ummgood

If you use a babysitter while on board, they aren't usually from the Adventure Ocean program. They are crew members from various departments on the ship. Babysitting is $19 per hour and they always send two sitters whether they are watching one child or more.

Thanks for the info! We fortunately are now almost out of the babysitting age as our kids are almost 3, 5, and 10. On our 2 Disney cruises our son was 4mo (first time) and 2yo (second cruise). The first time we brought grandma and the second time we used the nursery which was $6/hr I think. It was very reasonable. I think they have since raised it. That was in Dec/2013.

It's pretty similar to Disney, I tend to include the kid's club staff with the CD staff, who are also mainly from NA and Western Europe. A lot of this is also to do with the language, since most of the kids cruising from the US are US kids, it helps to have care givers whose first language is the same as the kids and parents, to avoid misunderstandings.

Thanks! My wife and I will definitely be checking out the children's activities on RCCL even though we won't have kids. At least talk to some parents of kids so we can get a feel for how good their clubs are. We are priced out of Disney at this point unless we can find a good deal.

I will say that I have been really impressed by how well all the crew members English is even though it isn't their first language. My kids have had no problems understanding our waiters etc... That might be partially due to my job and many of my coworkers do not have English as their first language.

I actually think that people gave her great advice....

 

Whether I agree or disagree with the corporate policies is not important. What is important is that it is the policy. It is the individual's right as a consumer to either follow the policy or spend their money elsewhere. If Royal Caribbean feels that this policy hurts the bottom line, they will change it. If I had an infant, I would go to a place that let them use a pool!

I totally agree with you on the bottom line. I kinda disagree with the pool. If a pool is large and has plenty of water a little contaminant is not that bad but when you talk about how small the pools are on cruise lines it is serious business if a poopy gets in the water. Every cruise I have taken has had the pool closed down at least 1 time because of parents who let their kids who are not potty trained swim in the pool even though the rules are against it. This is coming from someone who has a 5 and 2 year old and have had to deal with kids upset because they couldn't swim.

I now look for cruise boats that have large splash pads (think Disney fantasy or dream) so my toddler can happily play in water even though it isn't a pool and I don't have to worry about the possible contaminants in the pool. Plus I know adults are more likely to obey the rule if there is a viable alternative for their kids.

I don't quite agree with the taking up a berth argument. How often do the ships sail at 100% capacity? I think that argument only holds true if the ship is 100% full and an infant is displacing a paying adult. If that is truly the case I think you are talking about a cruise that is a high demand season and the cruise company is already charging a price premium for the product. Given that the cruiseline probably isn't using the full lifeboat capacity adding a child who won't eat meals, won't use the free kids clubs, etc.. makes me think that you could offer a discount to that cruiser. Especially since the parents will probably pay more out of pocket for daycare services so they can get a break.

After all it is strictly a supply and demand thing. I do think RCCL is probably limiting their potential clientele based on their pricing. We have seen several people comment they have booked other cruiselines because of RCCL charging full price for infants. If they want to attract those type of cruisers they'll have to change their policy.

I have cruised twice with Disney and both times my son was under 3. We have 3 kids and the first cruise we were in two staterooms. If I booked him with one adult and no others he was charged full fare. If we moved him as a third occupant his price was half of a normal child price ($300 vs $600). The second cruise we were in a family room and he was still less than half. First 2 passengers always pay full price and then 3rd and 4th pay a defined price unless they are under 3 and then it is a significantly reduced rate. Because of this our Disney cruise was very comparable in price as RCCL so we didn't hesitate to book the Disney cruise.

I have a question about the US crew members. I saw in this thread several times that US crew members were basically management and entertainment staff. I repeatedly saw US crew members in the kids clubs on my last 2 Disney cruises. I haven't been on RCCL yet but have one booked for 2015.

