Dinkachu

As a two teacher family, we budget for vacations. If we get a bargain on the cruise fare, we have money to try specialty restaurants, buy more photos, etc. Royal ends up with the same amount of money, but we are happier.

We travel with a diabetic and two food allergy passengers, so we always bring snacks along to keep everyone healthy. No one at RCCL has ever said anything when we board with a bag carry-on full of snacks.

We are booked on Allure in December and I wonder if the white party is on every sailing or only the longer ones? Should we pack white clothes and glow sticks?:confused:

Back when I was in 6th grade and we took a cruise on the SS Emerald Seas (they had a kids sail free special or something - and we were in a porthole cabin with my parents on the bottom twin beds and my sister and I on the pull-down bunks), we went to dinner the first night and came back to find three of our beds turned down. Dad's was not - he had left his socks on the bed, and the steward left his bed as-was. We still tease him about that - but he never made that mistake again!

I remember cruising on the Emerald Seas in the 1970's. Those porthole cabins were small for our family of 4. We stayed out of the cabin most of the time. That was back in the day when there was a midnight buffet every night and the room steward made fresh coffee for us when requested. Fun at Sea.

The Adagio Dining Room

Food, food, food

 

In all the research I did for this trip I think the two topics I read the most about were dressing for dinner and eating dinner in the main dining room. At different points in my preparation for the trip I was amazed at the comments about the food in the MDR and vast differences of opinion concerning food served here. I remember distinctly someone referring to the MDR food as being akin to “dog food”. I have to say it was pretty confusing at first to sort out the food situation. My advice to first timers, if you have reasonable expectations for your dinner the MDR will be fine. If you expect “fine dining” on the level of a top notch restaurant then it may not work for you. Remember 6,000 or so people are eating dinner somewhere on the ship every night. That’s a lot of cooking!

 

Here is the handy dandy guide I pieced together from a couple of sources that outlines the basic menu for the MDR all week. It may not be 1000% accurate in every detail but I think its pretty close.

 

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This menu chart is exactly what I've been looking for. Planning which days to book specialty restaurants will be much easier and no one will be upset for missing lobster night! Thank you! I know Jasmine is a formal menu. Do you remember which menu is on the other formal night?

No smoking in the Jazz on 4 club.

WE booked the party since it will be smoke free! Thanks so much for the information.

We want to book the Prohibition party on Allure of the Seas, but are concerned about smoke as we have a family member on oxygen and two with asthma.

I think the only indoor smoking permitted in the casino, but I am not sure.

The description of the Prohibition Party online does not mention smoking - only drinking - which IS part of the party.

Thank you!

I can definitely post some Cruise Compasses....

We're booked Eastern in December and the info and cruise compasses are greatly appreciated.

We've booked our 2nd Christmas cruise on Allure of the Seas. This time we are trying the Eastern Caribbean itinerary. I can find pre-dry dock menus and compasses. It would be greatly appreciated if any of you can share information, compasses, menus and or links on post dry dock Allure. Thank you!

I'm going on my first RCCL cruise this month and have been researching hacks to make best use of the limited space onboard. I have read about the magnetic hooks which I plan to bring. I have also read that some cruiseships don't allow the over-the-door shoe organizer for the bathroom. Has anyone done this on RCCL? It's a great idea if it's allowed. Also, if you have any other tips I'd love to hear them! Thanks!!!! :)

WE take an over the door shoe holder on all of our Royal Cruises. We hang it on the outside of the bathroom door. Great for sunglasses, sunscreen, even slippers.

Never had a complaint.

RCCL does server maintenance late Staurday /early Sunday most weeks. The website, and bookings should be back up by 6-7am Sunday EDT

Thank you!:o

I was trying to purchase drink packages, reserve excursions, etc. for our upcoming cruise on Allure. Neither of our currently booked cruises showed up in our reservations. When I hit the 'help' button, I got a message that said,

"Royal Caribbean.com is on vacation". Anyone else had this issue?:confused:

I am disabled, in a wheelchair, on oxygen. I have never asked to cut in line, but I have, on occasion, found myself with a need to get back to the ship faster, such as when an oxygen tank conserver malfunctioned on Grand Cayman.

