Snowbird_in_training

We’ve done it both ways.   On a port intensive cruise, like the Med, we typically do not purchase the drink package.   When cruising the Caribbean with sea days and Royal owned private stops, we get it.   We’ve found that we do drink lots more on a cruise with  sea days and it allows us to experiment with drinks. On the port intensive cruises, we just don’t drink as much.   Off the ship by 8, back at 6, not much time to nurse even a slight hangover.  

We were on the Navigator in 2017 when a crew member was murdered in Bonaire. Didn’t stop ships from going there. 
 

Royal kept that murder very hush hush.  We only found out because our waiter in MDR knew the victim.  At first, said she was missing.   Next night, said she was back on board.  All a lie.  

Royal is obviously focused on new cruisers and the money they’ll bring, hoping they’ll become the new loyal to royal group.   When that group tires of the increased pricing, they’ll repeat the process.  
 

Many upper tier cruisers always sail in pricey suites, but far too many don’t.  Between all of the freebies they receive and the lower fares, Royal might be willing to sacrifice them in order to gain new money.  Maybe they hope the upper tiers will fill the ships during off seasons.  
 

For cruisers like me, 3 or 4 a year, the price increase we’ll absorb like everything else.  We’re the in between customer.  Not an upper tier, not a new cruiser with children.  We don’t always sail with Royal.   We choose on itinerary and date first, loyalty last.   It seems that everything related to travel is sky high. Airfare, hotels, cruise lines, resorts.  
 

it will be be really interesting to see how this plays out. 

@Biker19 thank you so much for that!    I’m so accustomed to being in read only, I don’t know the ins and outs of posting.   Thanks again.  

Merion_Mom

Yes I see the quote button.    When I try that it doesn’t allow me to type anything. 
 

I do truly thank you for pointing that out and I truly appreciate whoever thought it was hilarious.  
 

This almost reminds me of my second suite sailing with my son and daughter in law.   It was their second cruise on Royal. They were yelled at (with truly raised voices) by a  name tag wearing seasoned cruiser for daring to walk towards CK because the SL was full of Pinnacles and their carryons.   Oh, how they felt welcomed by the seasoned cruisers.  
 

Have a wonderful cruise.  

(I can’t figure out how to quote anything, I’m not a frequent poster)

I can understand Royal needing the loyal cruisers in slow season, when it seems most of the higher loyalty class cruises.  I still think they’re making the most money from the newer cruise families. 
 

When it comes to the higher loyalty class jumping ship for another cruise line, I’m sure some have.  Royal’s product is not for everyone.  But for those claiming they’re leaving because of a recent change, they’ve gone through tons of changes already.   Midnight buffets, MDR experience that really could compare to fine dining.   For something now to trigger them to leave might suggest they’ve just tired of cruising.  It happens.  

I know my opinion won’t be popular among the frequent cruisers, but here goes.  
 

Royal is after the first time cruiser family.  Those families don’t know what all of you used to experience on their ships.   They look at the slides and other entertainment options and they’re in love.  
 

For those of you who are D+ or P, yes service has been reduced.  So has the quality of the food. Royal is gifting you several free drinks per day. I know many claim to have “earned” those drinks.   That’s your choice to believe that.  Most loyalty programs have changed drastically as of late.   Is Royal concerned about losing your business?  Not really.  Ships are sailing at mostly full capacity.  If you decide to take your discounted business, with many freebies elsewhere, they’ll  just replace you with a family paying full price and purchasing drink packages.  

i always wonder how many of the posters here who claim they’re never cruising again because of some freebie cutback have actually stopped cruising.  
 

I think it’s better to enjoy whatever type of vacation you’ve chosen.  

The cruise lines are a for profit business.  They're just trying to stay in business.  If the CDC won't allow them to operate and someone else will, of course they're going to do it.

For those of you who live within driving distance to the ports, you will eventually be able to go back to that type of cruising, I'm sure.  But, in the meantime, for those of us used to flying into a departure city to board a ship, we might be looking at this as simply a new departure port.  Miami, Port Canaveral, Port Everglades, Nassau, Bermuda.   I never get excited about where we're flying into to board a ship.  

If these cruises actually sail successfully, it will be a good barometer for the CDC to use to possibly change their mind.  

Yes.

We plan to book Adventure out of Nassau.

It won't be the same, but what is?   At least, there will be big reason to smile.  You can still see a smile in a person's eyes.  

We are vaccinated and ready to go.  Will it cost more than we have previously paid?  Probably.  But, so does everything else.  Have you seen the cost of lumber?  Or gasoline?

I'm sure the ships will sail at full capacity, whatever that capacity ends up being.  

We plan on booking the Adventure out of Nassau.

It's so different for those of us not in Florida - to board a ship and stop at ports for a beach day sounds like heaven.  Since we don't have access to daily sunshine or beaches, it's appealing to us.   Airfare is airfare.  Honestly, it costs as much to fly into Miami as it does to go to the West Coast.   We've flown into Nassau before, for our overpriced Atlantis vacation.  If I remember correctly, airfare into Nassau wasn't so much.  

We've been vaccinated and we trust the vaccine to work.  I'm sure there will be restrictions and cruising, like life in general, won't be the same as it was.   We'll keep our fingers crossed that we don't have an extended Hurricane cruise.  But, we're ready to pack our bags and go.  

