Gayle V

Same message to Oasis cruisers

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Hello jcg4550, How did you find this out? We are on the Oasis in November and have not received any kind of notice.

I carry my phone with me onboard to use as my clock and camera. I welcome the ability to text my husband onboard to let him know where I am or where to meet. I don't really feel that is "being connected". I, too, appreciate being off the grid while on a cruise and this doesn't really change that.

 

I was happy to get the Princess email. I'm hoping they have it available on the Caribbean Princess in time for our sailing in February, but I'm doubtful they will roll it out to all of the ships that quick. I know NCL has one as well, I think it's around $7 per person. I don't think I would pay for it for each of us so Princess is a much better value. I'm hoping that Royal Caribbean also releases theirs for "free" use. I really love the idea of the Daily Activities to be loaded on the app vs. having to carry the paper around.

If you have to have an active internet package to make this work, seem like you will definitely have to be back "on grid".

I don't stay loyal to any cruise line. I look at the individual ship, itinerary, and cabin prices, and choose what appeals the most at the time, and going in knowing the differences. I didn't expect them to all to offer the same experience. For the most part, they are all far more alike than they are different.

I'll give this much to Royal Caribbean, the shows on the Allure are so far superior to anything that Carnival does, it's in a different league. And also better than we've see on other lines. For me, shows are important, so here we are cruising on the nearly identical sister ship. But if it weren't for the shows, I'd have happily cruised on the C. Miracle for a fourth time.

Hi CU64, I had similar concern about this deck plan when I first looked at it. I was mentally comparing it to so many other ships a that have three banks of elevators and stairs. On those ships, the fore and aft elevators seemed awfully far from each other, so the middle one was really needed.

Once on the Allure, I realized that its two banks of elevators did not seem to be as far apart from each other. It just didn't seem so bad, once we were on the ship. Look at the deck plan and notice how the elevator banks have been located closer to the mid ship than they would have otherwise been. This is very noticeable for the aft elevators. It cut down on how much walking it takes to get from one to the other. Although it would make a lot of walking for anyone in a far aft cabin.

We always buy it, and only used it once. I feel it's definitely worth it.

Just remember, it's not just a matter of losing out on the price of the cruise; it covers so much more. Sure, first is possible trip cancellation, but also trip delay if you miss your flight or connection (always for a covered reason) , medical expenses incurred during your trip, medical evacuation , loss or theft of your property, loss or delay of your luggage. Some policies cover auto insurance for your rental, and even life/ flight insurance, .

As for that price you were quoted, either you have some very thorough coverages, or you chose preexisting waiver after final payment, or it's a very pricey trip. Shop around for a better price.

I am on the Nov 8th Oasis sailing. I got word on Monday that I have been moved from all 4 of our Boardwalk balconys on deck 11. 11729,11727,11725,11723.....not happy as now we are on deck 9 and not all in a row. Booked 2 years out. Went from being 3 steps away from a public deck, to a long hallway and 6 decks up. I have sailed this class 2x and spend alot of time on those aft decks.

Hi Carebott555, That really stinks. I mean, even if they offered a full refund, it wouldn't do any good, as you likely have your transportation already paid, and not likely refundable . I would be furious. I don't suppose Royal did anything to compensate you for this mess. ?

Hey, By the way, why haven't you stopped by the roll call? Hubby and I are on your sailing too. We have a pretty big bunch gathered there, and all signed up for the Meet and Mingle. Come on by and we'll try to get you back into an eager cruise anticipation mood.

After looking at those plans it seems to me, that it would have been much nicer for all passengers if Royal had found a way in add stairs to those areas. Leave some space for a smaller public balcony, and use some to give everyone on the ship some way to go from deck to deck at that aft end. As of now, I won't even consider booking a cabin far back, because of the extra long walk to get to anything. Now that would improve utilization, even if it didn't put $$ in Royal's pocket.

