davy jones

removing double post

Are there chutneys to go along with these Indian dishes?  Sounds like they are worth a try.

Not too long ago (pre pandemic though), there was some kind of chicken dish on the embarkation lunch that many people liked.  I forget what it was called.   

29 minutes ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

It depends on the ship.  You may not be able to make reservations until you're at the pier, if not actually on the ship.  And, depending on the ship, you may not even need reservations. 

It's Anthem.  I expect that reservations may be best for the Ifly, the pod, and some theater shows.

I have planned dining for our upcoming cruise.  You can also book shore excursions, etc.

We are inside the final payment window and reservations can not be made for shows and other onboard activities.  How long before sailing does this open.

Booked a balcony GTY deal on a Quantum class ship.  Received my cabin assignment within an hour of making final payment.  Pleased with location.

I have not read through the responses, but will give my thoughts. 

I understand what you are saying.  It is something that we feeling before COVID, not just about Royal, but also their competitors in the mass market space.  The symptoms were there before the pandemic.  Discussions about cutbacks, reduced quality, reduced service, upcharges, etc. were common on these boards then.  Many have observed and reported even more of the above since the restart.  Pandemic issues have added an entirely new and different level of concerns.

Pre pandemic, we were having similar concerns.   Our feelings can be summarized in 3 categories.

1.       Issues of decline discussed above.

2.       Ships too big and crowded with new things that we have little interest in.

3.       Changes in our own preferences over time.

In 2019, we decided to take a look at cruise lines a level up.  We sailed on HAL and found the smaller ship, service, cuisine, and other amenities more to our liking.  Since we like variety, we recently took a cruise on X and had similar feelings.  You may wish to try some of these lines.

However, it is not utopia.  You will find similar discussions that these lines are “not what they used to be” on boards for those lines.

We have not left the mass market lines altogether, but our go to line preferences have changed.  If a really good deal presents itself on one of them, we will take it, knowing fully what to expect.  We enjoy these cruises by focusing on things we like and avoiding things we don’t when possible.  The balcony can always be a relaxing alternative to the pool deck. 

We had a very enjoyable Carnival cruise doing this on a ship sailing at reduced capacity.  We also have an upcoming trip on Anthem and will do the same and base future decisions on that experience.

Mediocre drinks and a marketing pitch.  We no longer attend.

First cruise.  1982 on Holland America NYC to Bermuda.  You can't compare today to this, but I do like today's less formal vibe.

One you never forget for obvious reasons.  Explorer of the Seas 10/28/2012.  Hurricane Sandy.  For us, it was not nearly as bad as some said that it was.  The worst thing was that our car parked at Cape Liberty was one of many totaled by the flood.  Returning to the scene on 10/29/2022 for 10 year anniversary sailing.  Taking no chances, we will be parking a couple of levels up in the parking deck that has opened since then. 

2 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

IT's a good default beer me (I grew up in PA). I'd never seek it out at a bar, but if someone handed me one, I'd enjoy it.

The home brewery is in the area,  It's pretty much everywhere around here.  Popular after a round of golf.  

I try different drinks onboard.  If I had to choose only one, a good margarita would be the cocktail of choice.

I have seen turkey sausage or turkey bacon, but never carved turkey at breakfast.  I might give it a try if I saw it.

If I ever pay that much for a 5 day cruise, it's going to be on an ultra luxury line.

Since the emergence of small breweries, beer has become more like wine.  There is a seemingly infinite number of brands and types of beer.  Everyone has their preferred beverage.  However, one can not reasonably expect international mass market cruise lines (or their local watering hole) to stock hundreds of craft beers and/or wine vintages to provide everyone's favorite.  

My preferred brew at home is Yuengling Lager (aka the nectar of the gods).  It is very good, reasonably priced, and most everyone likes it.  It is mass produced.  I have never seen it on a cruise ship.   I view it as an opportunity.

I use cruises as an opportunity to try out different brews.  Unlike a case, it is only a one beer commitment.  If I like it, it becomes my beer of the day.  The next day, I start the process all over again.  It can be a challenge on a 14 day cruise to find 14 non light beers beers that are not served in aluminum bottles.

