Photofinish4

I love going to the diamond lounge before dinner to have a couple of drinks before dinner. We just got back from 33 days (b2b2b) and met so many nice people. I think the vouchers are great idea but keep the diamond lounge. Without the DL I think the bars would be very crowded. I only went to the CL 2times and very crowded and stuffy so the suite people can keep it, although I feel a diamond plus that has cruised many times deserves to be in the CL lounge just as much as someone who has booked a suite.

As for tipping we tipped our server every few days instead of the end, this way I think you get to know your server a little better and she knows she is doing a good job. It doesn't take much to grab some cash to take with you. I feel the vouchers and the DL are the best of both worlds.

Thanks, I'll go for #9318 if it's still available. I guess that's why the aft cabins on Deck 7 are still available, no one is happy with them!

 

We had aft cabin on deck 10 AOS and it was fantastic. Great view, quite, and big. It was a D1 and it was bigger than our friends JS

I'm stalking Adventure threads because I just booked DH and myself on the Christmas sailing out of SJU for this year! I'm so glad to hear you had a fantastic time. Was it really decked out for the holiday? We've never been on a holiday sailing!

 

We were on the TA (AOS)on Easter. They had it decorated and we were eating chocolate eggs all the way across the Atlantic. They are always looking for reasons to change the décor so I'm sure it will be beautiful.

Forgot to add we love getting the gift baskets. We take the dried fruit home to our grandson. Use the nuts on port days for a little snack and shared the cheese and cracker with the wine with friends.

We are D+ and our last gift basket had no nuts and no cheese & crackers. It was very poor. We thought RCCL had down sized the basket. We just left it for the cabin steward.

Rick and Deirdra

 

We are also diamond plus. We just did a b2b2b and our gift box was different on one leg of our cruises. One had cookies and dried fruit only on a 14 day cruise. On the 4day cruise we had cheese, crackers, nuts and trail mix and on the 15 day we had cheese, crackers, nuts and trail mix.

This is a copy of my review posted on the main reviews... Nice to meet some of you at the m&m especially "a pear of us" Dave & Pam :)

 

I want to write an honest update to one of my favourite ships (Voyager Class - 5 Trips), which also has the best staff !! We previously travelled on Adventure of the Seas last July, and we had a fantastic time ... So we looked forward to this one and also meeting old friends (Staff) and to look at the refit work done earlier this year. To be fair the previous reviews had us concerned about the food, but I have to say the MDR was good, and we did not have a bad meal in my opinion the whole time we ate at the MDR, and we have 5 children with us !! Staff were also excellent again, and were only let down by a few miserable ones in the Casino (Dealers not waiters) who need to smile a bit more, and interact with their customer,s which did not happen previously so must have had an influx of new staff not use to RCL.

 

Another really bad bug bear with us was allowing smoking in the Casino !! which ended up looking like the entrance to the Home Office, with loads of Guests just smoking by the ashtrays and not playing any games which made the whole casino have a haze or cloud over it which really did smell bad (even to walk through to the Lyric Theatre) and although I am a reformed smoker I did not want to play in that atmosphere for long as my dinner suit stunk our cabin out later that night. I dont think this would happen in the USA so should really be banned here ... The funny thing was that they have banned smoking from the balconies ?? but not the Casino ?? sounds like the bean counters want to win again !!

 

The most disappointing aspect was the change from Portofino's to Giovanni's Table, which was really poor with no suite access in the morning or afternoon which made the Windjammer an absolute nightmare to get a table, and it did become stressful with people basically pushing others out of the way to get a table, it was disgusting to see, and many arguments and pushing matches took place ... I cannot understand that a ship with only one Specialty Restaurant should switch to Giovanni's which had a very limited menu, poor chefs or shall I say cooks, because on our visit they served us 6 scollops in fancy shells which they warned us were very hot !! and then we found the scollops were still partly frozen in the middle !! and instead of cooking new ones they re-cooked the 4 which were left which then were served to us like rubber bullets and could have bounced all around the restaurant, then I had tenderloin which nearly broke my tooth implant it was that cremated ... not a good experience !! and for the first time in my RCL history nothing was done about it when I pointed it out to the Manageress who was in charge that night. I still left a $20 tip for the hardworking SERVING staff !! who did their best in a bad situation as it was not their fault that the propeller technician was cooking the food .... and the waitress acknowledged previous issues with the new restaurant and asked us to give it a second chance ... sorry ... no chance.