Yay a question I can surely provide some input on! Haha

 

Having worked Aqua Theater lights, this was also my first question when I saw this thread. My best guess is that the suite balcony will not wrap around the entire "secret balcony" space on deck 12 as it does on decks 8-10.

 

Here's a crude drawing which will hopefully explain my point. The Sound & Light booth's door is outdoors with the only access being through the current "secret balcony" space. I think what is most likely to happen is that the balcony space will be divided (red lines represent some possibilities) and only some of it will be used for the new suite (this also would make it a regular OV suite, probably a GS, not an AQ suite). The new suite space would also presumably eat up the little Electrical Locker adjacent to 12728 (random useless fact: this little room is currently where broken flat panel TVs are brought to be repaired).

 

 

There may be a few other very remote possibilities. I'm trying to remember what the space adjacent to 12729 is currently used for and am drawing a blank. It may be a circuit breaker room. MAYBE there exists some possibility to cut an entrance into the S&L booth either from there, but this would involve cutting into structural steel (the booth is considered an add on and is outside of the structure) and is probably more cost than they are willing to cover to gain a single revenue suite, if it is even possible. There's an emergency escape hatch in the floor of the S&L booth through which one can climb down behind the rockwall to deck 7, but this is not viable for everyday use; so it can be presumed that they need to maintain a real door somewhere and the cheapest option is most likely to divide the secret balcony and keep a path open to the existing door.

 

So perhaps there will still be room for a handful of lounge chairs out there for public use. Which frankly, is better use of the space as never in 6 months did I see more than 4 people lounging out there during quiet times of day (maybe up to 10 standing to watch during Aqua shows). No need for space for 15 lounge chairs to satisfy demand for the "secret balcony". :)

 

Note that this would also apply for the matching Stage Manager's booth on the port side. Deck 11 is another story, that balcony might get completely used up and made into a mini AQ suite with a similar wraparound balcony to the AQ suites below.

Very interesting post. Thanks for the insider view.

Sure, because their website works so well so often.......:rolleyes:

Yes, exactly what I was talking about in the next paragraph of that post.

And FWIW, today has been one of the Royal's most "system glitched" days ever. They had me pulling my hair out. At this rate I'll be bald by the time I get all our excursion's booked.

Bon Voyage .

Always ask your travel agent before you book, about cancellation fees. Yes, Royal gives a full refund for canceling before final payment, but some TAs will charge their own fee. Not all do this. I've heard of it being anywhere from $50 to $100. (I'm talking in the USA. No info on out of US)

I got one thanking us for choosing MTD, when we are confirmed for traditional first seating. (Our TA called and verified, all is well.) But I think the computers over at Royal are finally that having that nervous breakdown, that they've been on the verge of for so long.

Looks very healthy......not. Must one eat a whole plate of it?

Actually, no. I love the stuff, but no way can I eat an entire serving. When we go to Bob Evan's for breakfast, hubby orders it and we share.

 

The photo above is of Biscuits & Gravy at the Chicken Pantry Restaurant in Bunnell, FL.

 

This is one of hundreds (perhaps thousands) of ways to prepare real Southern Biscuits & Gravy.

 

Unfortunately, the Royal Caribbean way does not even come close.

 

Note in the photo that the gravy is thick and can be eaten with a fork. Also note the large size and number of the sausage chunks.

 

The Biscuits & Gravy I had recently on the Vision of the Seas was more like soup than gravy and I really had to look to find tiny bits of sausage.

 

 

Come on Royal, you can do better if you want to!

That looks absolutely delicious. I can feel my arteries clogging just looking at it. But dang, I'd love some right now.

Really, if they are going to attempt a traditonal dish like this, they should do it right, (cholesterol and all) or stick to making oatmeal.

Well done:) Its happened in Australia so shouldnt be too long for you Danes:)

 

Its just so simple I just cant see why so many who already willingly pay grats in one form or another dont like the idea of it:confused:

Hid fishtaco, I have found that having the tip automatically added to the account is a really convenient process, so I like it. And I do, usually tip a little extra in person if warranted.

