OKC Cruisers

Yeah I saw that, but the boys were never told it wasn't included. It was a can and the boys would tip it ino a big glass. They mostly got it from the pig and whistle

 

Deidre.

Well, it seems then that the answer here is, "There is no definitive answer." Like most things on cruise ships, the only thing that is consistent from one ship to another is inconsistency! ;)

Now all they need to do is figure out a convenient and affordable way to get people from the airport to Galveston if they're not flying in the day of the cruise, and figure out how to let people rent or return rental cars in Galveston on the weekend.

 

Compared to Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, or Boston, sailing out of Galveston is a pain in the neck.

And right you are! Fortunately, we are one of those that can drive to Galveston...even though it's an 8.5 hour trip. I am surprised by the fact that there is not a car rental drop off that is open daily at or near the cruise terminal in Galveston. This seems like a "no brainer" to me! While there are private van and limo services, the distance to the airports is considerable (especially Bush International). Hey, Hertz or Avis or Dollar or Enterprise or Budget or Frank's Rent A Wreck, if you read this, you're missing out on some revenue!

Hi, Pete and Gina, it's good to see your names.

Someone who lives in Galveston or Houston confirmed that there was an article in the newspaper. The Port/City of Galveston signed an agreement to be sailing

a RC ship "larger than the Voyager" out of Galveston for 5 years...

 

Cruzin Lady. Aka Carolynn

Hey there Carolynn! Hope you guys are doing well! Yes, I had read that and like I said, we had heard several months ago from some shop owners we have come to know on the Strand that the deal was in the works. Will be interesting to see what ship Royal decides to reposition to home port in Galveston! My big hope is for some new itineraries. One can only go so many times to all the same places before it loses its sense of adventure. We would love to see some 10 day or longer Southern or Eastern Caribbean cruises just to shake things up.

Well, it seems the consensus from all the many different rumors that I have seen is that it will be a Freedom Class ship that makes its way to Galveston. I had heard this rumor as much as two months ago from some people who live in Galveston and had heard this being discussed by the port authorities.

But then, we all know how these things play out! It's all just conjecture until we see the ship pulling in!! :D

Hmmm, interesting. There is another thread asking the same question about Foster's Oil Can, which everyone agrees is excluded from all packages. In that thread, another person posted that Guiness was also excluded when he was on his cruise. Here's the thread:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1980676

I have seen Royal's website where the menu for Sabor is posted, and it says "Sample Menu." I am hoping that this means that the menu we've all seen is not the complete one that will be available. The sample menu only has a few items listed on it and I cannot imagine that Royal would ask for $25 pp and then provide that limited amount of fare.

We'll be on NOS Feb 23rd, so I guess I'll find out soon enough...

I would also hope that, along with a larger terminal, that there will be adequate staff for it. It seems to me that the disembarkation process in the RC terminal is always soooo much slower than the disembarkation in the Carnival terminal. Been told several times it's due to fewer CBP Officers to staff the check stations. Don't know how true that is, but I've been through both terminals several times and the Royal side always is S-L-O-W.

Perfect, and thanks for the heads up about outside the gate. We are on NCL, with an 8am to 6pm stop, was thinking about hitting the little crafts market outside of the gates, but don't want to deal with a lot of stress to do it on a vacation.

Don't let that deter you from the straw market directly outside the Tourism Village...yes, they can seem a little aggressive, but they are actually quite polite if you politely tell them, "No, thanks." Just be aware of your surroundings and keep a smile on your face. Don't wander too far from the Village and if you become uncomfortable, head back inside the gates.

You bet...in fact their website lists a cruise ship schedule. If I read it correctly, they have an excursion which you book through Carnival and they pick you up from your ship, no need to tender into the Tourism Village and then water taxi to the island. No such mention of Royal Caribbean or any other cruise line, though. I was hoping for it since we are going on Navigator of the Seas the last week of February and still haven't decided what to do there.

My son just returned yesterday from a cruise on Magic to Belize and we have been there twice before. Not really any All Inclusives in Belize like Nachi, etc. He asked some locals and they told him to go to "Old Belize." Took a taxi there ($15 pp) and found the place. $10 pp to enter. He said that it was fairly nice...small beach, has a restaurant and bar...big water slide, small zipline and a swing out over the water. Little pricey for not being AI, but he said they had a good time...stayed about 3 hours. I googled "Old Belize" and found several good reviews and lots of photos. You might check it out.

There are some excursions to various islands and cayes that abound around the barrier reef. Most of them do not have "beaches" so to speak. The currents and storms tend to erode the beaches quickly here. But some of them have nice facilities for just lounging in the sun, kayaking, snorkeling, etc. Many provide lunch and have cash bars available.

