big al

1 hour ago, mkrr1123 said:

 

Thanks! 😁

1 minute ago, leaveitallbehind said:

The vouchers are good at any bar on the ship, so you don't need to go to the Crown Lounge (ex-Diamond Club) to use them.  That way your friend can join you when you use them.

 I know..good point though! I drink mostly beer, apple martinis, or a B-52 ( Kahlua, Grand Marnier & Bailey's ..)...and the beers in the Lounge are terrible..I am a beer snob, and RCI's beers in the Lounge are awful IMO..I get beer at the British Pub or Playmakers ( I prefer drafts..)..

31 minutes ago, TeeRick said:

The OP says D+, so 5 drink vouchers.  We will be on INDY again in 2025.

 Correct..5 drink vouchers...I probably will not be going into the Diamond Lounge much, since my friend can't go in..that would be somewhat rude IMO on her 1st cruise...there's still a lot of time left before Feb. '25..things may change..I am more interested in the shows than the Diamond stuff BTW..but thanks for all your input!

Big Al

3 hours ago, shof515 said:

Here is a 5 day cruise compass from April:

and a 4 day cruise compass:

Thanks!!!

Hi all..my DW & I are taking a friend on her FIRST cruise ever on the IOS in early Feb on a 5 nighter..we are Diamond +, so we are OK with pretty much all the activities..however, we have never been on the Independence ( been on sister ships Freedom & Liberty twice..), and have a few questions about shows & other stuff...here we go:

1) Does RCI still have the 70's disco party in the Royal Promenade, or is it the 80's now?

2) Ice skating shows in Studio B still like 5 pm & 7:30 PM?

3) Grease shows are what times please?

4) Our friend loves shopping..do they still have the kiosks in the Royal Promenade selling jewelry, bags, watches, etc.?

5) For Diamond members...is the Diamond Club still in the Viking Crown Lounge area? Your Seapass lets you in?

Any other tips for this ship would be appreciated...Thanks!

Big Al

9 hours ago, workinmom3 said:

I downloaded the WhatsApp today and sent a message with questions about availability, cost, etc to the link on their website. All I got back was message from a bot. It asked if I wanted to chat with a representative. Basically it didn’t understand my message. Am I doing something wrong?  Wanted information about our stop in Nov. 

TIA 

Try e- mail : info@avilabeachhotel.com.....if no answer after 2-3 days. CALL them...

12 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

where?

First, a few posts before this you can find the info...2nd, go to the hotel website & find info on "beach passes"....

1 hour ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

did it also include wifi?

It says "free access to WIFI"....

On 5/15/2024 at 8:36 AM, bookbabe said:

Since I know a ton of people have asked about the status of Royal Palms Beach Club, there’s good news.  It’s a tiny light at the end of the tunnel, but maybe, just maybe, it will reopen by Christmas.

 

https://www.caymancompass.com/2024/05/15/former-calicos-owner-back-in-the-beach-bar-business-at-royal-palms/

 

 

Great news!!! I have been waiting for SOMEONE to re-open at least one decent beach club- we used to go Royal Palms Beach Club till it closed..I don't know why Grand Cayman hasn't open at least 4-5 beach clubs since the pandemic ended...really, it's enough!! Look at Cozumel..all the beach clubs like Nachi Cocum, Paradise Beach, Mr. Sanchos,etc., all re-opened quickly..come on Grand Cayman, let's get back to normal...we are going Feb '25 and I hope by then it will be open..keep us informed & thanks for posting!!

Big Al

Hi all..my wife & close friend will be visiting GC next Feb., and DW & I have been here 5-6x, last time a year ago April '23..I know almost all of the Beach Clubs shut down during COVID, but for the life of me, I don't understand WHY more Beach Clubs have re-opened or some new ones have started..it's enough now..time to get things going again..we also are going to Cozumel, where there are like 12-15 beach clubs like Mr.Sanchos, Paradise Bch Club, Nachi Cocom, and many more...what seems to be the problem? Funny that GC is maybe the most well off Caribbean port most ships go to..you would think there would be at least 5-6-7 beach clubs..

So it looks like I'm down to either Governor's Bch or Public Bch., or maybe the Coral Bch resort for a day pass..thoughts? If it matters, we need some shade, restrooms, food & drink, loungers ( of course..)..last April my wife & I just had a drink in Georgetown, walked around, then went back to the ship..pretty boring..I'm hoping by next Feb '25 when we sail, maybe more may open..thanks!

Big Al

Hi all..DW & I are booked in a Deluxe Balcony ( Deck 12..) mid ship on the new Sun Princess next year..my question is how was the light coming in from the curtains early morning? I like the cabin dark & dislike when the curtains don't close completely & shut out the morning light...LOVE the sofa ( finally !! ) and glass enclosed showers on the Sun..cabins on both the Enchanted & Regal Princess were both without a sofa & I HATE curtained showers..apparently Princess finally listened to all the complaints about those sticky curtains- after I showered & shaved in the shower, the bathroom floor was like the Nile River, lol..ship looks awesome!

