runawaysoul

Hello all,

For those of you who have sailed on both, are there any noticeable differences between Royal and Princess? I have always believed that Princess was a step above Royal... I am asking for my mother, who booked a mini suite on the Golden Princess sailing to Alaska. I have sailed Alaska, so I have been advising her on shore excursions (White Pass, whale watching). I've looked over all the different ships with her, and advised her to choose Princess over Royal (About myself - I've been on 6 cruises, 3 with Carnival and 3 with Royal-, never sailed on Princess). I'm hoping I made a good choice. She will be sailing with a friend who has terminal cancer, so I am really wanting this cruise to be perfect. It will be her first cruise, my mother's 2nd but her 1st was 20 years ago.. How are the shows? The food? Are there any can't miss activities? It is to my understanding that her friend tires fairly easily, so I would think she would just do what she is capable of. Thanks!!

I've had the opposite experience. My first 3 were on Carnival, and last 3 were on RC. I've also had the blessing of sailing inaugural for all 3 of Royal, so obviously everything was top shelf. I had a lot fun on Carnival, and preferred it over Royal during my first sailing with RC but by the end of that sailing, I knew Carnival was done. I'm an old soul - I don't party, I don't drink, don't gamble. I just turned 40, all my sailings on Carnival were from '97-'01- so I'm pretty out of the loop on Carnival now. I don't regret Carnival, but I'm open to different lines. I'd like to try Celebrity next. The only "wrong" cruise is the one that doesn't match your cruising style, right?

Me. I started out on RC, then went to Carnival and never plan on going back. Yes, RC ships are nicer, and they have better shows. But I always have more fun in Carnival, everything stays open late, everyone is drinking and having a good time. The comedy shows are better and the parties are better. I guess I’m not looking for a relaxing cruise like I could get on RC, I’m looking for constant fun and party on Carnival.

 

One other plus for RC, no continuous shufflers in Casino.

 

 

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I'm right there with you. I'll still dress that way regardless - haven't gotten too lazy to do it. I work for a fortune 500 company (we are also on pretty much every fortune list there is) and I wear slacks and a nice shirt. I'd say that puts me in the top 25% as far as how I dress. That's unfortunate.

I haven't been on Royal in 11 years, and my family that I'm going with on the Symphony haven't been on RC in 16 years, so this is not what I'm wanting to hear. The after dinner drinks were awesome. I hope the cruise experience at its core is still there.

I like to consider myself young, I'm 35, and one of the things we LIKE about RC are the formal nights. That's right, born in the 1980's, and we LIKE to dress up! You are absolutely correct that society has gotten lazy. We think it's nice to have an excuse to dress up now and then and be around others who are as well. Not to mention, it makes for great photo opportunities.

 

We're both business professionals and things have gotten so lax in the corporate world that I've seen people wear clothes to the office that I would deem unacceptable for the RC dining room (if I could enforce a dress code).

If I could go back and talk to my younger self just prior to the first cruise, I'd say this:

1. Take a journal with you. My first cruise was a 3 day cruise on Carnival shortly after high school. I did so much. I think I may have slept 10 hours, total. You can't stuff that much into your memory banks in a short time. Also, that first time is a mind blower so it is doubtful you'll remember as much as you think.

2. Don't read the reviews. It's far too subjective to gather anything from it.

3. Visit cruise critic forums for the cruise lines you're interested in. From there, you can gather what types of personalities will be on that particular ship for the most part. When it gets late, do you hit the dance floor, party? You'll be far happier on carnival than celebrity. Are you an old soul, a sentimental type who might be a foodie, take in a broadway show, or an ice show? You'll be happy on royal or even celebrity (except if you have kids). (I'm an old soul, so when my dad took me on Royal those years ago, it was a match made in heaven)

4. A 3 day cruise was far too short. 5 is probably perfect for the first timer. To me, a 5 day is similar to a 7 day, except without time to wind down.

5. Packing cubes. Saves so much luggage space.

6. Get a balcony.

I'm willing to bet her fears will be alleviated once she gets on the boat. It is such a shock to the system and blows your mind wide open, you won't have time to feed your fears. My first cruise was right out of high school. My first thought "a boat in the middle of the ocean, this is the dumbest idea my mom has ever had" and my second was envisioning the titanic and all the things that could happen "this the dumbest..." 6 cruises later... Your 14 year old isn't going to have those thoughts when she gets on board.

