BEENSAILING

4 minutes ago, Teacher42 said:

Dear All, From reading the letter sent to all the passengers RCI/RCCL has 'stepped up to the plate' and is doing the right thing by its passengers.  I take back everything negative I assumed of this cruise line, in their prior treatment of me in regard to booking penalties. They deserve kudos for their monetary reimbursement of their passengers. The decision to return early to give them time to sanitize the ship is also very commendable, giving future passengers the confidence to sail with them.

Royal really did a WOW on this!

36 minutes ago, OTownNick said:

Hi Mac! 

 

With 9 Cats, it always seems to be something, especially right before we leave town. Our big Maine Coon has been acting weird lately and I suspected a UTI, so my wife brought him in today and sure enough he has one. He got 2 injections and so now he should have relief and we ALSO have relief about leaving town. 

 

Im so excited for my wife to experience the Suites Lounge /Coastal Kitchen area. She’s never seen this area yet. She’s going to absolutely love it. 

 

Im always looking for new experiences to do. One simple thing is simply to sit at the Rising Tide Bar and have a drink while the bar is moving lol.  

Nick - we also are very excited to experience the Suites lounge and Coastal Kitchen on the cruise. We splurged for the upgrade. (Not the bid up.)

1 hour ago, megr1125 said:

Why attach it to a 7 year old, vaguely titled thread. At first, I skipped right past this as it's 7 years old and called NOROVIRUS...nothing about this being on OA, nor current. I only found it by scrolling past and looking for a new thread. 🙄🙄

I posted separate on the Royal board specifically about Oasis a day or so ago when I first read something about many getting ill. A few hours later it was merged by an admin to this thread.

6 minutes ago, cb at sea said:

Unless the lone friend is in a GS or better, he won't get any suite perks, even with a JS....I don't know if that's what you're looking for, or not.  If you all want to stay close, stick with the regular balcony.  

Those in JS on Qunatum and Oasis class ships can eat at Coastal Kitchen at dinner

2 minutes ago, boscobeans said:

 

We have experienced a late boarding due to extra sanitizing due to a NORO infection on the previous cruise a few times.

 

You will probably see a slight white residue on just about everything that you could possibly touch or come in contact with.

 

Dishes, flatware, pots, pans, serving trays, platters and all glassware that is washed commercially with the normal temperature, time and sanitizing chemicals is more than enough to kill Noro. 

 

I have seen staff with backpacks containing sanitizing solutions spraying all chairs in all venues. 

 

On two cruises the library had all books removed and the shelves were sprayed and the books held in quarantine. 

 

Pretty good compared to what airplanes, airports or hotels do to clean...

Wonder what they do with Casino chips?

By coming back a day early Royal can do a deep cleaning of the ship... but what do they actually do? toss out dishes and silverware?  clean every public chair and table (theatre, casino, bars...)?

I agree. a very selfish - and dangerous - attitude.

8 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Yes. 

Hope you stay healthy.

8 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Of course. 

Hope you stay healthy...

14 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

How much is a full refund of a free cruise?

 

Biker, who hopes we get the full 7 points. 

Biker - you on board?

18 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

Headed back to Pt Canaveral,  full refund

are you on board?

i just read this on a FB post - 

OASIS OF THE SEAS UPDATE:

Royal Caribbean just made an announcement right now over the intercom saying that we are skipping Cozumel as the increased of people getting sick and we will be refunded for the entire cost of the cruise.

12 minutes ago, OTownNick said:

I will be curious to see how it compares to your previous experience 

This will be my third. I was just as happy second time as first. I am a more adventurous eater than Paul. When I told him they added a beef dish to the options is when he said yes. I will post my comments and Paul’s. First night he wanted to go to 150 Central Park.  I understand they no longer have the salts on the table - (Royal no longer has contract with the providor.) In all of our cruises we have never gone to 150. We have always enjoyed Jamie Oliver’s, Chops (from US, Europe and South America - did not like the steak in Chops on our Australia cruise.) After our BOGO we are planning dinners in Coastal Kitchen. Thought about Hooked but as Paul spends lots of time in the NE with his work, we have a favorite place for Lobstah Rolls.

1 hour ago, OTownNick said:

Anthem was our favorite ship!! But that was in 2015 to the Canaries. It had the Dynamic Dining then which we loved. The shows were the best we’ve seen! And Wonderland was the best meal ever. That’s kinda why we decided against Wonderland this time. It could only disappoint we’re afraid. We decided to leave it at that .

DH and and I ate at Wonderland several years ago on Quantum. I enjoyed it. He declared it a “chik” restaurant.  I went alone a few months ago on Anthem and told him the menu was different. He agreed to try it - again - on our Symphony 1/12/19 second night of our BOGO. 

4 minutes ago, old faithful said:

May this be my biggest problem:  I am going on the Anthem of the Seas this July.  I am booked in the two bedroom royal family suite and my best friend is in a grande suite two cabins down from me.  Our other best friend is in a balcony next to him.  For my friend to upgrade to a Jr. Suite the cost is under $500 so money is not a problem.  His cabin would be on another deck however.  Upgrading to a grande suite is $2,000.00 so not really an option. 

 

My question:  Do you think it is worth it for my friend to upgrade and move to a different deck for a Jr Suite  - or just stay in a balcony cabin so you are right next to us?

 

What would you do?

 

Thanks,

Bryan

“Worth it” is matter of personal judgement. Coastal Kitchen for dinner in JS. If your friend is traveling solo - triple C and A points.

