Royalty X

I'd be calling Dawn... but it's a while off.

I had a feeling this news was coming. It was bound to happen, with her being the oldest ship in the fleet. Still, it's sad. We enjoyed our cruise on Pearl.

This was posted on the Facebook page "Amazing pictures of ships from Royal Caribbean International" with the caption "BREAKING: Empress just entered drydock for her transformation to become Empress of the Seas. Are you excited to see her again in Royal livery?"

This is the only pic that's been posted though.

I know and still no news on the Music hall, leaving it late.

They had popcorn for sale on Mariner of the Seas when we sailed in December 2014. They had it set up on the Royal Promenade a couple of times (next to the Cafe Promenade) and at the Sky Bar above the pool deck (I only saw it there once).

LOL Having seen the same faces only weeks after was the funniest part of this and yes it was a promo. Im not sure on the comparison of a cruise you pay in excess of 10k + for with a hamburger. Paying that sort of money for surly bar staff and seeing the same faces depicting a love of their job was a bit different to buying a burger for a few bucks and it not looking like the picture. Not sure I can swallow that one, the analogy that is not the burger lol!;)

 

 

 

Does anyone feel like a burger right now? :rolleyes:

$10K+!!!? What sort of cabin were you in? Perhaps some people who encounter "surly bar staff" are part of the problem. We didn't have any issues with surly or unhappy staff when we were onboard a couple of weeks back. I'm nice to everyone, happy and smile when dealing with others, and that's what I got in return. The lady who was making the coffee at Cafe Promenade was really nice whenever I spoke with her. On the other hand, I heard a lot of other passengers talking to some staff like they were pieces of crap. That makes me so angry and by the end, I'd put a few people in their place if for being rude to staff for no reason.

They didn't have it when I was on there a couple of weeks ago. There is no Cupcake Cupboard on Explorer, but there is one on Voyager.

They've recently gone up to $50 per model. It's a bit ridiculous considering they were selling them for $34.95 a couple of months ago.

Princess will arrange a blanket visa for all onboard and charge it to your onboard account.

That is just bad.

As were the shots from the deck party at the end of the show and the overhead shots (from the helicopter or drone). They had digitally removed the name of the ship (not sure if anyone else noticed that).

In what way exactly JacintaH? What are they likely to do whilst onboard?

It was very misleading; as though newbies get personal attention and guidance on Waverider, when you just join the queue, wait your turn and that's it, even if you ask for guidance. And do it in pairs, not with a lot of space as they were given. Wherever they went in this show, there were no queues and were often the only ones there - very unrealistic. It was ironic when one family pointed out how much of an experience it was to be put into the ice skate show - when that selection was only so they could be recorded that way.

You can pay to have one on one lessons on the Flowrider. But even if you don't pay for private lessons and just join the queue, the instructors were very hands on in showing you what to do (at least they were last week when I was onboard and had a go).

Graham Seymour is the cruise director. We had him on the rhapsody. One CD I didn't find to be a w@nker.

I completely agree regarding kids onboard. We were on the cruise prior to yours and had the same situations regarding kids and teens running from one end of the ship to the other, unsupervised. I think a lot of parents board the ship and believe because they're on vacation too, they no longer need to watch their kids, therefore making everyone else have to put up with the little darlings doing whatever the hell they want. I really wish RCI would put a lifeguard on duty at the pools as well.

Great review, thanks Tomo72.

Oh do they have a cruise director because they didnt appear at any live announcement or show....

Yes, but you would need to book in AUD and the pricing may be different to what is available over there.

This is old news Windsor26. [emoji4]

Well, RCI is sending Ovation here for a season, why not send a new Carnival ship?

Yes, ad confirms the above impression. :-)

Is that bad...?

I got this from RCI - Make sure you tune in to Channel Nine at 7.30pm next Thursday 28 January and sail away with us aboard Australia's Mega Cruise Ship, Explorer of the Seas. The one-hour summer special will uncover a world of fine-dining, high-adrenaline thrills, Broadway-style shows and beautiful South Pacific destinations.

I also received the latest fleet guide which has the following information...

Voyager of the Seas

Guest Capacity: 3,286 Gross Tonnage: 137,276 Revitalized: November 2014

Explorer of the Seas

Guest Capacity: 3,286 Gross Tonnage: 137,308 Revitalized: April 2015

Explorer is the largest of the 1st generation Voyager class ships, by 32 tonnes (Adventure is apparently the same as Voyager).

Mariner and Navigator (both 2nd generation) both come in at 138,279 tonnes. So, Explorer is the largest ship to be based here, until Ovation arrives.

By the way, I'm thrilled that they're doing this. I love TV shows about cruise ships and would love to see one of the lines here do a "Cruise Ship Diaries" style series.

Also note not to judge Royal Caribbean based on the Explorer or the Voyager. The ships do have a major issue with crowds. Which the other ships in the Royal fleet do not have. So just remember after the cruise and you are looking for another cruise, don't hold that against royal and assume all their ships are like that. It is only those two (It's an early Voyager class issue, that has just been made worse over the years).

 

We have been on her once when we couldn't go to any events and had to take all our food to the room as it was impossible to get a seat, the major issue was it being a 3 night cruise. Another time when it was still bad compared to other ships but not as bad as the other time. I am sure you will have a great time anyway, just make sure to not get worked up over the crowds.

I don't drink, but make sure you see Fe (pronounced "Fay") in the Crown & Kettle pub. She is fantastic! :)

I just came off an 11 night NZ cruise on Explorer on Sunday. It was awesome! You'll have a great time!

International policy (South West Pacific/NZ region) with "domestic cruise" chosen as the specific destination.

I think the idea is that if the person cuts out the agent, then they should save either the equivalent of the amount the cruiseline would pay in commission or close to it. :( I do not agree, because the cruiseline would have to pay their staff (with all the associated costs) instead of paying commission and I do not know if there would be much saving for the cruiseline to pass on.

Exactly right, it's never gonna happen, so the whole thing is a moot point. Pay the price of the cruise, regardless of whether it's through an agent or direct, otherwise you don't go on that cruise. [emoji4]

I just don't understand where this obsession with commission is coming from. Quite frankly, if you're not an agent, it's nothing to do with you. There is no "piece of the pie" for you because that's the price. You either pay the price, or you don't cruise. Simple!