Disney lover just booked anniversary cruise on Navigator of the Seas

[crazy4themouse]

I specifically asked for those E3 cabins that you mentioned when I booked and was told they weren't available. (I asked for 1688 and 1388 first). My TA then called back to try to get another RCCL rep and finally we were told that ALL aft cabins can only be booked with 3 or more people. So that is interesting that they are listed for 2 or more. My agent said the first rep said all those cabins were booked by people. The second rep when she asked for them again said that they were not available unless we had 3 or more. I might add the third just so I can get one and cancel. It really isn't that big of a deal we really will be happy with the hump cabin.

 

 

 

 

That's really odd... the BF and I are booked in 7388 on Navigator for next February. Is the 3-or-more rule only for certain times of the year or certain sailings or something?

[ummgood]

That's really odd... the BF and I are booked in 7388 on Navigator for next February. Is the 3-or-more rule only for certain times of the year or certain sailings or something?

 

I have read somewhere on here that during busy seasons RCCL will restrict bookings based on number of people in a room to prevent people like us booking all the rooms that sleep more so they can book those rooms for the maximum amount of people. I am guessing since we are sailing during high season and your cruise is during low season they have different booking restrictions.

 

Perhaps when we called the E3 cabins mentioned were being held by someone else and were released. That happens all the time when I look at Disney cruises. Not exactly sure how RCCL does things but that is what I am guessing. I didn't see them on RCCL website either after we got off of the phone so I took their word for it.

[Jimbo]

That's really odd... the BF and I are booked in 7388 on Navigator for next February. Is the 3-or-more rule only for certain times of the year or certain sailings or something?

 

 

There is not really any rules how those cabins can be booked, The rccl rep can work around and get the cabin if you want it, just some rccl reps just don't want to take the extra time to get for you.

 

I always say if you don't like the answers you get when you call, hang up and call again until you get the answer you want.

 

 

Jimbo:)

[hansolosmom]

Our first cruise was Disney which I LOVED and our travel agent actually suggested RC when we wanted to do another one saying they were pretty comparable. To which I'd say yes & no.

 

 

I think Disney wins in the service & food categories, they're just the tops with that in that category.

 

On RC food & service are good, don't get me wrong. I agree with you like keeping the same servers for the week because they can totally recommend things for you after that first night.

 

Other things that popped into my mind:

You can bring wine on RC. No hard liquor like you can on Disney

There's a casino

The pool area is generally larger

Lots of activities

The solarium is for 16 & up (not always strictly enforced)

The specialty restaurants also allow kids, it's supposed to be before 7pm (ish) but that isn't always enforced. The only over 21 option on Navigator would be the Chef's table

[miamimommie]

We've only sailed RC and DCL. 3x RC out of Galveston and 2x DCL out of Galveston. (We've done 1 RC out of NOLA). 1 out of 5 times the disembark was slow otherwise we've never had a problem in Galveston. Everything else is opinion. We have a 7yo and 5yo. RC divides their kids club by age and DCL does not. Our 7yo loved both clubs but the 5yo only liked DCL because he could be with brother. Our opinion was the food was better on RC but service was better on DC - again opinion. Both are great - you will have fun!

[kittykitty576]

You will have a great time, no fear! I know you won't have the kids with you, but most kids really prefer the RCI kid's club over Disney's....it's a bit more structured, and kids like that!

 

:confused:

I have NO idea where this poster is coming from. I LOVE Disney Cruises, and have been on Royal once (with DD)… and have booked again (adults only). THere is NO comparison between Disney Kids Club and Royal. Royal SUCKS. It sucks for the kids AND for the adults trying to find / pick up kids.

 

DIsney has many, many, many safety measures in place. Kids are RFID'ed and can be located ANYWHERE on the ship or on Castaway Cay. Royal doesn't even do ANY kind of security.. even within the kids club. All I had to have was a kid name and a room number to get a kid out. WTH?! Inherently UNSAFE. On Disney, MY RFID and my child's RFID had to match in order to get her out of kids club.