 

Now... for the good parts ... The staff in the MDR were excellent with Nilsita & Dwayne looking after us perfectly, Farell on the Bar service was again top notch !! and lynet at the next table who looked after us sometimes at the ALC Deck 5 Mozart.

 

I must give a special mention to Eugenio (Asst Waiter) in the Windjammer as he was the height of coolness when everything was going Pete Tong around him, and he calmed down some irate table hunters and two ladies who decided to sit down on the same chair !! He then located fresh fruit for another angry customer and was oblivious I was watching the whole scenario .... he then turned and asked if I needed anything that he could get !! so professional !!

 

Jackson was our Room attendant and again was perfect.

 

Diamond Lounge host Dionne was exceptional as was her waiter Rashi, and wish her well in her new role as Concierge, as Sucel was leaving after our cruise ended. The concierge lounge was again good although we preferred the openness and view from the Diamond lounge.

 

The Cruise overall was really enjoyed by all of us, and dont let the above negative points put you off travelling on the AOS as that could happen to anyone on any ship, or any line, she obviously needs some work doing at the next major refit which is in 2016 and I believe when the Explorer arrives in Southampton next year she would have had the Major Refit the Class now needs to compete against other lines that depart from Southampton.

 

The Port visits were again very good with Flam (Flam Railway) & Stavanger (Port) the highlight with fantastic sights and a beautiful town respectively. I cannot understand the stop at Kristiansand as any ship that stops at a foreign port on a Sunday you normally find that everything is closed, and this was the case here and was a totally pointless stop walking around a ghost town.

 

I have to say I love travelling with RCL, however this will be our last trip on the AOS until after her major refit or change in specialty dining, as we do like our special nights and with only poor Giovanni's I will not go back to only one choice again. The reduced suite benefits also put me off spending the extra money for the better cabin so it is easier just to pick a different class of ship.

 

 

Gary

Sorry to hear about your Giovanni's experience. We were on aos for33 days before you and eat there 3 times. Our steaks were so tender you could cut it with a dull knife. And the scallops were my favorite. Had them 3 times and were perfect every time. I hope you give them a try again. Maybe the chef was different. I agree about the smoke in the casino that needs to go.

Just back from a 7 night cruise to Norway on Adventure. This has been my first cruise with RCI for a while (having favoured X and Azamara over the past few years) so please excuse me if I state things that you know!!!

 

My first comments will be about the refurb....RCI have supposedly spent $50million on the recent refit. If I were RCI I would ask for my money back :eek:

The ship is in terrible condition in places - like the banquettes in the Windjammer...

The rust round the balconies has not been tended in years, the railings need varnishing, the pools need tiling.

All I can see that is new is a flat screen TV in the room, every thing else is the same, old curtains, ripped nets, saggy sofas...

The big screen by the pool seems to be underutilised. And the only film that people seemed to watch (One Direction movie) they turned off before the end!

 

The cruise was during the UK half term so there were over 500 children on board. Most were well behaved; others were not, and the parents seemed to pay little notice when the children were screaming around people trying to read in the lounges. There is only one 'child free' area on the ship and that is the Solarium. However I even saw children here on the sun loungers. I really do think that perhaps RCI should enforce the rules - the towel police were not around either and I lay next to a chair that was unoccupied for 2 hours (until I removed the towel...).:rolleyes:

 

The weather was fabulous! We had glorious sunny skies for 3 days.

 

....more to follow - happy to answer any questions too...

 

We were on aos for 33 days prior to the Norway sailing. We ate in the wj most mornings and lunches and never encountered the sofa you showed. Did you look around for another place to sit. Maybe I'm not a knit picker but I did not find the ship in the condition you are reporting. Maybe it was the 500 kids on board that got to you. We enjoyed aos and would not hesitate to go back. The only thing we did not feel were that great were the rc singers

Great review. We concur with most of your review. We were on the AOS on a b2b2b. We boarded April 20, and got off may 23. so it is hard to keep the cruises separate. We have sailed RCCL many times and We have found the shipboard entertainment lacking but it was not too bad. They did have a Quest on the Transatlantic and it was funny but toned down from past quests we attended however was still a little risk cay for some of the children that they allowed to attend. They realty have to do something about the smoking in the Casino.. At least have a couple of no smoking nights or eliminate it all together on the interior of ship. We did notice that a lot of the Brits do smoke and we realize that sailing out of Southhampton they have to cater to them a little bit. We dined at Giovanni's 3 times once on each cruise. it was fabulous.

