cheermomof2girls

Jubilee-deck 17 17282 room and it's dark greed and says FWD-P

1 hour ago, shortyjoesmith said:

Now we all just set an alarm and all log in at the same time and do our best to get close arrival times. Setting the alarm and doing this has become a part of our travel fun two weeks out. It's less smooth but it is something we can look forward to doing together.

This is exactly what we do!  I use to do it all for everyone but I found this to actually be easier and it's a good kickoff to ALMOST time to cruise!

I had one bartender on my last cruise tell me there was a 15 minute wait time between finishing a drink and ordering another.  I ordered a drink- didn't care for it and tried to order another.  When I questioned why I had never been told this before he just looked blankly at me.    So I said, ok, just let me know when the time is up- you can take the first one away and just let me know when I can order the second.

He decided just to make the second drink with no wait time then.  

Honestly, it was weird.  It was in the morning- so I had not had too many to drink- it was probably my first drink of the day.  We were with a group of people- and I had decided to have the same drink as everyone else vs what I originally ordered.  

I didn't go back to that bar the remainder of the cruise because the service was just off there.  But I wasn't mad or anything- just thought it was weird to be told it was a rule that wasn't true at all.

I've ordered drinks, shots, etc without any questions at all other bars.  It was obvious we weren't sharing- our entire group had the drink package.  

1 hour ago, bmswart3 said:

Yes, i know its more, but, we have NEVER done hibachi on a RCCL ship...so its been on our bucket list for a while. So, regardless of the upcharge...we will definitely be going. 

The hibachi is worth the 15 charge in my opinion.  It was one of the better meals we had on the boat.

I was able to book all reservations for our party of 9 last cruise without them being with me.  We had the key and while at the lunch at chops they made the hibachi reservation and I went and made all of the others after lunch

I've always purchased it as soon as I book- or if sold out just keep trying!  I've only not been able to get it once and honestly it was fine- but that was sailing out of NOLA.  Out of Galveston I'm always glad I have it!

Thanks!!

After the last few cruises and purchasing the Key on Royal- Im guessing this will feel worth it even with the price increase.  My next royal cruise is 600 more for the key than the internet alone..... and we dont enjoy the steakhouse lunch that's included so we are skipping it!

We have cruised carnival quite a few times, but it's been about 2 years.  

Prior to covid we always got FTTF- then the cruises we took post covid it wasn't offered.

Has it returned as an offering?  Any changes to the program?

We have booked the Jubilee for April and it's not showing available yet but I wasn't sure if it was just due to the ship not actually sailing yet.

We have cruised on Carnival a lot- and only once on Royal a few years ago.

We just booked last minute- leaving Friday on the Adventure.

We plan on buying the drink package and most likely the Key.  If we get the Key, do we get to board earlier than the time currently assigned?  We are currently at 1:30- booking late made that the earliest option.

Also, how formal do most go for the dressy night?  We stopped eating in the dining room on Carnival several cruises back but wanted to give it more of a try this time.  Last royal cruise we were on one of the older smaller ships, I can't remember the name- we did the specialty dining package- but they only had chops, the Italian and sushi places.  We ate several times at the sushi place and loved it.  We are debating doing the unlimited specialty dining or just experiencing the main dining room to check it out. 

How is everyone printing luggage tags?  I dont see this option.

We already bought the Key so I think we are going to be fine with devices, we decided to keep it so everyone can have access to wifi text to keep everyone informed of where we are when we separate.  

We are keeping the same number in each room, just want to swap the actual bodies around but thanks for that reminder.  I have ran into that on carnival before- kids wanting to stay in grandparents room, but having to squeeze in.  Was easier when they were smaller! :)

Appreciate all of the answers and opinions! :)  thanks again!

Thanks Biker!  We dont need a fourth cabin, the 3 girls are excited to share a cabin, and the boy will sleep with his parents.  But, you are right, some of the planner purchases are definitely adding up to the price of cabins!!

Thanks in advance for your help!  🙂 I have only cruised RC once, and it was on one of the small ships so not much applied, usually we cruise Carnival and while they have a lot of similarities, cruise planner is totally different for me. 

Background- we are cruising on the Independence of the Seas with two families, 4 adults, and 4 kids (13, 12, 10 and 😎 in three rooms.  We had to book with two kids and an adult each in two rooms and two adults in one.  When we get on board, can we swap it around to have three kids in one room?  Will they give the parents access to unlock that door?  (they are next door to our room but not connecting).  

We purchased the Key for all of us, does it include internet for 8 devices or only one per room?  Not a big deal either way, but the kids would probably like to unwind with you tube or something at night if possible.  But we do cruise to unwind, however, my 13 year old will be happy she can keep her snapchat streaks. lol

Photo Package- if we buy it for the kid's room, does it only work if they are in the pictures, or would it be for any of us?