 

THe programs for kids within kids club were also NO WHERE CLOSE. DIsney was 10/10. If Royal was 6/10, that would be a GIFT… and, that's on Oasis… where I'd have THOUGHT that they'd beef up to kids club and programming.

 

FOOD:

DIsney wins. Hands down. The rotating dining rooms that are SO themed are worth the price of admission. And, the food on Disney is BETTER. THe food on Royal is alright. No problems with it, it's just that Disney is BETTER.

 

I LIKE Royal for the price. But for the EXPERIENCE and for the KIDS CLUB, Disney wins. Hands down. FOr a more in-depth review of ships from Disney and from Royal… see Gambee's review of each.

 

My 2 cents, and absolutely NO disrespect to the poster or to either cruise line :D

[kittykitty576]

One more thing on DCL… THere's a BIG difference between the 1st and 2nd generation ships. Magic and Wonder are older, and the kids clubs SHOW it in both programming and decor in Kids Club. Dream and Fantasy have MUCH better programming and decor. The two new ships have FAR superior decor.

 

As to other posters:

DCL service is second to none. #1!!!!

 

I hope that you have a great time on Royal… with all adults, I'm certain that you will. But, the experience will be MUCH different that DCL. Just don't expect "Disney" (experience or attention to detail) when you go on another cruise line ;)

[perfect match]

I would not get an aft balcony on deck 6, 8.

 

Jimbo, would you say that about aft balconies on Independence OTS as well as on NOTS? I am also wondering why you wouldn't take one of those aft balconies?

 

I currently have an aft balcony on hold on deck 8 on Indy. I am another Disney cruiser looking to try a cruise on Royal. We already tried Princess and liked it. We will most likely cruise with them again, but we wanted to give Royal a try.

[Jimbo]

Jimbo, would you say that about aft balconies on Independence OTS as well as on NOTS? I am also wondering why you wouldn't take one of those aft balconies?

 

I currently have an aft balcony on hold on deck 8 on Indy. I am another Disney cruiser looking to try a cruise on Royal. We already tried Princess and liked it. We will most likely cruise with them again, but we wanted to give Royal a try.

 

Deck 6 is the worse, set back in the ship, there is a deck right outside your balcony and then about 40 ft until you get to the edge of the ship.

 

deck 7 has a large balcony and a window out the side of the ship to see to the side also just not out the aft. There are metal beams to look through also

 

deck 8 you still have to look through the metal beams to see the wake

 

deck 9 is the same but less distance to look through the metal beams to see the wake.

 

deck 10 has the best view,

 

So what I'm saying, if the other decks were available first I rather have one of those.............no way would I ever take an aft on deck 6 though with that deck right outside your balcony.

 

So if 7 corner's, 9 corners or 10 corners were available, I would take one of those before any aft on deck 8.

 

Also keep in mind the corners have less metal beams to see through the aft balconies in the middle of the decks. So you want a corner for sure. deck 10, 1690 and 1390 views and balconies are nice though.

 

Don't go away from the corners on deck 9 or 7 though, corners or nothing on those decks.

[ummgood]

One more thing on DCL… THere's a BIG difference between the 1st and 2nd generation ships. Magic and Wonder are older, and the kids clubs SHOW it in both programming and decor in Kids Club. Dream and Fantasy have MUCH better programming and decor. The two new ships have FAR superior decor.

 

As to other posters:

DCL service is second to none. #1!!!!

 

I hope that you have a great time on Royal… with all adults, I'm certain that you will. But, the experience will be MUCH different that DCL. Just don't expect "Disney" (experience or attention to detail) when you go on another cruise line ;)

 

I know that the Wonder is the least updated ship at this point but I love that ship. I have heard other reviews that state the new ships, while all nice and pretty, actually have worse service. (at least the Dream the Fantasy might be better) If you look at a lot of the reviews a lot of the veteran cruisers love the Wonder the most. I think part of the reason is a lot of the staff on the Wonder have been on her for a long time. When we dined in the Adult restaurant our waiter had been on the ship for 8 years. Our head server was 8 years too I believe. I think they are a large family on that boat and work so well together and it shows. I realize this is all opinions but we really do love that ship and I would sail on her all the time if I could but the price is crazy and she really is only in the Caribbean during the off season. (My wife doesn't like cold and Europe is too expensive).

