Happy New Cruiser

10 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Highly recommend allowing kids to sign themselves out so they can hang with the other kids

 

 

 

Thanks for posting this kids club info. I find the kids club info difficult to find sometimes. Are these fairly current and are the “kids dailies” as well?

10 hours ago, Até said:

The MSC online purchase area has several quirks as you described.  The couple's spa pass is for two people,  you only need to select one package for the two of you.   The only reason I can figure for offering it to either of the listed passengers is so you could direct any associated Voyagers Club points to a specific person.  

 

The pre-purchase area will let you book many unnecessary items like beverage and internet packages even though you might already have them included with your booking rate.

Thanks for your reply.  This is my first time sailing MSC.  I’m taking the negative reviews out there with a grain of salt but it does seem that the communication and attention to detail can be lacking.  I’m sure everything with the pass will work out fine once we are onboard. 

I pre booked a couples pass for the Thermal Suite on an upcoming Meraviglia cruise.  I don’t know if anyone else found the fine print confusing, but I did.  It says that the two people have to be assigned at booking but if I click on both people in the cabin it charges me twice. So I booked it in my wife’s name but it didn’t ask who the second person is. 
 

Does anyone know the details for its use? Will we both be able to go whenever we want or do I have to go with her because it’s in her name?

Any guidance from someone with experience would be appreciated. 

4 hours ago, DaniDanielle said:

Did you wait to get on the ship after checking in??

I didn’t wait at all after the actual check in.  Quick rundown of the process:

Arrived at 9:45ish and was in sight of the terminal. 
 

Waited 5 minutes in line to drop off bags

Another 5-10 minutes to parking spot at outside lot. (Garage was only for handicapped sticker)

5 minutes to walk to the terminal (we were stopped just outside to check the kids vaccine status. They were both vaccinated and got a sticker to indicate that they didn’t need to test)

Inside to security line (5 min wait in line). Made it through with 4 bottles of wine no questions asked.  (2 staterooms but one that didn’t have someone over 18 in it.)

No wait for registration. It probably took 2-3 minutes to check in. *Behind the registration desk there were many people sitting around waiting. Not sure if they were waiting for their boarding time. 

After registration we were immediately allowed to board. 
 

I read these boards a lot leading up to my trip and thought I could offer some info I hope others will find helpful. The following is not necessarily a review but just some info for those interested. 
 

Refreshment Package: The cups we received with the beverage package were the clear plastic insulated type with the imbedded sticker. (I got the other non-insulted version with my Labadoosie)

Straws: The straws on this sailing were seemingly plastic but biodegradable. I couldn’t tell the difference between these and traditional straws. 
 

Crowds: The ship was definitely crowded.  I believe the captain said there were 6,183 guest. However, I was able to get dining and show reservations without much trouble and if I had to wait in line for things which happened often the wait was fairly minimal. The only thing I couldn’t do was free skate. 
 

Unexpected Dining Change: My wife and I both had the UDP because we wanted to have a couple nights in the specialty restaurants and we also wanted to go to many of the à la cart restaurants. We also wanted to have a regular routine with our two sons and the main dining room. Even though we had requested an early dining time and it showed up that way on the app before our cruise, when we got on board they switched us to my time dining. I had to go down to the restaurant and plead with the headwaiter to give us an assigned time. Just be aware that if you have the ultimate dining plan they may switch you to my time dining without notifying you.  (One of the best things I did. The boys built a great relationship with the waitstaff and fell in love with the guests at our adjacent table who were celebrating their 58th anniversary. The one night we didn’t eat in the MDR our boys insisted on going there just to say hi to everyone)

Adventure Ocean:   They request only one parent go to register the kids but this information is on the paper they give you after registering so no one knows. Many kids were in line and bored. Let the kids tour while one adult signs up.  Our kids were in Juniors for 3-5 and had a great time. Lots of arts and crafts and themed activities. The staff is very kind.  They will give out a phone if you ask but it looks like most people don’t.  We always asked for one but it was never used. 
 

Labadee: Watch out for jellyfish. We were at Nellies beach and many people were stung.  The lifeguards carry some type of vinegar spray because so many people need it.  Also, Labadee isn’t as big as I expected. We walked to Nellies beach In about 10 minutes.  We took the tram back because the boys were tired later in the day. 
 

Elevators: I went on NCL Escape in 2019 and finding an elevator was always a problem.  I was so impressed that with over 6000 guests the elevators always seemed to come immediately.  Only problems were on the aft elevators at dinner. 
 

Lobster Night was day 8 on our 9 day sailing. 
 

Windjammer/solarium Bistro: I forgot to mention this when talking about crowds. The windjammer venue even with both sides open is unbearable. I stepped foot in here twice and neither time was a table available.  We loved the Solarium Bistro. Lots of great options and it was a peaceful place to eat. Always got a table. 
 

Omelette Station: In the solarium bistro there was not a omelette station per se, but if you went to the hot food line and asked they would make an omelette for you and bring it to your table.

Cape Liberty: We arrived at 9:45 because we had a 10 AM boarding time. There was a short wait to drop off our bags and get a spot. The process was pretty quick once we were inside except they didn’t know how to deal with our son who is under five but fully vaccinated. The week we arrived was the first week that any under five kid could be vaccinated. On disembarkation day we were in our car 20 minutes after leaving our state room.

TIPPING!: just kidding…no comment
 

I hope that some of you find this at least somewhat helpful. These are just some random thoughts and things that I thought would be helpful to others. If I think of anything else I’ll add him to the thread. Happy cruising!

