new to RC's Content - Royal Caribbean Blog (2024)

MEI Travel

new to RC replied toFrogfanatic's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

Sharla is awesome

Suggestions for Havana

new to RC posted a topic in Shore Excursions

First, thank you to all who post on this site. I have found the posts to be extremely helpful and most all of them are so polite and friendly. We took our first RC cruise in September and it was wonderful, partly due to all of the tips I got here.We have a cruise booked for this August, going to Havana and Cozumel-Havana being the draw. The Best of Havana excursion looks good, but 8 hours is a long time. I would welcome any and all recommendations. We are 2 active women in our 50s traveling with kids and their friends in their 20s. Our interests are eclectic but certainly include history, but we are open to most anything.We are willing to "do our own thing", go on an RC excursion or go with a private excursion company in Havana. We will be there overnight.Thanks in advance.

MDR attire for first night

new to RC replied toCAMAM's topic in Royal Caribbean Dining

It can be really cold in there, though.

Newbie needs help

new to RC replied toMicDay's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

We took a wonderful cruise with our adult children in September. It was a fabulous family vacation. We had our two sons, our daughter and her boyfriend and my husband and me. My husband and I had a spacious ocean view cabin. I would not have wanted even one other adult in there. We got inside staterooms for the kids. They were fine with that. It gave us all some privacy, but we also had plenty of time together. We did let our daughter and her boyfriend share a cabin-didn't love that, but they are living together and got engaged shortly thereafter.

Do 2-way radios work well on the ship?

new to RC replied toD.Wanex's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

We used the text feature on our cell phones to keep in touch with the kids. We had the basic internet, one device per person, and found it was worth it to keep up with where everyone was. Also, we could include each other in spontaneous fun activities.

Demographics on Baltic cruises?

new to RC replied tobigpete's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

I have tentatively booked the 7 night cruise for July 2020. We are late 50s but young at heart and very active.

Summer 2020 Cruises

new to RC replied toScottKateEthan's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

When will the 2020 European sailings be released?

Navigator of the Seas Motion Sickness Question

new to RC replied toReyRod's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

We were not bothered at all by any motion on the Navigator in August

Alcoholic beverages (doubles)

new to RC replied totarall's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

We had the drink package on the Navigator of the Sea a few weeks, and i found myself asking for lighter pours. I found the entire bar staff to be "heavy handed". I needed to be able to get back to my cabin at the end of the evening.

Canceling BOGO-Sailing in 5 days

new to RC replied tonew to RC's topic in Royal Caribbean Dining

Just wanted to update. We did keep the BOGO and really enjoyed it. I went to Chops as soon as we boarded and made reservations for Giovannis the first night and Chops the second night. The next morning, I saw that lobster was on the MDR menu for that night and went back to Chops and rescheduled. BOGO is supposed to be restricted to nights one and two, but i had no trouble switching it to night 4.

Any lanyard recommendations?

new to RC replied topabrumm3's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

My daughter found a better solution than the lanyard. We had an internet connection that we used to find each other on the ship so we had our phones with us. She put her Seapass in a "phone wallet". I was very jealous. I tried hard to find a phone wallet for myself, but they didn't have any in the shops on the ship, nor could i find one in port. If you have your phone with you, the phone wallet is much more convenient than a lanyard.

How important is it to buy the extra dining package?

new to RC replied tostlpam's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

Our family did the BOGO package. For $30 per person for two dinners, we thought it was worth it. We loved the main dining room. The only complaint anyone had was that the lobster was a bit tough and flavorless. I had nothing but great food in the MDR. in fact, we were offered a great deal on a third night ($10 per person) but decided we'd rather stick with the MDR. We did really like Chops Grille and Giovannis, but not that much more than the MDR.

