LobsterStalker

39 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

That is all…

.But wait.... there's more 

9 minutes ago, Crazy planning mom said:

We will be sailing on the Symphony out of NJ this Fall.  Would it be better to schedule seeing the Aquatheater show when we are further south or as soon as possible?

I usually try to book it first thing in the week so when it gets cancelled they try to reschedule later on . 

However if I was out of NJ , I would probably go with the second available option in hopes to start that clock in a bit calmer waters . No guarantees of course but Odds are definitely in your favour further south

GL

Cheers

P.S. One time we were cancelled 3 times and never got it in at all. That sucked

2 hours ago, Denversail said:

We have made it to the beach club. The weather is nice just a little breezy. We have blue skies.
 

When we were exiting the ship they insisted we had to get towels. I even said we are going to the beach club and he still said we had to get them from the ship. I shouldn’t have listened they have towels here. Now we have to lug a bunch of towels around with us that we didn’t need.
 

We will just be lounging until our lunch at noon. 

You can turn your towels in on the island

2 hours ago, meansun said:

The unlimited dining package would offer some relief (probably), however, that would be an additional $654

Some relief maybe , but from what I read from others that is also going to be a challenge getting times you want at specialty this late in the game .

FWIW , also agree with FIREFLY That MTD is a disaster on royal . That's also my 2 cents , you're almost up to a nickel 

Cheers GL

2 hours ago, DandDM said:

Promenade was already busy!

Busy with who ? 

were you not the first ones back on board ?

During check in one of the questions ( As a Canadian) is for an address of where you will be staying if you are going to be in the US longer than 8 hours after you depart the ship ... What is the correct answer when you are going back for the following sailing ?

Thx

13 minutes ago, Denversail said:

This entire situation is all Dupable’s fault. I took Pup Pup in for his dental this morning. Why did I do this? Dupable that is why. 
 

I knew that I needed to get him in. I planned to do this in March after my trip. In mid January Dupable forwards me an email saying our vet is offering 10% off dentals in Feb. Well Wolf had just spent a lot on a dental for his dog a few months before so I knew how expensive it can get. I decided I should jump at the opportunity. I soon find out they only do them on Thursdays and today is my only option. I decide to take the risk and the discount would make it worth it.

 

They ended up needing to extract two of his large molars. So he now has sutures in his mouth. He needs medications and has restrictions for the next few weeks. I’m leaving one dog that won’t eat and another that has just been sown up and is on drugs. 
 

The best part was when they handed me the bill. It showed I was getting a $40 discount. So I take a page out of Dupable’s book and ask them to check the math. Last time I checked $40 is not 10% of $1350. The woman immediately says let me get the office manager. The woman comes out and very sweetly explains that the fine print notes that the discount is only applied to the basic cleaning. I counter with it feels a little bit like false advertising. In my head I’m now thinking Jesus, I sound just like Dupable. So I plant a smile on my face and thank her for explaining. Then I go to hand her my payment. She now starts explaining to me that the amount charged to my card will actually be 3% higher unless I have another form of payment. Now I’m just flabbergasted. I was just at this vet a few months ago and I knew I had used a credit card. I use them to buy everything and I’m well aware of places where I won’t want to. She explains it is a new policy they just implemented. Lucky me. Like mother like daughter I simply handed them my credit card. I wanted my dog back!🤣

It is ridiculous that people need second jobs just to take care of their pets.

Lmao !!  ... guess what 3% of 1350 is ?

Cheers

14 minutes ago, ATG said:

Captain just said maybe midnight or 2:00 am.

Lookin less and less likely that they will be able to salvage a stop at Labadee if that is the timeline. They could maybe make up some time but leaving 7-9 Hrs after scheduled departure will make it tough . If that is the case He Probably won't be in any big rush to get off anymore .

GL

Or if this is accurate hopefully I'm wrong... 

"New update I’m sure you heard: might be leaving between midnight and 2 am. Still expected to be in Labedee on schedule"

Will be interested to hear in a couple days how it played out 

Cheers

22 hours ago, Twenty2020 said:

 

I have not seen that for a while on a lot of Oasis class ships. Every GTY option has just been 'balcony'. 

that is all you see online but there are different categories that you do not see online available if you call or use an agent

2 hours ago, 2chiefs said:

Absolutely true!! Our first cruise was in 1996 in an inside cabin on the Monarch of the Seas and we paid $2600 for two (for a 7-day cruise)! We can still find prices that low for OV's and sometimes Balconies today. Of course we didn't know what we were doing so we probably overpaid somewhat.

