PSUfan1313

That would be perfect.  I've found it to be difficult in the past to do that online.  I will try to call.

I am 68 days out from our cruise on The Empress of the Seas.  I have cruised with and without a drink package in the past and am having a hard time deciding if it will be worth my hard earned cash to do it this cruise.  My wife does not drink much, so this is also a factor as she has to buy the package as well.  She is maybe a drink or two per day drinker.  We have 4 days in port on a 8-day adventure, so this will change my drinking amount on-board as well.  Right now the package is $48pp.  Better than the $60+ it was a month ago.  We would need to drink over $900 in drinks to make it worth the expense.  That seems like a lot of drinking...

There are a few factors that I was hoping someone could answer for me..

1. Can you purchase bottles of liqueur for your stateroom on the ship and mix your own?

2. I'm a spirits drinker.  What is the average cost of a Crown and Coke or a blender drink/drink of the day?

3. Can only one in a stateroom order the package? (I'm pretty sure I know this answer)

Thanks for the quick responses... Just worried about not being able to get thru Bahama security to re-enter the ship. Glad it won't be problem.

We will be traveling with my Granddaughter this April 2018. We acquired an original stamped birth certificate for her to board in Baltimore, but now have concerns as to leaving and reentering the ship. We will be going to US ports and the Bahamas.

She does not have a passport, and Pennsylvania does not issue photo ID cards until children are 10+. I know we will have a ship ID with her photo once we board, but will she need other ID to re-board the ship at these ports? I know adults need a drivers license and ships card to re-board.

I'm sorry if this has been asked before, but I could not find a link...

Thoughts from a grandma

make sure grandkids/kids have shoes,not just flip flops, some games running around - flip flops trip hazard.

cannot wear just bathing suit to kids club, need shorts and top.

do not leave the for a long time the first day - so they do not feel panic you are not coming back - you can leave them again, but just check in.

Ask them if they would like to try a meal in the kids club or come out and join you - they do get a meal, but nice to ask them what they want.

some cruises they connect with the club, other times they do not - depends on ages of kids that show up and if they have fun. If they do not want to stay do not push it, maybe try later in the cruise.

All great advice. We don't plan on having her there too much as we truly enjoy spending every minute with her. She gets bored easily because she is like a sponge and things come so easily to her and she is ready to move on. Hoping to use the Kids Club as an opportunity for her to make friends and keep busy.

Can't thank everyone for responding to this. So much great information all in one spot. My Granddaughter is counting the days and so are we. She's very advanced for her age and loves science and "performing". Do they do any type of science work in the kids club or is it basic doodling, games, and crafts to keep them occupied? Some ships do a group show or talent show for the kids. Does RCCL?

Thanks again in advance for the great responses...

Go for it... Dinner and the poolside are always great places to meet new people. Ask to be seated with others at dinner. Lot's of great conversations start there. We have made so many great friends on cruises. My wife, granddaughter and myself will be on the April 5th voyage. Odd itinerary but plenty to do. I like the fact that I won't need a internet plan and can make calls several days during the cruise.

Thanks for the quick reply.

We've picked up at MCO and dropped to a location near the pier, but never picked up and dropped there.

We will traveling with an itinerary stop in Port Canaveral. Has anyone ever rented a car for the day at the port? Is it easy to get back and forth? Shuttles or physical locations neat the ship?

Any help would be welcome.

I just booked this for a April 5th cruise.

Called the office directly to verify that parking and shuttle was included in the price. The front desk verified both were.

I did find it odd that when I was booking a section stated that "a $20 per night parking fee would be charged in applicable". I'm hoping that the front desk know best!!

It gets good ratings and is very close to the port. It was also listed on many web sites as a "free cruise parking facility".

Wow... So glad I posted this. I was getting bits a pieces throughout the internet and knew I could get honest answers here.

I am sure you are already aware of this but be sure to have a signed and notarized letter from her parents giving the date of travel, name of ship and permission to take her outside of the country and make medical decisions for her.

 

Some will say it’s not necessary but I can verify we were asked to present it when traveling with our granddaughters. Once on Royal, once on Disney and once at Customs.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!!!

Thanks for this tip. Would never had thought of it...

First time cruising with young ones. We didn't experience the joys of cruising until our children were much older. We will be sailing on April of 2018, Myself, Wife and Granddaughter.

Can someone outline the process of registering children into the kids programs and possibly review the program on the Grandeur of the Seas if you have experienced it with your 6-8 YO.

Thanks...

Just got off Grandeur yesterday after a 9-night voyage to New England and Canada. The 10-drink ticket was first advertised in the Cruise Compass under the interior "Offers of the Day" on Day 4. The advertisement then made front page news in the Compass on Day 5. $79 + (18% gratuity added to your purchase). Available at any bar.

I'll keep my eye out for it mid cruise in April. Thanks for the info...

does it ever show up on transatlantics?

I just read a post that it did.

We will be sailing on Grandeur of the Seas in April. I like a few Adult Beverages, but my wife is a 1-2 drinks per day drinker...maybe. The full drink package is a waste for us if we have to buy two packages. In fact, with the sale rates we just received we would almost pay more for the booze package as we did the cruise.

Is this 10 drink package available on all RCI ships?

We are sailing the Pearl March 23 - 11 day Panama Canal cruise - anyone know who will be the cruise director? Thanks!

