island lady

You do realize you are comparing an 8 night versus an 11 night right? And tired old RCI Rhapsody? Wow. Add in the extras you would have to pay for compared to the "included" on Viking. The point is...If I want to save money...I will stay home. If I want to really enjoy a relaxing ship with no worries about the nickel and diming game... So...McDonalds for dinner as a fancy night out? 😄

Have either of you ever heard of the saying "there is no such thing as a free lunch"? You are going to get what you pay for. (Though I think RCI is taking it to the max to pay for the mega ships now). Case in point: I am leaving on Wonder a week from now in a GS cabin for a B2B. Paid 7 Grand for first week over a year ago, and just shy of 8 K for the second week. Was thinking of booking for same cabin, same time next year. Now that same cabin is 11K to 12K. Umm..no thanks. Sure Viking is more expensive, but I like the more relaxing atmosphere. But then again...ARE they more expensive now. ?

No...does not go that far. I think they still realize tipping is optional.

NO...NOO!! Don't take away my fancy coffee machine!!! The horrors!! 😨

Yup, Dave's got the stuff!! 😄

Sorry my friend...I did not. Actually we have so many other cruises booked now with other lines (mostly Viking)...I guess I just gave it up.

LOL...they do promote what "they are not" indeed. No children, no casino, no belly flop mentality, no art auctions, no "nickle and dime" sales promos, no umbrella drinks, no charge for specialty restaurants (including Chef's table) no charge for WIFI. Of course you pay a bit extra up front..but wow....nice to relax again. 😉 Oh...and the laundry service...OMG! Best I have ever seen.

She is most likely one of a kind, and IMHO will do very well later in life. Smart little girl. 🙂 Then there are the kids that have hissy fits if Mommy and Daddy don't take them to Disney World, etc. The theme parks (and the new monster ships with theme parks on them) are what the bulk of the families seem to be going to and what RCI is targeting with those.

Indeed "the times they are a changin' ". We are just back from a Viking 3 week cruise...there are no loyalty lounges...we are all the same. Coffee machines with all the fancy fixings are in an open area with no restrictions. Beer and wine complimentary with lunch and dinner...other drinks on a pay per basis (and not expensive) or on a prepurchase package deal. Was quite refreshing.

Oh the good old days for sure! Limited selection, hot breakfast and lunch (with wine/beer) in the Concierge Lounge (as it was at that time) on deck 11. Never crowded, always a pleasure and good service. They later changed it to the DL...now back to CL...sort of. 😉 Indeed sadly, that was the plan all along until Covid hit. She was due to be amped, putting the DL in the bilge. And most likely will still be done at some point. I wonder if they will still plan on putting Wonderland in that spot as other Oasis sisters?

Indeed I prefer the layout in CK/SL better than the newer sisters. 🙂 And keeping the DL (now Crown Lounge) on deck 11 is a bonus on Allure.

JS access to any Coastal Kitchen on any ship is restricted to availability, and is for dinner only. Indeed go to the host stand outside CK on Anthem to make the reservations.

There are many times I can't eat an entree...especially the soup (which I normally love) due to having too much salt in the item. Sheezz...have never figured out why they put salt shakers on the table when they already oversalt in the first place. Why not let the pax salt to taste if they think it is not enough. Cut back on the salt a bit RCI chefs!! 😕

We miss the "Enstretchment" here in Port Canaveral. Sailed on her many times when she was stationed here. Just yesterday booked a nice itinerary 9 night out of Tampa for next year. Looking forward to seeing her again. Yes, older ship...yes probably showing her age (as she is indeed older)...and yes limited facilities. But we like the smaller ships. For kids? I think they would be much more bored on Enchantment than if they were on one of the "theme park" huge cruise ships. Those seem to be more family targeted.

That is exactly what I always said. Foraging for food on the cruise ships is a no brainer. 😄

See you around at that time. 😉 Coffee run after "walkies" on the track for me. Coffee to wake up "Mr. Sleepy head".

It's not just the water...which (IMHO) is minor compared to the massive amount of salt the chefs/cooks insist on dumping in all the food.

LOL...I did worse than that. I started booking with other lines for the first time in 20 years since being loyal to Royal. 😉 Just back from 3 week Viking cruise...wow...what a difference! Back to great service and a ship that cares about you. 🙂

My sister is on Allure next month on the 3rd. Will check if she notices it as well. Please check back here on your findings, and have a fantabulous cruise! 🙂

Dave...you are D+ right? No worries then. 😉

I wonder if they changed the sign yet?

I would agree with you years ago. We adored turning Diamond, enjoying at first the "Diamond Event" after Diamonds were kicked out of the original Concierge Lounges...then the newly formed keyed entry DLs were introduced. Loved it. Freebie drinks, never crowded, great coffee machine, wonderful conversations with the "like minded" types. 😉 Now...for us anyway...the politics, seat saving, over crowding...and attitudes towards Pinnacles...we stay away. But I do love the lounges for early morning coffee.

Makes sense to me! Gosh I am happy we are all not alike. Think of how depressing the world would be with only one flavor of ice cream (Vanilla) at Baskin Robbins. 😄

Oh that's right...sorry my friend...I forgot about the snacks. My bad. 😞 Enjoy your snacks! 🙂 I guess I don't think about the snacks much anymore, since we do early traditional dining now...OMG my age is showing! Filling up on snacks at 4:30 to 5 and then going to dinner at 5-5:30 just doesn't work for us, but indeed we used to love them years ago when we had later dining times.

That's a shame that they complained about being excluded from the tiny lounge (which is like a closet in the bilge...IMHO). It is such a big beautiful ship, with so many interesting lounges to explore using the vouchers (which you have to use in the DL now CL anyway). There are more lounges to enjoy happy hour at on the ship than days in the week on the 7 night cruise. We make it a goal to explore them all. 😉