SailorTodd

Hi

 

Few questions looking to do a cruise with 3.5yr and 8month old, did you guys all stay in one room?

 

Did you have to pay to loan the toys?

 

Thanks

I'll cover from my experience last month on Allure with my 3 yr old and 9 mo old. We got two adjoining interior staterooms (the arrangements were all made by my father in law, as a larger family trip, so it wasn't exactly on my dime). The extra space was great, but you could fit (albeit a bit snuggly)in one stateroom. There was a pack-n-play waiting for us in our stateroom when we got there, but I don't know if that was just our steward taking some extra initiative. You may have to ask, but they are available.

As for the toys, we ended up not taking advantage of them with so much to do around the ship, but it is my understanding there is no cost involved as long as the full set is returned.

Speaking of the abundance of activities onboard, there was a lot of kid friendly stuff, and more often than not we found ourselves having to choose what to do, and almost no time where we struggled to find something to do.

Gotta love how some can't help but put people down for not following their idea of how to dress to eat a meal. And nw, I'm not going to eat at the buffet just to make you happy.

For those of us who are disappointed in our fellow cruisers for not dressing up on formal night, it's not our idea of how to dress. It's RCCL's idea. If you weren't supposed to dress up RCCL wouldn't call it "formal night." Shame on those of us who fall on the "dress up or dine elsewhere" side of the debate for thinking we're going to get a nice dinner surrounded by nicer dressed people when that is what was advertised.

So do it if you want. What's the problem?

I prefer to fit in or blend in as a rule.

My commentary was more an implicit expression of surprise at how laid back the actual dress code is compared with what's published. I'm a pathological rule follower, so the militant antipathy to the dress code surprises me.

It's a little off topic, but it also frustrates me to hear that the relaxation of the dress code is partly a response to a decrease in quality of MDR food and service.

Reading all the comments in this and other threads has me rethinking my wardrobe for my upcoming cruise. I appreciated the dress code specified on all the pre-cruise info from the cruise line, and had planned to wear my dinner dress blue jacket (Navy's tux equivalent that I've had all of 1 other opportunity to wear since I got it five years ago) for formal nights, and a suit/sport coat and tie for any other dining occasion. Those of you wearing a suit for a 9 to 5 balk at putting on a tie on vacation, but it would be my rare opportunity to sport my dressier civilian duds and dress uniform when I'm otherwise stuck in the same exact thing 5+ days a week.

I'll still wear my dress uniform for formal night. Gotta take an opportunity to get some good pictures after all. But it sounds like I'd be overdressed on the other nights with a tie and a sport coat, so I may have to reconsider.

Going beyond OP's question of whether it is a requirement, while it isn't a requirement, I'd still feel uncomfortable being significantly underdressed compared to the steadfast few who still choose to make a couple nights of the cruise a special, more fancy occasion. And it will frustrate me, at least a little, when I'm in a black bow tie and someone at the next table over is dressed like they're eating at Chili's. It spoils the atmosphere.

Next time I probably will choose one of the cruises where formal nights are still formal. This one's a family trip with the in-laws, and their treat.

That's just my unsolicited $.02 (and then some)

To follow on regarding lines from OP, with My Time Dining, if I have made reservations prior to cruising, what kind of wait can I expect if I show up around my reservation time?

OP, regarding fixed vs my time dining, if you're looking for fixed dining and want early seating arrange that early; from what I have read that books up rather quickly and you'd be left with only late seating or my time dining available.

Separately, from my experience with booking reservations for My Time Dining for my sailing coming up next week, we made our reservations on the Cruise Planner a couple of months ago, and the available times were already rather limited. Not sure if that was because they save some of the reservation times for people to book once onboard or if they were simply booked up.

I got a medium latte every morning with my refreshment package. The frozen coffee and tea drinks were also available. I read somewhere that smoothies were included. I really enjoyed the package.

 

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On the topic of beverage packages and coffee, will they throw in an extra shot or two of espresso if you ask for it with a latte? Or if you're drinking espresso straight, is there a maximum number of espresso shots they'll give you at once? I typically get a quad espresso if I'm drinking espresso. Borrowing this thread so I don't have to start a new thread for related topic...

Do they serve lobster late in the cruise so they're serving lobsters to lobsters? ;p

This is great info. Glad you're documenting your MDR meals. Lot of words on this board on the quality of RCI MDR meals, but little photographic evidence, and the abysmal descriptions appear to be mostly exaggerated. Looking forward to being on Allure in ten days. Thanks for taking the time to post while on vacation.

Check to see if a Dreamworks breakfast is held on your ship if he's a child.

I laughed hard at this. Was this commentary on the lack of maturity of some of us husbands out there?

A great review with a very positive perspective. His expressed point of view may frame the way I look at things on my upcoming cruise.

Craft beer is practically nonexistent on RC. Sierra Nevada is mass market, certainly not craft. And Red Stripe? That's as common as a Heineken.

Being a beer nerd (snob?) I have to step in on any discussion that discusses what "craft" is and isn't. Sierra Nevada was listed as producing ~1.25million barrels annually, and the brewer's association defines craft as producing less than 6million barrels annually (< 3% of US market share), so they have some more room to grow before they're no longer craft. The definition of craft beer as it relates to volume has been revised several times, purportedly with the goal of keeping the largest craft brewer (Sam Adams) in the "craft" beer category.

