NouCruzer

That said...the situation if fluid, ...

 

 

The situation is quite fluid, especially in Houston. The possibility of severe flooding in the Houston/Galveston area had been forecast for days. RCI took the position that it was only a possibility that would not affect their operations or passenger travel to the port. One can argue the merits of that position, but in my opinion it was a poor decision that contradicted all of the weather forecasts that were available.

 

On the other hand, Carnival gave its passengers options and the power to decide based on their own situations. If Ebfurr had booked with Carnival, he would not be having this discussion.

Some recent news from Houston re: Bush airport (posted 5 - 15 min ago).

 

 

 

An inbound ground stop has been initiated due to wind. Outbound flights are still departing. #Harvey2017 #fly2houston

64 flights already cancelled. Contact your airline for specific flight info. Traffic and flight stats at fly2houston.com #Harvey2017

 

 

HOU - 102 Cancellations, 1 Delays

 

updated 54 minutes ago

 

 

 

 

Traffic Status at the Houston Airports

 

Roadways and traffic may be affected this weekend due to severe weather from Hurricane Harvey.

UPDATED 8/26/2017 at 7 a.m.

 

IAH - Currently, roadways are clear. An accident has closed all lanes on the southbound hardy toll road connector.

HOU - Currently, roadways are clear. Traffic to/from WIlliam P. Hobby is moving normally.

For those having to decide whether or not to travel this weekend, current information will be a key. A post above recommended linking to local news stations, which is an excellent idea. Also, NHS publishes local observations on conditions and predictions for wind, surge, total rainfall and storm/flood warnings which can be accessed using the link below for the Galveston/Houston area.

 

 

http://www.weather.gov/srh/tropical?office=hgx#hti

Does anyone know the balcony dimensions on the oasis class, specifically ocean view vs ocean view with Large balcony. Is is worth the extra charge.

 

 

Don't know the exact dimensions but OV balconies are listed as 50 sq ft and OV large at 80 sg ft. The large balconies are located on the hump and so are deeper than the standard OV. Both are similar or same in width. If it's worth the extra cost, that's your call. But FWIW, some Oasis cruises in Oct/Nov actually have the hump balconies selling for less than OV.

FYI at 9AM EST

 

Galveston/Houston receiving moderate to heavy rain from an outer band of Harvey. The eye is clearly visible offshore of Corpus. This is not a severe thunderstorm, nor is it a Katrina-like event for Galveston. But it is a large storm that will linger for multiple days.

 

http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Current.aspx?location=USTX0166

Mistake; see post below

The RCI announcement indicated that renovations were to be carried out on Adrenaline Beach. I don't recall anything about disruption of Barefoot Beach.

Liberty can not be diverted to Tampa because she is too large to go under the Sunshine Bridge and can't handle the narrow twisting channel to the port.

 

 

So is the only option to keep her at sea until Galveston is operative? New Orleans doesn't seem a good choice since the storm may track in that direction from Tuesday/Wednesday. This is shaping to be a real mess, especially for those booked on Liberty from 8/27.

We are on Liberty now and are trying to figure out what to do.

 

As per the post above, maybe your best bet is to buy an extra drink card or two in anticipation of another day or two at sea :) while RCI assesses damage. It's likely that the next cruise will be more significantly affected than yours, unless you cannot return to Galveston port. Rain and flooding look to be the bigger concern for the Galveston/Houston area. Getting to the airport might be more difficult than getting into port.

Best wishes to Galveston/Houston residents and cruise passengers this weekend as now TS Harvey looks to be rapidly intensifying and is expected to reach the coast as a major hurricane. Adding insult to injury, the storm is forecast to stall just inland and linger at least through Tuesday. Not sure how RCI will plan for this potentially dangerous and unusual situation. Any idea where incoming Liberty might be diverted; Tampa?

 

From the NHS:

 

1. Harvey has intensified quickly this morning, and is now forecast to be a major hurricane at landfall, bringing life-threatening storm surge, rainfall, and wind hazards to portions of the Texas coast. Preparations to protect life and property should be completed by tonight, as tropical-storm-force winds will first arrive in the hurricane and storm surge warning areas on Friday.

 

 

2. A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for much of the Texas coast. Life-threatening storm surge flooding could reach heights of 6 to 10 feet above ground level at the coast between the north entrance of the Padre Island National Seashore and Sargent. For a depiction of areas at risk, see the Storm Surge Watch/Warning Graphic at hurricanes.gov.

 

 

3. Life-threatening flooding is expected across much of the Texas coast from heavy rainfall of 12 to 20 inches, with isolated amounts as high as 30 inches, from Friday through early next week. Please refer to products from your local National Weather Service office and the NOAA Weather Prediction Center for more information on the flooding hazard.

