Twenty2020

Edited, just realized this is a year old.

Yes now that I've seen them and know what we are talking about. I don't think the price is that out of whack. I at first thought this was your typical milkshake.

What attraction is there a benefit? Only one I know of is a priority line for the Flowrider.

I hear this mentioned a lot regarding avoiding the WJ on embarkation day, but nobody mentions what ship they are on. Is it better / worse on certain classes?

After watching Matt's video I'm not really that excited about going out and booking this ship. It looks like basically a glorified Oasis class ship. And to be honest Boardwalk looks better than Surfside and Central Park looks nicer on Oasis class ships. I also don't think the Solarium trade off for Aquadome is a positive. Only positive additions I see are the increased number of casual dining spots, such as the food hall. Which basically is copying ideas that have already shown up on other lines. The Pearl and Promenade area look really good. The rest of the place looks like a Margaritaville resort. Down to the fake palm trees.

You haven't been on a cruise in 8 years, and don't plan to go on another one.... But you hang out on a cruise forum to just complain about cruises that you don't go on? That's a bit, uh....odd.

I'm not a food snob either. I'm perfectly fine eating pizza and drinking beer or Olive Garden level Italian food, if the situation calls for it. I've also had meals that were at the $500pp level in true top tier restaurants in major cities. Point is, I imagine that people that can afford Royal's new ships while taking their kids with them, likely at least understand what is actually good food (or not), contrary to the ridiculous post above about "newbies". The MDR food has never been much better than a modern mid-tier chain offering. It's totally fine for what it is, but it was never gourmet dining. (I mean maybe it was in the 80s or something, I have no idea).

I've been on RC ships going back 25 years now. And the food has never been a stand out item, IMHO. Good, yes, but not stand out.... And definitely no better than a mid tier restaurant experience at home. Certainly never approaching true gourmet fine dining. The only thing that stood out to me in those earlier years of cruising (which for me was 2000ish) was the high level of service. Not necessarily the food itself.

Hilarious. You think a family that can drop $15k/wk for an Icon sailing is used to eating at McDonald's and doesn't know any better as to what is good food?

Haven't been to Disney for over a decade. But have gone to a lot of pro sporting events and those are not normal prices. I'm used to the $12 beers, but a $18 milkshake?

That's probably the Indian dishes.... Some people's favorite. Do you not like Indian food or know what it looks like? Seems like you've talked yourself into having a bad time.

You register when you get on board. But would like also hear about the actual experiences families have been having.

I was going off of this Ok thanks. That is from Oct25 and onward, correct? From April '24 - Oct '25 it looks like only Rhapsody is in San Juan. Mostly 7Ns...a few 8-10Ns.

So if Royal no longer doing port intensive Southern Caribbean itineraries? Seems they used to have offerings leaving from Barbados and San Juan.... But looking forward I'm seeing nothing other than Rhapsody out of SJ going into 2026. Really hoped to find something other than Vision class but perhaps need to look at other lines?

Seems to me that the best time to take someone on an older ship would be their first cruise, as they have nothing to compare it to. Pls bring a port heavy cruise, the ship becomes less relevant. I think most 'complaints' you see on these older ships is from someone that goes once or twice on an Oasis class ship, then guess on one of these and complains there is 'nothing to do'.

They don't show all the actual inventory online. You can look at a cruise 2 years from now and it will say crazy things like "only 4 left" on this deck. When in reality there are gobs of them. You'll get a balcony since you've booked a balcony GTY. Wouldn't worry.

Track on deck 12. Good for the morning or evening or anytime the pool area is not busy. Deck 5 has a very wide promenade that's probably even better. Very few people there ever, plenty of room and all in the shade. Think you do have to to go up a deck in the bow area and then back down.

How are the slides on VOTS? I had read a few reviews that said they were really slow and lame.... But I could have been mixing that up with another ship.

That's great. I was concerned that with no kids pool area / splashaway and what appears to be a significantly shrunken AO area compared with other Voyager class ships that we may have made a poor choice of ship.

What were the ages of the kids in your group? Did they all enjoy AO? How many sessions did they attend and what were some of the activities? We're going on VOTS with a 9&6 yo.

Not sure what exactly you are looking for, but I've been finding Celebrity offerings for less than RC. Don't recall seeing that too often in the past.

Saw some posts on Reddit from people on the cruise, he was apparently climbing on the outside of the balcony railing....a stunt gone very bad.

Kind of agree....as far as space we could get two connecting balcony cabins and it would still be like $800 less.

Our family is considering grabbing a 2 BR Grand Suite on IOTS for a 4 nighter going to Perfect Day and Nassau. Really trying to determine if the grand suite benefits are worthwhile. I know there is access to the suite lounge, and complimentary drinks in the evening. Some of the other main benefits would seem to be reserved seating at shows and pool deck area. How beneficial is this? Also, does anyone know where the reserved seating is located in the pool area for Indy? I thought it used to be on the tiered seating but read some ships had moved it up on top of the bar, which isn't really a desirable area. Any other benefits that I'm missing? Thanks!