cruisecraze96

a few of my shows are at 9:30. what time should I make MTD reservations in order to make sure we get to the show in time. Also, how does the reservations work. Do I go to the dining room the first day and reserve times for the week or do I do it night to night. I am in a grand suite if it makes any difference in the process. Thank you.

I made mine at 5:45 for those nights I have a later show booked. We are in a RFS but I like to have a plan :) plus we have 6 ppl

We did purchase the 3 specialty restaurant package and plan on costal kitchen so not very worried about missing shows. Hopefully the concierge can get all our specialty dining booked for us so we don't have to worry about that ether.

I emailed the concierge for our March 6 cruise and he put our name on one so we have it ready before leaving.

I have taken 2 spring break cruises and going to be doing a third in March. I love it, but we go only 7 or 8 night cruises hat are more expensive and so have not had the extreme college party crowd. Was it busy, yes, but not once did it feel out if control. I love a good night life and so it was tons of fun in the bars and clubs since more people would show up. If you go in the shorter less expensive cruises then be prepared for more college kids and more of a party crowd because those are the ones they tend to book.

It took only 2 weeks to get the kids their passports last year so if you order now you should be good. Normal is 4 to 6 weeks and your right about there.

Very easy, we have to link 3 together and after the first reservation they are there now when I select add others so I don't have to out the numbers and name in each time.

https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B79Rx3_QnfKuZmNkOFhOcUVhYVU&usp=sharing

Thanks so much!

Looking for it as well :) getting excited for March. The only new one I have saw has Nassau instead of Labadee so it is close for everything after the Nassau stop.

They actually do have an App but sadly it is only available on the newer quantum ships. Was really hoping they would roll it out to he Allure before March but it doesn't look like it so far. Funny that most he negative reviews are those trying to use it on he other ships and it won't work :)

Have two, don't leave home without it!!!!

Love them :) we have two as well and they come in very handy

Yes, there are several ports that I just did not feel comfortable bringing my youngest with me or even both of them. I have not done an excursion yet where I left them on the ship, mostly in Belize I went into the port area and then in La Romana I went downtown to shop (thank goodness I didn't bring them).

This next trip on the Allure I was thinking about taking an excursion in Jamaica and leaving DD 6 on the ship but I think now that we all will just stay back and enjoy the ship activities since I don't want to be gone the entire day without them. The kids love being on the ship and in the kids clubs and my oldest DD always wants to stay back especially if there is a scavenger hunt or something going on.

Also, oldest DD has a cell phone that we leave on (without data) for emergencies and then we get the data plan so she can use either FB messenger or imessage to keep in contact with me or if I am off the ship she can send a text or call in an emergency (and can I have some icecream doesn't count)

You should check with your carrier, many now have cell phone packages that are very reasonable.

Thanks, I forgot to add that it is per carrier. For me each time we hit a new roaming provider such as cellular at sea or something on the island I got a text message telling me exactly how much calling, texting, and data would be. No way would I roam on data after seeing those :)

I just purchased a KYSS bag as well for the beach and other trips to the pool, etc. if someone is determined to get your stuff they will but at least it is a deterrent to a quick pick up and go steal.

For us we had booked a GS with a connecting balcony but had to change dates and are in a RFS now :)

You can make calls using cellular at sea and it runs about $2.50 a min. I always turn off my data and leave my phone on for emergency calls and text since on my plan incoming text are no charge no matter where I am. I also get the ships internet plan and use it for emails and then I have heard you can use Skype and FaceTime with that but haven't tried. You can also find places in port with free wifi and then check emails then.

You don't have to carry the cups with you, unless there are freestyle machines on the ship you want to use. Show your Seapass card to any bar and they will give you a soda in a bar glass. We take the cups when we go to the pool or shows since they have a lid. The servers in the dining room will ask to see your Seapass card first night, then there are sodas on the table the rest of the cruise.

 

If you pre-pay for the drink package they will be in your room. But you can't get to your room till 1:30 or so. We typically don't pre-pay and go to the pool bar in the adult area and buy the package we want from him, and he'll hand you your cup.

Thanks , we will be on the Allure and I got the replenish package for myself already and will then purchase my oldest DD the soda once we get onboard then. I don't like soda but it looks like since they have the freestyle machines they have some other options for the kids at least.

Is there a way to carry the soda drink cups around easily that you get with the package? Trying to figure out how to do that.

When I look at the cruise planner they have the 3 4 and 5 night packages in there for you to ore purchase. If you see those then you might be able to not have to worry about it once on the ship.

I am a planner and like to have everything booked and paid for prior to leaving. Helps to not put everything on a credit card too at the end, or more likely my CC has more room while I am on the cruise if I find something I just have to have.

After reading this I am glad I did not purchase any. I usually purchase e gift cards each month prior to a cruise when I go on carnival and then go to guest service once onboard and apply them to my account. I have never had a problem and it helps cover most charges occurred during the cruise. I didn't do it this time just because I have not been on Royal and never researched them so didn't do it. Glad now that I did not, would hate to have issues like this.

It might help actually if Carnival posted that with signs or announcements on the lido deck

Went on he breeze twice this past year, they did have signs up both trips. We also saw someone marking the chairs and removing items. For me if I have my little one with me, I am not using a chair, I am sitting with my feet in the pool watching her or in their with her. I sit my stuff near the pool or if lucky on the bench area that was part of the pool on the Breeze. When I don't have the kids i only keep the chair until I am done, if I want lunch I eat in the chair if that is what is the plan. If I want to go back to the room, see a show, etc I remove my items and give the chair to someone who is looking.

I emailed the suite concierge for our upcoming March trip and he out our names on one. I want something my mom will be happy and easy to watch the kids since I have a 6 year old. What is the best beach or standard one to request? With the little one I don't think I want over the water.

I also say stay with 2 rooms, I think DH would have enjoyed his trip more if we had 2 cabins instead of 1 with 2 adults and 3 kids 5 and 12. :) so next time I can talk him into going with me that is what we will do

If you are married you need your marriage certificate, because the name on your birth certificate will not match that on your drivers license in most cases. They don't always ask for it but have seen where they have too. My sister works at a restaurant on las olas in ft lauderdale and has heard several sob stories of being denied boarding. It is not that much to get a passport to not have to worry about things. Heck for me when I had my purse stolen I was able to use my passport that day to set up new bank accounts, etc without jumping through ID hoops.

Also great review, going on the Allure with my 13 and 6 year old in March but the 6th since I have a work conference during spring break. First time with Royal and looking forward to enjoying the ship, main reason for booking. I too think I am staying on the ship in Jamaica and then going to Playa Mia in Cozumel. We are in a family suite with my mom and sister so I don't think we will have a space issue :)

Glad the kids liked the kids program, my 6 year old never wants to leave the camp. But having a teen makes things a little more hair raising.

Great review. Just a comment regarding luggage valet program. It is $20 per person not per bag, plus any fees your airline charges for the bags. You could have shipped the bags in your name, especially as they were for children and saved money. Not sure how many bags each person is allowed but I know it's at least two, as that's what I normally ship.

But then she would have had to pay the 2nd and 3rd bag fee at the airline since they check the bags in under the name you give which would be yikes. We fly southwest so I do this, put the 2 bags under me and then next two under oldest DD so we don't pay for my youngest on the valet fee.