Spurschick

21 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Kinda odd to never get off. 🤔

Exactly - we at least get off take a picture on the pier then get straight back on 😉

8 minutes ago, topnole said:

And a lot more expense I’d imagine.   I’d rather the concierge onboard handle things so there is some accountability onboard.   Anyhow, most things can be done on your own.  Using the concierge is often just for convenience.   I booked all my shows on Harmony for example.   No need for help on that.   

Actually X do this for all guest from entry level suites and above so no not necessarily a lot more expensive as they are covering a far larger number of cabins. And the accountability onboard comes from them fulfilling the request sent to them by shoreside.

I couldn’t do my dining as it actually comes included with my cabin. Like RC if you get it included with your cabin the app doesn’t recognize that and wants to charge full price, so with Royal you are actually planning stuff last minute. Yes we book our entertainment when possible but use concierge for Comedy Club. Also use concierge for requesting specific cabanas, as that can’t be done online either. (Only general booking online)

Personally, as I tend to be very busy, especially in the few days immediately before a cruise, I like to be organized not stressing everything when I am about to travel.

On 12/18/2022 at 4:43 PM, mets123 said:

Just stay away from the market place at Labradee. The vendors are Very aggressive

 

Agreed my DD is pretty placid and even she told them to back off or they would lose any potential business and moved on to the next vendor. After 3 vendors were told and she was getting very infuriated the 4th one finally got the hint and stepped out to let her browse without interference and she bought something. 
 

A polite “no thanks” didn’t get across to them to let her browse so in the end she just told them straight to back off. 

4 minutes ago, topnole said:

I think the concierges are just fine on Royal.  Not sure most need to be in touch 5 months ahead for concierge needs.  Certainly never had or needed that for almost any type of trip.  

Needed to for X as all the specialty restaurants were getting fully booked for the times we wanted. Depends on what you are looking for.

IMHO concierges have varied significantly on RC we have had some very very poor ones and some excellent ones. 
 

If concierges are busy onboard what does it hurt for RC to have a shoreside concierge department like X to get all info, bar set up, dining arrangements, etc in place - takes a lot of time off of onboard concierges to focus more on those onboard and not be dealing with 2 weeks of guests at the same time.

17 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

It was open last year.   But I believe it's all buffet now even at night.  Just show up.  Great spot to go on boarding and once there you can ask about evening meals. 

It was buffet starter and desert but order main for dinner when we did it. Symphony was fully buffet.

We were definitely closer to  6 weeks for initial questionnaire but closer to 2 for actual genie interaction. It seems weird as my X concierges have been in touch since September for my January X sailing. Wonder if it is about time Royal put together a shoreside concierge office like X has. 

Just now, dkmiller3356 said:

If I wanted to snag one of the day beds what time do you think I'd need to get off the ship?

 

Immediately they are the first ones to go.

Seating by the pool fills up very quickly. There is plenty of additional seating on the beach area.

12 minutes ago, taglovestocruise said:

Just got off Disney cruise, trash cans in cabins have split compartments for recycling. 

So did MSC

7 hours ago, LGW59 said:

On a recent EDGE TA, they had a few different events in the Retreat Lounge with the officers, a cocktail party and a lunch something or other.  I never went to either, not my thing, but my butler was doing everything to try and get me to go.  

Forgot to add her email was in September advising that it was not included we sail January

I managed to get resolved through my TA maybe they revised this since I booked it.

7 hours ago, behtyas said:

 

Glad it's such a consistent experience for everyone, including with Gineyls (not)! Which suite were you in?

 

In an email from her on Nov 19, she said: "Also, Le Voyage is complimentary to all our Premium suite guest. However, Le Voyage tasting, Chef's table and Dinner on the Edge are not." She submitted the requests for the dining times to the ship, we never had a charge for Le Voyage, nor saw anything in our planner until Day 1 as usual.

 

Incoming rant...

