WeBCruisin

Correct, the Classic option is a part of Dynamic Dining - it is to give those who enjoy traditional dining a way to do that within the Dynamic Dining program. Those programs, as he described them, are one and the same with "Classic" being an option within Dynamic Dining.

 

Yay!! I am so thrilled to hear that Royal is keeping the Classic Dining option available with the Dynamic Dining program.

 

We are planning a family cruise in June 2016 with 21 family members (ages 12 months to 81 years). We like to all be able to dine together each evening to catch up on our daily adventures and that did not appear to be feasible within the original Dynamic Dining program.

 

So glad they are listening!!

Harry!

 

Thanks so much for the detailed report! I am so loving hearing about your travels and am especially appreciative of the details!

 

We are planning an extended family group trip on the Allure for June 2016 - See - that alone proves that I am also a Uber planner who is bordering on OCD when it comes to vacations. Seriously - Royal doesn't even have the June 2016 schedule published yet but I am already researching and planning.

 

We have a group of 21 family members ranging in age from 14 months to 82 years. Our family first started cruising together in 1994 when we numbered a mere 12. Through mariages and births we are now up to 21!

 

This will be our first time on the Oasis class ship and the first family cruise since 2008 (my nieces and nephews have been busy getting married and having babies - kind of hard to plan around those events.....)

 

I have quickly learned that cruising has changed quite a bit in the past 7 years so I have a lot of catching up to do. Our biggest fear is that they will roll out Dynamic Dining on the Allure before our cruise. We love cruising because it allows us to do our separate activities during the day and then meet up with the entire crew for dinner in the main dining room and catch up with everyone. I can't imagine being able to coordinate that with dynamic dining!! Yikes!!

 

Because of this we may be jumping ship (pun intended) and cruising the Freedom instead. I love the Freedom (it's one of my favorite ships) so I don't mind this and it would be totally worth it to keep Traditional Dining (and likely cheaper as well - which I know appeals to you! LOL) However I was looking forward to checking out the newer ships.

 

OK - so that's it for my 2 cents! Thanks again for all your hard work on your trip report. I am loving the details, the pictures and especially the humor!!

 

WeBCruisin

[quote name='Jimmers']Although I believe that if they are going to go with DD on the Oasis and Allure, the decision will be made well before your June 2016 cruise.[/QUOTE]

However my in-laws are planning on making the reservations for our group as soon as the June 2016 sailings are released. And although we may know about the DD implementation many months before we set sail - changing our booking to another ship (and departure port) will be more trouble than it's worth. And since the purpose of the this trip is family time and not the ship itself we will probably go with the "sure thing" unless RCCL can guarantee us that Traditional Dining will still be available on the Oasis class ships.

You would think that RCCL would keep at least one level of the MDR as traditional dining on each ship.......

I have been watching this discussion closely - Our extended family of 21 people ranging in age from 82 to 14 months will be cruising in June 2016. We haven't booked yet - but will as soon as the listings for that time frame are available. We have cruised many times together in the past 20 years. The one thing we like about cruising is that everyone can go off and do their own thing during the day - and come back to meet up as a group each evening in the Main Dining Room.

We were planning on sailing either on the Oasis or Allure (depending on the schedule/itinerary) however we are now very concerned. If in fact RCCL does decide to roll out DD on Oasis and Allure before 6/16 it would definitely impact our plans. Since RCCL isn't giving specific dates for the DD roll out we will probably decide not to take this risk and book on the Freedom instead. Disappointed because we had not experienced the Oasis class of ships yet - so since Freedom is NOT planning to switch to DD we will probably play it safe and cruise the Freedom again.

I can't answer your question re the early quit time of the HOHO's but I would guess it comes down to economics. With regard to the food court in Waterfront Centre it is primarily geared for the trade in the office tower and of course its main source of customers have gone home by 5:30.

With regard to the morning tour offered by Vancouver Tours (LandSea) we have heard nothing but glowing reports from cruisers who have taken it. It really has been designed for cruisers. With your DH being a resident alien I would be inclined to arrive earlier than later.

 

 

We just signed up for the pre-cruise tour offered by LandSea for this Saturday (7/11). They are picking us up directly at our hotel and dropping us (and our luggage!)off directly at the cruise port. Seemed like the best hassle free way to see most of the city in a short period of time. I will give a full review when I return!

Flying in from the Midwest July 10 before our July 11 Serenade Cruise. Staying at the Hampton Inn on Robson. We are a family of 4 - with 2 DS ages 5 & 9. Looking for the best way to entertain ourselves in the morning before boarding the ship. Don't want to show up at Ballentyne before Noon. Being that we'll still be on East Coast time - I'm sure that the boys will be up bright and early and raring to go!

 

What is the best plan of action to keep them entertained? I'm assuming that the hotel will allow us to check out and leave our luggage while we go exploring. What do you experts recommend? I'm thinking Stanley Park? But what is the best way to get there from the Hampton? Is there something else that will be closer and work better for our clan?

 

Thanks in advance for all your advice!!

 

Haley

 

P.S. I was married on Canada Day ......in the event that scores any brownie points ; - )

Here is a link to the Port of Vancouver's website which describes it even better than the YVR site. I know for a fact it is up and running for Princess and would believe that is for the other lines as well.

 

http://www.portmetrovancouver.com/about/cruiseandtourism/usdirectprocess.aspx

 

PD - thanks so much for the information! Hopefully it is also up and running for RCI - just have not heard it confirmed from any of the returning passengers!

Hi - Hoping Scottbee has some updated info on US DIRECT.

 

The last information I read on the boards was that it was operational from Airport to Pier with hopes of being up and running from PIER to Airport in July. Any updates on this status?

 

I checked YVR website and it described the process very well as if it is currently operational - it did NOT say that it wasn't available.

 

Thanks so much! Any information you can provide is greatly appreciated!! I am cruising RCI and flying United - which were listed as participating in the program.

Burak from Turkey!!! He was our waiter on our family cruise on the Enchantment way back in 1999. He was leaving to open the Voyager when it debuted. We cruised the VOS in 2002 and tried to track him down - unfortunately he had just left the ship for his vacation!!

 

Do not know if he is still with RCI - would love and update on him if anyone has one!! After 10 cruises he is by far our families favorite!!!!