I was under the impression on DCL ships that the people working in the kids clubs were usually recent college grads that were young from countries like Canada, UK, Australia, and the US. Often they were going into counseling or some profession having to do with kids. They got paid very little and couldn't receive tips but were looking at it as a way to get some internship experience. (We tipped them by giving them all small bags with popular candy in them. They loved it).

It gave me piece of mind because I know in these countries it is easier to perform thorough background checks since the workers are with kids. For the workers on RCCL and other cruise lines are the workers in the kids clubs mainly from similar countries or is this unique to Disney?

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We are at Stewart beach right now and having a great time. The kids are having fun even with the large amount of sargassum (sp?). The weather is perfect and we are lounging under our rented umbrella.

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I think I read the west end had the least seaweed.

 

 

 

Tucker in Texas

Thanks! I don't know the island that well. We stayed there one night in Dec at the courtyard before our last Disney cruise and got there around five, ate at the pizza/Italian place across from Specs and then went for supplies. Then slept. So I don't know really where anything is at.

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St. John (grin)

I wish!

If there wasn't seaweed what beach in Galveston would you go to. My wife is determined to go to a beach tomorrow so we'll try it out and see what happens.

Our plan is we are going to drive to Galveston and leave Austin tomorrow morning. Spend a few hours at the beach in Galveston (we have 3 young kids so we don't last that long). Then we are going to drive to our hotel in Kemah and check in. Then go to dinner probably at Bubba's and then spend the evening at the Boardwalk and ride a couple rides.

The next day we are going to visit NASA and then coming home on Saturday.

We will be in Galveston to take the kids to the beach and will be staying in Kemah after. Any recommendations for the best beach for kids?

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This might have changed but on a business trip in 2011 and I bought a Starbucks card in London so I could get free wifi. I had some pounds left on the card when I arrived home in the US. The card worked fine and they just did a currency conversion to the dollar. Now I was unable to load the card and was unable to earn stars on the gold program with that card. Not sure how good the exchange rate was or anything.

I will be in London again mid June and could try it again if you like. I am not sure if the Allure is the same but I have had success using a UK gift card in the US.

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Woohoo I am definitely following your review. Also there is a PBS show we love called "Daytripper". It is a travel show where the host goes all over Texas. He did a show on are ah which was great. We are going to try to make a short family trip there sometime.

http://thedaytripper.com/daytrip/kemah-tx/

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Thanks for the info! We arrived in Austin today and will begin our search for apartments tomorrow. It is a bit overwhelming!

Welcome! Make sure you go to hula hut while you are here and sit out on the pier.

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I am thrilled to death that Disney is giving us a chance again. I am getting ready to book 4 rooms on Wednesday for the 12/11 ( 7night on Wonder).

 

Has anyone sailed out of Galveston with Disney around that time? How were the crowds?

 

How was the weather?

 

Will we be able to get a table for 14?

 

TIA!

We cruised on that exact cruise in 2013. We went to Key West, Castaway Cay and Nassau. The weather in Galveston was dreary when we left and returned. About a day later the weather got really really nice. The weather in all our ports was amazing. It was probably mid 80's. I had heard though the week prior had rain so it is hit or miss.

The other potential issue is fog in Galveston that can delay getting on/off the ship.

We loved our cruise!

Sorry I can't answer your table question we always have had 5 or 6 people at our own table but I swear there are tables that big. I know the party next to us was really big probably 15 people or so and they were all at one table.

Which of Disney's ship will be doing the Hawaii run?

I can guarantee you it is the Wonder. It will go there after Alaska.

 

I wonder if there is something about 1970 though? The cruise date on my account is November 5, 1970. Were there even Royal Caribbean cruises back then?

I am a nerd and this might be due to how computers store dates. The store them as a number that starts at Jan 1st 1970.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix_time

Perhaps it is poor programming ;)

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Hi uumgood... great ship for kids and families, they'll have tons to do, and so will you! A corner aft balcony will be so sweet, lucky you :)

 

• I don't think they had the 20% off as an OBC if you book 3 specialty dining promo out yet when we got on board?? If they did, I missed it
  
• I don't drink soda at all, but I think the answer is "no" to freestyle machines, you have to go up to the bar or have a server bring to you?
  