 

I've noticed the dining experience is very washy unless the waiter knows the suite numbers (not expecting them to of course!). It's a polarizing experience in the specialty restaurants going off cabin number vs. if they look up cabin on computer first. Very quickly goes from no names and asking about premium drink package, etc. to last names and no mention of bills at all 😂 We don't worry about it other than when we get a surprise bill (such as Raw on 5 on Edge that was quickly resolved), but even then it's very easy to take care of. The experience overall (non-suite/suite/upper-suite) has always been much better in my opinion when the host confirms everything up front and informs the waiter, avoids a lot of the questions and overall feels more smooth.

 

Once onboard at Le Voyage, our waiter explained the costs for both tasting and a la carte, however towards the end of the dinner he came back and mentioned that because of upper suite it was complimentary, and if we wanted any additional entrees before moving to desert. To his credit, his professionalism and attitude (funny, personable, etc.) never changed one bit before or after he apparently checked cabin, which was fantastic.. I'm there to enjoy and have fun, and it's much easier to do when they're just being themselves!

 

 

 

 

We are in Penthouse Suite

15 hours ago, Daghis said:

 

Now that it's just the two of us, we acknowledge that all of the amenities onboard (and looking at the fancy infographic they have of Icon of the Seas onboard, that's being taken to 11) are just not what we're looking forward to at this point in our life. We do have a couple more RCI cruises booked, but we have decided to start venturing over to Celebrity (thanks, reciprocal status!) sometime next year.

Agreed and you should also look at MSC YC (their casino program is very good as well 😉)

On 12/14/2022 at 3:13 PM, Starry Eyes said:

That’s a mouthful.  Plus, some of us hope they name that 340-350 level someday.  They could call it “over 80 club”  That might reduce the crowd, too🤣🤣🤣🤣

Thanks for aging me over 3 decades lol 😂 

16 hours ago, molly361 said:

The Adventure is coming to Pc at the end of next year

Yay booked it today!😉

10 hours ago, Big_G said:

 

We’re D+ so we could always got to the D Lounge. It’s just that our last cruise was on Serenade in a GS and we still had to buy internet and a drink package. We’ve been full suite cruisers for years but some times we end up in the D Lounge anyway depending on the ship. We’d still sail full suite on the Oasis Class.

It’s really frustrating that basic things like internet package with full suite can’t be rolled out fleet wide.

Celebrity are expanding their retreat class fleet wide so I don’t get wht Royal can’t do the same.

On 12/13/2022 at 10:10 AM, Starry Eyes said:

Well, I think they should name the 340 (or 350) point level.  They are already giving added benefits at that level.  I don’t think they should change the threshold for D+ from 175 to 350 as trburks suggested.  Doing so would either (a) send a lot current D+’s back to D (creating resentment) or (b) grandfather those current D+, so soon a bunch of D’s would have more points than many of the grandfathered D+’s they meet (creating resentment).

What they should stop doing is automatically making kids D+ on their first sailing because they are automatically grandfathered in to their parents status. Yes I understand that if traveling with parents they should be entitled to the same status as their parents on that sailing whilst they are minors but once they stop being minors they should be on their own tier status based on what they have sailed.

I am sure there are plenty of D + status cruisers out there that have only sailed 1 cruise.

(I.e. they have their own earned status from zero but can share benefits on cruises with their parents whilst minors)

On 12/12/2022 at 6:21 PM, George C said:

Celebrity Edge class gives suite passengers a huge edge over Rccl . Outdoor retreat with pool and bar are fantastic.

We are trying retreat for first time next month so hoping it lives up to expectations. MSC YC far exceeds RC suite class

On 12/12/2022 at 1:14 PM, TBurr said:

The latest in RCCL downgrading its produced. First they no longer have the evening cabin cleaning so they can fire half their housekeeping staff, now their elite members lose another benefit.  I think they are learning from the airlines how to alienate their best customers. I recently sailed on Celebrity and found a far superior service, food, product and as an Elite member there they offered a great benefit.  I suggest you consider leaving RCCL since they have left us, and going to Celebrity. I am done with RCCL since they are done with me.

