Mum2Mercury

I thought the Labradoozie was special because it was only available in one place.

Do we know this? If all the cars are connected to the main system, it seems to me that a problem could knock out all the elevators ... and if the keyboard goes out, all the elevators in that area will go out. Definitely! I'm not planning to sail Icon any time soon, but I'm interested in how things work. Totally agree! I mostly try to avoid the elevators -- exercise, you know. But I do use them when I'm carrying something or when I'm wearing heels. Of course, the opposite of this is that you'll watch a single person get on the elevator (because he's the only person who wants a ride to Deck 9) while you're still waiting. With the old system, you could've joined that ride and could've gone on up to Deck 10 quickly. Perhaps you won't know where that individual is headed, so that knowledge won't be painful. Maybe. I'm interested in trying it, but -- at this moment -- all I can see is a fancy system for the sake of a fancy system. Kinda like my car's heating /cooling system. My old car had knobs. Without looking, I could reach and twist a knob to adjust the climate. My new car (same car, just newer) has a fancy system that's supposed to be better ... the two front seat passengers can set the temperature to a certain degree, and then you turn the heat /cooling on /off. But so many issues that weren't apparent at first: When I get into the car, the new, fancy system takes about 20 seconds to "start up". I have to look at the touch screen, which means taking my eyes off the road. And the touch screen doesn't respond if I'm wearing gloves. Just an analogy: fancy isn't always better.

I've been pleased with every cabin steward we've ever had. My complaint is with the system, not with any individual.

My husband decided we want evening service, so here's what bothers me: - We get up, go to breakfast, go about our day's activities or leave for an island stop ... and when we come back, our bed's still unmade, and our wet towels are still hanging in the bathroom. - The trash cans are quite small, so they may stay full all day. - We go to dinner and come back to a "refreshed room", but then we soon get into bed and mess things up again. I don't think we need two full services each day; rather, I think we need one full service each day, then a "refresh", which would just be making the bed, replacing the towels, and emptying the trash. I don't think vacuuming needs to be done every day. I'm quite happy about most things cruise-related, but I'm staying salty about this double-whammy of increased cost and reduced service.

I kinda have some experience with this, but it's not quite the same as your situation -- nothing to do with Covid: - We booked a 7-night cruise, and months later Royal reduced it to a 6-night -- something about needing that extra night, as the ship was moving to a new port. - They sent us a letter offering us three options: 1) accept the shorter cruise for whatever we'd already paid. 2) full refund. 3) transfer to another specified cruise (same week, different ship, but a different port city) without any change in price. They gave us about a month to decide, but we had a deadline. I was not happy with the situation at all, but I did think the choices were fair. You're talking about a cruise that was cancelled because of Covid -- how long ago was that? Things can't go on forever and ever.

Ocean, sand, loungers ... bring your own sand toys Pool ... with kid-oriented obstacle-course type activities Towels Pirate-themed playground Buffet lunch, ice cream, other snacks Tram rides Hammocks for naps near Chill Island Little Free Library near Chill Island Nature Trail over near South Beach Games over near South Beach

What are negative and positive heels?

How do the day /night aqua shows compare? Is one better than the other? And, in my experience, it's not as crowded as the nay-sayers claim. We can't always get a prime window-side seat, but we've never failed to get a seat. I looked up that counter seating ... nice, but Grandeur has nicer counter seating, which faces out towards the ocean. A great place to sit if you're having a solo meal. I love the roast beef sandwiches, but it's true that they're not all the same. They slice the beef in front of you, and we all know that every slice isn't going to be equally good. Good to know! Thanks for that walk-through! I enjoyed it. You did right. Down with the chair hogs!

Look out! You're likely to like it! Seriously, random thoughts about WJ for dinner: - We like going to WJ for dinner a couple times during the week ... just because the MDR every evening can get to be "too much". On the other hand, the WJ doesn't feel as special as the MDR. - It is casual. Not bathing suit casual, but shorts & tops casual. - It is quiet and fairly empty. You'll have no problem getting a prime window seat. - If you have small children, the WJ is great for dinner. The child doesn't have to sit still as long. - They usually have a theme for the evening, and those foods show up first on the buffet ... then you'll find an assortment of other foods farther on down. They almost always have either (thin) steaks or pork chops, a carving station, and often surprise items ... we enjoyed Crawdads on our last cruise! You can get more vegetables at the WJ. - They often have a special something for dessert ... a chocolate fountain, churros made to order, etc. Self-serve desserts are cut quite small, so you can have several different things.

