cruzgryphon

I am also planning to book an earlier flight. When we disembark, do we still need to go through customs before heading to the airport? Thanks so much.

No you won't need to go through customs at the pier when you disembark. Depending on where your flight from Arlanda is going you may need to go through customs at the airport.

Just within the town? Hmmm, the beaches, the bars and restaurants along King Street, the churches up the hill, all of the old danish architecture.

 

We aren't nearly as dependent on tourism for our economy as most islands so it's not as crazy when a ship docks. There will be tents with vendors on the waterfront and there are a few little shops (Molly's and Franklin's) around Polly's that you can check out. But the town of Frederiksted is pretty sleepy even on ship days. I usually forget there's a ship in town until I try to hit an atm or get coffee at Polly's, then I go hide at the bar...

 

Freedom City does that with coconuts, I think they are $3.

Thanks for the information!!

Where is Freedom City relative to the port?

Hi,

I was wondering what are the must see places in Frederiksted?

What is the area around the port like - is it like other Caribbean islands where you have the usual cruise ship shops?

Is there anywhere that you can get fresh coconut water (e.g. cut open the top of the coconut and drink the water straight out of it)?

Thanks :D

Is it common to have the excursions on sale? My cruise is not for a while but wondering if I should start price checking daily.

I've seen it a little more recently - there was a discount on specialty restaurants for my last cruise (this past July). Then I got the email today about the excursions being on sale (that covered my December cruise as well). Each time I got an email though - so not sure you need to check it daily.

On formal nights there usually isn't any sort of theme. Just recommend at minimum blazer and tie and pants.

I think the coffee card can only be bought on board. My last two cruises (last December and this past July on different ships). Both offered coffee cards but the benefits and limits both varied on each ship (Jewel and Serenade).

Not sure about the taxis, but there won't be any customs or immigration at the pier.

As long as ship's arrival time before you board isn't affected you should be ok with your original plans. It is curious about the change in departure time - wonder if there is any change to your itinerary/ order of ports you're going to be visiting. May be worth asking (if you're sailing to an island that is closer by then you won't have to leave as early).

I booked my cruise in Canadian dollars and was wondering if I pay my gratuities ahead of the cruise does RCCL charge me Canadian or USD? Thanks so much!

Canadian dollars based on RCCL's exchange rate.

Same food. There may be ship to ship differences (e.g. I was on Serenade this past July in the Baltics and they had shrimp cocktail, but from what I understand Jewel in Europe wasn't offering shrimp cocktail)

My vote is for July 1. The days are pretty long and it's nice to be out on deck (when it's not raining) in the "late evening".

Uploaded picture for set sail pass and uploaded.

 

Printed out the set sail pass, but it did not include the picture.

 

Is this correct.

Yup - have never been able to figure out what they use the photo for when you upload for set sail pass.

A couple of things:

1) The helipad at the front of the ship is great place when sailing into the port

2) In between the safari club and the schooner bar are pool tables with gyroscopes. Even if you don't play pool, it is amazing to watch the pool tables move in response to the movement of the ships (also good place to check if you're wondering if the motion is due to the ship or how much you've had to drink :p )

Blocks are given by the Loyalty Ambassador, starting on the cruise on which you earn your 140th point, and every 70th point thereafter.

 

Example:

 

Not sure it's the cruise where you receive your 140th point anymore. I reached 140 on my last cruise and didn't get anything - maybe I'll get it on my next cruise?

Hey all,

I'm on a cruise next year RT out of Seattle with a stop in Victoria before going back to Seattle. Does anyone know if we have to go through customs and declare how much we've bought while outside the country? Does it not count because we're in transit in Victoria? Does it only matter if we get off the ship (I'd like to get off the ship because I have friends in Victoria)?

Just trying to figure it out as I will be buying some souvenirs and will likely get some duty free booze from the airport in Seattle.

Thanks in advance for any information.

I know you're looking for Entrees but first here are a couple of appetizers that I love:

Escargots

Mushroom puff pastry dish (if you like mushrooms and puff pastry)

Entrée: Definitely the Lamb shank with mint jelly :D

I would be very interested in that.....do you know how that is arranged?

How much is it?

You would arrange it through guest services. When I did it a few years ago it was 35USD.

There are definitely different views of what should be included in a consent letter. As instructed by the lawyer, I deliberately do not include flight specific information as I add one extra day. Should I run in to any problems I have a little wiggle room.

