Smithster

Cruised many times on Allure in OV balcony.  But once I decided on the Boardwalk balcony hopefully to see the Dive show from balcony.  Well, that was not a good choice as we were not far enough back to really view.  I guess if we were in the last cabin or maybe up to 3rd cabin back it would of been OK.  But the bad issue is noise, privacy and breeze.  Noise from the boardwalk traveled up to our balcony even with slider closed.  I can not remember what deck we were on but it was not that low.  Lack of privacy, i had to make sure curtain was closed while dressing which was a pain.  And balcony was hot as seemed no breeze was blowing.  Never again

Thanks to all for your advise on keeping up with your travelers via phone.  Come October will try it out

We will be aboard the Allure in October after over a year of being dry docked.  We are traveling with another couple and in past used a Walkie Talkie to keep track of everyone.  It was a pain the the %$#@.  but better than wandering the ship peeking in all the bars and shops.   I thought I heard through the grapevine you can use your cell phone on board the ship (or off for that matter) to locate your partner when your not together.  Via text or even call.  If anyone knows the answer to this question would love to hear from you.  Is there a charge and just how this works.  🤩

Thanks for your input.  Very helpful

Looking for cruisers that have been in the "so called" Retreat Class on Constellation.  We are booked for 2021 in Accessible Sky Suite and hoping they will be retrofit to a complete Retreat by then.  My understanding is the only real amenity is the Lumanai  Restaurant and MIchael's Club.  Frankly astounded at price when they only have those two offerings in my opinion.  If anyone can clue me in on the Retreat on the Constellation amenities to rectify the price I would love to hear it.  It is unfortunate the Connie does not offer Accessible rooms in Aqua as that our usual go to cabin as love the Blu and Persian Gardens.  The main reason on the Connie is we live in Tampa and cruising out of our city would be a plus for a change.  

We have usually sailed in Aqua Class on Solstice ships  in Accessible but accessible is not offered on the Connie in Aqua.  Therefor we will be sailing in a Sky Suite Accessible.  My question is about the Retreat.  We have never been in the Retreat class.  Of course the price is very high, but my husband really requires a accessible so we are going for it as it is an 11 day cruise.   I would like to hear from those that have been in Retreat, preferable on the Connie but not limited to.  Please tell me what you loved, hated if anything.  I understand it is open 24hrs, does that include food and cocktails.  Did you find you spent most of your time on board there to warrant the extra expense. We have always loved the Martini Bar on the Solstice.  Let me hear your thoughts

I had a butler and he told me he would take care of morning coffee and I did not have to request room service in the AM.  Well that did not happen.  Also asked him to take care of booking shore excursion, again he could not get it.  So I went to the Concierge and got request.  

I guess a butler would be fine for first time cruisers that do not know a lot, but for me a butler is a waste. 

To all that are stating you can not remove prepaid tips.  I have never encountered  that issue whatsoever on RCCL, prepaid or otherwise.

I am a frequent cruiser and love Celebrity.  We want to sail on Edge but when we sail with Celebrity we always get Aqua Class as love the Blu and Spa.  BUT with that said the price for Aqua is like triple of their other ships.  If we were to take a balcony prices are more in line.  I am disheartened to see the price difference on Aqua Class

I have been in both and I swear I can not see difference.  But for the variety I would do it.  Love both

This may sound bad but hear me out.  We remove tips all the time as we tip daily direct to the person/persons that connect with us directly.  First of all I we only dine in dining room maybe twice and if we do we tip that evening.  We are mostly at specialty restaurants which we tip.  All bartenders we tip over the 18% already added.  Room steward we tip directly.  We also usually have gifts in hand we give out.   The amount of money we tip far exceeds the allotted amount and when we tip direct the amount of service we receive is two fold.  We sail a multitude of times on same ship and know a lot of crew and they seek us out as they know we tip far and above.  

I have no contact with the Matre d' so I see no reason to tip.

We have never had a issue in removing tip with Guest Services 

This might be the one Smithster means:

 

https://smile.amazon.com/Home-X-Mesh-Hanging-Shower-Caddy/dp/B06Y1B97BX/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1529600639&sr=8-3&keywords=mesh+travel+shower+caddy

That is just one of many...

Would be interested to see a photo of this. I've never seen anything that would cope with getting wet! but a brilliant idea.

I don't have a picture but they are called "mesh travel shower caddy" which I have found on Amazon and other Travel accessories sites. They are different kinds, if fact I just saw one better than the one I have. Just google this and I am sure you can locate one

First time cruiser, a great thing to do is be on the Roll Call so you can meet up with other cruisers just to get your feet wet. It depends on the ship but they sometimes have "giveaways" . Also I have been on one that had a cabin crawl, which is a few people with different cabin types will go after the meeting to view their staterooms. If you have not been on a ship it is nice to see different cabin types.

Check the board which is usually located at the Pursers Desk (Information Desk) for other cruisers looking for "card and game partners" and other like minded people to get together for different things. You might check daily as there are things added.

