TheCalicoCat

Don't sweat it. Like just about everything around here, this somehow manages to be a "hot button" issue. In all seriousness though, the rates for wash & fold and even pressing and dry cleaning are shockingly low. They are much less than I pay for those services when I am home. So, even though people like to rail against it around here, the wash and fold service is a great way to go.

I've seen the price list. It is $1.25 for a pair of socks on Royal - shockingly high, not shockingly low.

Maybe if you are a good stuffer, you can get good value out of the $25 bag.

At home I pay $1.99 a piece for jacket, blouses, etc. for reference (I haven't paid to have my socks laundered for a direct comparison.)

I've never cruised Carnival and based on your Sig that is all you have done. Is there self-serve laundry on Carnival? I wouldn't mind the idea as long as you didn't have to wait for available washing machine and dryer, but I've had to my own laundry in other circumstances not cruise related and it is an absolute pain. (And I don't mean at home :p , although that is a pain too :) )

Yes, we never had to wait - & we did several loads.:( (brought our own detergent & quarters.)

While I don't cruise to do laundry, a self serve laundry on my 10 night cruises would have come in handy. I would love it if Royal offered washer/dryers every other deck like Princess does.

 

I agree with you, it is a money maker for them and I don't see them changing their position on the issue in the future...Quantum ;)

We are about to embark on a 10 day & would have liked to have seen self-service laundry. As it is I am buying some of the hand washing laundry detergent & will use the bathroom sink. (I plan on using the gym several times & prefer not to have the smelly gym clothes lingering.)

I always thing about planning to arrive at ____. But we leave when we are ready. SO if we get there at noon, we get there at noon make no difference if that is the worst time to arrive or not.

I have to drop off my cat & hit the gym before we leave - so I can be 100% ready for the cruise.:)

I need a recent time window for embarkation on Grandeur of the Seas for jan 31,2014,as I can't seem to find that on their website.if anyone knows please tell me

After I leave - that is the last morning of our Grandeur cruise...:(

My 5 year old will be on his 5th cruise in 2 weeks on Grandeur, his first RCCL cruise.

In the past he has been on Carnival & HAL and he loved the kids programs.

Parents or guardians have to retrieve & drop off the kids - they have cameras, etc. So I was never worried about my young child escaping - I believe when they are older they have more freedom to leave of their own accord.

Numbers are hard to judge though you could expect higher numbers during school holidays. My son was barely ever alone (other kids his age) & we have never sailed during school holidays.

Not sure the ratio - but it always felt adequate.

Hi everyone,

 

I thought if I got on this BB we could get better information on dining and meeting people. We can't leave home for more than a few days, so the trip to Nassau was perfect and we plan on doing it again. I'll end here.

Good luck I find this to be hit or miss. I've done the breakfast thing & barely got any "hellos." My first cruise (small boat in the Great Barrier Reef) was the only one where there was any "meeting" - but that I think had to do with the fact that the ship wasn't the size of the city & did not hold 1,000+ people...

My second cruise was on Royal & we met people in the game room... (I never saw anyone in the Carnival game room...)

If I want a latte after dinner in the MDR (can't image why, I "never" have coffee after dinner), is there a charge?

I read that there is a latte machine in the Viking Crown Lounge - is this true? Is it included in the price of the cruise?

 

To me a week on a crusie ship is better than a week at home working all day and coming home to cook, clean, and take care of the kids.

In a nutshell this is my opinion.

Different people expect different things, they have different tastes, different likes & dislikes... As soon as someone complains that all they have is "Coke" then someone will say, "Yay, I love Pepsi." etc. I read the reviews to kill time...

Welcome. Just like everything else "take it all with a grain of salt."

IMHO If you liked Carnival, you will like RCCL - more alike than different again In MY Humble Opinion.

I'm about to do my second Royal cruise after 1 HAL, 3 Carnival, & 1 in the Great Barrier Reef - in 2 weeks!

(All other things the same I'd choose HAL for the unlimited laundry:), but we liked the itinerary better on this Royal cruise.)

I haven't been on that ship, but we always book inside & haven't had any problems with light, noise etc. (We never plan to spend a lot of time in there but then we do... So even with quite a bit of time in the cabin, no problems.)

We'll be on the 4th floor in an inside in 2 weeks on Grandeur.;)

Thanks. I appreciate the link.

What has an extra fee? (I am assuming that they might have "make a bear" type activities & I have read about the Barbie experience.)

What is included?

What are the hours of operation?

Just trying to get an idea on what adult only activities, like the gym we can plan or not...

Since you have been on Carnival before - the included stuff & costs extra stuff are the same...

Specialty restaurants on both cost extra, water on both is included...

Are you cruising for the ship or the ports?

I cruise for the itinerary - the ship just gets me there...

"I" could care less about the decor. "I" find the food to be similar on both lines. In general, "I" prefer a smaller ship. In general, "I" would choose the longer itinerary (same effort to pack, etc. might as well make it last as long as possible).

What "YOU" want/need is probably different.

If you cruise for the entertainment factor of the ships then your reasoning would be different...

On a different line we took our 2 year old in an inside - I only mention this because it did not have a tub or a balcony & we did not feel like it was necessary.

Granted you will need more room for 2 children, but I would not classify a tub or a balcony as a need.

It has been several years since I have sailed on Royal, do you get 1 room steward with an assistant on Royal? (2 people?) We have pre-paid our gratuities, but we sail with a 5 year old - so I like to give a bit extra. :) (So I need to know if I need to prepare for 1 or 2 people.)

Another great day!

You know at that age they have no idea about dates, you could have your party when you get back and he'll not know the difference.

 

We used to do that sometimes for Christmas when we had to work on the actual holiday and kids were none the wiser.

You don't know my 5 year old.;) You know how some kids know all about Disney/Sports teams/Video games/Dinosaurs/What have you - we don't have TV & choose not to buy "branded" items or noisy (battery operated) toys, so my 5 year old reads, likes math, writing, science, numbers, coloring, & dates. He already has has 2014 calendar filled out. Trust me when I say he knows when my birthday is & if you are within ear shot, he'll probably tell you my age.

I'm glad to hear that someone thinks the chocolate cake is phenomenal.

I believe that you need a cc "just in case" but can pay the purser at the end in cash.

Kids in general are cut a lot more slack in the dress code are. My 5 year old will be wearing chinos & nice shirts/sweaters.

good to know. My son is excited about the birthday cake. :)

What kind of sushi did you make? (I can't eat shell fish.)

Oh good. I am an early riser!