See you Saturday!

18 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

The OP asked about comparisons between Grandeur and Anthem.

IMHO - More fun activities on the Anthem. I am a fan of iFly and I take advantage of doing it each Qunatum class cruise. The vistarama / panel shows in 270 are must sees. Kummelweck sandwich is for me a must eat at 270 cafe. Many more specialty dining restaurant options on Anthem. 

19 minutes ago, wytygr8 said:

What is the pool table situation? Is there more than one? Is it usually busy or have a wait list or something?

8 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Two pool tables.

I never saw wait lines. 

7 minutes ago, Merion_Mom said:

 

I can't think of any place that Grandeur goes that the Anthem can't or doesn't.

I was writing about larger ships - in general. The largers ships cannot go through Panama Canal, to Venice and some of the Med. ports. Just like when Royal had south American itens and the larger ships could not access certsin ports. 

I am a fan of the bigger ships. That being said, I will go on a smaller ship when there are certain ports I want to go to and not all of the bigger ships can sail to certain ports becuase of docking issues and depth of waterway issues.

Anyone on board can tell us what the staff is doing? Wonder if ship will be delayed on next sailing for deep cleaning?

https://www.wesh.com/amp/article/more-than-150-passengers-fall-ill-on-cruise-that-left-from-port-canaveral/25837337

12 minutes ago, lizzy911 said:

In case helpful.

 

Brilliance of Seas, 4 nights, sail date 2/14/19

Received e-mail to bid 1/5/19

Placed bid 1/8/19

Bid accepted 1/9/19

 

Original cabin was a 2V - inside

Bid $75 / per person ($150 total) for Balcony

Accepted, moved to category E1 - Balcony (edit maybe category is 1D - not totally sure - normal balcony)

Enjoy your balcony!

1 hour ago, A&L_Ont said:

 

It has been for Android users for a while.  

 

I just checked and it still isn't fully functional for IOS users.  CC has said it will take some time for them to get it functioning for  IOS users.  I am signed in and it will load CC and I can read threads.  However, when I go to post it says that "You don't have permission to reply".

I will keep following and when Tapatalk is ready for iPhone it will all be easier for me.

1 hour ago, barb in ga said:

Some have said that many former participants find the material repetitive and therefore don't log on or post as often;  I'm not sure that is the only reason participation may be down.

 

 

Most of us are aware that the number of cruisers has substantially increased in the last few years considering the number of new megaships that sail weekly with 4 to 6 thousand passengers each! Clearly, as there are many who are new to cruising, and who may be very net-savvy, there must be a lot of potential CC members going elsewhere for their info and to "chat" with fellow or former cruisers.

 

I will say that on my previous cruises, I was always excited to log on and take part in the discussions for my upcoming trips. The forums and roll calls here at Cruise Critic have been so informative of both general and specific cruise related questions. The passion felt by many participants is very uplifting and helps build enthusiasm for the next adventure.

 

Recently, I have come away from an hour or so online feeling down because of the large number of negative comments that frequent cruisers have made. I mostly read the Royal Caribbean boards, but I've gained a lot of knowledge from port specific forums as well. Why do some people( who clearly spend a lot of time on the boards) feel it is necessary to bash and trash?

 

Many thanks to those who provide the great input and information and spend part of their precious cruising time(and afterwards) answering questions--you have helped me do a better job of planning a great cruise for myself.

 

To those who want to point out repeatedly every flaw, especially about the RCI website, perks that may have changed, and other continual negative comments,  I say please balance your desire to inform CC readers of issues with just repeatedly pounding the platforms with negativity! For those of us who love being able to gain from other's knowledge, I thank you all.

Barb

Just ignore negative comments. You will find many helpful comments on the Royal forum and in your roll call.

1 hour ago, LauraS said:

Hello all:

 

I wanted to address a few of the issues raised in this posting

 

With regard to PCWalton1's interest in the difference between popularity of his two Panama Canal "Live From..." threads -- the answer is simple.  His original post -- was five years ago.  It has been live on the site the entire time, accessible to all AND via search engines -- and was last posted to in September of 2018 (and we all know what posting to an older topic does, right?  Brings it right back to the top of the forum!)  His new Panama Canal "Live From..." is barely two months old. Give it time, we're comparing apples to oranges here.

 

That said, we realize there have been (and still are) issues with the new forums, particularly with the loss of our Cruise Critic app and logins (particularly difficult in November).   The good news:

 

• We're working on bringing the app back.  As a matter of fact, our forums are now available via Tapatalk's app for Android users at this time.  Shortly to follow will be the Tapatalk App for IOS devices.   AND....the branded app will return in a few weeks. 

 

• The majority of our login issues have been worked out.  I invite anyone who may be experiencing continuing issues with logging in to visit our help forum, or write to help@cruisecritic.com.  As a matter of fact, lots of issues are discussed on the help forum, including information on the status of the app creations.

 

• Finally, our Community Guidelines and rules of participation haven't changed in over 20 years.  Any questions or comments about moderation of these forums can be directed to me at: community@cruisecritic.com.  Please do not post on the board, or on this thread.    I'll be happy to research and address any specific issues you have with any posting OF YOURS that has been removed. 

 

I may not have addressed all of the comments in this thread, but I think I covered your major issues.  My email is always "open"....feel free to email if you'd like.

 

Laura

PS:  That download speed graphic....oy!  I've shared that with the developers of this software...out of my realm of response!

Thank you Laura.