I watched the video, and I'm definitely interested to see how this system works in person, but my initial impression is ho-hum: - I don't think the elevators were a problem in the first place. Sure, they are crowded on Embarkation and Disembarkation days, and dinner /shows can crowd them for a short time. But overall, I really don't see a problem with the "old system". Seems like a solution in search of a problem. - It seems that the new system will still have a few quirks, and we're just trading one set of issues for another. - Something no one's really mentioned: this more complex system is going to come with a higher price tag. I'm not thrilled with my cruise ticket going up to "solve" a non-existent problem. - I'm concerned that this more complex system will break more easily than a traditional elevator, and since the four (four?) elevators in an elevator bank will operate /cooperate as one item, I'm thinking that if one goes down, they'll all go down.

That could be less efficient than the current method. Say you have one person who wants to go to Deck 6 and four who want to go to Deck 8. With this new system, the single rider will go to Deck 6, making the Deck 8 riders wait ... whereas, if they'd boarded together the Deck 8 riders would have to "endure" one stop, but they'd get to Deck 8 faster. I'm sure everyone would "catch on" after the first day. That's what I'm wondering. I don't think the current system is bad, and I'm thinking this would be different for the sake of different with both good and bad.

Several thoughts about shows and entertainment: - The headliner shows usually run twice each evening ... so whether you have early or late dining, you can make the show. - If you feel you're going to run short of time, tell your waiter (politely) you're trying to finish your meal by X:00. Consider skipping dessert and going up to Windjammer Buffet after the show for dessert; their desserts are sometimes better than those in the MDR. - Do you consider movies to be "shows"? We enjoy the afternoon movie (often shown in the theater), and we sometimes pick up a drink and snack to enjoy during the show. They also offer MUTS ... Movies Under the Stars from about 5:00 pm - midnight. Earlier shows will be family-friendly, and later shows will be more interesting to adults. - Same thing is true of the comedy shows. If they offer two showings, the earlier show will be "family friendly" while the later one will be more adult-oriented. - Have you downloaded the app to your phone? As your sailing approaches, you'll be able to view exact show times (and more!) on the app. It's something I avoid. Nothing about it appeals to me. I love the Ice Show! Arrive early, as it's best enjoyed from a front row seat. Yes!

I agree that the perception of time doesn't always match up to the clock. I also agree that people tend to jump on the negative, while ignoring the positive. Thanks! I'm enjoying learning about this. Doesn't sound appealing to me (or any adult), but if you figured this out just reading this board, the teens'll probably figure it out the first evening.

I wouldn't buy it myself, but $29 seems like a fair price for what it offers.

What can't you learn from You Tube! I'll check it out.

Thoughts: - So one keypad serves "the elevator pod" of four lifts? And after you put in your desired floor, your answer pops up on the key pad? - At busy times, are people standing in line to use the keypad? Or do they have multiples? - I don't think total rider time is particularly long now, so I have trouble believing it could be reduced "significantly". Maybe I'll change my tune after I see the process. - Are you saying the system would never group two floors of riders together? You'd always have a direct ride? Seems that'd mean a shorter ride but a longer wait to get on an elevator. - Let me reword: You (a stranger) are ahead of me. Can I see that you keyed in 10th floor? I also want to go to the 10th floor. Would it be appropriate for me to stand near you and "piggyback" on your trip, or should I put in a second 10th floor request? - I'm wondering where the line begins for creepy. I mean, right now if we enter an elevator together it's not rude for the person nearest the buttons to say, "Where are you going?" - I'm sure it is intuitive, and we'll all figure it out quickly ... but since I am not going to see it soon, I appreciate those of you who are "in the know" sharing information.

Thing is, hotels aren't pushing for daily tips that add up to real money, and hotels haven't raised tips twice in the span of a year ... while cutting service in half. I do not think calling housekeeping for various things you need is fine. That IS very kind. Like you, I've never had a bad cabin steward, but on our recent cruises we have definitely missed the twice a day service. We have seen less of our cabin steward, and we have found the service to be "lesser". I don't blame the individual stewards; I blame the system that piles too much on the shoulders of the individual workers. I miss having that in the morning AND after dinner. And I remain salty about paying MORE for LESS service.

No way! Strawberry rules!

