I Remember when RCL ............

[voyager70]

3 minutes ago, BillOh said:

THe Midmight buffets were only 7 night or longer cruises I think.  But since you mentioned the afternoon pool side sea day buffets, they had one in 2016 on Majesty and it was wonderful.  That particular one ranked up there as one of my best cruise meals ever!  (disclaimer, I do review under the moniker - Blue Collar Diamond so my tastes are definitely not 5 star 🙂 )

 

I must be booking the wrong cruises 😁

 

[parrotfeathers]

When the Sovereign of the Seas was considered a HUGE ship.  My first two cruises were on her.  I remember thinking how tiny the bathroom was.  I didn't know anything about cruising and got it through the local brick and mortar travel agent.  Internet had not been invented.  She asked me what kind of cabin I wanted.  I said I'd at least like a window.  So that is what I got--a port hole.  Didn't know anything about balconies, etc.

[ONECRUISER]

6 minutes ago, BillOh said:

THe Midmight buffets were only 7 night or longer cruises I think.  But since you mentioned the afternoon pool side sea day buffets, they had one in 2016 on Majesty and it was wonderful.  That particular one ranked up there as one of my best cruise meals ever!  (disclaimer, I do review under the moniker - Blue Collar Diamond so my tastes are definitely not 5 star 🙂 )

Originally had Midnight Buffets on shorter cruises, every nite. My Ex enjoyed the Grand Buffet whengo in at 11pm just to take pictures and wouldnt eat until 12am. Back then every meal was at same table with same waiters.

[Spunky946]

I cruised in the late 90’s as a twenty something. Smoking all over the ship, which was awesome at the time as I was a smoker.

 

great midnight buffets, horse racing where you got to take and carry the horse around and everyone got all dressed up.

[parrotfeathers]

Maybe the first "cut back" was doing away with the midnight buffet.  No way I could eat at midnight after just having supper.

[barbeyg]

...when a printed passenger list (including where we were all from) was provided, along with a printed menu from the week as a souvenir.  

 

[frank808]

Only started cruising a little over 4 years ago so the only thing I miss was the great obc for  doing a next cruise booking.

[PortSideCruzan]

5 hours ago, scootersdad said:

Saw a similar question about another cruise line.

 

I remember when Royal Caribbean Cruises:

 

 

Hi Scootersdad ☺️

 

I remember when many cruise lines had 'passenger lists'..

 

However due to modern times & privacy acts, I understand why they no longer exist. 

 

 

☺️

Edited December 31, 2018 by PortSideCruzan

[Clarea]

Price drops up to 72 hours before the cruise.

 

Combinations allowed: Shareholder OBC, Next Cruise OBC, C&A coupon discounts, C&A balcony discounts.

[George C]

43 minutes ago, parrotfeathers said:

When the Sovereign of the Seas was considered a HUGE ship.  My first two cruises were on her.  I remember thinking how tiny the bathroom was.  I didn't know anything about cruising and got it through the local brick and mortar travel agent.  Internet had not been invented.  She asked me what kind of cabin I wanted.  I said I'd at least like a window.  So that is what I got--a port hole.  Didn't know anything about balconies, etc.

Sovereign did not even have balconies when we sailed her. Loved that ship 30 years ago. 

[Ashland]

When RCI (RCCL) truly valued their loyal cruiser's and there was a real incentive to attain each C&A level.

[MaiseyM]

1 hour ago, nelblu said:

 

Drinks were much cheaper by today's standards.

 

Not only Hot, Hot, but also Baked Alaska parade.

 

Yes!  The flaming cakes on their heads!  I imagine OSHA put an end to that.  lol

[Spunky946]

6 minutes ago, MaiseyM said:

 

Yes!  The flaming cakes on their heads!  I imagine OSHA put an end to that.  lol

Yes the flaming cakes.  Makes me want to go through all my old photos and find those.  That and the shot of the day offered after dinner.  

