peacefulOR

It's our experience that Royal's beds are very, very firm until  you book at the suite level and then have more padding. I'm ordering twin size memory foam toppers (2") with cooling properties for a cruise this April.  We're taking as second checked luggage; also optional for anyone driving to port. Read up on your ship and search for comments on the beds. Good luck!

15 hours ago, loeytalldog said:

Our waiter said to us if we didn't like a meal to please let him know and we could choose something else. He even checked on us after serving. One in our party didn't like the strip steak and they took it back and got something else. We did traditional dining and food was always hot. 

Hmm, that is the protocol for waiters in the main dining room and my usual experience. This last cruise on Royal there was a "drop and run" going on with the removal of uneaten food not even questioned. We've sailed for 25 years and not always Royal and it was our worst dining experience ever. It was apparent that the servers were either overwhelmed or stretched too far but the entrees were not the quality of previous experiences on Royal. Disappointing.

I'm curious, why weren't you in the Coastal Kitchen instead of the MDR? There's a vast difference in cuisine and service. I think that every passenger has the right to expect their meals to be of a decent quality and, especially, served fresh and warm. I'm pretty easygoing so we just went elsewhere after three lukewarm dinners. I don't project problems on the Quantum and appreciate reading your positive review.

By the way, we selected my time dining with a set time of 6:30. Will definitely do traditional dining on the Quantum.

1 hour ago, loeytalldog said:

We had a suite which says pillow top mattresses which in our opinion weren't pillow top at all. However, we did sleep really well! 

 

We found all the MDR meals were really tasty/good! The at least 5 lbs I gained will prove it!

Yes. the suite beds are far superior to anything below so I'm glad that you were comfortable. It sounds like they've changed as well. I'm looking forward to better dinners at the MDR this time and maybe they'll even be warm enough!

We're in an extended balcony this time and will be prepared for the difference. Thanks for sounding in.

Thank you for responses about beds. We are going to take mattress toppers (memory foam) as extra luggage on a 10-day cruise from Honolulu. I don't remember our earlier cruises on RCCL being so uncomfortable, I've heard that there are good beds in the suites so they are aware of their existence.

About the MDR meals. We found the breakfast & lunches very nice and served warm, at least (last cruise, Navigator). The three dinners there were served lukewarm and overcooked. I don't cruise to eat but miss dining as apposed to feeding at the buffet.

Could you share your opinion of the hardness of the beds? I've been reading that the Quantum is one of the worst for "rock hard beds".

We're also wondering about your impression of the MDR meals.....a poor experience on the Navigator recently!  Thank you for offering to answer our questions. I hope that you had a great time in Alaska.Rainey

7 hours ago, NewbyCruzerAL said:

I see from the board that the beds below Junior Suite level are hard.  I like mine soft.  Planning to bring blow up camping mattress as a topper,  Will I need to also bring deep pocket bottom sheet and will they launder and return it, or will their sheets fit over it?  Are the beds twin XL or twin?

     After sleeping on the Navigator's hard beds and being given a folded duvet as a "topper", I started researching. We're sailing on the Quantum next Spring and want to be comfortable. I've read so many references to Quantum as having very firm beds that we are ordering memory foam (with gel cooling ) toppers,  taking them in the original shipping box as extra luggage. Ten nights makes it worth it. Do not expect any ship to wash or separate your personal sheets......they get thrown in huge, mingled washers. How long is your cruise? They seem to change the sheets about every 7 days; someone jump in if you know for sure that it's more often but I haven't seen it.

The old toppers were egg crate foam and they are no longer available; the reason is non-sanitary.

Comfort is subjective, but hard is hard and very firm is very firm so go from there. If you are going to the port city by car, it's easy. Good luck on finding the right match for you but I think that camping mattresses tend to slide. Beds seem to be a standard twin on Royal.....some cruise lines have narrow mattress, Have a great first cruise!

Rainey

3 hours ago, MMcCarren said:

We just got back from the Panama Canal transit on the Radiance.  Their beds were also very hard.  We took a foam mattress topper in a suitcase.  We put it in a Space Bag and vacuumed the air out of it, so it was very flat and fit in the bottom of a suitcase.  We also had a pillow top for it, which we did the same with.  We were flying Southwest (2 checked bags per person), so we took an extra suitcase for the mattress toppers, and filled the rest of it with shoes.

