[Pellaz]

Someone had mentioned that they talked to someone at RC regarding the Interrogation Hall that a lot of us spent an hour or more in before getting into the terminal--they had said that no cruises make people wait that long. The crazy thing as well, was I witnessed people still getting dropped off my car and cab after 3 pm! That would suck,,,,show up to the port and see the Independent's ass sailing away

Daaaaamn that would totally suck. If anything I'll get myself back to the airport, and book the first flight to Jamaica and wait at Falmouth at the beach for the boat to get there.

You hate to have something like that happen, but yep, that's EXACTLY what you could do. A flight to Falmouth would be PRICEY, too. Not as bad as trying to get to, say, Grand Turk, but more expensive than a flight to (ack, spit) Nassau.

BTW, if this happens to anyone and you DO get left behind, call Royal Caribbean immediately and tell them your plans so they know to hold your cabin for you, or give it away (for beer storage ).
(I was once moved to a different, better room on a full cruise ship because someone couldn't make it, and notified the cruise line that they wouldn't try to meet the ship. Whew.)

[IcedInferno]

This is my first cruise and I can't wait to meet everybody. People are asking me, are you going there alone? Nope with over 3000 brothers and sisters! Anyway this thread helped me a lot. Just wondering, are the bands still expected to play two sets each, and what are the usual lengths of the sets?

I'm so pumped, this is a dream come true.

Hail from Canada!!!!

[Papa Emeritus]

This is my first cruise and I can't wait to meet everybody. People are asking me, are you going there alone? Nope with over 3000 brothers and sisters! Anyway this thread helped me a lot. Just wondering, are the bands still expected to play two sets each, and what are the usual lengths of the sets?

I'm so pumped, this is a dream come true.

Hail from Canada!!!!

45mins - 1hr Are generally the set lengths, and yes all bands play 2x sets!

[IcedInferno]

All right, one more thing, is the lineup really long to get off the boat (like back in Florida)??? Just trying to see how much time I need to give myself to get to the airport if I go straight there from the cruise.

[deathmetalpat]

All right, one more thing, is the lineup really long to get off the boat (like back in Florida)??? Just trying to see how much time I need to give myself to get to the airport if I go straight there from the cruise.

It just depends on how you leave ,if you keep your bags you are supposed to leave early like 7 a.m or so.Then you can just walk off and get yourself to the airport.If you let them take your bags off and pick them up ,that is what gets screwed up.Give yourself at least 3 hours for Fort Lauderdale and 4 hours for Miami.I never let them take my bag in the morning of disembarking ,but it was a bin bag size (21" or less) and even ate breakfast (technically breaking the rules ).It only took an hour from leaving the cabin to getting to Miami airport.A lot of that time came from the guy driving back around to fill up his van 3 freaking times.

[germanegyptiangirl]

Hey!

This thread is awesome for someone like me who is going on this cruise for the first time! (I went on a cruise more than 10 years ago so I don't remember any procedures and such). Thank you for all the good advice.
So anyways, the check-in and the drink packages brought up some more questions. They seem extremely expensive, so that makes me wonder how much is pop and tea and coffee by itself if you don't get the Replenish package? I am considering the Replenish package since my boyfriend and I don't drink so it may be worth it for us. What did you guys think of the Replenish package?

Thanks!

[IcedInferno]

All right, one more thing, is the lineup really long to get off the boat (like back in Florida)??? Just trying to see how much time I need to give myself to get to the airport if I go straight there from the cruise.

It just depends on how you leave ,if you keep your bags you are supposed to leave early like 7 a.m or so.Then you can just walk off and get yourself to the airport.If you let them take your bags off and pick them up ,that is what gets screwed up.Give yourself at least 3 hours for Fort Lauderdale and 4 hours for Miami.I never let them take my bag in the morning of disembarking ,but it was a bin bag size (21" or less) and even ate breakfast (technically breaking the rules ).It only took an hour from leaving the cabin to getting to Miami airport.A lot of that time came from the guy driving back around to fill up his van 3 freaking times.

Thanks a lot!

[mbob]

All right, one more thing, is the lineup really long to get off the boat (like back in Florida)??? Just trying to see how much time I need to give myself to get to the airport if I go straight there from the cruise.

