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2 minutes ago, CruisingJoe09 said:

Most recent update is post #1389 on Page 56.

Thank you! Most helpful.

On 9/11/2019 at 2:28 PM, leaveitallbehind said:

As mentioned, if you have cruise line sponsored OBC as part of your booking, IMO it would be better to have them paid directly on board by your on board account using their OBC to fund it.  The money is non-refundable anyway so you might as well be sure to use it up and gratuities is a good way to do that.  This would be the only reason I could think that your TA would be against prepaying.

 

If there is no OBC with your booking then my preference would be to prepay it so as to reduce the amount of on board charges to be cleared with your final bill.

 

BTW, when a TA makes a recommendation such as this and if it is not clear as to why, I would ask what their reasoning is to be sure it would be clear.  After all it is the expenditure of your money on which they are advising.

 

I did ask him and he said he advises against it because then we can adjust it if service is not satisfactory.  If paid in advance then you're paying for service you haven't received yet. Well, we would never adjust our amount down to less anyway, but I wondered if anyone here had any other reason why it would make sense to do so.

Since I can't read through 58 pages on this thread can someone tell me if the list of CDs on the first page is up to date as of what we know now?  Thank you.

These folks are great.

http://www.ridesas.com/

Other than having it paid for in advance of your cruise, what are the advantages if any, of prepaying? Not sure whether or not to do that or have it billed to our account each day while we are cruising. Are there any disadvantages to doing that? My travel agent advised against prepaying. Any thoughts? Thanks

I'm enjoying your review so much. We just got off Apr 5. There were no raisons in the apple pie. My husband had it every night. Yes, the new menu does rush you. I thought the choices were fewer. Only 2-3 different items in each category as well. We loved Orlando on the entertainment staff. Is he still there? I heard he was leaving soon. Looking forward to the rest of your posts. Thank you!

Hi All,

I was on this cruise as well, and as far as Big Bob goes...we were calling him Big Boob after a few days (and we're in our 60s). We thoroughly enjoyed any activity Orlando was in charge of. Such a wonderful asset to the ship. He just has a marvelous way of getting people involved and so quick with a funny comment all the time. I wish he was the CD. We went to watch the dance classes he ran just to see him interact with guests. He is a true gem for RCI.

Also as far as food, I agree with the OP. The same deserts were offered every night with only 2 new items each day. Same went for appetizers and entrees had the same with about 3-4 new things. We were very disappointed that every night the only side vegetables served with every entree were under-cooked broccoli and 3 thin slices of carrots. I always asked for a baked potato, but it never occurred to me or my table mates until about 10 nights into it that we could ask for some other sides. We did, and our wonderful waiter brought us both a large plate of different things. But I think there should have been more variety and we should not have had to ask to begin with. For the most part, we liked what we got.

Can you order vegetables to go with your entree since it looks like they don't come that way? For instance could you order a baked potato and veg. medley to go with the chicken? It looks like they come with the premium items but not the "free" stuff.

Where's the movie theater? Do you have to watch outside?

Thanks for your photos of the menus and the food. We'll be on in a few days. Couple questions...It looks like the desserts are the same every night with only 2 different ones added. Is that correct? Also, the portions of the entrees appear to be very small...are they? Or is it just how they photograph? I'm thinking I'd have to go to Windjammer afterwards to eat more.Ha! Are there a lot more dessert options in Windjammer?

First of all, I thank those of you who offered me genuine advise, information and good wishes. I appreciate it so much. For those of you who suggested that I am trying to get money from RCI, I resent that. I have no notion to start a lawsuit. It was an honest question that I didn't know the answer to. I posted a genuine question that I am legitimately concerned about, hoping for respectful replies. Silly me. First of all I got my information about the things that are broken directly from RCI, not hearsay. The engine issue does not concern me. I thought I had made that clear...maybe not. I merely mentioned it because it happens to be a broken item. I thought this forum was for respectful helpful advice. Someone suggested staying off social media. I thought that's what this was. Since I don't know how to delete posts here, I will turn off notifications for it, so say what you will. Glad I'm not cruising with some of you.

