TheHawk1
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There was a thread started earlier today. Seems to be a problem several people are experiencing.
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My cruise calendar is blanked out. Should I be concerned
TheHawk1 replied to NMTraveller's topic in Celebrity Cruises
Just checked my Mar. 2 Apex cruise and see the same message. I first noticed it on the Celebrity app the other night, but didn't think much of it, since that thing is always buggy and unreliable. But when nothing is showing on your calendar planner on the Celebrity web site, then you know their IT dept. has bigger problems to solve. -
Shore excursion to Nevis from St Kitts on new Ascent
TheHawk1 replied to Gardenbunny50's topic in Celebrity Cruises
We took this same excursion last February on the Edge. It was one of the better ones during our cruise and we sampled four of them. The guided tour was good, the lunch was good and the beach was average, but that wasn't the main focus of the trip for us. Nevis is more picturesque and less depressing than St. Kitt's. I would certainly recommend. -
Greece and Med sailing - which is better month?
TheHawk1 replied to Cruise Gopher's topic in Celebrity Cruises
I did a Med cruise in early September, 2022 and it was still very hot. Did the same itinerary again this year in early October and it was much nicer. I've heard Oct can have more rain, but we lucked out with a perfect week of sun and temps in the high 70's (mid 20's celsius). -
My View: A Symphony of Gratitude (Live Thanksgiving Week)
TheHawk1 replied to APDMOM's topic in Royal Caribbean International
If you think that's not well attended... I was on the Symphony Med Cruise in October and the Top Tier event was held in Dazzles. No acrobats there, maybe about 25 people in total. Clearly not as many C&A folks on European cruises. However, there was a lot more champagne to go around 😄 -
And this is why you’ll be very happy with all the other fashion police in your new members only club
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This is helpful information. Was checking out Celebrity's beach excursions for an upcoming March cruise and they only use Coral Beach Club. I'll take a pass on those and find a taxi to take us to Governor's Beach instead. I understand there are no facilities there, but for a few hours, it appears to be a good no-cost option.
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Was looking at a potential cruise on the Odyssey and noticed that most of the JS cabins are located near the elevators on each deck. However, on Deck 9, there is a large number of the JS cabins right in the middle of the ship. They are also priced at a substantial increase above the other JS suites. Does anyone know from experience whether these cabins justify the higher premium price? Are they larger or is it just a better location?
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Semi live review Symphony Transatlantic
TheHawk1 replied to Deeliteful's topic in Royal Caribbean International
I'm not saying I don't like the Wonder, as I had a great time on it. But being on Symphony recently reminded me of why I thought it was slightly better. First Wonder is more crowded, as they have added more cabins on only a slightly larger ship, so you will notice there are more people in common areas and around the pool when it is full. The entertainment is better on Symphony, with Hairspray and a great ice show and aqua show. On Wonder, they have no Broadway show, but a Royal in-house main theatre show Effectors II, which is really bad and the rock music for the aqua show takes away from the performance. I was also not a fan of the enclosed Solarium on Wonder. It was so hot during our cruise, that it felt like a greenhouse. I was on the ship when it was brand new and my sense is the crew didn't understand how to operate it. I've seen reviews since that say the temperature seems to be fine. -
Semi live review Symphony Transatlantic
TheHawk1 replied to Deeliteful's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Everyone has a different idea of the perfect cruise vacation. I wouldn't take even a free vacation on a ship as small as Jewel, as I know I would be bored to tears. I just finished a Mediterranean cruise on Symphony, my second time on this ship after a Caribbean cruise in 2020 pre lockdown. After two sailings, I think this is the best Oasis class ship in the fleet (and I've been on all five). -
Food Selection and Quality Hits an All Time Low
