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My mom and I are frequent cruisers, especially on Royal Caribbean, We usually sail out of Baltimore (about 70 times on 4 different lines). This will be our first time in 11 years sailing out of Boston.

We are on the October 9 Serenade of the Seas cruise. My mom has difficulty walking and standing. We'll be getting to Boston Friday to do some sightseeing. What would be the best time to get to the port to maximize time on the ship, minimize standing and walking, and to make getting a wheelchair assist? We are high tier crown and anchor members, if that makes a difference.

Thanks for any help.

My mom and I turned pinnacle at different times. December 2014 they recognized it on the cruise I was on and gave me a gold card. When my mom turned pinnacle November, 2015, on a different ship, the loyalty ambassador, and royal when I emailed to check, said that it wasn't recognized until the following cruise.

I know a lot of suite guests have been looking for Genie info on this board so here's my experience so far. We sail on September 25th and I received my Genie email today and contacted him through Voom. We are in suite 1722 and our Genie will be Alexander. I actually was emailed by Reyno but he will be going on vacation next week. I sent him all of our dining reservation requests, show requests, and a spa reservation and bridge and engine room tour request. He said he will take care of everything before we board. I also asked for an 11:00am boarding time and that was confirmed. He answered right back to me on everything. I am so excited about how prompt and accommodating he was. I hope the actual cruise is just as nice.

I'm not surprised. Met Reyno first in 2007 on Radiance when he worked in guest services then again in 2010 as concierge on Enchantment. He's fantastic.

Can anyone help with these unknowns through the end of October?

 

Allure: What is the exact date (early-October) Dru is signing off to move over to Anthem, and who will be the new CD of Allure?

 

Empress: What is the exact handover date between Elvis and Carlos (Oct 10?)

 

Enchantment: What is the exact handover date between Michele and Elvis? (Oct 10, 14, 17, 21?)

 

Explorer: What is the exact handover date between Ken and Graham? (September 16, 23, 30?)

 

Grandeur: What is the exact date (late-October) Paul goes on break, and who will be the covering CD?

 

Majesty: When Marc signs off on Oct 23, will Susan McColl be returning or will it be someone else?

 

Mariner: When Keith signs off on October 17, who will be signing on?

 

Navigator: Who will be following Rob on October 1?

 

Vision: When does Mercedes go on break, and who will be the next CD?

Got off Grandeur on Saturday. Paul Rutter wasn't sure when the transfer would happen or who would be following him. Wish Andre, the current activities manager, would get the promotion.

On grandeur now. Captain is Thordur Thorsson. From what I've heard he's a newly promoted master. Don't know start date.

Elvis has posted that for this contract he is doing 2 months on Empress and 2 months on Enchantment. Don't know turnover dates.

Hotel director is Michael Landry. Not sure of the cd's name.

I cruise out of Baltimore frequently. Usually have cell service until at least midnight (which is usually when I'm going to bed) the first night and from sometime between 8:30 and 9:30 on the way back to Baltimore. There may be an occasional outage that lasts a few minutes but then service will come back. As long as you're in the bay you should have service.

Back in post #1267 you asked for info on Jeff Arpin. We did transatlantic May,2016 with him. He was not our favorite CD. He was negative about sea days and was not very visible. It may have just been the fact that it was his first transatlantic. We never saw him with AM And even did Morning Show alone behind his desk.

I agree with this. Have sailed with him 4 times on grandeur on non tansatlantics and he was rarely seen other than the morning show solo.

Sailing on Enchantment July 1. We've been on enchantment 18 times but always out of Baltimore.

Yes, we're pinnacle, the top loyalty level on Royal. I don't know if it makes a difference in check in/boarding in Miami.

As mentioned earlier I'm used to Baltimore. At port of Baltimore you can check luggage as early as 9 and check about 9:15-9:30 with boarding beginning between 10:30 and 11 depending on how quickly from the previous cruise gets off and how fast the ship is turned over after everyone is off.

Thanks for the information.

We're both Pinnacle.

My mom and I are flying to Miami the day of the cruise. I know the benefits of flying in the day before but it isn't possible in this case. We have a 6 am flight out of Baltimore and are scheduled to arrive in Miami at 8:40. I know it will take a little time to get luggage, a cab, and to the port. We will be using wheelchair assist which may make the process a little slower.

What time does the port of Miami open to be able to sit inside the port? we don't mind waiting for check in or boarding if my mom has a place to sit.

We are also top tier in the loyalty program. Is seating after check in based on arrival time or by loyalty levels like Fort Lauderdale is?

We normally sail out of Baltimore and are used to the process at that port but am not sure if Miami is the same.

Tino and Carly B both went on vacation May 15. Not sure who the new activity manager is.

I've found it hot or miss if the BBQ has vegiterian burgers. If they have them, they will cook it for you when asked

John blair also mentioned getting on early March. There have been some tweets this week showing paul and Andre doing the morning show. Could paul be staying on until Blairs get on in March?

We've cruised with Bobby before and really liked him but never with Carly. How would you rate her?

For me she is my favorite cruise director in the 60+ royal and 10+cruises on other lines. She's friendly, personable, visible, has a great sense of humor and great memory. The activities I've attended that she's hosted are entertaining. The activities manager on Enchantment introduced us to her November 2010 and she's remembered me each time I've seen her over the last 5 years - even with a 2-3 year break in between. I've scheduled 6 cruises simply because she was scheduled to be cruise director on it.

And Andre will get on tomorrow.

Maybe but Carly also mentioned this schedule for her in November. I booked the transatlantic because she was going to be on it. Waited to say something here until I could confirm with her as I know schedules can change at the last minute.

Currently on Serenade, I spoke with Manua, a cruise activities personnel, and Bobby is on for one more sailing. Here is where it gets confusing, Topi will cover Bobby's break for 2 months. Then Bobby will be back to the TA to Copenhagen. Topi will do the European tour to the TA to Boston. Then Carly will takeover for Topi for the Canadian run. Whew.

Interesting we are getting different information. I was just talking with Carly and she said she's getting on mid March and will be on through the transatlantic

Andre just tweeted about the snow in Baltimore yesterday. When I asked hi he said he is getting on Grandeur tomorrow.

Captain Rob was also on Enchantment.

He was also on Grandeur.

It's disappointing that Andre isn't coming back to Grandeur. He's fantastic.

If he is leaving I'd love to see Tanya or Elvis on Grandeur.

On Serenade I think Bobby Brown will probably have a 4 month contract. I've talked with one of the cd's who is currently tentatively scheduled to do a 2 month contract on Serenade from mid March through the end of the repositioning cruise May 16.

Just got off serenade yesterday. Carly will be on as CD through the 23rd. She'll stay on through the 26th to help with the handover.

She and Tanya made a fantastic team. Tanya sang at the top tier party to standing ovations.