Another question about the app…

I’ve read that a lot of people go right to a specialty restaurant and make all their reservations for the week after boarding.  Can this be done in the app once on board if I have the UDP?

Thank you for all of your responses. This was very helpful.
 

In the app I switched back to my sailing which leaves Friday and it has finally been updated to show the activities schedule.  Is this schedule accurate or will it be different once I board?

Thank you all for the clarification 

9 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

 

How far out is your cruise?

 

I sail next week so I thought this week would give me a good idea of what to expect. 
 

I am glad to hear the schedule is more complete on board. I just assumed I was seeing the same thing that those on board were seeing.
 

I actually am somewhat in support of having it all be digital just to conserve all the paper.  I just don’t understand why they don’t take the suggestion of many on these boards and make a PDF version of the Cruise Compass. Then everything will be included in one place and it can still be digital. 

I signed into the app and selected the current Oasis itinerary so I could see what activities to expect on my sailing next week.  There is no mention of Aqua80 or Cats (not that I’m planning to go) in the app. I’m pretty sure they didn’t cancel them both for an entire sailing. There are so many other activities and shows listed but, how is one to know when the main shows are if they don’t appear in the app and they don’t give you a daily Cruise Compass? 

Thank you for the replies. I just wanted to make sure he’s treated as vaccinated because I was planning on him doing a rapid test like the rest of the family. I wouldn’t want to be denied at the terminal because he didn’t do a PCR. 

My son is 3 and will be fully vaccinated for our August cruise (2 shots plus 2 weeks).  Right now there is no place on the app for us to enter his vaccine status.  The rest of us all have that option and have already completed our info. 
 

Shouldn’t he be treated as vaccinated (because he is) even if he’s under 5?

3 hours ago, njkruzer said:

Make sure your device isn't muted.

Thank you! I always have my phone muted and it will always play any media I click on with sound. For some reason the Royal App is the exception. I’m glad I asked. 

I was trying to watch the video in the app today and there is no sound. Anyone else having this problem? Do you have to wait to get to the pier for it to work?

I assume if the kids have the UDP they would be free in JR. my question is whether they would be free because of their age like they are in the other specialty restaurants. The other restaurants have a kids menu for under 6 that is free. For example, my wife and I can bring the kids to 150 CP.  We are free because we have the UDP. The kids are free because they eat off a kids menu.  
 

I was wondering if under 6 is still free at JR or they would have to pay the cover. If they had the UDP I have to imagine they would be covered. 

2 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

You can, in the app. 

Can you book in the app even if you have UDP, or only if you are paying full price for individual restaurants?
I assume it would not be until you get on the ship that you can schedule for the UDP even if it is online, correct?

Does anyone know how many ounces the new cups are? I was thinking of getting a coffee cup sleeve with a handle to put it in (something like the photo below). Then it will be more insulated, easier to carry and since it’s fairly thin I assume the scanner would still be able to read the cup with the sleeve on. I just need to know how many ounces to get the right size. 
 

6 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Yes, Johnny Rockets has a cover charge.   What are the ages of your children?  Unless they are very young toddlers, they cannot simply eat off your plate.  

 

You may need to pay the cover for everyone in the family. It is in the $11-$12 range. 
 

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My kids are 3 and 5.  

I read that on Oasis there is a cover charge instead of a la carte.  If so, do kids have to pay the full cover? My wife and I have UDP but it’s not worth it for the kids. They can eat off the kids menu everywhere else. 

A question I can’t find the answer to in the fine print….

If Johnny Rockets has a cover charge on Oasis  instead of a la carte pricing, can I assume that it would be covered by the UDP?

Also, I know that in the other restaurants children 5 and under are free but eat from the kids menu. Do kids 5 and under pay the full cover charge for Johnny Rockets?

58 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

 

59 minutes ago, Project-College said:

RCL told me absolutely NO unless you leave and come back?  Are u sure?

 

59 minutes ago, Project-College said:

RCL told me absolutely NO unless you leave and come back?  Are u sure?

Yes, the most inaccurate response you will ever get is from a Royal Rep. 

 

Speaking of…..

Just to see if I could get a straight answer I called RC and asked. The rep couldn’t understand the question. He kept telling me I could cancel my old UDP and get the new promotion. I kept telling him I didn’t want the new promotion I wanted the old one to be honored.  After 15 minutes I finally gave up and told him I was all set.

I guess you’re right. I looked about a week ago and it said $35 for Izumi and $20 for all others. That is what it said when I purchased it a few months ago. I just looked again and it says all venues are $20. So that has happened this week.

I’m not sure which will be honored. 

I believe Izumi sushi is still $35 but the others are $20.  At least that’s what the details said last time I looked. 

Twice in the last month or so boarding has been delayed because Oasis had to move to allow another ship to get by.   It seems that Royal was very late in notifying everyone so make sure to check your email before heading over.
 

I am boarding Oasis in August with a 10am check in and worried we’ll get to the terminal on time and find out they aren’t boarding till after 11.  

I used the app a week ago and it worked very well. Set my alarm for 11:58pm. Got on the app and refreshed a few times.  The check in opened around 12:02 and I was able to skip right to the check in time for all of the people linked to my reservation.  I was back asleep a few minutes later.  The next day I scanned passports and I already have my passes in the wallet of my iPhone. 
 

I am surprised that there was a 10am check in time available, which is what I took.  It would be nice but I have doubts that we will board that early.