The Fun Researcher

duplicate post

On 11/8/2019 at 1:50 PM, Merion_Mom said:

 

As others have said, the weather can go either way, but I would strongly warn against taking a guarantee these days.

 

I once had 4514. The waves weren't even "that" high.  It was a very unhappy experience.  I cruise often, am a very good sailor, and never suffer from mal de mer.  But that cabin was NOT good.  And there are quite a few cabins FARTHER forward.

 

You could indeed get a cabin very far forward, so be warned.

 

 

I’ve never noticed forward cabins being any  rougher than aft on any of the ships I’ve been on.

Dan

As much as I like BBQ there is no way I would pay $12-15 for it on a cruise when there are other great options included in the cruise fare.

However,  $13 for one mixed drink?  No problem!   That’s kind of tongue-in-cheek because I think Royals drink prices are ludicrous also.

Dan

2 rooms have always been cheaper for us

Dan

36 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Sorry...they don't compare to my homemade ones from an old family recipe.

Good for you.

Dan

Kennedy Space center is incredible.  Being so close to Disney World, you can tell that they took some design and crowd handling queues from them, as well as the whole customer experience.  The space program is so inspiring, and seeing Atlantis up close is really cool.  If you can, make sure you take the bus tour out to the launch pads and then do the Saturn 5 rocket center.

Hope you have a great day!

DAn

4 hours ago, SRF said:

You could always book 3 people, and have the 3rd no show. 🙂

 

I actually asked the RCCL  representative and she said it was possible, people don’t show up for cruises all the time. 😉 However it’s quite an up charge  to pay for a third person for the extra square footage of those cabins.  In that case it does not make it worth it.

Dan

28 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Not always automatic.  Contact C&A to confirm.

 

Each person can only have one "significant other" link.  So for example if husband and wife are linked as significant other, then they cannot link with anyone else as significant other.

26 minutes ago, molly361 said:

If they are not linked they could each have a significant other (same address) linked to them

6 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 

In other words Dan, your "significant other" would need to move in with you and your wife.

 

Have fun - or should I say - good luck with that. 🤣 🤣🤣

 

Didn't say it wouldn't come along with some complications.   🙂 😂  LOL

(I would never do this by the way, just an interesting thought).  Goes to show the over-flexibility of the system IMO.

Dan

Hypothetically speaking, does this work by current rules...

Are husbands and wives automatically linked, or not?  If not, do they each have a "significant other" spot open?  🙂  🤣

Dan

2 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

 

 

LOL Dan.  You made me think that those removing tips on day one might should be careful that their sushi isn't just butter fish. 

2 hours ago, HBE4 said:

 

No.

 

You'd have to pay me to eat Sushi. And I expect a hefty tip as well. In advance 😋

Good stuff.  😂👍🏼

Dan

Anyone like sushi?

I do.  

Dan

18 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Do you celebrate Festivus?

Not every year but it has happened a time or two, mainly to celebrate Seinfeld while it was still on air (first run).  😋😄

 Plus, it doesn’t take much of an excuse for us to get together with friends and have a few drinks 😊

Dan

4 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Jammer isn't open at 4:30😉

 

But it is all about alcohol 

 I must be missing something.  (It wouldn’t be the first time 😊 ).  Isn’t Diamond happy hour from 5 PM to 8:30 PM?  The windjammer is open that entire period correct? 

Dan

2 hours ago, 3red7s said:

Actually the idea of how gratuities work "in everyday life" is to tip prior to the service.  Just an FYI, the acronym TIPS, means "to insure prompt service"  (meaning before your service is rendered) just on of those Cliff Kleban (Cheers) facts that gets me a chuckle.  LOL!!!

Good 'ol Cliff from Cheers.  Miss those Clifferism's.  🙂

Dan

Totally up to you, but for our 9 night March cruise on the Navigator out of Miami, for the first time we ate on land before boarding the ship and showed up around 12:30 - 1pm. 

There was literally not one soul in line at security, and no one in front of us for the check-in process.  Walked onto the ship and all staterooms were available.  We could put our bags down in our rooms and grab our SeaPass cards immediately.  The three hours we could have gained by getting their early were FAR more offset by the convenience at the port, not dealing with the Windjammer madhouse, and being able to go straight to our rooms.

The last time we sailed out of Galveston on the Liberty we showed up around 10:30am and we dealt with the typical crowds, and the Windjammer, etc...   Anyone know if the crowds drop around 1pm in Galveston like we experienced in March on the Navigator?

Dan

1 minute ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

I book them as a solo with no problem.  

Interesting.  They don't show up on the website unless I choose 3 or 4 person rooms.  Also, the Royal Caribbean agent I spoke with said they are reserved for 3 or 4 persons.  I'm not doubting you at all, but how do you reserve them for less than 3 people?  Do you pay double occupancy or triple?

Category 1M.  There are no 2M (dual occupancy) versions on the Grandeur.

Thanks.

22 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

I know that I said to take Deck 4 for an OV, but there is one other option.

 

I love love love love the 16 "Panoramic Oceanview" cabins midship on Decks 7 & 8.  The category is 1M.