It just depends on how you leave ,if you keep your bags you are supposed to leave early like 7 a.m or so.Then you can just walk off and get yourself to the airport.If you let them take your bags off and pick them up ,that is what gets screwed up.Give yourself at least 3 hours for Fort Lauderdale and 4 hours for Miami.I never let them take my bag in the morning of disembarking ,but it was a bin bag size (21" or less) and even ate breakfast (technically breaking the rules ).It only took an hour from leaving the cabin to getting to Miami airport.A lot of that time came from the guy driving back around to fill up his van 3 freaking times.

Getting off the ship can be pretty easy and go quickly. Like deathmetalpat says if you take your luggage with you then you can get off earlier. Once you get off the ship then you have to deal with customs and that is a different story. Depending on the number of agents that can take some time. Last year I was one of the first people off so there was no line at customs yet and was at the Fort Lauderdale airport by 9 am.

[J.m.Andersson]

on boarding day bring a bottle of water and something to read

[Jaimie38]

This is my first cruise and I can't wait to meet everybody. People are asking me, are you going there alone? Nope with over 3000 brothers and sisters! Anyway this thread helped me a lot. Just wondering, are the bands still expected to play two sets each, and what are the usual lengths of the sets?

I'm so pumped, this is a dream come true.

Hail from Canada!!!!

Welcome --where in Canada? One thing also is that there are no clocks in the rooms to set alarms. Keep your phone charged for the alarm....you will need naps here and there and I missed some shows due to oversleeping. ha!

Pace is the key.. the days are long and full of fun. Don't schedule every second, because, like the threads, they get Dutch Derailed!!( inside joke). I go alone every year, but you are never alone. The folks on this cruise are the best people in the world. Wear your favouritelocal band shirt, be respective of the staff, the ship and the beaches... and in true Canadian fashion....FUK"N GIV'R!!!

[Mal2000]

on boarding day bring a bottle of water and something to read

or bottle of wine and something to play

[IcedInferno]

This is my first cruise and I can't wait to meet everybody. People are asking me, are you going there alone? Nope with over 3000 brothers and sisters! Anyway this thread helped me a lot. Just wondering, are the bands still expected to play two sets each, and what are the usual lengths of the sets?

I'm so pumped, this is a dream come true.

Hail from Canada!!!!

Welcome --where in Canada? One thing also is that there are no clocks in the rooms to set alarms. Keep your phone charged for the alarm....you will need naps here and there and I missed some shows due to oversleeping. ha!

Pace is the key.. the days are long and full of fun. Don't schedule every second, because, like the threads, they get Dutch Derailed!!( inside joke). I go alone every year, but you are never alone. The folks on this cruise are the best people in the world. Wear your favouritelocal band shirt, be respective of the staff, the ship and the beaches... and in true Canadian fashion....FUK"N GIV'R!!!

Thanks for the tip, I think I'll get myself an old Timex waterproof Watch. I'm from the east coast, Moncton NB to be more precise.

[cronos23462]

how long between bands usually? like on the pool stage ...a hour ?

[Speedy]

how long between bands usually? like on the pool stage ...a hour ?

Mostly 45 or 60 min breaks between bands on any single stage last year. A few longer breaks.

[germanegyptiangirl]

Hey everyone!

Sorry for so many questions,
but I was wondering if things like virgin daiquiris, milkshakes, slushies, etc. are included with what we pay for the cruise or if you have to buy a Replenish package to get unlimited of that?

Thank you very much!

See you soon!

[klons]

Hey everyone!

Sorry for so many questions,
but I was wondering if things like virgin daiquiris, milkshakes, slushies, etc. are included with what we pay for the cruise or if you have to buy a Replenish package to get unlimited of that?

Thank you very much!

See you soon!

Pretty sure those are all separate charges, not covered by the package.

[germanegyptiangirl]

Hey everyone!

Sorry for so many questions,
but I was wondering if things like virgin daiquiris, milkshakes, slushies, etc. are included with what we pay for the cruise or if you have to buy a Replenish package to get unlimited of that?

Thank you very much!

See you soon!

Pretty sure those are all separate charges, not covered by the package.

Thank you! That's good to know!

[mbob]

Hey everyone!