Big Al 

26 minutes ago, rockmom said:

I only booked 2 lunches--one at Chops and one at Giovanni's.  I'm sailing solo on this one AND I'm on Anthem the week before and have the 3 night package on that one, so I'll suck it up and eat at the MDR, the Jammer--or pay for some of the 'snacks' at Playmakers on Indy.  Those snacks are so good (and bad, lol)  

Can't blame you, though not a big fan of the MDR..LOVE Playmakers...great wings, chicken tenders platter w/ fries are super, onion rings & that killer dessert, the Campfire Cookie is awesome...sometimes I have medics waiting 🤣 😂..I'm pretty good at home, but on a cruise, it's beer, goodies & anything goes, lol...then, back to common sense after the cruise...again, have a blast!

9 minutes ago, rockmom said:

I'm on a 5 night sailing on Indy at the end of this month.  Here's the current sale/onboard prices for my sailing.  Currently the Unlimited Dining is on sale for $233 before the 18%.  The lunches at Chops and Giovanni's have been $18-$22 depending on the sale.  Hibachi lunch is on sale for $35 right now.  

Thanks! My unlimited dining, as I quoted, is $289.00..if I took all 3 you post here, it would be about $153.00, which is not too bad..did you end up booking this? Let us know how it goes if you can,  & enjoy the Indy!

Big Al

34 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I would keep checking. For instance for wonder feb 2025 some purchased 3 night pkg but I dont see the 3  night pkg at all. Maybe check both the app and the online site.

 

The what are you doing thread is currently discussing this. ... just because it's not there right now doesnt mean it wouldnt be there next week. 

 

I personally am waiting for lunches which are about half the price but also not showing for me to purchase for feb 2025. 

 

Just as a for instance I got lunches at Giovanni for 14.99 and 12.99 plus 18% for this oct and dec. .. under $20 pp. 

 But the Wonder does 7 nights..IOS is doing only 5 and the rep said "no 2-3 night dining packages on 5 night cruises..only 6 or more nights"...I still will keep checking to see if anything comes up like a special...

Hi guys & gals...I will be cruising on the Independence Of The Seas, a 5 night Western Caribb cruise next Feb '25..RCI just posted recently that all they offer on a 5 night cruise for specialty dining is "All inclusive dining" package for $289 PP...I spoke with an RCI rep & she confirmed that was correct- SO, has anybody booked a specialty dining venue on the IOS, what venue and how much was it pp? I am considering Chops Grille, Izumi's & maybe Giovanni's..my memory is that it's somewhere around $49 for Chops, don't know the other 2...thanks!

Big Al

1 hour ago, dides said:

Just boarded today and got our Elite Welcome Letter - the PES longe is currently being held in Crooner's on Deck 8 Midship 3:30 to 5pm 

 

Great to hear! Please let us know how you like the Sun Princess..so far about 90% seem to love it..only problems have been things like the shows are still not ready..love the new glass enclosed showers ( HATED those curtained showers!! )..now if only Princess would put beverage holders in the main theater, that would make improvements perfect for me- they are the only cruise line that makes you hold your drink or put it under the seat for an hour or more..drives me crazy ( people have knocked over my beer or drink 5x on Princess..)

8 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Should be one.

 I love your answer, lol!

So guys & gals Diamond+ here...question: On cruises I only will drink 4 types of drinks: beer, apple martinis ( at dinner..), Sprite Zero AND a B-52 shot..in case you don't know, a B-52 is made of Kahlua, Grand Marnier and Bailey's ( FYI to remember what this , just think of the Russian intelligence group, the KGB to know what's in it...)..it's sweet & yummy..it's kinda like 1/3 shots of each liquor..I ALWAYS drink these on cruises.. so, do you think this will count as one drink or 3? The beers in the Diamond or now the "Crown" lounge stinks, so I get my beers at either the British Pub or Playmakers ( I like draft beers mostly..) Thanks!

Big Al

Just now, chrysalis said:

It never shows on the deck plans, and it can and does change depending on the number of people that they expect to attend. We have actually seen it change locations mid-cruise  because of the numbers

Wow, that is crazy..on RCI, there is a dedicated lounge for this group of cruisers, with appetizers, drinks, etc...I guess I will wait to see what the Sun Princess cruisers say...thanks..

I recently became a Platinum member on Princess..under the benefits page, it says I can go to the "Platinum & Elite Lounge" now...looking at the ship's deck plans, I cannot find it...does anybody know where it is on the new Sun Princess? Thanks..

Big Al

13 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

It's one shot, and on every Princess ship so far, it's been one drink charge. And covered by Plus beverage package (which is included in the Plus Cruise Package).

It is a bit time consuming for a bartender to make as they have to slowly pour in order to layer property, but they'll absolutely do it.  

Great to hear, thanks!

20 minutes ago, voljeep said:

it's not 3 shots, right?  It's three 1/3 shots poured into a shot glass - so equals 1 shot

 Correct..it is 1/3 of each liqueur...I always thought it was considered one shot...

1 hour ago, avonlady6390 said:

I have not seen that drink on any bar menus on board and have not had it on board but back in the day I did have quite a few of them.  I'm sure you can ask for it the bartender should know how to make it and I'm guessing it should be under the plus amount if not just pay the difference.😊

 You don't see it on the bar menu, but on the Enchanted 2 yrs ago I had it like 20x on a 10 nighter...

Hi all..if you went on or are currently on the new Sun Princess, I have a questions about getting "shots"..I love a B-52, which is Kahlua, Grand Marnier & Bailey's layered in a shot glass ( sweet & delicious!! ) ..does anyone know if this kind of drink is included in the Premier or Plus drink packages? Thanks!!

Big Al

Alaskan Amber my fav by faaaarrrr...I wish I could get in in FL....