Marylandteachergirl

I like Jose better than Stella. But maybe they're friends?

Is there a map of these cabanas like the maps of Labadee that have been floating around? Not the schematic map that shows the general location of the cabana area, but has someone gotten a shot of the beach and then numbered the cabanas?

I saw one floating around a few years ago. I will see if I can find it for you - but I feel like it only had the cabana numbers on the CocoCay one.

I'm surprised someone had a bad experience at the bar at the cabanas. I've used that bar many times and there's always been a blender or they bring the frozen mix over and keep in the coolers. Also usually a nice drink. But since it's bartender dependent I guess they could get a bad one over there.

You know, I missed meeting you every Allure get together! :(

Definitely plenty of blenders and Labadoozies on Labadee, but good someone can chime in about CoCoCay. Maybe it was an off day in the cabana bar, and I hope an exception to what is the normal experience.

Have you seen the prices for Empress in September?!, $43/p/n versus double that for Enchantment.

 

All the poor planning, poorly taken care of guests (who got theirs cancelled), poor food (at least early on, as I have read) and poor execution bringing her back into the fleet will be taking RCI to the poor house.

I know part of the low price issue is due to the late announcement of the September itineraries while they wait for the Cuba approval, but all the bad press is not going to help get the Enchantment and Navigator crowd to migrate over to Empress. Some might consider this a golden opportunity to cruise cheap. But you get what you pay for, eh!

 

I know Boyton Beth had a good experience on her recently so DW and I might be willing to board her in September for the current price. Still thinking about it.

:eek:I don't think one small ship is going to take RCI to the poor house. They make enough profit on drink packages on the Oasis class ships to cover any reimbursements made to cruisers from Empress.

Here is an e-mail I received from Felix, the concierge on Enchantment about pricing of cabanas on CocoCay. This was Nov., 2015, so prices have probably increased, but there was also tiered pricing based on location of the cabana. We ended up missing CocoCay due to weather, so I can't say if it was worth the money or not. Might try for one again. Might not....

November 11th, 2015, 09:52 AM

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Default New, or new to me tier pricing for Cocoa Cay

Just received an e-mail from the concierge on Enchantment. It seems the cabanas on Coco Cay are now priced differently depending on locations.

Here is an excerpt from the e-mail I received this morning:

For your guidance i have placed the pricing list below according to the location of each cabana;

Cabanas 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 --- $216

Cabanas 1 and 2 --- $230

Cabanas 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 --- $250

Please Note *** In the Event that a Cabana has been confirm to you, this email will be use as a confirmation that you have agreed to be charge on your onboard account & in the unlikely event of not attending or failing to cancel within the 24 HR period, REFUND would not be apply.

I read it as focusing on the "high standards" portion of their post...but that's just me.

 

We did notice a marked drop in quality, service and overall experience on our last cruise. However, we are giving them another chance and will be on the same ship so we will be able to give (as much as possible) an apples to apples comparison and see if thing are better, worse or the same.

Hi TC1957!

Each cruise is so very different. I think our very best service ever was on Grandeur out of Baltimore. It wasn't my favorite cruise or itinerary, but made up for it in other ways. I think the cruise I expected to like the most, but didn't was Allure. Nothing was bad, it's just not the right size ship for me. My favorites remain sailings from San Juan. Everyone looks for something different and has different expectations. I am trying to learn to just relax and let things unfold, but easier said than done.

I DO understand razzinger's frustration - I have had a sailing cancelled after I had hotel, car and local tickets arranged. I know it's inconvenient. And, I am sorry that happened. I did not choose to stop sailing with RC, but just to move forward and hope that type of event does not happen again.

I understand your anger but I'm not sure what you wanted them to say in response to a Cruise Critic post. Maybe it's time to move on.

And restaurants don't fail inspections?

I like Hilton Marina. Both restaurants have really good food. Coconuts has a great casual resort ambiance. Nanking is beautiful but has issues...they just can't seem to organize themselves, so unless you are very patient and not particular about service you might not like it. Nanking often has deals on Groupon, Living Social, etc. and they have good drink specials at happy hour.

I saw Nanking when we were there in May - great on the water location. But, I am pretty picky about Chinese food, so I think we will head over to Coconuts in October. It's better to stay with the beauty theme anyway - it's vacation! We will be staying at Hilton Marina, but will just water taxi over to Coconuts.

What :confused::confused::confused:

The second inspection was a 97. And I don't think it was because the captain was texting.

Confusing post from Razzinger. Maybe some clarification is needed.