 

Almost one entire wall is windows, because this area used to be public spaces like the Crown & Anchor lounge and Card Room.

 

The cabin itself is the size of a balcony cabin,  just without the balcony.  And these are the only OV cabins that have the refrigerator (cooler) in them. 🙂 Unfortunately, the bathrooms still have shower curtains not the tubes.   😞 

I looked into these cabins and all of them on the Grandeur require 3-4 person occupancy.  It's just my wife and I.  Rooms look nice though.

Dan

43 minutes ago, lovetotraveltx said:

Love your review. It will be our first time on Royal Caribbean and we will be on Liberty of the Seas. Two questions: Where do you go for lunch when you board the ship. Also, how did you get to the resort in Jamaica you reserved for the day? Thank you!

The buffet is open, and in the Royal Promenade area there is pizza in Sorrento's and finger sandwiches in the Cafe Promenade.  Can't remember if any specialty restaurants are available to book for embarkation lunch.

-Dan

16 minutes ago, atozser said:

 

Simple! The way they are handled in every other life situation...AFTER you receive a service, you decide on an appropriate tip based on the quality of said service.

 

The cruise lines can try all they want to pretend they deserve special treatment, but it's a game we refuse to play.  Usually, we reduce the 'set' amount and then hand out cash.  Frankly, it's the only sure fire way to know that the employees who deserve special recognition will actually receive it.

Thank you for the education regarding  how gratuities work in every other life situation. I never knew that before.  🙄

I’m interested in the process of doing this on a cruise.   We have  personally been OK with the auto gratuities, and then I add more on top of that if I feel it’s warranted. If for some reason one of the services is not up to standards then I would go and get gratuities adjusted I suppose. 

Back to my original question, you must have to go to guest services and tell them not to charge you gratuities?   Then you somehow determine on your own what you feel is warranted? 

Dan

3 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Any answer you get regarding this topic will be 100% conjecture and supposition and nothing based in fact. 

NO ONE knows how the gratuity system actually works; keeping everyone in the dark and guessing is what the cruiseline depends on. 

One fact I can offer is this: I never pre pay nor do I participate in the daily auto gratuity program. I have never experienced any less service than my regular travel companions who do participate. 

How DO you handle your gratuities?

Dan

37 minutes ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

 

We'll be on the 3/29 sailing too - our first time on Liberty! Trying to decide if we're going to buy a dining package or stick with the MDR. 

We’ve never had the need for specialty dining.  I’ve thought about it many times but then I remember that I can find entrees and appetizers that I really enjoy on every MDR menu.  One of our cruises we’ll give it a try.

Dan

10 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

I know that I said to take Deck 4 for an OV, but there is one other option.

 

I love love love love the 16 "Panoramic Oceanview" cabins midship on Decks 7 & 8.  The category is 1M.

 

Almost one entire wall is windows, because this area used to be public spaces like the Crown & Anchor lounge and Card Room.

 

The cabin itself is the size of a balcony cabin,  just without the balcony.  And these are the only OV cabins that have the refrigerator (cooler) in them. 🙂 Unfortunately, the bathrooms still have shower curtains not the tubes.   😞 

I'll definitely look into those panoramic OV's.  Thanks!

14 hours ago, alex_drew said:

Just off Grandeur in cabin 3086.  Would not do this cabin again because of the late night sounds from music (drums) in the Centrum (above).  Loved the same location on deck two, 2086, which is quiet and just slightly off of the elevators which take you straight up to the pool/solarium location.  Also, on deck 4, we have stayed in and are booked again in 4052, which is half-way down the hall between forward and aft elevators.  You will not hear any noise from the Centrum in this location and it is half-way between the theatre and the dining room.  Love being on deck 4 because you can walk straight down the hall to the dining room and the R Bar and all of the Centrum entertainment are just a few steps away.  These are all ocean view cabins, just fyi.  I've not stayed in an inside, even though we really spend very little time in our cabin.  

Thank you.  We’ll plan on deck 4.  👍🏼

Dan

18 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Each to his own! I can't imagine booking any cruise without a balcony. Curious as to what the "light pollution" is you refer to? Definitely the best thing to be out on the open decks, but while in the room I think it's really nice to be able to see what there is to see without always taking the time to go out on the decks (which sometimes are closed due to wind / weather). Also nice to just pop in and out while still in pajamas, etc. early morning or late at night just to catch some fresh air without the hassle of getting dressed to go out on the decks. 

Yeah, we've had balconies and just don't use them much.  The balcony space is small and I'd rather be on a pool deck or walking promenade deck.  I totally understand why people love them, but for us it's a waste of money.

We tend to stay up late each night (midnight+) so we enjoy sleeping in.  The light that bleeds past the curtains impacts that.  I love the pitch black of an inside cabin.  Makes for great afternoon naps also.  We spend very little time in our cabin.  Basically sleeping and getting ready for dinner.

Dan

 I honestly can’t remember a cruise when the escargot was not offered every night.   We’ve only done Caribbean cruises though

Dan