MsOne

I had not seen any videos either before we attended on Freedom a few years ago but I did have some expectations based on CC comments. Posters had said they “had a blast” and talked about how much they enjoyed it. I was very disappointed as there was little entertainment, the characters came out one at a time for a photo op at each table. They did sing the Hokey Pokey but, even with reservations and arriving at the appointed time, we were seated outside of the show area and could barely see. Our 5 year old grandson said it was boring.:rolleyes:

 

I was very happy we did it when it was free:D

 

Sherri:)

Ahhhh, thank you for the information. If your 3 year old said he was bored, I can only imagine my 10 year old lol! He told me he still likes seeing characters and to be honest, this sounds about like what we experienced at Disney. He liked it then (at age 7), and still says it was cool....but I'm thinking if everyone else in the room is pre-school aged he might have a much different opinion.

Coffee....$3-$4

Water.....$2.50 per bottle

NA Drinks......$5 ??

 

$4 + $7.50+ $10 = $21.50

 

Pretty close to the daily price of the refreshment package. The kicker for me though is that it's close enough that when you get it, you don't have to worry or think about cost for the whole trip. And what might you be saving?? $20 over a weeks time. For me its a no brainer. I don't want to have to think while I'm cruising.

We were thinking if getting the soda package for my sister who will cruising with us, but I've been looking harder at the refreshment package. I'm trying to decide if we would drink enough to make it worth it. We've only been on one other cruise (4 day) and did not purchase any packages, just brought and refilled our own bottles and used the crystal light additive.

Having said that, this cruise is a 7 day (Oasis in May), and since we don't drink alcohol the refreshment package would be the one to get. Since I don't have experience with drink prices on board, what would I be looking at to break even?

If say, I got a coffee, 2-3 bottles of water and 1-2 NA cocktails a day, is that "enough"? Isn't there coffee of some sort available that is included already?

 

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The above scenario only applies if you are getting specialty coffee. Regular coffee (caff and decaf) are included for all passengers. So unless you want lattes, frappuccinos, etc., then just purchase by the drink.

Are the Coke Freestyle Machines on board in addition to regular fountain drink dispensers? I ask because people spend A LOT of time to get their one drink at these machines. This is for many reasons..some people are not familiar with them; there's a lot of choices; going back a screen can take a while (computer processing); some people don't read english. But even with someone who can navigate through all of this quickly, the machine can still be finicky (doesn't recognize cup or like exact placement of cup, etc.).

This would be a nightmare to have 5 only machines for 5,000 people! There's a pizzeria where I live and the Yelp reviews since one was installed has dropped the rating almost a full star due to the wait/line for the one drink machine in the place. So it's just hard for me to imagine so many people trying to use a handful of machines placed all around a multi-level ship.

This thread is HILARIOUS!!!! Everytime someone posts bringing it back will make the island disappears leaves me cracking up!!!!!

This is discussed all the time on the East Coast Departures board. Suck it up and park at the terminal.

If your idea of help = not to help...then do it by not posting.

This cruise coming up in May will be the first M&G I have signed up for. Is it just a room they open up to say hello to each other? After reading through this post, I just wonder what people are so upset over. I'm not imaging it to have drinks and snacks available but just a space to pop in and say hello to posters I've enjoyed reading. I like making new friends and I would think if there were people I met and had nice conversation with, we have an entire ship to grab and drink and continue a friendship. Am I wrong?

I was on Carnival Breeze in January and I believe ours was around 10am on the first full day - so day 2, a sea day. There were trays of small sandwiches (white bread, crustless) - a good variety, fruit, different cheese and several types of crackers, and different drinks - orange juice, water, coffee tea....not sure what else. I grabbed sandwiches and orange juice then went and sat and talked to some folks. The cruise director wasn't there, but his boss was. She was very engaging and told us a lot about herself both on the ship and off.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. I can definitely roll with missing this especially since my kids won’t know they’re missing it. But if they’re awake early on their own, it’s nice to know I can sneak down & pay for it & surprise the kids with it if there is space. And if there isn’t space, I can take them to Johnny Rockets & they’ll be none the wiser. Thanks!

I like the way you think :D:D:D

I was very disappointed with the character breakfast! I booked in advance and paid $10 pp for this “experience”. We showed up early and we expected it to be like I’ve seen on YouTube! They only had two characters show up and it was so lame! They had the kids come up one at a time for a photo op and then the characters made their way around to the table for more pictures. I think the many opportunities to meet the characters in the promenade were just as good if not better since if you pay attention you will get pictures with all the characters!

What more did you think would happen or included (I haven't looked up anything on youtube)?

Perhaps I wasn’t clear - it WAS someone with the senior group who needed wheelchair transportation herself who complained about the delay in boarding/disembarking. Now you can climb down from that horse. And you would be amazed how many people on this board have no clue when it comes to tipping etiquette.

No, that part was not clear. The only thing that was clear was how annoyed it all makes you. Not sure why you even want to follow this person's posts.

We never expected the board to create so much interaction with our neighbors. And you’re right, maybe they were just joking around about the Thing, and not purposely being creepy knowing there was an actual child in my room, who knows.

