keishashadow

Any idea if they offer the compass in large print version?

On 4/3/2023 at 12:43 PM, BirdTravels said:

Text will work if you are using an internet based text messaging program like iMessage.

Not sure if my son watching my dog (an android phone) might be an issue.  In that case, could leave him one of our iPhones.

we always just did buy pkg thru ATT/cellular at sea in the past.  We’re not exactly techies.  Seems like I may be missing something trying to figure this out for our sailing on the Adventure of Seas (starlink)

Please, anyone, feel free to correct my notes below, cribbed from plowing thru threads here:

*we don’t need to purchase a pkg thru ATT any longer to just text on ship.  Can add the $10 one in ports if desired.

*need to buy the Voom internet pkg before sailing, then…

*turn on Wi-Fi calling (is it necessary for those I want to contact on land also do so?)

*when onboard, turn on both airplane mode & WiFi.

*connect to voom account, then can text and call those at home

(i think???)

8 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

All meals I had were good. Better than expected. Steak cooked right. 

Well, that’s good to hear!  I don’t expect gourmet, just well prepared food   Thanks

44 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I think that was me. 10 day out of texas. We had the above and the UK night. I asked if anyone wanted more menus and no one spoke up, so I only posted the one. We didnt have repeats. 

Oh, Please post.  We’re u on the adventure of seas?  Curious as to days 8 & 9’s offerings.  Believe formal night should be the 9th? 

1 hour ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

 

It's not that unusual to see hogs up and at 'em at sunrise staking out their location.

 

Seems like you’ve put some thought into this. Will definitely defer to your familiarity re hogs

It is a lovely pic, almost inspirational.  always nice to see somebody spread a little ⛅️, even if unintentionally.   

48 minutes ago, ReneeFLL said:

Wow, that says a lot about you if you refer to police as pigs. 🙄

LMAO

i was referring to myself having thick skin, not unlike a piggie …as in a pun re chair hogs.

BTW one of my sons served as a police officer, with many commendations for bravery over his years of service.  I am very proud of him and all his brothers who protect and serve. 
 

again, that word “assume” comes to mind

As to the 2nd quote you highlight, if you had taken the time to actually read thru the thread; you’d have seen my expansion re my morning routine.

The one where I’m up on deck, usually one of the few up and at ‘em in the location I prefer…not planted in crowded main pool side, nor near a hectic bar…in the shade in furthermost seating area in adult pool location

carry on

12 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

Fair question.  Because that person in the pool is there using the pool area.  I see that as different than saving a chair while a person is having a meal in a dining area.   

 

 

     

IDK. At the risk of splitting hairs it does strike me that out of seat for whatever reason is still not technically ‘in seat’; if strictly going by the letter. 

perhaps if they would concentrate their enforcement on loungers surrounding the pools that would work?
 

I’m usually at adult pool, prefer loungers with ocean view there. Take what I can get.  Will take what I can get. It seems a bit easier on the oasis ships to find seating there, might be due to more space/chairs.  

1 hour ago, ldubs said:

So, saved 2 chairs while you ate the early breakfast.  Then saved again waiting for hubby to arrive at 9.  Then I suspect you saved them again while the two of you go to breakfast at 9.  

Not quite, there’s a word for this…assume

I Grab coffee & pastry, no more than 5 min or so as I bring back to seats.  Btw If cabin is located at that windjammer  bank of elevators will grab it first. 

 

1 hour ago, blondie from arizona said:

No. I did an 11 night last week. I am doing a 10 night in a few weeks (same ship). Based on my pre-boarding research, the 10 night has them in a completely different order. I think things are random right now.  The dining room is a mess!

Lucky you!  

Thanks for the info

On 3/31/2023 at 11:21 AM, mandyleighflies said:

Of course, gifts are never anticipated, but they are always appreciated. Technically, you are not supposed to give flight attendants cash however, we always need dollar bills for hotel van tips so I threw some in there for them. 

I’ve been flying for nearly a half century, has never crossed my mind to tip a FA.  😵 thot on that for a hot minute.   my excuse is, I guess that I consider them professionals vs a tip able position. Thanks for putting up with us lol 

never heard of that brand of luggage.  When I noticed majority of crews on lines we frequent rolling Travelpro brand, figured that was a good endorsement. We’ve been beating them for 5 years and still function @ look great 

enjoy your trip! 

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

This is night 9 menu on radiance so idk. Night 8 was lobster night. I got a nice sized lobster surprisingly. I'm not a big pasta fan but love lobster.  Hard choice to go tonight or not. 