But to answer your question, my theory about why so many who already willingly pay grats in one form or another dont like the idea of this: (Remember, this is just what I think will happen) It is the fear that once the tips are rolled into the price, tipping on top of that, in the current customary percentages will then be the expected thing. And I think people would be totally right to expect this to happen. I can see the policy start with a statement of "tipping included, so no additional tipping needed", but that would slowly fade away, and tipping would become expected again. Eventually paying more overall.

The more I think about that Family Dining, the nicer it sounds for families. If we ever were to bring our grandchildren along, it would be a real benefit. I wonder if the Dynamic Dining has any accommodation for that feature? Because it does sound like it would be another casualty of DD.

LOL, give people a little credit; they aren't all as incapable as you would make them out to be. Most of what you mentioned is applicable no matter what kind of dining a ship offers.... spa treatments, excursions, lessons, gym classes, airfare, hotel, and transfers. Those things aren't unique to Royal so if people are scared to book those things they won't cruise, period.

There will always be some who don't want to also book dining and shows, but plenty of people don't mind at all, including newbies. After all, if you plan a land based trip for instance, wouldn't you have to find restaurants, make dinner reservations, and book assorted excursions or entertainment options? And of course, if one has a travel agent, the agent can do the booking for you.

As with any change, Royal (like any business) knows some customers won't like it and may leave. But you can bet they are confident that there are more who WILL like the change than won't. When ships started getting bigger, some said how terrible the large ships were and that it was a huge mistake. Guess what? People kept booking them! So the cruise lines kept building them. Guess that wasn't a dumb decision after all. Same with various other changes over the years. :)

You missed the point. Yes, there is lots to book with all cruise lines. More than enough, actually more than too much. Have you never heard of the straw that breaks the camel's back? Well that is what I was talking about. I thought that was clear.

BTW, if your TA is booking your shows, and dinners, and excursions and spa treatments for you, in additions to air,hotel and transfers, with out additional compensation, well then you have found one real gem. Hang on to her.

Ok one question.

 

We are on allure sailing back home from Barcelona next year.

 

So we will need to make reservations for 13 nights dinner unless we eat in we or cafe, etc.

 

Do I need to keep track of all these reservations?

 

Or, do they send an email reminder? Maybe I can view on line some how?

 

We have not sailed royal in 10 years so not sure how this works.

 

How do most people book? Shows first and then fill in with dining?

 

I don't mind planning as I plan many 3 week plus land vacations in Europe.

 

Thanks

Cheryl

Hi Cheryl, They will send you an e-mail every time you make a reservation. Plus you will be able to go to your Calendar on the Royal page, and see everything you have booked. And you can print out the final version whenever you like.

But that being said, yes you do need to keep track of everything. Check on what you've got listed, from time to time; and more frequently as the countdown grows closer, because Royal has made a habit lately of scrambling things, deleting reservations and just plain getting it wrong. Makes all the reserving of stuff a major PIA, not the simple walk in Central park that the DD-is-God's-Gift people would have you believe. Just getting onto the page to even look at this stuff has proved near impossible on many occasions both with our current Oasis booking, and with our Allure cruise last November.

You do not realize then that Pre Paid grats for MTD are non removable once onboard the ship? and non removable before sailing unless you switch back to traditional dinning before you board?

 

There has been mention by a cruiser once being able to do this but pre paid grats are paid to a different accounting department to the one used onboard.

 

To remove your pre paid grats for MTD they would need to be claimed back from RCI land accounts by either ship accounts department or personal after cruise contact, so you would need a documented reason to do so!

 

I am sure there are many more MTD,s who have been successful in removing pre paid grats for good reason but will not divulge this info in fear of ridicule or being branded as a "Stiffer"

 

How can a service be disputed before it is used? If you have one documented bad experience with MTD then the staff will be forced to make the next a fully satisfactory experience, thus "One Bad Apple" and doesnt necessitate the removal of grats.

