Even better give / help me with what to know

[4 mickey]

Hi you all
Overwhelmed to say the least
So use to dcl
Where I knew just about anything

Now DH came up yesterday with a plan to try RC and as soon as sept
So I know / we know zero to nothing

Help me with what to do
What to do reservations on ( shows .. restaurants...
We will probably do the reservations tonight
So after it’s done
What shall my plan of action be ?
What’s to do to have a nice cruise and enjoy the most of it
I / we will be on allure

Thanks so very much

 

[Magical2017]

Hi! We are sailing on Allure in January. You can log into RCCL and click on the cruise planner. You can also download the RCCL app.nThat will take you to the section on booking excursions, a drink package, the paid-for activities at Coco Cay, and any paid-for dining options. We do not drink soda and do not drink much alcohol, so have not purchased any drink packages. I think today is the last day of a sale they are having. You can bring on two bottles of wine and up to 12 cans of soda OR bottles of water. You can bring your wine to dinner. There is a corkage fee if you have RCCL open the wine ($25). They will store your wine and you can have them access even if you eat at a specialty restaurant.

There is something called The Key that I know nothing about, but there is a thread on this board about it, I believe.

Does your itinerary include Coco Cay? There are some threads about what is and is not included there. Also, here is the link to Royal's info. about it. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/topics/perfect-day-cococay-pricing

I personally like to read The Unofficial Royal Caribbean Blog. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/...rivate-island-perfect-day-cococay-the-bahamas The site also has some recent Cruise Compass newsletters (click on the top link that says Cruise Compass). We have My Time Dining booked, but you can reserve early or late seating. Some people have said you can request a table for just your party if you don't want to sit with others.

You can print your own luggage tags, but in a FB group a frequent cruiser said It is not necessary. They can print them for you when you arrive. I did buy the luggage tags from Amazon for 7 bucks. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/embarkation-day
Here is good information about disembarkation day. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/08/12/first-time-cruisers-disembarkation-day

I have not cruised in years and have never sailed Disney. My kids are looking forward to all the activities on board. I have heard good things about the kids clubs. I have read that the food is pretty good. There are threads here comparing Disney to Royal that you might find helpful. I hope this helps.

 

[starvenger]

Hi you all
Overwhelmed to say the least
So use to dcl
Where I knew just about anything

Now DH came up yesterday with a plan to try RC and as soon as sept
So I know / we know zero to nothing

Help me with what to do
What to do reservations on ( shows .. restaurants...
We will probably do the reservations tonight
So after it’s done
What shall my plan of action be ?
What’s to do to have a nice cruise and enjoy the most of it
I / we will be on allure

Thanks so very much

September is very quick.

1: Relax. You've cruised many times before, so the basics of cruising remain the same.

2: If you have My Time Dining, you can book your shows first and work your dining around that second. If you have traditional dining - early seating, you can go book/go to a 5pm Green Planet/skating/aqua show and do dinner right after. Expect roughly the same amount of time for dining as on DCL (2-2.5 hours) but don't be afraid to have your waiter speed things up if needed.

3. Ports are ports. The only one that might be different is St. Thomas, but I don't see that on any of the September cruises. If you're booking excursions through Royal, use the Cruise Planner. It should show you prices in CAD.

4. If you are going to Labadee, take the water taxi that is on the pier (before you reach the Labadee sign). Get off the boat, and head right - you will reach Columbus Cove which is a nicer and generally less crowded beach.

5. Peak boarding times on DCL are applicable to Royal as well.

6. Boarding process is mostly online check-in. If you do this your physical check-in (not sure what to call it) will be pretty quick. When you get to Port Everglades it should be quick apart from the security check. Process there is:
- Baggage drop
- Security Check
- Physical Check-in
- Welcome aboard photo
- First minute lanyards and crap for sale
- Waiting area/kids wristband station
- Boarding

7. Your SeaPass will be on your cabin door. If you have a drink package use the temporary pass to get drinks.

8. You're boarding right in the middle of the promenade. You don't get announced on.

9. First Meal Food
- If you're looking to eat at the Windjammer, head left to the aft elevator bank.
- If you want something lighter, head up to the 8th deck, go to Central Park and hit up the Park Cafe
- Solarium Bistro opens around 11:30/12, and will probably be a little less crowded compared to WJ, but with less food options. If you go there, head right to the forward elevator bank and go to the 14th deck.

10. Specialty meals
- Never tried Chefs Table, Izumi, Sabor or 150 Park so can't comment there. I've had pretty good sushi in Montreal so I don't think you'll miss out if you skip Izumi.
- Giovanni's is pretty good Italian. But Italian food is great in Montreal, so you might consider skipping this.
- Chops is also pretty good. I put it on the level of The Keg.
- Samba Grill is my favourite. Not that expensive for a Brazilian steakhouse, and the location (Solarium Bistro) is very nice.
- Johnny Rockets serves burgers. Best to go there at breakfast, when it's free.

11. You're allowed to bring aboard 2 bottles of wine per cabin, and 12 bottles of water. As with DCL, this must be in your carryon baggage.

Hope that's helpful.

 

[tltay2005]

Looks like most questions have been answered so I will just throw in there that you will have a great time. We have sailed with DCL 4 times, but pricing drove us to RCL. We sailed on the Allure last year and just got off her two weeks ago and had a great time. This ship is huge and there is so much to do and see. You will find many similarities to DCL, some differences and you may be surprised to find a few things you like better, we did. There are a lot more free food venues and more of a variety of entertainment. We order coffee every morning for room service and loved that RCL calls to let you know they are on their way. We found the staff all to be great and the activity crew were especially nice. We too are not heavy drinkers so the drink package was not for us. If you have any other specific questions, I would be glad to try to answer.