Changes on RC we noticed on cruise this summer

[DFWJean&Bill]

Ten years cruising with Royal. These are the things we noticed, not complaining, just new.  (Freedom class ship).  There are no longer packaged crackers (or ANY kind of chips etc) in Windjammer, so nothing to take back to cabin if you need something to take meds with.  Best to carry them with you.  Cabin cleaned once a day. If you choose "late", we found that means around 4:30 which can be a bit of a challenge to get ready for 5:30 dining time.  No second lobster without paying.  As mentioned many times, DR menu is cut back, still good, seemed there were more vegan choices, more spicy to me.  Waiters have MANY tables to cover so not a lot of time to chat. They were still very cordial and efficient.  No plastic straws but the new ones are NOT paper.  They are, I think, biodegradable so seem to be just like plastic and don't dissolve.    

Back to first issue.  You can't take bananas and such off the ship, no packaged crackers or chips available, so I felt bad for the younger children on excursions, they really needed a "snack" to keep them going before we could stop and shop sometimes.   Not sure of the rules, maybe sealed cereal bars or something would be ok?

Getting off ships is a breeze now with the facial recognition, you don't even have to show your passport.  That, along with the electronic muster drill are wonderful changes.  Stay positive, adapt, enjoy your cruise.  Remember how terrible things were during Covid?

[njkruzer]

We always travel with prepackaged crackers, not for kids but for us.  Never know when you get stuck somewhere.   Once on a train in Europe and nothing to eat.  We had our crackers so didn't starve.

[neverbeenhere]

Pandemic cruising was the best. Empty ship and fantastic service. Plus double points.