Wow....I did book the cruise on Sept. 26, 2015, and traditional dining is already closed. :eek:

Apparently, this cruise is selling very well. The hump cabins I wanted are already booked.

We ended up on deck 8 in 8688 (I think). At any rate, we are fine with that choice.

Also, they are asking for prepaid gratuities already.

 

Thanks everyone for the info.

 

Pat

We booked the jos while on the aos med. May 8. They were putting everyone on a wait list and charging the gratuities up front. I said no way the early dining was full. He put in my request and the next day we had early dining and gratuities removed.

Well, I just stepped off the lovely Carnival Breeze :( this past Saturday which was absolutely wonderful in every way, and now I have the "cruise blues" again. A couple of months ago, I booked AOS for next May of 2015 for the Aruba route and have once again something great to look forward to and to help alleviate the "cruise blues" symptoms. :)

 

I'd like to hear from anyone who has sailed on AOS and what you thought, what you liked/disliked and what you'd like to recommend. DH and I are early 50's. DH is disabled and uses a mobility scooter on the ship. We are booked in an accessible room overlooking promenade.

 

Also, how does your time dining work and what are some other good dining options I should check out. Are there options that are without the extra fee?

 

Would like to hear as much about this ship as possible and be pointed to some great pictures as well.

 

I look forward to returning to Royal (enjoyed my cruise on the Radiance back in 2005).

 

Thanks!

 

We just returned from 33 days on aos. We loved it. You can get your drinks ( coffee, tea, water ,lemonade ) anytime in the café promenade along with pizza, sandwiches, cookies, brownies and after 11 am a real good granola bar that I loved. When filling up your personal drink containers please use there glasses to fill up your container.

You can find the daily menus on the touch screen digital finders that are through out the ship.

There was no smoking in the concierge club and I wish they would discontinue it in the casino.

The ship is beautiful and there are many things to do.

Had good entertainment, but did not think the rccl singers were that good.

We really liked Rob Mc Nally as our cruise director on the last 19 days of our cruise.

Can you do me a favor? Can you find out if there are any balconies that have partisions that can be opened between balconies. thanks!!!

 

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

 

Yes some can be opened.

This is very disappointing news! I have been telling my husband all about the MDR lunches and how good they are and we are both really looking forward to it. We are sailing on Indy in about a month.

 

I do know that there are usually SOME buffet items out in the MDR during breakfast & lunch, so are you sure that there is absolutely no a la carte service? Please do keep us updated if you have a minute, or just let us know when you're off the ship.

 

I hope the whole cruise itself goes really well!! Enjoy!

 

We were on the same cruise and had choice for lunch of Tuti salad bar or order off the menu. Waiter staff were always asking if any disabled passenger needed and assistance with any of the buffets. However the Brits did not seem to happy about any of the new programs on this ship. Ive been on 30 cruises and never been on a bad one just some better than others. The cruise is what YOU make it.

Just thought I would inform everyone that lunch in the dining room on Adventure is a buffet instead of a la carte. I think that it is a result of cutbacks in staff. You have people with canes trying to balance a dish and the cane.

It is also affecting my time dining with a lot of confusion.

There are only 200 Americans on the ship, but the Brits who have sailed Adventure before are not happy with the cutbacks.

This is the 15-night sailing to the Central Med.

 

We had choice of the Tuti Salad which was great or you could order off the menu. I thought it was the best of both worlds

Just wondered if the OP was back, and if they had a review to share? Or any compasses? :D Cruising out on Indy in just over 2 weeks so desperate to hear how any of the Med cruises from Southampton have gone!!!

 

Just finished the Med on AOS. We had a great cruise. A couple of rainy days at sea and scattered showers in Lisbon but not enough to impact too much. Still road the Hop on Hop off bus around the city. The only rough sailing days was in and out of Southampton. Had some wind one night but not enough to impact ship. It did however cause all the interior public spaces crowed. Don't know what OP stands for so can not address that But We used a private tour co. for touring Rome. RomeCabs.com What a blessing that was. We shared a cab with 2 friends and it was cheaper than the ships tours and only 4 people instead of 50. We were able to put a big dent in Rome in a day. It was our first Med so everything was new to us.

