cruisesR4me

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Is there no more sparkling wine/champagne in the DL?

I haven't found any reviews that mention the shower dispenser is gone. Can you point me to these trip reports? None of the reviews for the last two months of CC mention this as a problem.

Was on Vision this past Fall right after the refurb. I was in an outside room. I can confirm that there are no wall dispensers in the showers anymore. I had to ask the room steward for shampoo as I had assumed that the wall dispenser would be there like it is on all the other RCCL ships.

Wow, really? That's quite interesting.

 

I've only been on 3 Royal cruises, and every one of them had a price drop that I took advantage of. Mind you - 3 might not be a sufficient sample size? I too book in advance - anywhere between 8-20 months.

 

Edit: I sign up to that price tracker, and I get notifications of all price drops. I also check that same website every day too. So, when a price drop comes, I am on it within hours.

Would you be able to tell me what that price tracker is? How would I access it? Thanks, I hope there is a way you can tell me that is allowed on this board.

So glad you came back to finish your review. Your son is adorable!!

Enjoy your future cruises and as much as I will miss reading and seeing your photos, I certainly understand your priorities.

Loving your photos. I have never been on this class of ship and your photos are helping me visualize what it is like. Thanks !!!

Chris- I really appreciate you doing your reviews. It gives me a chance to get that cruising "thrill" when circumstances are keeping me from being on a ship for the near future.

Now if only someone would invent a way we could feel that ocean motion while sitting home reading these live reviews!!!

While 200% is the tradition of the cruise industry and it is true ships have many channels to fill cabins, the market as a whole has changed.

 

I do not expect them to offer discounts to solo travelers during peak times when their ships are already full, but when you see a market like South Florida with the addition of the MSC Divina, Carnival Breeze, NCL Getaway, Royal and Regal Princess and soon RCL Anthem of the Seas and the new level of ship capacity, I do expect them to find new channels to fill this capacity. This also makes some of the older ships less attractive and thus further weakens these ships position in this VALUE relationship.

 

I am a strong supporter that they will find the solo cruiser crucial to their future growth, especially during non-peak periods.

 

When I go to Vegas every December and stay at the Mandalay Bay for $19 to $39 a night (single or double), with between $50 resort credit per day or $100 per booking offered along with 3 meal MGM dining plans sold for $40-55 a day, I know that this is being offered as they have excess capacity in the month of December. I would feel gauged if they did not fluctuate pricing based on capacity in this case and have been conditioned to expect it.

 

When I head over to NYC every February and get great rates (single or double) on hotels on Priceline or Hotwire, find many last minute half-price theater tickets (per ticket) and have great shopping, dining and cultural activities at my doorstep. I know this is capacity related and I can only get these great deals in January and February.

 

The whole concept of VALUE is not directly related to money, but to where you feel you get the most SATISFACTION for the money you spend.

 

Most solo travelers will tell you there are many 'negatives' currently to sailing as a solo. I think for growth you will have to offer price 'incentives' to any market to experience growth.

 

While RCIs current pricing may somewhat maintain a loyal following, it will not bring them growth in this sector. They just need to make up their minds what they want.

 

The current dissatisfaction among some of us 'solo' travelers on RCIs current pricing is not based on the price, but rather on the fact that we have now been conditioned to feel that a 'mass-market' cruise offers about $90 to $150 a day VALUE to us, when choosing among all the many travel options we have available to us. This is especially true, when we consider all the time we spend in the bars, spa and specialty dining venues.

-like-

Café promenade always offers some type of vegetarian sandwich which is usually quite tasty. I believe this venue is open 24 hours.

Tho .. theyre putting the veggie burger on the same grill where meat is cooked .. and using the same spatulas the flip and serve meat burgers with ... does that still count as a non meat burger? Just askin!

Well years ago when I first became a vegetarian this would be a big no no for me. I would eat nothing that was cooked anywhere near meat.

25 years later I will eat a veggi burger cooked on a grill that has been used to cook meat. Not a perfect situation but when I'm hungry I just go with the flow.

I still will not eat tomato sauce that at one time had meatballs cooking in it though. Waiters have a hard time understanding that for some reason.

My stock answer is, would you want to eat a sauce that at one time had dead bodies floating in it. Graphic, I know, but it helps them understand.

I have been a vegetarian for many years. I really miss the Indian dishes that they used to have on the menu each night in the main dining room!!

I find the windjammer hit or miss. Lately when I cruise, I have learned that if you ask someone behind the counter by the hamburgers to make you a veggi burger that they will. It takes awhile as they have to go to another kitchen to get the patty but to me it is worth the wait as sometimes that is the only appealing vegetarian choice that day.

There is always salad but sometimes you just want something heartier.

Love, love, love, all the kitty photos !!!

Many years ago my husband bought me a black coral necklace and earrings in Cozumel. Sorry don't know the name of the shop.

So sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is to face the loss of a beloved pet. Love your precious photos of her.

I am able to see all your photos with no problem. Looks like a beautiful ship !!

I was on the 2 night cruise on November 11th. I thought the Vision looked beautiful. They did a great job with the dry dock. All areas seemed updated and refreshed. She did not feel like an older ship at all.

My only complaint is that when they re did the bathrooms, they put in those tiny raised round sinks. Too me they are very hard to use. You can barely get your hands under the spigot to wash them. The sinks look good but are totally not user friendly!!

For some reason I can't see your photos.

Looking forward to another one of your reviews as I have enjoyed your other ones.

I have no doubt that Andy will be hitching a ride again. He knows a good thing when he sees it.

Have fun on this short cruise. I have been contemplating doing this same trip this winter so I am very interested to see how you like it and see all your photos.

Love, love, love, being on the ocean and feeling the motion of the ship under my feet.

Can't wait for your next adventure !!!!!

In this instance you and I literally are in the same boat (or were on the same boat). I was told last week it would be complete by Monday. I'll call by end of regular business today if not and update this thread.

Great news!! I just checked RCCL's website and the extra points have appeared. yeah :)

You might want to check for yours today.

On a side note. It was a wonderful quick get away, wasn't it? I wish RCCL had more 2 nighters. It was perfect to get out on the ocean and get my cruise fix when I really don't have the time to get away any longer at this point in my life.

I sailed on the Vision 2 nt a couple weeks ago, as a single. C&A only posted 2 points instead of 4 that I should have received.

I called last week and they agreed that I should get the 2 extra points since I was a single.

Well, here we are over a week later and my two missing points have not been added yet :(

Although I'm sorry to hear about your missing points, I'm glad to hear others are in the same boat as me.

It is frustrating when you hang up from a call thinking something is going to be taken care of and then someone drops the ball.

Thanks for the wonderful review and beautiful photos!! I really enjoyed reading it everyday and your photos of the ocean and horizon were a highlight for me. So soothing, really makes me want to get back on a ship soon!!!!

What is in a California cooler? It looks good.

Just a heads up. My shower did not have the shampoo/shower gel dispenser usually found in the shower. I was counting on that and had to ask my room steward for a shampoo which he was happy to get for me.