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Diamond member here- not that that matters- but just a point of reference, that I'm experienced with Royal and have been loyal to the brand.

I have seen service go down, but shrugged a lot of it off-- and continue to enjoy my cruises. However, what I saw tonight is truly ridiculous.

As we speak, my parents are aboard the Quantum out of NJ. The restaurant reservations are driving them insane- some get cancelled, some moved-- this is happening to a lot of people apparently and forced some to just go to the Windjammer. First world problems, right? I know.

Also- everyone on board I guess got free wifi because of many many problems with boarding today.

But- about 15 minutes ago I SKYPED with them from their room... yes, Skyped. It wasn't fast, but I got good audio and the video was choppy but usable. Anyway, as we were skyping, they pulled back their sheets and found BLOOD STAINS. My dad left to go downstairs and speak to someone after NO ONE answered housekeeping.

Keep in mind, they are not picky people. But blood stains? Nasty huge ones too-- they weren't exaggerating. I saw this since we were skyping. They had to wait and wait- and finally I witness a supervisor come in to their room and blame them!

Not joking- my fiancee walked out of the laundry room to see this on the computer since she was hearing it- the lady actually yelled at my parents and said it was chocolate from them! My dad kept his cool and calmly said "excuse me, but we have hardly been in the room all day since boarding, have NOT had chocolate and have no even pulled back the sheets until now"

This supervisor was so unbelievably rude. I lost the connection a few minutes after she left, but my folks said someone was coming up to change the sheets.

I know this sounds nuts- and it is. But now I'm honestly reconsidering a future sailing. Nuts- because I have not witnessed this myself, yet via skype (which we were surprised even worked- they were on WIFI) I saw and heard the whole thing.

Maybe I'm extra defensive bc its my parents. But when they get down to Puerto Rico or before, I will talk to them and see what happened.

I love Royal Caribbean, but I'm in completely disbelief at what I (digitally) witnessed tonight.

Guys chill...seriously.

It just seems like anytime someone posts a new topic lately, fights over this message board break out. It's irked me reading a lot on here.

I'm bowing out of posting anymore, and will delete my account. Back to just enjoying my cruises.

Farewell CC

Man, I appreciate the discussion... but I think some of you really like to go on here and act like you're the be-all, know-alls. They do wanna, go- they just pointed out the bad reviews.

Update: They are booked in a D-2 (got lucky, the price dropped $100 from this morning!) and are excited.

I wasn't asking whether or not you all thought they wanted to go or not, I was just pointing out some of the ridiculousness of some people's reviews (i.e. things like "menu doesn't change at all from day to day)

Sorry... what's even more frustrating is that I've been coming to these boards since 2006, and I've seen it go from great to just ok bc some people have a huge inflated ego and constantly start fighting with people. It's a little nuts!

I love reviews where the author basically admits they spent most of their time LOOKING for flaws.. furniture, railings, carpet. Really?

sorry, didnt mean to resend

AGREED... just interesting how some people can say what they say going on the same ship we do.

Different strokes, different folks

So we're trying to convince a couple to come aboard with us last minute on our upcoming cruise. Prices are great!

I get hit this morning with "have you read the cruise critic reviews??"

Looked at what they were talking about... people saying things like "the menu's each night in the MDR never changed except for 1 item"

I know everything's subjected, but do some people just not pay attention? Of course that's something we all know is false- of course they change.

Other things like people saying everything besides that and the Windjammer were extra (didnt mention cafe promenade, Sorrentos) and that the shows were all "sold out" so they couldn't go.

Frustrating bc I've been on 19 cruises with Royal and never experienced those things. Now I've got to make my friends "take my word" :o

Been reading that some other ships have this...anyone know if the five day liberty does?

If you're referring to my other post about people's complaints... This isn't a complaint, it's a question. Apples and oranges when talking about this and other complaining about spending thousands only "only" getting a free calendar as a free bonus gift

They haven't kicked diamonds out of hour lounge, and are giving everyone a calendar , and entering diamonds in a drawing for a free cruise.

This on top of them having the best consistent loyalty program in the biz, even with a few changes over the years.

First. World. Problems. People complaining need to be happy they can afford the luxury of being diamond members on a cruise line. Geez people.

no, that's the weird thing, guarantees are not, and have not been offered on suites or even balconies just yet.

I just feel, given prior experience that we are close out and have an unusual number of unsold rooms.

39 days out from our 5-day Liberty cruise. Happy with the D2 balcony room we bought (had it last time.. Freedom class D-balcony rooms are pretty roomy) but have been checking multiple times each day for JS's to drop in price.