We walked it. It is a nice walk. Just consider it will take about 45 to an hour

 

thank you for responding

I would actually like to know the answer to this also. I did plot with Google Maps a walk from Sagrada Familia to Casa Mila (about 1.1 miles), then down Passeig de Gracia to Placa de Catalunya (about 1/2 mile or less), and then down La Rambla to Columbus Circle (another mile), so a total of about 2-1/2 miles for that route. I'm not sure how accurate this is but that is what Google Maps shows. Perhaps someone who has actually walked can provide better information. If you go to Google Maps and put in both destinations, you should be able to get an idea.

 

This sounds pretty close to what I was estimating and the info I collected. Looks like a cab to the Sagrada and a leisurely stroll back to the Columbus statue. Thanks for the info.

Thanks so much!

 

Do you know how far it is to walk from SagradaFamilia to Catalunya

Just make two consecutive bookings. There is no discount. If you book far enough in advance, you can get the same stateroom for both cruises.

 

Once the bookings are made, call Royal and ask to have the bookings "linked". This lets the people on board the ship know you're a consecutive cruiser, so they can prepare for the second cruise. One caveat is that linking the cruises causes some features of Royal's website to malfunction, even more than the usual malfunctions. Things like making a Choice Air booking won't be possible on the website with linked cruises. I usually wait until after final payment to have the cruises linked.

I'm doing a b2b2b in 2 weeks and I did my choice air last year when I booked my cruise

[quote name='ValerieJo']You said it perfectly. Thank you. I do hope Royal does read this thread.

BTW, there were several of us on Deck 9 that had no working toilets for 1/2 the day on Friday. There was no mention of the inconvenience by Royal to us at all. The only apology we received was from our Stateroom attendant.[/QUOTE]

We have not been on any cruises where a problem has impacted the entire ship but there has been some inconvenient situation that have come up and we have found that RC has compensated for the problem without even a request or complaint from us. We have been completely satisfied with compensation offers and feel RC makes a good attempt at weighing the situation and compensating its passengers. Keeping in mind that they have to keep the company solvent and can't give away the all the profits over one incident. I'm sure I would have a different opinion if I was every on the short end of the stick but that has not been the case in our travels. RC is still our favorite and it would take several incidences to change our opinion. After 25 RC cruises, 4 Holland, 3 Carnival,3 Princess, and 1 Celebrity, RC is hands down our preference. With that being said I must say that since we started cruising ALL of the lines have been cutting back on the luxury of cruising.

Adventure OTS - Mercedes Lafuente started January 19 until the ship goes into drydock on March 31. Rob McNally will be the CD when the ship returns from drydock

 

Allure OTS - Allan Brooks February 16 until March 30, then Ken Rush returns on March 30.

 

Anthem OTS - Joff Eaton will be taking out the ship and continuing on as its regular CD. Ken Rush will also be onboard for the first 6-8 weeks doing behind the scenes duties to provide a smooth take out

 

Brilliance OTS - Steve Davis from January 24 until the end of May (then who?)

 

Enchantment OTS - Marc Walker January 10 until May 9. Mitch Merucci will be filling-in from May 9 to July 12, followed by Marc Walker from July 12 for another 4 months.

 

Explorer OTS - Keith Williams from March 11 until May 8, followed by Leigh Xuereb on May 8 for 4 months (this is likely to be Leigh's last contract on EX, as he expects to be reassigned to another ship)

 

Freedom OTS - Casey Pelter started on March 9 until June 6, then Rich Edwards takes over as the new regular CD of Freedom on June 6. (Rich's break will likely be October and November, returning for December through end of March 2015).

 

Grandeur OTS - Ricky Matthews started on January 31 until the end of May. (then who?)

 

Independence OTS - Mike Hunnerup will be filling in from March 15 until May 17. Joff Eaton will be returning on May 17 through Sept 20

 

Jewel OTS - Carly Boileau returned on March 15 for 4 months, followed by Dennis Charles for 2 months, followed by Carly for 4 more months, then Dennis for 2 more months.

 

Legend OTS - Topi Ylönen started on March 17 for the 2014 European Season

 

Liberty OTS -Jerome Sueur started Feb 15 until April 14. Then, Rich Edwards from April 14 until the beginning of June. Then Jerome returns as the new regular CD of Liberty on June 6 (Jerome's break will likely be October and November, returning for December through end of March 2015).

 

Majesty OTS - Simona Ferraiuolo started Feb 10 until mid-June.

