bouhunter

RCCL is infamous for lost items never being returned from the "lost and found" department.  Wish you luck but don't get your hopes up.

12 hours ago, ILOVESHIPS said:

Do they have a coffee machine that works?

Lounge coffee machines are always a question mark, they seem to have a lot of maintenence issues.  Personally I've never been impressed with what they dispense even when they are working.

11 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

Yes, prices are insane- but since people still are willing to pay them, they will not decrease.  Early booking is the key for newer ships.  If you don't mind the old rust buckets, you might still get a more reasonable price.  Or consider another cruise line.  We are considering MSC for a cruise as their prices seem more reasonable.

We'll be on Grandeur, Explorer and Radiance for 6 weeks soon.  I guess we love rust buckets.  Has nothing to do with the prices we just don't like the chaos and crowds at elevators, windjammer, etc. on the huge ships.  Watching people lay on the floor on the sun deck on Symphony last winter because all the chairs were taken at 7AM every day was the last straw.  In fact half those 6 weeks are "free" thru casino comps, we could have chosen any ships and intentionally stayed away from the monsters.

As for prices, the lines have billions in debt to pay off after covid, it's not surprising.

On 12/3/2023 at 9:47 AM, schooner_Drinker said:

 

 

it’s not how much you put in it’s how much you play though 

 

 

Exactly 🙂  

1 minute ago, Tlbecker1 said:

I honestly have never had one, but most lunches in the Windjammer are full of individuals with burgers.  

Windjammer burgers are fine, I just wouldn't call them "delicious"....  🙂

On 12/14/2023 at 3:30 AM, brillohead said:

Then you will DEFINITELY not like Oasis class.  

For me, Freedom class is the "just right" size for me.  The Solarium is bigger (than Voyager class) with more shaded loungers, and you don't spend half the day walking from one end to the other (like Oasis class).  

Agree on the size, though not so much the walking.  On our Symphony cruise last spring elevators, pool decks and windjammer were SO crowded and chaotic the entire week.  Glad so many people love the big ships, keeps the smaller ones more pleasant.  We have 6 cruises booked this winter and NONE are on Oasis class 🙂

On 9/4/2023 at 1:15 PM, KroozNut said:

As a general comment here, we all need to remember that nothing is ever 'free' on any cruise ship, or any cruise line.

Some items (including some food items) are offered at no additional charge (included with the cruise fare), while other items incur an additional charge at point of sale onboard the ship.

It is the 'included with the cruise fare' items that some folks confuse with and incorrectly characterize as 'free'. 🙂

Whatever.  You know what they meant, but couldn't resist a lecture what "free" means to you.....

On 9/4/2023 at 9:50 AM, lcpagejr said:

Nope...Burgers are delicious...but you only can get in Windjammer

Yes available in Windjammer, but they aren't "delicious"..... 🙂

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Only on back to back cruises.

 

 

I'll see myself out.

LOL 🙂

Hope you have a good trip.  Can't imagine planning that much right down to the rest stops.... 🙂

Symphony is a beautiful ship, but we have two main memories from last winter - Elevators and Windjammer situations were HELL pretty much all day every day.......   Oh, and the sun decks.   First time I've ever seen them so crowded and chaotic on any ship so bad that people were literally laying on the floors....

That said the entertainment and restaurants were nice.

5 hours ago, yogimax said:

I don't know.  It seems pretty easy to find one's luggage on the floor based on departure number.  

 

What's the advantage to a carousel?

Agree, carousels seem like a pain and you can wait forever.  I'd rather just find my bag and go.

18 hours ago, time4u2go said:

Worse food. Reduced menu. Very expensive specialty restaurants. 

That about sums it up.  That said, we have 40+ nights booked on Royal this winter 🙂

If you're interested in a nightmare with elevators, loungers up top and Windjammer, go with Symphony.  Our cruise on her last winter helped us decide to never again go on an Oasis class ship. 

