Cruiser24

Hi Chillburn. I hope I am correct that you are from Australia. Would you mind telling me your opinion on whether you prefer to sail to/from Australia in the fall (Oct-Nov)versus the spring (March/April)? Is there a better time of the year to sail? Thank you.

We just got off the 12 night Southern Caribbean sailing on Grandeur. I read the OP's review just before leaving and was rather disheartened. Thankfully, we did not have the same experience. We prefer the same ships and are well aware that most of them need to be updated. You can see wear and tear on furniture both in the cabin and around the ship. This is to be expected when these ships are 20+ years old and I absolutely agree this needs to be addressed by Royal. However, I did not think that the Grandeur was "filthy and ill maintained". It seems that all day, every day, there were crew members cleaning in the public areas but indoors and out. We ate in the MDR most nights and found it to be quite good. The food was hot when delivered and we enjoyed the variation the menu. On the nights we ate in the WJ, we also had no complaints. I did not seem to us that they served the same food every day. We did not go into the solarium, fitness room or sit on the pool deck so I cannot address those areas. My problem with the linens is not that they are threadbare but that they are SO ROUGH! I have a problem with this on every ship. Since we cruise with Royal a lot, we had seen several of the entertainers and production shows before. Nothing outstanding but fine, especially for first time cruisers. We also found the app to have incorrect information on many occasions. One thing I absolutely agree on is the WIFI. It was horrible. We had no WIFI service in our room and had to go the Schooner Bar to sign on. Even though it is old and could use some TLC, we would not hesitate to go on the Grandeur again.

On the Jewel now and asked the Captain at the Captains Corner if he had any insight into what the Jewel will be doing in spring/summer 2025. His answer: “I haven’t been told anything as to what will happen with the Jewel but hopefully we’ll find out soon”. Not the answer I was hoping for😕. The wait continues.

🤞🤞🤞

On Liberty now. Giving out RCCL small squeeze balls and coozies as well as highlighters.

The ship model is from our first cruise on the Nordic Prince in 1987. Not purchased with dollars, just the beginning of our Royal adventures.

We used to participate in every activity they offered, just to earn the coveted Ship Shape dollars. We still have lots of swag purchased with those dollars.

Yes, this was very helpful. It still says GTY so I’ll keep checking. Thank you.

Please explain the barcode trick again. I downloaded my seapass to Apple wallet but still don’t see the room number. Thanks.

We are booked on the Jewel, 12 night Northern Europe Aug 10-22, 2024. I’ve read a couple of times where she is moving to the Med in August 2024. I sure hope it’s after this sailing.

We were on last week. I asked for chips at 270 Cafe and they told me they didn’t have them anymore.😠

Jewel TA, April 5, 2024 has been released. Fort Lauderdale to Southampton.

And the Jewel TA in spring of 2024? I’m still waiting for that one!

We are booked on the Jewel Arctic Circle cruise, Aug 10-22, 2024. Something’s wrong somewhere!

I’ve been checking many times a day and this is the first I’ve seen Oasis. Is a Jewel crossing available and I don’t know about it? That’s what I’ve been waiting for.