DrD

...........but welfare does............check it out how some use their "assistance from the government" to pay for their cruise...:eek:

Yes, Brownback in 2015 got a bill passed to prohibit folks from using their $25 per day from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families on cruise ships. I'm sure the loss of $25 per day prevented thousands of poor Kansans from cruising.

In some countries they are experimenting with allowing government assistance to be used much more flexibly. Studies show that a good vacation or luxury purchase can actually help health, both physical and mental.

And really, why does anyone care what folks use the money for? If they want to skip food and buy cigarettes, so what? Isn't it about "freedom?"

Omfg you guys are killing me.

But you know the hookers would be all, "So, do you have any fine dining reservations yet? Have you had a chance to look at the great deals on watches?".

Is there an unlimited, you know, plan? Do you still have to tip?

Great review, I think you get better each year.

I actually prefer couch by balcony, it's nice to sit on it with a great view or with the door open.

And if you have visitors you can have kind of a conversation pit with the balcony rather than people wanting to sit on your bed.

Our plan when we retire in 2045 is to cash in all of our banked sick days and do a cruise around the world. Would love to do that on RC, but unless they started offering it by then, someone else will get that massive chunk of money.

By then they'll be charging us for toilet paper.

By the square. With an unlimited package plan of course.

Thanks for the great review and pointers. I'm going in, oh I don't know, something like, THREE DAYS!!

 

 

 

I did, however, bring them all back with me, so will look up 1-2 things if you are desperate and ask nicely and have excellent grammar/punctuation.

 

 

So I’m not sure how that made it’s way onto my account, but I had them take it off and credit it,

Ahem, cough cough.

Thanks again, loving the review. Funny you mentioned that about the MDR buffet, one of the reasons I first tried Royal years ago is because I read that they had an amazing salad buffet in the MDR where they make you a salad with all kinds of stuff you pick out, it's called "Tutti salad." This was more for the wife, I'm not a big salad guy.

As for getting lost, I just tell my kids "turn around if you get to water." Of course they are a lot older and when they are 8 I don't think I would have let them roam around then.

Anyway your review is timed perfectly for me, as can be seen in my sig.

They are losing an opportunity to make money. I've booked their transportation on board but prefer to book in advance, so I will likely go with a different company.

I wanted to but I never found him sleeping standing up.

Anyone know if room service will deliver specialty coffee (and honor the coffee punch card?) My guess is no but I haven't actually heard one way or another.

Maybe for $7.95 ;p

I'm starting to like the idea more, especially as it's one charge per order/cabin. My teens and I could get a lot of stuff and the menu is tons better.

I agree about not giving notice, but I'm not sure what else they could do. A grandfather system would be unwieldy I think. Maybe a few months more notice, although there are those who book way in advance (there's even a thread about what to pack from someone who's going in 11 months!)

Funny how we have parallel cruise lives. We also were on the Freedom last March, and will be on the Oasis next week.

What are we doing next?

Anyway I loved your FOS review so I'm looking forward to this one. I suspect you may not be done until after we leave, you're indeed very thorough. The Oasis seems really nice, except it's too bad its bow is inaccessible.

(How am I doing on grammar?)

What terminal?

Port Canaveral

When I log into my reservation, I can book ground transportation on the Overview tab.

How? I see a link for ground transportation but when I click I just get a popup with info about luggage valet. No option in popup to book anything.

Hi, is there anyway to pre-book airport transfers on cruise planner? I've always had to do it on board. Thanks in advance.

It's simple with mine, they each have money from allowance and gifts etc. One has an actual account the other keeps cash in a lockbox. Anything I don't buy for them get paid back. For the older one with the HS checking account I can transfer money on my phone in about 10 seconds. so he can get whatever he wants. The younger one settles up when we get home. They very rarely buy anything.