TheHawk1 replied to Vibe's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Yes, the MDR staff mentioned the importance of the survey at least twice while dining during the week on my recent Symphony cruise. Did that influence my rating? Absolutely not. I rated the service a 10, because that was my experience. I also rated the food a 7, because that reflected how I felt overall about the dishes I was served. I can't control what RCI chooses to do with that feedback, but hopefully it is aggregated with the opinions of others and they can determine where changes are needed. -
Food Selection and Quality Hits an All Time Low
TheHawk1 replied to Vibe's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Just off Symphony a month ago and while I don't think the food overall was amazing, I don't agree either that it has hit an all time low. There were a few hits like the crab cake, pecan crusted salmon and lasagna and some misses like pan seared white fish that tasted fishy, chicken cordon bleu that was dry and no free lobster on any night... it was replaced by grilled shrimp. None of the desserts were standouts, but there was always something ok. There was no push back when ordering two appetizers or even two entrees, which we would sometimes share just to try. The service is definitely faster than it used to be and if you're not one to linger over wine and/or coffee (we're not), then service usually lasted 60-75 mins, which is more than enough time for dinner in my opinion. I go on a cruise now accepting the fact that the MDR is not fine dining. Maybe it was many years ago, but it's now more like above average cafeteria food provided in a nice atmosphere, with decent service (if you're fortunate to get a good waiter). I don't do the WJ, as there other better choices on Oasis class, like Solarium Bistro, Park Cafe, El Loco Fresh and even Sorrentos if I'm hungry and desperate. -
Upgrade to Premium from Classic Drink Pkg -- SCORE!!!
TheHawk1 replied to LadyBerard's topic in Celebrity Cruises
It pays to check CC regularly. I don't go into the Cruise Planner every day, so without seeing this post, I would have likely missed the deal. -
Surprised that some people would agree to pay for this kind of treatment. There are other airline choices. It's supposed to a leisure flight, not army basic training.
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Booking Future Cruises while onboard
TheHawk1 replied to AZ Squirrel's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Just came back from a week on Symphony. It’s the first time in six cruises I didn’t bother booking my next cruise. I decided to wait to see if Black Friday sales are any better than current pricing. I didn’t really see much incentive to book onboard anymore. -
Air Canada new size measuring device for carry on luggage
TheHawk1 replied to kellk's topic in Canadian Cruisers
That "rule" of putting one item under the seat in front of you doesn't apply if you are sitting in a bulkhead seat or sometimes even in an exit row aisle, as there are no seats directly in front of you. In those cases, these people (usually me since I always pay more for an exit row) are instructed by the crew to put both of their carry on items in the overhead bin. So it's not always a choice to use up extra overhead storage space. -
Emerald Benefits for Glass of Wine
TheHawk1 replied to runner2013's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Not that it adds to the answer provided, but just an opportunity to rant that this perk is exactly the same for Gold and and Platinum members. What's the benefit to having reached Emerald status? Absolutely nothing. You would think Royal could at least allow the 50% discount off any alcoholic drink (not just beer/wine), to somehow differentiate having reached a new benefits level. -
For now, carry your passport with you in Rome (Sep 2023)
TheHawk1 replied to slidergirl's topic in Italy Ports
I followed this thread closely before my cruise the first week of October and decided, against my better judgement, to take my passport along with me for the day in Rome. Yes I have a money belt and yes it returned safely with me. I did not take it with me in Cinque Terre or touring Amalfi Coast towns. However, I saw no police on the trains from Civitavecchia to and from Rome. In fact, the only time I saw a large police presence was about twenty of them “guarding” the Spanish Steps and I toured the city quite a lot for the entire day. Unless you look suspicious, I can’t imagine why they would even bother with a boring tourist. A lot of nervous nellies here seem to be over reacting, IMO. -
The same as no more Broadway shows on new ships. Cost cutting RCI doesn’t want to pay any licensing fees anymore.
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My take on the new MDR menus, Ovation 9/23
TheHawk1 replied to la_croisiere_s'amuse's topic in Royal Caribbean International
The chicken pot pie looks decent but those side vegetables (a couple carrots and one piece of broccoli) are just sad looking. Why does the kitchen even bother?