Whereas I used to be on a week-long spring break retreat, I seen a couple of errors individuals had been making. These errors can occur to first-time cruisers in addition to skilled cruisers like myself.
I sailed on Concord of the Seas, which is certainly one of Royal Caribbean’s greatest ships within the fleet.
From not making reservations for the manufacturing exhibits to displaying up late for occasions, these errors may be simply prevented with some planning and preparation.
By telling you what I noticed, I hope you’ll study what to not do in your upcoming cruise. I hope my recommendation will assist you’ve gotten a extra pleasurable trip!
1. Not making present reservations as early as you may
Cruisers crusing on an Icon, Quantum, or Oasis Class ship want to recollect to make present reservations earlier than they set sail. These exhibits are sometimes the Broadway productions (like Grease on Concord of the Seas), comedy acts, and numerous exhibits in Studio B, the AquaTheater, and Two70.
Reservations may be made on the Cruise Planner web site earlier than the cruise begins. You may wait to make reservations when onboard, nevertheless it’s beneficial that you just do it on-line slightly than ready to do it on the ship. You’ll almost definitely discover that many visitors make reservations earlier than getting onboard, so for those who wait, a present that you just wish to see might already be full.
Making reservations early ensures you will notice the present you need, and it would not value you something! By making reservations early, you may choose the date and time that works in your schedule. When you wait, chances are you’ll be caught with a present reservation that’s too late or too early in your liking.
Based on the Royal Caribbean web site, reservations open on the Cruise Planner “on the primary day of the month earlier than the crusing.” So in case your cruise is on June 15, reservations will open on Might 1.
There was one present my buddy and I weren’t capable of make reservations for on the Cruise Planner. Fortunately, once we obtained onboard on embarkation day, I checked the Royal Caribbean app and was capable of rapidly snag two seats that opened up for the comedy present on the second day of the cruise.
We had been joyful that we made reservations as quickly as we may for all the opposite exhibits as a result of at each present we went to, there was at all times a line of individuals ready within the standby space to get contained in the venue.
If you end up with no reservation, it’s suggested to get to the standby line 30-45 minutes earlier than the present. It’s widespread for some individuals who secured a reservation to vary their minds and never present up. The sooner you might be within the standby line, the extra seemingly you’re going to get in to see the present.
Learn extra: The 20 worst cruise errors that may destroy your cruise trip
2. Not attending to exhibits or actions early sufficient
Talking of lengthy traces, one other lesson I realized whereas on Concord of the Seas is to get to exhibits and actions early to keep away from crowds.
Not each occasion on Concord of the Seas required a reservation. The entire foremost exhibits I discussed earlier required a reservation (excluding one on the AquaTheater), however lots of the day by day actions had been a free-for-all.
For instance, there was one night time once we needed to go to the End That Lyric recreation present. My buddy and I grabbed a drink and headed over to the place the occasion was going down a couple of minutes earlier than the present began, however we had been shocked to see that individuals had been crowding exterior of the venue. Individuals may hardly get inside to see the sport present, and when you had been inside, it was not possible to discover a seat.
This occasion occurred a couple of occasions the place small venues would host fashionable occasions and it could develop into crowded slightly rapidly. If you wish to attend an occasion and have an honest seat, I might suggest you get to the venue a minimum of 20-Half-hour earlier than it begins.
Learn extra: Concord of the Seas overview: What this cruise ship is like in 2024
3. Making an attempt to do all the things on the primary day
Concord of the Seas is a big ship with a lot to do, together with the Final Abyss, FlowRider, zipline, and extra. As a result of our specific crusing had a lot of individuals (we had been crusing at practically full capability), there was typically a line for these actions.
I seen on the primary day of the cruise, the road for the Final Abyss was so lengthy that it was wrapped across the FlowRider. I could not imagine how many individuals had been standing out within the sizzling solar ready to go down the slide. My buddy and I made a decision to do the slide on one of many sea days, and once we went, there wasn’t a line! I feel this was as a result of we went at a random time of the day, round 2 p.m.
You don’t should do all the things on the primary day of your cruise. You should have loads of time to do all the things the ship has to supply, particularly in case you are on a protracted cruise. On brief cruises, although, you’ll most likely really feel the stress to do all the things on day one.
A tip I might suggest to cruisers is to attempt to do a few of the free actions whereas docked in port. This implies individuals shall be off the ship and there shall be fewer traces. Do remember the fact that lots of the actions have completely different hours on sea days versus port days. On port days, the actions are normally open for only some hours. On this occasion, I might suggest doing these actions at occasions of the day when persons are busy consuming, like lunch or supper time.
Additionally, to get an thought of what occasions actions are supplied earlier than embarking in your cruise, you may take a look at the day by day compasses now we have on our web site. By planning forward, you gained’t should miss out on experiencing all of the enjoyable actions onboard.
4. Not reserving a eating time for My Time Eating
When reserving a Royal Caribbean cruise, you’ve gotten the choice between Conventional Eating or My Time Eating.
Personally, I at all times select Conventional Eating as a result of I get pleasure from sitting on the similar desk each night time and being served by the identical waitstaff. I really like the benefit of having the ability to stroll in and go to my assigned desk with out ever having to attend to be seated.
