Whats new with Royal?

[April2412]

I am a Diamond member with Royal Caribbean but haven't been on a cruise for a few years. I think the last one was in 2012. I plan to book a trip for next year and I was just wondering about any changes that have taken place since 2012. I don't mean with new ships and stuff like that - I am wondering about new policies and things that are different with the cruiseline itself and things that could change the cruise experience. Anything new or different I should be aware of? Has anybody noticed anything on board that has changed?

 

Thank you!

April

Edited September 29, 2014 by April2412
missed titled

[PSCruiser]

The biggie for D members is 3 free drinks loaded onto your seapass card every day for use at most bars during normal D lounge hours.

[Clarea]

I am a Diamond member with Royal Caribbean but haven't been on a cruise for a few years. I think the last one was in 2012. I plan to book a trip for next year and I was just wondering about any changes that have taken place since 2012. I don't mean with new ships and stuff like that - I am wondering about new policies and things that are different with the cruiseline itself and things that could change the cruise experience. Anything new or different I should be aware of? Has anybody noticed anything on board that has changed?

 

Thank you!

April

You can bring two bottles of wine per stateroom.

 

Gratuties are automatically added to your onboard account daily, $12 per person, per day for JS and below.

 

Single cruisers get an extra point per day when booking a stateroom that normally holds two or more.

 

The Next Cruise certificate has had a major reduction in OBC.

Edited September 29, 2014 by clarea

[kiyoko]

I am a Diamond member with Royal Caribbean but haven't been on a cruise for a few years. I think the last one was in 2012. I plan to book a trip for next year and I was just wondering about any changes that have taken place since 2012. I don't mean with new ships and stuff like that - I am wondering about new policies and things that are different with the cruiseline itself and things that could change the cruise experience. Anything new or different I should be aware of? Has anybody noticed anything on board that has changed?

 

Thank you!

April

 

Not sure of all the changes in the last few years, but just in the last 4 months when we had our last sailing on the Oasis, other than what's already mentioned here, I noticed the new smoking rules, and Dynamic Dining and the use of wristbands in conjunction with seapass cards that's scheduled to start on varying dates depending upon the ship. It appears harder for me to keep up recently with all the changes since it seems like there's been a lot more in the works in the recent past than the past few years. I started a thread yesterday to ask about any recent changes since I wasn't sure if I had missed any.

Edited September 29, 2014 by kiyoko

[bobbie0253]

Pretty much in the same situation here. :D We just booked the Liberty and can't wait to be back on RCCL

[reney313]

The largest policy changes I can think of:

 

• No smoking on balconies or indoor bars (except for the casino and cigar lounge)
  

• Pre-Paid Gratuties
  
• If you are planning on Quantum or Anthem, there are many changes including Dynamic Dining (although Oasis will have that soon too)
  
• 2 bottles of wine per cabin are allowed to be brought onboard at embarkation
  
• New all inclusive beverage packages are now available (both alcoholic and non alcoholic). These can be pre-reserved/paid via the cruise planner or purchased onboard.
  
• Towel check out no longer requires a swipe of the seapass (at least on my last RCI cruise, I've heard some differing experiences so it might depend on the ship). You could get towels to go ashore at the gangway where they did have you swipe your card.
  
• C&A Gift basket is now your drink choice + a couple sleeves of cookies and nuts rather than the oversized box that had little tiny packages.
  
• 3 drinks pre-loaded on your card for Diamond and above for each night HH if you would prefer rather than going to Diamond Lounge. Most ships have been refitted with a DL vs. the nightly event. I think there are still a few that don't have one though.
  

 

That's all I can remember at the moment. Welcome back and enjoy your cruise!

[redlobster]

I see the newest change happening as we speak is the introduction of DYNAMIC DINING beginning in Nov, 2014 with the new Quantum class ships. This is a big change from the traditional main dining schedule for cruising. There will now be expanded (no additional payment) dining options for cruisers.

 

This is beginning to become a trend with existing RCI ships with the recent announcement that Oasis of the Seas is converting to DYNAMIC DINING in the future. You should consider your next cruise ship with this option in mind.

[golfer1966]

Everything is loaded on your seapass now....

[April2412]

Thank you all!