coordinator23

There are many types of addicts on a cruise ship. Some of the more 'self-righteous" nanny state types (as opposed to the live and let live type) would probably have "a stroke" if the smoking rules were applied to coffee drinking. As a tea drinker, I wouldn't mind at all. Imagine if you had to go to a special lounge, and stay there, to enjoy your coffee in the morning/evening. No more coffee/room service for the balcony. Those gotta have a cup of coffee in the morning types would go nuts if they had to get up, go to a special place on the boat and only enjoy there coffee there. For those of you who say the coffee smell is harmless, when I was pregnant the smell of it was enough to make me barf. I say protect those pregnant women with sensitive stomachs - ban coffee smells in public areas (see how silly that sounds).

As for those worried about breathing in smoke, What do you think the smoke stacks on top of the boat are belching out?? The soot that settles on the balconies is what you are breathing in when you cruise - depending on the way the wind is blowing. Oh, yes, I don't smoke. Live and let live. There has to be a balance. Try looking at it from a new way. Glad to be not a part of the "it's all about me generation".

Called reservations and they told me only left side of pool deck. Four cabins to go elsewhere. Not crazy about NCL, but they can accommodate the smoker in the group. (knew balcony was off limits, but didn't realize that basically the whole ship was too)

Quick question - brief answer please - with no lectures

where are people allowed to smoke on the Millennium - a family cruise to Alaska w/four cabins depends on this answer

At least, because we had a suite, we got luggage tags for a change. (who would have thought these would have ever been considered a perk)

We had a royal family suite on our last cruise to celebrate my DH retirement. 14 family members spread across 3 cabins. We are almost Diamond plus (one cruise away after our Dec. Cruise) and I only mention this because it lets people know we have cruised a lot.

That being said, we had to ask for robes for our cabin (two for 6 people doesn't cut it), asked about stationary - rcl doesn't do anymore, asked for a pen - no longer supplied (come on - what do you expect us to fill out a survey with, no longer supplies slippers for GS and above, specialty shampoo, conditioner and hand cream now from China (used to be high end, not dollar store variety), no chocolates (which were still supposed to be for GS and above) etc. oh and a room steward who was stretched so thin that we seldom had our room made up by noon. We were treated more royally years ago when we traveled inside rooms. I know I will be flamed for "small whines", but darn it all, when you pay over 10K for a stateroom and can't even get a ball point pen to fill out the survey and customs report, and the toiletries you get from moderate price hotels are better than the ones you get in your suite, the line definitely does not treat you "royally". (and I've cruised long enough to remember when the filet in the MDR was not an upcharge) OP has many valid observations. It seems each time we cruise, the quality goes down a little, staff is stretched a little further, and more of the Royal Treatment has been taken away.

As for the welcome back gifts, we still use them and every time we do we fondly remember cruises we got them on. People ask me about the tote bags and cruising on Royal when I use them. Penny wise and pound foolish Royal. Free advertising - a chance to have their name flashed around. (same when someone would borrow a rcl pen from me and ask questions or walk off with it) But at least the bean counters saved a few cents!

Look at what they are offering when you board ship and book then. Sometimes trips that are not listed on the web site are offered (and turn out to be better). You still may be able to book our excursion once on board.

We did a western out of Tampa several years ago in a Aft JS on GOS. On the last sea day we were lounging on the balcony and were actually quite warm. (Went inside a few times to cool off.) At lunch time we went up to the Windjammer for lunch and almost froze. The ship was sailing into a cold front and it was in the low 60's or upper 50's on deck. I'd stay in an Aft JS and at least have the sun beating down on me the way back to port trapping the heat between the dividers.:D

Use luggage valet for your luggage for a later flight and leave the ship early to enjoy the port = YES. While your luggage is at the airport, you can be out and about (and not dragging it around). Wish San Juan had luggage valet:( but they don't

Am I reading this right? Is Bertrard Almeida the concierge for Freedom this month (concierge lounge)? While asking questions, how is he? My only experience with a concierge was with Israel Sanchez, and he was amazing. (Europe-western Med. trip)

We received one on BOS last December. They are really beautiful

We need more!! So far it sounds like you had a great time before the cruise. What happened on the cruise?? We sail Freedom in a month or so.

They need one like princess offers....premium Unlimited Soda & more Package, unlimited soda plus any mocktails, juices, shakes, floats and complimentary hot chocolate.....

I don't drink very often, (i'm looped after one), so I would totaly go for this!! Adam, ya listening -- We'd buy it!! Cha-ching!!:D:D

Haven't been on Freedom yet, but we're going soon. We have an aft cabin. Aft balconies give you a larger balcony (patio!) and are quiet. I concur with having a cabin above and below you to insulate you from "sounds" from pool deck, etc. The back is quiet - only people traveling by are the ones who "live" there that week. There is a longer walk to the stairs/elevator, but it helps to work off dinner!

I enjoy watching the kids having a good time on board the ship. I like the "kid" parades and the other parades directed toward the kids. I guess I'm just a big kid myself. Wrong "sponser", but it's the circle of life thing. I would like to see rules enforced a little more, but then many people thing that the rules are there for "the other people". Adult only areas should stay that way. (After all I don't go to the teen disco area and "play" around) BTW- I'm almost 62 and a Grandma, but still a kid at heart.