Without regard to your budget, I'll tell you what I did and you can take from it what you will. The white pass train ride is a must. If I'm blessed to cruise Alaska a 2nd time, I will do it again. And again. The other must do item is the helicopter glacier tour. The memories of landing on the glacier, the bluish green water, and the clouds rushing overhead will be with me for the rest of my life. I've done the float plane also, and though I wouldn't trade that memory for anything, I probably wouldn't do it again. Alaska is very windy, and the turbulence and "drops" in the float plane was all I could do to keep from revisiting every lunch I ever ate. In a port or 2, I didn't do an excursion at all - but the memories of seeing bald eagles everywhere, and I do mean everywhere, and seeing the old gold rush Alaska as it was then are memories that rival any excursion.

I kept a journal for my last couple of cruises. I've gone back to re-read them several times. I've also learned from them, because in hindsight I have fond memories that I didn't touch on or go into details with.

For my next cruise in a few months, I'm going to collect some cruise-centered journaling prompts to guide my thoughts. Make goals - like what activities I want to do the next day. If I did them, what do you think your best memories will be? If you didn't do them, was it because you found something more fun? What were some cool things do you want your future self to remember about an excursion, what you saw roaming around the ship? Other times, I love to sit on the balcony and listen to the waves. It is then that my brain turns off the busy, and turns on the "life". What was I thinking about? What sparked it?

For me, journaling this way "forces" me to look for the good that I want to write about. It keeps my mood light and my senses heightened.

There are website trackers out there that will notify you of any changes/updates to a website. I would think that would be beneficial in this case.

If people find value in going after the RC Visa for the onboard credit and racking points, I don't consider that "odd behavior" at all. Some will find value in it, some won't. Personally, I'd be looking for frequent flier points. Being able to get a free plane ticket or 2 to get to my port has more value to me than $100 of OBC. :D

Do specialty restaurants have dress codes still? It's only once or twice a week. Adults can complain just as effectively as kids can! Too funny. It's a real shame that McDonalds folks are getting their way. I like dressing up.

Glad to see this thread! Radiance was my 4th cruise, but my first RC cruise- and the inaugural Alaska sailing at that. That class of ship is my favorite. I loved that layout. I've been wanting to go on the Jewel for a long time. Nothing has quite captured my attention as much as that class has. I did love the Schooner Bar too. Still hoping to book a cruise on her one day. Maybe after this other cruise I have booked... :cool:

Hi! Not to hijack the thread - I've been dying to go on the Jewel. I loved Radiance, and still remains my all time favorite ship, above AOS and the others. I loved AOS. At the time, I thought it was a little too big for my taste- only to find myself going on the Symphony in May 2018. Can't help myself... Anyway, I haven't been on the Radiance since 2001. Do you know how the Jewel compares? I am itching to relive the experience I had on the Radiance!

Bummer on that $40!!! We'll use our BOGO on the first night' date=' but that is getting too high.....in my opinion. Hope this Chops is good. Chops on Jewel is THE best![/size']

May 6, 2018. This is the 3rd time sailing a Royal ship in its infancy. Excited and nervous! I thought AOS was a bit big for my taste, but this will be enormous.

If you book using the website, the reservation should show up in your My Cruises automatically.

 

If you book by phone call, or by using a travel agent, then you have to use the "Don't see your reservation" method to add it.

Symphony isn't loaded yet unless I'm doing something wrong. Can't add it yet. No rush, it's not like I have 14 months to wait for a cruise. Oh wait..

Booked today for May 6! Didn't have any issues

It's fun knowing there's others out there on that level of thinking as I am. You're obviously much better at putting words to it than I! I don't consider it over analyzing, just one of those quirks that stands out to me.

The next level of planning would be "excursions" outside of Dublin that we'd like to see. My fiancee has been, but I have not. Are there cruise ports in Ireland? I never thought about that...

Anyway, it wasn't my intention to instigate anything. I don't post here much and it's just a quirk I see on here. Just another case of some guy that doesn't perceive how my words appear on the internet.

I think it's out of proportion because it's a greater "relaxer" - not necessarily the relaxation effect of drinking, but the "I don't have to worry about that for the entire trip".

