Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

RCCL Secrets they don't tell you about

LeftatGator

Recommended Posts

MrsBoo

MrsBoo

Posted
Posted
favorite secret and laugh about RCI...at the specialty coffee bar they sell "Seattle's Best Coffee" however, you can also get it for free at the buffets as they also brew "Seattle's Best." However, the buffet doesn't serve it with espresso or froth it as a latte...Yes, you can board at noon - but that's when all the transfer passengers (from the airlines) are boarding and it will be your longest wait at least an hour. If you wait until 2 pm the lines are non existent...yes, you can bring a couple bottles of wine or some beer in your luggage, just pack it well so it doesn't break. As long as you drink it in your room-there is no problem and your cabin steward will gladly bring you a corkscrew or bottle opener...restaurant dining - this is where you can have it your way 3 appetizers and no entrees or 2 entrees and no appetizers. If you don't like the dish, gracioiusly tell your waiter and it will be replaced with another...if you don't like the excursions the cruise line offers, you can choose from others that will be waiting for you at all your ports...also take part in the trivia and games it's a great way to meet your fellow passengers!

 

Thank you for reminding passengers to be gracious to the wait staff when something is not to their liking. I have seen people treat the wait staff so rudely when they don't like something - grrrrr.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sailinglisa

sailinglisa

Posted
Posted

The pills they give out for seasickness are Bonine (the generic is Meclizine) or the non-drowsy Dramamine....which may not be non-drowsy for some people. Yes, they are free, but I always bring my own.....who wants to wait in line if they are feeling sick for some sea-sickness medication?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JasonH

JasonH

Posted
Posted
Hey MRG033 - where did you find a table for $19.95? I've been looking and haven't found one that cheap.

Thanks.

I'd like to know too. I certainly wouldn't mind eating room service on the balcony next cruise.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
beachbuzzard

beachbuzzard

Posted
Posted

Secrets we've found:

 

*There is usually at least one smoke-free bar on board. On Voyager of the Seas it is the Champagne Bar. Ask around if this appeals to you, we didn't realize this bar was smoke free until night 6 of our 9 night cruise. While it was pretty much just a before or after dinner cocktail bar, it was nice to be able to sit and have a drink without getting smoked out.

 

*The buffet (Windjammer on VOS) has some pretty interesting dinner choices that you'll miss if you go the dining room every night. Sushi was the biggest surprise. We actually got a sushi appetizer and carried it to the Champagne Bar before dinner in the formal dining room. People thought it was a brilliant idea.

 

*Ping Pong while the ship is en route is nearly impossible due to wind unless you can find an indoor or well shielded table!

 

*When you come on board from an excursion, move to the opposite side of the ship's elevators to avoid most of the crowds. Or just use the stairs as others suggested (the stairs on the other side will be less crowded also).

 

*On a similar note, when a bathroom on a deck is busy due to a show or some other event, just walk up or down one deck to a less crowded bathroom.

 

*Speaking of the stairs, I actually used the stairs as part of my morning workout after walking the track. Just walk down to Deck 1 and then all the way back up to Deck 12. It's a good cardio workout!

 

*Someone already mentioned this... but DO find yourself a drink waiter "friend" early in your trip. Cash tip him or her a little at first, then a couple of times very well once you're on a first name basis with your friend. Your tips will be money well spent. Trust me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
terri23

terri23

Posted
Posted
When ordering a fru-fru drink (ones with umbrellas!) it is the same price for non-alcoholic as alcoholic! Go for the booze!

 

And if you want one that's a little stronger (or if the glass is too full of "virgin" drink), take a sip before they pour the rum in (offer to "make some room"). Works every time. ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Luna

Luna

Posted
Posted
I agree w/ previous posters - tip your bartenders extra! Just $1/drink goes a long way toward making everyone happy (even w/o the pills ;)).

 

 

Do you use cash or your seapass card?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mtchg

mtchg

Posted
Posted

..I have written on an extra buck on the bill and used the SeaPass, but I try to have some extra ones. I am sure they prefer cash (but any manner of extra tipping is appreciated)

 

I concur with prior posts, tipping extra will get you noticed instantly when you return to the lounge and service, always good, will be great.

 

Mitch

Link to comment
Share on other sites
mrg0433

mrg0433

Posted
Posted

RCCL needs to follow NCL and add hand sanitizing machines outside all restaurants, casinos, and clubs. I will be bringing my own hand sanitizer spray bottle because ships always seem to have some virus onboard. I was amazed the only hand sanitizers on RCCL are where you board the ship. The fact that there were no sanitizers for the Windjammer Buffet on LOS really amazed me. Gross thinking of people with dirty hands handling food and utensils.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
crb04

crb04

Posted
Posted
RCCL needs to follow NCL and add hand sanitizing machines outside all restaurants, casinos, and clubs. I will be bringing my own hand sanitizer spray bottle because ships always seem to have some virus onboard. I was amazed the only hand sanitizers on RCCL are where you board the ship. The fact that there were no sanitizers for the Windjammer Buffet on LOS really amazed me. Gross thinking of people with dirty hands handling food and utensils.

 

There were hand sanitizers at the beginning of the buffet lines on Navigator in May this year. Unfortunately, while they do kill many pathogens, they don't really do much to address the dirt or "other substances" on some people's hands...sorry, just visualizing the elderly man that was 'digging for treasure' between courses (I bring my own sanitizer AND hand wipes ;)).

Link to comment
Share on other sites
shan&steve

shan&steve

Posted
Posted
There were hand sanitizers at the beginning of the buffet lines on Navigator in May this year. Unfortunately, while they do kill many pathogens, they don't really do much to address the dirt or "other substances" on some people's hands...sorry, just visualizing the elderly man that was 'digging for treasure' between courses (I bring my own sanitizer AND hand wipes ;)).

 

EWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
rubrrick

rubrrick

Posted
Posted

I believe it's "Meclizine". I'm not sure about the spelling but it is a type of Bonine. I can tell you that it saved by DW on several occasions. We rode out a very interesting typhoon in the Sea of Japan, and in addition to free pills, they were giving out free white bags, every 3 feet on the companionways on every deck. The secret is that Bonine is "free" at the pursers desk, if asked for, on calm days. On really rough days, it's just put into candy dishes and anyone can grab a handfull.

 

So, let's hear it for the "free white bags"!:D

 

Rick

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Merion_Mom

Merion_Mom

Posted
Posted
I believe it's "Meclizine". I'm not sure about the spelling but it is a type of Bonine.
Store brand meclizine is on sale this week at CVS for a REALLY REALLY CHEAP price. (for everyone who said that s/he prefers to take own stash)
Link to comment
Share on other sites
rubrrick

rubrrick

Posted
Posted
Store brand meclizine is on sale this week at CVS for a REALLY REALLY CHEAP price. (for everyone who said that s/he prefers to take own stash)

 

Thanks Carol!

 

We even have CVS stores here in Arizona. Cheap bonine, what a fix for the cruiser!

 

Rick

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail on Sun Princess®
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com June 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...