bigboffs

We believe the "new" Chops menu makes Giovanni's menu look even better. There, we enjoy the cioppino soup, the ante pasta and the shrimp with risotto as appetizers. The lamb chops and steak rank high. With our entree, we usually have the eggplant Parmesan as a vegetable (which is listed as an appetizer), the merged flavors being great. For dessert we have the tirimisu, the two flavors of cannoli and the cup with a name now forgotten.

Great board, thanks for doing this.

Be aware that the RCCL Co credit cards on Bank of America not long ago made significant changes in the benefits you can receive. For us, and as others have noted, their are better deals elseware

Capt Kjetil Gjerstad should be master unless he gets moved to a different ship, he's been assigned to LB long enough (RCI likes to move masters about every 3-5 years).

Capt Kjetil of Liberty is planning to switch with Capt James of Explorer

It's really a simple solution, if you don't like the price don't book it.

 

A truly brilliant analysis and conclusion

Has anyone received an "upselling offer to an upgrade" when the cruise was booked thru a travel agent?

I have found that the people that think Royal's prices are equivalent are those who have already spent tens of thousands on Royal to reach the status which provides significantly discounted rates. For those of us starting from scratch, Royal can be a good 20-30% higher than equivalent lines/itineraries.

 

Many of us who have been "Loyal to Royal" are not happy with the current RCCL pricing schemes and are now looking elsewhere. On our last few cruises, a main topic in the Concierge and Diamond Lounges has been 1) fewer bookings by these people on RCCL and 2) other cruise line options.

With the RCCL " Buy one get one 50% off sale", the adage of Caveat Emptor (buyer beware) applies.

Despite stirring up the "Cheer Leaders" I am of the personal opinion that RCCL's IT system has a long inglorious history. Having issues similar to the OP, we suggest you call the TA about a week before sailing and have them confirm, while you are on hold, that their offer(s) were credited. If not, the TA has the time to have the problem corrected.

Just got off the Explorer. Captain Rick left today for his much deserved vacation.

 

Had a great float.

On the Oasis and the Allure, the sports deck is 15 and it almost always produces noise day and night that can be heard in the cabins below on deck 14.

THanks

I couldnt find the new menu either but had heard there was an upcharge which I think is ABSURD!!!

Can I cancel my reservation?

frank

 

Suggest you call Crown and Anchor. They can cancel it for you. Giovanni's is still worthwhile

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqType=faq&faqSubjectId=336&faqSubjectName=Food+%26+Beverage&faqId=3229

 

Since 9/1/14 we have been on the Oasis, Allure, Explorer, Liberty and Independence (last ending 12/20). We tried Chops on all (NEW MENU) and simply put this is not the menu we were presented. The basic charge was $35. Many items, including the Porterhouse have an "upcharge" of $18 or more. There are seven vegetables 4 being potatoes( mashed, baked, French fries and tater tots; 2 spinach (creamed and sautéed) and mushrooms. The appetizers, included the shrimp cocktail but left off many on the old menu. As a matter of personal preference we do not believe the Chops new menu is worth going to the restaurant. We understand that others may disagree.

After our last 3 Chops dinners on three different RCCL ships, we will not return. Now, in addition to the basic cost, there are "up charges" as much as $18 or more for many items previously included such as the T bone steak. With the exception of the Veal chop parmesan, the entrees we have had were at best OK compared to what they were on the prior menu. With the entrees standard are served 7 "different" vegetables with dinner ( 4 potatoes--mashed, baked, French fries and tater tots; a creamed and a sautéed spinach; and mushrooms). Some of the appetizers (ie. shrimp cocktail) were excellent and the desserts are OK.

 

Our last visits to Giovanni's on the last three ships, to us, offered a much better overall dining experience than Chops.

We have been on at least 10 trans Atlantics, many in April. From our experience, those taking the northern crossing to/from places like Boston and Cape Liberty, general have periods of rough seas and very cool weather. Those that take the Southern route to/from Florida generally have calm seas and warm but not really hot weather unless into the Caribbean area.

Add us to the ones no longer going to Chops. The new menu includes entrees included in the $35 cost and "upgrades" for a high price for items included in the prior menu. On our last try, we were with 3 other couples. None were really satisfied. For example the filet was allegedly 6 oz prior to cooking and after at medium rare it was about half that weight. The other meats had the same issue. The vegetables included 4 types of potatoes (mashed, baked, steak fries and large tater tots), limp and tasteless spinach, and mushrooms with a canned appearance and taste. The "upgrade" entrees reminded us of frozen steaks available at places like Costco and Sams Club. Our trips to Giovanni's and Samba Grill are still well worth the cost for excellent meals and service

When a person needs medical evacuation, normally they are taken to the nearest "appropriate" medical facility. The patient does not make the choice and "world class" is not material. In the Caribbean we have seen people taken off to hospitals in places like Nassau and the Dominican Republic . If the patient is lucky enough to be near the US, that's where they are taken. In Europe we have seen evacuations to Italy, Greece and Turkey.

As to Florida sailings, we have almost always found the Windjammer extremely crowded between boarding time (which varies) and 1PM when rooms become available. Finding a table to eat is a definite problem. On other sailings, there does not seem to be a pattern

As long as people are willing to pay for WiFi , others will charge for its use.

We also received that erroneous Email. Just another example of Royal's IT systems long time problems.

Deck 14 is directly below the sports deck and a cabin there may be noisy a lot. Go for 12

As said on another thread, if you have a cabin on deck 14, it is directly below the sports deck. Depending on the activity on 15 above your cabin, it can be noisy a lot of the time.

Having been in both Central Park and Boardwalk cabins more than once. We prefer BW for reasons already stated. A word of caution tho. If you have a cabin on Deck 14, it is directly below the sports deck and depending on the activity above, can be constantly noisy

So what are your though on compulsory pre paid gratuities for MTD being a "Suggestion" but must be paid? and RCI calling gratuities "A service charge" in Australian T&C,s?:)

 

By voluntarily selecting MTD, a passenger agrees to pay for services rendered in advance and irrespective of the quality of services rendered. It is thus a service charge and not really a gratuity despite the cruise lines calling it such. To me, the cruise line can call it what it wishes but that does not change what it is. I also believe that there are valid arguments for both sides of the issue and thus these boards beat the subject over and over.

yes .. totally understand ..my partners a diabetic too and on our last cruise on Explorer he found many of the mousse type desserts both in WJ and in MDR that suited him ... i.e. not baked desserts .. im sure one night he even had sugar free ice cream in MDR too after he asked our waiter.

 

he even commented that he was pleased with the selection of desserts he was able to have .. and avoided the cake-type things . Hes type 2 but was able to satisfy his sweet tooth (granted, while still looking longingly at what the rest of us were having! )

 

On some RCCL ships and depending on the head chef at the time, real sugar free desserts such as mouse is available. There is no fleet wide directive to provide this tho...I wish it were. By the way, the last time I was offered "sugar free" ice cream, it was really a "no sugar added product." On those ships with a Cafe Prominade, some offer a different flavored sugar free mouse every day. I believe that this is an issue RCCL should address fleet wide.