On 11/12/2023 at 8:22 PM, time4u2go said:

I can't imagine paying the price of a specialty restaurant to eat a turkey dinner but maybe that's just me.

Agree, why pay extra for turkey.

On 11/12/2023 at 12:16 PM, die_hard said:

I’ve been on several cruises for Thanksgiving but never ate dinner in a specialty restaurant on Thanksgiving night. Do they offer traditional Thanksgiving dinner in Chops or Giovanni’s that night?

Why would you want to pay that for turkey?

On 10/2/2023 at 8:29 PM, fredmdcruisers said:

We sure enjoyed our B3B last year and are booked again for 3 cruises in January 24. 

See you there 🙂  We're booked on two 9 night explorer cruises this winter and have no concerns.  Don't pay attention to individual ship reviews.

Can't fix stupid.  If someone walks away leaving a credit it's their problem, not casino management.

All you can expect from MDR.  Period.  They will feed you but it won't be special.

1 hour ago, Happytime22 said:

Does RCL offer 'Black Friday' Sales on the 3-day Dining Package and Ultimate Dining Packages on Black Friday for the referenced cruise?

 

It's a 9-day cruise and wondering as I saw somewhere on this site that the sales start around 11/17/23?

Generally they have had some good "black friday sales" for many things (dining, beverages, excursions etc).  But no way to know for this year, and obviously not specifically to any ship or sailing.  Just start checking and watching.

On 10/27/2023 at 11:08 AM, klfrodo said:

My opinion only (and may get deleted due to antiquated policies)

A few years back, this site was a big driver (still only about 5% of cruisers) for cruise lines and it was a good marketing scheme to promote and thank the cruise critic population with a sponsored gathering.

As time has gone on, other social media sites are taking over and draining the cruise critic popularity. Therefore, the cruise line marketing teams no longer see a value in sponsoring a cruise critic meet and greet.

Makes sense.  There is a LOT less activity on the roll calls now compared to pre covid.

4 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

And I don’t really get responses like this. You can’t understand why people may like to relax in a certain lounge with breakfast in the morning or snacks at night? It may not appeal to you, personally, but it’s pretty easy to understand why others of us do find it appealing.

 

I don’t care for Broadway shows, never seen one onboard, but I would never post “I don’t get the appeal.” Everyone likes what they like.

Well put!

23 hours ago, ten89libra said:

Everyone I know who only plays card games or table games has never gotten a comp offer from Royal Caribbean, but I know people, including me, who has played slots sometimes only $50 and gotten a comp room. 

Troll.

On 2/17/2022 at 5:17 PM, topnole said:

Heard it isn’t that hard to get casino offers or even free cruises now.  Can anyone comment on what it takes? Realistically, how much does one need to run through the machines to get to a level that matters to them right now?   I was debating bringing a decent amount, having some fun, and seeing if I can’t get some comps for my efforts.  

If you get to "Prime" at the casino you'll start getting offers on free cruises.  Plus you get one free 7 night each year.  Inside cabins of course 🙂  And free drinks in the casino.  Not sure but I think to hit prime you need 2500 points which might be 12,500 played.  If you hit prime, calling the casino people is a pleasure.  They actually answer the phone quickly and are very helpful on bookings etc.

Also FYI, if you play enough on a given cruise there will be additional rewards such as specific dollar discounts on future bookings or a free cruise if enough is played.  Of course there are restrictions and rules to be aware of. 

Wife likes to play and 3 of our 6 cruises this coming winter are "free".  Of course not really free 🙂

13 hours ago, Slidell_Cruiser said:

 

Coincidence or just another accountant cutback to save money,,

 

Seriously?

On 9/22/2023 at 8:49 AM, Miloomar said:

GTY cabins aren't assigned months in advance though. But cruisers who are "unconcerned" are just plain rude and inconsiderate to those who need them. Royal should require people who book connecting cabins to book both cabins or at least pop up with a warning to those people who are too dumb to notice. 

Wow......