DCPIV

On 9/1/2021 at 10:50 AM, Sascol said:

And one more question please. For those of you that were able to adjust your time, how far out was this option available?  Our cruise is 9/26 so it’s just over 3 weeks out at this point. I’ve been checking daily for 2 weeks. 

If you already have options other than 3PM, then you're only hope is for someone to cancel their cruise or change their boarding time.

If you only have 3PM as an option, just keep checking.  I don't think the full menu of options opens up at a certain time before sailing but, rather, depending on something else (and I don't even speculate about what that is).

We had a wonderful sommelier in the Luminae on Summit (Genesis).  She made excellent suggestions based on our tastes and what we were ordering, and she was happy to give us tastes of different options when we could not decide.  We never thought about buying a bottle over the week-long cruise.  Not once.

You'll probably discover that the published wine list won't line up with the actual inventory, though.  While that's something that always can happen, it's especially the case right now.  Do not be distraught, though.  There were plenty of excellent options, published or not.

16 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

Curious if they recently changed the robe.    We are in a RS for 9/5 cruise and the message from the Concierge said they have Pajamas engraved with your initials.   I refused the offer.

See if they'll just give you a robe, if that's what you want (monogrammed or not).  It's a nice robe!  When our butler brought them for us, he said they were out of the pajamas.  I think I looked at him a little funny because he followed up with something like "yes, I also think the robes are better."

I was thinking that I would never need (or want) monogrammed pajamas unless I happened to be playing opposite Katherine Hepburn in a screwball comedy (or perhaps another sequel to Arthur.

On 8/31/2021 at 12:45 PM, Sascol said:

Where are you checking?  On their website or on the app?

I've used the app exclusively.  It's simple and quick to check when I have a moment and think about it.

On 8/31/2021 at 7:44 PM, abbydancer said:

There are a couple in the bar area.

Yes, I sat at that somewhat awkward table for a little while, talked some with Daniel when he had a chance, and stared out the window otherwise.  However, that bar area is rather utilitarian, not particularly comfortable, and somewhat removed from the lounge area.  Four not terribly comfortable high-top seats at two round tables shoved together and sort of crammed in the corner.

It's not absolutely terrible, but it's sort of like going to a fine dinner party and finding that you've been assigned to the overflow table in the kitchen . . . by yourself.

The bottom line is there are much better places on board to hang out.

29 minutes ago, ludde said:

They do care about it if you buy with the drink package, so I didn't know if that also applied to the diamond drinks.

They don't. You had it straight on your head. They don't mind if you share the drinks from vouchers, but sharing from the package. 

ETA: In the past, I've "bought" a drink for someone by using a voucher even though I had a package.

The Retreat Lounge on Summit is lovely, and the service is excellent, but it is a room with no windows (at least none viewable from about anywhere in the lounge. For that reason, I spent very little time in there. 

1 hour ago, Jim_Iain said:

I was able to get a 11:30 as well as many people on our roll call.

I'm watching for that, too. I figure I might as well, since I'm already checking for another cruise. 

If you are interested in upgrading, call them up and see if something is available. There are times the actual cost of upgrading is less than the minimum move-up bid. Plus, you get to choose your room and get all additional perks if any). If you are interested in a suite, be sure to call the Retreat line and speak to a Concierge to minimize your wait. 

Keep checking back. The sole 3pm option is something of a placeholder before they open up the actual slots. 

I'm currently checked in on 2 sailings. At first, both only had the 3pm option. About a week or so ago, one opened up there were all the times (from noon until 5, I think). I could change to noon with no trouble. 

The other one has yet to open up, so I keep checking. 

We got off Summit a week before you got on and had virtually the same experience (even down to staying in a Royal Suite and having Raj as our waiter). What a wonderful cruise! Best crew, top to bottom, we've ever sailed with! 

We completely agree with your assessment of the RS bathroom. It's a lovely room, but it has many shortcomings that should have been addressed when they designed the room. DW also world would like a full length mirror (and there are plenty of places to mount one).  We did have a trash can in the living room, though.

I've been remiss in posting our review. When I do, it'll sound very much like yours.

Cheers! 

3 hours ago, taylortime05 said:

Hi,

 

We are on the Equinox next month and were thinking about taking the "Hato Caves And Mambo Beach" excursion.  Did you enjoy it? 

Hato Caves were interesting. Nothing to sing songs about, but I was glad we went. There's some interesting history and a couple nice things to see. 

I can't speak to the beach (we didn't go).

I find it worth the cost especially when you add sea day lunches in. 

Frankly, we've had enough of the MDR on most ships. We used to swear that we never would bother with specialty dining, but no longer. The food quality in the MDR is not what it was, and the service is spread far too thinly. Since we always do My Time, we don't really get the fun of a service team that we get to know. 

But, that's us. When we've done the unlimited, we actually have gotten to know the folks, and that's been fun. Of course, the food and service is better. 

However, you need to be flexible. Unless you enjoy dining fairly early or fairly late, you likely will need to make some adjustments.

5 hours ago, canderson said:

Not that we're in the market for new robes this November, but had never previously noted that as a RS 'perk'.  Verbal from butler?

We were in a RS on our recent Summit cruise. Our butler brought two wrapped robes for us to take home. We didn't ask. It just happened. 

4 hours ago, davekathy said:

We were pleased with Summits revolution. We didn't think we would like the stateroom color changes (pre cruise pictures) but we did like the changes once onboard. We were surprised that Rendezvous Lounge didn't get a facelift. The MDR facelift turned out really nice. We didn't like the looks of those high backed chairs. The Oceanview Cafe turned out nice also. 

I completely agree. Summit looks wonderful right now, but those high-backed chairs are a bit odd. 

Heck, yeah! It's delicious! 

Do take a look (or give a call) and see what it would cost to upgrade directly. We recently were able to for significantly less than the minimum move up bid, and you get all perks.

Messenger apps work fine. Cellular texting only might if you can do so via wifi. 

For our sailing last week, I gathered that just tipping at the bar was pulled because it went into a common container. 

We went to guest relations and got a bunch of envelopes, wrote names on each, and inserted our "last night" gratuities. I was under the impression those were not pooled.

Even if they were, so be it. It's a rare case that they all haven't earned it. I wouldn't be surprised if it all pretty much washed out. 

It's a pretty lousy app. As mentioned, there are no notifications (unless you open the app). The only advantage is that you don't need ship wifi, but you'll have ship wifi unless you are sailing in one of the few exceptions that does not include Always Included. 

You are far better off with another messenger app. 

They do sell out, but keep checking. They can free up. 

As for cost, yes, prices are up. 

1 hour ago, HappyCamper49 said:

Especially the way they bug you crazy trying to sell you packages from the time you board!

There was no such bazaar on our Summit sailing last week. If there were packages available, you probably had to ask about it. 

Yes, indeed. No problem at all taking a drink to go. 

And, yes, some restaurants will give you a to-go glass for wine because they'd rather keep their Riedel intact and on board. Hard to blame them. 

7 hours ago, hcat said:

Good plan...they do  offer discounts and  deals on combos as the cruise progresses.

Not necessarily right now. There were no published deals on the Summit last week. 

1 minute ago, amwdaw said:

Thanks DCPIV. I’m getting right on it!

Right on. 

Yes, that's just a little tip with the cruise planner. You may have to pay when you book the reservation, package, excursion, etc., but there's no commitment until it closes a day or two before the cruise. You always can cancel for a full refund.