CU64

I see this saving of chairs in the theatre shows on cruises, also, even though they always say not to save and some always do.

Somehow manners, the concept of "sharing" which is learned in kindergarten,

seems to disappear with some people when they have paid money for a hotel room, cruise, movie ticket, et al

The same thing occurs on the Thermal Suites (Celebrity and Princess

have these heated stone lounges). People go in there and fall asleep, some snore. ......oblivious to others. I usually check to see if a lounge is available and if there are persons' who have clearly been there for more than 45 min.....

(30 tops when others are waiting).......

Once I went to the Spa desk and told them I wanted my money back for the week's tab as I could not use the facility. That worked....only had to do that once after many times checking.

why? because the most important thing for me on a cruise is a balcony,

nice gym, really like the thermal suites (Persian Garden on Celebrity), a decent

gaming area because I like to play black jack......won't play if smoking ...

I have plenty to do if I were ever to get bored but that is not why I/we cruise.

Therefore, the bells and whistles on the large RCCL ships do not provide the environment which I prefer...could care less about a promenade and central park on a ship. Actually, Brilliance of the Seas which is a 4.5 star was an enjoyable cruise/ nice storage in balcony, et al. NE/Canada

I echo some of the previous posters...someone said Celebrity is cruise for grownups.....Celebrity has done a nice marketing with the BLU restaurant in Aqua Class.....much more money but people think it is great because it appears more like a Specialty Restaurant. Personally, I think it is over hyped

but it worked as a good marketing tool.

Those of you who like the many more activities, shows, crowds, might prefer

the big RCCL ships.

Think I'd be looking at room service by then:D

Room service closes at 11:30......we might not make it if plane late (:

sorry to leave out the city, Ft Lauderdale

any one know of any type places to consume something after 5 hr flight

won't get to hotel until about 11:15 PM

Thanks

Renaissance renovation this summer/done by Oct.

no smoking hotel while Hilton Marina has some smoking rooms

Thanks for all feedback.

Please pick between Renaissance FLL Cruise Port Hotel

or

Hyatt Place FLL Convention Center

One night precruise/we will be arriving late after 6 hr flight

Thanking you in advance.

We just brought a basic extension cord from the Dollar Store ( has three outlets at the end) and also we brought a three-outlet plug-in that they sell at Walmart or HomeDepot. We had no problems. The room had only ONE outlet (that allowed for three electrical items)...I'm SO GLAD we brought our own extras. If you pack a hair dryer or flat iron or something with a cord, just wrap the extension cord around that item and the X-ray scanner will not alert anything out of the ordinary. Of course for everyone's safety, be sure that your extension cord is fairly new (as to ensure it is approved by current safety standards) so there's no fire risk.

 

 

Royal~FreedomOfTheSeas 2014

Carnival Glory 2012

Disney Magic 2011

Carnival Triumph 2010

Carnival Victory 2009

Disney Magic 2008

Carnival Inspiration 2008

Carnival Victory 2007

Carnival Triumph 2002

better to bring power strip or 3 prong adapter for everyone's safety

dollarstore electrical items can be iffy

No iron in the cabin, so I do the following: 1) When we get into the room and unpack, any items that need a little refreshing get hung up in the bathroom, then I turn on the shower very hot in order to steam out any wrinkles but if there are some that need an iron, then 2) I use my flat iron to take them out. Even if you don't need one for your hair, they are fairly inexpensive and pack well.

 

Other items we bring:

Nightlight

travel clock,

battery candles,

post-it notes,

address/email labels to hand out to new friends,

outlet strip (you can get a 3-outlet at home improvement stores that take up less room than a surge protector)

 

One of the best things I take is a plastic insulated mug. Fill it up at the WJ with lemonade or tea or coffee and always have a drink with me when I find my special place to sun or read.

 

Also, I am very prone to illness after flying and invariably spend my cruises sick, so now I start with lots of vitamin C, etc a couple of weeks before a cruise, take the cleaning wipes on the plane, and take meds with you so you have what you need when you start getting sick. Buying meds in the gift store is expensive! Once, in Puerto Walmarto, there must have been a dozen of us in the OTC cold /flu section and NONE of us could read spanish enough to understand what the medicine treated. Funny if we all weren't so pathetic. ;-)

thought these were regarded as fire hazard and not allowed on ship??

I have not found anything listed on RCCL website about the comedy club venues on Oasis under entertainment. I am NOT talking about the main shows.

I will be playing bridge on this cruise in Nov and will want to see the shows after 10PM......however, I understand they fill up quickly with limited seating.