[2Shoes2Go]

Diamonds in December! Being turned around getting off the elevator going to Viking Crown Lounge, on Monarch, by sweet Desmond, because we weren’t Diamond. It wasn’t long before we were though; DH saw to it. 😀

[The Fun Researcher]

I remember when a basic rum and coke was $6.50 including tip, versus $10+ now.  (and this was only 4 years ago)

 

Really, the only negative to me are the skyrocketing drink prices, as well as the heavy push for non refundable deposits.

 

Other than that I still love RCI as much, if not more, than back in 2012 when we fell in love with cruising.

 

Dan

[nelblu]

1 hour ago, Spunky946 said:

I cruised in the late 90’s as a twenty something. Smoking all over the ship, which was awesome at the time as I was a smoker.

 

great midnight buffets, horse racing where you got to take and carry the horse around and everyone got all dressed up.

 

Yes, we bid a couple times on wooden horses with ethnic names attached.  The horse was usually kidnapped from our cabin and later returned for the dress up for the race a few days later.  Won first place once.

[vacationlover_mn]

5 hours ago, George C said:

Do not remember fireworks even in late 1980’s , also do not remember sparkling wine which celebrity still does, I think staff is friendly and polite. Food was better but would not say great.

Do totally agree back then there was a real dress code. Now people dress like there going to Disney world.

This

[dreadpirate3]

2 hours ago, BillOh said:

With regard to this, I saw it once only on Voyager in May of 2006.  They let you walk through and take pictures before midnight, but opened it up for eating/sampling at midnight.  I assume, but don't know a lot was wasted.  Back in 2006 I weighed 70 pounds more and could eat at midnight.

On our first cruise, Sovereign of the Seas, in 2008. It was on the night we sailed from Nassau. I loved the midnight sailaway and the buffet on the deck along with ice carving demonstrations. I hope to never forget it. 

[bonsai3s]

We remember.....

sailing on the Song of America, sharing a table with a wonderful couple from the UK, the Staff Captain, and members of the entertainment staff...every night.  Free wine provided by the Staff Captain, liquor "shots" drank by the entertainment staff "hands free",  and sommeliers walking around the main dining room.......fond memories.

[Baron Barracuda]

Formal tea on sea days that you had to dress up for.

 

Theme nights in mdr with wait staff wearing coordinated outfits .

 

HW's preparing cherries jubilee and crepes table side.

[Junkhouse]

Gym consisted of a couple weights, a hip shaker, a rower, stationary bike, and no locker rooms or showers.

 

Sports deck was smaller than a volleyball court.

 

Casino was one or two gaming tables and about 10 slots.

 

Pools were opened to all ages.

 

Only eating options were room service, MDR, pool grill, and the one midnight buffet.

 

Still can barely understand most of the captains.

 

Only way to get from floor to floor was by stairs.

 

Only available news was by teletype.

[QTBabyNurse]

4 hours ago, gatour said:

Giving out "dollars" for participating in "work-out/sports" events.  Things like doing a walk or competing in the basketball tournament.  Once you accumulated a certain amount of "dollars" you can turn them in for a t-shirt.  This was back when Sovereign of the Seas was only a year or two old. 

Ship Shape dollars! I loved those activities!

[Milwaukee Eight]

2 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

Price drops up to 72 hours before the cruise.

 

Combinations allowed: Shareholder OBC, Next Cruise OBC, C&A coupon discounts, C&A balcony discounts.

Living local, I remember those emails a few days before Enchantment sailed offering highly discounted fares. 

[grapau27]

2 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

Price drops up to 72 hours before the cruise.

 

Combinations allowed: Shareholder OBC, Next Cruise OBC, C&A coupon discounts, C&A balcony discounts.

Happy new year Bob.

I hope you both have a good year.

Thanks for your help in 2018.

Edited January 1, 2019 by grapau27

[Clarea]

1 minute ago, grapau27 said:

Happy new year Bob.

 

Thank-you Graham, and to you and your family too!  We still have a few hours to go before 2019.