minn0315

In my opinion the value is in the fact that you can see your food being prepared fresh in front of you. It is hot, just off the grill.

In the WJ, those burgers were cooked who knows when and sit under heat lamps. No so with JR.

When we were in Croatia we went to a McDonalds for a soft drink. They accepted my US dollars but gave me change in their own currency.

Your welcome :)

I guess that Pinnacle doesn't guarantee correct grammar. You're welcome.

We always buy the trip cancellation/interruption insurance through our TA. In addition to that we purchase a yearly policy with MedJet, they provide for medical evacuation from anywhere in the world to the hospital of your choice back in the USA.

We were on Adventure this past March 2016, sailing from San Juan. Only Numbers 5 and 10 are correct.

We live in the Twin Cities and fly out of MSP. We were on Adventure a couple of months ago, March 2016. We flew from MSP to ATL, changed planes then on to San Juan. Returning after the cruise is a non-stop from SJU to MSP, but only on Saturdays.

I watched those flight prices like a hawk, every single day and usually twice a day at different times, for six solid months, before finally booking 5 months out. Generally coach was close to $700 and first class was $1200. It did fluctuate one day, about 6:00 am on a Saturday in October, for first class went down to $850. We jumped on that one.

Since your will have "Sky" privileges staying in a Grand suite, you will have full access to the Suites lounge on Deck 17 and Coastal Kitchen on 17, as well as the private sun deck on 17.

Therefore, my opinion is to get a higher deck, closer to the aft elevator banks. Up for the lounge, and down for MDR.

We will be in a Crown Loft Suite, 1710, in February 2017. Just one step above the Grand suites.

I always buy the Premium package. This is my rational: If you have two glasses of a decent wine with lunch, and two with dinner, that is $12.00 X 4 = $48.00 plus tips basically reaches the package price. Everything before, after or in between is gratis.

We were on Allure May 15 sailing. Grand suite 11654. Sofa bed is very good size and actually more comfortable than the regular beds. They should do fine.

Last year we had purchased a premium package on Navigator. I purchased and paid for the drinks about 14 months before the cruise. (I know, I know, I was giving them 14 months use of my money for free.) However, when we checked in at the terminal, the person checking us in told us that we have been given a complimentary upgrade to the Ultimate package. (We are diamond and always stay in Grand suites and above; don't know if that made any difference. It didn't happened again on Adventure in March or Allure in May.)

We don't drink coffee, etc. So the only additional perk for us was fresh squeezed orange juice in the morning in Chops.

RE: Comedy Club and Blaze. Off Allure 5/22. They are separate. Each is in their original place. No changes. Highly suggest reservations for Comedy, even if in Grand Suites and above.

If the OP is so upset about this, then the simple answer is to stay in Grand Suites or higher. We are also Diamond and that C&A level doesn't cut it for priority in the terminal when leaving Port Everglades. It is genuine suites. Also Junior Suites are not really what RCI means by "suites".

Off Allure on 5/22, Grand Suite, escorted by suites concierge, suites only baggage area, suites only security line. Less than 9 minutes from leaving the ship to the curb in a taxi.

Remember that they serve lunch on sea days. The famous lasagna is usually only available at lunch. The price is about one half of the dinner charge.

If we eat there for lunch, we are stuffed and have no room for dinner that evening.

Do you change to local (Central ) time zone today in Cozumel, or stay on ship's (Eastern) time?

When we were dining at Chops in March, there was a statement at the bottom of our guest check, something to this effect: "Your waiter receives a small gratuity for your service. Please feel free to add a gratuity to show your appreciation for the service you received this evening".

We also tip as if we were land based, because, like Bob, in our opinion these specialty waiters don't get the shared pool tips like MDR.

I tip 20% of the bill. I enjoy the experience and the service.

On Navigator a young boy asked about pirates. His father then asked if they had a jail cell (brig) on the ship. The answer was yes. The father then asked have you ever used it. Captain did not hesitate: "YES!".

Thanks to all for your responses.

We have been on many RCI ships staying in Grand Suites or above. On most ships there is special suite seating near the swimming pools. Is this not the case with Oasis class?

We do know about the suite sun deck and bar on deck 17, but this is not next to a pool.

We just received an email from Ana Jimenez our concierge on our Allure cruise departing this week, May 15. There is no mention of the complimentary happy hour in the suite lounge serving alcohol each evening.

Item line six states "Bar service is available from 11:00 am - 11:00 pm in the Suite Lounge, serving a wide array of beverages for purchase."

The next line states "A selection of complimentary wine, champagne, beer and soft drinks is available from 11:00 am - 11:00 pm in the Suite Lounge."

So does this mean that I can't get a complimentary evening rum and coke during 5 - 8:30 pm as we used to in the Concierge Lounge on other ships?

Spookwife, rather jugemental aren't we? To declare anyone who joys some drinks (more than what you deem normal) as being stupid is a very judgy McJudgerson don't you think? For YOU perhaps that is too much, but each person is different and has a different tolerance. The prior posters drink breakdown seems rather typical for many vacationers. It is easy to hit a 6 drink daily mark, especially on sea days... And in no way to I think this 6 drink thingy is true, otherwise there would be a huge uproar! Now 6 drinks in an hour? THEN we would be talking!

In my personal opinion, Spookwife has always had an attitude of judgement. The mixed drinks are so weak, containing far less alcohol than land based bars. In my estimation it takes three RCI rum and cokes to equal one on land.

I don't think people in Junior Suites should NOT complain. They pay a LOT LESS than those in Grand Suites and above.

RCI asks, "What have you done for us on THIS cruise?" Staying in a JS and expecting higher perks is ridiculous!

The woman in St. Croix wanting my passport was in a TSA uniform. (Makes sense, USVIs are US territories, using TSA agents.) So maybe it was my "non-compliant" Minnesota drivers license that triggered the passport issue. But the printed materials you get the night before you arrive in a foreign port may state that you need a passport to return to the pier and the ship.

We sailed out of San Juan last month on Adventure; southern Caribbean; two USVI, Antigua, St. Lucia and Grenada. The Cruise Compass and the Port Shopping Guides will often state that you need to take your passport with you when going ashore on "some" islands.

The tightest security was when we were going back to the ship in St. Croix, a USVI! They wanted my passport to pass through the gate to the pier, my driver's license was not sufficient. My experience...

When you go to make entertainment reservations for Momma Mia, the description will show the length.

Two years ago we went on Royal from Venice to Croatia. Turkey, and two Greek islands: Santorini and Katacolon.

We flew into Venice two days early and fell in love with the city. Our next favorite on the trip was Santorini.

Great itinerary, and I agree with Bob that they may limit large cruise ship in Venice in the future.