kicker

Over a month and no responses? I'm interested as we'll be cruising with our 7 yr old DGD in August.

By the way: I know for a fact Disney charges for popcorn at the theaters onboard.

Wow! Just booked a Carnival cruise (usually do Royal) - might have to cancel after reading these horrible popcorn comments.

OP asked a simple question - amazing how something like that can start a whole diatribe....:rolleyes:

Everything I've read about this excursion sounds great. However, we're waiting to book: my 96 yr old f-in-law is currently hospitslized. Cruise chances 50/50.

Saw an excursion that offers a cooking class at Playa Mia with free time there before and afterwards. A couple questions for all of you helpful folks:

Anyone done this? Comments?

Getting to Playa Mia: the excursion offers roundtrip bus fare for $13pp. Been to Playa Mia before, but it was a group bus excursion; been to Nachi, Sanchos and took cabs there. Any comments on bus vs cab?

Thnaks for any replies.

We sailed on Serenade OTS ten years ago when they had the Seaview Café. It was a quiet, out-of-the-way place to get a quick meal or snack; seemed a lot of cruisers never discovered it. I remember the Chicken Wings best of all.

We're doing Brilliance in January and yes, sadly the Seaview is gone.

On our recent Adventure Of The Seas cruise (Oct 3) we had 23 different posters on our Meet & Mingle Thread. Of the numerous posters & family members, 27 signed up for the official M&M; 8 showed up for it (I don’t blame others for not showing – it was a port intensive cruise and the M&M was held 5PM on Day 2, a port day, and a formal night!). Even though I’ve cruised a number of times, I still like to participate in the M&M threads, and I also scan the other boards (Royal, ports, etc.) for info. I learn something new every cruise.

Here’s my point: I posted a review, and I’m one of 4 people who posted a review for our cruise. I am, however, the only one of 4 who participated in the M&M thread. At least one of the reviews had a complaint which would have been addressed if they had read the M&M or other threads relating to the ship. Cruise Critic is a very helpful tool. A lot of complaints that you read in the cruise reviews could have been avoided if the reviewers had read the reviews and comments of others.

I suppose its possible the other 3 reviewers looked at our thread but weren’t the posting type. Regardless, cruisers should just be aware there’s a lot of helpful info on these boards, and reading them before your cruise can help you have a more enjoyable cruise experience.

We recently cruised Adventure OTS out of San Juan with our 6 yr old DGD. Very few kids onboard, so they grouped them by 3 to 5, 6 to 11, 12 & up. I was worried our DGD would be left out, being among the youngest, but most in the group were around her age, and the few older ones were helpful and well-behaved.

By all means plead your case to them. Hopefully if its a small group they might be willing to help. A cruise with more kids - might be tougher. Good luck!

As to my thread title, "Who Paints The Inside of a Storage Box??

Cruised Adventure OTS this past week with our 6 yr old DGD. there are two large storage boxes (for games, balls) outside the Kid's Club; one day the Royal crew was painting the INSIDE of the boxes. Some cruisers complain about the condition of ships; just noticed a thread on here entitled "Have you stopped recommending Royal...."

I would ask: if you've cruised Royal, have you ever cruised without seeing someone on the ship painting, varnishing, cleaning, washing? I think Royal (and for that matter other cruise lines I've done) do everything they can to keep the ships in good condition.

Has cruising changed somewhat over the years? Sure, but can you blame them? Times change, and cruise lines like everyone else change with them (not always for the best in some cruisers eyes, but that's life). I personally think Royal does a great job, so you're welcome to agree with me, flame me, or whatever. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

PS: On Adventure, two floor buttons on one side of one elevator weren't working (other side worked fine). Maybe I should ask for my money back!:rolleyes:

I went back to our room for something during breakfast. Came back, my DW complained the waffle she ate was cold. DUH!! You were supposed to heat it in the toaster!!:rolleyes:

Anybody play the piano? Nice piano in the breakfast area that you're welcome to use, by the way.