Sorry for so many questions,
but I was wondering if things like virgin daiquiris, milkshakes, slushies, etc. are included with what we pay for the cruise or if you have to buy a Replenish package to get unlimited of that?

Thank you very much!

See you soon!

Pretty sure those are all separate charges, not covered by the package.

Thank you! That's good to know!

Virgin cocktails (daiquiris) are included in the Replenish package along with premium coffee & tea, fresh juices, fountain soda, bottled water and sparkling water. Milkshakes are extra and I don't know if they serve slushies anywhere.

[germanegyptiangirl]

Virgin cocktails (daiquiris) are included in the Replenish package along with premium coffee & tea, fresh juices, fountain soda, bottled water and sparkling water. Milkshakes are extra and I don't know if they serve slushies anywhere.[/quote][/quote][/quote]

Thanks for the info!

[Pellaz]

Hey everyone!

Sorry for so many questions,
but I was wondering if things like virgin daiquiris, milkshakes, slushies, etc. are included with what we pay for the cruise or if you have to buy a Replenish package to get unlimited of that?

Thank you very much!

See you soon!

As I read the Royal Replenish description, virgin daiquiris and non-alcoholic drinks like that ARE included in the package, but milkshakes and (probably) slushies are not. They have good milkshakes at Johnny Rockets and last year they were open 'til 5 am for us, but they DID charge for them.
EDIT: someone beat me to it.

[germanegyptiangirl]

Hey everyone!

Sorry for so many questions,
but I was wondering if things like virgin daiquiris, milkshakes, slushies, etc. are included with what we pay for the cruise or if you have to buy a Replenish package to get unlimited of that?

Thank you very much!

See you soon!

As I read the Royal Replenish description, virgin daiquiris and non-alcoholic drinks like that ARE included in the package, but milkshakes and (probably) slushies are not. They have good milkshakes at Johnny Rockets and last year they were open 'til 5 am for us, but they DID charge for them.
EDIT: someone beat me to it.

Thanks! And two people saying the same thing is a good thing. By the way, I totally love your wishlist. There are so many bands on there I would want to see. Also, Agalloch, Amon Amarth, and Moonspell are 3 (out of 6) of my favourite bands! I would be over the moon if Agalloch gets announced. I have never seen them and I don't know when I will get a chance to see them since they will probably never come close to where I live. I have never seen Moonspell live so I am super excited that I will get to see them on the ship. I have seen Amon Amarth multiple times and even have a signed poster of them and a pick from Johan. (My only 2 things that I ever got at a concert from the band).

Hopefully more of your wishlist (especially Agalloch) gets announced!

[Pellaz]

Hey everyone!

As I read the Royal Replenish description, virgin daiquiris and non-alcoholic drinks like that ARE included in the package, but milkshakes and (probably) slushies are not. They have good milkshakes at Johnny Rockets and last year they were open 'til 5 am for us, but they DID charge for them.
EDIT: someone beat me to it.

Thanks! And two people saying the same thing is a good thing. By the way, I totally love your wishlist. There are so many bands on there I would want to see. Also, Agalloch, Amon Amarth, and Moonspell are 3 (out of 6) of my favourite bands! I would be over the moon if Agalloch gets announced. I have never seen them and I don't know when I will get a chance to see them since they will probably never come close to where I live.....Hopefully more of your wishlist (especially Agalloch) gets announced!

I've only had the privilege of seeing Agalloch once, at a small venue here in Atlanta, but it was a great-sounding show -- the band's own soundguy was sick, and the venue's sound guy did such a good job of mixing the sound that Agalloch actually thanked him profusely from the stage. I've never seen that happen before and don't expect to see it again, either. Just a great show all around, with the funeral doom band Loss from TN opening up, too.

[cronos23462]

do they offer steak and lobster in the dining room ,like on regular cruises?

[slayergeek]

do they offer steak and lobster in the dining room ,like on regular cruises?

Yes, it should be the normal Royal Caribbean menu like any other cruise.

[Rjturtle9]

I've never been on a cruise before. Is there soap, shampoo, conditioner provided in the rooms or do guests usually bring their own? Also how many towels are in your room or extra you can request? And is room service included in the pre paid gratuities.