 

Other decisions like what flight for what price are comparatively simpler and unavoidable. If you need to fly, you need to fly. If you want to excurse, you'll need an excursion ;) I think the soul searching happens precisely because the drink packages are entirely optional. You can't, at a whim, take half a flight, or decide to drop in midway through an excursion, but you can randomly have a glass of wine on board.

 

And yes - Ireland is probably even more beautiful than the pictures once you get outside of Dublin!

I believe you! :p

Your doing the wrong excursions [emoji1]

 

 

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I get where you're coming from, but everyone's situation is different. I know, for example, that I'd "make use of" $300 worth of coffees, fresh OJ, cocktails, wine, water and soft drinks in a week. I wouldn't use $480 worth, so therefore wouldn't buy the Ultimate package - I'd normally buy the Replenish package and add alcohol as desired. However, if I can get the Ultimate Package for $300 or very slightly above, then it becomes worth it to me. My patterns of imbibing won't change much, but it does offer me the freedom to try drinks I may not have tried before without worrying about that extra $10 on my bill at the end of the cruise.

 

It's purely psychological. If I couldn't afford that extra $10, I couldn't afford to cruise. Having the drinks package adds to the relaxation of the holiday - not because I'm going to get drunk at 8am every day and stay drunk, but because of the illusion of freedom it provides.

 

You could argue that in that case I should always buy the ultimate package regardless of price, but if the price is perceived to be too high, there is a different kind of pressure around wondering whether you got good value, or "wasted" money. The fact that you just spent $100 on airline baggage fees just so you could bring 2 extra pairs of shoes you'll never wear is irrelevant :)

That's an excellent point. I had made a poor attempt to point out that the psychological aspect of this particular decision that people make seems out of proportion to the other parts of the cruise decision process. That's just me... BTW, I'll be visiting your beautiful country later this year. I hope it's as beautiful as it is in the pictures!

Cruise fare, flights, hotel, and tours don't get me inebriated. :p So yes, personally I find it stupid, but too each their own! :o

People are excited to save money, period. Doesn't really matter whether it's on alcohol or on some other aspect of the cruise.

 

If any of the items you listed (cruise fare, flights, hotel, tours) were to go on sale 20%+ off, I think you'd find equal concern to what you're seeing here about beverage packages.

 

No humor or stupidity in saving money.

 

 

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Many people spend a lot of money not only on the cruise itself, but on flights, hotels, cruise tours, etc. Yet, judging from the posts I see on here, the most cause for concern are the prices of beverage packages. Which, by and large, are for those interested in alcoholic beverages - which do nothing for you really. Surely I can't be the only one that finds loads of humor and stupidity in this..

I don't consider RCI to be a party ship. When I think party ship, Carnival pops up in my mind instantly. Sounds like either RCI or Celebrity would be right up your alley. Motion sickness is usually not an issue. I get motion sickness watching a feather float to the ground, just about.. I didn't have any issues.

1) Happiness is the best revenge, because lots of people don't have any.

2) Some people's heads are so far up their butt they should be reported missing.

Don't be afraid to call these people out at the time it's happening. I simply tell them any experience is as miserable or as happy as you allow it be - maybe if you quit looking at things to complain about, make it a mission to find a way to be happy. Negative minded people actually get sick over positive things. To have a negative mindset is far easier than a positive one, even though it sucks twice the energy out of you. Funny thing, half the folks out there don't even know what complaining is - some will agree with this post then gossip about how your neighbor does this or that... So, some of the complainers don't know that that is how it comes across.

There's a company that specializes in billing issues called bill advocates. Maybe they can help. The website is billadvocates.com

For others wishing to learn from this post, you can search a trade organization, such as ASTA (american society of travel agents). From there you can pick the agent near you with the best reviews. I agree with the others that this is a hotly contested topic. Personally, I believe that finding a good TA is a blessing, and the real rewards come from building a relationship with the TA.

I'd get a card that has a good sign up bonus going on right now. A recent example: Southwest had a promotion of 50,000 points for their personal card and their business card. So did Capital One. My fiancee and I could have signed up for both Southwest cards and the Capital One (which Southwest is an affiliate - you can transfer the points to Southwest) and end up with 300,000 points between the 2 of us. A lot of flights we would take are around 20,000-25,000 points with Southwest. Big bang for the buck if you ask me. If you're going to spend the money anyway, why not get some perks with it?