CSohio

We were on the Oasis of the Seas and they had to medivac someone from the ship. We happened to be in the engine control room on a VIP tour when the bridge called. The engineer wouldn't take the first call .The bridge immediately called again (I could see the caller I'd) as the chief engineer giving us the tour took the call. He immediately hung up and yelled across the room "full power, medical emergency" . The engineering team jumped into action. The ship had to get closer to San Jaun to meet the helicopter. We left the engine room and continued the tour; we could feel the ship speed up and turn especially when we were in the laundry which is located on the lowest deck in the front .About two hours later we watched the helicopter arrive from our balcony .

I am researching a cruise and am really confused with all the fuss about whether passengers can book a 3rd party tour or not. Here is RCL's FAQ: It specifically states passengers can book a 3rd party tour; you are responsible for ensuring it meets US requirements.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/topics/cuba-cruises

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-i-purchase-a-cuba-tour-through-a-third-party-company

Has anyone stayed on an Empress of the Seas ocean view cabin on deck seven above Boleros? I am wondering about the noise / vibration levels from the music below? Can you hear the music/feel the bass vibrations? If so, how late into the night? Specifically interested in cabin 7164 or 7664.

Thanks

I'm not sure if this will work but give it a try.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzDmkCCNcBE6ckpXekI5NTNIN1k/view?usp=sharing

Thanks for the link to the video....Great room set up!

It would be great if someone had photos..I'd be interested in 7664.

On our recent RCI cruise I was taken aback when what I thought would be a short thank you and farewell from our waiter on the last night became a rant that was basically- I know I do a good job so I expect the ratings you give to all be 10- I don't want any rating lower- or I will not get my money. But I have done a good job so I know I can expect 10's.There is no excuse for any lower number... so that is what I will expect.

 

My tablemates and I were aghast at this tone.. then I went to our cabin where the steward we had really loved knocked on our door and said when he came in.. it has been pleasure serving you and I know you liked what I did because you told me ( we had and given him an extra tip mid cruise). So, I know I can ask you to please give me a 10 for my rating. It is very , very important for me to have that... " and as he said it tears filled his eyes.

 

I have been on more than a dozen cruises and never had staff beg for or demand high ratings... is some reign of terror going on.. is there some contest being held with cash incentives ? I saw our tablemates the next am and asked them if they heard similar from their steward and they had and were equally uncomfortable. I realize that English is not thefirst language of most staff, but it all sounds either abrasive or pathetic to me...

 

Whatever is prompting this behavior needs to be done away with ...

Similar experience from our dining room waiter on our Oasis cruise last month.

We were on Oasis last week as well with a group of about 20.

Oasis of the Seas is an impressive ship with lots to do.

PROs:

-All staff we engaged were very pleasant and helpful

-The ship was in amazing condition for being 6 years old.

-The entertainment options were great; you will never be bored.

-The solarium was awesome and did not feel too crowded.

-The bar service was great at all locations we stopped at.

-The ice show was really cool.

-The comedian show was good.

-Windjammer food was great

-At at Chops, Johnny Rockets and Sabor - All were good

-THE BEST room steward we have ever had

-All Access Tour was awesome

-Dinner Bar Server was great

-Did not feel nickled and dimed on this cruise as I have on other RCCL cruises.

-We benefited from the premium drink packaged although by day 6 it felt like a job. I would not get the drink package if I was cruising with my family; but since we sailed with a large group, it made sense.

CONs:

-The ship had too many people! The ship felt very crowded most days. It was hard to get an elevator and difficult to find a table at the Windjammer for breakfast.

-Everything was a queue.

-Chops wasn't "Great"; we've had better on Freedom and Navigator

-Dinning room assistant waiter was terrible; our Waiter was struggling trying to do both jobs

-I don't like having to make reservations for everything ahead of time (I guess this is the wave of the future). I wish we could just "show up" like the old days.

-There is not really a wrap around promenade

-No Crown and Anchor lounge

-Pools (except for Solarium) were very crowded

-Nassau was a waste; wished we could have gone to Cococay instead

-Dining room staff begged for a "10" on the review on day 5 which was really uncomfortable.

-Never saw our head waiter (probably because we don't hand out envelopes anymore)

-The dining room Maitre D started speaking, playing music, and had the waiters dance before we even got our appetizers. I wish they would stop that whole charade; it makes the cruise feel cheap and is very disruptive to dinner service.

We have stayed at Marriott Hollywood Beach in the past and really enjoyed the boardwalk and beach. We currently book the Hyatt Pier 66 the night prior to our cruise this weekend but am now contemplating changing the reservation to Marriott Hollywood Beach.

