bradenj21

Well - cruise is tomorrow - all bids still say pending (not expired). Doesn't look like we're getting that upgrade this time.

16 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

Yes, it will cover lunch on embarkation day.  

 

Which ship will you be on?

Good to know.  Now have a choice to make ha ha. 

Navigator. 

I'm seeing mixed messages about the use of the UDP specifically on embarkation day - can it be used or can't it be used for lunch on embarkation day? Royals FAQs state lunch on sea days - so I would think it would not work on Day 1. 

We have The Key in addition to UDP so know we'll get the "Chops" lunch in the MDR which I'm okay with but if there's another option (Jaime's for example I think we may rather do that and then actually go to Chops proper for our sea day lunch).

What say you Cruise Critics?

Maybe this has already been asked... I received my Royal Up email 45 days out.  I placed a few bids. In the meantime, I called and did a paid upgrade direct through Royal. I did go in and cancel all of my existing bids but was hoping to be able to go back in and rebid on a better cabin now that I'm in a new room category.  The problem is when I click on the link in the 45 days out email it still shows my stateroom as being the former category (interior). Does it take a few days? At 30 days out maybe the data refreshes? Anybody have any experience with this? 

22 hours ago, Surfguyxxx said:

I've done numerous Chef's Tables on different sailings and had a great time at each.  For me though, the menu seemed to always be the same and it just got monotonous.  The food is delicious but predictable.  You'll both enjoy it, along with the great wine pairings they offer.  BTW, you can ask for more of a wine that you like or instead of a wine you're not too fond of.   Have fun! 

Same here.  I very much enjoy it but would be nice if they'd switch up the menu a bit or make it so that each ship did something special. 

I'm boarding in 7 days!!!

I have obviously read 50 Shades of Grey one too many times... I totally thought this was going a completely different direction... 😂

Quick question for those of you that have stayed at Fairmont Olympic in Seattle pre-cruise (booked through cruise line) - what time did the shuttle pick you up / drop you off at the pier?

2 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Is this 7-night Alaska?

Yes. 7 night Alaska. That's the lowest possible bid. 

$100 to spacious ocean view balcony and $800 to JS.

$1600 to move from 2D balcony to GS Ovation. Haven't bid.  Just the offer. 

Happy embarkation day!

On 4/22/2019 at 5:28 PM, Lindanuf said:

We just got off Symphony and didn’t get a key feedback form.

Access to your stateroom at noon? 

How was the breakfast? 

Dumb question... are there different levels of GTY? Like a deck 13 GTY? Or a 6D GTY?

I second, third, and forth anything anybody has said about TSA at Orlando airport... actually, no,  it isn't the TSA... they are doing the best they can... the problem is the people... the strollers... the mouse ears... and the children... the sea of children... even the First Class/Premium Cabin isn't immune to having a tiny passenger screaming in the seat next to you or kicking your extra wide chair... they are everywhere... Like someone else said, MCO (Orlando airport) is the sole reason I purchased TSA Precheck membership... and then those lines got long too... MCO is, on a good day, a cluster... Clear Memership helps... but even that will start getting busy once people find out about it... May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor. 

Here's my question... do you think they have some idea of who has prepaid?

Both lines have comedy shows and are equally entertaining (some comedians were better than others but that isn't Royal or Carnival).

Royal has Broadway quality shows on their Oasis class... and I loved the Aqua shows there as well. 

Both ships have their versions of The Quest (a comedy show on its own) and Love and Marriage. 

Carnival has Lip Sync battle if that's your jam. 

Based on the shows that I've seen, I'd say Royal has the heads up - but only on their mega ships (with the exception of Cats... 🤣🤣🤣). Vista had good entertainment but not as good as Oasis. 

I have done 3 cruises on RC and 3 cruises on Carnival. I have been on both lines "mega ship" - Vista for Carnival and Oasis for Royal and I have been on their "smaller" ships. To be completely honest? Nothing compares to Oasis class ships - but that is the ship, not specifically the cruise line. Apples to Apples they are, in my humble opinion,  very very similar... the difference, as far as I'm concerned, truly lies in each ship/staff - not the actual cruise line. 

Food is very similar. Spa is identical. Activities? Royal might have a heads up (but you said it didn't really matter to you). I like the layout of the RC ships I've been on slightly better (I think the venues are slightly more "comfortable"). 

