andertim1

I’m leaving on my first RCI cruise in 5 days. I’ve sailed a lot in the past with other cruise lines. This post reminds me of why I would never do princess again. There were too many snootie people on that cruise always making comments about their status on looking down on people trying a new cruise line. I’m sure there are a ton of wonderful diamond and pentacle members, but it only takes a few rotten apples to spoil someone’s experience. Maybe I’ll count how many wonderful people I’ll meet on the Harmony vs other. Glass half full (or in my case with deluxe package) always full versus half empty/ can’t get a free drink because there’s a small wait. 

Hots and grease. Maybe Columbus as well.

Just a quick question. How long do the ships shows last. We have 830 reservations and the kids will be at adventure ocean. We need to get them by 10 pm but do the shows ever run over. I’m guessing they have everything down pretty good but just want to make sure. On Hots and specifically asking about greese but could be any 830 show on the ship. We might do the $7 per kid/hr sitter but we have some older kids (12) that could watch them in the room after 10 as well. 

We are leaving on HOTS in 1 week. We’re in a 1c hump balcony on deck 8. 4 of us in the room. 2 kids. I have received this email twice. Missing are grand suite for 700 pp and junior for $300 pp. not worth it to me. Plus we have 2 other families 2 cabins down from us. We paid 3100 for the 4 of us.

So I’ve spent more time searching then I want to admit, so I’m just going to ask. 

If if we get the wow bands, can we have the bands for the kids programed to not charge to our account? Or better yet have a $20 a day limit. 

We have 6 adults and 7 kids 12 and under. Kids club is a must, but please post some cruise advice on what to bring to make the trip smoother. We have already booked all our entertainment and all adults have drink packages. We didn’t buy the kids any drink packages. 

We we are ordering some lanyards and some magnets for fun. What else to pack. 

36 minutes ago, cb at sea said:

Google "Shuttle service" and your departure and destination places.....That's ALOT of people in an Uber...you will need at least 3-4 cars.  A shuttle will keep you all together and probably be cheaper.  Google is your friend.

A 10 passenger van is either 120 or 180 for the ride. Awefully crazy for a 2 mile ride. Cab is $14 Uber is probably $8. Lol 

I wasn’t sure where to ask this but we are flying into Ft. Lauderdale and staying at the Hilton Marina . How do most people get to their hotel and then to the boat the next day. There is 6 adults and 7 kids but the hotel doesn’t look to have a shuttle. 

On 10/18/2018 at 5:24 PM, 2Long2NxtCrz said:

Black Friday is a good chance to get better prices on all the Cruise Planner items.

For our Alaskan Cruise on the Radiance this past August, the Drink Package was $41, total paid $347.

For our Caribbean Cruise on the Harmony this past June the Deluxe Package was $45, total paid $372.

 

Thanks to the premium coffee, bottled waters, and fresh-squeeze juices, it's a no-brainer for me at those prices.  YMMV.

Don’t forget to include Johnny Rockets milk shakes! I paid $55 for it plus voom. And $45 for wife’s. I’m sure it will be used. Still checking prices as we are 56 days out.

4 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

So, what else has happened in our “family community” since our last cruise?  Not too much, just the normal daily stuff. 

However, we did have something pretty big happen in our home town.  We had Kraft Hockeyville in our hometown.  What is Hockeyville you ask?  It is a weeks worth of celebration, around the greatest sport in the world.  That’s hockey if you didn’t already know.  

Our town won a national contest back in March, after beating out 2 other towns in weekend long voting competition.  Over 9 million votes were cast and we won, a town of less than 2,000 people. By winning we recieved  $250,000 in arena upgrades, plus $10,000 in hockey gear.  We now have new boards, glass, scoreboards and audio system.  The rest will go towards upgrades which are already being planned for the near future. Our arena is going from 1958 to 2018 and it needed it.

Now fast forward to September of this year, the week of Hockeyville.  We actually changed our September cruise to this cruise, so we wouldn’t miss it.  School was held the entire week, but I’m not sure how much actually happened there.  Weekly events happened, from road hockey tournaments to past NHL players attending meet and greets - Lord Stanley’s Cup even came to town.

 

I was looking for the Maple Leafs, and all I found was the Flyers in the early 70s.

You beat out Brandon, SD which is about 10 miles from me and basically part our our community. They ended in 2nd place and got 10k I think. Hockey is pretty big here and getting bigger. My boy starts in 2 weeks as a 5 year old. He’s been skating for 2 years. Enjoy the cruise. We are on December 16. 59 more days 

Great review and well summarised.

Pleased Laura is feeling better.

Thank you. You mentioned the back of the wind jammer twice. What did you discover back there?

On the 12/16? We have to have a drink.

 

 

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Yep,

I’m guessing you’ll do another live review. I have the drink package and internet so will look for it. I bought myself and buddy’s some small breathalyzers from Costco as a little fun gag gift. Thought it would be fun.. lol

you’ll probably catch us at a bar, casino, pizza joint, splash pool , or Johnny Rockets for milk shake. Oh promised kids ice cream everyday so I’m sure we be at the ice cream machine too. Every morning I’ll be at the coffee place getting my coffee with Baileys as well. Lol I would love to book a nice suite in next year or so as well.

Think I am going to switch out of Symphony to this one.

Andy

We are on this cruise with you. We have no status with RC. 1st cruise with them. If gold is the lowest level, we are aluminum foil. Lol 6 adults and 7 kids all staying in hump balcony rooms on 8th deck. We paid 3075 for the 4 of us. I feel that was a good price. This is my 7th cruise. Looking forward to relaxing and having a good time.