22 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

Only the bottles are brewed in Jamaica. Cans and draughts are from a licensee in the Netherlands.

Only sounds fair since Heineken is brewed at Caribbean breweries under license.

On 7/23/2022 at 9:54 PM, smokeybandit said:

The main beer menu is like that of a college town bar.

 

Some of the specialty bars have solid lineups though.

I have never seen PBR on a cruise ship.

Pre pandemic, we liked to visit Tropicante.  

22 hours ago, BratDet said:

I swear there are 5. 4 in a row and one next to the rower. Couldn’t get all in the photo.

b

Our experience was that the shaky wifi turned the peloton into just another exercise bike.

Does anyone know what is the "standard" brand of coffee used on Royal?

I drink simple black coffee and I am not very fussy, but I do prefer a medium roast.  On most cruises, I find the standard beans to be fine.  At worst, I may need to add a little hot water.  

On Celebrity, the coffee used in the buffet is the same as the coffee used in the java bar.  However, the method of making the coffee is different, which does result in a better cup.  To me, the difference is not worth 3 or more bucks a cup.

The beauty of it is that it is a simple sandwich, bread and meat.  If the basic ingredients are good, the sandwich should be good.

(Un)related information.  On our last Royal cruise, we found the dining to be considerably below past sailings.  However, I did not go hungry.  The breads and rolls were very good and my go to lunch was a sandwich made with one of the breads and the carved meat of the day.

I guess that the OP will have to judge the sandwich for themselves, which is pretty much the outcome of most of these types of threads.

I would like to try the version served in Buffalo though.

15 hours ago, texmat said:

Please share everything what you love and dislike about the Summit.

 

I have a few questions

 

1) Are pool loungers hard to come by since the forward section is for suites only? Is there a pool band daily?

2) Are surcharge restaurants worth it?

3) What type of evening entertainment is there? Specifically in the theater?

4) How is internet service and cost?

5) Is the Cafe al Bacio and the Spa Cafe all FREE?

 

Thanks

 

 

Recently sailed on Summit.  It was our first Celebrity cruise.  We liked it and would definitely sail again.  If you like the RCI large ships, it may not be for you.  If you like to relaxation and less crowds, it will appeal to you.

Here are my answers to the questions:

1.  I did not see any suite area near the pool.  The suite area was on a different deck.  Pool lounger availability is similar to other ships that I have sailed.  Chair hogs are also an issue on X.

2. Did not use surcharge restaurants.  The limited selection did not appeal to us.  MDR food was quite good overall.

3.  A different show in theater every evening.  Some shows were the ship's singers and dancers, others were traveling performers.  The quality of the traveling performers was excellent.

4.  "Included" internet made me nostalgic for dial up.

5.  Cafe al Bacio beverage costs (if any) depend on your beverage package.  The "included" package excluded alcoholic coffees at Cafe al Bacio and smoothies at the Spa Cafe.

My rules of thumb is school holidays or vacations = more children and schools in session = less children.

Of course, it's a generalizations and individual sailings may vary.

On 6/23/2022 at 7:58 AM, wants2cruise2 said:

Been many times, one cruise we played tag with a few hurricanes, always moved the ship away.  Had most ports changed for others, no problem with that. We also left the day SuperStorm Sandy hit Nj/NY.  That was interesting almost fun, did sail too close into the storm, the captain was very open with us on how the storm was unpredictable and we got caught. Tables sliding, the kitchens shut down for 24 hours for safety  so no hot food.  Handed out cold cut sandwiches no-one starved. Balcony doors not sealed at bottom so some flooded rooms. Lots of flooded hallways and wet carpet.  Biggest problem was they told us 1/2 of the parking lot was under water at the port.  Didn’t know if it was our car until we returned 

We were on that cruise with you.  Our car was impacted by the flooding.  DW loved her new ride.  

Now that there is a parking garage at Cape Liberty, we always park above ground level.

They're pretty strict.  Not an apples to apples comparison, but we were not allowed to bring on a single 1.5 liter bottle of wine for our 2 person stateroom with no other wine.