shipgeeks

The website works for everything else, but checkin, for Vision cruises, is via the app only. Laptop users are unable/not permitted to enter any info or to choose an arrival time.

I'm curious what the advantage is to RC, in requiring use of the app to check in. We have always used laptop, but now will have to go to the port (Baltimore, currently) with no checkin completed, and have an agent there check us in. Isn't that an inefficient waste of time for the agents? (Doesn't bother me, but I have time at home to do it, too.) Do they think we will buy more excursions, drink packages, etc. if we have the app? Or? I'm looking for the logic in this.

The Head Waiter turned him away, 2023.

Tank top on a man will also get you turned away, including on a casual night.

A relative who is a self-proclaimed expert on the correct temperature for serving various wines was shocked that we served cheese at room temperature, claiming he had never heard of such a thing, and would never do so. And he was horrified that anyone could eat Caprese salad that wasn't as cold as possible. What do you say, Foodies?

Is the app always accurate, ahead of time? I've read of "one or two" inaccuracies on the app before. (I don't use it, so just going by what I read, of things that are incomplete or not true.)

That was Vision. We were caught in that, as we do not use the app. We were not able to do the regular checkin at all. The site said "If not using the app, just print the following page (which showed just our names and booking number) and show up at the terminal". We never did get to find out how it works, as our cruise had a change of itinerary, 28 of the 32 people in our travel group cancelled, and we were cancelled in turn. Will be doing it again in January. Not worried.

As I understand (or recall) it, the Brunch is only offered on one of the sea days, not all or most. All the other sea days have the standard separate breakfast and then lunch. Our last two RC cruises had six sea and two port days, then six sea and five port days, and I only remember seeing the brunch listed one time on each. And although I did not attend, I thought the menu was quite extensive.....and many people apparently had a morning meal and a midday meal there.

I wish you great success with your physiotherapist! Mine has made a big difference for me, probably much more than all the meds I'm currently taking (but I'll never know for sure). I'm really happy to read your posts. Good encouragement for me and my upcoming cruise, too.

I noticed recently that $ Tree had waterproof mattress covers. Fairly compact, and certainly inexpensive, if they would be of use.

Are you within the checkin period?

Yes, we easily printed our luggage tags without the app; just could not do the checkin process.

Well, I for one do not totally agree. We've done six cruises on Enchantment and Vision since the restart. Show times were set to mesh with the early and late traditional dinner times -- I believe 7, and 9:30. We do the 7:45 dinner time, so could go to either if we wished to. (No show reservations needed.) Dinners moved more quickly than in the past, which is apparently what the fast-food crowd wants. We didn't observe anything as gross as your incidents above (thank goodness!); in fact, although much has become more casual, the Baltimore crowd is still quite pleasant and civil.

Here's one I heard after a cruise: "I never knew if there was anything to do. They never made any announcements. The cruise was pretty boring." Me: Read the daily paper and/or app that lists all the activities, meal opening times, going ashore times, etc. Some of us even pack a highlighter, and mark things we don't want to miss.

We, too, do not use the app (nor smartphones). For our September Vision cruise, our booking said "if not using the app, just print the following page, and go to the terminal" (Baltimore). Unfortunately, we did not get the chance to see how that works, as our cruise group was cancelled. We'll be trying again in January, June, and September. In the meantime, I'd be interested to hear from anyone who did their checkin and boarding without the app. I'm not worried, just curious.

Flatbush Flyer, You have reminded me of one I used to hear from colleagues: "I wish I could afford to cruise like you do. We can only do our Ocean City vacations." Condo $$ Drive two or more cars, or rent a large car, in order to take all the beach furniture and other stuff $$ Brunch at Denny's $ Burgers and ice creams $ Dinner at Olive Garden $$ Movie $ Water park rides $$ Parking $ Groceries for the condo $ And so on......

A novice cruiser mentioned to me that she felt obliged to order a drink in any lounge she went into. She loves music and dancing, but hesitated to sit, or to barhop, without buying more drinks. Not true! No obligation at all. Typically, if a server offers and you decline, he will place a little paper napkin on your table; this is a signal to other servers that you have been asked. She also said she was told by another passenger that everyone must vacate the ship in every port, and that no food of any kind is available while in a port. Also not true in the least (although some food venues, usually main dining room, will not be open for lunch). Have you come across other misconceptions?

Since learning this from Cheng a couple of years ago, I've poured a couple of glasses of tap water into the drain at the start of every cruise, as well as passing the advice along to fellow cruisers when I can. Have never had an odor problem. But I wonder sometimes if this is included in the checklist of chores for cabin stewards (along with 99 other tasks).

?? Surely this is on days with an earlier departure, not on overnight/late night days.

I would suggest posting this on the MSC board, to reach the most people with experience.

There should be two little boxes on your account, one of which is luggage tags. Are you driving to the port? Just inside the entrance, there is a tent in which they will make luggage tags, if you are unable to print them yourself. We always put our own name and address tags on our luggage as well. One time that served us well, as the RC tag got torn off, but it enabled them to deliver the bag to our cabin without any delay.

I've been pleased to notice that no one has been on their phones at our tables in MDR, in Diamond Club, or other venues we've spent time in on our last couple years of cruises. However, this week, at home, I'm noticing something I find very strange. I joined a group on another site because we thought we might book that cruise. That cruise is now happening, and every day I get multiple messages from people onboard. "Where is ----" "Do they sell --- onboard?" "Anyone want to play cards?" "I lost my ----" (And another one that was much too personal to repeat here, IMO.) Why are they posting this online, instead of turning to another passenger or a crew member, or Guest Services, or walking to the shops? Are they all sitting in their cabins, looking for all their answers online? Is any face-to-face contact going on this week?

Princess

Having been the recipients of a "bump", perhaps I can explain what occurred. We were booked on a cruise departing on a Tuesday. On the Friday before, we received a phone call asking if we'd be willing to be bumped, as it was oversold. We were not ready to commit, so said no. But over the weekend, we decided the compensation was appealing, and decided we would. We were not able to reach he agent over the weekend, but we called on Monday, said we would, and she said "fine, I'll take care of everything". She did, and when we did the makeup cruise the following year, we appreciated the extra benefits. I believe we were approached because we had booked air and transfers through the cruiseline, which meant they could do all the rebooking. Possibly people living close to the departure port would be contacted first, as well. If no one had accepted any of the offers, I suspect they would have increased the benefits until someone did.

I'm not convinced that we know the whole story. Are they really claiming that the letter was handed to them as they stepped up to the counter to complete checkin and board? Or did RC try to email/text/phone them beforehand (as is the usual protocol), and they didn't receive it?