MaritimeR&R

With the changes to the Casino Royale program along with RCI's agreement with the Feds to issue a 1099G, spending money in the Casino no longer has the appeal it once had. You are much better off going to a Casino in a port than playing on board.

On most of the ships I have been on, an announcement is usually made around 10am, that all passengers who are not consecutive cruisers should proceed to the disembarkation area immediately. As others have stated, your cabin attendant will likely be knocking at your door by 8ish.

I carry a portable black light and check the room or my cabin. Never have come across any, and tend to be a bit over the top about how I pack/ store/ unpack, but it has worked for me.

Both the ship and the itinerary. Having either vacationed on or visited most of the Islands in the Caribbean, I rarely get off the ship and prefer the more intimate, less hustle and bustle nature of the smaller ships (not a fan of Oasis or Quantum class). I also find the Southern Caribbean, ABC islands, to have the most consistent weather and when I am cruising, I want to be warm and dry!

I live in NY and have cruised out of Bayonne for many years. On the average, winter cruises (Jan/Feb) will have you very comfortable in shorts by late afternoon of the third day. However, I have been on a few cruise s where the weather was rainy and cold until we got to the Caribbean. As kjmjrm said, definitely count on the first and last two days being cold if it is a winter sailing. March/April/Oct./Nov. can have you in shorts by the end of the second day, but it is entirely dependent on the weather which can be tricky during these times. Pack clothing that you can layer.

I'll be on the Enchantment in a little over a month and was wondering when Royal Caribbean usually puts up the Christmas decorations. I've never been on board an RC cruise with decorations up.

 

Anyone know? Just curious. Thanks!

They usually putting them up on ships whose base port is in the US(can't speak for other countries) during the week of Thanksgiving.

If I have to change cabins, I usually find the cabin steward for my new cabin and ask if he/she can prep the cabin as soon as possible. I also drop by my new cabin around 9 on turn around day and if the cabin is empty, ask if I can put my valuables in the safe, if I can't I carry them around with me. Put everything else in your luggage, lock it, leave items in the closet on hangers. Your current stateroom attendant will trolley it all over to your new cabin. If the cabins are close, I have on occasion asked for a trolley and moved myself.

Oftentimes, the consecutive cruiser meeting is around 10am. It is there you will get an envelope with your new seapass and also will be escorted as a group through customs and back on the ship. There is usually a brunch for the group in one of the restaurants.

How do you get these offers?

 

 

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Most times, these offers come from RCI's Casino Royale Player Program and are the result of having achieved a certain amount of points on your player's card from playing slots or by having your play monitored at the tables.

When you are packing the free laundry bag for D+, you have to fill out the form listing how many of each item are in the bag. The boxes on the list are limited to certain types of smaller items; mainly underwear, t-shirts, pajamas, shorts, socks, etc. I have never put anything I value in the bag. T shirts and shorts, depending on the material, come back wearable.

Did both the inaugural for Quantum and Anthem out of Bayonne. Some people love it, others like myself and Super Mario didn't. I think if you enjoy the Oasis class ships, you likely will find the Quantum class enjoyable. The ships are beautiful, but for me, they felt cold, lacking the intimacy of the smaller classes.

Did the character breakfast with son, wife and grandkids on Liberty to Bermuda last year. We had seating up front. There was only one character roaming around at a time, each did a song and dance routine, the kids were encouraged to join in, pics were taken up front and at each individual table with each character - Gloria and Puss n. Boots if I remember correctly. My grandkids loved it, so for me, it was worth the money. As crosby99 said, "kids are only kids once."

If you received the offer because of your play on a previous RCI cruise, try calling Casino Royale, 1-888-561-2234. They may be willing to credit you the price of the inside stateroom towards booking a different cruise.

We will second that move.Would love to see a voyager or freedom class ship.Return to Cape Liberty. :)

Count me in as well. Really miss the Explorer.

I asked this question on your roll call but have yet to get a response. Do you know if you book one of those debarkation excursions that drop you off at the airport once completed whether you luggage remains with you on the minibus? I am doing this same cruise next year and spending a few days in Coogee Beach before flying to Barcelona to do a TA. I would like to do one of the excursions and once at the airport would like to grab a cab from there to my hotel.

Never had a suitcase taken, but have had a total of 5 folding umbrellas taken through the years from the closed compartment on the outside of the case.

