psupa

I hope he will be on the Journey's cruise next November 4, 2018

On the Splendor in late Feb thru early March. Steward had a printed card with morning, evening turn down or both to be checked off. It also had other things like ice, robes, extra hangers, pillows & special requests. We asked her if we checked off evening, if it would be more than just turn down service, she assured us it would be. She did as she had promised, our room was neatened up, fresh towels, ice, etc each evening.

 

On the other hand, my sister & mother were next door- same steward. Sister asked for 2x per day & was given some trouble about it. Sister had some very specific requests which were not done to her liking. Mom is 90 yrs old & she wanted to nap in the afternoons. Steward would not enter the cabin if anyone was in there, even though we told her we'd go out on the balcony while she did her thing. She used our being in there as an excuse to not do the 2x cleaning.

 

So while we were happy, sister felt she got sub standard service.

I'll have to think about this before our cruise on the Pride. My husband has limited mobility and we will get up early and go for breakfast and then he likes to just rest in the room. I would like 2x but if they will not enter the room, then we will just ask them to double up on towels since we shower twice a day and have evening turn down. Last time on the Pride we had exceptional cabin stewards

If I'm remembering correctly Ken is scheduled for vacation in May sometime. Someone sailing on the Pride can ask, it may be one of his assistance.

Just curious is Ken back on the Pride; I thought he was on the Vista. Loved him when we sailed the Pride in Jan 16.

One more question. When it comes time at the end of the cruise, when you do your tipping. If you eat all your meals in the windjammer. What do you do about the gratuities for the head waiter and asst. waiter and everyone in the MDR? Do you still leave them their gratuities? Sorry, if this seems like a stupid question. We have always eaten in the MDR, but with our upcoming cruise, we are thinking about just eating all our meals in the Windjammer. We are just wanting to take it easy, and not have to worry about dressing up every night. Thank you in advance for you responses.

do you anticipate eating at all in MDR?

I would like to know if they charge a gratuity if you eat in the WJ. I ask this question because I have heard many people say they take the tips off because they do not eat in the MDR. I was under the assumption that the tips go into a pool and are shared among all the servers in the MDR and also WJ so why would someone want to do that to the servers who wait on you and clean up after you. Just my 2 cents.

Did you take instant OBC or future cruise credit?

This does seem to be the "pivotal" unanswered question. It's been asked twice now without a response from the OP?? :confused:

Well I think we can all guess the answer to the unanswered question and why the policy is now in place. Kind of ruins it for everyone who follows the rules

Just talked to friends that got off the Anthem and one story was people getting into scuffle for pool chairs. WHEN WILL THE CREW STOP THE INSANITY??????????????.

This is just crazy fighting over a deck chair. Security should be called when this crap happens. I just don't understand what has happened to common courtesy. Maybe the answer to the saving is to charge to reserve a deck chair

Red Hook is owned by Carnival Corp, New Jersey is owned by RCI.

I'm surprised Carnival doesn't sail out of Red Hook instead of Manhattan

Not fair to Carnival.

 

Plently of ill-mannered entitled jerks everywhere.

 

As for Pinnacle pin wearers, I read that Royal has asked them to wear them around the ship.

We have met some very nice people including Pinnacle folks who are very down to earth. There are always some jerks on every cruise and every cruise line who think they are important.

Nothing posted yet for the Grandeur March 27th cruise. We are signed up but it will depend on the time it's scheduled.

Suggestions for pre cruise hotels near Baltimore port?

 

 

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We've stayed at the Best Western Plus on Dorsey Road, Elkridge MD. You get breakfast, free parking for your car and they shuttle you to and from the port. We booked it through Trinity Reservations. Just outside the lobby doors across the parking lot is the Stained Glass Pub where you can have dinner.

The cabin before bed separation, and after

Seems roomier with the beds separated

The "door hanger" continental breakfast remains available at no charge.

This is all we usually have when we use RS so hope it's true and we always tip

Don't forget RCL ships are registered in the Bahamas and go by their laws. ADA is an "American thing" ( sadly).

Sorry your statement is incorrect. My husband has limited mobility issues and Royal has always been very accommodating. This is information I have since we need an accessible cabin (if available): If the ship is embarking from a USA Port there is a USA Federal Law that applies. Based on this law and what the OP stated their post, the person is entitled to book an accessible cabin provided the ship is embarking from a USA Port. If the ship is embarking from a USA the cruise line cannot refuse anyone from booking an accessible cabin for having a mobility disability that doesn't require the use a wheelchair if that individual can attest to need of requiring the features contained in an accessible cabin. Now if the ship is embarking from a Non-USA port than the USA Federal Law does not apply and the cruise line can set its own policy as to the booking of accessible cabins provided there are no local laws for the non-USA port that apply.

