Mr. Bungle
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Posts posted by Mr. Bungle
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As an UpStateNY resident, flying out of Syracuse can get a bit pricey. We are looking to drive to Toronto (@3 1/2 hrs) and fly non-stop to Vancouver. This will cut the plane fare almost in half. Doing a ton of research and I cannot find anything that stands out as "Be Aware" to do this. I have read that we may need some extra time on the return to clear customs, but is there anything that I am missing that could tank this idea?
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We had a fun guest on our cruise this past week (1-23/1-30) on Oasis out of Miami.
What started out as a "whoa, what was that?" while sitting at the Trellis bar, we found out there was an owl living on the ship. Some were saying it was posted about on FB and other social media platforms, but I couldn't find anything.
One morning while grabbing coffee before an excursion I was able to see him sitting on the back of a chair by Park Cafe.
The next day it was perched on a light near by.
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3 minutes ago, John Reid said:
Ate dinner at Portside on Oasis Sept. 19 sailing.
For me, I even like the BBQ containers of Curley's or 64th Street in the supermarket. I got the three meet sampler.
The pulled pork was unbelievably salty.
The burnt ends were tolerable but not really burnt ends. They were small cubes of meat. C- at best.
The brisket (I even like the carved brisket they serve in Windjammers) was an overly-thick, unseasoned, unsmoked fatty glob of meat.
I know it can be different from ship to ship and month to month, but my meal was awful. This is coming from someone who is pleased with Chef Boyardee ravioli with Velveeta melted in. I know, right?!
We sailed at about 40% capacity, and Portside was always fairly empty. Never saw more than 3 groups.
I really like to try different BBQ. I like making it and sharing with friends and family. I hope i don't have my expectations too high. I'll be sure to go in with an open mind and remember it's a cruise ship and not a 500gal stick burner at a road side stand.
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1 minute ago, Tromler said:
it wasnt a bad meal at all and we really enjoyed it...we did the three meat tray with two sides and it was a lot of food...i would do two meat tray the next time unless sharing with others.
I fully intend on going big! Make it a lunch on a sea day.
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Just now, Tromler said:
We ate there in Sept last year and the staff said they do in fact cook it on the ship.
At Portside BBQ, the cruise line introduced a bold hickory flavor that uses smoke from real wood. The Combi Oven Smokers slow cook chicken and burnt ends along with the meats and the oven technology locks in the flavor by improving cooking capacities with reduced moisture loss. Each oven is specifically programmed to perfectly cook all the BBQ items. Hickory wood chips are used in small portions to give just the right smoky flavor, and small batches are cooked throughout the day to provide fresh food for guests, while infusing the air with just enough smoke aromas to spark their appetite.
Wood chips... Hmmm. hopefully they do it the right was so as to have clean smoke. Hickory that smolders below the right temp tastes reeeeeeeaaaallllyyyy bad.
thank you for the info!
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Just now, binro01 said:
We are not allowed to have an open flame, mainly because where have them, there is no proper fire retardant system that will mitigate the risk. All kitchens on a cruise ship does have cooking devices with open flames, but those kitchens have very robust fire retardant systems.
My guess is they do use some sort of wood smoker system in the kitchen, probably pellat based, since the flame is in a controlled small area and the flammable material is slowly added to the fire when needed via a control board.I could see them using a Pellet smoker... A lot bigger one than what I have...
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A few quick searches and didn't get the answers I was looking for...
HOW... does RCL cook their BBQ for Portside BBQ? The DW and I were having this discussion while oot-n-aboot the other day.
She seems to think it can be done on the ship. I feel that since there are no open flames allowed on the ship that they can't cook it on board. Pellet smokers or stick burners all have a flame and are a hazard. Or I am completely off and they do allow it to process the food.
My theory is that they have a big kitchen in the base city where the ship is based and cook it there. Process and refrigerate then load on the ship during turnaround. The kitchen staff then only has to reheat and serve.
Does anyone have the skinny on the Brisket?
TYIA!!!
