Help me! I'm a noob and don't know what I'm doing.

[BTHodgeman]

1 hour ago, sunnyv said:

If you don’t have the internet, the phone app probably won’t work.  If you use your Starbucks card stars will still accumulate.

However.. the barcode in the Starbucks app is static. If you take a screenshot of your barcode, you will be able to use it even if you don't have internet at the time. Their register processes the transaction - not the phone being used. 

[jjjandkk]

Every night in Central Park there is some great music.  There is usually only 15-20 people there.  One night it was 1 guy playing electric guitar,  he did some requests, but had his own set as well.  I specifically remember his haunting rendition of Stairway to Heaven.  Check the cruise compass, but I think it was about 9 or 10 pm.  

[sunnyv]

37 minutes ago, BTHodgeman said:

However.. the barcode in the Starbucks app is static. If you take a screenshot of your barcode, you will be able to use it even if you don't have internet at the time. Their register processes the transaction - not the phone being used. 

Good to know, thank you 

[bobmacliberty]

8 hours ago, jjjandkk said:

Every night in Central Park there is some great music.  There is usually only 15-20 people there.  One night it was 1 guy playing electric guitar,  he did some requests, but had his own set as well.  I specifically remember his haunting rendition of Stairway to Heaven.  Check the cruise compass, but I think it was about 9 or 10 pm.  

I've never understood why this doesn't draw a bigger crowd.  Great place to have a drink in a nice, quieter atmosphere with good live music.

[cementhands]

On 2/25/2019 at 10:06 AM, mcdni said:

Help me! I'm a noob and looking to get the best out of my next cruise. Technically this is not my first cruise but my first one was when I was 8 and my 2nd was a honeymoon cruise 10 years ago on the Freedom of the Seas. With wedding plans and everything I never really researched our honeymoon cruise. We booked everything onboard and although we had a blast we didn't really feel we had made the most out of the cruise.

 

Fast forward to now and we are returning for our 10 year anniversary and bringing our 8 year old with us.

 

When researching our cruise I started to feel a bit overwhelmed as a lot has changed in 10 years but I came across Cruise Critic and have been reading up on everything I can think of but I still have questions so I have now joined.

 

We are sailing on the Allure of the Seas on April 21st. Thanks to all the wonderful threads full of advice on here we have done online check in and booked our entertainment events and opted for just the 1 excursion this time round. We booked a package that includes the deluxe drinks package and for now that is where I have the most questions and maybe a few at the end about food. These have all probably been asked before and countless times so I apologise in advance but here goes

 

1. What are the does and don'ts of the drink package?

2. How does it work? Do I order a drink and they scan my seapass and then my wife orders her's and has her seapass scanned or can I order for all 3 of us and just scan the one seapass?

3. Are tips automatically added to my account and paid at the end of the cruise or do we specify a tip for each order?

4. I understand it doesn't include bottles of wine but can we order wine by the glass in the MDR for dinner and/or can we bring a glass of wine with us to the MDR?

5. Specific to the Allure, where are the best places to get a cocktail?

6. Where do we get the premium coffees that are included?

 

We have looked at dining packages but decided this time round we will stick with the included options and do the specialty options when it's just me and the Mrs. We are not fussy eaters so will try any and all options. So a few food questions:

 

1. What is the best option for a cooked breakfast (Bacon, eggs etc.) and is it a buffet or made to order?

2. Any other recommendations for breakfast?

3. I know most people dislike the Windjammer but we still want to lunch there a few times. When does it usually start to get busy for lunch and is there any strategy for making it as painless as possible?

4. Any other tips/guides/advice for getting the most out of the included options for food on the Allure?

 

Please don't feel you need to answer every question and I'll maybe have some follow up questions. Any advice is very much appreciated. Thanks in Advance.

Drink packages are a personal choice. The amount of time on shore on islands take away from amount of drinks. We don’t. MDR for made to order breakfast is our preference raisin bread is excellent. 

Try tripadvisor for info on ports beach. Cruise port tt has info on how many ships are in the ports with you. We get off early when many ships and people are in port.

Grab wine by the glass pre dinner and carry in. 

Park cafe and hot dog cart for quick eats following ports return. 

Highlighter to mark next day activities schedule so you don’t miss out!

[h20skibum]

I've never understood why this doesn't draw a bigger crowd.  Great place to have a drink in a nice, quieter atmosphere with good live music.

Some are enjoying it with a drink on their CP balcony.


Past Reviews post 184