The Fun Researcher

After half a dozen Royal cruises, I wouldn't hesitate to book Celebrity.  We felt that the food was a small step up, as was the service.  The decor is modern but still luxurious.  Fellow cruise passengers were the same as Royal.  The only thing we missed was the lack of overall activities, and that we only really noticed by about day 6.  At that point the cruise kind of felt like it was stuck in repeat.  The daily planner seemed a fraction of what you would expect on Royal.

Still loved it though (Equinox, Solstice class).  Loved the ship, tons of ocean views and outdoor spaces.  LOVED the sunset bar, the lawn area, and the indoor pool.

Dan

Purchase some at your local grocery store and bring it with on your cruise!  That's what I'd do.   We make sushi and hibachi at home and my younger daughter especially loves the stuff.

Dan

Which Celebrity ships are you talking about.

Regarding the age difference, we didn't notice one.  However, we were sailing out of Miami in August so there were a good amount of families, and the same age passengers as Royal.

Dan

17 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I was rude for saying that?

No, you weren’t.

Dan

1 hour ago, twangster said:

A closer look at the resort style pools

 

 

Thank you.  I assume they are still salt water?  That didn’t change with the update correct?

Dan

12 minutes ago, EmilyJay said:

The Solarium. 

 

1 pool, 2 whirpools and the Solarium Bar. For anyone asking if it’s smaller than before I wouldn’t know as this is my first time on Navigator. To me it seems kinda small, but I’m used to the bigger ships so that’s probably why. 

Solarium looks the same size.  There isn't much they could do to make it smaller.  The structure of the ship's other components pretty much dictate the size of the solarium.

Those hot tubs look really inviting right about now!

Thanks for sharing.

Dan

7 minutes ago, first time cruiser pat said:

2. Would love pics or video of Viking crown lounge/cosmopolitan club. My son getting married there in April 20th ❤️

Wow!  Now that's something to look forward to!  ...with an awesome newly renovated ship to celebrate!  Congrats.

Dan

Not really sure how this discussion got so skewed to the drink package, and drink cost.  There is very little correlation between the drink package and MDR entree cost IMO. 

• Beverage
• Food

Two different animals.

Dan

1 hour ago, NickPenn said:

Checking every day to book for our April 13 sailing on Symphony.  We are now less than 40 days out.  Not sure why it hasn't opened up yet.

Ours didn't show up for the Navigator until 10 days out.

Dan

1 minute ago, Sitzmark said:

I've read that the age limit is 14.

Thanks.  Yeah, I saw that when I looked into it after booking.  What's interesting is that the cruise planner wouldn't let him do it because he was under 12.  It specifically said 12.  Some inconsistency there.  Of us all, he's probably the one that would be most excited about it too.  Hopefully they let him hang with us at least.  There will be no adult left to be with him and I'd hate to drop him at Adventure Ocean while we all go have fun at the Observatory.  I'm biased by saying this, :) but he's a talented little kid in the math and puzzle department.  Hoping we can work something out.

Dan

Didn't read the 10 pages, but just wanted to add that this is really dumb if RCCL decides to do something similar.  Don't do it RCCL!

Multiple entrees have been a cruise staple for decades.  It's one of those special excesses that goes along with a cruise.  Build it into the cost as they've always done.  Simple as that.  So many things are wasteful on a cruise, it's part of being on vacation, and we pay accordingly.  Let's not single this one out.

I don't think I've ever ordered more than one entree, but I want the option to, if I felt like it.  I do know those who do it regularly though, and they would be sorely disappointed to see that change.

Dan

I was able to prebook the Escape Room for our party of 7 on our upcoming Navigator cruise, except for some reason it wouldn't let me add my son (who's 11 years old right now, 12 in May).  I assume I can add him once on the ship?  Worst case, could he tag along with us?

Is this restricted to 12 and up?  He's done Escape rooms locally with no problems.

Dan

45 minutes ago, Cel_cruise said:

I watched your ‘run’ thru the WJ! It was a little hard to tell - did they add hand washing stations outside of the WJ? Or were those just the old shelving/showcases painted white?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  Captured from his video  as he entered the wind jammer 

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

Video was at 10am (ish).  Still in breakfast mode.  If pizza doesn't exist late night which I doubt, I'll let you know.  

