LIVE. Symphony of the Seas. April 20-28 2024. Sail away with me.

[Sea Dog]

6 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

CROWN AND ANCHOR NUMBERS

 

 

 

Borrowed from fellow cruiser. 
 

 

Were Diamonds allowed in the Crown lounge on this sailing?

[Lionesss]

19 minutes ago, Sea Dog said:

Were Diamonds allowed in the Crown lounge on this sailing?

Do not know. 
 

Only visited suite lounge. 
 

 

[Lionesss]

CUTBACKS. 
 

Now some of what I am sharing could be real RCI cutbacks or……….

Just related to clueless cabin attendant. 
 

- no more free pressing in suites for one outfit each for first formal night. 
—no more ice unless you ask for container then only filled once during cruise 

—almost missed qualifying for free luggage valet. Cabin attendant forgot to leave form in room. I just remembered on a whim it filled it out as deadline approached. 
—waiter would not bring out broiled lobster. When asked head waiter we were served with 5 tails ( total for us). 
—only one lame fruit plate. One banana 9 red grapes and an apple. Nothing else presented. No strawberries. Not that I needed them. They could improve presentation. 
—2 bottles of water and one bottle of wine from casino. Last cruise. 6 water and 3 bubbly wine. ( same points)

—speaking of same points. On quantum received $1000 comped and this cruise it was a tad under$600.   But they  could not adjust the free grand suite benefit. 
—only drinking glasses in bathroom. We just brought extra up from park cafe. 
— no invites for art show ( not that I care). Or any paperwork. 
 

when I questioned the above to guest services. They said refer to app

 

when I referred to app. Nothing there. 
 

so I asked concierge about why I did not get any notification of any events he apologized and spoke to hotel manager. 
 

now we do not consider ourselves special in any way. 
the grand suite was a comped cabin. 
we were happy. 
but for those who pay for the perks, well they may not know they are not getting them because they do not know about them. 
 

oh. One funny one.  I asked for one carton of milk one day and you thought I wanted the whole cow.  The officer hummed and hawed and reluctantly got it for me.  The area at breakfast that has them was empty. How hard is it to restock!!!

It may seem trivial. 
 

but 

 

we did receive little pillow tokens on most nights. 

suite pool deck. EXCELLENT!!!!!

loved it. 
 

 

later 

 

[Jimbo]

29 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

CUTBACKS. 
 

Now some of what I am sharing could be real RCI cutbacks or……….

Just related to clueless cabin attendant. 
 

- no more free pressing in suites for one outfit each for first formal night. 
—no more ice unless you ask for container then only filled once during cruise 

—almost missed qualifying for free luggage valet. Cabin attendant forgot to leave form in room. I just remembered on a whim it filled it out as deadline approached. 
—waiter would not bring out broiled lobster. When asked head waiter we were served with 5 tails ( total for us). 
—only one lame fruit plate. One banana 9 red grapes and an apple. Nothing else presented. No strawberries. Not that I needed them. They could improve presentation. 
—2 bottles of water and one bottle of wine from casino. Last cruise. 6 water and 3 bubbly wine. ( same points)

—speaking of same points. On quantum received $1000 comped and this cruise it was a tad under$600.   But they  could not adjust the free grand suite benefit. 
—only drinking glasses in bathroom. We just brought extra up from park cafe. 
— no invites for art show ( not that I care). Or any paperwork. 
 

when I questioned the above to guest services. They said refer to app

 

when I referred to app. Nothing there. 
 

so I asked concierge about why I did not get any notification of any events he apologized and spoke to hotel manager. 
 

now we do not consider ourselves special in any way. 
the grand suite was a comped cabin. 
we were happy. 
but for those who pay for the perks, well they may not know they are not getting them because they do not know about them. 
 

oh. One funny one.  I asked for one carton of milk one day and you thought I wanted the whole cow.  The officer hummed and hawed and reluctantly got it for me.  The area at breakfast that has them was empty. How hard is it to restock!!!

It may seem trivial. 
 

but 

 

we did receive little pillow tokens on most nights. 

suite pool deck. EXCELLENT!!!!!

loved it. 
 

 

later 

 

It's the little things that put Royal above the others, just have to get used to it not being the same or move on to other vacations options.