That being said, Sierra Nevada PA is a refreshing step up from the otherwise abysmal selection available no matter whether you'd consider it craft or not. It is too bad, given the growing appreciation for a greater variety of beer styles (pale ales, IPAs, etc) that the selection onboard RCI ships (and most cruise ships in general) is limited typically to mass market Pilsners (Heine), light American lagers (BMC), and island beer (Red Stripe).

Find me at Bow and Stern if you want to discuss. I'll be rapidly depleting their supply of Stone IPA with my deluxe drink package.

"First drink is on us" or some such something.

That's an excellent deal!

If my MIL got the same offer I'm going to encourage her to take it. I need the adjoining rooms for my kids, but having grandma and grandpa close at hand is a "nice to have" that is easily trumped by gaining indirect access to a balcony for the family...

I got an email from the upsell fairy as well. In my case we're in a large interior, and offer is for an ocean view balcony for $50. Unfortunately, I'm not sailing alone; we have a block of 3 staterooms, two connecting for me, my wife and kids, and the grandparents next door. I doubt they have three adjacent OV they'd offer, so I'll pass.

One complication I had with booking my reservations for My Time Dining was that there were only two times offered (5:30 and 8). Aligns with early seatings and late seatings if I'm not mistaken. A little frustrating when I book a 5pm show and then have to wait until 8 to eat if I'm trying to eat in MDR that night. I have a 3 yr old, and the 8 seating will interfere with his bed time severely. May have to take the opportunity to try another restaurant that night.

The baseball caps may work or some fun colored/patterned dress socks for when they're in their finery for meals. I'm going on a cruise soon and all of my dress socks are bright, a fun juxtaposition from my suits or slacks and sport coats,which are more conservative.

... Years ago people would look down on you if you didn't dress formal...

I still look down on those who choose to eat in the MDR without a suit or tux/gown or floor length dress on formal night. Not strictly because they don't dress up, but because they are inconsiderate of their fellow cruisers looking for a fancy night out. Seems like a great night to check out the buffet or Sorrentos if you can't be bothered to bring a suit. One should follow the dress code for the sake of their fellow passengers. To disregard such a guideline is classless and rude. Especially when there are other options. [/rant]

Share your drink package benefits with someone else.

What happens if you share your drink package benefits with someone else? Asking for a friend...

I am going on a cruise with a 3 yr old and 9 mo old in April, stopping in Nassau, St Thomas and St Maarten. Taking into account closures due to last year's hurricanes, what are some toddler friendly excursions any of you would recommend?

In St Thomas, was originally going to do the Blackbeard's Castle walking tour, but that fort is still closed from what I can tell.

Since this thread was revived anyway, anyone have insight on the loaner bag of toys OP mentioned? Bringing a 3 yr old and 9 mo old on Allure soon. Hadn't read anything about that in official material on RCI website.

You are right Todd, and again, I wore my Navy Dress Whites one cruise on formal night. I never bought a drink for myself that night... just sayin' ;):D

I am looking forward to wearing my Dinner Dress Blue Jacket on my cruise in a month. I have only worn it once prior. Been deployed for the last 2 Navy Balls and other dressy events.

Was originally considering getting a tux, but why get a tux when I already have the equivalent?

As far as wear of the uniform on a cruise ship - for all military it is against regs! I don't do it, and I don't recognize those who do - flagrant violation.

DaKa, just curious where this comes from. The only ref I've seen cited regarding formal uniforms not being allowed on cruises is the Army reg against retired/veterans from wearing uniforms outside of official military functions.

I am active duty Navy, and there is a decided absence of any regulation prohibiting wear of uniform to non-military functions. The closest thing is in Navy Uniform Regulations paragraph 1401.3.5:

Other Than Official Events. A commanding officer may authorize wearing the uniform when assured that the service member is not appearing in uniform at the particular event, to promote privately held convictions or interests, or lead the observers to believe that the demonstration, assembly, or activity does not relate to matters in public controversy.

As for the discussion on retired/vets, further reading on my part found DODI 1334.01 Wearing the Uniform, which limits wear for those no longer on active duty to military functions and parades, as well as travel to and from:

3.2. Former members of the Armed Forces, unless under another provision of this Instruction or under the terms of Section 772 of title 10, United States Code (reference (d)), who served honorably during a declared or undeclared war and whose most recent service was terminated under honorable conditions may wear the uniform in the highest grade held during such war service only on the following occasions and in the course of travel incident thereto:

 

 

3.2.1. Military funerals, memorial services, weddings, and inaugurals.

 

 

3.2.2. Parades on National or State holidays; or other parades or ceremonies of a patriotic character in which any Active or Reserve United States military unit is taking part.

 

 

3.2.3. Wearing of the uniform or any part thereof at any other time or for any other purposes is prohibited.

The same instruction only prohibits uniform wear for active duty when it might cause a conflict of interest (protests, rallies, unofficial speaking events, when it could bring discredit on armed forces, etc).