 

It was certainly a memorable part of our trip, that’s for sure (but we were actually kind of irritated that someone stole our Thing).

 

 

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I don't blame you for being annoyed. But knowing (afterwards of course), that it was all part of a game and there were kids involved that got a big kick out of it made it all sound like fun. Still not sure I'd want to put up any decor and deal with it though lol!

People’s definition of good pizza [emoji487] is so subjective...Depending on where they were raised. I posted earlier that Sorrentos pizza to me was like frozen pizza. But, I still eat it a few times a cruise...It’s not that awful for me to avoid it. As for not gaining weight!

 

I find it hard not to gain weight on a cruise...All the food...All the choices. Some ships have done Mongolia BBQ in the Windjammer on one night...I always eat more than I should. Now if I could just find some good chicken wings...I’d be in there.

 

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Yes, I agree. So many people are close minded when it comes to pizza and think it all has to be a certain way. However, if they thought of it as food, then they could fairly say if it was good or bad. In all my years, there's only been one time I've witnessed a New Yorker say how good a Chicago pizzeria was. He was truthful in saying he was biased but wanted to try this popular place. He admitted it was not what NY pizza is like, but as food it was excellent!

I don't think that is the case for most of these reviews though, I think people are actually saying this food is nasty lol.

If you don't want to "waste" OBC, you can get a cash advance at the casino for a 5% fee.

Ahhhhh, very interesting! I had no idea! :)

I second this. We had a lot of fun with our white board on our last cruise. Neighbors and passers by would leave messages and write their names down. There was even a “kidnapping” of one of our door decorations and a lot of ransom notes and negotiations to get it back left on the white board during the week, followed up at the end of the cruise with a meet up for the exchange (and to finally find out who did it). It was a woman down the hall, but about 10 kids who had been enjoying the drama showed up for the hand-off and tried to collect the ransom even though they didn’t have our decoration. I ended up giving them $5 to be in charge of getting our decoration back (which they did). It was all in fun, and they thought the $5 was really exciting even though they had to split it 10 ways and the ship doesn’t take cash.

 

However, after I got home I looked up the translation for some of the Italian that was written on our board throughout the week and it was a bunch of stuff about child molesting...not cool.

 

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Now that is just funny!!! Would've never thought of that...or expected it!!

(everything but the molesting was funny....hopefully they were referring to the thing 1 character..but still crass)

WHOA! I've only read page 1 but I am shocked at the horrible reviews! Guess I don't have to worry about gaining too much weight because that would be my only krytonite as far as junk goes. I was thinking I'd go to Sorrentos at least a few times. I just got off the Carnival Breeze and their pizza was pretty good. Not amazing, not cringe worthy, but definitely went a few times - once was even while other places were still open lol.

You have already been told repeatedly on other of your threads that those needing wheelchair assistance must wait until there is a wheelchair and pusher (who should be tipped btw) available. Depending upon how many people need this service, there may or may not be a wait. I remember several years ago someone was complaining that there was a large group from a senior center all needing wheelchair assistance to board and it took an hour to get everyone on board. Other times you can get right on.

And I'm sure they were grateful that they had the opportunity to go. Just as I would've been grateful that I wasn't in the wheelchair. Who are these people that move a little slower to get to a non-moving ship where all the amenities aren't even available yet decide to complain? I'm sure if anyone should be annoyed with the situation it should be the ones wheelchair bound on a very active vacation. They're probably the same ones following a thread by someone they don't want to see post questions....and then have the audacity to tell that person to tip as if they assume this person does not know proper etiquette...or that's it's not a personal choice.

Do you mind saying approximately what this suite cost? Ballpark?

 

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I just looked at a week long sailing on Anthem to Bermuda and for 2 guests in an owner's suite it was $2,900 a person ($6200 with port fees and taxes)....4 in the same room was $1,600 ($7500 with port fees and taxes)

Oh my! This sounds AMAZING! I had no idea this even existed! I can't imagine the cost but I certainly see why someone said they'd give up a few other cruises to be able to do just one like this. I will certainly put this on a short term bucket list (not short like this year, but not gonna wait 20 years either)! Is cost information available on the website or do you need to call in? For those who have done it, is it only certain ships, minimum sail days (like 7 days or longer), what kind of cost to expect.

I must say again, this sounds amazing!!

I'm always open to all-inclusive and luxury.

Okay, I just found the answers to my questions. Pricing comes up on the Royal Caribbean website but couldn't select it. Their website is horrible so might be able to in a different browser or have to call, who knows.

The Star Class is available on Quantam Class Ships - Anthem, Allure, Harmony, Oasis, Ovation and Symphony. I'm guessing number of days sailing doesn't matter but I only checked 7 and up. Prices did not seem astronomical, at least not for the sailing that I checked.

