island lady

I will play devil's advocate here. There is actually no way that anyone would know their parents were in there already, but luckily they pointed you out. It is marked clearly on the rules that no children without their parents during happy hour...so if you did not all show up together, you can't blame the concierge for questioning it.

Webcam shows the Jewel at T#5 and waiting for us! Five ships in port right now...busy day!

Yeah, they do get pretty clicky. Adds to one of the reasons we don't go in there. Don't like the politics and attitude they have sometimes. The looks I get, wearing that "annoying little gold pin" when I (just for fun) walk into the DL during happy hour. Naturally I don't stay, I just walk in a circle, say hello to the DL concierge, and then leave. Looks on their faces as I leave...priceless. 😄

You got it girl! Make lemonade out of lemons if we have to. 😉

We always do the prepaid gratuities. Then with each meal, including breakfast, we tip a fiver. Each drink, a buck a piece with our vouchers. Cabin attendant always gets a cash tip in hand at the end of each week. This last B2B2B, he got a kick out of me giving him some cash at the end of each week. I called it "installment payments". 😄 Hint: It does make a difference when you tip along the way. They have no idea if you are going to give them extra at the end.

You are most welcome...enjoy your cruise! 🙂

Indeed it is way...way back there! 😮 But worth the trip. 😉 I actually love having CK separated from the SL.

"Sea" you on board. Hope you have a better experience. And ditto to what others have told you...RCI does not really monitor these boards. It's your exit survey that makes a difference.

I am doing the same, but I booked both set of B2Bs a year ago. I won't starve, and will find someway to enjoy ourselves. VCL bar...here we come!! 😉

Almost the same thing for us. We were on first two weeks of last month and experienced the same lackluster service and food. Though two weeks previous, we had delightful food and service on sister ship Serenade (though that ship was in rougher shape). Had booked both B2Bs a year ago. Am boarding the same time as you, tomorrow morning, for our second B2B on Jewel. Will be interesting to see if things have changed. Though IMHO, every time there is a crew rotation, (and it seems to be happening more and more lately) there is a different experience. Naturally the service and food you received is all subject to personal experience at the time. We are hoping this next B2B will be an improvement, but if not...meh...somehow we will survive. 😉

LOL...IMHO...no. 😄 Plus we have recently over the last couple of years (since MTD had become such a nightmare) switched to traditional early dining, don't need to fill up on the happy tisers. As I stated....I use the lounge for coffee in the morning only. 😉

Indeed it is. On Jewel last month, our really good wait team in the MDR, would see us head to the table and was already bringing our glasses of wine. 🙂 Now that's service...and of course was rewarded each night with extra cash tips. 😉

Our "go to" bar is usually the VCL bar. 🙂

Four vouchers per day per Diamond Member. Does not roll over to next day.

With the new Voucher program (which we love), we don't even use the lounges any longer, except for morning coffee. Had become way too crowded the last few years, lots of politics, and seat saving IMHO. Happy to use our vouchers elsewhere.

The DL on Jewel is on the Viking Crown Deck. It is a very small lounge. Last month on the first week we were on, they opened the door to the VCL for overflow. Then the next week they closed that door. Still a nice lounge during the day, and great place to grab a coffee in the morning, but terribly crowded at happy hour.

Coastal Kitchen

Just be sure to see them there before you crawl into bed with warm bodies, and wonder what that odd melted brown stuff is all over the sheets the next morning! 🤪

Errr...oops Dave....I meant he was dragging it around until cabin opening time. 😉

No...indeed, more work, less pay IMHO. The pax that tip extra in cash, most likely will tip less for "1/2 service" when they go to once a day.

Great minds think alike my friend! 😉 I loved Kathy's "black hole" purse. 😄 Finally talked your bro into a decent size rolling carry on bag...he was schlepping his hand carry around too much, (weighted down by that bottle of wine), dragging it around the ship until check in time.

Two adults...one normal suitcase each, plus a duffle bag that slips over one of them. This is needed for a 3 week cruise we just returned from, and the Wonder 4 week cruise we did earlier this year. All combined: 1+1+1 = 3. Yes, that duffle bag counts as a checked bag.

Dave, you can see the writing on the wall. With the attendants taking on more cabins, they simply won't have time for the cute things they used to do...including taking the time to do the animals. With so many cutbacks happening (including stream lined, no special request, limited menus), the "other things" are going away. Hey...where are the chocolates on my pillow? 😄

Welcome to the world of cruising newbie! 🙂 You will find it addicting. Thank goodness we are not all alike...what would the world be like with only one flavor of ice cream? 😄

Cute! 🙂 We have done that many times, though we are not kids any longer by any means. We usually line them up on the back of the couch. Kind of have out grown that though, and with so many of our cruises being B2B or more....just no room to keep them all. Did not miss them. It was the first time we did not get the animals, and being on the ship for 3 weeks...kind of nice to have the extra space. 😉