First time Cruise on Royal Caribbean

Our Booking

This is our First Time on cruise and my view as a first timer cruiser. 

To book a cruise, it is advisable to book 6-12 months in advance to get the better rooms, so that you can get to choose the room number and location. 

There is not much choices for short cruises from Singapore. The typical cruises will be to neighboring countries such as Malaysia or Indonesia. 

We aren't early in booking our cruise as we started only 6 months prior. We initially wanted to book Princess cruise to Penang and Langkawi, but our preferred room was booked out. So our travel agent Chan Brothers gave us other choices (Dream Cruises and Royal Caribbean). We booked Royal Caribbean due to the Dreamworks theme and having the impression of more family oriented and Kids friendly.

Packing

Packing is fairly easy considered that we have done our big self drive trips to Scotland and New Zealand, and many local staycations and to Malaysia. 

A few important things to bring along:

Travel adaptor - The voltage used on ship is US standards. Bring along 2 travel adaptors for Singapore and Malaysian travellers. We found zero adaptors in our room. There is only 2 electrical points in our room.

• Currency - Spending on board will be charged to Seapass, which you can opt to settle by credit card or by cash. If you settle by credit card, the bill will be sent to your room on last night and there is no need to queue at the counter to settle in cash. We saw huge crowds at the counter on the last night. We also saw someone being stopped at disembarkation as he has not settled his bill. We also uses ringgit cash when we were in Penang to book a driver, meals and shopping. 

• Sun block and Umbrella - As usual for local weather, it can be sunny and hot one moment, and heavy downpour at times. My favourite brand for sunblock is Banana Boat as it is not so greasy and it works well during our NZ trip. We used our umbrella at Penang as it was raining heavily. 

• Toiletries - we were told by our agent that there were no toiletries on board. However, we found simple soap and a soap dispenser in the toilet. There are no shampoo, no toothbrush set. Towels are provided and there are room service twice a day. 

• Medicine - bring along medicine especially for the kids, as there is no Pharmacy on board. There is also NO convenience store on board. If you forget to bring any, you can buy last minute at the Watsons store at cruise centre before check in. However, watsons was closed when we were at cruise centre. 
• Breakfast or meals before boarding - We did not see any food eateries at cruise centre. Luckily we ate our breakfast near our house before we drive to cruise centre. Settle your meals somewhere else before going to cruise centre. I only see one coin-operated machine selling drinks after check in. 
• Tea bags or coffee - I packed my chamomile tea which is the right thing because I did not find it on the cruise ship. There is lipton tea, peppermint tea, green tea. But no Chamomile. Coffee on board is simple. 
• Clothing - Swimwear is a must if you want to use their Jacuzzi. We enjoyed the Jacuzzi while watching their big screen movie on our first night. Pack formal wear if you wish to dine at my time dining on last night. Pack some jackets for the kids if you wish to watch the Ice Skating show. 

Checking in

Online check in

It is important to check in online 3 days in advance so as to reduce the time. If not, you will have to complete the documents at the cruise centre. Print the documentation after complete online check in.

Online Purchases

Some worthwhile purchases online prior to the cruise:

Unlimited Arcade credits - We wanted to buy the unlimited arcade credits but was told that we can only buy them online before on board. Once on board, we cannot buy the package. It is more worthwhile to buy the arcade unlimited package. 

Drinks Package - You can buy for the day itself on board. If you buy online, it will be for the entire trip. The complimentary drinks on board are extremely diluted and kids will want to drink some soda. My recommendation is to buy on board for the day itself and share. Another alternative is to buy at Penang or destinations but in small quantity as they will check when you get on board again. 

Some places offer drinks + food package, e.g. at Johnny Rockets they have meals at $6++ with soda drink. At the studio ice-skating show, there are popcorn with soda package.  

Internet - we purchased on board the simple internet package but the speed was so slow that it was unbearable. So my hubby has to upgrade to the better package to include streaming. The package is expensive but it does allow us to watsapp each other (instead of using the room phone to contact family members), post photos on facebook, watch movies online.  

Parking

10:45am - We drove to Singapore Cruise Centre (Marina Bay) and park using their DriveCruise Package. It seems more worth than taking a taxi to and fro as there is surcharge. More convenient too.

Baggage check-in

There is a baggage deposit check-in, but not many locals use it. Most preferred to carry their own luggage, but in my own view it is cumbersome to carry so many baggage and walk around the ship, as the staterooms are only ready at 1pm. We check-in our 2 handcarry and it was delivered to our room about 3pm. We do carry one small handcarry with our swimming costumes, so that the kids can go swimming early, before more guests come in.

Note that the point to check in baggage is before entering the door, at level 2 near car park. Just need to hand in if you have pasted the tag for check in.

Customs check in

11.30am - There are different timing for different groups, which I believed they let the higher grade rooms guests to go in first. Ours was around 11.30am, which is pretty early. There are huge crowds after us. We got our Seapass at the cruise centre counter after showing our passport and online check-in documentation. You can take a copy of the cruise compass (which will show the Day 1 activities) at the counter.

Boarding

12.00pm -  We board around 12pm and had Buffet Lunch at Windjammer Cafe (note it is super crowded on day 1 and some people ended up with no seats. As our timing for check-in one of the early ones, we get in early and so no problem on seating.
1.00pm - All staterooms are ready to go in. The door to the staterooms will open only at 1pm.

Emergency Fire Drill

There is a fire drill at 4pm which is compulsory. All guests have to stop all activities and go to the assembly point using stairs. Lifts is forbidden to use at this point. Therefore, I will recommend for elderly to go near the assembly point early using the lift, prior to the drill. Huge crowds taking the stairs are no joke, and finding the assembly point and standing in the heat (it is shaded but is still hot as the assembly point is non-air con).

