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Message
re: Royal Caribbean Cruise Tips
Posted on 1/28/24 at 12:57 pm to Paul Allen
Posted on 1/28/24 at 12:57 pm to Paul Allen
quote:
A 42 foot catamaran with 6-8 people headed to the another Caribbean island after spending all day on an island. That’s a better place to be.
We did this in Abaco about 4 yrs ago. Unbelievable experience.
I’m literally sitting in an airport after just disembarking the RCL Wonder of the Seas and I can’t figure out how anyone can enjoy that. Everything was crowded, hot tubs full, chairs taken, the food was meh. Stopped in St Maarten, San Juan and CocoCay. CocoCay was our best stop. We rented a cabana and had an attendant taking care of everything for us as far as food and drink goes. San Juan and St Maarten both had multiple ships in town on the same days and it was hard to not feel like your were in a tourist trap snow globe. Made in China, ‘local’ shops everywhere. It was a trip provided by a vendor so it cost us little to nothing but it’s not a vacation I’d pay for. It was my 3rd RCL cruise and I’ve done 1 Carnival and RCL does it way better than Carnival but it’s just not my thing either way.
1
Posted on 1/28/24 at 7:04 pm to WilsonPickett
quote:
I’m literally sitting in an airport after just disembarking the RCL Wonder of the Seas and I can’t figure out how anyone can enjoy that.
Because there's ways to do it, on the same ship, with the same itinerary and have a totally different experience.
Posted on 1/29/24 at 8:02 am to LSUfan4444
Eh, its not a vacation for everyone. I get it, the food is subpar even when going to the pay extra places. You are limited on time to explore when you can get off the ship. Big ships like Wonder will have people freakin everywhere.
Some people like the convenience, some don't. Pretty much like anything we do in life, people like different things.
Some people like the convenience, some don't. Pretty much like anything we do in life, people like different things.
This post was edited on 1/29/24 at 8:03 am
Posted on 1/29/24 at 8:20 am to Dam Guide
quote:
I get it, the food is subpar even when going to the pay extra places.
I disagree a bit there. I do agree that the MDR, even though it has gotten better, isn't the best option. It's too much of a time commitment vs what you can get in some of the other more casual venues but Chops & Wonderland are both great. Giovanis and The Mason Jar are both better than the MDR as well, although not on the level of Wonderland and Chops.
The three night dining package works great.
Three specialty dinners, one night in the MDR and then three nights you can casually play by ear (Solarium Bistro, El Loco Fresh or even dinner in port (especially in St Maarten).
Yes, the ships can be crowded but you're talking about 7,000 guests so while you can find places less crowded than others you're not going to have success being in the most popular places at the most popular times.
Private tours like Soualiga in St Maarten is anything but a "snow globe", "made in china" experience.
Definitely not for everyone I would agree but experiences can vary tremendously even for people on the exact same boat at the exact same time.
It's not trip to take if you want seclusion or full customization.
Posted on 1/29/24 at 9:23 am to Dam Guide
quote:
If you are good at managing your time, use trip advisor/review sites and find your own excursions. You will save a frick ton of money and have much better excursion than if you book through the cruise. Only issue is if you don't manage your time or have issues and don't make it back on time, then the cruise won't wait for you.
To me it's always worth the risk because I get to have a private tour guide without massive groups you get in ship excursions which often time suck hard and you get a much better experience. Combing trip advisor for excursions and looking for legit reviews helps a lot.
100% If you are willing to put in the time to find great excursions, you will get much better ones with a much smaller group (private or almost private) on your own. The best experience is rarely with 50-100 other people on a bus. Also, most truly reputable guides have you back on time or promise to get you to your next port. Pier runners are almost always the fault of the passengers rather than the tour company or they wouldn't stay in business.
Posted on 1/29/24 at 11:53 am to LSUfan4444
quote:
I disagree a bit there. I do agree that the MDR, even though it has gotten better, isn't the best option. It's too much of a time commitment vs what you can get in some of the other more casual venues but Chops & Wonderland are both great. Giovanis and The Mason Jar are both better than the MDR as well, although not on the level of Wonderland and Chops.
See even those I find average at best on a good day, people who go on vacation for the food just aren’t going to find it ideal when it comes to cruise food. A big part of my planning always comes with getting something unique when off the ship.
This post was edited on 1/29/24 at 11:54 am
Posted on 1/29/24 at 12:06 pm to Dam Guide
quote:
See even those I find average at best on a good day, people who go on vacation for the food just aren’t going to find it ideal when it comes to cruise food
Same with AIs, if all you care about is food pick something else. But that said, mostly the food isn't that bad and often better than what some of us eat on a normal day, or better yet on a normal family beach trip to Destin.
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