Royal Caribbean Cruise

[kmanct3]

Well just finalized my 7 day Caribbean  cruise on New Years week with my wife and kids, anyone have any experience's with Royal Caribbean good or bad ? I have never cruised with them before , only Carnival and Disney. We are on the Oasis of the Seas.

[nate j]

Yes, I've been on three cruises with Royal Caribbean (1999. 2004, 2009).  None with Carnival or Disney, though, so I can't really make a direct comparison.

I thoroughly enjoyed all three of them, and had only two complaints:

- First, security was much tighter on the last one than the first two.  They found one of my SAKs during the screening and insisted on keeping it for the duration of the trip.  They did return it to me when we disembarked, however, and since they didn't catch the second SAK I was carrying I wasn't left entirely bereft of pocket tools.  Still, pretty stupid, especially when you consider that one could easily lift a steak knife from the dining room if so inclined...

- Second, I felt some of the port stays were shorter than strictly necessary due to the cruise line's desire to get everyone back on board the ship and into the casino etc., but I suspect this is common to most cruise lines.

[enki_ck]

Well they did have a big poop up last spring.

[kmanct3]

Yes, I've been on three cruises with Royal Caribbean (1999. 2004, 2009).  None with Carnival or Disney, though, so I can't really make a direct comparison.

I thoroughly enjoyed all three of them, and had only two complaints:

- First, security was much tighter on the last one than the first two.  They found one of my SAKs during the screening and insisted on keeping it for the duration of the trip.  They did return it to me when we disembarked, however, and since they didn't catch the second SAK I was carrying I wasn't left entirely bereft of pocket tools.  Still, pretty stupid, especially when you consider that one could easily lift a steak knife from the dining room if so inclined...

- Second, I felt some of the port stays were shorter than strictly necessary due to the cruise line's desire to get everyone back on board the ship and into the casino etc., but I suspect this is common to most cruise lines.

Thanks for the info, I guess I am going to have to bring a less than favorite SAK just in case. Never had a problem with the other cruise lines as I brought my Vic Swiss Champ and my Spyderco Delica. As for the stays I'm not sure how long each one is. And I did not know how expensive the drink packages were

[nate j]

Well they did have a big poop up last spring.

I believe that was Carnival.

Thanks for the info, I guess I am going to have to bring a less than favorite SAK just in case. Never had a problem with the other cruise lines as I brought my Vic Swiss Champ and my Spyderco Delica.

No problem.  The SAK they got (and did return to me at the end of the trip) was the one from my pocket that I (foolishly, in hindsight) dumped into the tray with the rest of the contents of my pockets before going through the metal detector.  I didn't dream they would make a fuss about it, but they did.  FWIW, they were insufficiently thorough to find the one in my backpack, so that is the one that got through.  Of course, this was several years ago, so things may have changed (for better or worse) since then.

Have fun.  We expect a full report when you get back from the cruise.   

[Grant Lamontagne]

If it comes to Halifax, let me know and I'll meet you at the dock! 

Def

[kmanct3]

If it comes to Halifax, let me know and I'll meet you at the dock! 

Def

I would love to go north but my wife being from Miami decided where we go in January

[WhichDawg]

If it comes to Halifax, let me know and I'll meet you at the dock! 

Def

remember the movie "War of the Worlds"? with tom cruise, and how they tipped the ship over, that's probably how Grant would meet you! 

and good luck on the cruise! I luv cruises... dream

[kmanct3]

Thanks Dawg, Cant wait for our stop at St.Maarten, last time I as there they had a Vic/Wenger store. Hope its still there.

[gregozedobe]

Just watch out for internet connection fees.  Our neighbours just came back from a cruise and got a $500.00 bill for a 18 minute wait that still hadn't connected !!!! 

[derekmac]

Just watch out for internet connection fees.  Our neighbours just came back from a cruise and got a $500.00 bill for a 18 minute wait that still hadn't connected !!!! 

Ouch, that hurts!


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

[MadPlumbarian]

Hey take me, I'll fit in the luggage! JR

[nate j]

Just watch out for internet connection fees.  Our neighbours just came back from a cruise and got a $500.00 bill for a 18 minute wait that still hadn't connected !!!! 

If you'll take my advice, you'll shut off your phone, laptop, tablet, etc. before leaving port and not turn them on again until the cruise is over.  Avoid outrageous fees and enjoy the time spent disconnected.

[Grant Lamontagne]

If it comes to Halifax, let me know and I'll meet you at the dock! 