One night pre-cruise. I enjoyed this place. Its not as modern as newer hotels, but its also not a cookie-cutter design that makes you feel like you'd been there before. The staff was extremely friendly and helpful in suggesting dinner places. The room (2 double beds) wasn't large, but there was enough room to move around. the bathroom was stylish. I think, judging by storage space, it might be tight if staying for more than a few days, but for a night or two pre-cruise or post cruise it was perfect. Had a large screen tv with numerous channel choices, small table with two chairs, fridge, and beverages in the fridge were $1 each (very reasonable for soda, beer). Only drawback in my mind was a lack of power outlets; there's a wall outlet but in our room it was in an inconvenient location. That certainly wouldn't stop me from staying here again. Continental breakfast: a bit different. Lots of staples (waffles you had to toast yourself, hard boiled eggs, cereals, cold ham and cheeses, pastries. Coffee & several juices available 24 hours a day. Nice pool, library. Very pleased with my choice of hotel, which was based on other's TA reviews.

What do you think of the location? Are there restaurants close by? Beach close by? I read about a bus stop nearby that goes to Old San Juan. Any info about that? Thanks for your review.

We walked to Oceano restaurant a block away. Nice place, on the beach, but expensive. a San Juan cruiser recommended Waikiki Oyster Bar to us; its about a ten minute walk from Coral, and is supposed to be a great place for kids (Oceano isn't a place I'd recommend personally for small kids). We walked to the beach in the AM; didn't look for bus stops but I'm pretty sure they're close by. CVS & Walgreens both around the corner. I personally loved the hotel - will post my Trip Advisor review of it in next post.

Wow... I am impressed...We elected to get a full suite for the April 23 Pacific crossing on Explorer of the Seas... Looks like we wont need a a drink package... maybe some AA counseling when get home... 5:30 to 8:30 pm is all we would ever need and then some...LOL

 

On Celebrity you only get the drink package in a Royal or Penthouse Suite.

Just did our first cruise as Diamond. We didn't visit the Lounge often (Adventure OTS, 5PM to 8PM by the way) mainly because we were cruising with our 6 yr old DGD. She was allowed in the Lounge for lunch, but not when alcohol was served freely. Anyways, seems you get a fuller glass of wine in the Lounge.

Our favorite Diamond perk: breakfast in a Diamond/D Plus area. Fast service, no crowds.

As a loyal Royal I got on here figuring I'd have to defend Royal, but you make some very valid arguments. That being said, every cruise line has plusses and minuses. We've done mostly Royal, but also have cruised Celebrity & Princess. There were some things I liked better on Celeb & Princess, but overall I enjoy Royal the most.

So, my personal thoughts:

1. Dining room open on embarkation day for lunch -Neutral on this one

2. Pool side BBQ's every day of the cruise - that would be nice, but would prob add cost to the cruise

3. Sign up available at guest services if you wish to dine with captain/officers. - no personal interest

4. Late night food; way larger variety and choices than RCI including a buffet line until 2AM and a sports bar with about a dozen different items made to order (no charge) until 5AM. This is an area RCI trails the industry frankly and the difference is embarrassing. On the Majesty of the Seas, for example, if you are hungry after 9 you can get terrible pizza. And if you are hungry late at night too bad. - same answer as #2

5. Pool towels are in the cabin when you embark. More are available for checkout if you desire at the pool deck, but nice to have them in your cabin to start with. - personally I prefer them on deck; less room clutter

6. Hard ice cream scoops with multiple toppings at no charge. Maybe not Ben & Jerrys, but no charge wins. - soft serve available days, hard in DR as mentioned previously

7. Every port had tent set up near gangway with lounge chairs in the shade, iced tea, ice water, etc. This was a nice luxury touch and have never had that on any RCI cruise. - Just back from a 7 day adventure OTS. Each day plainice water and/or water flavored with strawberry, lemon, cucumber

8. The Sky is always "resort casual". I saw no sloppy gym clothes in dining room, but many men and women in shorts and golf shirts. Just a preference here. On NCL's larger ships they designate one dining room as dressier. Don't understand why Royal can't do this especially now that they market their ships as floating amusement parks. These are not ocean liners. - I like the option of dressing up - adds some class to eating

Everyone is different. Cruised in June, met a couple who raved about Carnival's food compared to Royal (a VERY minority opinion). Excellent post here, and I'm glad no one has trashed you about it. Your points are logical.

