sauvichick

We also booked the Chops California Vineyards Dinner on the Liberty. It was only offered once and on the only full day we have in Bermuda. 6:30 is a bit early too. I was unable to find info too! I can't comment on the extra fee steaks either. I have been to Chop's Grille twice on the Allure with the old and new menu and I thought everything was good. The only thing that I would not order this time on the Liberty is the short rib after someone posted a picture of it online:eek:

That would be great if we were there 3 days. Even though it's been 4 years since we went to Clearwater Beach I would go back. There was food, bar drinks and facilities.

You are lucky to be there 3 days. The only schedule you should worry about is the bus and ferry. I have not bothered going back to the ship for lunch each time we were in Bermuda. I remember getting takeout food at a deli and supermarket and going to the Swizzle Inn. It's not worth wasting the time to go back for lunch even if you have transportation passes unless you're in Hamilton since it's a short ferry ride. However, if that's something you want to do to save $ then go ahead. After all, you do have unlimited transportation passes. This time we are going to the south shore Swizzle Inn and Art Mel's Spicy Dicey in St George on the 2 days we are in Bermuda.

Found it when I refreshed. Sorry.

The bigger the ships the more food options you have. For the 1st time ever on my 2012 Allure cruise we booked only specialty restaurants. We followed suit in 2014 and will do so on the Liberty although there are fewer options. Do you want to pay extra for specialty dining? From what I have read about the MDR food the reviews are mixed, but remember food is VERY SUGGESTIVE. If you are a picky eater, then you may have difficulty. However, that's why there are many choices on the MDR menu in addition to the classics offered nightly. In past cruises when I would eat in the dining room I found there was usually one night no matter what ship I was on I didn't like anything so that would be my appetizers and salad night. I'm not even a picky eater. I do tend to avoid buffets because of the germ factor.

Check out the MDR menu prior to going; it's usually displayed outside the MDR.

Thanks for the review, I have heard that NCL does a much better job with suite perks, but going in a suite would be the only way I would consider doing NCL again

I agree, but I'm still a bit hesitant. The NCL suite perks still seem to blow Royal out of the water at this point.

seaofwonder,

Thanks for the comparison because I'm always looking for more reviews like this.

She absolutely did do the right thing! There are creepy people everywhere. Just because you're on a ship doesn't mean it's a safe environment. Things can happen too. What is wrong with those parents? And I hope security spoke to those parents!

(1101) Buy any Wine, Beer or Soda by the glass and get a second (of equal or lesser value) FREE

We used this one for glasses of Caymus Cabernet which were well worth it.

As I've stated elsewhere the drink package is not worth it for us because we will:

-have access to the Concierge Lounge

-drink water during the day

-will be bringing 2 bottles of wine

-are attending 2 wine pairing dinners

-have enough OBC to cover late night drinks

At the bottom of the screen where it states the status of your check in.

Yes and it took less than a week after you request them.

On recent LOS 9 nighters portside wound up being starboard side and vice versa. On the 5 nighter they have docked "correctly." On our roll call Bushido was keeping score. I usually choose starboard side because I prefer to see the water. On our Allure sailing that rule was not followed.

This now brings us to Chops. Again, they offered the same impeccable service, feeling like this was a $5000 a plate restaurant. Maybe I see this differently, because I had never been treated so well in any other restaurant I have been (besides Portofino). But yeah yeah, I hear you … what about the food? I had read reviews about the pretzel bread and the garlic butter, but to taste it? So good. We had two servings of that bread and the leftover garlic butter, Tanya had used to drizzle over her 6 oz. filet. I bet if I had tried to take that butter from her, I would have lost an arm.

Again, she has the Caesar Salad which she thought was better than Portofino and she, again, had the 6oz filet for the appetizer. I asked her how her steak compared to Portofino. She responded that she didn’t remember that she had a steak at Portofino, but this steak was extremely enjoyable especially with the garlic butter drizzle.

So what did I have? Well I was torn between the Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Cake and the Scallops and I asked what the waiter would recommend. Would you like them both, he replied. Oh, yes please.

 

 

 

Maybe fine dining was new to me, but I found the food to have great flavor. Nothing in the dishes overpowered another. The flavors were balanced and well thought out. I ate each bite slowly and savored each one.

For my main course, I wanted to go outside my comfort zone and try something different, so I ordered the braised short rib. I found my experience with the short rib with the Beef Duo in the Main Dining Room to be wonderful, so I though Chops could also offer that experience.

Yes, it looks like the creature from the movie, The Blob, but it tastes comparable to beef bourguignon. I didn’t expect this and I found myself regretting that I didn’t get the filet. Did it taste bad? No, but it just wasn’t for me.

