ballarinamom

On 10/13/2022 at 12:37 PM, mom2tcdx2 said:

I gotta say, I could never get my kids to be asleep by 9 pm.  No idea how parents manage, if a kid isn't tired how do you force them to sleep?  My grandson is often up till at least 9:30 or 10 (he just turned 3).  I see quite a bit that he will be out and about later on a cruise (just as he was at WDW).  I can't imagine not being able to take him into some areas as well, as there is no reason that we adults can't have a drink and he still be able to join us?  I am not looking to be clubbing, but being able to be out and about but still order drinks, etc.   

There’s late night kids programs and sitters. That’s what we always looked for when we booked cruises when we had younger ones. Now we look for the dance clubs for them as they are now 21. 

On 8/9/2022 at 1:43 PM, Despegue said:

Then in reality, Carnival and all other Cruiselines,  including Celebrity ( not known for it’s child friendly cruises) are more child friendly than the Mouse line. Ridiculous to be honest but alas, we will see what we decide.

We took our now 21 year old daughter on her first cruise at 2.5 years old on Norwegian. She has taken dance classes since she was 2 and still teaches dance classes. So a big fan of music and dancing. So I can relate. She was not allowed in any bar after 9:00.  We have taken many cruises with her and her friends on Carnival and Royal and they also do not allow kids in the bars/ discos after a posted time. As someone who has been on both ends, I support this rule. These are not places a young child should be and as an adult I don’t want little ones in there either. However, we did find small venues that had live music where she could dance and have fun. It will be fine and everyone will have a great time 

On 1/8/2023 at 1:27 PM, cruiseboy89130 said:

Just awful without the classics!

We just looked back at the menus they sold back in the 90's. 3 juices,  2-3 apps, 2 salads, 2-3 soups, 5 entrees and three desserts with one being sugar free. So the "classics" are relatively "new' additions

We ordered the 50 digital photopass prior to sailing. We selected our 50 onboard. We received a link that included all of the photos we took some with a watermark and some not. It says 50 were selected. Will we receive a separate link with just the 50 we selected?

We were not on the Allure but on the Explorer last week. We had two sea days and both sea days each had private times from all of the activities. For the flowrider, our daughter and her friend were the only two on for first scheduled time. So pretty much a private session. There was also a private ice skate time which was great. And the Chops meal at embarkation was amazing as was the quiet breakfast at debarkation. The Key seating area was also a great thing to have for the ice skating show as the general seating filled up early. Hope that helps

6 hours ago, European_CruiseGirl said:

I have 8 of them. Very convenient. 4 for bags, 4 for keys. No more ”where did I put”… 😅

 

They usually work ok. Once, when we were flying out from our local airport, one of our airtags (and hence luggage) stubbournly showed as being at home even though we knew for sure we checked in the bag just 30mins ago and it did have an airtag in it. For some reason that particular airtag updated its’ location only once we were abroad… no idea why 🤷🏼‍♀️ Sometimes the location update can lag but usually they work very nicely. So I wouldn’t call them 100% accurate all of the time but accurate enough 😊

Agreed. We had them on our luggage and it showed they were on a huge area. We did get a good proximity, just a huge area as to where they were. I guess it would be ok if by some chance we left it in a taxi or something. .We also have one on our dog and its not as precise as we were hoping

2 hours ago, cruiseguy1016 said:

Advance reservations are not required for shows on Explorer so it's unlikely you'll seem in the app. If you go into the app you can look at the current sailing to see what shows are being offered. That will be a good indication of what will be offered on your cruise in 2 weeks.

Thanks. We're in that weird in between schedule. a Five day wedged between the 7 day ABC itinerary. Hard to find info on the transitioning stuff

15 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Very likely none of them will show up, except maybe the ice show once you are on board.

Thank you. Who will we know when they are? 

Going on the Explorer January 2- 5 night cruise. The app has activities loaded into the planner but none of the Shows are showing yet. We are two weeks away and just wondering what to expect schedule wise for the ice show and other stage shows

TIA

Will be on the Explorer January 2. Just wondering when the decorations will start coming down? 

1 hour ago, taglovestocruise said:

Wow are you out of touch.  This is what I get at JR on the ship and free standing JR prices from the local mall.

Rocket dog double= 10.99

onion rings =  6.99

bowl of chili 6.99

ice tea = 3.29

 ice cream Sunday = 3.29

A whopping $31.55 before taxes 

 And as a bonus the JR on the ship is unlimited food.  That being said we now choose Play Makers when available. 

Not out of touch. We have a Johnny Rockets at our local theme park and thats what I pay for a burger, fries and drink. .If we buy the meal package with our season passes its free. Just ate there this weekend when we went to look at Christmas lights

11 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

Here is a sample of what it looked like in October. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you! Thats kind of what I was thinking! 

Just now, Ret MP said:

I just checked the price of a Johnny Rocket's burgers at stand along venues.  Depending on the location and the burger you order, the price for a burger alone can be as much as ~$11.99 and that doesn't include any sides.  Just say'in.  