Yes the all inclusive part of cruising is going away but I can remember back in 2004 the 1st time we went on a Voyager class ship, we paid $549 for a promenade stateroom in October. Guess what, 13 years later I can still find a pr stateroom for $549. Do you remember what a gallon of gas cost back then? Maybe milk? Ya they are adding on some charges we were not accustomed too, but cruise pricing as a whole has not inflated very much, if at all.

Well according to an online inflation calculator, the $549 in 2004 would be $707.98 today, so the cruise is "cheaper" by $158.98. But I think the upcharges compared to what they were back then add up to more than that, not to mention the drink prices, loss of services, worse food quality, etc.

There is no question in my mind that the value is less today. But I still like it.

I did go with a balcony [emoji2]. Just a random thought, I have realized that I can snore quite loud. I'm actually hesitant to allow myself to fall asleep anywhere besides my cabin for the sake of annoying others and embarrassment. Does anyone have any experience as a snorer or witnessing public snoring on cruise?

 

 

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In 14 cruises I've never noticed. Someone must have snored, it's probably just one of those things no one notices.

Not sure why "climbing a waterfall" is such a big deal..

Is that a real question or a cynical dig? Because if it's the former I'll be happy to tell you why I've enjoyed it.

I usually get in about 8 hours per day except it's in at least 2 different spots.

A lot of people tend to stay up let, get up early, and take a fat nap in the afternoon, often involuntarily.

I would lean toward carry on since the port security folks probably care more about security related items than contraband - though with juice boxes you should not have an issue either way.

good point, and then it's over one way or another right away and you don't have to worry about if your luggage will show up of if you will have to go down to security.

Never felt detached on Freedom, I'll let you know about Oasis.

I've already found a few less known places that seem they will be great for what you are looking for, a "secret" forward observation deck and an aft section with a bunch of loungers. And the solarium looks like it's very open to the ocean.

I don't think any cabin balconies look down on the lifeboats, they're kind of tucked in. And certainly if you're high up it won't be a factor.

I was trying to link to the "wine rack," but it won't let me.

You will have to google "wine rack smuggle."

PARENTS WILL NOT HAVE SEX

You really just can leave it at that.

And I guess that explains the "hard" sell.

I've had the same issue. You always text and your carrier will charge you whatever is their policy, usually $0.50

However it's critical to make sure you have "cellular data" OFF or else your phone will download data in the background through the ship's cell tower and that is expensive. Also anyone who calls you or your son will get through so your phone will ring and if you answer I think that can cost you.

On iphone you can set do not disturb but allow specific people to break through. So that's what we've done:

1. keep cell ON

2. keep data roaming OFF

3. keep cellular data OFF (probably don't need both 2 and 3 both but better safe)

4. do not disturb ON

5. allow calls from favorites ON

And as to what folks did before cell phones, I don't know, but expectations are different now. When I was a kid it was ok if my parents didn't know exactly where I was but today that can get you a visit from social services.

same thing with being on call, if you weren't in the hospital you weren't expected to be reachable, but now, you're supposed to be available pretty much always. The good part though is young doctors don't have to live in the hospital anymore (literally - that's why we call them residents.)

My dad lived in a hospital apartment for 3 years.

Well hopefully the proposed 12% budget cut for the Coast Guard will help alleviate the problem of delayed boarding. (sarcasm)

You're correct. If you order a sandwich, it will cost you $7.95. If, after the sandwich has been delivered, decide you'd also like a salad, it's another $7.95. However, if you call and order the sandwich and salad together, you'll only pay $7.95 once. It's per order, regardless of how many items are included in that order (within reason, I'm sure).

And that's why I think it could backfire. People will order extra to get their money's worth, and may only eat half or less of what they got. Especially as the menu is much nicer. Why wouldn't you order a dessert and salad with your burger if there's one delivery fee?

If their goal is to reduce orders and/or increase revenue they may be in for a surprise. Of course I'm sure they thought of this and have data suggesting I'm wrong. They're not stupid (I think.)