NouCruzer

Wonderland for the more adventuresome diner; 150CP if you prefer traditional elegance.

would you suggest using coastal kitchen or dining package more?

Personal preference. On our last cruise, we dined in CK for 3 nights and in various other venues for the remainder. CK was very good, but we enjoyed the variety.

You need to do a Candid Camera. Stake out the park with your binoculars and have Cheryl video the expressions of people passing by watching you. ;)

Remember to wear your pith helmet and khaki shirt and shorts. Ankle high hiking boots would also be advisable. ;)

Good info. I don't drink coffee but my wife does. I'll have her make that request or is it a demand?

It is neither. As a D+S, everyone should already know your hand preference. It's imprinted in your D+S card, is it not?? Or is this another benefit that RCI has eliminated?

And why do I have to manually change the font to Comic Sans? Doesn't RCI know my preference for fancy fonts?

I think it stinks that they don't clearly state the FNDR restrictions before the purchase, but I guess they make it right if they are willing to refund the entire amount.

Agree. It's deceptive. I'm curious to see what happens now that FNDR has increased to $20 (at least on Oasis). That's more than the full freight fee for Sabor. So now there is only a single choice for FNDR? Or does this suggest an increase in the charge for Sabor, as was recently done for Giovanni's? Talk about driving your clientele away...

I took a strand of last night's left over spaghetti and gave myself 40 lashes.

Well, as a Platinum I guess that is an appropriate use of a Gold's lunch. But you realize that if Golds are not minimally nourished, they cannot row. And the DS will not be happy with that... :rolleyes:

Now that you mention it, yes.:D

Every time that I visit this thread, it brings this image to mind; embarkation day.

http://cdn.collider.com/wp-content/uploads/Red_Movie_Image_John_Malkovich_Morgan_Freeman.jpg

Malkovitch is Gold.

Fortunately I was able to signal a passing RCI ship who sent a helicopter to winch us off.

 

The gold rowers who were occupying our favourite suite were made to walk the plank. Our suite was fumigated and ee were given OBC for the inconvenience.

I question the veracity of this post. It is inconceivable that a Gold would be assigned to a suite. I just don't believe that there were so few DS onboard that a suite would be occupied by a Gold! What is the world coming to??

Sure - let's find a cruise.

Well, a really long shot, but I'll play... :D

We're booked for Enchantment on Jul 30 and Oasis on Nov 4, 2018. Rollin' the dice... ;)

I'm so glad I posted and reminded you! Good Luck!

Well now. The claim was honored without a lot of fanfare and received a check this afternoon. Have to say that we initially chose the Choice Plan because it seemed to provide good coverage at a reasonable price. During the claim process, Nationwide customer service was excellent. Not meant to be an advertisement or endorsement of the company or policy, just reporting our experience.

Maybe a bit ‘old school’ but not a formal night without Tux. Picture from my last cruise review

And Cheers to you, sir! Care to join us in the Champagne bar after dinner?

Also, I have asked Royal to make me a set of hub caps that look like Diamond Superior lapel pins, so that people will recognize my status while in my car and get out of my drivers way. Surely those traffic lights are not meant for me.

I would think that a hood ornament would be more visible. And remember to get another to attach to the cap of your gold tier chauffeur. Then again, what do I know..., as a lowly Platinum, even standing on my pedestal I can't see over the top of this table. :rolleyes:

Thanks for your updates. We were on the same Nov 5 Oasis cruise and when you first posted, I didn't remember which Insurance Company we had purchased from. Pulled out the contract and lo and behold; Nationwide Choice. We have a claim in process and are encouraged by your settlement.

Thanks for the information. I'm going to speak to the Diamond Club host tomorrow to see if we can get 50% off at Chops instead of FNDR on next week's cruise. Is there someone else I should be talking to instead of the Diamond Club host?

We made the change to 150 Central as soon as we boarded. Just went to the reception desk at 150C and asked to alter the reservation.

It is a shame that Allure has restricted FNDR to just two restaurants. That would not make me happy.

