bigboffs

Our experience. The host/hostess of Coastal Kitchen takes reservations. When near capacity, no "visitors" are allowed.

Almost all of the so called chair hog problems are directly related to RCCL virtually refusing to enforce its own rules.

I experienced Carlington in the DL on Enchantment. He's a sweet gentle giant! Very capable in assisting you.

We were on the Freedom b2b end of January with Bertie and Carlington. They were awesome.

As a guide, the longer the cruise and the large number of days missed school will greatly reduce the number of kids onboard. Having taken (and scheduled to take) re positioning type cruises, there are very few kids

Labadee is part of Haiti, a severely impoverished nation. Since the earthquake of 1/12/10 it has had UN Peacekeepers trying to keep a level of civility;however, civil unrest has become a growing problem. Millions of dollars in aide has had some but little positive effect. I am sure RCCL monitors the problems there.

As others have said, unless you have no choice or enjoy a "party" cruise, avoid spring break. Also, having worked in Puerto Rico off and on for several years and cruised from there, while it may be a little better than other US ports, we believe not by much. Also keep in mind that altho RCCL has rules for passengers, enforcement on our two cruises during spring break was at best lax during those party cruises. We will not do it again.

There seems to be no uniform RCCL policy regarding labeling in the Windjammer as to either Gluten or Sugar free. In our experiences some of the managers are very diligent in the labeling and others simply do not care. As mentioned, when in doubt check with either a buffet manager on duty or a chef (not a server). This is what we do.

For most of the Caribbean ports of call, the dominant options are shopping and/or beach. If neither are appealing, a viable and most pleasant option is to stay on the ship. In our opinion (others may well differ), Nassau and Falmouth are among those we avoid. Grand Cayman is a tender port and very expensive. Often there are 6 or more (we have seen 9) other ships there at the same making large crowds onshore. If the passenger is new to cruising or a very infrequent one, all ports of call are worth a visit. Many "frequent floaters" consider these ports of call as a sea day.

Taxi fares in PR are a set amount per trip. As others have said for 2 or more it is far cheaper than a RCCL transfer and faster. The taxi drivers all speak a passable English.

RCCL has a long history of test marketing a new revenue source or a cost savings on a ship and if it generates enough profit, it is implemented fleet wide.

 

Considering the basic cruise prices in recent years, personally, we are very reluctant to pay for "extras."

I suppose the size of the OV shown as 206 square feet is also a transposition :D

Ocean views are approx 139 sq ft. Insides are approx 117 sq ft.

My DH family's was in the poultry business and he is very familiar with chicken parts. Recently on the Navigator, he identified chicken backs in several offerings. He was amazed that RCCL would do this. It was clear to him that chickens were chopped up indiscriminately like someone just whacked at it.

Great job you are doing. Thank you

Currently on Navigator, Captain Frank confirmed he is leaving Saturday for vacation. Captain Aris is due to relieve him.

Agreed. :)

agree

The Diamond lounge is on Deck 14 forward adjacent to the cosmopolitan club which could be used as overflow from the Diamond Lounge if needed.

Samba then giovani

Note that in the Cruise Compass it states that the SUGGESTED attire is formal. There is no rule. Also, since RCCL does not define "formal", in today's society that type of attire is wide open to individual interpretation.

Thank you for the great updates.

Just tried again. After log in, both my cruises and profile give a blue screen. Always amazed that the RCCL web site has a long inglorious history of being user challenged.

We had a cabin on Deck 14 abt two years ago. The constant noise level from the Sports Court above led us to conclude chose your room carefully. For example under the video arcade or "Oasis Dunes ( Putting green) should be fine. It looks like your have Central Park cabins are under pools. You may hear pump motors but cant say from own experience since we have not been in that area

Does anyone know Rich Edwards - we've never had him as cruise director - does he sing, dance, etc. Any information would be helpful - thanks

Hi Bernice and Bob

 

He is a fabulous cd -- friendly, talented, very visible, always gives me a big hug when we see each other

 

Looks like we will see you on the Freedom -- party time?

Thank you for proving my point about having a knee jerk reaction to the item based on the name alone. I'm sure if Royal had marketed the former as potato croquettes and the latter as steak frites or truffle fries there'd be less complaints.

 

Although you as an individual may change the name, on the plate in Chops they look,smell and taste like tater tots and french fries. By the way,over cooked spinach called creamed or sauteed that was served to us and to the tables nearby would be bad whatever fancy name is applied. Bottom line is that the current version of Chops is a far cry from it's former.

There are nine sides, 4 of which are potato based. On the old menu, it was 3 out of 9. For comparisons sake:

 

Old Chops Sides

• Rock Salt Baked Idaho Potato
  
• Double Whipped Mashed Potatoes
  
• Roasted Potatoes with Prosciutto and Parmesan
  
• Sauteed Broccolini
  
• Crimini Mushrooms and Leeks
  
• Baby Bok Choy and Shiitake Mushrooms in Oyster Sauce
  
• Steamed Asparagus
  
• Fried Onion Rings
  
• Succotash
  

New Chops Sides

 

 

 

• Gruyere Cheese Tater Tots
  
• Creamed Spinach
  
• Grilled Jumbo Asparagus
  
• French Fries
  
• Truffled Corn
  
• Roasted Mushrooms
  
• Mashed Potatoes
  
• Salt Baked Potato
  
• Sauteed Spinach
  

So you have two sides stay the same (mashed potatoes and baked potato), two sides modified (Crimini Mushrooms and Leeks become Roasted Mushrooms; Steamed Asparagus becomes Grilled Asparagus), and then five sides replaced. For ease, let's say that Truffled Corn replaces Succotash, Sauteed Spinach replaced Sauteed Broccolini, French Fries replaces Onion Rings, Creamed Spinach replaces Baby Bok Choy, and Tater Tots replace Roasted Potatoes. You gain a potato dish, but you also lose the onion rings, so is it really that more unhealthy?

So far this calendar year we have taken 7 RCCL cruises of 7 days or more. During the first three, neither asparagus nor truffled corn were available although listed on the web site. Not unusual for the RCCL site to have errors. We have not returned since to learn if those items were now available, prices have become lower, the quality better or service improved. As to healthy items, by limiting our sides to the broccolini,steamed asparagus, and plain mushrooms and leaks we were able to have healthy sides.

The "new" Chops menu now includes higher prices, poorer quality food ,much slower service,and carbohydrate heavy sides( of seven, 4 are potatoes). :mad: