Joseph2018Baltic

So you live someplace where summer clothes are sold out by May.  Thus, I will assume she has long pants of some sorts like jeans.  Hopefully you also have a pair of sneakers.  Or you can just stop in a store in Florida......we sell shorts all year. (and cheaper than $40.00

1 hour ago, mjthecruiser said:

Without a lot of specifics, I was told that dining choices have changed radically in main dining room. Can you please share your experiences about dining in the last few months?

Just read through all the pages here, it is discussed daily.

The cruise compass is a thing of history now.  Everything is on the app.  There are some people that ask for a paper, but that is a very small percentage.  

2 hours ago, seasidemama said:

We'll be sailing 4th of July week. Wondering if there are usually any planned celebrations on board. We'll be in Coco Cay on the 4th. I saw that once in 2021 there were fireworks - but I don't think there was anything since.  What has been your experience?

 

Thanks!

On the ship?  Most likely something but don't expect it to be elaborate.   In the Bahamas?  Which is Coco Cay, their independance is a different day.  Just did Memorial Day, and they had a presentation one day to honor the day but they did all countries.

Check the web page.....of Royal.....it has all the ship plans, and you can look at every ship in the fleet

I hate to say this, but you being first time disabled, you just learned a very valuable lesson.  When you travel, you must either be independant or travel with a person that will be around to help.  Most companies, do not allow their employees to help disabled persons simply because of a liability.  Usually only help you will ever receive on any cruise line is on the ramp and even that is limited.  

Yes, strangers often times will ask if help is needed, but the seldom do they know how to help.  

I don't know what you were expecting, but the sooner you accept you will not get help, the happier your trips will be.  This is coming from someone helping my wife for decades and have traveled around the world.  

16 minutes ago, kirtihk said:

As in “I cannot believe people not wearing shorts are still cruising”.

So my response was simply I can't believe people are asking this question, but I don't understand your answer.  I was just on a cruise, and the super majority of people were wearing long pants and "nicer" clothing at dinner.  I personally change into long pants or jeans for the evening, and at least a polo shirt, or button down shirt.  I live in Florida.  It is hot daily.  I wear long pants all day long most days at work.  If I go out in the evening, it usually means I will wear long pants.  The tropics do not mean anything.  I'm not judging what you want to wear, but last week, very few people were in shirts and baseball caps around me. 

I can't believe this question is still being asked!

14 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

Hi,

 

We are debating a 7 night cruise on the wonder of the seas and are debating a dining package for the first time.

 

I am having trickle in other forums and posts locating actual approximate prices of different package options.  Does anyone know how much the 3 night dining package vs unlimited dining package costs?

 

Also is there any website that lists pricing or speciality restaurants so we can compare dinners at 3 restaurants vs the 3 night package vs the unlimited package?

 

Thanks!

Prices change so, in order to know, pick a cruise and book it.  After a booking, than it's time to review and decide on all options.  I would say that I really enjoyed Wonder of the Seas, and had the package.  

2 minutes ago, Mark+Anne said:

I have an unlimited dining package for a TA on Symphony OTS with a lot of sea days. Theoretically, if I wanted to, could I have both lunch and dinner at a specialty restaurant on the same day or is it either lunch or dinner per day? Thanks. Anne

Both Dinner and Lunch.  Lunch is available only on sea days.  It will be a ton of food.

On 6/3/2023 at 5:09 PM, craig01020 said:

As a CPAP user, I've grown tired of playing the "find the outlet" game and running extension cords all around my stateroom. Thinking of buying a CPAP battery and using that as my main power source. No cords needed.

 

Just wondering if anyone here has tried that.

 

Thanks.

So, my wife has your standard CPAP that the insurance pays for.  But like you, we got tired of lugging a big machine, and power cords and even  an converter since the thing is not dual voltage.  So 2 years ago, she bought a very, very tiny cpap, specific for just travel, and it is slightly bigger than a fist.  No, it was not covered under insurance because it is not a full CPAP but a travel one.  Great news was it also came with a battery pack, and it is dual voltage.  It works great, and the battery is good for over 2 nights, or about 20 hours.  So it saves weight, very convenient, and if you ever get stuck in an airport, you can use it.  Plus, some airlines allow it to be plugged in at the seat.  Plus, if your power goes out, you can pull this one out.  

So not knowing what you cpap is, using a portable one, and a battery one, is great, and so convenient on ships, and multiple other places.  

On 6/3/2023 at 8:35 PM, twangster said:

If you took a second to think i did answer your question.  But whatever, BLOCKED!!!!!

Funny, I'm going to answer the question, but anyone with a CPAP knows they need a longer cord, and they aren't asking about it, were they.....so it was not actually helpful to know you can buy a core, since we all know we can.  

I had UDP from Singapore to Shanghai.  I was happy with it.  I had no issues booking meals, and I think it really depends on what port you are leaving.  For us, the specialty restaurants were half full when we went.  Sichuan Red was actually a favorite since it was so different.  However, it is hot and spicy, but you can ask to lower the heat.  

Any review that a person says they "heard" something, but never went on it, should be tossed.  Asian cruises are different than other areas, and they are pretty exciting if you understand the differences before you go. 

Why would you even go to the MDR if you have the UDP?  I'm pretty sure, but could be wrong, that the UPD does not cover "upcharge" items so this would not be covered.  

I have the package on upcoming cruise and do not plan to step foot in the MDR.  

21 hours ago, karen1821 said:

I was just informed that a passport is required to go to Martinique and Barbados. 

Does anyone know if you are on a closed loop cruise and are not planning on getting off the ship in those ports are you not able to sail without a passport?

Just an FYI.  When you are in the port, you are in the country.  Does not matter if on the ship, jumping into the water, and going on land, you are in the country.  So, if a passport is needed, either change the cruise, or get one fast

You don't actually need to fill it out.  I never do. 

Wait until it is posted.  For now, it is pending, so you are not charged.  Than come back if you don't know what to do. 

I have a box of unsused cups at home.  Guess I don't want to bother carrying it when it's not needed

It depends on what port you are talking about.  Example, San Juan, ship leaves late.  I did it there, even check in, than leave.  Some ports in Europe, you don't really drive to a "port" like in Florida.  So yes, it is easy to drop your luggage and go.  But many ports, this might not be so easy.  So please tell everyone exactly where you are going

Next week I have Unlimited Dining, so no MDR.  I have a drink package.  I am Diamond, wife will get free drinks.  I will have room cleaned, and eat also in alternate places for breakfast.  I prepaid all tips.  

I will end the cruise, with exactly no extra tips.  Tips are already paid as customary amounts that the international industry and it's employees accepted with their contracts.  It is not the USA, and therefore, the USA rules do not apply but I really dislike the 18% since that is a USA concept.  I will give out no cash tips for any service that I already gave the customary amount.  

No one should ever feel pressured to tip more than customary. 

Question lacks details.....plus I don't think anyone here works for the Passport Agency?

So this is an app, which is free?  The app has all the important ship info on it, including a cruise compass ete.  It has the menu for dinner.  your account balance etc.  So no you don't need it, but why ask the question?  This is the 21st Century.  Your smart phone, is not a phone, but a tool you carry with you.  Camera, newspaper, daily info, clock, ship clock, messages among your group, ship map, etc.  When I go on vacation, I pull away from my daily life, but that doesn't mean I dissappear and my phone is my 21st century tool to staying informed.  So if you don't want to be connected to the world, fine, and if you don't need to know what is happening on the ship, then fine also.  You don't need it.  Lock it up.  But it costs nothing for the app. 

The reality is the minute you cross the gangway, you are officially on a cruises, which means eating and drinking and spending money.  Yes it is for crowd controll, but honestly, people arrive by planes, and go straight to the ship.  Hotel check out time is 11:00 and people go straight to the ship.  What are all these people going to do?  Go to the ship when they arrive.  Lots of people have no way to controll arriving time.  So, I'll see you when I get there, and hopefully will not wait long.

Why do people need to ask if they can arrive late when the assigned time is 5?  Wonder of the Seas is loaded with options, if you don't like your time.  Tables are ready, and your table mates are ready at 5.  They have programs for those that want flex time with eating, plus buffet is open, and all the other specialty places.  

You either love it, or hate it, because it is not a normal place to eat.  Now, I love it, but I love food, and will eat anything in front of me.  This is not the kind of place for a picky person, or someone that likes simple foods.  It is also not a place to say, or give a recommendation to.  

But on a ship, you are going for an experience that is different and fun.  Doing things outside a comfort zone.  So go for it, if you really want an experience with food.