 

I at this point am not expecting anything but a vacation with my wife for our anniversary. I am just trying to set my expectations correctly and figure out information before we go. Unfortunately with 3 kids and private school tuition our vacation budget is dwindling. Plus take the fact that a cruise on Disney now is about double what I paid for my first cruise on them I just can't justify it anymore. And add to the fact we would have to drive cross country or take a plane to get on the ship there is a lot of extra cost there. RCCL is now a potential solution since we can drive to port and it costs less.

 

I know we'll have a great time. I just would also like to gain some understanding of how our kids will do on the boat so I know if I will even consider it a family vacation option. I guess we are "testing the waters" so to speak.

 

Deck 6 is the worse, set back in the ship, there is a deck right outside your balcony and then about 40 ft until you get to the edge of the ship.

 

deck 7 has a large balcony and a window out the side of the ship to see to the side also just not out the aft. There are metal beams to look through also

 

deck 8 you still have to look through the metal beams to see the wake

 

deck 9 is the same but less distance to look through the metal beams to see the wake.

 

deck 10 has the best view,

 

So what I'm saying, if the other decks were available first I rather have one of those.............no way would I ever take an aft on deck 6 though with that deck right outside your balcony.

 

So if 7 corner's, 9 corners or 10 corners were available, I would take one of those before any aft on deck 8.

 

Also keep in mind the corners have less metal beams to see through the aft balconies in the middle of the decks. So you want a corner for sure. deck 10, 1690 and 1390 views and balconies are nice though.

 

Don't go away from the corners on deck 9 or 7 though, corners or nothing on those decks.

 

This is great info thanks!

[ummgood]

Our first cruise was Disney which I LOVED and our travel agent actually suggested RC when we wanted to do another one saying they were pretty comparable. To which I'd say yes & no.

 

 

I think Disney wins in the service & food categories, they're just the tops with that in that category.

 

On RC food & service are good, don't get me wrong. I agree with you like keeping the same servers for the week because they can totally recommend things for you after that first night.

 

Other things that popped into my mind:

You can bring wine on RC. No hard liquor like you can on Disney

There's a casino

The pool area is generally larger

Lots of activities

The solarium is for 16 & up (not always strictly enforced)

The specialty restaurants also allow kids, it's supposed to be before 7pm (ish) but that isn't always enforced. The only over 21 option on Navigator would be the Chef's table

 

Thanks! What was your favorite activity?

 

We've only sailed RC and DCL. 3x RC out of Galveston and 2x DCL out of Galveston. (We've done 1 RC out of NOLA). 1 out of 5 times the disembark was slow otherwise we've never had a problem in Galveston. Everything else is opinion. We have a 7yo and 5yo. RC divides their kids club by age and DCL does not. Our 7yo loved both clubs but the 5yo only liked DCL because he could be with brother. Our opinion was the food was better on RC but service was better on DC - again opinion. Both are great - you will have fun!

 

We have a 10yo, 5yo, and a 2yo. The 10yo loves the Disney clubs and is the type to entertain herself so she really doesn't need structure. When we come to get her she doesn't want to leave. The 5 yo does better if she has attention. Since her older sister doesn't like to entertain her she doesn't do as well in the clubs. She might do better on RCCL I am thinking if they give her more attention. The 2yo was in the nursery both cruises (first time he was 4mo and the second time he just turned 2). Not sure how he'll do but he is sporty and wants to kick the ball etc...

[Sat1]

There also is, an adult only pool, small but adequate.

[perfect match]

Deck 6 is the worse, set back in the ship, there is a deck right outside your balcony and then about 40 ft until you get to the edge of the ship.

 

deck 7 has a large balcony and a window out the side of the ship to see to the side also just not out the aft. There are metal beams to look through also

 

deck 8 you still have to look through the metal beams to see the wake

 

deck 9 is the same but less distance to look through the metal beams to see the wake.

