NKLCRUISES

My last cruise was on Indy Nov 2019 4 night as well. We had the unlimited dining plan. Immediately upon boarding, there was a member of the specialty dining staff with a clipboard to book reservations. We asked to have dinner at Chops for a time of our liking and he wrote it down and I confirmed later that we had the time we wanted. We had no issues booking any dining venue and time we wanted every evening.

Not sure what all venues were open for embarking day, but ended up having lunch at playmakers at the bar as it was nearly empty. 

I have read terms have changed, but we were able to use the plan for Izumi Hibachi without the extra $10 charge for a dinner.

We ate lunches at either Izumi sushi, Playmakers, or Johnny Rockers. Dinners we ate twice at Giovanni's as it was our favorite, Chops, and Izumi Hibachi.

We also used Playmakers for snacks during the day. 

Only issue, but was resolved with a trip to guest services was that we were charged for fish and ships. Guest services removed that charge. 

Once cruising resumes, the royal app has menus to check for vegetarian options at each specialty restaurant. 

I'd book the unlimited plan again in the future. We have already for Brilliance and that ship only has Giovanni's, Chops, and Izumi without the Hibachi. 

Also, you can always book the Unlimited plan now, and cancel up to two days before the cruise. So if you have the $95 today, I'd book it and can always cancel if the menus are not appropriate for vegetarian options.

Deluxe Beach Break and Playa Mia Water Park would be a good compromise to Mr Sancho's if being forced to use a ship's excursion.

On 12/10/2019 at 3:51 PM, thjeepster said:

Thank you so much for the April one. 

 

And if if you do the November one that would be amazing too!!

I've attached the November 21, 2019 4 night sailing.

IOS Cruise 21 November 2019.pdf

1 hour ago, thjeepster said:

Hello again!

 

I'm still looking for recent cruise compasses for 4-day and 5-day cruises from Indy.

 

We are in the process of trying to make a "compass invitation" for our wedding aboard Indy in April and looking to see what current activities and events are going on.  I know things change but some of the on-board event times stay the same.

 

Any help would be amazing!!

 

thanks Again!

I will try to remember posting November 21st, 2019 4 day.

IOS Cruise Compass April 25, 2019.pdf

I just did this tour through Royal last week. It was not strenuous for me but I am in my mid 30s. I would say it was more relaxing for a snorkel excursion. The water is cooler, 72 degrees, but being from Cleveland the water temperature is similar to the lakes around here. They offered wetsuits but no one in our group used one.

The stairs are not too steep. I will note  the last step to get into the water of the cenote was a little tricky as the rock you step on is slippery and you are required to go right into the waist to chest deep water right away. This actually helps force you to enjoy the "refreshing" water.

The temazcal was a really neat experience. Think of it as a sauna where they use a tea water to steam the hot rocks while inside. They play a drum and shaker ritual that has everyone involved with the chants. It lasts about 20 minutes and it does get pretty warm in there to get a sweat going. After we got all warm they then pour water over your head to cool you back down. This is part of the cleansing ceremony.

Juice and fruit is served as a snack, then a quick bathroom stop. Note: this bathroom stop is at a dry outhouse type of facility. The bathroom at the entrance you first change at is much nicer and what you would be more accustomed to. 

Next you go into another part of the cenote for another quick "refreshing" swim around. These stairs led you right into the water. Not steep at all.

That completes the main tour. You change at the 'nice' bathroom and get lunch. I recommend bringing a bag to put wet swim suits in to change out of. They had salad, fruit, tacos; chicken, pork, rice and beans, a local topping for the tacos (I cant remember all was in it but was good), an excellent chicken soup with a little spice to it. Bottled water and local sodas. I thought the food was pretty tasty, but after swimming and sweating and swimming, any food at this point would be good.

Last part is tequila tasting. This is the bonus. 

They take photos with your group in the beginning of the tour and you can purchase these. The tequila tasting is also a sales pitch to purchase their local tequila. 

There is time for shopping by the ferry before going back to the ship. Vendors are persistent, I will leave it at that. 

Final thoughts

I enjoyed it. It was a unique experience with both the cenote swim and temazcal. I really didn't use the snorkel mask all too much. Most of the scenery is above the water while you're swimming. The mask is good to use to look at the formation under the water but the formations above were more spectacular. They also had ropes in the water to help you in and out of the tighter spaces. A couple of places to watch your head swimming and walking (I'm 6 foot). I never hit my head but did have to crouch down and duck at times. The cenotes had areas to stand up in so you are not wading in water the entire time. Ferry picks you up next to the ship but drops you off by the shops near your ship for additional shopping opportunity. The ferry ride is about 30 minutes each way. The van ride is 20 minutes each way to Chaak Tun and is on a paved street the entire time. 

I hope this review helps.

My experience has always been given an interior cabin.  I have been able to move locations within the same category if availability. Once, I was given an accessible room. I'm surprised they didn't upgrade us to an oceanview or anything else since we do not require an accessible cabin. Any upgrades, have been purchased on my own.