Don't swim near to the fire drill time, or you will have to come to the assembly point in wet hair and clothes.


Our Room 1688

Our room category is D1, room 1688. Deck 10. We paid the usual rate $1878 for the room with balcony, but our room being a corner room, it has extra space on balcony and room. It is really a steal. The sofa was converted to another double bed later at the day, so that our family of 4 can sleep comfortably.

I love the balcony a lot. There is only 1 neighbour having balcony, as this is a corner room. At night, we chilled at the balcony listening to waves.

Situated at Deck 10 is also ideal, as most facilities are at deck 11, 12 and 13. We just need to climb one or two floors up. The waiting time for lifts was nearly impossible and terribly long, so it is a good idea to stay at the higher floors where most facilities are situated.

Balcony

Balcony

Sunset View from our balcony

This is the typical D1 room

Facilities

Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi

The swimming pools are small and can be quite crowded especially during cruising. It is more suitable for dips than swim. The Jacuzzi are warm and worth trying at night while watching the movie shows. There are many seating and food eateries (Dog House and a Pool Bar). so many people like to eat and watch their kids at the seating area. 

Jacuzzi

Arcade

A good place to have family fun when in bad weather, at night. Useful to have the unlimited credits package. 

Adventure Ocean Kids activities room - A lady was there and she explained to my boy in a boring tone that the activities was about Science. So when my boy asked her to explain more on the activities, she rebuked by saying "its on Science" in a sarcastic tone as if my boy don't understand what is Science. So naturally my boy was not interested in their activities anymore and we are so turn off that we did not go into the room throughout our cruise. 

But I suppose it is a good place to temporary put the kids in, while the adults go Casino or Spa. 

Mini-golf 

There is no need to pre-book and one can just play whenever there are free sticks and balls. There are plenty always. This was our kids favourite. Best time to play is after 5pm as it can be quite hot in the afternoon, and too dark at night. 

Rock Climbing

This looks challenging which my kids dare not try.

Basketball

Many teens love to play in the court. Younger kids may not want to stay in the same court. 

Casino

I saw kids running in and out of the casino, basically anyone can walk in. 

Lift

Waiting time is horrible at the main lift. Take the stairs if you can. 

Shopping

There are few shops on deck 5. Coach, Michael Kors, a cosmetic and perfume section, Branded watch shop. 

Too bad there is no Longchamp. It will be good if there is a small shop to sell cute toys for kids and small merchandise, just like Disney stores.

Dinner 

My Time Dining

There are 2 time slots to choose (5.30pm or 8pm). We chose the early timing as 8pm will be quite late for our kids to dine. 

Specialty Dining

We were being hard sell on Day 1 and we booked the lobster lunch meal for Day 2. After taking the lobster meal, we find that it is quite worthwhile as the lobster is fresh and quite tasty. There are also other food and kids can enjoy the kids meal. 

In addition, there is better seating and no need to squeeze with many at the buffet dining.

Buffet Dining at Windjammer Cafe

The food in windjammer are all inclusive and no need to pay extra. However, the crowd is massive during meal times and may not be able to find seating at times. Complimentary drinks at Windjammer were terribly diluted. 

Lunch at Johnny Rockets

They have a meal set at $6+ to include a soda drink, burger and sides. The fries were tasty and service excellent. We especially like the Chinese lady as she always serve food with a smile and is friendly. Even though they may not understand English well enough, the service standard is friendly (unlike some others as mentioned in my blog). 

Shows

Each day, you will receive the programs on Cruise Compass.

Recommend to read it the night before to plan on the activities.

Dreamworks Parade (Day 1) at Royal Promenade Deck 5

This started soon after the fire drill, around 5pm. After the fire drill, we were so tired so we rested at deck 4 and have some drinks. After our drinks, we went to Deck 5 10 mintues before the Parade and it was super crowded. Not knowing, we stand right in front of the Cafe and it turned out to be the main show spot where the casts will dance and climb up and down the stairs. So remember that this is a good spot at the Cafe.

Ice Under The Big Top (Ice-skating show) 

Based on reviews, this show is one of the best shows on Royal Caribbean. Our show time was meant to be at 10pm on Day 1. As the show time was late and our Kids sleep early, the dinner staff advised that we can also watch the same show on Day 3. This was a mistake as we realise on Day 3 that we were placed on waiting queue as we have missed our show time. The Cruise Compass was a bit confusing too.

There were also a number of guests who missed their Day 1 show. Some were apparently similar to us, were not exactly sure on the "grouping" for the 2 shows. There were also some guests who wanted to watch again after watching Day 1 show, and was turned down.

The staff at studio B was quite rude and sarcastic. He said "come on, you are on a holiday!". Somehow it gives an impression that he looked down on the guests, as if we are dying hard for the show.

We ended up with the last row at the Studio, and seated separately. Some families ended up standing at the last row.

The show is fantastic.

Filming is not allowed so I took a sneak shot during the show, for the blog purpose.

Service

Our Compliments to the good service from the service staff at Windjammer, Johnny Rockets, Focus Gallery, Giovanni Dining.

I noticed 3 staff with bad service attitude.
The 2 staff at Studio B with sarcastic remarks - Day 3.
The lady staff at Adventure Ocean kids room - Day 1
The lady staff who handled the lucky draw and $10 bag sale - Day 3.

Off-Shore activities - Penang

Our cruise stop at Penang on Day 2. We did not take their off-shore package as there were reviews that some guests could not rush in time for the package and missed the tour even though they have paid for it. There were many drivers offering their free and easy package outside the Pier, and we took the last driver package.

I will share more on Penang on another post. Tune in!