J.C. Sanchez was last week when we were on Feb 6 - 13. They are in dry dock now for two weeks. He wasn't my favorite, in fact, the entire entertainment staff could use a little boost.

Here's my take. I've done both.

When cruising was new to us, we always had a balcony. My DW almost never utilized the balcony and I used it everyday to have a few cocktails and relax while DW showered or napped in the afternoon. Plenty of room with the added outside space, and it was nice at port to see the action from your own room. Other than that it was $500 - $1000 we could have used for excursions, specialty restaurants, gambling or additional cruising.

Then we tried an interior to save some money. A bit smaller, but frankly, we spent little time in the room other than sleeping and getting ready to go out. I wondered the decks if DW needed some rest and I felt like staying up. Met some great folks while doing this and had some company while drinking my adult beverages in the afternoon. Saved big $$$ and realized we could go on two cruises a year rather than one if we stayed inside.

For the past several years we have taken the insides, and have at times been upgraded to a window room.

We've even split our beds apart to add some additional space in the room if needed. We leave the TV on with no volume with the ships exterior camera if we feel a bit claustrophobic.

Your call, but we love the extra sea time and the extra cash... :)

We ran into a deal on a 7 day Pearl for Feb 6-13th,'17 in an ocean view for $205. and booked 4 cabins. Anyway, the drydock is hopefully NOT while we are aboard.... :) This wasn't listed online anywhere--our NCL person called and told me about it. It wasn't even on the NCL site until the next day. Of course, it sold out within a day or so. Haven't been on NCL for a few years---Is the no soda's brought onboard really enforced? I normally take a 12 pack.

We booked the same deal. I booked last Wednesday through the NCL site. Called Monday for an additional room for my daughter and the it was gone. Called NCL and they told me the date was sold out but our booking is confirmed. Looks like no dry dock for February. No other dates are available in February either.

Had no intentions of cruising in February, but for that price plus a $250 discount we needed to use... Almost cheaper than staying at home. :D

We cruised in October with another cruise line and had the UBP. I usually added $1 when given a slip, and dropped some $1's in the jug when not given one. Our service was much better than most other passengers and at one point I had someone ask why I got such quick and friendly service. At the pool area some sunny days we were 2-3 deep waiting for drinks. Occasionally (most of bartenders) would just make my drink of choice when they saw me in line and serve me before anyone else. For a few dollars a day, it was worth the tip...:D

When you check in at the maitre'd desk in the main dining room, tell them you're willing to share. They are always grateful to accommodate you, because there too many people, not enough tables. In fact, at peak times, it can greatly shorten your wait-time for dinner.

The types of cruises we go on usually attract an older demographic, and the shared tables tend to match the demographic. We've had some younger couples at dinner, but usually it's middle-aged folks who are close to, but haven't retired yet. We are 70 now, although you wouldn't guess it. But we've been doing this for 15 years and have always met a disparate, interesting group. Sometimes people we don't like, but it's still interesting, and we can always laugh about it later.

 

Another option that they don't publicize: Sign up at Guest Services for the Dinner-with-an-Officer lottery. Everybody wins--it's just that you sometimes get a low-level officer. But it's always interesting and involves a free specialty dinner, great service, and unlimited free wine.

We have met some of our best lifelong friends around an 8-10 seat table. It's a must to share if you enjoy meeting people and having conversation... ;)

Just a few rituals for us...

- We always make plans to go to the gym daily, but NEVER do.

- Drink responsibly, but on the fringe of excess at times (It can be done)

- Have a tumble in bed at least 5 out of 7 nights -- It has happened on a balcony too ;)

- Always ask for a seating assignment that will let us meet new people

- Stay on the ship on at least one port day (enjoy all the amenities without the crowd)

- Plan all excursions in advance so there is more time for relaxing

- Get as much sun as we can...

I wish NCL would be more forthcoming with information. I was told that we are still stopping at Harvest Caye for my February 20 Jade cruise and that if it isn't ready that they will just have another sea day rather than stop in Belize City. Which is it? Surely we wouldn't only stop at two ports?

We are on the cruise with you on the 20th. Surely I hope we stop somewhere else if it's not ready. I love sea days, but that would be a lot... :confused:

Pros - Price; Dark space for easy sleeping; quiet

Cons - Small space (Could barely squeeze past the bed and the desk on Indy); Very dark; No reference to day or night.

MY DW and I found that booking an inside would save us enough money that we could cruise twice rather than once a year. We did balconies and OV's several times, but we do not spend much time in the room at all. That alone has had us stay in an inside the last few cruises.

Update...

On the 10/11/15 cruise I was not given the "extra" mug for soda as promised upon arrival, but I went to the customer service desk and was quickly given one after explaining the promotion that was on during my booking. No hassle.

I found the premium coffee to be bad, and wasn't even that impressed with the fresh OJ, so I seldom used these perks of the Ultimate Package. Water was an issue as when I tried to get a larger water for shore excursions, I was denied and only given a small bottle. The large was to be in the Ultimate package...but...

We had several cruisers we met who were doing the Premium rather than my Ultimate, and they had the same perks as I did for boozy drinks. Without the "extra" soda mug, the Ultimate would have been a waste for me. With the DW using the soda mug she was given frequently, and without having to pay extra, it was worth it. (Side note...I never even used my soda mug once. Brought it home tightly wrapped in plastic as given to me)