Def

remember the movie "War of the Worlds"? with tom cruise, and how they tipped the ship over, that's probably how Grant would meet you! 

and good luck on the cruise! I luv cruises... dream

I could easily flip a cruise ship over.  All I'd need to do it toss a SURGE!!! to someone on one side of the deck!

Def

[kmanct3]

If its a MTO Surge I'll make sure I catch it ! 

[G-Dizzle]

I'd like to revive this old thread if i may. (Please forgive me mods) I am taking a cruise on this exact same boat this summer. Does anyone have any reccomendations as far as taking a SAK along? I would hope they wouldnt see it as a threat and would hate to be without some kind of MT. Would they allow a knifeless model? How about a swisstech tool and small pair of scissors? Thanks for the help!! Also, I am looking for a good 2-way radio to use on the boat if anyone has reccomendations. Either texting or a vibrate option is a plus!!! Thanks. 

[sLaughterMed]

Do you have kids? If you don't I wouldn't sweat the two-way. You're on vacation, no one wants to deal with carrying around a bulky walkie talkie (where would you even put it when you are by the pool?). Just agree ahead of time to meet up at the most central bar on the boat if you get separated, and drink until your separation anxiety goes away 


As for the tools, the issue seems to stem from their "weapons" policy, prohibiting knives and other sharp things (but not razor blades, naturally  ). They also may not take kindly to saws, awls or corkscrews either. I think the scissors + SwissTech should be fine!

[G-Dizzle]

Do you have kids? If you don't I wouldn't sweat the two-way. You're on vacation, no one wants to deal with carrying around a bulky walkie talkie (where would you even put it when you are by the pool?). Just agree ahead of time to meet up at the most central bar on the boat if you get separated, and drink until your separation anxiety goes away 


As for the tools, the issue seems to stem from their "weapons" policy, prohibiting knives and other sharp things (but not razor blades, naturally  ). They also may not take kindly to saws, awls or corkscrews either. I think the scissors + SwissTech should be fine!

I dont have kids, but will be traveling with my own and my girlfriend's families which will include some kids. Kind of like a big family vacation with both sides of the family there and us in the middle i just figured that if I found a radio, it would be useful for the mornings, when I will wake up and work out and will be seperated from the gf in case she needs me or decides to do her own thing while im gone. Other than that, it would be helpful to set up meeting times and plans with the different groups there, my girlfriend and I being one, then each side of the family. Although we can always just make those plans beforehand. This is a first cruise for me so if anyone has suggestions at all feel free to let me know. Thanks Slaughtermed!

[Poncho65]

I travel Carnival Cruise Line so can't say for sure about Royal Caribbean but I just got back from one and I took a few smaller things like a Vic Executive (it was in with my bathroom bag stuff) Also took this and nothing was said in any of the security check points but different security might have taken it

20170129_101206 by Poncho 65, on Flickr

[G-Dizzle]

I travel Carnival Cruise Line so can't say for sure about Royal Caribbean but I just got back from one and I took a few smaller things like a Vic Executive (it was in with my bathroom bag stuff) Also took this and nothing was said in any of the security check points but different security might have taken it

20170129_101206 by Poncho 65, on Flickr

Nice! hope you enjoyed it! Carnival's website says that they allow up to a 4" blade... Royal Caribbean seems to be a little more strict (or crazy, or irrational, depending on how you look at it) about it.

[Ron Who]

You won't need a multitool while on board. If something needs to be done, the crew will be happy to do it for you. That's the whole point of making a cruise, you're on vacation!

[Poncho65]

You won't need a multitool while on board. If something needs to be done, the crew will be happy to do it for you. That's the whole point of making a cruise, you're on vacation!

I know but I just can't stand the thought of not having something with me

[Poncho65]

I travel Carnival Cruise Line so can't say for sure about Royal Caribbean but I just got back from one and I took a few smaller things like a Vic Executive (it was in with my bathroom bag stuff) Also took this and nothing was said in any of the security check points but different security might have taken it

20170129_101206 by Poncho 65, on Flickr

Nice! hope you enjoyed it! Carnival's website says that they allow up to a 4" blade... Royal Caribbean seems to be a little more strict (or crazy, or irrational, depending on how you look at it) about it.

A Classic or Executive would suffice as I have never needed anything more substancial than that Only used the scissors then and only a few times over the years at that

[G-Dizzle]

Any thoughts of the SOG powerlock traveler?