 

But you do not at present need any reason whatsoever or even an explanation to remove daily auto grats at guest services whilst on board.

 

You can pay your daily autos with OBC you cannot pay your Pre paid grats for MTD with OBC unless you switch from Trad to MTD once on board so with no trad dinning available OBC would no longer be an option for anyone to pay grats with it, OBC would then be only redeemable for goods purchased on board or forfeited if un used.

 

The only real explanation behind pre paid grats for MTD is to stop MTD,s removing grats in the first place. By not striking up a report with wait staff as done in trad dinning MTD,s may be more inclined to reduce or remove grats if they were removable.

 

Many cruisers remove gratuities for many reasons, this does not "seem" to be the case with most CC members but they are only about 1% of the cruising market:)

 

If all gratuities were pre paid because of dinning non option then almost 100% of cruisers would pay 100% of each sailing gratuity:)

 

Put simply Auto daily grats are very easily removed and are, Pre paid grats for MTD are much harder to remove so are not:) Fully implementing Pre Paid for DD would be the same :)

Some interesting information. Did not know that the prepay cannot be refunded, if you wish it removed. Can't imagine ever needing to do so, but interesting to know.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle V View Post

This is if you are doing traditional dining. (Those are the only two choices of dining by the way. I'm not sure which "family" dining would be.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findac...ly_time_dining

 

Quote:

My Family Time Dining is offered for the first seating time in our main dining room, for children ages three to 11. Kids enjoy their meal within 40 minutes of seating, before heading to the evening's Adventure Ocean activities. The program starts the second evening you're onboard. .

Thanks for explaining that Mollyeilis. That is essentially still early main traditional seating . Just a more rushed service. Did they want pre-pay of tips for that ?

Here are a couple of photos from sail away this evening.

 

My friend on the ship said it was something she will never forget only her second cruise and first time on OASIS. Thousands of people lined up to see Lady O sail away and they clapped and cheered. It gave her goosebumps

 

 

 

 

Impressive send off.

And let me add one more thing to my last post. If people had any idea of the difficulties Royal cruisers have been having with the Royal web site, the concept of adding in even more things that you must struggle to book, it would definitely not be luring folks in to join the fray.

Royal may be watching Cruise Critic, but they pay much more attention to actual reservations! People can talk all they want on a message board, but the opinions that count are those expressed in terms of dollars spent/reservations booked. For every person who claims that fleet-wide DD will make them leave Royal forever, I bet there are two more people eager to jump onboard.

Doubtful. Anyone ready to jump on board, is already jumping. DD is not likely to pull in any new non cruisers, to try it. It will on the other hand, scare off many long time traditional cruisers , to say nothing of scaring off lots of potential newbies who may well find this maze of booking dinners for every night, booking excursions, booking spa treatments, booking specialty restaurants, booking shows, and lessons of various types, booking gym classes, adding that into booking your airfare, and booking your pre-cruise hotel, and booking your to-hotel, to ship and ship to airport transfers. This may be the one last thing that scares some off of ever trying cruising altogether.

I too would just like to see the tips not called tips but just rolled into the cost of the cruise and be called a service charge.

 

The prepaid MTD tips are a holdover from the days prior to gratuities being added directly to your Seapass account. Envelopes were left and you tipped in cash at the end of the week. With MTD and having different waiters every night the fear was that all waiters would not be tipped equally or at all, so prepaid was introduced.

 

Once daily grats were added to the Seapass daily there really was no reason to continue with the prepaid grats but it has stayed.

I would really prefer the tips rolled into the price and not called anything. The cost of the cruise should be the cost of the cruise, including whatever the bottom line needs to include. One number, plain and simple.

. Obviously, Royal has done extensive market research and testing and has concluded that their targeted demographic is not the traditional (early/late seating, same table, same table mates, same waitstaff, and one or two formal nights per week).

.

Tell me , which ship did this exhaustive testing of DD? I'd really like to know.