Ah, makes sense now.  Thank you! 

Dan

 Granted, it is the first Sea day where everyone wants to be out enjoying the sun. However looking at twangsters video, it does look very busy, with lots of  empty chairs with towels on them 

Dan

THANK YOU TWANGSTER!

I'm sure I'm missing something, but I didn't see any pizza in the Cafe Promenade?

Dan

3 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

Only cruise line on the planet you have to pay for a burger or hot dog and a page of the thread applauding the "reasonable" pricing.  Mariner revitalization included a "Dog House" at no additional charge. 

If Royal had a free burger location (besides the Windjammer), on their ships prior to this renovation, then I would agree.  However, Johnny Rockets has ALWAYS been a "paid for" location.  It's no different now other than that it's more conveniently located by the pool.  El Loco Fresh is a new free location, and I'm very happy about that.  Like you mention, Playmakers has pub food for a nominal fee, and I'm very happy about that.  Those are both new options that I never had before.   I love that I have a food option that isn't simply the Cafe Promenade later each evening, and Playmakers is a great addition for me.  I'm happy about that.

For us, the new pricing at Johnny Rockets works MUCH better.  Our family of 5 doesn't eat enough there to justify the fixed price they had before.  We could easily have one of the burgers each (or perhaps split a large burger between 2), and split 2-3 fries between all of us.  We already have the soda package so don't need drinks.  Not only is it lower cost for us, but I really like the idea of popping in for a $6 burger instead of making Johnny Rockets a long event like before.

I understand why folks want free burgers by the pool, however Royal has never had that as far as I'm aware, but they did just give us El Loco Fresh.  If folks are so hung about about free burgers in the pool area, go to Carnival or Celebrity, but they each have their other differences too to weigh in your choice.

Dan

Considering that a lot of drinks are now in the $12 range, each, a burger for $6 (including tip) doesn’t feel so bad.   The tough part is paying for it when there are other very good free options like the Windjammer, who’s fries I already love.  Not so much the burgers though!

Dan

4 minutes ago, Cruising305 said:

Agree the brand may may be part of the problem, but Carnival has the partnership with Guy and they manage free burgers and fries poolside.  

Ok, gotcha.  

 That’s a very good point about Guys burgers on Carnival being free!  My in-laws rave about them. ( they only sailed Carnival until they started joining us on Royal)

Dan

17 minutes ago, atricks said:

Fine print has the 18% gratuity automatically added also for JR Express.   Compared to doghouse on the Boardwalk and the cafe next to the basketball court & pool deck on the Oasis ships, this is a bit disappointing.

 

Wonder if that is for the whole order or just the shakes?  If it’s for the entire bill that definitely starts making it less attractive!  Why would they even need to put a service charge on there?   Doesn’t seem to fit.  It’s a walk up food counter!

Dan

54 minutes ago, Cruising305 said:

Given the poolside location (where many cruise lines have free and easy grab and go food), a bit disappointed that a family of 4 is looking to spend probably close to $40 just for a simple order of a burger and fries. 

Funny math.  More like $32.  Simple burger = $5, Fries = $3.  

I think the issue is the Johnny Rockets brand.

If it were like Celebrity it would be an unbranded venue like the mast grill (I think that's what it was called).  There they are free... burgers, fries and dogs, etc...

Dan

2 minutes ago, EmilyJay said:

I am impressed with the JR prices, I expected it to cost more. I’m yet to find out if it’s included in the ultimate dining package, but I don’t think it is. 

I agree the prices look reasonable.  What I like is the ability to order enough for our family so share, rather than hitting each one of us with a fixed price.  We will definitely make use of this now, whereas before we only used it to get a shake once in a while.

I wonder what the "Adult Shake" is.  Is it simply a larger size, or is it a shake with alcohol added?

Would love to see the Playmakers menu and how late you can order food until in the evening.  Is it all of the way 'till midnight when they close?

Dan

Love the ala carte Johnny Rockets menu!  Much better for us than the fixed price.

Dan

Anyone know who the current Cruise Director and Activities Director are?

Dan

Never realized that tonic water had so many calories.  Vodka is my primary liquor of choice and I've recently been ordering Vodka tonic's. Not anymore.

Vodka soda's (club soda) for me now. 

Dan