This is the first I'm hearing of this, and I don't understand a couple things: - I'm on the ship standing in the middle of four elevators ... I push the button saying I want to go to the 10th floor ... how does the system inform me of my elevator assignment? - Let's say the area is crowded. Once I know my assignment, must I push my way through saying, "Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me" to get to the one at the back? That sounds inconvenient. - I suppose the big deal is that the system optimizes the waiting passengers and puts ALL the 5th floor guests into elevator 1 and all the 10th floor guests into elevator 2? - Surely you're sometimes going to stop at 5 and then move on up to 10? - Let's say I approach the elevator area, and I want to go to the 10th floor. Will I be able to see that you (a stranger) have already pushed for the 10th floor? Would it be appropriate for me to piggyback with you, or would I need to put in a second request ... even it's going to put me into your already-requested 10th floor assignment? - I assume this is going to require a learning curve. My initial impression -- without having seen /tried the system -- is that this is a solution in search of a problem. With the exception of Embarkation and Disembarkation days, when things are a bit squirrely because of the crowds, it seems to me that the elevators work fine. That'll be a problem, but it's a problem now too. Presumably the kids would be a little less likely to hit every button outside (in plain view) ... whereas now they can hit all those buttons "in private" inside the elevator. Well, that's a problem with plain elevators now. A big family pushes the "up" button, and they take up the whole car. Problem is too strong a word.

Exactly. I personally don't value the things The Key offers: - Priority boarding, which I don't see as a big deal. If you sign up quickly, you can get the first boarding time, which will be within the same hour as those who board early with The Key. I like to be early, but I won't fight you to be first. - They'll take your carry-on and drop it in your room. IF you trust someone else to transport your electronics, medicines and jewelry. - A special lunch upon boarding. - Special set-aside times for activities like Flow-Rider, but you may not want to go at those times, and they aren't really prime-times. - Priority boarding for tenders, which is a worthwhile perk -- for the few islands that use tenders. - Special seating at shows -- though it isn't prime seating, and it isn't enforced. - Choose your departure time -- though you can do this without The Key either by using Self-Disembarkation or by going to Guest Services and saying, "I'd like this departure time". - Internet service -- IF you're going to buy internet anyway, and IF The Key is only a couple dollars more, it might be a worthwhile spend. But we don't buy internet, so it'd be quite expensive for us. Personally, I'd rather spend that money on doing something special on the islands.

This board wouldn't exist if it weren't for stupid questions! Yes, you'll find a hair dryer in the top drawer of your desk /dresser. It's hardwired /cannot be removed.

Good choice. You should never, ever buy a black (or navy) suitcase! If it's all you have, decorate it with duct tape and a bandana on the handle. A piddly little ID tag isn't enough. Alternately, you can buy stretchy suitcase covers (from Amazon) that'll protect your suitcase + make it bright and easy to spot. Personally, we own three suitcases: Olive green, Rust, and Rose Gold Pink. They all stand out in a crowd.

Alternately, you could use a VISA gift card. Once the card is empty, they could not take more from it. Personally, I don't think this problem is widespread enough to jump through hoops to avoid it. I tend to agree but have two thoughts: - When you give your credit card during check-in, you check a box giving them. permission to charge this card for your onboard purchases -- but once the cruise is over, that authorization is finished. They can't charge you something a week later. However, if you fail to return a towel during your cruise, they'll argue it happened during the allotted time /not after the cruise. - I literally just paid off a cruise, and I had to check a box at the bottom of the screen giving them permission to access my credit card.

I love Indy! What you'll have in the room is a cooler, not a real refrigerator. It will keep cold things cold, but it won't really bring room-temperature things down to cold. You can put your medicine (or drinks) into the ice bucket, surround it by ice, wrap it in a wet hand towel, and it'll stay COLD. - Prices vary widely. - A few excursions will require you to catch a taxi /bus to here-or-there, but most begin at the pier where the ship will dock. Typically your tour guide will be standing on the dock with a sign saying "Blue Water Tours - Dolphin Swim" -- or whatever your specifics might be. When you reserve an excursion, you'll receive information about where /when to meet your tour guide. I like to make up an envelope for each island stop -- on the outside I write the date /name of tour company /meeting place /contact information; I tuck inside confirmation print-outs and any money we might need, including money for taxis, tips, etc. - You didn't ask this (it's a case of, you don't know what you don't know), but look into private excursions rather than the ship's excursions. They tend to be smaller groups, and you have more interaction with your tour guide /more options to choose what you want to do. That they're cheaper is just a bonus. Don't worry about getting back on time -- this is their livelihood, and we never hear about tour groups returning late. This board is a good starting place for information. No. Drink packages will always be cheaper ahead of time. Always look at the bottom line price, not the 20% off or the BOGOF. It is not an American ship, but since I am American, I have always paid in US dollars. Vendors on the islands have always welcomed US dollars. They tend to assume you're American (because most cruisers are, though your sailing may be different since you leave from SouthHampton), and if you ask, they'll give you a price in US dollars. No, but you don't need to bring lots.

I understand, but I always choose what I know I'll be happy with. I'd rather have the savings /a refund rather than "move up" in room category. And THAT was my real question! I knew what the rule used to be, but I wasn't sure whether it had changed. Thanks to all!