We are looking into the unlimited specialty dining, looks like hibachi is a 10 dollar up charge.  My youngest isn't crazy about hibachi but loves sushi, is it possible for her to sit with us, but order from sushi menu instead?

We are doing CoCoCay and I know the older two kids would love the thrill waterpark, but due to the price (currently 114 a ticket), I'm unsure how much use the younger two kids would get from it.  If we do half and half, do you think it would still make for an enjoyable day?  Can we still meet up for lunch, etc?

When I made the reservations, it just said they will tell us onboard.

We are going on the Valor for a 5 day if that makes a difference.

No, they dont.  You can search for them in the chat feature.  In August we went with a friend and her daughter's, we were not on the same reservation and had no issues all chatting.  We kept up with our teenagers that way.  It's not 100% reliable, as with any technology at sea but worked fine for us.

If you have any questions, just let me know.  I've been on several carnival cruises and I'm happy to help with anything that I can.  

1) Sorry, I'm no help on here

2) They do two shows to accommodate early and late dining.  I love YTD though personally.

3)Yes, you can request the same server if you find one you like, sometimes you may have to wait a little longer but I never have had it be an issue.  no, but on some ships you can reserve with the HUB app I've heard.  Again, not used this.

4) Free download, it has a chat feature where you can text other people in your party for $5 for the whole cruise, it also has all of the fun times once you are onboard.  Definitely download it. 🙂

5) Cheers does not, I'm not sure about excursions.  Sometimes they may have a small discount but not much of one that I've ever noticed.

29 minutes ago, jdemps said:

well, it happens and maybe the bag is on the ship but it never got to their room.  Others have said bags are found several days after you sail away.  I just don't want to deal with it myself anymore with all the waiting up til like 8pm to get your bags unpacked and settled in.  Do what you want with your cruises, I'm carrying on my bag for sure.

I was just stating that the likelihood of lost bags on a cruise is much lower than an airplane for sure.  I actually dont worry about either.  Once I'm in vacation mode, my give a darn goes so low that I figure I'll deal with whatever.  

But, absolutely, everyone has to do what makes them have the best vacation possible!  I have done both, carried on and checked.  For different reasons each time.  

On 12/29/2019 at 7:41 AM, ParrotRob said:

 

I'm glad I'm not your friend, because your friends have almost mathematically-impossible bad luck.

LOL, I wondered the same.  To me, it's not like flying, bags dont seem to get lost do they?  I have never known anyone with a lost bag on a cruise.  I hear everyone say to tip the porter so your bag doesn't get lost.  I tip the porter bc I tip for service, but not in fear they are going to throw it in the ocean or something.

Great ideas! Thanks everyone!!

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Thank you so much! Bookmarking that site!

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We are putting together a gift bag for our friends who are taking their first cruise with us- anything you would add?

We have: clear luggage tags, fun luggage tags to identify bags easier, lanyards(2 options- clip and regular), Dramamine, downy wrinkle releaser, B12(hangover preventative), fun travel Tshirt(we are close enough to know they will laugh at it, lol), stainless steel straws...

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We carry on often, but yes, it has to fit in the scanner. It can be long, just can't be too wide to fit through. When we carry on, we use backpacks from eagle Creek. They hold a ton but distribute the weight well.

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I should have asked my travel agent, and still can. I was excited to see these available, it wasn't a deal breaker so I didn't think about it at the time.

There may be an easy way, and maybe I'm just not very smart.  Lol.

We have traveled with family a few times, sometimes we are able to open the divider, other times not because of it blocking the door.

We are going on the valor in a few weeks and have 8449 and 8455.  (If I got those numbers right, corner aft and the one to the left).  Really hoping we can open up the balcony divider to create one very large balcony.  

On 12/24/2019 at 1:39 PM, Roscoe13 said:

18% is small? 

Yes, when I factor in that it's done on the purchase price of the package, not the amount of drinks/coffee, etc that I am served.  If I typically tip $2 a drink, but on cheers I drink 10-12 including coffee, etc, my around 9 dollars a day on the cheers  would make the tip much smaller than what I would otherwise tip.  SO, I add a little to it to it in appreciation for great service.  If the service is not great, I dont add to it.  Outstanding service and a lot gets added.  

And, I'm not entirely sure how the tips are divided up when you purchase Cheers, so I do what suits myself and tip extra.  It's a personal choice though, and no one is under any obligation to.

Yuliya and Lucky are my two favorites. I would sail on a ship they are on just to have them mix my drinks! 🙂