DISABLED TRAVELERS, such as the two in our party, limited by mobility and stamina, usually eat 2 of the 3 meals in the room. With tips, we estimate this will add an additional 250.00 to the price of cruising on RCCL for a week. That may not sound like much, but one of the attractions of cruising is that food is included. Family members can 'fetch' sandwiches and pizza on days we are not off the ship at a port, but when they are on the boat alone, their only option will be room service.

My husband has limited mobility, uses a rollator walker and is able to go to the MDR for each meal. Do they use any kind of aide to help them get around the ship. Seems a shame for them not to enjoy the MDR for at least dinner.

Hello! Has anyone done the RC hop on hop off trolley tour in Boston? Also, what is on the continental breakfast menu that is included with the free room service? We use to be able to get scrambled eggs, pastries, coffee, etc.

Check the trolleytours.com website. You can purchase the tickets online and you meet the trolley about a block from the pier. You can also see the map with the stops they make. We love Boston

I wish they would release the itineraries for Bayonne and Baltimore for the remainder of 2018 into 2019. Seems they are just interested in pushing the new Symphony.

We like both AM and PM, but sometimes after going to breakfast and returning to our cabin it wasn't made up yet. If we get back and the room isn't made up and since my husband spends a lot of time in the cabin due to limited mobility, we tell our cabin steward to just give us clean towels and fresh ice in the morning and full service in the PM.

I only mention RCL because RCL has a defacto relationship with this company and has endorses this company when shopping. A reputation takes a lifetime to establish yet a minute to ruin. RCL should suspend it's association with the company or at least not sponsor it in their presentations. I am sure this theft happens more than is reported and such does not make it look good for RCL.Only my opinion.

It's unfortunate that this happens and it could happen anywhere and it happens a lot. Royal receives a kickback from all the stores/businesses they promote on the ship, DI, TI, etc. so I doubt they will stop doing business with them

Why would you want to end an otherwise pleasant and expensive holiday by stressing over whether or not you will get caught smuggling a few sandwiches? Just bring some prepackaged snacks from home.

Bring some Tastycakes or fruit bars that are prepackaged from home. On the ship grab some of the potato chips and don't forget something to drink. I can't imagine a bus not stopping along the way for a little break especially on such a long trip.

That is completely absurd! Once is unacceptable, twice is absolutely horrendous (using different words in my head that contain ****). Let your TA know you're expecting additional OBC for this fiasco so that she can tell Royal. Whatever useless OBC they were offering because you have to pay extra for your drinks, etc. isn't enough! Wow.

Hopefully a nice upgrade to a suite for all this aggravation and OBC. I hope it gets fixed quickly

I originally didn't even want to comment on this because I am still very irritated about it, but since Trainman has so many readers who might have young children or young grandkids and look to this blog for cruise advice I will say, I do not recommend Adventure Ocean as a trusted care provider. They are understaffed, every day. Secondly and worst, upon arriving last night to pick up my daughter I was mortified to find her asleep on the floor with no other children in the room and only one MALE caregiver alone in the room with her. When I asked he said the other remaining girl had left 20 minutes prior. The door to the room remains closed daily. But this time the entire center was closed off at the entrance with a wall sized door. I'm sure that larger door is standard at that hour but no male caregiver should ever be permitted left alone with a female child. Ever. Why it isn't policy that a female caregiver is called when this situation happens, or the parent called for pick up, is risky and incredibly dangerous for the little girls. Big reckless fail for AO. Highly inappropriate. I will never trust them with my child's safety and well being again.

I would be mortified if I walked in and found my daughter alone in the room with only one male attendant. That should never have happened and you need to address this with Royal's Corporate Offices. Please send an email to address your concerns and believe me they will contact you. Also when you receive the online survey please address the issue on the survey as well. They do read them and take issues very seriously. For a ship that size they are definitely understaffed and that needs to be addressed. Yes Trainman has many followers and you should also put a thread on the main boards addressing AO.

Theresa

Really enjoyed your posts and lovely pics. Thanks for taking us along and wow those 7 days went by quick. Lyric is a beautiful little girl and always smiling.

Theresa

I've seem some recent photos of the food and portion sizes from Chops and I would never pay that price. Another Royal gimmick

There are a bunch of ships in port this morning. Because of the way they are docked I am not sure if it is 5 or 6.

 

 

 

Is that a former Royal ship (looks like a Vision class) because of the Crown. We were there a few weeks ago on a Friday and there were only 2 ships in port that day

I am really starting to notice more and more hand washing stations near the entrances to the eateries.

 

This one is by the entrance to the Solarium Bistro.

 

 

Hopefully folks use it even if they just washed their hands