 

Mariner OTS - Dan Whitney started March 15 (until when? then who?)

 

Navigator OTS - Mitch Merucci will be filling in from Feb 16 until John Perry returns from his break in mid-April.

 

Oasis OTS - Drew Devine March 22 through May 17. Jimmy Rhodes will be filling in from May 17 through July 19, then Drew Devine July 19 through mid-November.

 

Quantum OTS - Jimmy Rhodes will be taking out the ship and continuing on as its regular CD. Ken Rush will also be onboard for the first 6-8 weeks doing behind the scenes duties to provide a smooth take out

 

Radiance OTS - Ken Jones began March 3 until early May. Amy Fickert will return sometime in early May after her break.

 

Rhapsody OTS - Graham Seymour Feb 1 through August 1

 

Serenade OTS - John Blair started February 1 until April 26, (replacement is unknown at this time)

 

Splendour OTS - Michelle Pimentinha started Dec 8 for the South American season

 

Vision OTS - Carlos Torres (for the remainder of the Panama Season April 26?)

 

Voyager OTS - Bobby Brown started Feb 13 for the remainder of the Australian season. Lixin Fang is expected to return for the Asian season

 

Gordon Whatman, Paul Rutter, Bill Brunkhorst and Luke Aerowsmith are currently on break.

 

Richard Spacey is now Manager of Entertainment, Activities and Family Strategy Development for Celebrity Cruises in their corporate offices in Miami, working alongside Becky Thompson.

Dave Chapman has left RCCL. He is taking an extended break, and then he will be moving over to another cruiseline.

James Andrews is a real estate agent in Sydney

Mike Szwajkowski is a Canadian Mountie

Leo Papa at Cornell University working on a Master's degree in Hospitality Administration/Management

Anna Bass is now Client Services Manager at ISS London

Abe Hughes is Director of Port Revenue Operations at Royal Media Partners

João Pereira is studying Portuguese/English education and translation at Faculdades Metropolitanas Unidas in Brazil

Kirk Detweiler is now CD with Silversea cruises.

Simeon Baker - married a dancer, had a baby girl and is a sales exec at a Porsche dealer in Saskatchewan

Matt Baker - Sim's brother - recently married and living in Wales. They bought a pub called the Tiddley

Kieron Buffrey - CD with Holland America

Tom Canosa - teaching 6th grade science in North Carolina

Peter Benfield and Johnny Osborne have emigrated to Thailand

Anthony Richards is living in Miami with his wife, and is working for Royal Media Partners as Manager Port Revenue Operations

Rico du Breil is no longer with RCI

Paul Lancaster is no longer with RCI, and resides in England

Where is Warren Allen? (aka Warren Melhuish)

 

(If anyone knows the whereabouts of other former RCI cruise directors, I'd be happy to add them to the end of this list, as there seems to be a lot of questions about them)

We will be on b2b2b on aos. Does anyone know anything about Rob McNally? I hope he is a good cd.

I'm going on a 33 day cruise and taking ginger chews bought at Trader Joes

Yes, I purchased on the official site ... here is the link.

http://www.sagradafamilia.cat/sf-eng/

Your entrance is timed, so if you arrive at your time, there is no waiting in long lines. There was an extremely long queue when we arrived but those people did not have pre purchased tickets. We went right in.

 

thank you for the info. and quick response

If you buy your tickets on line what site are you using?

Is it the official site that is using Ticketmaster?

If you have your tickets ahead of time is there still along line?

Are the timed tickets just for the tower tour?

All companies re-evaluate their product and their offerings, all the time -- Royal is no different.

 

I ask for an ice bucket on day 1 and ask that it be kept filled and viola -- it happens.

 

Napkins don't make my cruise nor does a coupon book for the perks I have. As far as the perks, too many people look at them as 'entitlements' and the industry has created that mindset. I like the loyalty rewards that are provided, yet they just add to the great time I have, they don't define a great cruise.

 

To be clear, you do have 30 minutes of free internet, as well as a discount if you need to purchase an internet package on board.

 

Since cruise lines try to be environmentally friendly, I don't mind not having a coupon book (a lot of trees are saved) -- but it does put a little burden on the cruiser to know what their loyalty rewards are, for their C&A level.