 

This letter was initially drafted for weekend getaways to the States and land vacations to the Caribbean. Since I have travelled with nieces as young as 1 year old I have had to show it on several occasions. I use it mainly for flying but works perfect for cross border road trips as well.

 

I stopped getting them notarized once the kid turned 16 unless it was specifically required. A few years ago I took my then 16 year old niece on a Royal cruise and it had to be notarized. So glad I had it as they copied it for their files.

 

In summary you must use a format that you feel most comfortable with.

I'm thinking about taking my nieces for a cruise. Until what age is a letter needed?

Thanks!!

The last few cruises I've taken (mainly Caribbean with one Europe trip) it's been 8:30pm. I haven't seen an 8pm second seating for quite a few years.

How much did your card cost? The one for drinks under $5?

Does it mean it will cost 6 x $5 = $30 then you get your 7th drink free?

I'm pretty sure it cost $30 and then you get the 7th drink free. Also you don't have to pay the gratuity each time you purchase a drink - helps the savings even more.

Dear Cruzgryphon;

 

Cold you give me more informaton about the "Cafe" card?

How much is it? How do we buy it? And what are the coffees included?

We are big coffee drinkers ( not much wine) so we are very interested finding out that there is such a card.

 

Thanks

For the coffee card - the cost depends on which one you choose. There are 3 to choose from. One covers 6 drinks under $4US (7th one is free). One covers 6 drinks under $5US and one I think covers drinks under $6US. I bought the one that allows you drinks under $5US from Café Lattetudes because the venti sized mochas that I like were all under $5.

You buy it right at Café Lattetudes (it gets charged to your Sea Pass) and it lets you get things like mochas, espressos, specialty teas, cappuccinos - think of Starbucks type drinks. One thing to note, you can't use it to order say an espresso from the main dining room - you can only make your purchases at Café Lattetudes itself.

My review of the cruise is pretty much complete. If anyone has questions post them and I'll do my best to answer.

Day 10 was a sea day with lots of activities and the usual packing.

Day 11 was disembarkation - went fine, we were on time and there were plenty of taxis at the pier when we disembarked (since I was travelling solo, I took ship's transfer to the airport - more cost effective that way). One thing that Serenade was offering, was the ability to stay on board the ship until 3pm for a fee of $39 USD. If you signed up for this you could also get the ship to help with your transfer to the airport (likely they would get a taxi for you, but I'm not sure as I didn't use this service).

Overall the Serenade was good - very friendly staff who were looking to help. The Diamond lounge concierge was really, really good - always offering to help out with things - bookings etc.. Really one of the best I've encountered since turning Diamond.

A note about the pools - because of the Baltic weather, they opened up the Solarium to kids accompanied by an adult from something like 10am to 12pm and 2pm to 4pm each day.

Smoke from the Casino - others have reported smelling smoke from the Casino in the Centrum. I encountered this on deck 6 Centrum area - some days it was barely noticeable, other times it wasn't necessarily strong, but was noticeable.

Riga - we got relief from the weather - nice sunny skies, no rain, really wonderful. Due to the size of the ship we had to dock in the Industrial Port - which is about 15 to 20 km outside of Riga. They had shuttle buses for something like 7 Euros one way (I think it was 12 Euros if you bought a return ticket). I think they had a family package as well. Also if you took a Royal Caribbean excursion and decided to stay in town after your tour, your shuttle ride back was free as long as you showed your tour sticker (and if they charge you, go to guest services, show your tour sticker and get your money refunded).

Again I did the panoramic excursion through the ship. Riga was pretty good - lots of interesting places to see. Lots of parkland - very quiet and surreal. Some very interesting buildings including one in the main square across from City Hall that had a clock on it showing time of day, day, month, sun/moon cycle etc.. If I were to go back, I would probably visit Riga again and explore more.

Weather wasn't as bad as St. Petersburg, but still drizzly/ rainy. Did the ship's panoramic tour. In hindsight I should have done either a private tour or they have these free tours that are lead by university students (a couple of friends of mine did this and really liked it). Talinn was nice, but you suffer a little bit of burnout after St. Petersburg. Go to the church on the top of the hill in the Old Town - it's quite nice. I think it's Toompea Castle. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to really walk around as I understand there are great views from there. What struck me was how much Parkland there was. Also there is this great concert area that was really interesting. A lot of people said Talinn was one of their favourite stops on the cruise.