Not only have they not, but they are more expensive now- despite the fact that hardly any (if any) have been sold. In fact, there are multiple cabins available in D's, E's, promenades, insides and multiple higher-end suites.

With only 39 days left to go, and SO much inventory, one would think they'd drop the prices, no?

The sheet said self disembark was from 6:15 - 7. We had Group 14 and the sheet listed 7:30 as our departure time. They called Groups 1-15 at 7:27 (not sure if some went earlier and they were just updating w/all groups at that point). We left about 8-8:02 and were in a taxi at 8:15 (AFTER picking up luggage, which you would not have to do). I think it's doable, but I would be stressed (but that's me!).

Cool-- if you need winter weather reports for this upcoming storm, count on Channel 8 for your coverage needs in the morning ;)

Where in Oklahoma do you live? I'm in Tulsa

Very interesting...

So-- *if* the prices drop in a sale next week or anytime leading up to the Jan 13th sailing, I know I can't get a price refund, BUT can I upgrade to a higher category at a new price, even if I've already paid in full?

Morning!

So glad we booked a few weeks ago when we did. I've been watching the price of my Jan 13th Liberty 5-nighter and it's essentially been the same since we booked for all categories.

This morning? Prices went UP... like over $200 up for some cabins. Why?-- especially since there are multiple cabins available in ALL categories.

In fact, I can't remember the last time there were so many unsold cabins this close to a sailing.

Why would the prices go up?

Booked in a D2, hoping to snag a price drop on a JS before we sail, we'll see!

I recently heard they were removing the nightclub on the Navigator to put in more inside rooms. Makes sense they'd be inside since on Voyager and Freedom-class ships, the club is near the bottom decks, under the promenade.

Why are they doing this though? Are there plans for another dance/DJ/Club venue on-board instead?

Personally, I always LOVED the Viking Crown Lounge on the Vision-class ships being used as the club. It was fun taking the elevators up and being right there on the dancefloor, with the DJ above looking around at nearly 360-degree views.

Always was disappointed going on other class-ships and not having the Viking Crown the nightclub.

Hey all,

Final payment went in for our Jan 13th (5) night Liberty sailing. I noticed though that the only shows listed the entire trip are the ice shows? No Sat. Night Fever, etc?

What gives?

I guess time will tell if I'm the liar :D

See my post this afternoon.... As far as we're concerned no one is getting booted.

The only people who are getting their panties in a bunch are those who for some reason feel like a small part of them would die if something like a bonus (NOT AN ENTITLEMENT) like access to the diamond lounge went away, thus taking away their sense of status.

First world problems, really.

The precious diamond lounge is not changing.

Here we go...

I ask questions on here bc I don't get to talk to our good family friend often, but finally had a chance to this morning. She works for Royal corporate and has dispelled rumors in the past.

THERE ARE NO PLANS TO KICK DIAMONDS OUT.

right now they are experimenting with the coupons, yes a lot of us know that.

They are also exploring options to minimize the crowding, not limited to coupons. The changes might vary from sailing to sailing (I.e. On ships with a lot of diamonds that week, the nightly happy hour might move to a lounge that's not being utilized much, if at all)

She went on to say not only are benefits NOT being taken away, but a few added bonuses may roll out mid-2014 that people may love)

Also, interesting to note that the windjammer menu is being considered for an overhaul (obviously excluding the dinner items from the dining rooms that are served up there each night)

Take it with a grain of salt, but she has been a trusted family friend who's worked for Royal since the mid 90s

Please remember you likely won't have DL access much longer, enjoy it while it still exists.

Family friend works for Royal... Changes are coming but there are NO PLANS to kick diamonds out. She broke news to us last time there was a big rumor..great source.

Thanks for the replies. We'll stick with traditional.

What if we want a table for two the second night on? Can we switch to MTD after the first night if the tablemates don't work out?

so you think it's better than if we stick with Traditional?

So my girlfriend and I are planning to try My Time Dining for the first time on our upcoming Liberty cruise in January.

Last time we had the traditional 8:30pm seating and a table for 2.

This time, we'd like to maybe start the first night at a larger table and see if it's a fun crowd; if not, we figure MTD would allow us to just get a table for two the next evening.

Question: do we need reservations if, let's say the first night we want to be at a table for 6 or 8? Either way, will they seat us with people who would first be starting their meal too, or would we be joining others at their table mid-way through a meal? (awkward)

Thanks!