dplusd

You could always book for two guest and let the second guest be a no-show at the pier.

We feel the regular balcony cabins on Royal Caribbean are just fine and don't often upgrade to a Junior Suite.  We also sail Princess and their regular balcony rooms are quite small and so always select a Junior Suite on that line.  

1. Offer MDR lunch on embarkation day.  Crowded Windjammer is terrible way to start a vacation.

2. Improve poolside dining options like a good pizza place and fresh grilled burgers and dogs.

Got sick toward the end of the first leg of a B2B in February 2020.  We had to cancel the 2nd week to fly home.  When straight to the hospital and was admitted for 5 days with flu/pneumonia. 

After spending a night in the ship ER, all I wanted to do was get home.  I would never want to be really sick on a ship!

We were fortunate to have cruised in Feb 2020 before the shutdown.  But we have moved on and don't plan on cruising anytime soon.  When COVID is over and IF cruising returns to the pre-COVID normal we will look forward to boarding a ship again.   

I don't like any of the enclosed balconies on these two ships but those on deck 6 are terrible.  I would just be sure to avoid that deck.

We stayed in a boardwalk balcony on Oasis.  It beats an inside room and the space is good for the price.  But, I missed the ocean and ocean views are limited on Oasis class.  If we sail on Oasis class again (which I don't think we will) it would have to be in an ocean view balcony.  

6 hours ago, mariemorgan said:

 

I see dining reservations have opened in the cruise planner but I can’t figure out how to make them for our package. Can we use this tool or do we have to wait until we are on board?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

 

Although diner package reservations have to be reserved onboard, I have never had a problem getting the restaurants and times I wanted.  Make your dining reservations on boarding day and you should not have a problem.

The perks we receive are from loyalty (Diamond) and from TA's when we transfer our booking to them.  On occasions we have receive and additional discount for Senior or state residency.  

On 8/5/2020 at 7:18 PM, cruisinfanatic said:

Would you really go on a cruise where you were required to wear a mask anytime out of your cabin including ports?

Absolutely not.  If the pandemic is strong enough to warrant masks, it's too early to start cruising.  Happy to wait till this has past.  Lots of other safer options for getting away.    

Personally at this point in time, I would not plan to visit the state of Florida in October and certainly would not plan to cruise.  I know things can change, but for now, it does not look promising.

When you cancel a cruise (rather than Royal cancelling the cruise) travel insurance would be your only option for a cash refund.  I cancelled the second cruise of a B2B in February of this year due to health concerns and did receive a cash refund from insurance.  

We always save singles and five's between vacations too!  I am sure we will tip generously as we always have.  We have not been impacted financially by Covid-19 and gratuities are not a large expense in our vacation budgets anyway.  Just not sure when I am going to feel comfortable getting on a cruise ship again.  I don't see that being any time soon and probably not until there is a vaccine or treatment available.  

1 hour ago, johnjen said:

...get into police mode and start enforcing:
- Where we can go, or when....ZONING areas at certain times;
- Tell us constantly when to wear the mask or when we can remove it;
- Remind us of social distancing by prodding a stick in between us;
- Wait for us to board and tell us our favorite venues are closed (or events) due to lack of staffing
Now, the surveys and questions about our health status pre-boarding is fine. Just let everyone enjoy the vacation we paid for. We don't want to be constantly policed or bothered.
If THIS is the future of cruising, count us out.

Suggest you look for other vacation options for the foreseeable future.  Cruising will not be the same for a long time, if ever...

Until there is a vaccine or some treatment for Covid-19 cruising is over.  

Saddest day indeed!  Enjoyed your recap at the cruise at the end of the video.  Nice...

About half of the forward and mid-ship elevators are glass.  When you call for an elevator the first one to come may not be a glass one so you would just half to wait for another.  I believe they are open to the promenade area from deck 4-10.

 On embarkation day just drop off your bags with the porters before you park the car.  When disembarking a porter will be a big help in collecting your luggage and getting you through customs.  Not sure if they would escort you all the way to your car in the parking lot but you could certainly ask.  I would tip them generously if they do.

4 hours ago, Roger88 said:

They cannot decline to serve you dinner or breakfast if you demand it. You have payed for a full day and it means that the whole thing is covered

???  What's that got to do with the OP's question???

As for you room question, the Promenade Rooms offer the biggest bang for the buck.  About 165 sqft, larger than standard interior or oceanview, but smaller than balcony rooms.  Layout is good.

We aren't buffet fans and miss the great burgers and dogs at the pool side grilles on Celebrity and Princess.   

I wish they would ditch the discretionary gratuity model and replace it with a mandatory "resort fee".  That would take care of the cheapo's looking to stiff the hard working staff and/or those that can't really afford to cruise anyway. 

Specialty restaurant servers do not receive any of the auto-gratuities.  We always purchase specialty dining pre-cruise at discounted rates and without the 18% gratuity added so we do leave a cash tip, typically $20 for the two of us.  If we were to purchase on board with the 18% gratuity automatically added, we would not tip additional.  

No more late night buffets on Royal...chocolate or other.  Last one I remember was maybe 10 years ago.  I haven't sailed Holland America, but I believe they used to have a late night chocolate buffet.  All the mainstream cruise lines eliminated the late night food extravaganzas about the same time.  

One advantage to purchase pre-cruise is the 18% gratuity is NOT charged.  On board the gratuity will be added.