Cruising minefield

[mysie1]

Hope this is the correct place to ask questions. First time cruise booked, RCL Baltic cruise in May. Trying to get through the minefield of information.  Firstly, My time dining? how do you book times? Have been into RCL website and registered, but can't find anywhere to book dining or show times? Secondly, was going to take over the door shoe hanger but have read that these have to be fire proof? Thirdly, Adaptors with USB, is there any specific kind? Also, on first day of cruise are there any specific things I should be doing? organising? booking? Thank you for any tips and advice, starting to think I would be better booking the local jail there are so many rules, rights and wrongs!!

[Ourusualbeach]

Make sure you are aware of the new visa requirements for St. Petersburg if you are planning on touring on your own.

[mysie1]

Understand don't need visa with organised tours, this being first cruise, will be playing it safe and going tours, otherwise will be in state of panic about missing sailing.

[Ourusualbeach]

3 minutes ago, mysie1 said:

Understand don't need visa with organised tours, this being first cruise, will be playing it safe and going tours, otherwise will be in state of panic about missing sailing.

I know that previously if you were on an organized tour they took care of the visa.  Not sure how this affects non RCCL tours.

 

https://loyaltoyoualways.com/service/russiavisa/

 

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS FOR ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA

An E-visa is being implemented for the port of St. Petersburg, Russia for guests who would like to tour the city on their own. The E-visa is free of charge as long as guests apply via the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

The issued E-visa will be valid for 30 days, allowing a single entry for stays up to 8 days. Applicants must apply for the E-Visa within 20 days of their intended arrival and no later than 4 days before.

Although the E-visa is single entry, this will allow the guests to go through the St. Petersburg immigration check points multiple times during any stays that are multiple days long.

[proggieus]

12 minutes ago, mysie1 said:

Secondly, was going to take over the door shoe hanger but have read that these have to be fire proof? Thirdly, Adaptors with USB, is there any specific kind?

We got strong magnetic hooks from amazon and hang our shoe organizer from them somewhere more convenient then one of the doors. never heard of the fireproof claim and have never had a problem.

 

For USB we use a 6 port 60W "brick"  keep in mind most of theses chargers are dual voltage so with the right cord or adaptor you can plug them into the Euro outlet and keep the US outlets free for other stuff. just make sure if using an adaptor to not plug a 110v only device into the euro outlet or you will let the magic smoke out.

[cb at sea]

You may be too far out to book things...start checking in Feb.

[Merion_Mom]

@mysie1 - it looks like you will be cruising on the Brilliance of the Seas.  There are no entertainment reservations.

 

Also, there is a forum for new cruisers:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/58-first-time-cruisers/

 

Happy reading!

[crewsweeper]

I don't think you need reservations for My Time Dining.  Just make sure your booking says My Time Dining and then show up during the hours the MDR is open  You may have to wait at peak times.

 

Key thing on embarkation, after putting carryons in cabin, EXPLORE the ship.  Learn where the places you want to go are.  Learn where the ship directories are so you can find other places.  Tour the open decks, gym, casino (if interested) or figure out how to avoid the casino if smoke gets you.

 

 

[SRF]

If you want to make reservations for dining, just go to the MDR when you get onboard and make your reservations.

 

But, as has been said, if you just show up, it usually is a fairly short wait for a table.

[DHADEN]

3 hours ago, mysie1 said:

Hope this is the correct place to ask questions. First time cruise booked, RCL Baltic cruise in May. Trying to get through the minefield of information.  Thirdly, Adaptors with USB, is there any specific kind? Thank you for any tips and advice, starting to think I would be better booking the local jail there are so many rules, rights and wrongs!!

Firstly, My time dining? how do you book times? Have been into RCL website and registered, but can't find anywhere to book dining or show times?

I usually wait until about 60-days out from sail-date to start booking reservations and excursions.  After you have done your final payment (75 days before cruise), you can then do your "On-Line Check-In" (either on the RCI website or on your phone if you have the APP).  After you have done that, you will be able to see these "reservations" on the website/app.

You don't HAVE to make reservations for My-Time if you don't mind standing in line, but I think it is best to reserve a certain time for every night of your cruise.