I am also a CR VIP and cruise 6-8 times a year. I didn't get a survey.

My September newsletter also states 30 to 40% off the beverage packages when you purchase onboard. When you click "learn more," within the Deluxe Package there is an asterisk which relates to the following "*Package includes any single beverage item with

a value up to $12. Plus, receive a 40% discount on bottled wines priced up to $100, and 20% discount on wines priced above $100." The percentage difference awarded from one person to another must be based on C&A status. Prices were not listed.

If you have back issues I would not get a massage on a cruise ship. Their therapists are not trained properly on anything except trying to sell you additional services or products.

All I can say about this is I have had exactly two massages on board in the last three years and for one, I came away sore and black and blue from a hot stone massage; for the other, I had a neck cramp that lasted several days from a deep tissue. My daughter in law is a certified Master instructor and teaches massage at an Institute here in NY. She said that both massages were done improperly. Years back I frequently got massages on board and they were wonderful. I wonder if they are having a difficult time attracting qualified people now.

Glad it has been rescinded. I wasn't feeling very appreciated. :-)

Please be aware that many solo cruisers, like myself, paid double occupancy fees for many years (until October of 2013.) 98% of my cruises were 9 nights or more in balconies and the occasional junior suite. I have yet to stay in an inside or ocean view cabin.

In addition, being solo, I do not get the use of two coupons for various things, ie, internet, dinners, etc. Oftentimes, my balcony discount is reduced as a solo traveler. In light of these inequities, awarding one point per night to a solo traveler who is paying for two people but getting the perks for one would be very unfair.

Sure, there are couples who take advantage of getting 2 points per night (3 for a suite) booking two cabins and staying in one, each getting double points, but the true solo traveler should not be made to suffer as a result of this kind of point manipulation.

You would think that, wouldn't you? :)

 

For some reason, my application took seven weeks to get conditionally approved, and that was after I sought assistance from my senator's office to check into why my application was "Pending Review" all that time.

It is now 7 weeks since I applied (April 11th, before all the publicity surrounding airport wait times) and my application is still pending review.

I am a single 65 year old retired educator with 0 criminal history, 0 Customs issues, lived in the same home for 25+years, vote, pay all my taxes, serve jury duty when called, have a passport and was born in NY. There is absolutely nothing in my history that would cause my application to be flagged and yet people (on other boards) are continuing to get conditional approval in 2 to 10 days.

I managed to finally get through to the telephone number on the USBCP website and the agent had no idea why I have yet to receive conditional approval, had no idea if my application was lost, had no idea who to call or write to if my application continues to be "pending review."

His only advice was to give it another month. I asked, "what do I do if it doesn't change by then. He stated "well, that would be a 'red flag' and you should call back this number." I logically asked, what options will I have by calling back this telephone number a month from now that are different than my calling today. He said "none, really. We can only check on the status, just like you can on the website."

I asked if there was a telephone number or email I could use to find out why my application appears to be in limbo and he said he had no idea where the applications are processed or who else to try and contact. :(

Were you successful in finding out why your application took so long to get "conditional approval"?

Safes are 4 digit code type. Toiletries provided depend on your cabin class - suites and diamond + with 340 or more loyalty points as well as Pinnacle get upgraded soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. All others get bar soap and a dispenser in the shower containing some kind of soap.

No more upgraded bathroom amenities? Really? When did that happen ?

The website shows upgraded bathroom amenities at 340+ points.

Just an FYI for anyone that flies southwest

 

Flights for Nov thru Jan were released today

 

Was able to get flights for our Nevember cruise. Non stop from Indi to FLl for $338. Not as cheap as we have gotten other times. But considering we are flying home the Sunday before thanksgiving and the next lowest flights on American were $488. I feel I got a great deal. And gotta love free luggage when going on a cruise!!!!

I booked at 15 am and you are right - Albany to FLL not as cheap as it usually is. 400ish for round trip the Saturday before Thanksgiving and returning 15 days later on a Sunday. In fairness to SW, I usually don't fly on a Sat. and return on a Sunday so this pricing may be par for those dates. I can always hope for a price drop and may stand a chance for my return flight, but unlikely for my initial flight giving it is right before Thanksgiving.

I don't think so. Since they won't be Platinum until AFTER they complete the cruise, they won't get their pin until their next cruise. This has been our experience.

Agreed, status is awarded after the cruise - you will get your pin on the next cruise.