cruisegirl1

Usually one can look at the menu and figure out the formal nights. The sliced tenderloin early in for the first formal night, and the lobster tail towards the end for the second formal night. HOWEVER. on a recent eight night Mariner cruise we had lobster tail on a random night, and then had a formal night the following night. It was one of the few times lobster tail was not the formal night menu. m

I wish folks would realize this. They call for every little question and get an answer from a poorly trained rep (not really the rep's fault) reading a script. In my experience in the past few months, ships are sailing full or nearly full. Some are sailing over double occupancy limits. Generally I consider full based on double occupancy, but some passengers use the full occupancy ( all beds - 3 or 4 to a cabin, large suites at full capacity) for counting. M

So, that was TV movie. There are more than a few things that were not accurate, but it was a cute movie. M

Anyone recall that in the "old days" casino smoking was banned on formal nights? Surely, they can make the casino smoke free a night or two! M

As with all of the extras, as long as people are willing to pay the listed price, that would be no reason to sell them for any cheaper. When I’m there shortly, I’ll have to take a look to see if they’re all occupied. If so, then it appears Royal Caribbean knows what they’re doing. m

Many land-based casinos have no smoking. They seem pretty crowded to me. I wish Royal Caribbean would flip the smoking/non-smoking sections on some of the smaller ships. The smoking section is just a couple of rows in the casino and the other 75% is smoking. M

The poster was writing about Barefoot Beach, the beach for suite and/or pinnacle guests. The buffet is different from the general buffet. We’ve been to Labadee /barefoot beach a few times recently, on two different ships. The upgraded buffet was different per ship. Harmony had thin steaks and Mariner had (decent size for a buffet-similar to the shrimp cocktail on board,) shrimp as well as shrimp salad. A few other buffet items were different from each ship and also several items on the general buffet. Plenty of selection. A nice lunch treat m

if you mean for entertainment - you will have to wait till on board to reserve entertainment options. M

I guess if you pull the beds apart and had two small beds each against the wall, it will give you a little more room. m

Still around. This is the first I’m hearing of a denial for use. Would love to hear the experience of others. m

I like that each set of chairs has its own table and umbrella. That is a nice upgrade for me. m

To me the answer is the bartender rather than the bar. The same drink might taste differently if prepared by two different people. With heavy/light pours in alcohol, different mixes/juices/etc. I've seen real variations with chocolate martinis and cosmopolitans. There are lots of special martinis and most can be prepared at various bars. There are some expectations like the cotton candy martini at Wonderland, or the Urban Garden (or cucumber or whatever they are serving these days) martini at 150 Central Park. Have fun locating the best bar or drink! M

How does ones get in the bed, especially at the corner with the dresser? M

I did a mock booking this morning that’s how I learned that the balconies were sold out and the price of the interiors. I booked our cruise while with Next Cruise on board harmony. m

Thanks - I like these "great deal" posts. We snagged Christmas week 2023 - 8 night Voyager, hump balcony for $1550, for 2 . ( this was 2 months ago. ) Friends told us about it when we were on board Harmony and remarked that perhaps the pricing was wrong. We booked. In Mid June the same category was listed for $3757, and now all the balconies are sold out and the interior is over 2K . I think we got a great deal! We've cruised Christmas or New year in the past and know it will be busy with lots of families and kids. I also know that Voyager is older, but we find that every class of ship has something to offer. It has been YEARS since we've been on Voyager, and we are looking forward to it. We rarely book that far out but couldn't resist. Maybe I'll find another good deal and make it a B2B M

Of course, I meant definitely - although most of us are defiant. 😀

We've used the salon often, my husband more often than me. Now that you mention it, I've never seen a special for a hair cut/style. There is a crown and anchor discount ( not sure of all the levels) but we get 20% off, so the price wasn't too much more than at home. However, the price seemed to increase since the return to sailing and my husband remarked that it was more than in the past. They do a good job, but we find that they cut our hair to look great that day. (not necessarily a bad thing). My stylist at home seems to cut a bit more and I grow into it in a week or so. They might run a special on a blow out. Never paid much attention to that Hope this helps. M

There is a shopping/museum area at the port. As mentioned above the ferry station is at the dock , and mini busses go the beach and other places are right there. If you happen to be there on a Wednesday night, Hamilton holds a terrific street party every week. Taxis are also available. Plenty of opportunities without taking a ship excursion. m

We viewed it like some travel Visas that are often required. No big deal to me , just part of cost of travel and the need for travel documentation. Took about 15 minutes to complete the requirements for the two of us. m

There most defiantly is a list of the wash and fold allowable items. It is the wash and fold form that you fill out indicating how many items on each allowable category. Socks, underwear, shorts, t shirts, PJ, swim suits (men’s swimsuits as a women’s suit will not survive) and I may be forgetting a category. The benefit is for wash and fold service, not true laundry service. m

The test that is accepted by Royal Caribbean, is also accepted by Bermuda. We sailed to Bermuda in late May, and while it was the fourth day of our cruise and our third stop, we were not required to get retested two days prior to arrival. That restriction, originally told to us by the Bermuda government, was changed once we were on board. The rapid antigen test is fine. If the health travel authorization is still in place, be sure to apply and pay for that 30 days before your cruise. m

The updated information is only the whirlpool, inside the spa. There are two whirlpools in the solarium not far from the spa. The saunas and steam are still available complimentary. Classes are complementary or fee-based, but the fee-based are higher than $12.

There is a sauna, steam, and showers in the men’s locker room as well. No need to purchase a day pass, it is complementary. There are plenty of whirlpools as well, just not inside the spa. The two in the solarium are quite close to the spa. The information about the classes is also outdated, and while they offer a variety of classes (Some complementary, some for a fee) they are higher than $12 m

Diamond guests get four drinks per day, value up to $13, to be used any time and just about any place. Diamond plus get five drinks with the same restrictions. The drinks can be alcoholic or not. The program is quite generous and is generally considered a nice benefit m

The process seems quite cumbersome and would be better if you could know of a denial more quickly than just shortly before sale date. I do take exception to a few of your comments. You mentioned you were diamond and sailed in a suite. Your Crown and Anchor status with Royal Caribbean or your cabin accommodations should have no bearing on a medical exemption decision. It would be sad if these two areas swayed a decision in any way. That would give an unfair advantage to many passengers. Best wishes to your family and I hope that you will be able to eventually take your vacation. m