nimbex1970

I agree, not FOREVER, each of us has a cruise price point we are willing to pay for the product. If everything was all-inclusive that higher price point would turn many away. Why should I pay for someone else's ice cream and such would get brought up. For some, RCCL is already at the top of their price point and these recent upcharges and higher fees are causing folks to turn to other lines in the near future.

I have found it hit or miss with getting on OBC when missing a port. There is a paper provided in your cabin announcing this if they are going to do this so you can check your account.

I priced out the full UDP with royal, and am cheaper with virgin voyages in NOV. So we booked that instead. Add in a new port, and we are pleased. Our repo cruises were cheaper, comparing UDP and drink packages with NCL with fewer sea days. So there are two examples for ya right there.

On the WOS, there were kids in the bar area while awaiting seats and were served some cool mocktails. Just ask the bartender for a suggestion. Because these are specialty drinks, it takes longer than then average to have a drink delivered. I also think this is the only bar that services the restaurant, so that may play into it as well, with the wait times.

We were satisfied with the food, we ordered the filet. It was cooked properly and there was plenty to eat. On a personal level, our server was not funny, awkward and the tables around us were hooting with laughter and we were not. It's very possible we were the exception. Wouldn't do again.

On WOS, it was a challenge to book dining in advance. Two of my party had the 3 night package and at least got into what they wanted, not the times. On the fourth night we were able to get in for night 4 through seven by calling each day and being flexible. This was this May and the specialty restaurants were full. Not sure about lunch though, as we were doing park cafe or the solarium.

I too am a fan of the promenade rooms when we aren't interested in a balcony. The two couch set up is great. I love to people watch from the window.

All I know is that for US, US, the MDR is now subpar and we will only dine in specialty restaurants. We are factoring that cost like $400pp per 7 day cruise into our price point. That has led to us booking virgin and NCL, lines we never would have considered prior. This is disheartening as we love RCCL. I have two cruises yet to book for 2024 and with specialty dinning now in our price point, it's a tough choice to pay more. These next two cruises on virgin and NCL will determine who we book with for those two cruises. Royal doubled down in the wrong way, IMHO. But they care little about our MDR concerns as they move forward... why be loyal?

We are just looking for something new for our beachy selves. It's been 15 years since I strayed from orient or the beach off the taxi. Help a beach gal with a new location that has a restroom with chairs, food and drinks. Thanks all!

try this site https://www.st-maarten.com/index.php/island/public-transport

There is taxi service at the end of the shopping area in port. Follow the signs, the fees are posted. When looking at pricing make sure you understand if it is one way or round trip so there are no financial suprises, figure $100 bucks, bring cash for it.

If you are a foodie, the french side has some lovely places. Start with trip advisors and obviously scratch any brand names. The bakeries are wonderful as well.

IMHO, the problem with buying jewlery is the haggling time when I'm on vacation. The stores (like any) are marked up, then you haggle down. For example, I know I want tanzenite, the color and say it's 1k back in the states just for the stone. Even with a gold band and setting fees, I wouldn't pay 3k... So why do I have to spend 2hours to get it to a fair price of say $1500? I just don't have the patience and I haven't found great deals. That's me. The best deals I have gotten are rings under $200 bucks go figure. I'm still wearing one everyday that's 10 years old and didn't cost more than that $200, perfect condition. And don't believe that gold plated jewlery on the ship, you get less than what you pay for, again IMHO.

https://tropicaltreasurehunt.com/st-thomas/treasure-hunts/ There were several types of hunts to choose from, I'm looking at the rum one. Anyone chime in with a recent experience with these guys? Thanks!