 

deck 10 has the best view,

 

So what I'm saying, if the other decks were available first I rather have one of those.............no way would I ever take an aft on deck 6 though with that deck right outside your balcony.

 

So if 7 corner's, 9 corners or 10 corners were available, I would take one of those before any aft on deck 8.

 

Also keep in mind the corners have less metal beams to see through the aft balconies in the middle of the decks. So you want a corner for sure. deck 10, 1690 and 1390 views and balconies are nice though.

 

Don't go away from the corners on deck 9 or 7 though, corners or nothing on those decks.

 

Thanks for your help, Jimbo. I went ahead and completed our booking today before the hold ran out. The only aft cabin showing up was 8712, unfortunately not a corner aft, but still aft. I went ahead with it as our cabin selection. I figured if we decide not to stay there I can always switch cabins as there is still plenty of time before we sail.

 

I found some pictures from one of the suites in the middle of deck 8 in the cabin reports thread. While I don't like the obstructions, DH and I both think we can live with it, especially since we know in advance what we will be getting. I haven't had a chance to look for trip reports, but will do so in the near future to see what info I can find there.

 

I think I need to go add a new cruise countdown to my signature! :cool:

[theotherchad]

I just wanted to put in my two cents on the service question.

 

The truth is, it is more a factor of luck than a real difference between the lines. All of the major cruise lines have employees who have attitude problems or who are bland, or who are at the end of their contract so they're just totally over it, so they give lackluster or less than friendly service.

 

And all the lines have employees who are absolute stars, with unforgettable personalities and charm galore, who give the best service it is possible to give.

 

And some people are easy to please and others not so much.

 

Every time I hear someone say the service on one line or another is WAY BETTER THAN the other or that the service on one line or another SUCKS, I think about the fact that on every single sailing, somebody gets the best waiter, bar server or room steward on the entire ship, and somebody else gets the worst ones.

 

That having been said, it does seem that there are certain ships that are outstanding (maybe it's the captain, the hotel manager, the cruise director or the pax, who knows) and there seem to be certain ships with staff morale issues.

 

But I don't think that the cruise lines as a whole are that different.

Edited April 11, 2014 by theotherchad
Clarity

[ummgood]

Those 2------ E3 cabins on deck 9 can certainly be booked with 2 people......You can do it right on the Rccl.com yourself if you want.

 

Time for we new travel agent.

 

Jimbo

 

Thanks I was able to book one this morning! I am using a very large company for a TA that gives good OBC (I don't want to get in trouble for posting their info) but for some reason their booking computer wasn't fully synced when I booked the day that the cruises were released. Today the lady who helped me had no problem booking us in 9390. Plus I saved $.20 cents. Anyone know what I can buy on board with my savings?

 

There also is, an adult only pool, small but adequate.

 

We are really excited to be able to try all the adult areas. Since we sailed with kids we really didn't use the adult pool etc... On the Disney Wonder because we only usually had a couple hours without kids. That time was mostly spent in the adult restaurant and taking a couple classes we were interested in. It will be completely different being by ourselves. I don't know what we'll do haha.

 

I am still hoping some people will chime in with their favorite activities too. I mean things you don't read about on the website. I know about the rock wall, flowrider, etc... And restaurants are a given but what about activities for fun like classes, getting to know other cruisers etc...

 

On our last cruise we really hit it off with the family in the Royal Suite. So it might be fun making some new friends.

 

Oh and the Royal Suite on Disney Wonder is insanely nice. It would be interesting to see the same on the Royal ship.

 

I just wanted to put in my two cents on the service question.

 

The truth is, it is more a factor of luck than a real difference between the lines. All of the major cruise lines have employees who have attitude problems or who are bland, or who are at the end of their contract so they're just totally over it, so they give lackluster or less than friendly service.

 

And all the lines have employees who are absolute stars, with unforgettable personalities and charm galore, who give the best service it is possible to give.

 

And some people are easy to please and others not so much.

 

Every time I hear someone say the service on one line or another is WAY BETTER THAN the other or that the service on one line or another SUCKS, I think about the fact that on every single sailing, somebody gets the best waiter, bar server or room steward on the entire ship, and somebody else gets the worst ones.