 

 

The most serious change has occurred with food. I am not a foodie, nor difficult in restaurants. With the addition of specialty restaurants, top quality steaks and other types of food are less likely to be in the MDR, without an additional fee. It is clear that the cruise lines want you to feel so at home (on the ship) that you decide to 'go to a restaurant' for a dinner out, while with them. It is a choice cruisers have, but for the MDR guest, it leaves something out. This again does not RUIN my vacation, nor in any way raise my blood pressure.

 

Where the cruise line has cut expenses is in staff in the dining room and cabin stewards. I feel for the staff that now has more tables to serve and more rooms to handle than they did before. The additional tips from the extra tables and rooms probably doesn't make up for the extra work (and perhaps stress from the additional guests).

 

I am an easy cruiser. I am on vacation. I am not cooking, cleaning or working.....I am vacationing.

 

Here's a list of all the coupons:

 

Gold Members

 

• Beverage Discount (purchase any wine, beer or soda by the glass and get a second one free).

• Glass of Wine, Beer or Soda Discount - receive a 10% Discount.

• Premium Brand Coffee - 25% discount on any coffee beverage.

• Johnny Rockets - 2 for 1 milkshake

• Photo Discount - Buy 1 photo and receive a 50% discount on a second photo.

• Internet Discount - $5.00 USD credit or 10% off any internet package purchase (whichever amount is greater).

• 1 Free Casino "Spin to Win" Coupon

• Bingo Credit - Purchase any bingo package and receive one free Single Jackpot Bingo Card.

• Gift Shop Discount - Spend $25.00 USD or more on RCI logo and receive a 10% discount.

• Art Auctions - 10% off Custom Framing on any Art on Royal Purchase

• Fine Jewelry Discount - Spend $1000 USD on Fine Jewelry and receive a 10% discount.

• Airbrushed Temporary Tattoos - purchase any size temporary airbrush tattoo and receive a free gold color upgrade.....a $2.00 USD Savings.

• Pets At Sea Discount - 10% off your Pets at Sea Package which includes a pet and outfit.

• RCI Cookbook Discount - 25% off the purchase of RCI Savor Cookbook.

• SPA Credit - 10% off any one spa or salon service.

• Britto Collectible - 10% off a Britto Tubed Poster

• C&A Members enjoy 15% off C&A Bedding Collection Purchase ( Visit http://www.RoyalCaribbeanBeddingCollection.com PROMO CODE: SOCIETY)

 

Platinum Members

 

• Beverage Discount - purchase any wine, beer or soda by the glass and get a second one free.

• Glass of Wine, Beer or Soda Discount - receive a 10% discount.

• Complimentary Non-Alcoholic Coffee Beverage - one complimentary non-alcoholic specialty coffee drink with purchase of dinner in any specialty restaurant.

• Premium Brand Coffee - buy any coffee beverage and get a second one free.

• Johnny Rockets - 2 for 1 milkshake.

• Photo discount - buy 1 photo and receive a 50% discount on a second photo.

• Internet Discount - $7.50 USD internet credit or 15% off any internet package purchase (whichever amount is greater).

• Wash & Fold - $5.00 USD off a $25.00 USD bag of laundry on Wash & Fold Day (4+ nights sailings only).

• Dry Cleaning & Pressing Discount - $5.00 USD off any dry cleaning or pressing services of $25.00 USDor more.

• 2 Free Casino "Spin to Win" Coupon.

• Bingo Credit - Purchase any bingo package and receive 1 free strip of three Jackpot Bingo Cards.

• Gift Shop Discount - Spend $25.00 USD or more on RCI logo and receive a 10% discount.

• Art Auctions - 10% off Custom Framing on any Art on Royal Purchase

• Fine Jewelry Discount - Spend $1000 USD on Fine Jewelry and receive a 10% discount.

• Airbrush Temporary Tattos - purchase any size temporary air brush tattoo and receive a free sparkling glitter upgrade - a $3.00 USD savings.

• Pets At Sea Discount - 10% off your Pets at Sea Package which includes a pet and outfit.

• Tuxedo Rental Discount - 10% off any tuxedo rental package.

• RCI Cookbook Discount - 25% off the purchase of RCI Savor Cookbook.

• SPA Credit - 15% off any one spa or salon service.

• Britto Collectible - 10% off one Britto Collectible

• C&A Members enjoy 15% off C&A Bedding Collection Purchase ( Visit http://www.RoyalCaribbeanBeddingCollection.com PROMO CODE: SOCIETY)

 

Emerald Members

 

• 2 Beverage Discount Coupons - purchase any wine, beer or soda by the glass and get a second one free.