What are those dished you ordered from Izumi? They look really good.

On 8/29/2019 at 9:15 PM, Dayman9966 said:

Thanks for the heads up!!!

Check your price again. I see Indy 11/21 back to $52  per day.

I booked through a third party site using paypal as a deposit. Saved $5 per person too and no fraud. 

Per Royal Customer Service

"The package does not include room service, beverages, or any dishes that have an additional cost in a specialty restaurant or Main Dining Room (i.e. lobster, filet mignon, surf and turf, etc.). Additionally, the package is not valid for Chef's Table or Culinary Experiences/Activities (i.e. Sushi Cooking Class, Bottomless Galley Brunch, etc.)."

On 8/28/2019 at 11:25 AM, Dayman9966 said:

Honestly, should have bought at $52, but when people post they get things for less, it's kind of a mind bender making the decision.  But, I can always just pay out of pocket, I like beers, but I won't drink 10+ per day.  Live and learn I guess.

Check your price. Indy 11/21/19 was $52 when first booked, went up to $65, down to $61, back to $65. Now it is showing $56. I purchased at $61 and canceled and rebooked now at the $56. 

I will be sailing on Independence of the Seas. I received an email response stating that Izumi and Playmakers are both included and they are considered a la carte venues meaning there is a max of $35 allowance. 

I was able to cancel a flight booked through Air2Sea within 24 hours about a month ago through a phone call with them. 

22 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

Getting a par may require that the foursome drinks 4 Mojitos (for example) at a bar.  If the foursome drinks 5, they get a birdie.  6 gives them an eagle.  If they can only drink 3, it's a bogey.  The last time I was involved in bar golf, we had a bus that took us from bar to bar (and then dropped us at home at the end of the night).  The organizer threw in some additional scoring opportunities on the bus between bars after 5 or so holes when participants were more willing to do things than they may have been at the start of the event.  What happens at bar golf, stays at bar golf.

Thank you for sharing this idea.  I'm going to try to make one up for Indy in November. I will try to make it bar specific. Boleros should be more Latin/Caribbean drinks, Schooner - Classic cocktails, Playmakers - drinks at sporting events so beer, Pool bar frozen drinks ect. I will have to do more research and find bar specific menus to help me with the options and scores for each. GO BUCKS!  O! H! 

What time did they start boarding? 

Initial offer was $49 now it is $46.  27 days out from sailing on Indy. 

Fine print from Royal Caribbean member benefit. 

⁷ Diamond Lounge is an exclusive benefit for only Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members and cannot be extended to include friends and family. Complimentary specialty coffees are only available in the dining room on days when breakfast is being served. On ships where a Diamond Lounge is available there will be no Nightly Special Diamond Event or complimentary speciality coffees available in the dining room. The Diamond Lounge is designated as a smoke-free area. We respectfully request that guests observe a smart/casual dress code when visiting the Lounge (no swimming or pool attire is allowed, footwear is required at all times). Guests of 21 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times. Guests and friends of Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members are not allowed into the Diamond Lounge due to limited space.

I'm thinking turning Diamond after all at a ripe age of 33 was a big mistake reading responses from past and present Diamond members. 

I first wanted to go to Paradise Beach, but with an 18 month old, I narrowed it down to Allegro or Playa Mia for the kids splash area.  

November 1998 Grandeur of the Seas. My first cruise ever. I also celebrated my 13th birthday on that cruise. Just over 20 years later, I'm now at 89 cruise points!

I agree. Roysten is the best off the beaten path tour driver in the Caribbean. If you want the cookie cutter tour, then book elsewhere, from the cruise line excursion desk I suppose. 

Big Beards, no need to look further. 

My wife and I have done this tour in the past.  This is an action packed nonstop activity tour. Bring snacks for the bus ride. It is well worth it for first time visitors to see as much as Dominica as you can in one day. Everything we went to and saw was excellent. 

Note: Your tour group will all hit the buffet back on the ship when done, then you will all go to your cabin to clean up and nap until a late dinner around 8 or 9 and see your tour group again eating a late dinner in the buffet. At least that was my experience. 

We have done both in the past. I preferred Calabazza and wife preferred Silver Moon. So we compromised the third time and did Silver Moon again the third trip. You can't go wrong with either one. Six of one half a dozen the other. Service, food, beverage, company were all fantastic and professional on both. Pick one this time and try the other next time.    

Thank you for posting an update. It's been.. wow going on 10 years since my wife and I did this on our honeymoon cruise. I'm sad to see they raised the prices that much and sorry the tour didn't sound like what we received. I hope things change for the better going forward. We have done Eli's eco tours after that and those were done very well. 

3 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

You'll probably have to feed her in the stroller. Is she to big for one of those chairs that attach to the table🤔

We could bring the travel booster seat. We used that for our Myrtle Beach condo rental at the dining table last year. I'm not sure what is meant by the playing nice comment. Thank you all for the help.