 

When you ask for things because that is the way it has been for years and years, now they just roll the eyes and look at you like you are out of your mind. Get used to new times or move on I guess.

Edited April 30 by Jimbo

[Lionesss]

SIDE NOTE. 
 

We have always used our TA to book and do the busy work for us. 
 

So off I went free grand suite registration number from casino points in hand and list of 4 options to use. 
 

To get this process started you had to 

1.  Login at casino desk where those block codes are. ( dunno what their called). 
2.  Pay your $200 refundable deposit. 
3.  Get your confirmation number and all ships and dates available to you. 
( I downloaded 14 pages. Over 1256 cruises) 

4. Must book a cruise within 30 days. 
5. Only good for cruises starting no later than March 30, 2025. 
 

So. 
To begin with most of my selections plus many more options sailing out of Florida had no grand suites available in March. 
 

We figured spring breaks already booked them out.  
But wow. 
Hmmmmmm

 

So we persued this a little further. 
 

So looking at Harmony out of port Canaveral it had  almost all of its CLS available. 
 

Having never sailed that ship. 
And the layout of 17 and 18th deck is a tad different. I asked how much would an upgrade be from my GS to CLS. 
Now mind you prices are really going up on cruising. 
So the difference between these two categories is not painful. Minus our deposit is VERY acceptable. 
We of course had to pay tax and port fees. 
later add on as gratuity and insurance. 
 

Nothing is FREE. 
 

So we booked. 

 

But had we not started off with the GS I paid for in gambling, we would never pay that price stated for a CLS. 

 

Be safe. 

 

[BonTexasNY]

2 hours ago, Lionesss said:

CUTBACKS. 
 

—no more ice unless you ask for container then only filled once during cruise 

 

 

Seriously?  Not once a day like we've been getting? Thanks for all the info, good and bad.

[LobsterStalker]

42 minutes ago, BonTexasNY said:

3 hours ago, Lionesss said:

—no more ice unless you ask for container then only filled once during cruise 

 

 

Expand  

Seriously?  Not once a day like we've been getting? Thanks for all the info, good and bad

I believe this falls under the category of clueless you mentioned . If you ask for ice you should get it 

 

Cheers

[Lionesss]

1 hour ago, Lionesss said:

SIDE NOTE. 
 

We have always used our TA to book and do the busy work for us. 
 

So off I went free grand suite registration number from casino points in hand and list of 4 options to use. 
 

To get this process started you had to 

1.  Login at casino desk where those block codes are. ( dunno what their called). 
2.  Pay your $200 refundable deposit. 
3.  Get your confirmation number and all ships and dates available to you. 
( I downloaded 14 pages. Over 1256 cruises) 

4. Must book a cruise within 30 days. 
5. Only good for cruises starting no later than March 30, 2025. 
 

So. 
To begin with most of my selections plus many more options sailing out of Florida had no grand suites available in March. 
 

We figured spring breaks already booked them out.  
But wow. 
Hmmmmmm

 

So we persued this a little further. 
 

So looking at Harmony out of port Canaveral it had  almost all of its CLS available. 
 

Having never sailed that ship. 
And the layout of 17 and 18th deck is a tad different. I asked how much would an upgrade be from my GS to CLS. 
Now mind you prices are really going up on cruising. 
So the difference between these two categories is not painful. Minus our deposit is VERY acceptable. 
We of course had to pay tax and port fees. 
later add on as gratuity and insurance. 
 

Nothing is FREE. 
 

So we booked. 

 

But had we not started off with the GS I paid for in gambling, we would never pay that price stated for a CLS. 

 

Be safe. 

 

MAJOR OOOOOOPS 

 

We booked the Wonder. 
 

Why oh why  I had Harmony on the brain. I don’t know.  
 

But it is Wonder  out of Port Canaveral. 
 

😄
 

 

 

 

Edited April 30 by Lionesss

[Lionesss]

5. GENEROSITY OF DRINKS AND BARTENDERS. 
 

To begin with we are D+ and I am signature in casino and we traveled in a suite. 
 

We did purchase the basic soda package got the cups. Kept our room stocked with water and drank many a Diet Coke and a few maybe combined 4-5 alcoholic drinks total a day. 
 

We probably did not need that extra purchase. But we did. 
 