We have one in my town where you can get a combo including fries and drinks for $11.99. many have the drink packages that would give a free milkshake or even just a soda. As we are all paying for he cruise fare, this price seems like retail. 

Since there's been so many discussions over the food on RCL, I thought I would add to the mix. Its been forever since we've been to Labadee. I know they don't have a lot of choices for dining at lunch. I'm assuming the food is relatively the same with the exception of the suite area. We will Not be in a suit this trip. Any insight would be appreciated. 

32 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

Just to be clear, as stated in my OP, I'm not comparing burger to burger.  I'm dissatisfied with Guy's lack of full service, having to go to the BlueIguana for a drink and my experience is that it is almost always very busy and a long line to get a drink as Guy's is only open for Lunch and that's the busiest time of the day for that area. And waiting on servers to get a drink is/can be a long wait, too.  My wife or I had to go to the bar or elsewhere to get a drink, or bring one with us, and the fix'ins island is an issue for us.  I'm happy to pay an upcharge for full service.   BTW, I've had to wait in line at Guy's for up to a half hour to get a burger as it is a very popular venue and is only open for lunch/limited hours.  And yes, to be honest, JRs can be busy and a wait for a seat is possible.  But, it isn't a wait in a long line. 

 

I respect your and other's opinions.  You like what you like and I like what I like.  I'm not trying to turn you or anybody else away from anything, as someone is trying to say I am.  I'm just stating what my observations are and explain why.  

My point was not say I prefer either. But $12.99 per person is more than what a free standing Johnny rockets would cost. They need to be better. Regardless of wait, service, etc with Guys, it is tasty and its included

I dont think its fair to compare Johnny rockets with Guys. Guys is included where as Johnny rockets is $12.99. Guys is meant to be a grab and go set up, as is, the Blue Iguana. Guys is always next to a bar with bar service. We never had to go get a drink while our burger got cold. The bar service would bring us what we wanted. If two people go to Johnny rockets, that's $25 additional while Guys is still included in the fare. For what you pay at Rockets, it needs to be better or be included or a lower price point 

2 minutes ago, ONECRUISER said:

The irony is when Pay Rest first opened on Royal in late 90's the $5 or $10 Cover at Johnny R, Chops, ect was the Gratuity, and was no additional 18% either

I remember those days. I think the most we paid was $15 on NCL for their steakhouse and $10 on the Grandeur

24 minutes ago, Liljo22 said:

Yes.  RCI charges 18% when you purchase pre-cruise.  Its up to you if you feel like you want to tip more.  

 

Same with the drink package.  Its up to you about tipping additional.  I will usually tip a bartender at the end if they give really great service.  On the Liberty, Ben in the Star Lounge made it a point to remember everyone's name and their usual drink.  Didn't have to tell him what I wanted when I walked up.  He was already making it.  

Thanks! That's what I thought. We usually tip extra. especially when we get the package on sale. Just didnt want to assume it was included and short these hard workers

Just wanted to confirm since its been a while. We are not on UDP. We purchased Chops for our cruise. Is the gratuity included? We usually leave additional gratuity but didn't want to short or leave too much if it is/isn't included. We also have the drink package so I'm assuming that gratuity is covered if we sty in guidelines.

11 minutes ago, brillohead said:

Freedom, Symphony, and Oasis are using Terminal A.

Explorer and Grandeur are using Terminal G.

 

 

Awesome! I 'll know to look for the tents of terminal G! Thanks!

18 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

Your terminal number will be in your Cruise Documents (bottom of the first page), which will come out about 30 days before your cruise.  

 

Miami is a madhouse, and you do not want to wait until you arrive /count on signs.  Why?  Because by the time you see the signs, it's too late to get into the right lane.  Those Miami drivers are aggressive!  Madhouse, I tell you.  

 

We were on Explorer (out of Miami) recently.  We sailed out of an older terminal (can't remember the number), while Symphony sailed out of the new, fancier terminal.  

Yes! We've cruised out of Miami a few times. But there are so many more terminals and ships now it gets crazy!

7 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

I once had an Uber driver get lost.  It's a good idea for YOU to watch for the signs, and the turn indications.  😉 

5 minutes ago, Magicat said:

Actually our Uber driver did get lost and didn't listen to our instructions.  He was more interested at yelling at Florida drivers than driving. 😂

Its so easy for us to get distracted by the big, pretty ships! LOL! 

1 minute ago, Merion_Mom said:

In case it's NOT at G, as Magicat wrote, don't worry.  There are giant overhead signs at POM that tell you where each ship is.  🙂 

Thanks. I do remember the big signs from our last cruise out of Miami. But it was Norwegian and we were at the Incontinental and could see our ship. I worry about Uber drivers not knowing where to go. We'll just have to pay attention

I saw someone post G. I was hoping for the new terminal and would have probably headed that way! LOL! We have the Key. How was regular checkin and boarding? 

Its been a while since we've cruised from the POM. More ports and more ships than last time. How will we know which terminal to go to? Its not on our boarding info or in the app. We'll be on the Explorer for the January 2 sailing