• Glass of Wine, Beer or Soda Discount - receive a 10% discount.

• Complimentary Non-Alcoholic Coffee Beverage - one complimentary non-alcoholic specialty coffee drink with purchase of dinner in any specialty restaurant.

• Premium Brand Coffee - buy any coffee beverage and get a second one free.

• Johnny Rockets - 2 for 1 milkshake.

• Photo discount - buy 1 photo and receive a 50% discount on a second photo.

• Internet Discount - $10.00 USD internet credit or 15% off any internet package purchase (which ever amount is greater).

• Wash & Fold Coupon - $5.00 off one $25.00 USD bag of laundry on Wash & Fold Day (4+ night sailings only).

• Dry Cleaning & Pressing Discount - $5.00 USD off any dry cleaning or pressing services of $25.00 USD or more.

• 3 Free Casino "Spin to Win" Coupons.

• Bingo Credit - Purchase any bingo package and receive one free strip of 6 Jackpot Bingo Cards.

• Gift Shop Discount - Spend $25.00 USD or more on RCI logo and receive a 10% discount.

• Art Auctions - 10% off Custom Framing on any Art on Royal Purchase

• Jewelry Discount - Spend $1000 USD on Fine Jewelry and receive a 10% discount.

• Airbrushed Temporary Tattoos - purchase any size temporary airbrushed tattoo and receive a free sparkling glitter upgrade, a $3.00 USD Savings.

• Pets at Sea Discount - 10% off your Pets at Sea package which includes a pet and outfit.

• Tuxedo Rental Discount - 10% off any tuxedo rental package.

• RCI Cookbook Discount - 25% off the purchase of RCI Savor Cookbook.

• SPA Credit - 15% off any one spa or salon service.

• Britto Collectible - 10% off one Britto Collectible.

• C&A Members enjoy 15% off C&A Bedding Collection Purchase ( Visit http://www.RoyalCaribbeanBeddingCollection.com PROMO CODE: SOCIETY)

 

Diamond Members

 

• Beverage Discount - purchase any wine, beer or soda by the glass and get a second one free.

• Glass of Wine, Beer or Soda Discount - receive a 20% discount.

• Complimentary Non-Alcoholic Coffee Beverage - one complimentary non-alcoholic specialty coffee drink with purchase of dinner in any specialty restaurant.

• Johnny Rockets - 2 for 1 milkshake.

• Photo Discount - Get 10% off a Digital Photo package or a custom created PhotoBook.

• Complimentary Photo - Free any size photo of your choice from printed photograph selection on display (cannot be a reprint or special request).

• Free Internet Minutes - 30 minutes of free internet use.

• Internet Discount - 20% off any internet package purchase.

• Stateroom Phone Discount - $2.00 per minute stateroom phone rate (75% discount).

• Wash & Fold Coupons per book - $10.00 off one $25.00 USD bag of laundry on Wash & Fold Day (4+ nights sailings only).

• Wash & Fold Coupons per book - $10.00 off one $25.00 USD bag of laundry on Wash & Fold Day (8+ nights sailings only).

• Dry Cleaning & Pressing Discount - $5.00 USD off any dry cleaning or pressing services of $25.00 USD or more.

• 3 Free Casino "Spin to Win" Coupons.

• Bingo Credit - Purchase any bingo package and receive one free strip of 6 Jackpot Bingo Cards.

• Gift Shop Discount - Spend $25.00 USD or more on RCI logo and receive a 15% discount.

• Art Auctions - 20% off Custom Framing on any Art on Royal Purchase

• Fine Jewelry Discount - Spend $1000 USD on Fine Jewelry and receive a 15% discount.

• Airbrush Tattoos - 10% off any temporary tattoo purchase.

• Pets At Sea Discount - 15% off your Pets at Sea Package which includes a pet and outfit.

• Tuxedo Rental Discount - 15% off any tuxedo rental package.

• RCI Cookbook Discount - 25% off the purchase of RCI Savor Cookbook.

• SPA Credit - 20% off any one spa or salon service.