Now. 
Bartenders everywhere. And I mean 5 min does not go by and another one asks if you need a drink. 
 

Then something new. 
You could ask and receive a “heavy pour” or a double.  
These mixers were way to strong. 
It seems they added a little Diet Coke to your rum. 
 

If you asked for 2 beers at a time. So be it. Whether it was us on C &A loyalty or our friends on alcohol package. 
 

I could not believe how liberal it was. 
 

Cases upon cases delivered to the pool bars. 
 

I know this made many a cruiser very happy and drunk. 

First for this on all our cruises. 
 

Be safe. 

 

 

[Lionesss]

6. FOOD. 
 

Keeping this simple. 
 

WJ. Clean. Well stocked. 
Fresh pasta bar in back

 

Desserts not impressed. 
Ice cream by desserts.  Addictive. 

 

No real change. 

😁

Edited April 30 by Lionesss

[volunteer cruiser]

I was on the Wonder same week of your cruise, so just caught up on your adventures.  I was in grand suite and garment pressing for formal night was included.  Beer, wine, soda, and waters were available 11 to 11 in suite lounge.  Was this the same for your cruise?

[Lionesss]

12 minutes ago, volunteer cruiser said:

I was on the Wonder same week of your cruise, so just caught up on your adventures.  I was in grand suite and garment pressing for formal night was included.  Beer, wine, soda, and waters were available 11 to 11 in suite lounge.  Was this the same for your cruise?

If there was free  pressing our cabin attendant didn’t offer to take and get press😔

 

Yes to free drinks 11am to 8pm ? ( I think. Might have been 11). 
 

They gave out cans of soda, bottles of water. Never asked if you were on drink package like Allure.  
On Allure we got glass of soda during open hours. 
 

 

[Lionesss]

EXPENSE ACCOUNT. 
 

PREVIOUS BALANCE.  $1980.39

 

After Jamaica the only expense were our extra tips in additional envelopes. 
 

Taxi to airport. 
 

Tips to shuttle airport to car. 
 

So keeping it simple 

 

Additional $355

 

FINAL COST of COMP. Cruise

 

$2335.39

 

Excluded cost of air. And gambling budget. 
 

 

 

As I end this cruise let me share my casino experience. 
 

First of all I found a welcome aboard social in the suite folder ( the only invite I received). 
Go to non smoking lounge drinks and enter a draw to win $100 free play. You did not have to stay. It would be added to your account. I did not get one of the 10 free play. 
 

6 pm. 
Slots opened 

I had $2000 in free play. 
I figured what the hell 

Set the machine for $20 a pull. 
5 pulls later 

DING DING DING. 
We have a winner. 6:06pm. 
$5000 ish 
 

The attendant said I was the first hand pay. 
 

Then what do I do next ???

Go eat. 
I still had $1900 in free play. 
 

Walked the ship. 
 

Back to casino at 8 pm. 
The machine was very kind. 
Winning enough to play with their money. 
 

Left with $1550. Free play. 
 

Tuesday 

Painful

Lost the free play. 
 

Left casino. 
 

Put $3,500 in safe to take home of winnings. Put the rest to budget play. 
 

Won 2 more jackpots. 
Both $1609. ( around there ish). 
 

Over the next few days. Up and down. 
All the other machines would be generous. But would not go over a certain level. 
 

For example. . 
When playing Quarters and betting $1.25 a pull if you show 2100 quarters. 
QUIT!!!!!!!
It will probably not go higher. 
quit while your ahead. 
 

Also  sometimes I rotated how much my individual slot pull would be. 
starting at 

$1.25

$2.50

$3.75

$5.00

$10.00 (very rare)

$20.00 ( only 5 pulls ) and I won. 
 

It seems to like the middle bet. 
 

I am not an expert  can sit at a fun machine for let’s just say awhile. 
 

When the budget of the day is gone. 
so am I. 
 

So leaving with cash

$550 comp

Grand suite future cruise 

1 cheap bottle of wine. ( this was sad) 

 

 

Thank you for following along. 
 

my next thread should be a Retro Cruise 

FREEDOM OF THE SEAS. 

 

 

 

[Sea Dog]

Thank you Sue for your detailed explain the Casino. Congratulations on your wins!

[Sunshine3601]

9 hours ago, BonTexasNY said:

Seriously?  Not once a day like we've been getting? Thanks for all the info, good and bad.