Check in?  Same. Now that Royal has "the key" you won't really miss the FTTF benefits (other than early access to your room). It is more expensive but also includes internet. I'd say FTTF wins ever so slightly for me because of early access and priority at guest services. 

I don't think you would be unhappy with Royal. For me, it all boils down to the ship you pick and what you want out of a vacation. 

Only downside is you'd be starting your points over - this may or may not matter to you depending on how close you are to your next level on Carnival. 

8 hours ago, clean1owner said:

Maybe they just roll you out on the table and continue the massage during Muster.

That sounds good.  I'd be down with that. I mean Rose floated on that chunk of door... a massage table would probably work too... 🤣🤣🤣

Ovation

12 hours ago, mcatmcat said:

its worst when the massage ended and you need to head to muster station in a rush I never book a massage before 5pm

That's a good point too... I guess that explains why it's like $60 cheaper. 

Finding something very odd when looking at spa packages for embarkation day... the spa is offering times available for 50 plus minute massages during the 3PM-5PM hour when I know muster will be taking place... anybody with any experience on that one? How can they schedule a service in the middle of the muster?

Do they like stop the service, make me get dressed,  go muster, and then come back?

They seem to have removed the photo frame now.  Well hopefully it adds that extra special touch. 

Has anyone ordered this? What was your experience? 

29 minutes ago, aespo4 said:

•                                                                                                                                                                                    
• Here is my review of The Key on The Allure.  We went on March 10th - 17th.  We went out of Miami from Terminal A and it was very quick to get to the waiting area where we were seated with everyone.  There was no specific area for The Key. We boarded right after Pinnacle which was nice as there were not that many Pinnacle members. Once on board, we went to drop off our carry-on in the theater which was quick and easy. We did have a problem with some of our booking reservations so we went to clear that up before going for lunch at Chops.  We arrived at Chops at 11:30am (approximately) and there was already a line up.  We got lucky to get in as others behind us were encouraged to go to Giovanni's instead.  Chops had a limited menu but it was great.  Our cabin was ready by 1pm and our carry-ons were already in the room and two out of our three luggages had already arrived.  
• Our daughter wanted to try Flowrider and she did that afternoon before the muster drill.  It was not yet part of the key time but nonetheless it was not that busy.  There were 5 Key sessions for Flowrider and most of the time there were about seven regular flowriders.  On day two, my daughter had 5 turns on Flowrider in the one hour Key session.  The second day, she went on only three times due to a few more flowriders that showed up.  Day 4 which was a port day, it was less busy at the Key session initially and then gradually throughout the hour it got busier.  The same happened on Day 6.  Day 7 Flowrider was super busy during the Key (10-12 people).    Non-key times were always packed if it was a sea day!  It took approximately 40 minutes to 1.5 hours to get one (two-three minute) turn, specifically on the surfing side.   The boogie boarding was just as busy but because they separated the one Flowrider area into two sections, it went a little faster.
• We had reservations for all the shows (even though we had the Key program) because it was necessary to do so (as we were told by one of the reservation agents and as stated on the letter).  However, when we arrived to the show and told the attendant that was scanning all other sea pass cards that we were part of the Key program, they just let us in without scanning our cards.  We thought this was a fluke so we tried it again the second night and the same happened (no scanning and let us in).  This happened with all the shows or which they told us we needed reservations (Aqua show, skating show, Mamma Mia, Headliner, etc.).  We would recommend making reservations just in case this protocol changes.  We would hate for you to miss any of the shows.  There was reserved seating for all Key guests in the first balcony in the theatre (first three rows and perfect view of stage); first three rows in the center area facing the ice rink; almost the centre back three rows of the Aqua Theatre (nice seats).
• On the last day, the breakfast was great and it was an a-la-carte breakfast in one of the main dining rooms with only key guests.  The steak and eggs was incredible.  We then proceeded to the Champagne Lounge where we waited for an attendant to take us (Key guests) off the ship separately from all other cruise guests.  Our luggage was in a special area right when we got off the ship.  It was a very easy disembarkation.    
• Price:  we paid $19.99/person/day and well worth it.  We believe it is now around $24.99/person/day and we believe it is still worth it!  We booked another cruise in August on the Allure again and we are presently paying $24.99 for the Key.  Hopefully it comes down to $19.99 again and they keep all the perks the same!  Fantastic program overall!                                

 

Did you get any extras in the room? Fruit plate or cookies? Specific to The Key - not C&A.