[SaraMarie]

I've never been on a cruise before. Is there soap, shampoo, conditioner provided in the rooms or do guests usually bring their own? Also how many towels are in your room or extra you can request? And is room service included in the pre paid gratuities.

From what I read, room service is free, but there is a surcharge of something like $5 after a certain hour of the night. If you mean just the tips for room service, I think so. I think all of the dining staff gets tipped out, I would assume so, but I don't know for certain. RC does have a lot of info online, though. Tipping would be the same for all cruises, so that info would apply to us, too.

[biertroll]

How many waterproof cameras do I bring?

[MissTool]

Do they allow to bring any bottles of water in board. That Evian water package is just super over priced and I don´t think the replenish package is worth.

[mooyagi]

I've never been on a cruise before. Is there soap, shampoo, conditioner provided in the rooms or do guests usually bring their own? Also how many towels are in your room or extra you can request? And is room service included in the pre paid gratuities.

The showers will have a dispenser with soap and shampoo. I don't think there's conditioner. You can get as many towels as you want, just ask your room attendant.

Do they allow to bring any bottles of water in board. That Evian water package is just super over priced and I don´t think the replenish package is worth.

I don't believe so. That would go against their offering a water package. Just bring an empty bottle and fill from the sink in your room. It tastes fine.

[MissTool]

Do they allow to bring any bottles of water in board. That Evian water package is just super over priced and I don´t think the replenish package is worth.

I don't believe so. That would go against their offering a water package. Just bring an empty bottle and fill from the sink in your room. It tastes fine.

Thanks. I was just thinking about having one bottle with me while I wait in line for check in and then enter the ship with that bottle. I am not planning on bringing several bottles on board. In my last cruise I think I bought some bottled water on board but definitely the package is not worth for me because I don´t drink a lot of water.

[J.m.Andersson]

you need to have clothes on at the resturants!

[slayergeek]

you need to have clothes on at the resturants!

I've seen people push the boundaries in this one. The girl in the black studded bikini in 2014 for one.

[Mr. HCI]

It's silly to drink bottled water on a cruise ship. All fresh water on modern ships is desalinated on broad. It is just as pure, if not purer, than bottled water, and there is an unlimited supply for free (well, at no extra charge, anyhow).

[yardleybates]

you need to have clothes on at the resturants!

I was actually checking on the whole dress code thing. I thought I remembered hearing (reading) somewhere that there is not dress code enforcement in any of the restaurants on this ship. Not meaning clothing optional LOL but you can show up in shorts and a t-shirt or jeans and it's cool.

[mbob]

you need to have clothes on at the resturants!

I was actually checking on the whole dress code thing. I thought I remembered hearing (reading) somewhere that there is not dress code enforcement in any of the restaurants on this ship. Not meaning clothing optional LOL but you can show up in shorts and a t-shirt or jeans and it's cool.

They do not enforce the regular dress codes during 70,000 Tons.

[Mikko]

About the luggage, the cruise is part of a larger trip we are doing, and as luggage we have two big trekking backpacks which we can easily carry around pre-boarding and debarking.

Should we pass our luggage to a porter for pre-boarding, only during debarking or take it with us all the time?

[bodomdragon]

About the luggage, the cruise is part of a larger trip we are doing, and as luggage we have two big trekking backpacks which we can easily carry around pre-boarding and debarking.

Should we pass our luggage to a porter for pre-boarding, only during debarking or take it with us all the time?

I'd say that's pretty much up to you. My friends and I have always carried our luggage with us.

[yardleybates]

you need to have clothes on at the resturants!

I was actually checking on the whole dress code thing. I thought I remembered hearing (reading) somewhere that there is not dress code enforcement in any of the restaurants on this ship. Not meaning clothing optional LOL but you can show up in shorts and a t-shirt or jeans and it's cool.

They do not enforce the regular dress codes during 70,000 Tons.

Thanks man!

[yardleybates]

Is there any downside to booking excursions on the ship vs. pre-booking them via Royal Caribbean or independently, other than some may fill up?

[MrCaptainMetal]

I'm pretty confident that this is my only dumb question. I tried to see if it was answered elsewhere but I could not find it.

Do you use the Sea Pass card to buy merch, or can you use cash/credit?