You must keep the daily calendar of events handy at all times to check what is going on and what time, also dress of the day for evening.

I am a person that dresses for evening and being formal (black will do) on formal night. After being in bathing suit all day it is nice to dress up...but that is just me.

Also most cruises have a 70's night or disco night, or everybody wear white night party, and various themes so if you can find out in advance, this is a great time to bring something to go along with the event. Think wigs...Also if your on a holiday cruise (Christmas, New Years, Halloween, Easter etc) bring clothes accordingly. This is the time to throw caution to the wind and bring out those silver spandex pants and just have fun.

First timers: To respond to folks that rely on their phone for their alarm clock, be aware of ship time may not be same time as your phone. Wear a watch as all events are timed usually to the minute and make sure it is on ship time. I was on a 7 day cruise and we changed times 3 times. As for putting food in baggie to take ashore, I have found ship will confiscate all food items going ashore and upon return exception is water. A power strip is a must if you have a bunch of electronics to charge. But be aware you must pack in checked luggage as I have seen quite a few on the "naughty table" on debarkation. I love my walkie talkie on cruise. Keeps from having to meet up at certain times. Also like door magnet (as I can locate my cabin a lot easier). If you get one with erase board you can post where you are for other travel companions. As for magnet, I carry a clip one for the room to put up invitations, weekly calendar, reservations. I bring my own blow dryer as the dryers on ship you have to hold the button down at all times to dry hair. Bring all sundries as purchase on ship(if they even have what you want) can be triple the price.

Remember no matter how much clothes you pack you will wear half (except for underwear) heh heh. I have been on more than 100 cruises and still overpack, but getting better. Ladies, I pack a small Plastic makeup compartment tray to have my make up in one spot on desk area. I also have a small hanging shower caddy (with a couple of loops on top) to hold razors soaps in shower stall wall. I also bought luggage that collapses down to be able to put under bed (Baggi). As for dirty clothes I bring a large lightweight bag which I hang in closet to put them in. If you have a large plastic bag that you can take all the air out it is great for dirty clothes (clean clothes also) as saves lots of space in suitcase. I have seen them in the Dollar stores. Ladies, no matter what time of year bring a sweater or shawl as nights can get cool in the restaurants etc.

Luggage tags can be printed 49 days prior to sailing, although you can print set sail pass prior

You may print luggage tags 49 prior to sailing, although you can print set sail pass prior. You do not need luggage tag if you are carry on your bag, but you might just want to put one on in case you loose your bag anyway

Luggage tags are available to print 49 days prior to sailing, although you may print set sail pass prior

Luggage tags can be printed only 49days prior to sailing, although you may print your Set Sail pass prior.

My biggest complaint with this new site is that each, and every time I try to log in - it doesn't know me. I always have to reset my password. Extremely annoying.

 

Not to mention that it does show all my past cruises - but cannot figure out my "points" - which, in my opinion, is because some of my cruises were before the switch to the "per night" points versus the "per cruise" point..... they need to get this fixed. They will lose customers over the poor ability of their online presence.

Your profile also should show points along with how many cruises. Site is not user friendly and has to many glitches. I just printed my boarding pass for upcoming cruise and no luggage tags appear as stated they would. Going to relook later. My biggest issue is not able to view C&A profile. I can see I am Diamond Plus but nothing else ie wine in stateroom, upgrade preference, etc

:cool:It is totally worth it if you believe you will drink 5-6 drinks a day. Also less of a hassle. Also if you like to try and experience with different cocktails it is totally worth it as if you do not like a drink you ordered, just get something else. No problem. As for price of drink package, there is a discount offered for Diamond Plus and Platinum. Not sure but may be discount for Diamond. Also aware there is discount if you purchase first night. Although on one cruise I did not buy my package till second night and they took off my drinks the day prior and applied to package. Personally I like to get the package just to stop the hassle.

OK I'm D+ at what point's do you become pre gold ? I talked to C&A this morning about something and they had no idea about this tier. Or am I missing something here ??.

If you log back into your profile it will probably show Diamond Plus. If not make some update on profile and it will change. This is just one of the aggravating things going on with RCCL website.

Only if you want to change your preference. BTW, the back door to the gift selection web site still works.

Biker - I am talking about my Diamond Plus status that automatic gives different items per cruise, not buying gifts. I am aware of that site

I don't believe so. I got my white wine in my cabin as per my selection on Allure Easter sail. However, I went to look at my planner for my upcoming Anthem sail and I went from D+ to Pre-Gold status. Oyvey:D

Easy fix, if you have not found out already. Go to your profile and just input Male/Female or any new info. It will auto change to correct status and points. Still a pain

Ocean Lover - Oh my it is worse than I thought. Just so I am clear ... I am Diamond Plus and have white wine in my stateroom on boarding which I get due to my status.....are you stating I am going to have to call each and every booking going forward to have this in my stateroom?