• The regular strawberry Marg GF had was $6.50 I think... my special one was $12.
  
• I've been on all classes of RCL ships. This particular Solarium I hated. IT was very stark, as if they removed everything from it during the refurb and did not bring anything back.... just stone, and a little pool. Nothing else. Google some pics of RCL Solariums and you'll see various ships and what they look like.
  
• Couples activities?? EVERYTHING!!! Seriously, everything. Make the cruise what you want it to be... if you want to sit in a chair all 7 days to unwind that's great! If you want to enter every single contest that's also great... maybe you and your spouse should consider participating in the Love & Masrriage game show :D:p
  

Thanks so much for answering!

What is the love and marriage game show?

I can see why the solarium was drab thanks for explaining. I wonder if they will fix this?

Delacruz please post a review...

I would love to read it :)

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Thanks so much for your review. There seems to be not many of the Navigator on here. We are going on our first RCCL cruise without our kids for our anniversary next year. We have cruised only on Disney before. We are using this cruise just as a break and to also see if RCL is a good choice for our family since they cruise out of Texas and Disney wasn't here for long.

The ship looks awesome and I lobed that someone posted the corner aft stateroom. We have the one above it I think on deck 9.

Anyway some questions...

Do you know if the discount for three restaurants can be used for lunch or dinner or is it just dinner?

Did the Navigator have freestyle machines?

How much axe the drinks in Sabor? I saw you posted you had some.

Why did you not like the solarium?

We haven't done anything as a couple for so long what were your favorite couples activities?

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Do they not have rails they can put on the sofa beds? Then you wouldn't have to turn it around. We were on Disney and they had rails so our toddler could sleep there.

Also something to think about is none of the normal rooms have a bathtub. With little ones that can be difficult.

Thanks!! She will work in the north. How do we find out about the older neighborhoods you mentioned? She exercises and also lives yoga. She will enjoy the trails too.

Here is a blog about Austin and has a great map of the areas more 'central' and what they are called...

http://www.westcampusliving.com/blog/austin-neighborhoods/the-city-of-austin-tx

Clarksville is awesome but very pricey. Since she would be working up north neighborhoods like Allandale or Crestview might be nice. The closer you get to the river (runs between Downtown and bouldin creek/soco/Travis Heights) the more expensive it gets. There are trails along that river plus up shoel creek which runs through Clarksville and Old Enfield etc... If you get north of 183 Austin gets very industrial/modern and more like Dallas to me. The Arboretum is very beautiful too.

Hopefully the map will help out some.

Make sure you have data roaming turned off. That will prevent large data charges.

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Anyone have pics of 9690 or 9390 on the navigator of the seas? I would love to see them! :)

 

 

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We have 9390 in July, '15

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Thanks for your suggestions! She is hip and single!!!so she would probably love the areas you mentioned. We will look there! Now I can cruise in and out or to Galveston!!! Just another port to use!!

We live in Austin too but live in South West and those are all great recommendations. We aren't young or hip anymore (mid to late 30's) but if she needs any recommendations feel free to ask. Also the Arboretum is nice too if you are looking for areas. Generally if I was young and hip I would want to be as close to Downtown as possible. If you are working up north it isn't too bad to get up there because you are going reverse of the flow of traffic. Also there are some great older neighborhoods south of 183 that could get her closer to Downtown.

If she exercises there are great trails etc... near downtown too she could use. I work Downtown and love being able to bike or jog around the river on my lunch break.

We love it here in Austin.

Texas Roadhouse is good for the money! I like being able to pick out my own steak! :cool:

We LOVE Texas Roadhouse. I have yet to have a bad steak there. (They could improve their ribs). The price is great! Anyway the one by us is owned by Willie Nelson so that makes it a little more special.