I’ve enjoyed your review. Wife wants to do a Disney cruise next go around.

Sorrento on the promenade

 

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Thank you. Everyone says the pizza there is crap and tastes like cards but looks good.

Without replying to photos, where did the pizza come from.

I’ve been quietly enjoying the review in the background as we are on her December 16 with kids ages 5-12. 7 kids total and 6 parents. I’m wondering how crowded the splash pool area will be for chairs on sea days for the adults. I think the top deck will be open but a few parents will need to be on pool level. Any pics or suggestions would be appreciated.

If I buy the deluxe beverage package & Voom 1 device package my husband and I both are required to buy the package which is fine. My question is...do we both get use of separate devices (2 user accounts) or just one to share?

 

 

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Depends on how you buy it. If you do it online then both of you will have your own package. So you get 2 access codes. If you both don’t need the voom, you can call in and get 1 with voom and 1 without saving about 10 -12 dollars a day.

You will need to talk with the Adventure Ocean people.about having the My Family Time Dining program when you are on My Time Dining. My understanding is that you have to be on early Traditional dining.

 

 

You can contact whoever booked your cruise to try to switch to early traditional. If they cannot switch you, try getting on the wait list. Failing that, try switching when you get onboard.

Thanks.. we are already on the waiting list for the early. We booked in Marand the TA said it was already full. My time dining and my family time dining are too closely worded. Easily confusing? I’ll do a search for that.

We plan on going adventure ocean once we get on board to sign up for that. We can ask about the my family plan. Now that you mention that name, I thought I read that my time dining can do it as well if you take your kids to the pick up spot at the correct time. I think the front desk at the mdr.

If you have early dinner, you can sign up for My Family Time Dinner, which feeds the kids first and has the Adventure Ocean staff pick them up from the MDR around 45 minutes after the start of early dinner.

Thanks for the info Bob. We are doing the my time dining. We usually like to eat at 530, but would you recommend 5 then. I’m guessing they would pickup around 545 then .

Also, there is no way to book the early dining until you’re on the ship correct.

Don’t forget to checkout the dreamworks show. Your kids are the age, they would like it.

 

 

Is this different then the parade?

 

Also anyone have any ideas on kids and mdr dinner. Not sure they can sit for 2 hours but heard that maybe they can rush through dinner and go to the kids club. I know the could do supper with kids club but not sure I want them eating pizza and chicken strips all week

Welcome to RCCI. I love the ships and time aboard. I don't know what ship or port you will be going out of, but I am sure you will enjoy. I do not recall any special "first timer" perks. But all of my cruises with RCCI have been great. They have plenty to do for the kids too. I think, for the most part RCCI has a good mix of ages. So they are pretty well rounded on entertainment and activities. ENJOY

Ft Lauderdale western itinerary.

I need to have my coffee with baileys in the AM. I think I read park cafe for that. Johnny rockets for breakfast will happen also. Is the MDR open for breakfast. Last cruise I was able to get corn beef hash there. Different cruise line though.

The room service thing is confusing because it says 7.95 for ... breakfast but doesn’t mention lunch or supper but maybe that’s assumed.

My kids are pumped for the ice cream station. I promised they could go there daily. I use to really like the pizza station and Caesar salad station on carnival.

I lov all the tips.. keep them coming.

Please check your planner and book shows you want to attend.

Also if you have my time dining I recommend booking certain times for your dinner.

Thank you. We did all the cruise planner stuff. I just keep reading about everyone’s C&A status etc.. we booked a hump room on deck 8.

We do have my time dining and will probably want 530 dinner every night. I will miss the old midnight buffets that carnival use to put on.

We plan on getting the kids signed up for the kids club right away as well. We have 1 specialty restaurant and massage as a TA perk we need to book onboard. We also have 2 out of 4 prepaid tips. I bought a gift for myself of 4 soda and a small vodka bottle to greet me in my room.

Any other tips we’re missing? 11am sounds great to board.

we are going on our 1st royal Caribbean cruise in about 80 days. I’ve cruised several times before and have status with carnival but starting from scratch with RC. We are on the HOTS with our 5 & 7 year old and 2 other newbie couples with kids as well. We have everything booked including shows and excursions. Drink packages are paid for too. I’m a planner and have gone through the compasses and read many boards on here. Seems like all the perks are set up to reward C&A members and we have 0 points. Does RC do anything to welcome RC virgins? Casino as well. We are basic M life members but not sure that helps.

Also, what tips would you wish you had know on your first RC cruise if it was today?

Are the cabin doors metal so you can buy magnets to decorate the door?

I know this may be odd to ask a guy cruising by himself, but we are going in December with the kids and I was wondering if you got any photos of the splash pool and how busy it is on sea days.

I’m on the harmony on 12/16 and got tired of waiting for the sale so I bought today at $48 for deluxe and 1 deluxe with voom for $59. Checked about and hr ago and went down 5% more . 45 & 55$ called for refund. Said I can’t do it yet because it was done Today and they didn’t have full access to account but she be able to tomorrow and to call back tomorrow. So I said what if price goes up tomorrow. He said tomorrow - the 10th drink package sale of 30% and drink with voom 35%. So should drop to 42 and $51 tomorrow. But we will see. Supposedly a good sale for a few days.

So the RC creative marketing happens again. Yes, the website says save up to 30% off on board prices for deluxe with voom and buy one get one 1/2 off for the deluxe, but the price per day stayed the same as yesterday evening even though yesterday was 25% off the voom one. So 45 for Deluxe and 55 Deluxe with voom. I still saved $58 dollars by cxling and rebooking it, but was hoping for more. Time to keep an eye on it I guess. I hear there is always a great black Friday sale.