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Reading through the few threads I can find regarding taxi's and price... Does anyone have an accurate cost of cab fare from the airport to Dorado Beach Resort? The hotel's page states that the cost could be $70 or higher each way.
If that's the case, our 4 trips, airport to hotel, hotel to port, port to hotel, hotel to airport, will run us almost $300... OUCH...
I don't have a need to rent a car, nor do I care to "take the bus"... The DW isn't a fan of buses. Staying one night prior and one night after our cruise.
Thank you in advance...
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22 minutes ago, Mary Louise said:
Hi,
Both my husband and I have the RCCL BOA CC. We have made the minimum purchases and have now qualify for the $150.00. We want to use it for our final payment. YOU BOTH HAVE AN ACCOUNT? SEPARATE ACCOUNT NUMBERS?
Can we both use our $150.00 towards final payment? IF YOU HAVE 2 SEPARATE ACCOUNTS, THEN YOU CAN CALL AND APPLY THE 2 DIFFERENT CREDITS ONE AT A TIME.
Is it difficult to redeem the $150.00? I am using a TA is there a process that I need to follow? TA'S MIGHT NOT ACCEPT THE CREDIT AS FINAL PAYMENT. CALL RCCL DIRECTLY TO APPLY PAYMENT.
Is there a lead time? MOST LIKELY BY FINAL DUE DATE.
If I use it to prepay prior to final payment, and something happens and we cannot go will the money be refunded into my BOA account? SINCE IT'S A CREDIT, YOU MAY NOT GET IT BACK.
I do not need any additional OBC, I already have $350.00 for my next cruise.
Thank you
ML
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I am a fan of the change. We do a cab tour with a friend at SXM and having to clear out and pack while tipsy isn't the best of plans. LOL. Now we have a sea day on day 7 to take our time getting ready to get off the ship.
As for congestion, we are now just 1 of 2 ships in SXM that Monday. Star Pride is the other and has very low capacity. We will basically have the island to ourselves.
Aruba is now our busy stop. 2 ships to 4 ships in port at the same time.
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Just now, Loonbeam said:
I actually do top down as much as possible, which means its easier to move via stairs downwards, especially for large groups, then we might take an elevator back up for a grand finale suite...
That's a good plan to have... Didn't think of it that way.
Ours was more of a, let's go to the closest one first and move from there.
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For a 7 night cruise you will have 2 Formal nights. Normally Night's 2 and 6... or night 5... Or whatever they decide. What is your itinerary? What days are sea days?
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Get a list of cabin locations and plan a route. Don't try and go lowest cabin category to top tier. You may wind up walking all over the ship. We did one on Oasis and started from the lowest deck and worked our way to the top.
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Call me crazy... You're Crazy... But didn't the bar in Vortex rotate around??? Or am I thinking of another ship... Our first cruise ever was on Jewel and we are revisiting her in a few weeks.
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We sailed this past Jan on Oasis in 12629. Same ship layout. Same Big Balcony!!! The only concern is that the room next to you "behind" the wall is the room stewards supply area. You WILL hear the carts and plates and silverware from the room service cleanup in the morning... But not too early. It was usually around 0830 when they started to move around. Most folks are up by then for either excursions or "chair-hogging" on sea days. There are two sets of patio furniture for you to use. Loungers and a cafe-set. You WILL hear them throughout the day and into the early evening. The noise stops by the time you get back from dinner. You may hear a stray clank or bang from a room steward getting it ready for the next day. All in all, there was no real "disturbance" from the supply room when we were on Oasis. You will enjoy the larger balcony to stretch your legs.
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It's been quite a few years since our last cruise and we are booked in GS for October.
I have been online trying to use the cruise planner to book dining for specialty restaurants and also shows- but keeps saying not available to book. When do these options open up and should I just wait for the concierge and have him book for us? Dining opens @ 90 days out.
If I do that and decide to wait for him then would I risk not getting the dining times and show times I want? Possible. But there are a ton of times available.
What is the best way to go about doing this?? Booking online helps you plan so you don't overlap shows/dining. It won't let you double book.