I guess I must have had a magical fairy on my cruise last week as I certainly had cabin cleaning every night and morning (unless I was just completely drunk and imagining it) 

25 minutes ago, Shippy said:

Not so.... I usually find a cruise I am interested in & then call them & ask how much of a discount can I get.

  The offers I get in the mail are never ones I am interested in.

Likewise, or by the time I receive an offer I’ve already got something booked for those dates 

7 hours ago, Ret MP said:

Boring.  Boooooooooooooooooooring.

Not in the slightest it is actually a very good menu ( yes I have tried it)

7 hours ago, deliver42 said:

NCL is expanding it's menu because they  no longer rotate. It's the exact menu every day of the cruise.

Incorrect there is a daily rotation option as well so not quite exactly the same just predominantly the same

1 hour ago, behtyas said:

 

Bit of a late reply, but maybe that was due to Move Up?

 

Was jsut on Dec 4-11 Beyond sailing booked directly in EV and Ley Voyage (à la carte) was included, however the wine pairing/tasting menus were not.

 

Another anecdotal bit from both Edge PH and Beyond EV is the additional entree charge mentioned in the menu for Fine Cut is also covered which is great if you want a bit of surf & turf.

When Ginelys reached out to me I booked Le Voyage.

Without even telling me it was not included she charged our obc. My TA managed to resolve and got it included for us but we were informed it is not (even a la carte) included as standard in unlimited dining.

On 11/29/2022 at 8:05 PM, BDL said:

Exactly!  We recently did an MSC Yacht Club and it was wonderful.  We booked this RS due to having some future cruise credit that was expiring at the end of the year.  Edwin didn't know which night would be the first chic night or which of the three La Petit menus were which nights.  They should have this information if they also say we should book specialty dining in advance to ensure time availability.

 

Last time we did a RS we didn't really take advantage of the unlimited specialty dining.  We decided we wanted to do more of that this time.  

Agree. We did Star class on Royal and never again. We just book Sky class now. But Royal is frustrating that they only have Suite class perks on Oasis, Quantum and Icon class ships and have not extended suite benefits across the fleet ( like how hard is it to include drinks and wifi) 

So we started to sail YC and it is day and night above Royal - they are seriously setting a high bar. Our butler was awesome and what we like is if you want to get off the ship there is a butler constantly on standby to get you off. When you get back there is a YC only gangway back on. Concierge 24/7 no problem.

Sure there are things that go wrong but they really make an effort to get it right. To the point I now have 3 YC sailings booked for next year.

But I really wanted my DH to try X to compare to Royal and I am praying it goes well. We have a deal that as soon as we make Pinnacle on Royal I can then book whatever lines I want lol!!!

On 12/7/2022 at 10:53 PM, Tenderpaw said:

My purpose was to show yet another cut.  You are entitled to your opinion, but I find it amazing that folks are so willing to go along with these cuts just because it doesn't impact them.  Every thread about a cut has dozens of responses saying "I don't care it doesn't impact me because I XYZ".

 

I am against anything the decreases value for my $$ paid for a cruise and I resent the continuous cutting of benefits that has taken place over the past 20 years.  This is regardless of whether the cut actually impacts me.

 

Only one stateroom service per day is a major cut, even if it doesn't impact you personally because you don't need it.  Its still a cut.  Sure, go along and don't complain, but eventually they will cut something you actually care about. I don't want to give these cruise lines an inch in cutting value, thus I complain.

I understand your perceived point but there is nothing that says it is a cut costing exercise.

it is taking place on the Quantum sailing out of Australia where Covid rules and regulations for sailing are extremely different to what everyone is experiencing in US and Europe.

Normally if the guest you are changing is not the lead guest it is easier.

Here is a link

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-a-reservation-be-modified-with-the-app

If you used a TA you will need to call them, otherwise you will have to call reservations.