Hello all,

 

Empress of the Seas was re-inspected on July 9 and received a score of 97. Most items flagged by USPH in the June 3 inspection was immediately remedied. Our guests expect the highest standards and we aim to deliver them.

 

Thank you.

Never doubted it! Agree that it is nice to see all of the efforts in transitioning Empress back to the RC fleet have been noticed and are reflected in the great new score.

Exactly how it works on the Princess website. Wonder if this change also solves all of the RC IT issues?

That Evian alone is valued at about $25 (on Royal Caribbean)!

One week from tomorrow (that's 8) until Empress!!

Eek. But, June 3 was a month and a half ago. Hopefully all necessary repairs have been completed and issues addressed by now.

Thank you for posting.

Ugh! The water bottle things. I have such a hard time with this on ships. And people eating from their plates in the Windjammer while IN line, licking their fingers, then using the serving utensils. I have almost said something to another cruiser before. That's exactly how norovirus spreads like wildfire through a cruise ship.

I just don't understand why it's so difficult to follow appropriate hygiene guidelines. Think I need to go find my Purell...

Again, thank you for sharing your experiences. Hope you had an enjoyable time.

Damn Star Class...Isn't that what the Genie is for? :D:D:D

To make the situation magically disappear? ;)

For, the price, you would think they could!!

All I know is the ship's photographer always shows up for me at the most inconvenient moment, such as seconds after my main meal is placed in front of me. It would not have surprised me if they were beside the table when the woman started yelling. I just came from TMZ and she must not have been that famous/important as there were no celeb/CEO photos posted today of said woman from the ship.

 

I feel for the family, as this type of situation usually isn't the first time it's happened.

...and after you've taken a big bite of it! #worstluckwithphotos!

Thanks for sharing. I am sure it took some courage. We children of alcoholics carry a lot of baggage into our adult lives. I can only hope that she did not have children with her at the table.

Thank you Gail! It has been many years now. Reading stories like that just make me sad for the friends and family.

Yeah - the baggage. :( I do tend to overpack. I suppose it's a good life lesson in a sad way.

I am sure that is why I rarely drink, and if I do , it's fruity and mostly sugar.

I am sure, now that she is sober, she is mortified. And, I am sure someone in the dining room caught the event on their cell phone camera.

Great place we had dinner at in January called Coconuts. Its at 429 Seabreeze Blvd Fort Lauderdale. The menu changes throughout the night based on the catch of the day. Most amazing seafood dinners we have ever had.

 

JoeRum

Coconuts gets a lot of votes on the Fort Lauderdale thread and locals as well as the Water Taxi drivers recommend it. I was just there in June. Definitely shellfish on the menu.

For Asian food, Nanking also gets great reviews. It's in the Hilton Marina on the water.

Have a great dinner, wherever you choose.

Here's a link to the FLL thread, which is often contributed to by locals who know the area well:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2030736

It's a fact that some people handle alcohol better than others. With so many getting the "unlimited" drink package (though servers can refuse to serve those who appear impaired) AND the free drinks in the concierge lounge, more and more people drink to excess to "get their money's worth" from the beverage package. You see it at all inclusive resorts, too. It's just a sad situation for all involved. I wonder if she had children with her. I rarely drink, but my father is an alcoholic (now sober), and I vividly remember a restaurant dinner on my birthday (age 10) where he was very impaired and started a screaming fight with my mom and neighboring table. Nice birthday (sarcasm intended), and an awful experience I will never forget.

We have sailed aft before, but mostly mid-ship, so this will be new for us, too.

Thank you for the info about the Happy Hour drinks. We aren't big drinkers, and I usually make more use of the coffee machine. :) This time we will have to utilize the Bustelo coffee location. We sail two weeks from yesterday, so it's getting closer. I just need to re-read your review and watch all the video segments at least 20 more times.:D

Have a great weekend!

The movie screen and sound are fixed? Someone a few weeks ago said the sound wasn't working. This makes me happy, happy happy!!!:cool:

Hello Mr Winks and Mrs. Winks!

I have now read your review and watched all of the snapchat segments, oh, about 50 times! :D Again, thank you!

We will be in the same cabin as you, but one deck down in two weeks. I know there is no concierge lounge or diamond lounge ( we won't be diamond till January), but I am seeing other DL eligible cruisers post that there are three drinks loaded onto their sea pass cards each night. Is that the same for cruisers that would normally have access to the concierge lounge if there was one?

Thank you, thank you!

Every day I am looking more and more forward to this cruise!

I agree. Thank you for your very positive review, and for taking the time to write it.