts for booking on board. I don't think it's as popular on the Navigator for Texas departures (plenty of Mexican food in Texas) and RCI will usually push it with discounts to book during the cruise...even book one person, get the second half off or even free has been offered mid cruise, typically.

So you'll save money waiting and taking advantage of the promo.

I don't believe they have an actual children's menu printed...usually the waiter will just tell you the offerings available. It's typical burgers, chicken nuggets, fries, personal pizza, etc. I'm sure at the Italian restaurant there will be pasta dishes, mac n cheese, etc.

My kids had zero problems getting their favorites. They asked, and they received!

You are receiving this reply because I am out of the office on vacation. Had I been in the office, you would not have received a reply at all. While I will have access to both phone and internet, I will not be using either for work. I will instead be using them to take photos of my cruise vacation. Of which, I might add, you are not on.

Should you need emergency assistance, please dial emergency services and request assistance for your emergency.

I think I will bring my service monkey, Schlomo.

 

His outfit would be great for an Alaskan cruise!

He looks like he'd fit right in. :D

I know you posted this in jest, but several years ago I was managing a cat show (other animals, such as dogs, are prohibited) being held in conjunction with a pet expo. At one point, I looked toward the entrance and saw a small HORSE being led in. Whoa. I started marching toward it when someone grabbed my shoulders and said "nothing you can do - it's a service animal" and so it was. I did explain to the owners that it might freak out some of the cats and they were animal lovers enough to leave, but they didn't have to.

 

There is an extremely long thread going on the disabled board regarding traveling with a service dog if anyone is interested.

Wow, that's awesome. I did post as a joke, but I personally have a hard time believing it would be a trustworthy service animal. They're just not wired like dogs, and such. We used to raise and breed AQHA reining and roping horses for years in Texas, and I wouldn't have trusted those freaks in a confined area for anything. Calm and mellow one minute, then the earth's axis rotates and a leaf blows sideways and they're off to the races in sheer terror.

Oh good! No proof necessary for a service animal. I'm assuming my indoor horse qualifies? I'd love to bring Spot along with me. She only kicks when annoyed by large crowds. Should be fine.

Any pointers in getting a better price on the cruise?

Gosh, to me that seems awful high for a balcony that far in advance. We paid $1600 out the door for a western on Navigator in a hump balcony that we booked over a year out, but I did think that was a bargain. $1600 - $1800 seems about right to me for what we've paid in the past for a balcony, so adding $1000 to that seems awful pricey. Maybe just watch for price drops over the next few months, and in the mean time search for the same cruise but just over a different week/month.

*Bring a gift from your home state to give away as a present

This is a cute idea that believe it or not, I've never seen. How do you decide who gets whose present?

So what time do you guys recommend getting to the terminal? We will be staying Saturday night in Galveston, so our plan is to get up, have a leisurely breakfast, check out and head to the port around 10-ish. I will drop the wife, granddaughter and luggage at the terminal, then drive across the street to park and walk back. I was thinking this would put us all together in the terminal by 11:00am. Or should I arrive earlier to get into the terminal at 10:00? Or slightly later? We do want to be onboard as early as possible.

We've left out of Galveston several times, and we always get there around 11. This time (Oct 4) we plan to get there between 10:30 and 11:00. Plenty late enough that most everyone is already off the ship, so outgoing traffic won't be an issue. Many recent reviews on the Navigator that I've read are reporting they arrived 10:30 and were on board less than 45 minutes later.

He is entertaining but he won't play any requests unless he is tipped

Interesting...we've seen him on three cruises and he's never played solely for tips. He just hollers out, "What's next?" and people holler back. Many tip as they leave, but it wasn't a pay by song sort of thing.

47 more days for me! As if I wasn't already excited enough...now I get to read this.

I booked my cruise about 425 days out with RCCI directly. Received the BOGO rate and $100 OBC. About 60 days later an online big box travel agency was offering $200 OBC for balcony and an additional $75 OBC for a fall cruise promo plus the agent threw in an additional $25 because I told him I was considering the switch. The price was the exact same so I cancelled with RCCI and rebooked exact same room with the big box for same price but $300 OBC instead of $100.

 

I'm not really sure what to take away as my overall impression of this cruise. There were some real highs and some real lows. My group of 16 was split about Royal Caribbean living up to its reputation. Our first time cruisers were still impressed, but those of us who had cruised before were not. I can't say I would recommend Royal Caribbean over other lines, if the cost we much higher. I was hoping I could.

 

I am happy to answer any questions.

 

Jeff

Can you explain why you said this? Your review seemed overall very positive, except for your issue with the pool/kids. What were the "real low's" you mentioned, if you don't mind my asking. :-)

Admit it, his attitude is pompous

 

I see you are from AZ, native or transplant?

Born in Michigan, moved to Texas at age 9, moved to Arizona at age 12, moved back to Texas at age 22 after I was married, moved back to Arizona (and to finally stay) at 35.

So I'm a two time transplant. But I intend on staying this time...it's always been "home" to me because I spent the better part of my "growing up" years here. I loved Texas when I was there...loved the people...but I probably wouldn't live there again. The weather is too unpredictable.

You wouldn't see shorts in the Celibrity MDR. How 'bout a little class?

What on earth was your point with this post? Are we on a Celebrity board and I didn't realize it? I've sailed Celebrity...it's a cruise line just like all the rest. Guess I better not sail Celebrity again...they apparently are way too classy for the likes of me.

Thanks though for assuming people who prefer shorts have no class. I guess those who frequent country clubs have no class...you know...because of the women and men who golf wear golf shorts?

I guess I forgot to put my Classy Pants on before I posted. :rolleyes:

I'm reading it but can't believe it. Is Royal really changing the no shorts at dinner rule? I am sailing on the Navigator in August and would LOVE to leave my khaki pants at home. I would hate to not have long pants with me and the NO SHORTS sign still be up in the MDR! Will monitor CC for more information on the subject.

For some reason, this particular cruise is always less "formal" than others I've taken. I've sailed out of Galveston three times and it just always seems to be a much more casual environment than other RCCI cruises.

This will make the men we are traveling with thrilled.

I was super paranoid on my first cruise because I sometimes get motion sickness in cars and I can't ride roller coasters. As a precaution I take the generic for Bonine which is Meclizine (cheap at Walgreens, about $5 for a package). I take a 1/2 pill in the morning and a whole at night. Never had an issue with drowsiness or interacting with alcohol. I've never had a moment of seasickness, and we've had swells topping 18 ft in the past.

"you could tell however who was from Texas & who was not". That is lumping

Rude is rude, no matter where you're from. The rude people in question ended up being from outside of Texas, hence proving his thought.

Honestly, I'm not seeing why his thought process bothers you so much. Just my opinion... :confused:

Thanks for the review! We're heading out on the Navigator in just a couple of months, ourselves. VERY excited!

Please do tell more about the shorts for men in the dining room. This will make the men we are traveling with VERY happy... Of course I assume these were golf-style dressier shorts? Was there a sign posted?