And the other good news is that the Allure is large enough that you need not worry about rocking the boat... ;)

I can appreciate the thought in this. I've tried to analyze the various promotions and programs as well, but not to this level. At the end of the day, RCL has levers to push and pull to find the right mix of incentives for the right people at the right time.

 

 

For a company that couldn't figure out how to work dynamic dining, they sure have dynamic pricing down pat...

Agree with everyone's recommendation for 150 CP, it's our new favorite. Both kids 13 and 15 loved it as well.

 

Piling on here, but one more vote for 150 CP.

 

 

It's not listed on the menu but you can also get the 18oz filet for 2 made as a 12oz filet for 1.

 

 

:eek: If I knew that, the staff would have to call Medical to wheel me back to the stateroom...

I think the chair thing is something most people don't think about. And don't forget salt and pepper shakers!

 

 

There are no pepper shakers on RCI vessels. They disappeared long ago.

 

FWIW, I never have concerns with the buffet if I wear my normal dinner attire...

 

 

Thank you to all. So helpful!! Went on cruise planner last night and when you look at the different resturants it says nothing available with package, what does that mean? So confused at this point! As always thanks for the help

 

 

As a point of reference, bookings for individual restaurants opened at the end of July for our early Nov cruise on Oasis.

Don't you just love these drama headlines on cc.:rolleyes:

 

 

This just in!! RCI has re-fitted Allure with a set of sea crutches until the azipod is repaired. While she can't hobble to Labadee under full steam yet, the good news is that she'll be able to dock at the handicap spot on arrival.

So, I'm browsing the RCI excursions for George Town Grand Cayman, and I'm having difficult figuring out what the difference between the "Reef and Wreck Snorkel" and the "Sunken Ship and Snorkel".

 

 

Sounds pretty similar to me. Maybe the former is that you snorkel around an existing wreck and the latter is that after your boat goes down, you get to snorkel home... ;p

 

Grand Cayman has very nice reefs, so snorkeling should be excellent either way. Just a matter of finding out which is the best value for you.

That's helpful, thank you! I might shoot for the first night then.

 

 

I think it also depends on the individual cruise. When we were last on Oasis in Oct 2016, we did Chefs Table on Thursday eve and there were 6 open spaces. On several occasions during the week, we saw crew offering discounts. So it might be a bit of a crap shoot but there is a decent chance to make on board reservations for later nights.

Also staff and Vintage would have the best knowledge of the wine list and should help you in any selection

 

 

Yes, agree. Talk to the folks in Vintages and tell them that you're looking for a sweet wine. Look for German white wines; Riesling, Gewurztraminer, even Pinot Blanc. Dessert wines are certainly on the sweeter end of the spectrum. But it might be a challenge to find these on the ship. And sweet reds are probably even more difficult to find onboard.

 

You have great advice already; stop in Vintages and tell them what you like. Hopefully, they can recommend a few things from their stock.

Also if anyone can also tell me the formal nights for the same cruise. Thank you!

 

 

Formal nights are typically Days 2 and 5.

Unless something just changed, the Prohibition Party is on Allure, not Oasis.

 

 

It is listed in Cruise Planner for our Oasis sailing in November.

Not me but probably best in an adults only area.

 

 

Ahh! You mean the Solarium... :cool: I'm fine with that.

 

That said, I'm confused why nobody objects to the bottomless brunch.

we just returned yesterday from rapsody cruise. there was evian water in the cabin, chargeable though if drunk

 

 

Apparently, also chargeable if not drunk... ;p

http://www.theonion.com/article/shelling-royal-caribbeans-ms-allure-sinks-carnival-56448

 

(this is, of course, satire. this did not really happen) :'):');p:D

 

 

Yes, one of the most impressive stops in the All Access Tour is the War Room and the forward cannon mounts on Deck 2. We were told that they fire day-old dinner rolls that are left over from the Wind Jammer. The crew stated that the rolls are so hard that they have little difficulty penetrating the armor of a Carnival ship.

 

(This is not satire,... I swear!!! :*)

As before in another post, we are previously Carnival cruisers wanting to try RC. We have decided on one of the Oasis class ships - really leaning toward Harmony since it is the newest, but just curious how much grander it might be than the other 2 if cost was a factor and one of the others were cheaper, are they all 3 comparable?

Within the Oasis class, Harmony will most likely be significantly more expensive regardless of cabin category simply because it's the newest, biggest, etc. As an example, we are booked on Oasis in D2 balcony in Nov for the Eastern Caribbean. A similar cruise on Harmony, same week, similar itinerary priced out at $1500 more. So if the "improvements" on Harmony over Oasis are important for you, expect to pay more. If not, Oasis is a great ship and more cost effective.