Drinks & Prices - Extra - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

littlemiss1t · 06-07-2009, 02:30 PM

Hello,

I am new to this forum and also to cruises.

Me & my partner have just booked our first Explorer of the Seas cruise (New York & Caribbean).

Can anyone give me some info on the prices / range / variety of the drinks on board and how do they compare with London prices?

Can you take your own drink for your rooms? Can you buy spirits / Wine on the boat in any shops etc?

Any help / advice will be very appreciated

Thanks

Carly x

sk8erguy1978 · 06-07-2009, 02:39 PM

I have been on this ship, it all depends what you are drinking.

A beer after tip is maybe 5 USD. Mix drink 7 USD... Basically the same price of any Royal ship and about average with most United States bars, not sure how that compares to London however.

You can buy drinks in the shop but you cannot bring it to your room. The drink goes into a holding area and gets delivered on the last day.

Bars start to get quiet about 2 and if you are lucky can find a place serving until 3.. It also depends what is going on the next day. An early port day you can be lucky to catch a beer after 2, on a sea day you can still party until 3 or later I am sure... Usually that late I personally was in the Casino.

Just buy an extra drink to bring back to the room with you...

Some here will smuggle liquor on-board and hide it in their room, good luck with that... LOL

littlemiss1t · 06-07-2009, 02:47 PM

Thanks for that. My first post & comment back!

I dont think it will be much fun being caught taking drink from New York onto the boat. Have never been to New York or on a cruise so EVERYTHING is new.

I take it the food is good, how many restaurants are on this boat and is all food included? I did read to go to the Italian you have to pay extra but apart from that is all food throughout the day included? What about Tea / Coffee & soft drinks, are these included, if not, do they charge the earth for them?

Thanks

Carly

Char · 06-07-2009, 02:51 PM

Hey Carly! Welcome to our friendly cruise community!

Dan has given you some good basics, but I suggest that you also ask these questions over on the Royal Caribbean forum, too. I think someone there actually had a link to some menus.

Here is the link --> Royal Caribbean International

littlemiss1t · 06-07-2009, 02:52 PM

Hello,

Thanks for that. I will go on there and hopefully I will be able to see a bit more.

Carly x

*Lars* · 06-07-2009, 02:58 PM

Hi and welcome to CLF!!

The food on Royal Caribbean is alright. Its not gourmet but you will not go hungry

Thre food is included in the Main dining room, the Windjammer Cafe/Island Grill, room service (there is a late night charge however) and the Royal Promenade Cafe. The Explorer have a Italian restaurant, Portofino, and you will have to pay a $20pp cover charge, but it is well worth it, the food there is superb. You laso have the choice of an American diner called Jonny Rockets. I think they charge you around $4 pp to eat there.
Tea and coffee is free in the dining room, Windjammer Cafe and at the Royal Promenade cafe. If you want coffee at Latte-Tudes they will charge you.
Water, Ice tea and lemonade is free in the Windjammer cafe.

littlemiss1t · 06-07-2009, 03:03 PM

That's great info, thanks for that. It's funny the sort of questions you think of when this is a first time cruise!

Does anyone recommend any restaurants, other than the Italian? Any menus / wine lists etc

Carly x

Char · 06-07-2009, 03:09 PM

Carly, sorry that link didn't work!

This should work!

Royal Caribbean International

sk8erguy1978 · 06-07-2009, 03:28 PM

Portofino I hear is the best, never did it. Johnny Rockets my opinion is never worth the money.. I can get heartburn from a burger for free in the Windjammer!

They have a large list of wines, they are not my thing. I do know if you buy wine (entire bottle) they will hold it for you so all you need to do is request a glass at dinner and they will bring it back out and serve it to you...

Do yourself a favor, when the tickets for the ice show become available, get them. They are free and just for crowd control as seating is limited in the ice rink. They usually have a few shows.

If you plan to visit NYC, give yourself extra time as the port is in a poor area and a bit of a drive..All industrial and nothing to see is what I am saying... So, you might want to give yourself a day to find your way into NYC.

Google map, Bayonne, NJ to New York City.

littlemiss1t · 06-08-2009, 10:46 AM

How do I know when the tickets become available? I really want to see that.

Is it best for me to try and contact someone / a rep from Royal Caribbean and directly ask them all the little things I need to know?

Carly x