Remember...Belize is a Tender Port, you do not dock. The ship will anchor about 7 miles out, so the tender ride can be long. The lines at the Tourism Village for tenders starts to get long as you get closer to time to depart, so take all that into consideration with whatever you do there. Have fun!

I am not a huge fan of credit cards, especially when they are used irresponsibly. However, I just had mine mailed to me today. The incentives seem pretty good if your a fan of Royal.

 

Fellow card holders, please give me some hints on how to maximize my points. I plan on using it sometimes, then paying it off immediately.

 

:D

Here is one thing we did: We pay almost all of our normal bills online nowadays, so we would use the card to pay our electric, water, natural gas, and cable bills. We had the money for these normal monthly expenses anyway and we would make sure that the card was paid off monthly and carry no balance. This allowed us to rack up some extra points quickly.

The card can be a great benefit if you are disciplined and use it wisely! We have never paid interest and have gotten 2 $500 discounts on cruises past!

It's 2 - 750 ml bottles per stateroom in which registered guests are of legal drinking age. We always take ours in the carry on luggage. Now, when we have checked in at the pier, we have always been directed to a table set up inside the security check in area where they ask to see the wine. We always bring our own corkscrew...once asked our steward for one and he had a hard time finding one available.

Yep, they have several different package plans. Sorry I can't tell exactly what they are, we haven't used them. There is a link to photo packages on Royal's website once you have logged in to your reservation.

Agreed...as it is now, the app is fairly useless. It needs some serious updating to make it a much more complete app...and being able to log in and bring up your reservations would be great!

We were at Nachi the first week of November. Wife got a massage...don't remember the price, but it was low...she loved it, said the massage therapist was good (and she knows, our daughter and DIL are both professional massage therapists). One thing, she got bit by some sand fleas in the area by the massage canopy. We had no problem on the beach itself, but when she came back from the massage, she found the bites.

Can't give you advice on which company to use as we have never done it, but can tell you that you will not have any trouble finding one...there are multiple rental places right at the piers!

I would LOVE if they put Mama Mia production on one of their ships. That would work for me!!!!!

 

They once had the Abba tribute band Abbacadabra (something like that) onboard one of the Caribbean sailings. We all walked out, they were horrible..

Well, fall in LOVE, Mamma Mia! will be the Broadway show on Quantum.

Well, after posting my response, THEN I noticed you are from Scotland...so, I do not know what Royal does in the European market. My apologies for not paying closer attention.

Pete

Generally speaking, Royal does "WOW" sales about once a quarter, though they have not done one, YET, this quarter. They are really not "sales" in the classic sense. They offer reduced deposits and On Board Credit.

Other then that, they will often run other promotions, such as "Free" upgrades or something similar from time to time. Don't know if it's true, but rumor has it that the next "WOW" sale is next week.

Pete

Glad I found this thread. DW is an Army Brat who spent her "formative" years in Panama. For her 50th Birthday we are planning a full transit canal cruise, so looking forward to your live reports so I can get "the skinny" on all the things to do (or not to do!).

Pete

Thanks for the review! We'll be getting on Triumph Nov 4th...can't wait! Oh, and we, too, have had our car invaded by ants while parked during a cruise!!

Wife and I did Altun Ha last year. There is a fairly long walk from parking area to the ruins, but it is fairly level. The area between the actual buildings is a large, level grassy square, but there is little shade, so take that into account as well. There is stairs to the top of the main structure, but it is a VERY steep and uneven climb. The more adventurous in your party could climb up while those who can't can wander along the base. And as another poster stated, there is a "straw market" area at the entrance.

Pete

Personally I would not have accepted this situation. You paid for the upgrade..once they charged you and you paid... in my opinion this is a binding contract and should have been upheld...let them take the deal back from someone else!!

Ah, yes. But lest we forget..the cruise ticket contract we all accept says, "The cruise line is always right and the passenger is always wrong," doesn't it? :D

Pete

The above website is for New York. Any suggestions?

Actually, that website is correct. The company, "MOHO Chocolate" is in New York but gets their cacoa beans from Moho River Cacoa Company in Belize. The photo on the MOHO Chocolate website is of the store in the Tourist Village (I think). Another website: http://mohorivercacao.tumblr.com/ is for the bean supplier. Unfortunately, none of these websites speak directly about the location at the Tourist Village in Belize City.

I have purchased 2 watches on board ships. The first was a Movado which I purchased on a Carnival ship. I got a great price...but less than a year later, I found the exact watch at Sam's Club for $150 less. On Voyager last year, I bought a Citizen Eco-Drive. I have scoured the stores stateside and the internet, and have yet to find it priced lower than what I paid on board. Like others have said, do your homework, know what you want and what the retail prices are...knowledge is power.

Pete