My husband was urging me to go to the front of the line and explain the problem.

I stayed in line, at my own peril rather than encounter the displeasure of those who feel it is unfair of me to go ahead of them. I would give anything to be healthy enough that an extra hour in a tender line would not threaten my health.

Hey everyone, just a quick warning that there currently are thieves on board of the Quantum of the Thieves (cruising from Barcelona to Dubai).

 

We had some of the colorful magnet signs we put on our stateroom doors stolen today. It is of course not much material value that was lost, but it sure does ruin the lightheartedness and fun of traveling on board. :(

 

It has never happened before on any other cruise, but it's symptomatic about how things are on board of this ship. Seriously, who steals door magnets? Pathetic.

 

There were warnings in the cruise planner about pickpockets in Naples, instead there should be warnings about the thieves that are on board.

 

Anyways, if you are currently on board, watch your belongings and don't leave anything unattended.

On our first trip on Allure, about 3 years ago, our Christmas door wreath disappeared. Someone had borrowed it and our cabin steward found it on another door and returned it to us. On many cruises since then we make sure to label the decorations with our room number, or something like, "The Florida Cruisers wish you a Merry Christmas". In Black permanent marker. No issues since then.

:what: where is JR at?

There is a Johnny Rockets at Citrus Park Mall in Tampa. I think Red Robin has better burgers, just my opinion.

JR was free when we first had the burgers on Mariner, then it was a 3.95 cover charge on Freedom. I think it was up to 4.95 on Allure. I do not know for sure, but I heard that they have gone a la carte on Quantum.

We have the restaurant booked on our first night. Question if you don't mind... does each meat only come around once or can you sit there and wait for seconds of the ones you like? Do they actually come in the same order or is it random? We've been to other Brazilian steakhouses where it was unlimited and you could pick and choose, and we aren't sure if there's a catch to this one being on a cruise ship ;)

The meat comes around many times. You have a little light up sign and when you turn it on, they keep coming.

Our men ate so many lamb rib chops I was embarrassed. They also danced with the Samba Girls.

We had such a good time at Sambas and were sad to learn it will not be on Allure when we sail in December.

The amount of luggage you are taking seems very reasonable. Royal is very accommodating.

Traveling with two disabled people requires us to pack extra medical equipment, supplies such as disposable bed pads, bed rails, a full size oxygen concentrator, oxygen bottles, bi-pap machines, etc. One of our party is very heavy and larger clothing takes up more room when packing.

Since we live in Florida and don't have to deal with airlines, we even carry a suitcase with holiday and door decorations just for fun. We have never had any issues getting all of our luggage aboard and finding places to put everything in the cabins.

On our last Allure trip, after a stop at guest relations, they even let my hubby take the medical equipment and drop it off in the cabin when we first got onboard, so we didn't have to carry it with us for 4 hours.

Enjoy the cruise.

Just looked on the RCI website and it clearly shows up on Deck 5 in the Deck Plans, between Cupcake Cupboard & Guest Services.

 

It even shows up there as well on Allure's Deck Plan for the future layout from 05-Jun-2016 to 23-Apr-2017.

The girls in our family loved going to cupcake decorating class on Allure, but we have heard they are taking it out after dry dock and before our next Allure cruise in December. Is Harmony going to have a cupcake cupboard?

Our family of 4 (kids 5 and 13) will be on Oasis in November 4 floors directly above you I believe #12729. Hope the noise doesn't go on too long into the night or I'll have a grumpy 5 year old all week if he doesn't get his sleep.

THANKS so much for this photo filled and detailed review!

We always stay on floor 14 on Boardwalk, just under the mini golf layout. While the noise from shows, movies, parties could be heard from the balcony, once we shut our door, we were quite.

We travel with disabled passengers who often find it difficult, if not impossible to get out for all meals, though they can make it out once a day, on average.

Years ago, you could order anything off of the dining room menu free for room service. They put up with only soups, salads and sandwiches and late night charges were not an issue.

We tried picking up food from Windjammer, but no trays made it hard to carry, and we ended up with cold food back in the cabin.