What a great idea....I forgot about how well the Space Bags work! Thank you for your input. I've seen the packaged foam toppers in stores and they are a large cube so your idea is much better.

On 4/23/2023 at 5:57 AM, Luv2teachandcruise said:

We had two JS rooms on Anthem earlier this month and I can tell you the mattresses were the worst we have ever had on any RC ship...no pillow top whatsoever. 

To Garmy44, how do you carry your foam topper? I'm thinking of plane travel but maybe you are able to drive to your port. I can see packing them in a box as extra luggage while in original shrink wrap but how about after using. Thank you for your input (if you see this).

Rainey

8 hours ago, Jillebn2 said:

I did call back and they said they do not use the egg crate toppers anymore “for sanitary reasons”. They now use “cotton mattress pads”. So, I’m guessing it is what was described on this thread and not nearly as comfortable. ☹️

     Cotton mattress pads do very little. Even a doubled comforter is more helpful. What about baggage allowance? I'm going to buy them and ship as extra baggage (no extra cost). Otherwise, Walmart sells them in their stores. I wonder if you could order them online and then pickup in Honolulu? It may sound extreme to those who like extra firm beds, but it IS one solution if we really would suffer for 10 nights.

Seems cheaper than upgrading to a suite just to get a reasonable bed.

I think only an inflatable might fit in a large case by itself but if shipping cost isn't an issue, a memory foam topper is cooler and more comfortable. They start under $20 online but I've seem nice ones (1.5" thick) for ten dollars more.

6 hours ago, Jillebn2 said:

Thank you, PeacefulOR! I called the number you posted and they were very helpful. My son and I both have spinal issues (he had surgery & will have another again this year) and I was able to order mattress toppers for both of our rooms. Hopefully, they are actual toppers and not the makeshift stuffed duvets that another poster shared on this thread. We won’t have room in our luggage to bring our own toppers. 

You're welcome! I had the makeshift (thin) comforter and used a second one trying to soften. Toppers are bulky, at least the ones I've seen. You might call them again and ask what they use for toppers. Good luck but if they only use the regular comforters ask for 2 of them, doubled.   I wish I had read a thread like this before booking the Quantum!                  

I sailed on the Navigator in January.....rock hard beds and no mattress toppers available. Taking your same cruise next year and called special needs about toppers. She said "no problem"  so maybe you have to reserve them before boarding. The no. is 1-866-592-7225.

I've also researched taking twin memory foam toppers to Hawaii as extra luggage. You wouldn't think that it would be necessary. Our cabin attendant on the Navigator claimed that the eggcrates are not used anymore (probably already promised) so I'd call tomorrow. Good luck; I hope that you report back on your quest.

Thank you all for replying. I can't seem to start a new topic on the RCI forum so I tried here. I will call on Monday and ask.

I could use your help. Just off of Navigator and booked a TA for 5/24. The manager told me I could change to another booking within 30 days without losing OBC or deposit. Okay, so can I just call customer service and book another cruise? Would I still be able to transfer the booking to an outside agent if I wished? Thanks for your help!

Rainey

22 hours ago, Ashland said:

Not sure I understand "with the way things are these days"...is there something you're concerned about with these ports ?

I've been to Mexico many times (by ship, air, and cruises) and have done lots of independent excursions on my own with no problems. From what I've been reading lately on travel advisories, there are more warnings about being cautious when traveling, even in popular tourist areas. Also, I have read that it's faster to get ashore if you are booked on a ship-arranged excursion. No big scares, just more cautious as I age. Most independent excursions are still safe, I'm sure, and certainly less expensive.

9 hours ago, loris1021 said:

We are booked on the Mexican Rivera January 13th Navigator of the Seas sailing. We received an email a while back that they were adjusting our itinerary (which was just change in the arrival and departures times in the ports). Pretty quickly thereafter the shore excursions for all ports except Puerto Vallarta disappeared from the website.  Then, only a few tours were listed for PV.  Does anyone know or have called RCCL to see why they have no tours available for Cabo or Mazatlan?