There are several shacks to get food and drinks, price varied by 3 bucks or so for a frozen drink we paid 12-15 for a red solo cup sized. Made with several choices of fresh fruit, I choose how much rum I wanted in it. We choose the guy to the left of the stage who had samples to order from. From memory there was red snapper, a club a cheeseburger, chicken fingers, fries and a ceviche.. You can walk up or get a server that will bring to you, think island time. Because we paid cash, I don't know which shack takes credit or not. Bathrooms were clean. Sorry wouldn't let me edit

You WILL get chairs, I doubt they will be first row. Chairs were $10 each, I think the umbrella was $15. It was $15 pp EACH way. Same taxi that dropped us, picked us up at a pre-arranged time. We went in May, found it very safe. There will always be that guy out there selling pot it seems. I brought cash as it had been awhile since I had been. I do not believe the taxi take credit card. You will will need several hundred bucks on ya. Cab driver did make change, for our group it was $90 each way, yikes but there were 7 of us, 2 were kiddos There are several shacks to get food and drinks, price varied by 3 bucks or so for a frozen drink. You can walk up or get a server that will bring to you, think island time. We love this beach, but it is not a sterliized US beach, it has local island flare.

I'm not sure if both sides are the same, we were on the left with our backs facing the water. There is a good 10 feet into the water where it's about hip height, then it drops off more. I didn't walk much in the water, just in for a dip.

There are so many errors in judgement on these poor folks that missed their cruise and it could happen to any of us in our early cruising days. As almost everyone has stated, no insurance??? That's not the place to save a dime. It took one bad experience, for me to learn the hard way that even the ship provided insurance isn't enough for our needs. Blindly though we had insurance, we were covered. Now I have chosen to pay for better 3rd party, Allengenz to meet our needs. However, that did require learning the hard, cha ching way, but not to the tune of $60k, ouch!!!! Although the story is still murky on details, I hope this alerts some new folks, not to fly in same day and review their insurance policy through the cruise lines. This experience of theirs was terrible.

I'm not opposed to having Buffett etiquette/hygiene lessons broadcast on the TV! Having just come from Vegas, it doesn't matter how much one spends, folks are not "in the know".

We did a cost analysis with the RCL UDP and drink package and found great options with Virgin and NCL. Previously I would have never considered them. Add new ships to explore, itinerary and it's a win win. Instead of working on it RCCL doubled down with the inconsistent only one meal at a time (which really irritated me last cruise), the upcharge after only one lobster and ya'll get where I'm going. Virgin has amazing dining venues and I'm beyond excited to sail with them. Should RCCL have just maintained the quality of MDR food, I never would have gone looking. Mind you I still have some cruise dates to fill in.. but price wise RCCL isn't winning. I ended up with 3 NCL booked, when I started with RCCL searches. I hope this turns around quickly as I love the RCCL ships and experiences, other than the food.

While I can't promise it to be available for you, I can say that the staff will happily change a TV channel to provide it for you if it's available. Internet/ship location/and random dead spots affect any sailing. As ATG stated, there will certainly be folks watching on their phones as well, join them. We have so much fun there. Order the buffalo wings!

We love the Allure. Note though we have never sailed her with kids, so have no idea of the activities or amenities for them. 6500 folks seems immense! Aside from the usual waiting for elevators at peak dinner and show times, we never found her overly crowded. We are a go-with-the-flow couple and don't require the best show seating, the best pool seat, so it's easy for us to relax and enjoy almost anywhere. Don't cancel, give it a try.

Oasis hands down, sailed her twice, loved her! I have recently been on the WOS and loved it, but that price tag? Nah, I only did it because we took the grandkids. The itinerary for the Oasis is better, you save money and less hassle with the airport drive.

It seems you are correct, it's a new booking done through RCCL, not the casino. Because it is a casino reward, I would go back through them and head to a supervisor. The hold times can be long. It seems they are going to make you fight for this reward, so that's why a supervisor is your best bet. Let us know how it plays out!

We were on the WOS in May and it was the worst experience in food quality I have had in 20 cruises. Now the service was excellent and they tried hard. I just ate at playmakers and booked specialty dining for the remaining three nights. (Oh pizza and room service as well). The MDR had various empty tables, while specialty dining was tightly booked. The mediocre cafeteria food is indeed sending folks to pay more. I have virgin and NCL cruises up next to try some new avenues. I'm not anti RCCL, but I won't eat at the MDR again and the costs of specialty dining are considered when I price compare my cruises.