Sounds like a room steward issue.   We had no issue getting daily ice on our March cruise.  

[Ocean Boy]

Just now, Sunshine3601 said:

Sounds like a room steward issue.   We had no issue getting daily ice on our March cruise.  

My steward on Odyssey on my February cruise was very accommodating too. I think @Lionessshad a ringer.

[Ocean Boy]

Error

[firefly333]

I had a lazy steward last time on harmony. She never learned anyones names, called every pax, "sunshine". If you wanted something go with a crisp bill in hand. I asked if I could set out on my balcony while she cleaned, she said no, so I left, she never cleaned my cabin, several days. 

 

I'm solo and not messy, wasnt a big deal but she made it clear she was after tips. 

 

Congrats on breaking even or better so far, though I'm a little lost on your gambling math but seems like you are at least breaking even. Awesome.

[Arzeena]

21 hours ago, LobsterStalker said:

I believe this falls under the category of clueless you mentioned . If you ask for ice you should get it 

 

Cheers

I agree. Probably clueless room steward issue.

We were on the Symphony (balcony cabin) in Feb. Requested ice 2 times a day. Bucket was brought and it was filled twice a day for the cruise length as requested.

Also had 6 plus bottled waters and a wine/bubbly.

[nasa1974]

@Lionesss Great thread. Thanks for sharing. Yep. Got to keep a little of your winnings for taxes.

[Georgeny]

Lioness, Thank you for a great postings, especially the gambling honest information. My bride still spends much time in he casino brings about 1 to 2 grand to play away. I was once what might be considered a high roller by some before inflation. Gave it all up when land casinos ( pre-pandemic ) tightened up perks and did away with gambling hosts in some. Then as my IRS deductions changed to only being able to take standard deductions ) unable to take losses against winnings gave it up totally. I would spend a couple of hours on the floor lose say 5 grand. Have 2 grand in winnings hence a 3 grand loss. However still had to pay tax on 2 grand winnings. Annoyed me enough that I gave it all up. Now I bring $100 to play and good books and downloaded movies to spend my time on. Via my wife we do get casino offers that often save us a couple hundred on cabin and gives her a couple hundred OBC or free play. That's just fine.

 

Again thanks for a great ride 🙂  George in NY

[mafig]

On 4/30/2024 at 11:03 AM, BonTexasNY said:

Seriously?  Not once a day like we've been getting? Thanks for all the info, good and bad.

We were in a CLS (cruise April 28-May4) and got ice every day.

Coastal Kitchen was asking everyone within earshot if they wanted another lobster.  Then another!

[gerig]

On 5/5/2024 at 12:06 PM, nelblu said:

Yes, I have one and unlike Pinnies, I don't wear it.🤣

 

On 5/5/2024 at 9:48 AM, Georgeny said:

Lioness, Thank you for a great postings, especially the gambling honest information. My bride still spends much time in he casino brings about 1 to 2 grand to play away. I was once what might be considered a high roller by some before inflation. Gave it all up when land casinos ( pre-pandemic ) tightened up perks and did away with gambling hosts in some. Then as my IRS deductions changed to only being able to take standard deductions ) unable to take losses against winnings gave it up totally. I would spend a couple of hours on the floor lose say 5 grand. Have 2 grand in winnings hence a 3 grand loss. However still had to pay tax on 2 grand winnings. Annoyed me enough that I gave it all up. Now I bring $100 to play and good books and downloaded movies to spend my time on. Via my wife we do get casino offers that often save us a couple hundred on cabin and gives her a couple hundred OBC or free play. That's just fine.

 

Again thanks for a great ride 🙂  George in NY

Keep a lookout for a possible change in the W2G forms.  There has been talk that the amount 1200 has been in existence since the 1970's and they want to raise it to $5K

[nelblu]

20 minutes ago, gerig said:

 

Keep a lookout for a possible change in the W2G forms.  There has been talk that the amount 1200 has been in existence since the 1970's and they want to raise it to $5K

I haven't been that lucky to be concerned of Federal form W2G😁

[gerig]

1 hour ago, nelblu said:

I haven't been that lucky to be concerned of Federal form W2G😁

Well it is only the beginning of May so you may get lucky in the casino.