My first cruise 07 Navigator , $1367 for 2 Promenade room. Got me hooked for sure !

Cheers

2 hours ago, jean87510 said:

We definitely are in the just add the grats to the cruisefare camp and end the debate.  BUT you will have the usual people boasting how they carry cash and tip every person a la Jimmy Conway in Goodfellas regardless of auto grats added.  So this will never end because people have this mindset they have to pay the salaries of the poor sad ice cream girl, the dishwasher and the guy who wipes the handrails and the rest of us shouldn't dare to cruise because we are cheap.  But it does make for good reading.

To be clear as I've stated , I'm still paying auto grats, though I'm uncertain for how much longer... This is where I find the psychology of these threads interesting though . You lump yourself with as you state "the rest of us" , when it seems to me you Are  in the camp of people with the mindset that IS paying the salaries of the poor ice cream girl..... etc. Because it seems , to me at least , that's what Auto Grats are doing 

It seems to me that many don't realize which side of the argument they are making .

Always provides good entertainment though .

Happy tipping!... (or not)

Cheers

1 hour ago, taglovestocruise said:

We have a local Mexican restaurant we have have gone to monthly over the last 22 years.  After the pandemic they went to a mandatory 18%, two years ago they added a addional  5% service charge. That was it, we have not been back in 2 years.

This is an interesting example. (IF) you had the option of reducing or eliminating that mandatory % , likely you as a loyal customer of 22 years would still be frequenting the establishment regularly , and likely tipping as you felt appropriate based on history and service ....

Cheers

15 minutes ago, yogimax said:

16 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

The tipping on a cruise is a rip off and the cruise company keeps a portion of it. 

So you are accusing RCCL, a major multi-national corporation of lying and theft?  Do you have any proof that the tips are not going to the staff?

He stated the company keeps a portion of it which has been widely reported as fact. They keep a portion for "Administration Fees". Outside of that the facts around how they are distributed among the crew and what portion actually end up as a subsidy to their actual wage so that RCI does not need to pay the full wage , Yeah...those facts remain cloaked in secrecy it seems . 

I have not yet removed auto grats on any cruise , but I am tipping more and more to that side of the fence as time goes on. Starting to feel raising my cash tips to steward and servers may do them much better in the long run .... And I do believe 20 years ago that is who it was suggested that we tip ... When did it change to tipping (ie paying wages) for all positions on the ship ? Record breaking  profits and skyrocketing fares , while guests gratuities subsidize wages ..? That is not in the spirit of what a gratuity is for in my opinion

But ... maybe I'm wrong , haven't figured it out for sure yet. I'm sure it will become clear as mud by the end of the thread ! 

Cheers all !

26 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

I haven't been there yet, but I've seen some You Tube videos, and the music wasn't loud. The area is large and there are plenty of lounges quite away from the music. The pool is also heated, which I like, and supposedly there is a 2000 person limit .I really don't know about that.

If capacity is actually that high , it should significantly impact crowds on the rest of the island.

....Either that or they'll upgrade the dock for a 3rd ship . 

Cheers

10 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

I haven't been there yet, but I've seen some You Tube videos, and the music wasn't loud. The area is large and there are plenty of lounges quite away from the music. The pool is also heated, which I like, and supposedly there is a 2000 person limit .I really don't know about that.

2000 sounds like a lot.

Where did you hear that 'supposed' information ?

15 minutes ago, Denversail said:

I might question the amount but not where it was going. I think that is what I find odd about all the tipping post. I could see myself creating a fuss if I thought I was being taking advantage of or overcharged but how the tips are distributed? I just think the argument is self serving and not for the actual concern of the workers. It is just BS. If you don’t want to tip accordingly then don’t. Stop trying to pat yourselves all on the back for it. 

Semantics...

If not for people feeling the amount was too high , they wouldn't be so apt to wonder where it is going.

Anyhow , Happy Cruising

Cheers

4 hours ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

I'm sure others can verify, I wasn't trying to suggest that,   I just was sharing my memory of stopping by twice and there was no music. I don't know if it was tactical, a change in service, or my one off experience.

Understood . And I wasn't implying you were trying to suggest anything. I have been there several times over the last couple years , And the DJ is always hyping up the crowd with the party in full swing ! . If that was not not the case then something is off. I only Hope my (suggestion) is not the case .

