Goodtime Cruizin

I do think the OP is somewhat correct. For example, the Quantam class doesn't go as close as the Millennium Class of Celebrity. We got as closes as 1/4 mile per the Captain's announcments. Bigger ship = bigger/deeper hulls. And RCL uses the Quantam Class because of demand. It's a matter of safety and economics all combined. 

51 minutes ago, orville99 said:

Directly from the app for Freedom’s next sailing:  

 

 

Once again this only refers to the ability of making a reservation. Not the ability to be seated & served. 

2 hours ago, orville99 said:

You are missing the entire point. If you sit down to dinner at 5:45 you are receiving food that has been prepared to be served at its peak of quality at 5:45. If you sit down in that same venue for MTD at 7:00, you are being served food that has been prepared to be served at its peak of quality at 5:45. The fact that you were able to walk in to the early seating without a reservation and be seated at a vacant table does not mean that MTD opened at 5:45, just that you were being accommodated so there would be no unpleasantness. Staff will bend over backwards to avoid POing a guest. Their jobs depend on it.

While I understand what you're saying I'm also reminded that yours is only an assumption on your behalf. IMO, the ships are managed pretty well. Ship shape comes to mind. Including the galley, kitchen, call it what you want. The passenger count per time slot and the %'s of how many are seating at what time are well known by the staff. I believe food is prepared accordingly or at least as close as possible. When you add to this the change of the menu to a specific type of food served and your room for error drops dramatically. 

And if a MTD passenger has a 7pm time slot and walks in at 5:45 and they seat them, then... MTD is OPEN. What is NOT open is the ability to book a time slot before 7pm. 

17 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

They have totaled messed up MTD with the later start time.  They need to go back to how it was in the past.

I believe that it's structured this way now because of the increase in numbers of MTD and it's popularity. I'm thinking that 5 or 6 years ago more cruisers were still using traditional dining times. So as the shift to MTD occurred they had to respond to the numbers. It is an interesting dynamic for sure. 

On 7/21/2023 at 5:17 AM, Billy Baltic said:

Let’s hope they have a better solution than Ravenna is for Venice. 

We're about to experience this in a couple of weeks. But we decided to visit Venice pre-cruise anyway.

Happy Anniversary to you both! Hope y'all have a great cruise and enjoy the Boat Drinks!

18 minutes ago, Jumping Cruiser said:

 

Correct! More will begin to show over the coming weeks. 😊

Show where? As of now, I don't find them listed on the RCL website.

Good Gawd. What a hot mess. I miss pre-covid cruising & posting on this board. I have my first two cruise coming up since 2019 and all I read is now are cutbacks on service/staff, high costs of cabins, false sales, over crowding, and one must reserve a spot to see shows, tables for my time dining and specialty dining. 

I hope all of y'all are wrong! 😉 

4 hours ago, jwlane said:

Chaos?

1200 kids on a holiday cruise = not but chaos!

17 hours ago, GetToLivin said:

When was your first cruise on Allure? I ask because we never sail in the summer in an attempt to avoid the summer crowds, wondering if you enjoyed Allure more if it happened to be during a different month. We usually sail spring/fall and it's been manageable crowd-wise. Enjoyed reading of your experience though 😀 We do like the big ships but DH and I are sailing on Mariner this October and I'm looking forward to a different class ship this time around, then it's back on Harmony in Dec with 2 teenagers (and I'm hoping they'll have plenty to do!) 🤪

We have fond memories of the Mariner. It was our first cruise and we had a wonderful time. Mariner was cruising out of Galveston at the time. It was also our first vacation w/ 'adult' kids so that was a plus as well. Enjoy your cruise! She gave us great memories! 

Wowza. Learn something new everyday I guess. Never knew they had special dinner pricing. 

On a different note, almost to the date (7-6-22) I bought the UDP during the July 4th sale last year. We're on Harmony 11/26 the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Total cost including gratuities was $519 for the two of us.  

Good post.

On 6/22/2023 at 8:41 AM, crewsweeper said:

"Captured audience".  Monopoly pricing.  Econ 101.

Disney, Universal and SeaWorld are near by competitors thus a bit lower on certain "common" venues.

I'm pretty sure the only competitor they have is the Caribbean itself. And it is FREE wet. 

On 6/22/2023 at 7:50 AM, bmak246 said:

Is it just me or does $170pp sound a little excessive for a couple of hours at CocoCay thrill waterpark. I am booked on the 11/20/23 Allure. 

Not my wet slide kinda thing @170  

I might be able to locate the email address to the Loyal Ambassador and/or specifically to the Bar Manager on the Harmony of the Seas?

On 6/13/2023 at 11:06 AM, gluecksbaer said:

The information on the zipline says no skirts or dresses, but my daughter just outgrew all her shorts and all of the decent length girls shorts sell out before May.  Does anyone know if they will let her ride the zipline in a skort?  (If you aren't familiar, skorts are skirts that have shorts built in underneath.) 

Can you define 'decent' length?

3 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

Damn, don't you hate those people that get involved in a discussion on a discussion board!  

Not always. 🤣

11 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

 

I fail to see how what you wear while eating dinner while on vacation relates to prom night.

Of course you would. and besides, who are you? My post was addressed to the OP. Move along.

11 hours ago, FlaviaOfTheMonth said:

Whoa I expected the usual apologists but not to this extent!

 

Yes, we had trip insurance but I’m not sure we will even bother trying to use it. We know the nightmare involved in using such insurance from past experience. Our out of pocket to fix this mess was not that high anyway.

 

And yes, we did ask air2sea for a (much) more direct flight from Rome to Crete, but they would not budge. We ended up buying the same flight that they declined to purchase. Of course that meant a night of hotel, which is what air2sea was desperate to avoid. Read my first post where I mention hours on the phone.

 

And finally, we only used air2sea because we assumed they were experts in getting people to the ship in time. Unfortunately they ended up being totally cost driven and had no concern for the passenger. 

Frankly if RCI had simply offered to pay the tiny cab cost from Crete to the port I would have walked away feeling differently. At no point did we get anything even resembling an apology from RCI.

Other than missing boarding the ship, did he otherwise enjoy his cruise?

On 6/8/2023 at 8:17 AM, ETski said:

We are bringing two teenage grandsons on a cruise this summer. Since the boys don't have a lot of dress clothes would they be able to wear nice shorts to the dinningroom? 

Good gawd. Yes. But for the formal nights step up & buy them some damn slacks. This is the opportunity for a teaching moment. They have to learn eventually and you're as good as anyone to help them along. Have you wondered what they'll be wearing on their prom night? Graduation? Help them out.  Make it fun. Take the grandkids shopping. I have a feeling both parties will enjoy it. 

And yes, as always I'm late to this party. 

On 6/6/2023 at 2:14 PM, SailorMarg said:

I am doing exactly that for the President’s cruise, bringing my own.  Just in case it is a repeat of our May 15 cruise where it was simply unavailable anywhere other than with purchased coffee at Cafe Promenade.

I challenge you to screenshot this post, and then show it to the Prez while offering him a pack or two.  

Just book a cruise already. 

Last July, I purchased the UDP for our cruise. 2 peeps w/ gratuities $519.16, Today w/ the current 35% off Memorial Day Sale, 2 epps w/ gratuities is $618.26 . Up $99

Rooms To Go - Mattress Sale looks good. 

48 minutes ago, bucfan2 said:

Great to hear from ya again on here.  You've either been quiet, or I spent too much time in timeout from the pc/narc police lately....possibly both.

A little of both. I was released from Covid Prison about 6 months ago and then just chilled and lurked. Hope all is good on your end.