Now for the main event! Dessert. Something I had read out repeatedly in Chops reviews and came highly recommended.

The Red Velvet Cake.

See that first bite? I was so eager to try it that I had forgotten to take the beginning picture. Tanya and I both took a bite at the same time and knew we had to eat this slow, but as I came down for a second bite, I saw her eyes go wide and I knew what she was trying to say. I forgot to take a picture! Quick! Before it’s all gone! Wow, that was a great save. That was the second best dessert on the ship. Rum Baba will always have my heart.

I am so glad you are posting the pictures from both Chops and Portofino! I have wanted to order the short rib in Chops after having it on the Allure. Before I even read the description I tried to play "Name that Dish" and I failed miserably. It is safe to say that I will not be ordering the short rib, but everything else looks great! That seafood skewer and shrimp risotto are definitely "must haves!"

Fizzlewicket or anyone who's been on the 5 nighter to Bermuda,

Are the first 5 days of the 9 days Cruise Compass the same as what's offered on the cruise to Bermuda?

Fizzlewicket you are right. No one has scanned them. Just the one page of daily activities. That would be sooo appreciated!

Fizzlewicket,

This is the best review of the Liberty I have read! I am enjoying the format you chose with the humorous and detailed explanations. I can't wait to read more! We sail in less than a month and your review is making me more excited to go. Keep it coming!

A&L_Ont, I had to go back and read a 2nd time. Things do get lost in text mode.

Ours works great...I also have a white noise app on my cell phone that works quite well.

I never knew that existed. I guess "there's an app for that" is true. I prefer a fan, but there are limits to what I pack. Earplugs are my substitute.

No one knows, other than perhaps some RC executives.

 

If roll out is in 2016, there is no idea of when in 2016. Will the announcement be the "roll out" :confused: or will the roll out be the actual start of the program. No one knows. The announcement could be late in 2016 and benefits could start in 2017. All speculation, like this entire thread. Sauvichuck, I am am not saying you speculated by any means. This thread has become more of a wish list for suite cruisers. .

A&L_Ont,

No worries. I didn't get that impression at all. ;).

Nope. Was hoping it would be here by this year, but the official "roll out" was postponed until 2016. No speculation from me, but there are great examples of suite benefits that are already in place on other cruise lines. ;)

My dilemma is that I've been on the largest ships (Oasis Class) and when it comes time to plan future cruises, I feel that booking anything less than the Oasis class will not be as enjoyable.

 

Let me be clear, this is a great problem to have. I feel very fortunate to be able to cruise and am happy with almost any itinerary and any ship. With that said, I am of the mindset that if I can get a good deal on the current cruise I am planning, that leaves more $$ to plan the next one.

 

Here is where I am at now. I have a cruise booked and I am excited for it. Now comes the dreadful / exciting time as I wait for my departure date. It's exciting because ITS A CRUISE - what could be better than that? The dreadful part is that I know several of the larger ships (Oasis and Freedom) class are available the same week. I can't help but think I'm missing out.

 

Finally, this post is in no way a complaint. I am excited for my next adventure wherever that may be. My question is, how do you justify other itineraries if you have previously sailed on some of the larger and more magnificent ships?

After sailing on the Allure twice I have booked on a smaller ship as well. I loved the Allure and all she offered, but I felt there was so much to see and do it became overwhelming. Whatever we did on the 1st sailing was not repeated on the 2nd except for meals, MO5AIC, and the comedy club. I am now looking forward to our Liberty sailing because it's going to more relaxing. Initially I was a bit hesitant since she's smaller, but the desire to go back to Bermuda and not fly to the port won. I already looked at the Daily Activities and although there are fewer options compared to the Allure I welcome it. The Oasis class ships are the destination and until the itineraries differ I will not be booking a cruise on any of them. Enjoy.

Finlandia vodka is being phased out fleet wide. It will now be replaced with Stoli or Smirnoff (Depending on the ship). On Liberty a few months ago it was Smirnoff, on Serenade it was Stoli.

Once again the lack of consistency throughout Royal is evident.

Don't know how to link so thanks! I did know how to do that, but only on my laptop:eek:

I did not know about the brunch before the trip. We reserved it the day before we went. The tour was only 20-25 min and once you went into Portifinos everything was already set up as a buffet so you can take as much time as you want to eat. They did not rush us out. It was very nice.

 

Loralie

Thanks! I saw it in one of the cruise compasses, but is currently not available for booking prior to departure - well not yet...

Loralie,

Thanks for providing info about the champagne brunch. Was actually contemplating it, but knew nothing about it. I assume you reserve it once on board. How long was the entire experience?

Go to post #513 on the July 11 Bermuda roll call