If a ship (Grandeur) has something not functioning (stabilizer) properly and I don't want to go and be sick most of the time, do I have the right to a refund? It also has an engine that is broken and in need of repair. The repairs will not be made until after our cruise. People who have just returned on her have stated that many were sick including crew and performers. Shows were cancelled. People who have cruised frequently said it was far worse than anything they had experienced. Since Grandeur goes back and forth along the east coast, this is a huge problem. I'm very worried about leaving on Saturday. I do use scopalomine patches, but I'm afraid under these circumstances, they won't work. Thoughts? Thank you!

Can someone tell me how much the taxi is per person to and from Magens Bay Beach from the port (Charlotte Amalie)? Thanks!!

If Bob is leaving at the end of March, what does that mean for my cruise which leaves 3/24 and returns 4/5? The end of march is in the middle of the cruise. I wonder if they will switch before or after.

Forgot to mention how wonderful sailing out of Baltimore is. Super convenient and organized. You're on the ship in about 45 min. Parking $15/day

We've done both Pride and Grandeur out of Baltimore. We've been happy on both. There are small differences between cruiselines, but nothing major. Some say Grandeur is an older crowd, but I think in June when school is out, there are plenty of youngsters. It's been about 10 years since we did Grandeur, so things may have changed. We are sailing her in a month, so I will find out!

We enjoyed the Cape Canaveral excursion when we were there on Pride a few years ago. Would enjoy it again.

I heard Bob will be leaving end of March. Anyone know exactly when? Our cruise is 3/24-4/5. Wondering who we'll have.

Thanks

We'll be on this cruise on March 24. Since it's over Easter break I'm thinking the crowd may be a bit more on the young side, not sure. We're 64 & 70 but on the "young side"! We've only cruised during summer months in the past, so it will be interesting to see how we like it with fewer young people around. Could go either way I think.

Anyway, I was wondering of all the islands take U.S. currency. I don't want to use credit cards on the islands if I don't have to.

Thanks!

Ok...I guess I did all that before the 48 day mark. I guess that's why I never got that email from RCI. I filled out info and printed set sail pass right after final payment. Haven't sailed royal for about 10 years so I wasn't sure. Thanks

Just saw this thread and wondered what you are referring to as "cruise documents". Do you mean the Set Sail Pass? Are they the same thing? Do I need to print anything else out other than luggage tags? Thanks

Is it possible to get a beverage that is included as free to all cruisers (water, iced tea, lemonade) at a bar, theater or other lounge where they serve drinks outside of the Windjammer or dining room? Also, are they the only beverages that would be counted as free? Thanks

Do they ask if you are sick? If you tell the truth, say you have a cold or upset tummy, do they forbid you from boarding? If so, who would tell the truth? There must be lots of people on every cruise who are sick in some way when they board.

I heard it was OPP level 3. Not sure it is the worst one but it is a bad one and the crew have to work significantly overtime to sanitize the ship, serve food etc. Add that to the technical problems, and it seems like the ship from hell at the moment.

Sorry...What does OPP stand for?

Question - do you also have any similar symptoms when flying?

 

The reason I ask is that there is seasickness is really a misnomer.

 

There IS something called motion sickness.

 

The symptoms are the same for the unfortunate folks who travel in cars, buses, trains, airplanes, or cruise ships. The medications that seem to help address the symptoms vary - but Ginger-based products are reported to have a good deal of success.

Thank you. I don't have a problem in cars, buses, or trains. Once in a while I have problems in planes, but Dramamine works for that. It just seems to be on the ocean where I have the most trouble. I can be on boats in rivers with no problem.

Hi All,

I often have trouble with seasickness. Before finding the Scop patch I tried Bonine, Dramamine and ginger capsules. Those did not work for me but the patch worked. I just heard about MotionEaze and I wondered what you all thought. Maybe I won't need the patch this time. I'm sailing on Grandeur in March. I would appreciate hearing your experiences.

Thanks!