Any idea if Its safe to assume we should see the same day 8 & 9 menus on our 9 nighter in May?

1 hour ago, BND said:

Lol. We're on EN on Saturday and menus only go out 8 days for a 12 night cruise. Once we board I know they'll be updated.

had hoped much sooner

i keep ckg for menus past day 6 on upcoming 9 night sailing early May   Believe it’s doing 7 night sailings now
 

want to book specialty restaurants in advance  for days that aren’t appealing to us    Will keep ckg 

booked on allure out of PC post Thanksgiving on a 4 day sailing.  

Curious as to what entertainment will be offered on the shorter 4 & 3 day itineraries.

On 3/13/2023 at 10:40 PM, elizamcbride said:

Plus, if your cruise is before May, you'll get Tornado Tanya as CD and Grace as AM

Any idea who’s on board in May?   we are on the 1st sailing out of FLL.  Hope it’s a smooth transition for crew.

happy to see some recent TR here.  

Working on dining res for MTD.  Seems like ages since we’ve last sailed.  Trying to remember times for ice skating show, promenade evening activity & comedy or other shows usually commence.  Not having the printed dailies will be a big change, assume I’ll get used to the app.

Sailed her once out of SJU, think it’s the perfect ship for a port intensive itinerary.  Found it very relaxing and easy to navigate.  Not as many distractions/FOMO as I find on the Oasis & larger ships for me.  

9 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

Just an FYI.  Aren't there pictures of RCCL's new chair back covers stating that reserving chairs is not authorized?  So, it looks like MAYBE they are doing some proactive stuff finally.  AND you can't, "makes a concerted effort to post it prominently on deck, in app & in onboard announcements" for every policy.  And I think, which is my opinion, it is only common decency that if you are going to be gone for an extended period of time (I believe it should be more than 30 minutes) you should give it up.  Those that get out there at the crack of dawn, put a towel on the lounger, and then take an excursion or do other activities for hours are completely and totally socially unaware of anybody else other than themselves.  The epitome of selfishness.  

I didn’t catch the lounger covers were in place on all the ships.  It’s a start to educate and would certainly help staff do their jobs.  

I’m honestly not debating the concept of a set time for a lounger to be claimed, yet vacant.  Do think 30 minutes is barely long enough to use the bathroom at times.  

All the scenarios you mention are indeed thoughtless.

Just now, PhillyFan33579 said:

You said you save a chair for your spouse for 2 hours. That is the textbook definition of a chair hog. 

Since you keep swinging & appear determined to label me here, will take the high road & give it one more go.  
 

We can agree to disagree or not.  Heck, I’ll even verge into the metaphysical here…

“if a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?”
 

every time I’ve sailed, only observed a few other people stroll thru in areas I prefer.  Rarely any people sitting, always a fair amount of towels laid out poolside though
 

If I ever would find people starting to circle that vacant chair beside me pre breakfast 9 am, wouldn’t hesitate to summon the mr to roll on up sooner.  
 

things indeed may have changed since last I was on a ship. Cannot wait to sail again in a month with the mr by my side.  No amount of trolling is going to break that vibe. ☀️

3 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Not every day someone on this site admits to being a chair hog. 

🤨 um, sure? I’d venture guessing it’s far more commonplace for somebody to proffer a shady interpretation of another’s post.  

too bad it’s dead wrong.   Good thing I do have thick skin, not unlike a 🐷 

Now that Ret MP has graciously posted the official  RCCL edict on the subject, we can all toe the same line…here at least 

For the larger cruising populace, suggest it would be prudent if RCCL makes a concerted effort to post it prominently on deck, in app

& in onboard announcements to bring all up to speed
 

1 hour ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

That's why I lean toward arranging the towels a specific way (that wouldn't be some way a random passenger might do).  And simply checking once an hour.  If the towel is still arranged the same way, it means no one has disturbed it in an hour.  If no one has disturbed it in an hour, the towel, along with anything else on the chair, gets taken to the towel station.  

Smart idea.  

First thing I thot of was a couple of sailings on CCL, wherein there was a takeover by towel animals in the AM.  

1 hour ago, Old Fart Cruisers said:

 

Isn't this the definition of a CHAIR HOG?

Thankfully, I’m not the arbiter. Let the cruise lines take that heat.  If they would just lay down the rules to follow, then enforce them, this all would be a moot point & we could go back to complaining about dining.

