sauvichick

We're in a GS on the 8/22 sailing. Really looking forward to it.

 

One thing I've been wondering is what time were you able to leave the ship when you arrived in Bermuda? I know the "arrival" time is 9am, but not sure if that's docking time or disembarking time.

 

Thanks!

We were waiting for the announcement that we cleared customs, and could get off the ship, but there was never one. We got off the ship at 9:50.

I didn't notice if they had one when I was out on our 1st sea day. I did walk the pool area that day. On the 2nd sea day we had terrible weather and the pool deck was closed until early evening. It was announced that there would be a buffet on the pool deck where the white party was being held. We did not attend it. Also, I'm not a fan of buffets because I worry about becoming ill from others poor behavior.

I just got back home and will later write a review of the suite experience onboard. I will also add other details once I get on my laptop. If you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Just an update to the chair hogs...this morning we were up on the pool deck at 8:30 or so, and were able to find a couple of chairs in the shade. That's not to say it was easy to do but we did it. We were totally prepared to sit in some of those towel saved chairs if we had to. We also learned that the pool attendants go around to rows of chairs with only towels and fold those towels a certain way into the back of the chair and start their timer. If no one shows up after 30 minutes, they remove the towels and free up the chairs., but it was different attendants today than yesterday so I am not sure they are all enforcing the rules because of our experience yesterday.

 

 

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Hopefully that will be our luck on our sailing tomorrow! I wish there was consistency on a daily basis. Thanks for letting us know.

I really dislike when these posts get ugly. Additional tipping and when to tip is a personal decision. Last year was our 1st time in a GS. We tipped on the last night to the Concierges, the sommelier from because he helped us with all our reservations, and our stateroom attendant. The Concierge Lounge servers were tipped nightly because sometimes we had different ones. In Blaze the bartender was also tipped nightly because he had our drinks ( big waters and small cocktails) ready as soon as soon as we walked in just the way we liked them. We will be doing the same thing on the LOS.

So finding a poolside, or nice location chair is difficult on a cruise?

Mollyolly,

Glad to see you checking other posts. We have 2 more days! If you want to be right in front of the pool or in a prime spot where ever that may be sometimes it is difficult to find more than 1 chair. Believe people don't generally worship the sun all day. I've also had the pool attendant place a chair in an ideal spot when he's seen me drag a chair. Just ask. I don't like generally care where I sit. I wouldn't have the nerve to reserve seats for hours if I'm not laying on one.

I read chair hogs were our as early as 7am. I'm not one of those people that reserves deck chairs. When I get out on deck is when I look for a chair. I can't believe pool attendants did nothing. What's the point of rules if they're not followed by all? I'll be looking forward:thumbdown: to that when I get onboard Saturday. Knowing my husband he'll move towels after 30 minutes.:D

I try to avoid the MDR at all costs and will happily spend the extra money to dine in a specialty restaurant. The noise and amount of time spent in the MDR is torture. I've tried the old and the new menu in Chops and was happy with both. I also don't order steak because I like to try things I don't cook at home. $35pp is fine for us because we are on vacation. We booked the California Wine Experience on out LOS cruise and are looking forward to it!

During the day it's all about relaxing in the solarium, sundeck, cabana or bakcony with a good book or music. The activities offered on the ship during the day really don't appeal to me anymore. I still like to explore the ports, but the evening activities are what appeal to me most. A predinner drink, a nice dinner and a show followed by a lounge is what I still like. Going on the Allure the 1st time was overwhelming with all the choices for evening activities, but on the 2nd sailing we took it easy and only repeated the specialty restaurants and the comedy show and the headliner. I look forward to even more relaxing on the Liberty of the seas.

Didn't think of that, but I need the updated diva of the seas image.

The diva of the seas shirt I have seen has the woman holding a martini glass. Thanks for the info all. :mad: I guess I won't be getting one!

We brought 2 cases of water, 2 bottles of wine and 2 1 liter bottles of flavored seltzer ( I hate soda). The water arrived in our cabin before our luggage did. If the cruise is during spring break the water may be prohibited due to the possibility of people sneaking alcohol. This has been reported on CC. Put a luggage tag on your water.

There's so much info on CC, but I will gladly turn off the data and put my phone on airplane mode. On vacation I use my phone for music and info I downloaded for the port (s). Does anyone know at what point I should turn off my data once I board the ship????

I have a "Diva of the Seas" and DH has a "Snoozer of the Seas" shirt. We got them on a ship several years ago -- I don't remember which one. I didn't know they were Life is Good brand (which I love). I just checked mine and it doesn't have Life is Good any place on the shirt. I have not seen them on any other ship since.

I'm soooo jealous! That martini glass is the icing on the cake. What brand does it say on them...Royal?

I know the shirts you are referring to. I haven't seen them in awhile. Good luck with that. Maybe you might spot them on Ebay. That company does sell shirts outside of Royal. Have you tried to find them?

