Airbear232

Just saying, on Quantum class, great views forward from the Solarium and aft from 270. Not doubting your experience as YMMV for everyone. I really find Quantum and Oasis shops very spacious.

Welcome to Royal, I hope you have a wonderful cruise. The Ovation is a beautiful ship, you’ll find it more spacious than NCL. I’ve never preloaded money to my seapass. Like most, I have it linked to a CC and never think more of it. The food quality is good but can vary from ship to ship. If you’re a foodie then the specialty restaurants are worth it. As a few people mentioned, you can often get promos for specialty restaurants prior to cruising, on the first day, and for lunch. Being a coffee freak, I used to get the non-alcoholic beverage package as between lattes, freshly squeezed juices, and mock tails, it was worth it for DW and I. If you find you enjoy Royal, you’ll find many perks as you move up their loyalty tiers.

I agree with those asking for the two daily cleanings to continue. It was a great nicety of cruising. And, truth is on land, if needed, you can ask at most hotels to tidy your room up at any time. Most cruise cabins aren’t too big and it doesn’t take the average room attendant too long to do all of their cabins. We tip over base gratuities and this is one service I believe they should restore.

Regardless, it’s scarce, whether due to supply issue or supply choice because it’s not as requested on these cruises.

Well, until we get to pinnacle, I do like the free bag of laundry, 2 days internet, 2 for 1 speciality restaurants and 5 drink vouchers.

I grew up with the best European coffee. Nothing, for me, beats kaffee with schlag with a nice piece of cake. YMMV.

By scarce in Europe, I meant scarce on ship on a European cruise.

Maybe given the vouchers everyone has they don’t feel a need to repair. Do you think the Diamond lounge will survive long term?

Given we like cream in coffee, we’ve experienced this where half half or cream was scarce. More so in Europe than North America. Another thing I be noticed is that most whipped cream has been replaced with whipped topping. I’ll admit, if a snob this way, I like real whipped cream and not the oil based substitute. The other thing is if they are changing it, label it for what it is.

We were on Explorer last month and tendered to Santorini. No priority other than to RCL excursions. Only one person had to go. Go earlier than stated. On our cruise they started giving out half an hour early because so many people were waiting.

Best wishes to your mum for a speedy recovery. If she can’t fly, have your parents considered taking a train to Seattle? Might be better than driving. I hope you can all go and have a great time!

Sorry, looks like I’m late to reply to this. We’ve done both in the past as we do a lot of cruises out of NYC area. Here’s my take. Just my opinion and YMMV. Ships: Royal hands down. Much more spacious and more things to do. I find NCL to be more closed it. Their ship within a ship (haven) concept doesn’t appeal to me, I think it ruins the rest of the ship. Entertainment: Close but edge to Royal. Water shows and Ice shows to me give Royal edge. Staff: slight edge to NCL, their staff I’ve always found to be incredibly approachable Food: in MDR and buffet slight edge NCL in specialty edge to Royal. Cabins: edge Royal Itineraries: NCL, more options Oversll: Royal Again YMMV

Thank you, will do!

Not yet, we’ve done 5 since. DW would like the Allure one, it’s her favourite ship (Mamma Mia).

Definitely a trip if a lifetime. I hope you and everyone going have a great time. Please share lots of info/photos! I hope it’s still available in a few years. I’d love to surprise this for my DW.

We’ve never received one. Our first block should have been on the Allure in 2021.

Very good review, we are curious about MSC having cruised mostly on RCI. I agree that the menus should be accurate for food content, but don't understand how halal, or even kosher, would be imposing a religion on someone. But overall good review.

Why?

But wouldn't they all be of the same ship? Do you want 7 Serenades?

Geez, talk about taking comments personally! Again, my post was to find out if anyone heard anything similar and could corroborate or refute. There was no inaccuracy in what I heard or in my discussion with other people there. If it is true, it will likely come to light soon enough. If not, then it and this thread will fade way back in the pages in the coming weeks. Have a great day.

I posted to see whether anyone one else heard any info to corroborate or refute. This is from a conversation I heard not one I think I heard. I have good hearing, am not senile, and the conversation caused the couple being told to get quite upset along with others in the area. The question is how accurate it is.

For clarification, the gist of the discussion was that children going forward would not earn points. They would benefit from their parent's tier until they were 18 at which time "the clock" would reset for them and they would start accumulating their own C&A points. I can understand the change from a costing perspective. I don't like it, but I understand it. This was only a conversation I heard. I haven't seen any communications to this effect, so I don't even know how credible it is. I was looking to see whether anyone had heard anything similar.

We were on EOS out if Trieste on May 21st. One evening I was at Guest Services and the couple before me was told that going forward children under 18 would no longer accumulate C&A points. They would share their parent’s status until 18 at which time the “clock” would start for them. Given the number of things I’ve been told by GS in the past, I’ve taken it with a grain of salt. Has anyone heard anything similar?

I wish she was on the current EOS sailing. First time we’ve had Elvis and hope we never have to have him again.

That sounds really cool. I enjoyed Ephesus when we were there. To see sites through VR in situ would be really something. If you do this, please share info.