Any suggestions?

Thanking you in advance.

You guys are terrific and a wealth of information!

Thank you so much for the post on Boarding Day lunch choices.

Barbara

Current cruisers:

Is Solarium on Oasis available for lunch and/or dinner on first day/night?

and is Giovanni's Table available for lunch on first day?

Thanking you in advance

Just wanted to share the Entertainment lineup for my May B2B cruise on Oasis of the Seas...

 

The following entertainment is currently scheduled for the May 17, 2014 sailing of the Oasis of the Seas:

 

Guest Entertainment:

Ice Show, Oleksandra & Sergii

Comedian, Kivi Rogers

Comedian, Gary DeLena

Headliner, Ronn Lucas, Ventriloquist

 

The following entertainment is currently scheduled for the May 24, 2014 sailing of the Oasis of the Seas:

 

Guest Entertainment:

Ice Show, Oleksandra & Sergii

Comedian, Phil Tag

Comedian, Jimmy Carroll

Headliner, Savannah Jack, Group

 

Production Shows for the Oasis of the Seas on both sailings:

Hairspray

Come Fly with Me

Frozen In Time, Ice Show

Oasis of Dreams, AquaTheater Show

Splish Splash, AquaTheater Show

Do you need reservations for Comedy Shows in their own place?

Those are the most important to us.

Thanks

I know that I can compare dimensions of staterooms but there are so many types and classes I can't be sure. I just wanted the personal opinions of those who have sailed on the Brilliance

Sailed #8636 balcony to Canada/NE Oct 2013......nice cabin, plenty of storage.....bed by balcony....same size as Princess, altho closet layout on Princess is BEST, bar none.....would get this cabin again......better storage than on Celebrity Aqua Class

I agree. When I used to think about upgrading because of free drinks in the CL, I would tell myself that I can drink anywhere on the ship, anything I want, for the multi thousands I am saving. Then it doesn't look so good.

 

I am D+ now so I get free drinks in the evening but I still use that method to ask myself if I really want the extra room or if the perks I get would equal 2k 3k or whatever the price jump is.

 

For me, paying less usually means increased satisfaction with my cruise. When I know I got a good deal I am willing to overlook minor problems and inconveniences. If I was paying top dollar I would expect more from food, service, ship condition, everything.

 

So keep your cabin and use the 2k for another cruise or other vacation.

might explain some of the picky stuff on these boards

I have just got off the Oasis last week, the smoking is on the port side deck 15 and 16 beside the mast bar and the bar directly below on 15 which has tables and chairs as well. All the cruisers we seen without exception were sticking to the areas and they were full constantly with dozens of people. I never seen these areas without a minimum of 15 - 20 people other than at night when they were obviously in the casino.

 

personally I fail to see how this policy is a better compromise from previously. now you have corralled areas with a large amount of smokers together non stop in public areas as opposed to single smokers occasionally in a private area. none the less that's what it is and smokers are sticking within them. I am a smoker my wife is not and where she would normally be happy to sit with me for a minute previously while I had a cigarette the areas are so full of smokers together now that it was far to much for her to handle which I totally understood.

 

Even I didn't feel this was is an acceptable alternative for either side as non smokers still have to walk through these smoking areas which believe me are full non stop.

Appreciate you taking the time to post this info.

Have read old posts......nothing seems current......

it seems port side pool allows smoking.....anything more about port being

the "smoking side of ship".......

Thanks for info.

I read that RCCL has stopped all smoking on balconies as of Jan 1. 2014.

Hope other cruisers comply with this policy!

I don't get it, but some people seem to think that their entire cruise will be ruined (if not their entire lives) if the bed is in the "wrong" position. Maybe it has something to do with Feng Shui? I would think that cruises are for relaxing, not for worrying about where the furniture is, but people have their issues, I suppose.

If bed is by the balcony, there is much more moving around room by the closet and bathroom...you walk into an area, not into a bed

I had an upgrade to Aqua Class on Celebrity Equinox for 12 Med cruise.......

from CC 1.......big mistake...

bed was by the closet and bathroom/ worst ever cabin layout + storage.

The same class cabin with the bed by the balcony made the room so much

bigger and convenient for getting in and out of closet. The cabins on Oasis

are already small/bed by balcony makes a big difference!

Have read old posts......nothing seems current......

it seems port side pool allows smoking.....anything more about port being

the "smoking side of ship".......

Thanks for info.

All of those rooms have the bed by the balcony

appreciate it

Does anyone know if any of these cabins have bed by balcony?