Yes I looked on ebay, but not recently. I also checked out the Life is Good website with no success. Thanks.

AFAIK they only sell round trip tickets. A taxi for up to 4 Mon- Sat would be about $35 plus tip. A taxi for 5-7 would be about $45 plus tip Mon-Sat.

 

There used to be some mini bus operators that would take you to the beach for $7 per person one way, but I'm not sure they're allowed to do that any longer with the new system in place. They apparently are still doing it one way from the beach back to Dockyard, but I'm not sure they are from Dockyard to beach.

That response solidifies my plans for going to the beach. I was hoping to be able to get a one way ride to HB beach. Will now take bus there. Thanks.

Has any one seen those t-shirts at all? Are they even made anymore? I've had friends look for them on other Royal ships. I've wanted the diva of the seas one for so long.

I bring cases of water too. We tip the porter like it's a suitcase. The bottled water is for use in the cabin and in port. I drink ship water everywhere else too.

I didn't plan on arriving at 10am, but now I will. It's been awhile since we were the 1st group to board.

I think everything has been covered that I pack! I like to bring Scotch tape too. The Allure and probably the Oasis have additional outlets in front of the beds. I know I read that on CC.

Portofino is no longer available on our July 11 Liberty cruise. I thought they might be sold out because there was so much availability last week. I know there are a number of reservations online, and usually more onboard. Hopefully that is the case.

First roysl cruise we saw wow cards, but 2nd cruise none. I don't remember a wow envelope. All deserving were mentioned in the survey.

Tipping beyond what is required is a personal decision. We've always tipped all our cabin stewards additional, but on our last Allure cruise we tipped the most ever. First, we were in a suite and 2nd we truly adored our cabin steward for going the extra knot/mile. We tipped bartenders additionally in the night club because they would have our drinks ready as soon as we walked in after the 1st night. We don't eat in the MDR anymore so we only tip per specialty meal appropriately. Like I've said it's a personal decision and we only tip on the last day.

I have ordered off of the MDR menu, and have asked that room service bring us an appetizer and salad on one order, and a second order of our main entry. We tip well, and room service does not seem to mind us eating in "courses".

 

Rick

Great Idea! Never thought that was allowed.

DH and just experienced the Chops California Vineyard dinner on the Indy and were very pleased. The wines highlighted were from the Wagner family of wines, and ones we were already familiar with. The Belle Glos Pinot Noir is one of our favorites, our number choice is Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon ... both were served at the dinner (with multiple pours if requested.) There were four wines in all but I don't recall the names of the other two (I think the Chardonnay may have been Mer Soleil Select.) The food was excellent, as was the service. It was a highlight of the cruise.

 

I have a shellfish allergy and the chef was most accommodating, serving an alternate selection which paired equally with the wine.

 

We also ate in Chops on a "regular" night and although it was good, it wasn't great.

 

If you like wine, and enjoy an upscale dining experience, $75 for the Vineyard dinner is certainly worth every penny (much more so than the $95 Chef's table, which was cancelled on our sailing due to lack of interest.) The wines were not bottom of the barrel, but good solid choices from Wagner. I only wish they would have served Conundrum, my favorite white blend from them.

 

Hope this helps ...

Sharon

Thank you do much for taking the time to review the Chops wine pairing dinner. I was hoping it was going to be similar to our Chef's Table experiences. We love the Caymus Cab (2011) and hope they are serving that specific year; the 2012 was a major disappointment. You are right about the Mercedes Soleil and the dessert wine is a TBD. I can't believe Chef's Table was cancelled on your sailing. We've dined with another couple for a total of 4 sitting at the giant table. We are looking forward to this experience.

Thanks

 

I had no idea that they offer that meal only once/sailing. That definitely changes things - as I had hoped to book in for St. Thomas night, however it only shows as available on embarkation day... 7:30 pm. I assumed it was owing to my late booking status (and the preferred days were already spoken for).

 

Our "least planned" evenings are typically the first and last night of the cruise... odd to offer this on the first night - almost like they don't want to fill the seats!

 

Tom

We are sailing on a 5 nighter so I'm not sure if will offer the wine dinner is offered more than once on your sailing. If you go on the cruise planner and do a mock reservation then you will be able to tell how often it's available.

For some reason Art Mei's Spicy Dicey was closed last Wednesday when I stopped by for lunch. Closed sign on the door. Had to use my backup, Tavern on the Wharf. Very good fish chowder there.

Uh oh. I read they are closed Sunday and Monday.

Bonnie,

These are the schedules I used. I hope it clarifies the conflicting information.

http://www.gov.bm/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=959&mode=2&in_hi_userid=234&cached=true

http://www.seaexpress.bm/Documents/Ferry/Summer%20Ferry%20Schedule%202015.pdf