Hi, Rainey here. We're on the same cruise and just booked the Cabo boat excursion @ $59 pp. It was originally shown as a 9 a.m. departure so that's why it disappeared before. Now at 1 p.m. I'm checking daily to see if more excursions show up. With the way things are these days, we are also choosing to stay with Royal excursions. Only 32 days to go!

20 hours ago, blueslily said:

When is your cruise? Right now this is only a test on Symphony. It is not on other ships at this time. 

     We sail on the Navigator 1/13-1/19 to Mexico, our second on Royal. I  think it's valid to express our feelings about the changes now while they are actively seeking responses as they will affect all of us.

I am newly handicapped (hopefully not permanent) and the ship board experience has become more of a focus. We've sailed on many lines and are looking forward to this trip regardless of what they decide.

Note that the survey is making it out of the Symphony already. RCL does pay attention when customers feel strongly about their actions. I hope that you have a great next cruise and many more.

Rainey

We are very disappointed that our next (paid in full) cruise on the Navigator might have the downgraded menus currently being tested and would not have booked it had these changes already taken effect. Pay for extra lobster tails? No problem. Reduce the MDR menu as tested, game changer. Either increase the fare a bit to keep the variety of the current menus or save money somewhere else that affects fewer passengers.

2 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

When you get to the booking summary page make sure the perks are listed.   I always take a screen shot of that page.

 

Tomorrow's promotion may be different!

Awesome, thanks! Current promotion with upgraded perks ends in 3 hours or so. Will do.

1 minute ago, wrk2cruise said:

To answer your GTY question.  Currently there are no sail only offerings so all prices including GTY include AI perks.

Thanks, that's awesome! We're moving up in category and price for a much shorter cruise but at least Alaska is open.

13 minutes ago, mauimary said:

Your welcome. Are you from Oregon?  Yes FCC do tie things up. 

We recently moved from Roseburg up to Port Orchard, WA. Would you know if a guarantee balcony includes the tips, etc.? Current sale, ending in 3 hours sounds like Premium bvg + onboard credit.

31 minutes ago, mauimary said:

With Cancellations by Celebrity we have taken the refund. We have had several FCC with non refundable deposits that we have canceled that just getting our deposit back works the easiest for us.  Less complicated. 

Thank you for that! I think I'll just book a new cruise and take the refund. Right now I'm glad that we have no FCC to keep us tied up.

1 hour ago, jelayne said:

All our L & S were to the same ( or almost same) itinerary 12 months (+/- 4 weeks) and we had our price protected.  Are you not being offered the same sailing next year?

Yes, Celebrity did offer the same cruise next year but I'm choosing to wait and see on Japan. My instincts tell me to hold off. Thanks for responding.

45 minutes ago, RTShaker said:

The cancellation that are currently given the option of a L&S do not have the same guidelines of the previous offers. Celebrity only has certain itineraries available for this option.

That was my understanding also. Unfortunately, when I finally reached customer service, she was difficult to understand even before the heavy static. It seems to me that I should treat these as two separate transactions.

Now to find out if I can get the "always included"  since I'm looking at a guarantee. I trust the Cruise Critic regulars more than the call center, so still hoping for an answer. If not, will try again . Thanks for your insight.

This is our first experience with Celebrity so I would appreciate some help. We got a cancellation notice for our 9/16/22 cruise to Japan offering 2 choices. Can you L/S  to a different itinerary altogether (higher price) or should we just take the refund and book now? Customer service keeps "breaking up" plus the long wait. What about booking the new cruise w/o waiting for a credit? That line actually works.

Another question, please. The info  on the Solstice Dawes Glacier cruise  (8/19/22 ) on a guarantee balcony seems to include the gratuities, etc. I've heard that there are no perks if you go guaranteed. I hope this all makes sense....caught up in cancelling other reservations.

Thank you, Rainey

We're looking forward to our first Celebrity cruise in September; this happened on our last cruise on Princess.  After setting my breakfast down, I glanced over at the window just in time to watch a woman  dump the last of her coffee on the carpet and walk away. I was appalled and pointed out the mess to a crew member. The funny part was his reaction.....no surprise there, just business as usual.