I think that is the case on all Oasis class ships. On Oasis, FNDR is limited to Giovanni's or Sabor. If you want another, they will refund the FNDR charge as OBC and give you 50% off other venues. Limiting FNDR choices was a recent change I think that was done without much fanfare... :mad:

Is this a recent change because when I sailed Oasis in April, '16 the D club was on deck 11 & 12th. If so, I'm disappointed.

It still is as of our Nov 2017 cruise. But interesting that one of the deck plan maps on a wall adjacent to the D club showed that space on 11 and the library as Wonderland.

We saw our neighbor a few cabins to the fore of 8194 on Oasis back out of the room on a scooter several days on our recent cruise.

DAY 3: LABADEE THROWS OFF MY GROOVE

 

 

 

 

Labadee, the deceptive first look

Ahh, now we know where RCI purges the water from the kiddie pools....

just to discover that even the furthest beach is swarming with people. Some friendly guy fetches me a lounge chair, but after he leaves I notice that a few of the straps of the chair are broken and when I sit up, they make the back side flip forward and hit me on the head. I tipped a guy for this abuse.

Yes, I had you figured as the generous type. Should have offered the lounger to the guy on stilts.

[crickets]

 

Okay people. I know there must be SOMEONE who is still reading.

Well, I just mostly look at the pictures. Too bad that you can only post six at a time. No one can do Labadee justice in just six (what was it that we were we saying about sarcasm on page 1?). You must stop and take the obligatory shot of the Beast while you walk the last 2.5 miles along the pier to the ship...

Ooh. Looks like you forgot to fold here.

The heat is sweltering. That’s saying something, coming from me. I love heat. I have been in Florida in July and August and felt at home. In fact, I feel most comfortable in 88-degree weather. Humidity or dry heat, I don’t care. This is when people wonder how since I was born and raised in Michigan. And here is my answer: I don’t know. But I am miserable in the cold, so it is safe to say that I am miserable in Michigan six months of the year.

 

However, today is so hot (how hot is it?)

Hey! Johnny Carson...., oops, showing my age...

And here I was under the impression that Michigan had a four season climate; pre-winter, winter, post-winter and mud. Good to know that it's only cold for 6 months out of the year. Waiting to read all about Day 3.5 ;)

Voyager class is among my favorites so I think it’s a major boon for short cruises.

 

I hope they get things finished in 2 weeks and no ongoing work. I saw so much evidence of deferred maintenance that I hope they can tackle it all. Guest deserve better and the company must realize they have a reputation to keep up

Here's hoping that the drydock will get things in shape. We're booked on a 4 day to the Bahamas in July 2018.

As others have said, it's all relative. During a business trip to any major city, a Sapphire martini at a hotel bar will cost $12-15. A bottle of Sapphire in Louisville goes for $22. Markups are what they are; you choose to drink or not. But if you choose to imbibe, the drink packages can offer convenience and for some may even same some $$$ over purchasing drinks individually. If you choose to forego, fine. Those who purchase the package have decided it is worth the expense. And take a look at the swill that is served to Diamonds in the lounge; RCI isn't losing much in that venue...

Can you answer my question above re the route?

See post 16.

So, what is the cost for Alma Plena? Looked at their website and there is no price, although the pictures are lovely.

Our price was $65 per person for all inclusive lunch and drinks. Taxi fare to and from the resort is also included. As an aside, Almaplena did not have the sea grass and cloudy water issues that some complain about at Maya Chan.

The taxis going to Almaplena generally go down the highway and then cut across and head north a short way up the bumpy road.

 

Didn’t your taxi go that route NouCruzer?

Yes, we went down the highway at about 80mph :eek:, then the last mile or so was quite rustic.

I can vouch for the food at Maya Chan being very good. However, the road to Maya Chan is an adventure itself, and I would not want to go any farther on that road.

Ah, where is your sense of adventure? The last mile to Almaplena was also a real thrill!

We love the big ships. We have spent several decades on the small ships and have been totally sold on the resort feel of the big ships.

As a relatively recent cruiser, I agree. So much to do on the big ships. But on port intensive itineraries, the smaller ships really shine. Our first cruise on Splendour from Venice to Croatia, Turkey and Greece was really exceptional without all the bells and whistles of the Oasis Class.