All of us have already paid for our meals, why should we have to pay to eat them in the stateroom? We always tip the person bringing the food!

This is especially unfair to those who cannot physically get to a dining room every day for every meal.

Of course, people in suites do not have additional charges and they can still order from the main dining room menu free of charge.

Though I believe it should be free for all cruisers, I am wondering if other cruisers would complain if those in accessible cabins were included in free room service?

We have 2 more cruises booked with Royal and if the room service fee becomes reality, we may have to reconsider.

We travel with 2 disabled cruisers and 2 elderly cruisers, who often found eating in the room a plus as getting out to eat every meal every day was daunting, if not impossible on bad days. One of our favorite things about RCI was that you could order from the dining room menu through room service at no charge; we always tipped the person bringing the food.

A few years ago, those of us in balcony rooms could only order from a limited room service menu and there was a late night charge. Okay, we couldn't get prime rib delivered to the room any more, but found the salads, soups, sandwiches and honey stung chicken enough to make the disabled travelers content.

We are just hoping that RCI does not follow NCL plan of charging 7.95 per room service order. We are already paying for the meals we can't get to the dining room to eat. Here's hoping RCI leaves room service alone.

Here is the information about NCL's plans::confused:

Dining changes onboard Norwegian Cruise Line continue. Here are the latest updates:

Room Service

As of tomorrow, May 1, the new room service menus currently being tested onboard Breakaway and Getaway will be rolled out fleetwide -- along with a $7.95 charge for each order placed (excluding morning coffee and Continental breakfast selections).

According to Norwegian, the new menu offers an expanded selection for breakfast, in addition to a wider variety of options available 24 hours a day. Room service orders remain complimentary for passengers booked in a suite or The Haven.

Congratulations to your son!!! I know you are proud. We celebrated 2 of our children celebrating their college graduations. During the Formal Nights a Cake was brought out and 2 bottles of wine. We had a toast and cake once we were finished with dinner and all headed to the evening show afterwards. We used the Gifts Store online to choose the cake and wine and select which date to have it brought to table. You can also order decorations to be set up in their cabins prior to boarding. I made door signs which my DH placed on their cabin doors before they got the cabins. ( we kept them busy before everyone headed to their rooms) There are all sorts of baskets and treats you can have delivered to their cabin as well. I can't remember how it is done, but for a fee you can put a small advertisement in the daily compass. They say things like happy Birthday XZY, or Happy Anniversary XZY, etc. The spots go quickly so I do remember it is done the first day of boarding. They enjoyed the surprises :D

 

Again CONGRATS!!!:)

These are great ideas. I did not know about the cake indwell order it for sure.

Our son has chosen a cruise on Allure to celebrate his graduation from college.

We will have a party of about 12, family and friends aboard.

I will book one night in his favorite specialty restaurant to celebrate, but I am trying to come up with some other ways to honor the occasion onboard.

Any ideas?

I think RCI could make formal night popular again, especially on 7 day itineraries, by going from 2 half hearted (weak) nights to 1 really spectacular night. White glove service. Special captains and officer events all evening. Midnight buffet on formal night. An ice carving show and display. Display some of the grandeur thrown away to save costs the past 10 to 20 years.

 

The thought being maybe if the cruise line put some Chutzpah back into their efforts more people would get excited for it and participate. I'd look forward to one really nice event versus what currently is really no different than other evenings offerings.

We loved dressing up and getting formal photos taken before enjoying a spectacular meal.

I would love to have one incredible formal night, instead of two mediocre ones.

Anyone from RCI paying attention?

If you miss this, Princess has it. They call it the Bon Voyage Experience. It costs $39 (refundable as OBC if you book within 3 months) and includes a boarding picture for everyone in the party, lunch in the MDR with wine and opportunity to purchase Future Cruise Credits (if desired). It can be booked without knowing anyone who is cruising, if you just want a "taste" of the ship. It isn't available for all sailings.

Thank you. We actually considered a Princess cruise this December, but since our son is graduating from college and it is his graduation cruise, he chose to go back on Allure.

Next March is our 25th anniversary and we would love to have a 'bon voyage' gathering before sailing away on a cruise!