My opinion comes from a non status cruiser.  We cruised on NCL Escape and were pleasantly surprised with food choices and quality.  Their dining rooms aren’t large like you find on RCCL mega ships.  You are more likely to be seated with just your party.  With NCL specialty dining usually included for 3 or 4 nights, you can really have a great dining experience.  We didn’t cruise in The Haven, but have now cruised twice in a Grand Suite on RCCL where you have access to Coastal Kitchen.  On NCL we certainly felt that we had enough alcohol to satisfy us.  If you want a specific brand, you can ask and just be charged the difference.  I did that on the Escape, but wasn’t charged.  We left it with our tip. 
 

I totally agree that more ships should have something like Howl at the Moon.  Truly enjoyable.  Harmony’s production shows are simply superior, if that’s your thing.  
 

After our Escape cruise, we tried to compare the cost with our last balcony cruise on RCCL. The cost was incredibly similar.  We’re happy we cruised with NCL and we don’t hesitate to cruise with them again. 

Looking forward to this review!   

Symphony May 2020 day pass is $69.  Beach club cabana $1199.  Overwater cabana $1499. Crazy pricing, but they’ll probably all be sold out.  There’s obviously a decent demand for the cabanas.  

Haven’t seen this posted, apologies if everyone already knows.  
 

All day Coco Beach Club access is now showing up in our cruise planner for May 2020 Symphony Cruise.  
 

Price is $69.00 per adult. 

Just now, Merion_Mom said:

 

I'm sure he did.......................last year.

Oops, my bad.  

I guess a few of us made the same mistake.  

Moderator, please delete my post.   

Please delete.  

5 hours ago, stoneman56 said:

My opinion, give it a miss and stay in an airport hotel. Miami as a whole is a pit and South Beach in particular is dire. Rip off dinner prices, oh don't forget they automatically add a 20% tip to your bill which is illegal.

You give them bills and even if you pay the tip you won't get any change. We got chased 2 blocks up Ocean Drive by a waiter once because I left him 35 cents less than the total bill including tip.

We always felt a bit on edge, intimidated, English is not the first language there. 

We’ve stayed in Miami twice before other cruises, to be honest, it just felt like a city.  Nothing special other than cruise ships. I’ve seen mixed reviews about airport hotels, so we’ll skip those.   If we could afford the Fountainbleu (600) we’d stay there.  

2 hours ago, dhdelrod said:

Hampton Inn on South Beach is nice and inexpensive

We actually looked at that hotel.  Price isn’t that important, we just want to be comfortable for one night.  And maybe see the sights of Miami Beach.  

On 7/9/2019 at 5:18 PM, Flymia said:

Not a hassle at all. 

 

For dinner I suggest YardBird (make reservations) right off Lincoln Road, which should not be missed for walking around before and after dinner. 

 

Edit: 

 

Are you coming Memorial Day weekend? Then Miami Beach is a hassle and should be avoided. 

We won’t be there Memorial Day weekend.  Early May.    Thanks for the restaurant recommendation!

We just booked Symphony for next May.  Airfare is truly crazy expensive!   Those of you living within driving distance to the ports, be thankful.      We are arriving just one day pre cruise and would love to stay on Miami Beach instead of downtown.   It’s just one night, would like to just take a walk, have dinner and sleep.  Is it a hassle to/from Miami Beach as opposed to downtown? Any suggestions where to stay?    

Thanks as always for any suggestions.  

Following also.  We are new to NCL, also going to Bermuda on Escape in two weeks.  Can’t wait to read everything.  Enjoy your cruise!

I’m sorry for anyone with an itinerary change.  

Not everyone has been to Nassau dozens of times.   For some of us who aren’t constant cruisers, Nassau is still a port to explore.  Any port, after many times there, becomes a little boring.  

We spent a wonderful day on Coco Cay in May while on Harmony.   It didn’t have an amusement park feel at all.  It felt like a very relaxing pool/beach day.   You really don’t need to spend a penny there.  It’s your choice.  

If Royal starts noticing revenue dropping and ships starting to sail at less than full capacity, maybe then they’ll stop changing itineraries.  Until then you’re still on a beautiful cruise ship with thousands of new friends.  

I wonder how many Suite guests use SL for “free drinks”.   I have no data, of course.  My suspicion is it’s quite low.   Taking away a lounge that’s used as a comfortable gathering place won’t make much of a difference.  Taking away or limiting “free drinks” could cause an uproar.   

Another great thing about CK, the staff there will remember what you liked during a meal and ask if you want that same thing during your next visit.   If it’s on the menu or not.  It might be as simple as fruit.  We really liked that.  The MDR at times is just so rushed for the staff, it’s surprising they have time to refill your water glass.   CK staff truly does go that extra length for you.   

11 minutes ago, El Abuelo said:

We recently cruised on Harmony in a GS and didn’t have any of the issues folks mention here. No overcrowded lounge, no packed CK, no obnoxious kids running around the suite area, no little groups snickering and staring.  Nada. I feel deprived. It was so bad we couldn’t even tell apart the pins vs the suite guests - exception one family which was far too condescending and obnoxious to be pins.

 

Our suite stay was, in all aspects, a normal experience. Not perfect, but enjoyable. When reading threads like this I get the impression some people look for reasons to complain, or set their expectations too high. 

 

Just my $0.02

Since I started this thread, my initial post #1 was not complaining.    I loved the cruise.   As I stated, we’re hooked on the suite life.   I stated, and will continue to state MY observations on what I feel could be improved.  This IS, after all, a website called CruiseCritic.