• Britto Collectible - 15% off one Britto Collectible

• C&A Members enjoy 15% off C&A Bedding Collection Purchase ( Visit http://www.RoyalCaribbeanBeddingCollection.com PROMO CODE: SOCIETY)

 

Diamond Plus & Pinnacle Club Members

 

• Specialty Restaurant First Night BUY ONE GET ONE FREE - (Offer includes Chops Grille, Portofino, 150 Central Park Avenue, Solarium Bistro, Giovanni's Table and Samba Grill. Valid for both pre-cruise and shipboard reservations, on ships with participating specialty restaurants. Only one guest needs to be D+ Subject to availability and valid to dine only on the first night of the cruise. You must redeem cerficate at the time of purchase. Photocopies not accepted).

• Beverage Discount - (purchase any wine, beer or soda by the glass and get a second one free.

• Glass of Wine, Beer or Soda Discount - receive a 25% discount.

• Complimentary Non-Alcoholic Coffee Beverage - one complimentary non-alcoholic specialty coffee drink with purchase of dinner in any specialty restaurant.

• Johnny Rockets - 2 for 1 milkshake.

• Photo Discount - Get 10% off a Digital Photo package or a custom created PhotoBook.

• Complimentary Photo - Free any size photo of your choice from printed photograph selection on display (cannot be a reprint or special request).

• Free Internet Minutes - 45 minutes of free internet use.

• Internet Discount - 25% off any internet package purchase.

• Stateroom Phone Discount - $2.00 per minute stateroom phone rate (75% discount).

• Wash & Fold Laundry Service - one free $25.00 USD bag of laundry on Wash & Fold Day (4+ nights sailings only).

• Wash & Fold Coupon - $10.00 off one $25.00 USD bag of laundry on Wash & Fold Day (8+ night sailings only).

• Dry Cleaning & Pressing Discount - $5.00 USD off any dry cleaning or pressing services of $25.00 USD or more.

• 3 Free Casino "Spin to Win" Coupons.

• Bingo Credit - Purchase any bingo package and receive one free strip of 6 Jackpot Bingo Cards.

• Gift Shop Discount - Spend $25.00 USD or more on RCI logo and receive a 15% discount.

• Art Auctions - 20% off Custom Framing on any Art on Royal Purchase

• Fine Jewelry Discount - Spend $1000 USD on Fine Jewelry and receive a 15% discount.

• Airbrush Tattoos - 10% off any temporary tattoo purchase.

• Pets at Sea Discount - 15% off your Pets at Sea package which includes a pet and outfit.

• Tuxedo Rental Discount - 20% off any tuxedo rental package.

• RCI Cookbook Discount - 25% off the purchase of RCI Savor Cookbook.

• SPA Credit - 20% off any one spa or salon service.

• Spa Treatment - Book a Signature Spa Service while the ship is in port and receive a complimentary add on treatment from the following list.....Frangipani Scalp Massage, Relaxing Hand Massage or Sole Delight Foot Massage.

• Britto Collectible - 15% off one Britto Collectible

• C&A Members enjoy 15% off C&A Bedding Collection Purchase ( Visit http://www.RoyalCaribbeanBeddingCollection.com PROMO CODE: SOCIETY)

Note that the $25 Wash and Fold laundry service is now $30.

 

Thanks for posting the above info. We have a question and Crown and Anchor can't tell me. We are both D+ and want to take advantage of Giovanni's the 1st night. We would like to take our traveling companions with us . your info says you need to present coupons at time o purchase. How do you do that if you do not have a card or coupons yet? Do you book the four and get reimbursed for the 2 free or will they tell me that I'm SOL? We want to book early as it appears there is only one specialty restaurant on board and assume that it will fill fast.

John and Lynnea, thank you for posting your personal experience. It was very helpful. I have a couple further questions if you don't mind:

 

1. the $5000 bill from ship's infirmary (for 6 hours of service?) sounds exorbitant. Did your late MIL truly received very intensive care on board (meaning ICU, advance life support type of care which I did not think any cruise ship could provide) or did you have an explanation from RCCL on how they come with this number?

 

2. Given she was 85, I assume MIL had medicare + supplemental insurance. When you mentioned the primary insurance paid for the hospital /ambulance cost, you meant the supplemental insurance, not Medicare part B or something else?

 

The infirmary visit consisted of chest xrays to determine her lungs were filling with fluid and they put her on oxygen might have had an IV but don't think so. We sat with her so there was not much monitoring and she was the only one in the infirmary. They had no way to drain the fluid so they had ambulance standing by.

Her primary insurance covered it Health Net not Medicare and not ships insurance.