We really like the Marriott but the Hyatt is closer to the port. The Hyatt does not have a lot to do/eat within walking distance which is why I am considering making a change.

Anyone have any pros or cons for each hotel that could help me in my decison?

Thanks. We booked it!

We just returned from the Christmas cruise on Grandeur.

We stayed at the Best Western Plus (newly renovated!)

6055 Belle Grove Road

 

Nice room at a great price. Family of 5 suite was $110.00 and included 8 days free parking and transportation to and from cruise port and free breakfast.

 

Van driver said it was 45 minute car ride to DC.

Thanks....We are sailing out of Baltimore and will have to check this out.

I'm looking at the Carnival Pride 8nt cruise sailing Dec. 26 from Baltimore. We would be driving from Ohio. I'm trying to convince myself I'm not crazy for considering this, given the weather possibilities. We usually don't cruise around Christmas because of the cost of flights, which is why I'm considering Baltimore as a driveable port. Is this new that there are sailings year round from Baltimore? Anyone ever run into weather issues?

We just booked Grandeur of the Seas out of Baltimore for Thanksgiving 2015. We too are driving from Ohio to save $$ on holiday airfare. I expect the drive to take about 7 hours from Columbus. We are leaving the day before and driving 5-6 hours to Frederick MD. We will finish the drive the morning of.

It's got to be a rollaway because the sofa bed is just the bottom of the sofa with the back pillows removed. You might want to double and triple check with RCI to make sure four people can indeed stay in that room. Are the kids little? If so the rollaway will be fine, but if it's an older child it might be annoying for a week.

Thanks. There will be 2 adults and 2 children....10 and 5. So a convertible sofa and a rollaway will be fine.

Thanks for the insight!

I just booked Gradeur 7588 for four people....2 adults and 2 kids. The room is listed as accomadating 3. 1 king and a sofa bed. Where does the 4th person sleep? Do they bring in a rollaway?

We have sailed 10+ times on RCCL but never with our kids or on a ship smaller than the voyager. I have a hold on a PV cabin for 2 adults and 2 children for a 8 day thanksgiving week cruise out of Baltimore. I am debating whether or not to move forward. I am concerned that the kids (10 and 5) will become bored on a ship this small on a 8 days cruise. I expect the first and last day to be cold as the ship is sailing out of Baltimore so it might be

Anyone cruised on this ship with kids? We are holding a PV cabin. Any thoughts, feedback or personal experiences to share?

Thanks

Three families traveling together. 6 Adults and 5 Children (4 are 9 years old and 1 will be almost 5).

Can't decide between the following cruises for January 2015:

5 Day Disney Wonder: $2500 Outside Cabin for 4

7 Day RCCL Freedom: $3000 Outside Cabin for 4

8 Day RCCL Freedom: $3400 Outside Cabin for 4

Your opinions and experiences are welcomed.

Thanks

They left two towels in my stateroom on Liberty in January. In addition, there are towel stations on the pool deck. You can take towels and leave wet towels there. No limits on the number. No need to show a seapass card anymore.

Thank you Royal Caribbean!

We are looking to book our first Disney cruise. Probably going to book a 5 Day Disney Wonder cruise from Miami sailing next January.

Would appreciate any tips or advice about Disney and the Wonder you might have.

I also have a few specific questions.....

1. What is the best way to book? (TA, Disney.com, Internet TA)

2. Is there such a thing as coupons/discounts with Disney Cruises?

3. Does Disney offer group pricing? If so, what constitutes a group?

4. If the cabin pricing does down after making a reservation, can you get your reservation repriced?

5. After making our reservation, are there any reservation musts...Like booking on board activities, dining reservations, etc.

Thanks for your help.

We are looking at booking the Disney Wonder sailing from Miami January 2015. Would enjoy hearing from those who have recently sailed from Miami on Disney or recently sailed on Wonder.

Any tips/tricks/advice with Disney would be great; we have only cruised with RCL.

We are planning a Freedom cruise for January 2015. We are three families cruising together (6 adults, 5 kids).

We are planning to arrive in Orlando on Saturday. Any thoughts on where to stay? Should we stay somewhere in Orlando and travel to the pier on Sunday or stay at Port Canaveral?

The pool is probably what is most important so the kids can swim.

Thanks for your review so far!

I am excited to hear more about your experience cruising with children. We are trying to plan a cruise for January 2015 with three families and have been looking at at sailing on Freedom. We have 6 adults and 5 children in our group; four of the kids will be 9 and 1 will be 4.

Any tips for finding booking specials or cruise deals? Does RCC run 3&4 guest specials?