I'm at Coral Princess right now, stayed last night. I was looking for a hotel a little different, and personally I'm very satisfied. Room(2 double beds) is on the small side,still bigger than a cruise cabin! Room to walk around the beds, nice TV, comfy beds. I enjoyed the breakfast: 2 types of cereal, waffles, hard boiled eggs, yogurt, cold ham & cheese, pastries. oOJ, other juices, coffee available 24 hrs. I would def stay here again _ will prob post more after thecruise.

Our DGD (now 6 and a veteran of 5 cruises) was 14 months old when she cruised with us, her parents, and an aunt on Enchantment. We had 2 adjoining rooms which was nice because when she napped someone could be in the other room watching tv or doing something else, but still able to hear if she woke up.

At her age her favorite thing to do was walk! We'd take turns following her around the ship - elevators, hallways, wherever her little body wanted to go.

One thing one year olds shouldn't do is use the pool (unless you have unusual one-year olds who are potty trained). Swimmies don't really do the job. We did a Disney cruise once where they let infants in the kiddie pool, but the pool had to be closed several times each day for clean-up.

1). I wonder whatever happened to the girl who got arrested and apparently spent time in jail? Good story for Oprah's "Where Are They Now".

2). What a stupid thing to do. Almost everyone who makes a threat like that gets caught (eg: the girl mentioned above). DW works in a school; some years back they received this threat: "Ther is a bom in the school". They caught the kid - he sent the threat from his own E-Mail account.:rolleyes:

Is this a poll? I'll vote crazy.;)

KIDDING!!

Don't know for sure if Royal would be different for deposits from Ireland, but Feb would put you we'll within the cancel with no loss of funds period. Either way, you're a good kid (no matter what age:D) to treat your Dad. Good luck!

I only have one problem with white night:they usually do a mini buffet on the Pool deck with messy foods like chocolate fondue. It would be better if they had brown night instead.:rolleyes:

Hey dbernard: I don't think you've posted on the Meet & Mingle thread for our cruise. Check it out, see what others are doing as far as excursions, hotels, and register for the M&M if you're interested.

Some info first: it would be Adventure OTS, the 6 yr old is our DGD. I'm not worried about what she'd eat - she's a cruise veteran who loves just about everything. I, on the other, wouldn't enjoy the menu as much as my DW & DGD would.

Main questions: we'll be cruising at a time when very few kids will be on board. From looking at Royal's site, are children able to have dinner in Gio's, or just lunch (unclear to me)? Also, not a big deal as it's apparently less than adults, but what is the kid's price?

Thanks in advance for answers.

Not sure when in January you're cruising, but be forewarned that our Gasparilla event is January 29, 2016. The downtown area (including the area around the port) gets very crowded with people who have consumed copious amounts of grog.

Jan 20, but now I have to check out the Gasparilla event to find out what its all about!

I recently polled some dogs to ask which Cruise Line was their favorite. Celebrity was the overwhelming choice.

Wondering if it could have anything to do with some Celebrity ships having real grass on the Top Deck.....:rolleyes:

There is a Hampton Inn and a Hilton Garden Inn in Ybor. Both are close but not walking distance. Great restaurants. Just don't stay out too late. Big club scene and all that goes with it.

I've been checking those out, also just reserved Best Western Bay Shore - it has pretty good reviews and a decent price. Kind of strange: I reserved a Suite with a King Bed and two doubles (there's only two of us:rolleyes:) for the same price as a standard room. There's an outside chance two friends might be joining us on the cruise - in that case we'd probably be able to share the room (it has two bathrooms also).

I might still go Hampton or Hilton. I have some points for both, not enough right now for a free room, but that might work. Thanks again to all who responded.

I second the Marriott Waterside and the Embassy Suites downtown. Both are nice hotels and very, very close to the port.

Thanks to all 3 of you for your help (I know I can always turn to Cc'ers for good info).

We need a one night pre-cruise stay in January; Mariott & Embassy are both booked for that night, but at least now I have a much better idea of my options. Thanks again!:D