Star Class is any of these suites booked:

• Royal Loft Suite
  
• Villa Suite – 4 Bedrooms
  
• Owner’s Loft Suite
  
• Grand Loft Suite
  
• Owner’s Panoramic – 1 Bedrooms
  
• Grand Panoramic – 1 Bedroom
  
• Star Loft Suite
  
• Spacious AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony – 2 Bedrooms
  
• AquaTheater Suite with Large Balcony – 2 Bedrooms
  

On the website, Anthem lists a 2 bedroom Grand Suite with large balcony, but nothing called AquaTheater. There are no 2 bedroom suites in any other class so this one leaves me scratching my head. Would you get Star Class since that's the only class that has 2 bedroom suites? Or would it fall under Sea class that lists Grand Suite - 1 bedroom with balcony. I would think since Sea class specifically states "1 bedroom," then it's bumped up to Star class..but you never know.

Oh my! This sounds AMAZING! I had no idea this even existed! I can't imagine the cost but I certainly see why someone said they'd give up a few other cruises to be able to do just one like this. I will certainly put this on a short term bucket list (not short like this year, but not gonna wait 20 years either)! Is cost information available on the website or do you need to call in? For those who have done it, is it only certain ships, minimum sail days (like 7 days or longer), what kind of cost to expect.

I must say again, this sounds amazing!!

I'm always open to all-inclusive and luxury.

We just got back from a week on Oasis. There were over 40 people signed up for this tour. It was a disaster. The main group was broken up in to two smaller groups of 20 some people. The tour was a mess and after an hour we had only gone a few hundred feet from the cruise dock. At that point everyone started to leave the tour. The guide seemed to anticipate this and did not seem to mind in the least, in fact she was carrying an armful of maps and when people would tell her they were leaving she would smile and hand them a map. After RC received complaints from countless families that night as everyone got back on the ship they knew something was seriously wrong and agreed to refund all of our fees which were not cheap I believe it was $65 per adult and $55 per child.

Wow! That definitely sounds like a disaster (and a ripoff). Thank you so much for sharing. I can't believe you were still next to the ship an hour after it started. That's horrible.

I felt like they were healing waters. Only thing unusual was how well my knee has been compared to the last 20 years (with the exception of when I had a cortisone shot). Up and down the stairs is a brand new me. Run a mile or more at 4.0 and 4.5 incline on my treadmill. Before going, was taking the stairs one at a time. So God is the healer but He definitely lead me there.

Wow, $9.95! This price just keeps creeping up.

Plenty of discussion on how cruising used to be and on former drink prices too (including by me). Just read the thread. Of course topics of inflation and prices and the features now compared to then come in to play. It is all part of the equation.

 

I don’t think anyone here is a suck up to anyone to point out the realities of the current products relative to the old days. Before you allow yourself to feel like you were slapped in the face perhaps you should read some of the prior posts by me and others in this thread. Many involve what cruising used to be like. However, the OP started this thread with a topic and people talking economics is only natural given the way the thread was started. I don’t see how you could be shocked by this after reading the OPs opening comments/question.

I did read the thread, and I noticed that some people actually responded about what they used to like. One was a fantastic story that I tried replying to but waited too long to hit submit, so it was not posted.

And yes, the thread was a slap in the face because the title looks like a simple, inquisitive post that will bring up nostalgic conversations. But after clicking the link and reading the first line, it immediately went into criticisms on anyone who dare not recognize the awesomeness and vast improvements :rolleyes: of today's experience vs the past. Not only that, but the OP and if I remember correctly, yourself as well, made it a point to respond to anyone who dare speak against any nickle and dime tactics by reminding them of more then vs now costs.

If that is what the thread was intended to be about, don't say "I you have a question." It wasn't a question...it was a challenge, pure and simple. To immediately go into 'how it's really cheaper now,' is not looking for an answer, it's a person with their mind made up defending their view. Title the thread with what you really want to say, "Take a look at how cruising today costs less than the old days." Then if people want to debate because feel the new way of cruising has less value, so be it. But why pretend you actually were looking for some sort of inside look on what the wonderful days of old were like??

Wow! Gullible me for thinking this thread was actually someone wanting to ask a question to old school cruisers. Was slapped in the face to see it was a cruise line suck up only here to tell everyone to realize how much better the cruise industry is today and breaking down prices and inflation rates. How dare anyone actually yearn for the good times and relaxed atmosphere of all-inclusive vacations.

Amazing I didn't see anything in these price comparisons about the cost of drinks...that alone can almost double the cruise cost. Or the facts that (some) ships charge for movie theater now, and as someone else mentioned, the upsell is annoying....actually ANY sell. If I've paid a price for a vacation, I understand some extras will be offered. But I don't need every meal to have someone stopping by to try to talk me into shots or mimosas, every extra I buy isn't good enough...also have to be offered a package.

28 ships on a stick and a bunch of medals. Know nothing about cars, planes and one other ting I don't remember but I won that one even though I got there late--I was able to catch up.

 

I can't do the music ones--know all the tunes but couldn't tell you who sang it unless it was Elvis, The Eagles or the Beatles. Also never read Harry Potter and don't know Disney trivia at all.

 

Once I teamed up with 2 young ladies for the name that famous person you ID'd from pictures. I wouldn't know Brittany Spears if she came to my front door. They did. We won because I was the only one to ID Lady Bird Johnson. Everyone else said Queen Elizabeth or Margaret Thatcher!

I know this post is old but I just choked from laughing so hard!!!! LOL