 

That having been said, it does seem that there are certain ships that are outstanding (maybe it's the captain, the hotel manager, the cruise director or the pax, who knows) and there seem to be certain ships with staff morale issues.

 

But I don't think that the cruise lines as a whole are that different.

 

I totally agree with you on this. I do think the better they treat employees the better the overall experience will be. I do know based on reviews it seems like the Wonder is very well loved for the service. I don't know if that is due to it being like family with the crew or because they foster a really happy environment for the employees. I do know that the employees are all top notch and we haven't had a bad experience on that ship.

 

I think the other thing that often happens is moral is less on ships that routinely do short cruises. They have a lot of turn over and they don't get to know the people sailing as well. Plus there is more work for the crew in my eyes because every 3 or 4 days they have to turnover the ship. I feel for the room stewards on those cruises. We have only sailed on 7 day cruises so far and even though I know the crew works hard I couldn't imagine how much harder it is when every 3 or 4 days you have to start all over again.

[theotherchad]

Oh yeah, those short cruises have to be tougher on the crew. Also, the general rule (not always, necessarily, but usually) the shorter the cruise, the younger the average age of the adult passengers.

 

Pair this with the fact that short cruise fares can be insanely cheap (because those young people drink and party a lot, so the cruise lines make their money that way), and you have a recipe for disaster for the servers.

 

Younger people with less money tip less. That is certainly not always the case, but ask any server or bartender you know. They'll tell you that it's a fact that on average, people in their 20's tip less than people over 30. :)

[notree]

I really suggest a day early arrival in Galveston. Visit the Air Museum and the Bishops Palace etc! I always use Lighthouse parking as tey pick you and your luggage up. There is so much going on on the ships that where I lay my head when I go to sleep is way down on mylist of what is important!.. The staff have always been beyond expectation ..but that goes for most curises I have been on...Notree

[ang73]

I just wanted to put in my two cents on the service question.

 

The truth is, it is more a factor of luck than a real difference between the lines. All of the major cruise lines have employees who have attitude problems or who are bland, or who are at the end of their contract so they're just totally over it, so they give lackluster or less than friendly service.

 

And all the lines have employees who are absolute stars, with unforgettable personalities and charm galore, who give the best service it is possible to give.

 

And some people are easy to please and others not so much.

 

Every time I hear someone say the service on one line or another is WAY BETTER THAN the other or that the service on one line or another SUCKS, I think about the fact that on every single sailing, somebody gets the best waiter, bar server or room steward on the entire ship, and somebody else gets the worst ones.

 

That having been said, it does seem that there are certain ships that are outstanding (maybe it's the captain, the hotel manager, the cruise director or the pax, who knows) and there seem to be certain ships with staff morale issues.

 

But I don't think that the cruise lines as a whole are that different.

 

I agree! Our first Disney cruise on the wonder we were amazed at the service! Our second on the Fantasy, not great service. The MDR service specifically was rather bad.

 

I guess that's why I'm not too concerned about trying RCCL for the first time. Im not coming from the viewpoint of nobody can do better than Disney. I have a feeling there will be things I like better about RCCL and things I like better about DCL. And trust me I am a life long lover of all things Disney!

 

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Forums mobile app

[poncho1973]

Every time I hear someone say the service on one line or another is WAY BETTER THAN the other or that the service on one line or another SUCKS, I think about the fact that on every single sailing, somebody gets the best waiter, bar server or room steward on the entire ship, and somebody else gets the worst ones.

 

My old boss loved to say "You know that half of the doctors out there graduated in the bottom half of their class!"

 

You speak the truth and what you said reminded me of that.

[theotherchad]

My old boss loved to say "You know that half of the doctors out there graduated in the bottom half of their class!"

 

You speak the truth and what you said reminded me of that.

 

Yes indeed. I often comment that it is a statistical and mathematical certainty that exactly half of everything is below average. Sadly, that includes people.

 

Some find me cynical. :D

 

And seriously, I don't mean that in terms of putting any individual down. We all do the best we can with what we have.