When you choose My Time Eating, you eat dinner within the Major Eating Room everytime you need; on Concord of the Seas, it is from 6:30 to 9 p.m. You may select to make a dinner reservation forward of time or present up on the Major Eating Room and wait to be seated.
There are two traces for My Time Eating every night: these with a reservation and people with out. The road for no reservations was tremendous lengthy each night time on my cruise! I overheard somebody say they needed to look ahead to an hour as a result of the road went all over the Major Eating Room foyer and up the close by staircase.
To keep away from the chaos of the My Time Eating non-reservation line, I like to recommend making dinner reservations as quickly as you may, whether or not earlier than or throughout your cruise. This does considerably defeat the aim of having the ability to eat everytime you need, however if you wish to keep away from the lengthy traces each night time, making a reservation is way simpler and will prevent ready a very long time in line.
5. Solely consuming on the included eating venues
One in all my favourite components of cruising is having fun with all of the meals onboard. On Concord of the Seas, there are such a lot of locations to attempt, however not all of them are included in your cruise fare.
Whereas I usually like all of the complimentary meals, corresponding to Sorrentos and Park Cafe, my two favourite meals throughout my cruise had been at specialty eating places.
On the primary night time of the cruise, we selected to eat at Jamie’s Italian for dinner. As a result of I’m a Diamond Plus loyalty member, I used to be in a position to make use of the BOGO specialty dinner provide – this will solely be used on the primary or second night time of the cruise.
The meals at Jamie’s Italian was wonderful and prime quality. My favourite dishes had been the arancini, truffle tagliatelle, and the chocolate brownie with caramel gelato.
Throughout certainly one of our sea days, my buddy and I loved Johnny Rockets for lunch. To eat right here, it value $15 per individual. I haven’t eaten at Johnny Rockets for a few years, so I believed it was enjoyable to attempt one thing completely different. The meals tasted nice and I liked the BBQ hen bacon soften, tacky french fries, and tremendous sundae.
Whereas it’s very high-quality to eat at simply the included venues throughout your cruise, I like to recommend you attempt a minimum of one of many specialty eating places for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I do not suppose you’ll be disenchanted!
6. Not following the principles
On the final day of the cruise, my buddy and I had been seated within the Royal Theater ready for the late-night comedy present to start out. As we had been ready, I noticed two odd issues happen. First, I noticed two individuals within the entrance row get out their vape and blow massive clouds within the air. They weren’t even making an attempt to cover it! Then a couple of moments later, a younger lady ran up on stage and yelled one thing to the gang. She was clearly intoxicated. In a short time, a safety guard took her off the stage.
This story is a reminder to all to observe the principles which are in place!
You might be allowed to smoke and vape in designated areas on the ship, however definitely not in indoor venues just like the theater. Don’t attempt to sneak in your cigarettes or vapes, even in your personal balcony.
Additionally, know your limits in relation to alcohol. Whereas Royal Caribbean doesn’t prohibit the variety of drinks you may have, don’t go overboard and suppose you are able to do no matter you need, like run on stage!
Learn extra: Issues that may get you kicked off a cruise ship right away
7. Making an attempt to make an early flight after the cruise
When you flew to your cruise port, it’s beneficial that you don’t ebook your flight house any sooner than midday.
In fact, this varies the place the airport is in relation to the cruise port. For instance, you may most likely get away with reserving an earlier flight for those who cruised from Port Everglades as a result of the Fort Lauderdale airport is a fast 10-minute drive from the port. Nevertheless, in case you are cruising out of Galveston, as I did for Concord of the Seas, it’s essential to know that the Houston airports are a lot farther away from the port.
My flight was at midday on disembarkation day, so I obtained off the ship at 8 a.m. and was within the Lyft by 8:30 a.m. After an hour-long drive, I made it to the HOU airport in time for my flight.
My buddy had an excellent later flight, so she opted to buy the Royal Caribbean shuttle from Galveston to the IAH airport. This value her $45, which was cheaper to buy than a Lyft/Uber as a result of it is an hour and a half drive. For context, my hour-long Lyft trip was round $90 with a tip. I used to be not capable of buy the shuttle to HOU as a result of my flight was technically too early (at 11:50 a.m.).
On the bus, my buddy overheard a household panic about probably not making it to the airport on time for his or her flight at midday. The bus did not depart the port till 9 a.m., and by the point they obtained to the airport, it was round 10:30 a.m. If there was a protracted line to test luggage, or there was one other delay, I’m not positive if they might’ve made their flight!
To keep away from additional stress on disembarkation day, attempt to ebook a later flight possibility. You may by no means be assured what time you’ll be cleared to disembark the ship. Generally catching a Lyft or Uber can take longer than anticipated, too.
When you solely have an early flight possibility, there are some things you are able to do to get off the ship on the earliest doable time. When you select a self-assist departure, you may carry off all of your baggage your self and never have to attend in your luggage. You will get the earliest departure time as nicely, which on Concord of the Seas was 8 a.m. In case you are doing the common departure, you may request the primary time slot to get off the ship by doing so within the app or visiting Visitor Providers earlier than disembarkation day.
