footzz

Ya know, that never crossed my mind. It just seems too far fetched.

No one can be sure, but I don't think so. I checked on three differen't browsers and they all landed on the same page. This is unpresidented and bewildering. Could this be the new normal?

What's up with this? No sales on the RC landing page? Is something BIG coming? Is a Holiday sale in the offing? Are they recalibrating the algorithms for the next % off sales? Is it just another IT department glitch? I was ready to drop some $$$ on a cruise, but now I can't possibly book if RC doesn't tell me what great deal I'm getting.

One of the strangest phenomena I've encountered was on the RCCL website landing page. There was a 24 hour period of NO adverisements for the ever present % off cruise sales. This strange occurrence happend during the announcement of the Icon of the Seas. I don't recall ever seeing that happen before, nor since.

Yep.

I was on the Independence in Oct. 2021 and visited Johnny Rockets for the first time in years. We sat outside when we went and it was actually pretty good. I'm afraid that if too many people complain about Johnny Rockets, that RCCL will change it over to a Hardees or even a Carl's Jr.

That's good to hear. Thanks!

Did I miss the part where you went through the Security Checkpoint?

Thanks again. We'll be on the Allure in a few weeks and your review had lots of useful information.

Thanks niksmom630 for the review. I have a question regarding the night lobster is served in the MDR. It's normally served on Day 6, which is usually a sea day. On your itenerary, Day 6 was a port day in Cozumel. So, was the lobster served last night or will it be tonight?

As far as thr IRS is concerned, it all comes down to the definition of a "tip" vs. "gratuity". The IRS disagrees with most dictionaries and encyclopedias definitions of the term "gratuity." Most resources define gratuity as a "tip" or "payment for services beyond an advertised fee." The difference, according to the IRS, is that a tip is a payment offered directly to a worker and in no way processed or taxed by the employer. A gratuity is a payment provided to the employee that has been collected, allocated, reported and distributed by the employer. Simply put, tips are cash-in-hand that must be reported by employees, and gratuities are included in paychecks and accounted for by employers.

Lots of choices indeed. I live in Texas where we chicken fry anything, but I've yet to come across Chicken Fried Mexican Tacos.

I have some doubts as whether all the crew actually turns over their cash tips into a pool. This is solely based on my observations of their reaction(s) and the swift manner in which a neatly folded up bill goes into their pocket when I discretely 'palm' them a tip. It was meant for them, and them only.

The bad news is, this is the new norm. The halcyon days of cruising are over for the mainstrean lines. The diminishing services and increasing costs will continue to please the shareholders. There are new people cruising all the time and they don't/won't notice the incrimental changes that veteran cruises do. Cruises used to be considered somewhat of a luxury. Now, they're a commodity. The new ships have become amusement parks at sea. Nothing wrong with that. Just not our cup of tea. The good news is, there are many choices that one can avail themselves of when deciding on a cruise. Your money. Your choice.

Is this the Joshua in the Bow and Stern? I've seen a lot people talk him up on several different threads. We'll be on the Allure in a few weeks. It was reported that he was going to try to extend his contract through the end January. If he's still there, I'll definately look him up and say "Hi".

The fact is the gratuities or service charges aren't compulsory and be adjusted up or down or completely removed at the passangers request. Please excuse me for a moment while I don my fireproof suit.

Yes, we drive in the day before and stay at hotels that have included cruise parking. Some have shuttle service while others don't. A cost is difficult to estimate not knowing the distance from the lodging to the port. Once you have that info, both Uber and Lyft has estimators for cost.

Maybe, but you would be taking the risk of it being confiscated. Unlike a lot of other nebulous policy verbage coming from RC, the stated 2x750ml bottle policy is very specific.

That makes absolutely no sense. Closing a side down for serving food in the Windjammer on port days is a normal thing, but on sea days? Really? Talk about a 'Royal' fuster cluck.

Sometimes, the apperance of the passenger might be the cause for closer scrutiny of their carryon luggage...

Deck 13 is the best, but you'll have to find the secret elevator button/stairwell to get there.

Well... If someone doesn't care for the new MDR menu daily menu changes, the Premium Selections of Lobster Tail, Chop's Filet Mignon and the Surf and Turf all seem to have survived the changes and remain on the new MDR menus.

Sorry to hear about your boarding experience and am lookin forward to further commentary. We sailed out of Galveston on the next to the last cruise before the opening of the new terminal and it was relatively painless. Hope your cruise is smooth sailing for here on out.

Thanks for the Mini Live post. If you would be so kind, how was the boarding process for you? Please do tell. Thanks.

I think that some recognition is in order for robandlil for actually reading the cruise documents. And, sense Merion_Mom pointed out the consistently inconsistent information provided by Royal Caribbean, I'll throw a fly in the ointment and post this link in their FAQ's: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/food-drink-onboard-policy