cruisegirl1

Nice of you to try to help. They will hold up the line, but not necessary for the person behind them. There are numerous check-in counters, so the next person in line will be directed to the next available agent. I hope it ends well for your friends. M

I think the OP was referring specifically to the Next Cruise champagne. They may get others as well, no way to know. M

Thanks - I think the OP as referring to the Next Cruise "Champagne." M

Yes, the food varies from ship to ship. Heck, I've been on a B2B cruise, ordered the same entree a week apart and the presentation and taste were different from week to week. Guess it depends on who is actually preparing the food or the quality of ingredients that week. M

Yes - flowers were available to purchase ahead of time. They last time some were sent to us was in 2017 . Lucky with the orchid. We brought one once, and it was denied. Apparently, the dirt was the issue. I cut the orchid stems off the plant to bring them on board. We have been told cut flowers only. I don't recall RCCL ever offering champagne when boarding but our first cruise "only" goes back to 1987. Maybe, they did it prior to then. Celebrity yes and never sailed princess. M

So nice of you to provide gifts. The Truffles are delicious. M

Flowers were always available. YEARS ( and years 😀) ago, RCCL had floral carts with lots of options where one could buy large arrangement all the way down to a single rose bud vase. I'm thinking it was about 2002 or earlier. If i looked hard enough, I might be able to find a photo. Then the carts were discontinued ( maybe 10 years ago) and RCCL offered a variety of large arrangements that were delivered to the cabin. Pricing was not too much more than a local florist. We had a few and they lasted a long time. Last I checked, there were no flower options. We like flowers in the room and have a few collapsible pliable vases ( easy to find on line) and simply pick up a supermarket bunch prior to the cruise. The flowers usually last the two weeks we are on board. M

OP - if you have the beverage package, the server will likely need your sea pass card to bring you another drink. Plus, they will want to check with you in order to determine what drink you prefer. Have the card handy to offer it to the staff when you see your glass is low. They may not know you want another drink, especially if you are at the end of the meal. They want to provide good service but are not mind readers.

3 bottles from Next cruise? Or, the C&A gifts you pre selected? M

We had one cruise that posted "Formal" in the app and "Dress your best" on the compass. ( maybe it was the other way around). All ships use one or the other language. We've sailed on 8 different ships within the past year, and all had some sort of formal/dress your best night. Cruises were from 3 nights to 12 nights. The exception would be a full charter. It is meaningless as passengers can wear anything they want ( no wet swimsuits) any night. m

It is the responsibility of the assistant, waiter. Are you speaking of constantly ordering a glass of wine or someone to pour the wine from the bottle to your glass? Last week on Mariner if no one was nearby, I simply picked up the bottle and poured wine in the glass. If the assistant waiter, or even a head, waiter was nearby, they rushed over to pick up the bottle The only cash inventive you need, is your sea pass card if you are intending to buy one drink after another. Staff will be more than happy to accommodate you. m

Been that way for months. m

Didn’t realize there was a difference. We get two or three each per cruise. Had a back 2 back, got 3 ea the first cruise and two ea the second. Same number of days. m

We sometimes get 2 each and sometimes 3 each. Does C&A status matter regarding the number of bottles? I thought it was the same for everyone receiving C&A water m

Your B2B are 2 individual cruises. You will need to do the check-in for both cruises. The arrival time for the second cruise is meaningless. To free up popular arrival times for incoming passengers, you can select a later arrival. Each cruise requires the passport documentation and account information. m

No need to sneak. We often bring our bottle of champagne to the Solarium, Coco Cay or Labadee. Staff will even add ice to the ice bucket for us. M

Mariner. For the past several cruises on MARINER (starting in April-or maybe earlier) the main dining room is open for lunch. It is a limited menu, but a nice alternative to the Windjammer. We were told about it as Pinnacle/back-to-back, but apparently it is available to anyone on board. In April it was quite crowded with lots of general passengers. Last week, mostly just Pinnacle/back to back. Today, a nice size general passenger crowd. It was announced as a lunch option by the cruise Director. Limited menu, limited hours.

Royal might care if a suite experience was diminished, but I doubt diminishing a Pinnacle benefit/experience is anywhere in their playbook. m

Celebrity has (or used to have) balcony categories called Concierge class and Aqua class. It is just balcony cabins but was a little more $$ than a regular balcony cabin and included some other benefits. Some include meals in BLU (which is similar to CK), a day or two in the thermal spa, flowers in the room, afternoon, canapés, specialty waters, etc. When we paid a premium and booked these categories we received these extra amenities. It would be no different than these special junior suites. m

Portions are large. Of course, you may order several items if you want. enjoy.

Closed. You will need to off the ship early, generally prior to 9 am. . Best you’ll be able to do might be an early morning run on the upper decks. m

Well this could get interesting! m

Voices, Effectors 2, and a tap show, ice show and aqua show. m

Been watching a full dining package for a cruise in 2024 and was able to catch a reduction. Bought it today and am happy with the price. It is the same price I paid for dining 5 months ago for a March 2023 cruise. In my opinion it was artificially inflated so this "sale" just brings it back to the price it should have been all along. M

I agree to check out the towels just ONCE and exchange them the other times. I don't understand why more folks don't do this. Seems like a no brainer to me. M