 

Secondly, was going to take over the door shoe hanger but have read that these have to be fire proof?

We have always taken a regular Shoe Organizer and hung it over the closet door.  Never had a problem.

 

Also, on first day of cruise are there any specific things I should be doing? organising? booking?

If you DO  reserve time for My-Time Dining, you should go to the Dining Room and check with the MTD desk to make sure you are set up the way you want.  There have been many times when your reservations are lost of screwed up.

 

Hope This Helps.

[h20skibum]

4 hours ago, mysie1 said:

Firstly, My time dining? how do you book times? Have been into RCL website and registered, but can't find anywhere to book dining

 

log in to your cruise planner, and go to the dining and beverage section.  Scroll all the way to the bottom, and if you have my time dining, it will show up there with a price of $0.00, similar to how Solarium Bistro is shown here.

 

 

You need to add to cart, and pick your times for each day.  Just remember to check out your cart to complete your dining reservations.  

[mysie1]

Thank you all for help, will check out first time cruiser section.

[time4u2go]

When you said "minefield", I thought you were actually talking about underwater mines. 😮

[Biker19]

4 hours ago, DHADEN said:

After you have done your final payment (75 days before cruise), you can then do your "On-Line Check-In"

 Both final payment and check in are usually at 90 days out  

[Merion_Mom]

46 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

 Both final payment and check in are usually at 90 days out  

 

Different rules in UK, I believe.

[LeeW]

Onboard reservations (including MyTime) and excursions can show up at any time in your booking.  I would NOT wait until 60 days out to look for these.  In particular you will want to book the St Petersberg excursions as early as possible to avoid it selling out.  And keep checking in your Cruise Planner in the Order History link at the top of the page.  If something goes down in price you can either modify the purchase (had mixed luck with this) or cancel and rebook.

 

Those tours are about 9 hours each day, so be prepared with good shoes.  Folks that booked "evening with Catherine" or ballet after the first day were really dragging on the second day.

 

When you log into the web site you should see a list of your cruises and buttons going to the Cruise Planner for each.  I would be amazed that things like dining and spa and drink packages are not available now.  Sometimes shore excursions and entertainment (on Oasis or Quantum class ships) are delayed, but smaller ships tend to make most selections available at least six months out.

[Biker19]

53 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

Different rules in UK, I believe.

Right, check in is still at 90 days and final is at 56 days, usually. 

[papaflamingo]

19 hours ago, mysie1 said:

Understand don't need visa with organised tours, this being first cruise, will be playing it safe and going tours, otherwise will be in state of panic about missing sailing.

Check out the different St. Petersburg tour companies.  I'm not sure how the new Visa requirements affect them, but we used TJ Travel.  They offer a much better tour for less money.  They provided all visa documents.  We simply printed the Visas before we left (they email them to us).  Royal Caribbean may try to tell you that you can't leave with the other passengers, but don't let that stop you.  If you book a private tour there, simply get off the ship and go through customs.  And they are extremely aware of the cruise ship schedules so you really need not worry at all about missing the ship. They are sanctioned by the Russian Govt. so they handle all legal necessities.  

 

Edited December 18, 2019 by papaflamingo

[Galatz]

22 hours ago, proggieus said:

 

 

For USB we use a 6 port 60W "brick"  keep in mind most of theses chargers are dual voltage so with the right cord or adaptor you can plug them into the Euro outlet and keep the US outlets free for other stuff. just make sure if using an adaptor to not plug a 110v only device into the euro outlet or you will let the magic smoke out.

 

Definitely do this. If you bring multiple phones and tablets, etc its impossible to charge them with the one outlet you have. I use this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P936188/ and it works great. You can charge all 6 items quickly without a problem. Plug them in at night and wake up with everything charged. You can pick up a power converter like: https://www.amazon.com/Cellet-Worldwide-Universal-International-Compatible/dp/B07QDV3QNJ pretty cheap and use the non-US outlet for anything that easily converts (cell phone, tablet, computer, etc). It takes your cabin from 1 outlet to 2, so its worth it

[mayleeman]

Shoe hanger on the door needs to have cloth, not metal, hooks so they don't scratch the doors.