Cruising from Southampton - thoughts?

new to RC replied toJoe01's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

I just got off of a 7 day cruise from Southampton. Being a geographically challenged person from the US, I don't know if we went through the Bay of Biscay, but I will say that the first night was slightly rough. Not sea sick rough, but slightly tipsy rough (or was that because I took full advantage of the drink package?). The people on the ship were truly lovely. We met many people that we thoroughly enjoyed and did not encounter anyone that I would describe as "chavvy" per the definitions given above. In fact, I did not really even seen any rude behavior at all.

Toiletries

new to RC posted a topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

Again, I cannot say how much I appreciate all of the help and advice I have found on these forums, both in response to my questions and by reading in general. We leave soon, so my questions will then stop (at least for this trip ?). We have an ocean view balcony and our adult kids have interior rooms on the Navigator. Will we have shampoo, conditioner and shower gel or do we have to bring our own?Thanks again.

Canceling BOGO-Sailing in 5 days

new to RC replied tonew to RC's topic in Royal Caribbean Dining

I did not see that the hibachi was not included but that's not a big deal. I did wonder about how I would find out where we are assigned, but it sounds like I can just go and ask. Thanks.

Canceling BOGO-Sailing in 5 days

new to RC posted a topic in Royal Caribbean Dining

I purchased the BOGO dining plan but am having second thoughts. It appears that some people have been stuck at venues they did not want. If this happens, can we cancel our reservations on the ship and get a refund, or do I have to make the decision before I leave. I have about 24 hours to cancel. We are sailing on the Navigator on August 26. Many thanks.

Local currency

new to RC replied tonew to RC's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

I know that our card waives foreign transaction fees. My son is interning in Germany and we got a card that we knew he could use.

Local currency

new to RC replied tonew to RC's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

Will a credit card be generally accepted? I think our debit card charges foreign transaction fees but i know that our credit card does not

Local currency

new to RC posted a topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

We have a stop in Oslo. Approximately how many krones will we need per person for a day. We are not doing an excursion. Should we wait and get them when we arrive or should i get them in advance?Many thanks for all of the helpful information i have found on this site.

Air2Sea questions

new to RC posted a topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

We booked a cruise, using a travel agent, departing from Southampton. At her recommendation, we booked with Air2Sea. Due to work and school schedules, we are unable to fly in the day before. We are concerned because, due to an airline schedule change, a somewhat tight connection at JFK for our flight to London has been reduced to just over an hour, if there are no delays. Since we are flying out on a summer afternoon in the south, there is a real potential for thunderstorms. My question is what happens if we miss our connection. There are flights later that night; will they work to get us on one of those? We do have travel insurance. If we miss the connection, do we contact the airline, the travel insurance company or Air2Sea? If we can't get a later flight out that day, my understanding is that Air2Sea will get us to the next port of call-not ideal but oh well. In the meantime, do they put in a hotel? Give us a per diem for meals (which we would have had as part of our cruise fare)? The first day is at sea, so we would miss the first couple of days. Also we have paid for BOGO dining, but will miss the first two nights of the cruise. Will RC reimburse us for that? What about the first two days of the deluxe beverage package we will be unable to use?I have tried to change our flights, but the cost is astronomical. I just want to know what my options are so that if the worst happens, I am prepared and can act swiftly.Many thanks.

Southampton to London

new to RC replied tonew to RC's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

Thank you. I have reserved transport at 9:30-the ship arrives at 5:30 am. We are hoping to be off the ship between 8:30 and 9 (planning to carry our luggage). Is this too optimistic? We do not have any priority status.

Southampton to London

new to RC posted a topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion

We have cruised before with Disney and Princess but never with RC and I know the disembarkation procedures vary from line to line. Our family is doing a Northern European cruise out of Southampton in late August/early September and will disembark on Sunday. Part of the group will be in London until Wednesday, but the remainder will leave Monday morning. Since Buckingham Palace is only open for a month and a half each year, and we will be there during that time, the entire group would like to take that tour. We need to purchase timed tickets in advance. We will be taking a private shuttle from the port to our hotel in London. What time would it be reasonable to expect that we will arrive in London?Thank you in advance for your help and advice. I have found this site to be incredibly helpful