D7 balcony: 9298, 9700. or 10704 ??

Thanking you in advance

BL

We did have fun and I loved the ports - it was just an observation that I found different on Celebrity than other lines.

Lisa,

Until Century, it appears that you have cruised mainly on Carnival and one

HAL. Every ship line is a bit different; but early on, I learned that if I want to avoid tender lines, I either take a ship excursion, where you get off first, or go later. My enjoyment on cruises stems from doing research on such sites as

cruise critic member reviews (what to avoid like cabin location or arriving later on embarkation to avoid lines); tripadvisor, and others. I have learned from experience and direct observation. I have always had a balcony because my primary enjoyment is seeing the ocean outside and being able to walk out going in and out of port.

We don't go to buffet when we know there will be the most crowds. If we want a seat in the theatre we go a little early or go to the right or left in the

balconies where we always find a good seat. In this way, we navigate around

known crowds, difficulties, et al. For the past 3 cruises on Celebrity, we have had a CC1 balcony. I have not yet cruised in a Suite, only a Mini-Suite on Princess. Never have I experienced any "class" difference. I already know that if I want to have some of these "extras," I am free to pay for a different cabin category.

Probably on this and every ship, truth be told. I've always found that my attitude and preconcieved notions had the greatest effect upon my experience. Ever had a really good day and not been brought so low by a flat tire? Ever had a really bad day and and not enjoy someone offering a gift as much?

 

An attitude of gratitude is something I actively try to cultivate.. it just makes everything more fun.

Yes, I am always surprised at some of the comments and wonder what is going on with their own experience?

OK Left Coast, here's another:

 

We (12 of us) just returned from the April 5 Pacific Coastal on Century and were really disappointed.

 

It was clear from the relatively poor condition of the ship that they are investing little money in her upkeep. The door to our balcony kept unlocking itself and partially opened at night when underway. The shower had mildew and missing grout and the woodwork was scratched and warn. The balcony deck was squishy and when you walked on it dirty water came up through the cracks. The balcony furniture was dirty and not very inviting. The bed was comfortable though.

 

I thought that the food in the main dining room was just average and found myself struggling to pick something each night. The food presentation was good, but the selection of items, with the exception of a couple, seemed to be low cost options. I found the wait staff to be just "phoning it in", no friendly conversation or attempts to use passenger names. The only interaction from the staff was with our eight month old grand daughter. The head waiter was cold and quite sullen and was just going through the motions. I always try hard to build a positive relationship with the wait staff early on in the cruise, but it didn't work this time.

 

We had preordered food for the eight month old ahead of time as specified in pre boarding information, but it didn't show up even after multiple enquiries until the third day. (Yes, I had to pay the full third person rate for her).

 

You often hear that Century Crew is extremely outgoing and friendly..... Almost as an excuse for other short comings on the ship. However, I never saw anything better than I had seen on other ships of the line. I would see groups of officers in Islands Cafe, but they never seemed to make any attempts to interact with passengers. The stuck to themselves as far as I could tell.

 

We have three more cruises booked with Celebrity, but for the first time, I will have to consider using other cruise lines if reports on Solstice begin to sound like the many that I am now seeing on Century.

 

You can take this all with a grain of salt if you wish, it's merely a synopsis of what I saw and felt on Century and it matters to me.

 

I should have paid closer attention to what host Andy was saying after the dry dock and lowered my expectations considerably.

Maybe it is because you had a group of 12 and a baby onboard, which can create stress on all of you. That being said, I noticed all the things you outlined in my CC balcony, Deck 9 and it did not bother us one bit; we were too busy appreciating the beautiful calm ocean at night + the perfect weather + scenery! I only care about bed (great) storage (great) cleanliness (great)...we do not look around to see the wear and tear on furniture and carpets unless it is something out of the ordinary/and or dangerous. We can always find good salads, made to order dishes at buffet, and often in MDR, esp from left side of menu. The Aqua Spa Café was excellent as was Murano!

I would recommend that you might try other Celebrity ships & venues that are

larger, newer, maybe more to your liking. Also, I think groups are always difficult to satisfy everyone. Good luck!

We will be on her for the April 26th sailing...were you not let on the ship BEFORE 1 pm???

why, because we stood in lines at CC separate checkin line/ once we got past there, we stood in line and crawled on 3 of those enclosed passageways until we finally got on ship.......we never go that early but we had new cruisers with us and I should have followed usual goal of getting there around

1PM to avoid all lines and "hurry up and wait mentality"....