I’d answer “No” to you.  IMO being out of chair for whatever break has been decreed permissible by the cruise line (whether 30 or 45 min) doesn’t meet the definition of being a chair hog.  Some might argue the practice is a little bit piggy, however, not sure if it’s akin to being pregnant…you either are or you aren’t sort of thing.😏

YMMV.  My take is a chair hog gets up early, claims a chair(s) and doesn’t return for hours, if at all.  

45 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

Then what do you do during those 30 minutes?  That's one thing I've never understood.  People will say "notify crew so they can start a clock" (or similar).  I personally am not interested enough to stick around for 30 minutes to see see if loungers get cleared.  I'm going to do something else/find someplace to stash my stuff. 

My vantage point was from one already butt in chair who wanted to get a quick bite to eat.  Worst case we will be having a picnic on deck. 

As for those on the hunt, most wouldn't need to necessarily hover like vultures over a lounger ticking towards expiration. I believe most would follow your lead

Having a return by notice on loungers would be quite helpful for others who…

want (loungers by bar, hot tub, pool or kids splash area etc)

or

need (medical conditions such as diabetes/meds & photosensitivity that warrant shade) specific areas  

Of course, the lines’ intent may just be lip service to sooth cruisers over the chair hog issue.  In the end, a likelihood they

don’t have the staff or inclination to execute whatever policy.  Think this all

just might be more of the effect of keep off the grass signs 

Granted, haven’t cruised since precovid, many things have changed.

In the past on RCCL & other lines, many times people would inquire if ‘tagged’ loungers next us were “ours”.  Next question was whether the lounger had been occupied while we were there.  When I’d indicate no, they took it upon themselves to fold up the towels & random flip flop/old book, place it upon another nearby lounger and plop down.

Surprised to never observe any sort of major confrontation, even the one time the taggers did come ‘round. the couple just indicated the two loungers were open when they sat down & the other couple gathered their stuff & left.

I generally wake early, especially when no balcony, I’m up on deck well before 7 am.  Grab two loungers (try for partial shade).  Quickly off for coffee, juice & a pastry, back on lounger to hold down the fort until the mr rises and joins me for breakfast around 9 am.

I don’t see why you can’t just summon pool staff/visit them at the towel stand and get a post a note filled out to mark the lounger as to the time you departed & the clock starts ticking.   Depending on the throng, IMO 30 minutes can be too short to eat in WJ, especially if you want an egg-white omelette.  Thinking 45 minutes is more realistic.

On 3/23/2023 at 3:40 PM, taglovestocruise said:

Show up when you want. There is a line for no reservations and a line for those with reservations. May have a slight wait when the doors open at 6:45 but not unusual to have no wait time after 8pm.

For upcoming may cruise AoS, doing MTD, early on could only grab 7:30 - 7:45 pm for table of 2.   Prefer 7 pm.  I see no way to modify the time once you select other than cancelling it completely & starting over.  Could be missing something there as still learning the in’s & out’s of the app

Are you no longer to request a table for 2 when you board or at the podium when checking in for dining?

is it permissible to have a res in hand but, just show up early and hope to be seated accordingly?

12 minutes ago, Mapleleafforever said:

Hahahaha those hot tubs are pure poo tea!!! I have personally witnessed people swishing that water in their mouths and spitting it out!!! 

They are ones who don’t get sick often, already exposed to the worst of it lol 

On 3/27/2023 at 8:28 AM, fla33023 said:

We had the opposite on Freedom last week and had to ask our waiter to stop bringing food! He said that because the menu changes daily, he wanted us to try everything. While I was eating my steak and my husband the fish, the waiter brought over the fried chicken special. We ordered the salad and crab cake for apps and he also brought the spinach dip and the shrimp cocktail! Too much! But he was the best waiter we ever had.

Smart employee!  He’s prob top tier as to bonus tips In cash on board

4 hours ago, jean87510 said:

Disney apparel is not like wearing a team jersey.  Regardless, my point was ducks are cute for kids.  Disney princess dresses and mouse ears are cute on kids.  Team jerseys are cute on adults and kids.  

I‘m not one to arbitrarily judge what’s cute for either kids and adults.  
 

I stand by Sport team fans are a part of a community, one that often wears jerseys with their favor players names

It’s exactly the same thing in the Disney parks, where many people are as loyal and fervent fans as you’d find at any athletic event…if not more die hard 
 

just as this forum is comprised of cruising fans, you will find many out there that focus on Disney & Universal parks.  
 

Regardless, it’s nice know there are multiple places for fans to mingle and exchange their thoughts in a respectful manner, even if they differ  🙂