Has anyone booked cabin 8168 Aft on Serenade of the Seas? Is the walk worth it?

Oh, Yeah! Stayed twice in 8th floor aft cabins. Defininately worth the walk (especially if you back into a port like St. Maartin) The walk justifies having dessert in the MDR at night.:D

We're on an eight day cruise in March. We will be celebrating my husband's birthday while on board. Do you remember which night they served the lobster in the MDR? I'd like to plan to go to Chop's for his birthday, but lobster night is his fav. and I don't want to mess with that! Afraid to reserve ahead of time (and screw this up), afraid not to (and not be able to get in).

There is a lot of talk about smuggling booze onboard Royal Cruises. You can bring your own wine, no problem, on to a Princess cruise and pay corkage fee (or bring your own corkscrew and use it in your cabin). We usually travel as extended family. When on Royal, we have to meet at a bar to get together. On Princess we have met in one of our cabins. Before we went on Ruby, I ordered some type of harder booze for my parents cabin as a gift. When we met there, they would make us a high ball. My Dad really enjoyed hosting these get togethers before dinner. (PS my Dad is in his mid-80's and I was 60. His youngest is in his mid-50's)

I feel as if Princess treats us more like adults. The shampoo is not bolted to the shower (think gym shower). We are trusted to have a drink in our room. I could go on, but I won't.

Enjoy Ruby!!

Overall, I like the "perks" better on Princess. "Tea" on Royal is cookies and cake in the buffet; "tea" on Princess is amazing, butlers, tea sandwiches, fancy desserts. Pub grub on sea days in the Wheelhouse on Ruby, an alternative to the buffet on boarding day (dining room), entertainment, all better on Ruby. Ruby is an amazing ship. I really enjoyed her. I have taken two cruises with Princess (Diamond Princess to Alaska was fantastic; Ruby Princess eastern Carib. was amazing too.) I have been on at least 10 more with Royal. I would choose the Ruby as one of my favorite boats, if not my fav. My husband, however, is a smoker, so unless he quits, we will not be back. (He likes to smoke on the Balcony - just a couple a day.) Probably good news to some of you, but we were about to switch to Princess for more cruises. Don't get me wrong, Royal is a nice line, but we feel Princess is a little nicer. He retires in a year and I sure do wish Princess was still an option for us.

Thank you for your many CC posts. You always have the information I and other people need. Hope to bump into you on a cruise sometime. Our up and coming are Serenade in Nov. and Navigator in March.

we were there in Oct and docked at 7am so we went on the conch train right when we got off the ship, and then did our Duval St walk after the tour. It was a good way to see alot, and know where you might want to go back to.

 

Enjoy!

We did this too! We took the tour offered in Key West, not the one offered throught the ship. We could get on and off this way to explore (and pick up the next "train"). Enjoyed lunch at "Red fish, Blue fish". They we walked a few blocks to a small store which we were told on the "train" had great key lime pie. (It was great! Wish I remembered the name of the place)

We often travel with a large family group. You can get an extra door key to share with other members in your family/group. Sometimes we will all meet up an someones cabin before dinner or after lunch. As my mother (age 85) says, "I'll be relaxing on the balcony. Use the key and come in when you get here" (They cannot charge on the "extra key.) On the Mariner, last Feb., my daughter and sil would put my grandaughter down for a nap, set up a baby monitor and slip into our cabin (next door) to watch TV or sit on the balcony. I guess that's another great tip for multi-generations with a small child. Baby monitor works well. (We had 4 aft cabins in our group on that sailing - The two end cabins had a huge wrap around "patio". I guess even another tip is the aft cabins often have two loungers, two chairs, small table and tons of room. We consider the balconies to be patios. Well worth the walk.:)

I'm on serenade in Dec. Keep on writing. I love what I'm reading so far.

When traveling with my parents (mid 80's), we ask for a table of 4, by ourselves, for breakfast and lunch in the MDR (and try to get a small table for dinner). It's not because my parents are snobs, but rather because my father cannot hear that well (but doesn't need a hearing aide, LOL). He can follow a conversation in a small setting, but gets lost if there are many people -at a table, especially if there is more than one conversation going on. Sometimes you have to cut the older people a little slack. Maybe they are not talking to you because they really aren't hearing you that well. Even with hearing aids, there can be a problem (as it magnifies all of the noise). Working with older people I realize there are those who can be very disagreeable or feel "entitled" (the Greatest Generation label has gone to some of their heads). Sometimes meds can cause them to be cranky too. Just be pleasant, do your own thing, and realize it's "their" problem, not yours. If they think they're superior it does not make it so. Shucks, there are still those who belong to the flat earth society-doesn't make the earth flat.

You've given me some wonderful ideas!!

I usually tip $2-3 - both the driver and tour guide. Sometimes I give more if it was an especially good tour. I believe it encourages people to go the additional mile when they are tipped. Thus, the people who were on the excursion before me, who have tipped, encouraged my guide to continue to go above and beyond.