Appreciate any input. Also, I know we get priority boarding but we are also platinum members, will earn emerald after this cruise, what line do I get in to access this, is there a suite line or C&A line? Look for the signs at the check in. There will also be staff there to help you get in the correct line.
Thanks
Hope this helps.
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Were going on Oasis for the for the first time , whats the better option boardwalk balcony or central park ?
Thanks for the help !
When will you be sailing Oasis?
We sailed her this past January (22) and had a CP Balc. It was breezy and cool that cruise so it wasn't as hot as it could have been if sailing at other times.
Can other see in? Sure, just be smart about your curtains.
Is it quiet? Yes, just ambient noise as you would normally have on any ship. We were on deck 12, mid ship and could hear the bands/music from the pool deck, 2 decks above, while on our balc, but it wasn't a bother. The seals on the doors are amazing!!! Cuts out almost ALL of the outside noise.
At night you can sit on your balc and listen to the string quartet/duo playing. It's a nice relaxing atmosphere when winding down at the end of the day.
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Ok kids. Back from the big O. Bed by the door. Decent space to move in the cabin. Some noise during regular hours from the housekeeping closet next door. Usually started about 9am and was done by 9pm. Located dead center from the elevators so be sure to know which way you want to go when leaving so as to not have to double back. But walking through either Central Park or the promenade makes a mistake not too bad.
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They had a lot of shirts and other items. So I got my answer.
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Over-planning as usual and came across this post regarding the Hard-Rock in Nassau having it's Franchise License pulled but still in operation.
http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1980340
Is this still the case? Or has the company re-instated this location?
Cruising to Nassau in just under 2 weeks and had this as a quick stop along with the Pirate Brewing Company. Not going to bother going in if they don't have the merch... I might have to bite the bullet and hike up to the corner to the other chain that gives you the balloon hats...
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What is the size of said model and do you have a picture???
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We are sailing on Majesty of the Seas on Monday. we fly into Miami on Sunday.
So we got a call about arrival time to be 1 PM. Is that not an option? I mean I have read on here to show up early for boarding. Or do we wait until our 1 PM boarding time? Get there earlier. That way if there is any issue with your paperwork, passport, reservation, you have time to correct it before the ship sails.
Also, as far as tipping, I was thinking and told by our travel agency that tips were included in our fees for the cruise. HOwever, a friend told me to be sure to tip the luggage guys, and others etc..? Please help me understand tipping better for this cruise. Bring singles to tip the porters for your luggage and the bartenders that go a step above to make your trip more enjoyable.
Last has to do that I read somewhere about being allowed a bottle of wine or champagne to bring. But when I read on RCI website I don't see anywhere they will allow any alcohol brought on board. Did this recently change or is it just due to certain cruise line policies? Echoing what others have commented. You are allowed 2 bottles (750ml) PER CABIN. Some have ways of bringing on more, but this is the rule.
We will be staying at Courtyard Cadillac on Miami Beach for our returning day, over night so we can relax in Miami one day. Any suggestions on where to visit around there?
Thank you!
April
As a laughable comment, since this is your first cruise, do the following.
Lay out all of your clothes you intend on packing onto your bed. Now, put half of them away.
Next, put out all of the cash you intend on spending on the cruise. Now, double that...
Rule #1 for cruising... Half the clothes, twice the cash. :D;):D;)
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Has any one done the Amazing Race as a shore excursion in St. Martins? I am going with my adult son and 2 teenage granddaughters. I am in a scooter and wonder if I could be a part of the team.
According to Royal's page, the tour includes 2 hours and approximately 2.5 miles of walking over pavement and cobblestones.
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Resurrection of a post...
We are sailing with you on Oasis in January and had the same hesitation. I'm thinking of walking over to the Pirate Republic Brewing Co for lunch and a beer or two. They brew their own IPA's and look like it would be worthy of a stop. That and a quick visit to the Hard Rock right next door. Walk off the ship, across the street and up a block. Close by.
NY drive to Toronto for Non-Stop to Vancouver
in West Coast Departures
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