I'll be making to stops there in a couple weeks...May have to sneak out of Hideaway for a walk to confirm 

Cheers

41 minutes ago, time4u2go said:

51 minutes ago, cruisinfanatic said:

Wonder if it ever happens?

 

 

Do you have a question?

I think this is a question

38 minutes ago, Denversail said:

Why is this a thing? Who gives a crap? Why is it so hard for folks? Royal tells you the recommended amount. Why not just pay it and go about your business? Why dissect it? I think the obsession with it is really odd. Do you all question where your tips go when you eat at restaurants?

Not that i'm all excited about another tip thread  , but , If you went to a restaurant and they told you the 'Recommended amount' was now 45% ... would you just pay it and go about your business?... Or  question it ?

Maybe not for you , but For most people there is a limit reached in most cases  to where if they feel they are being treated unfairly they will decide to question it , and are fully within their rights to know where their money is going. 

Cheers

1 hour ago, RCCL Fan said:

 

We didn't stay all day.  I don't know.

 

I got off the ship around 11am.  Spent morning at Chill Island.   Left after lunch to walk around, (1pm ish)  went to the pool, it was empty, quiet, no DJ and water was cold.  Left, went to other spots on the island.  Hideaway Bay was pumping.   Can back to main pool 2:45ish on my way back to the ship,  pool still empty other than a view folks who told us they were from Canada and the cold water didn't both them, no DJ though.

 

 

Wow. If this is yet another tactic to 'encourage' people to spend more money , that is disappointing . Anyone who has been by the Oasis lagoon pool in the early afternoon can tell you the party has clearly been a HUGE hit ! If their intent is to now make you have to go to another venue and have to pay to get that same experience if thats what you are looking for ....They have reached another low.

Cheers

1 minute ago, RCCL Fan said:

Here's my experience with it.

 

Granted we were there with Icon and Vision  so not two big ships.   But Hideaway seemed to be a recreation of what the main pool area is, without kids.

 

A big pool, with a bar, and yes there was music going, and adult only.    It really was the exact same thing as the main pool just without kids.   

 

Now the day I visited the main cool was FREEZING, like majorly FREEZING and Hideaway wasn't.  But I'm thinking there may have been a mechanical thing.

 

And the DJ was no longer at the main pool area,   it was peaceful. 

 

There was live music at the captain jacks area though.

Are you certain there was no DJ for the entire day . My experience , He usually shows up maybe a bit before lunch and starts ramping up the vibe. Hard to believe that this would just be eliminated as many people (myself included ) have com to expect this as part of the experience . 

We have booked hideaway to check it out but this would be disappointing to show up at the main pool to no DJ

Cheers

5 hours ago, BND said:

We normally sit by the pool for the morning and bring lunch back to our loungers.  We usually head back to the ship around 1.  I just figured we'd check out Hideaway in April since it wasn't that expensive and see if we liked it.  If it becomes really popular we'll never see the low prices we see now again.  Again, the music isn't not loud and blaring in her video, but we shall see.  What we want is shade to read and maybe a few less people and more food choices.

 

I'm guessing ( For the Revenue ) they will cram as many in as possible and it will be as crowded as anywhere else on the island ... just not crowded with kids

Cheers

3 hours ago, cruisinghawg said:

5 hours ago, Luckynana said:

One last question..did any of you bother with MTD?  If so, was it chaotic, or did it run smoothly?  TIA

 

@ReneeFLL  Enjoy your cruise with @Ocean Boy this week!

You mean RC time dining yes? 

And was RC time dining chaotic or did it run smoothly ?

14 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Toby ended off the week on a high note by winning the Best of the Best competition on the Flowrider.  The first one to sign the board.  Thanks to his cheering squad of @Ozark_Kid (John and Sharon) and @FromSea2ShiningSea (Marty and Helen) ascwell as friends of mine who were also on this sailing along with a bunch of new friends he met on board.

Awesome , "First to sign the board"... That really is a cool accomplishment ! , Especially for a kid his age ... He'll definitely remember this trip for awhile for sure .

Cheers

On 2/2/2024 at 9:08 AM, Cruzin-K said:

Why on Earth would anyone do this without at least giving Royal Caribbean a chance to make it right?

 

The credit from Royal hit my card this morning. It took about 8 business days, but I got the refund. No need for escalation.

Something many may not think of in this situation... Along with the hastle and 8 days waiting to find out how it would work out ,As A Canadian I would also get charged with currency exchange fees on both the debit and then the credit , and still be out a few bucks from something clearly their fault . Another annoyance from something that never should have happened in the first place

Cheers