sheilb4

Would love to know how the cruises have been, your thoughts etc......am going on them both in a few weeks so love to read recent reviews, info etc...

Hope this help - see answers in red... :)

Hi!

I just booked a 4-day cruise out of port Canaveral on Explorer of the Seas last night for me hubby and our 8 year old daughter.

We've sailed multiple times with carnival and once on Disney, but never royal until now. So now what?!?

Need advice on:

1. Any way to determine our GTY cabin #? No, should find out a few days or so prior

2. Reserving shows? Only for Ice show

3. My time dining info? Just show up, times in daily compass, need to do pre-paid gratuity for MTD

4. Kids club? dont have any so cant advise.

5. Labadi? check excursions on RCCL site, or just go to beach, get chairs etc no charge, and free BarBQue lunch on island

6. Pool temps? pools are heated

7. Door decorations? Are they allowed if secured with magnets/twine? Yes

8. Is the 3rd bed a bunk or trundle?

9. Any other tips? (We don't really drink alcohol so don't need a bar package.) get a soda package, good deal if no alcohol - get on board or pre-order on RCCL site

Thanks!

Freedom, just 3 weeks ago, had escargot every night! once or twice, I had 2 servings....they were very good.:D

I have done the sister ship to Allure, and much prefer Enchantment...! the crew/staff are so much more friendly and happier too, definately a different experience to Oasis imho.

I am Irish too, so prefer the warmth, and more upbeat personal interaction with everyone on board Enchantment.

I really think you will love her.

I have used my BOGO coupon several times as a solo traveler. I don't make reservations ahead of time. When I get on the ship I go to the specialty restaurant where I want to eat. It's usually Chops because it is the best value for the BOGO. I say I'm a solo traveler and would like to use my coupon. I book for the first night and pay the regular cover charge. Then they allow me to come back another night at no charge. Works beautifully.

 

 

 

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Thank you! That's sounds like a great plan! perfect! Never taken advantage of it before.

But now I will! :D

It is supposed to give the solo cruiser a break on price too, but I believe the website does not handle the pricing properly. I've read that people have had to call Royal to get the proper pricing.

Thanks Clarea... Maybe someone else will have some input...methinks a call to,RCCL will not get me anywhere! Lol luck of the draw who you get that has updated knowledge, lol.. Worth a try tho.... :)

How does the BOGO work for a solo cruiser...like "moi". Just curious..??

When you look for Heidi...it's really Hydee! :) On my first cruise on Vision 15 months ago I was looking for Heidi and missed her the first week because I didn't know the spelling. She's a true gem. (Unless of course this is a different Heidi but I don't think so.)

Thanks ! :)

We were also on this sailing. They did have D/D+/P breakfast on Deck 4 which we thoroughly enjoyed. Heidi was an absolutely awesome server!

Other than breakfast, we felt the food at all of the dining options was poor to mediocre at best - definitely not up to the standards on any of the other ships. I found it odd that the dinner menus in the MDR were different from the other ships we sailed this year.

Thanks for the info.... glad there is a seperate area for breakfast dining.... will look out for Heidi! I was just on FOS and thought the food was "ok" but table waiter was dreadful and very miserable. His asst was excellent, so I made sure to give him a WOW and let the Maitre'D know too.

Good weather is what makes a cruise for me, so I am hoping to get that and at least some palatable food which I am sure I will find somewhere...lol

We were also on this sailing. They did have D/D+/P breakfast on Deck 4 which we thoroughly enjoyed. Heidi was an absolutely awesome server!

Other than breakfast, we felt the food at all of the dining options was poor to mediocre at best - definitely not up to the standards on any of the other ships. I found it odd that the dinner menus in the MDR were different from the other ships we sailed this year.

Thanks for the info.... glad there is a seperate area for breakfast dining.... will look out for Heidi! I was just on FOS and thought the food was "ok" but table waiter was dreadful and very miserable. His asst was excellent, so I made sure to give him a WOW and let the Maitre'D know too.

Good weather is what makes a cruise for me, so I am hoping to get that and at least some palatable food which I am sure I will find somewhere...lol

I was actually talking about if they were to use the new terminal 1 which is scheduled to open the day we return, I doubt I could park there on the 23rd if they are not officially opened yet.

That was my thought too.... :) wanna get going soon as I can to get to Tampa for next cruise...:D

Dont want to have to wait for shuttles etc.. but what will be will be wont it! lol and hopefully, like Clarea said, we may get communication...(or not)

We shall see.....

How is the food on the ship, is there enough to eat, onboard activities what is there to do during the day when your not in port? How is the entertainment, what kind of entertainment is there at night? How is this ship as your first Royal ship or would it be better to stick to a ship like Allure?

 

 

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You will never never go short of food and dining options on any cruise ship...

FOS is a lovely ship and I much prefer her to the larger ship, sister to Allure, Oasis. Just feels more personal and personable! I would deffo try FOS first with RCCL. but thats just mho.

Could very well be. You could use one of the offsite parking services instead.

I usually do, but was planning on a "quick getaway" so was going to park at the port this time so I can get down to Tampa soon as I can to board Vision... :)

We shall see huh...lol thanks Clarea

The problem may only occur when two Royal Caribbean ships are in port, before Dec 27th. I believe that the new Terminal 1 is supposed to be in operation on Dec 27th, and if so, they should not have any issues with changing terminals.

Would it make sense then to "assume" those of us leaving PC 12/23 may leave from one term and return to new one on 12/27? just thinking of parking at port, and quick exit time to drive to Tampa for Vision trip 12/27.

Thanks very much for the info.... I will check re D+ areas for b/fast etc as deffo dont like the craziness of WJ at that time...lol we shall see... :)

But R Bar it will be in the evenings.....;)

Thanks Mommabean. Appreciate the feedback. I would likely only go to solarium bar during day, then RBar and concierge. Will try Schooner since you enjoyed the staff there.. :) thats so sad to hear re Izumi. I will give it one try then decide if worth returning...

Hopefully concierge not too crowded?

Can D+ use Chops for seating at breakfast like other ships?

Thanks again

AWE channel?? what is that?

We were on the same ship. Some things the same. Some different as we all know that experiences can be that way.

 

We experienced great bar service and the worst internet service of any ship ever. Our favorite Izumi which we eat at on every ship was a total flop - food, service was excellent as expected. Love the CD. Of course he trained Bobby ;), another favorite, a long, long time ago. Worst embarkation ever - took 2 hours to board in the priority line - arrived at 12:30. Other things I can't comment on. Some things I could, but won't. :)

 

Thanks for your to the point impressions of my current favorite ship.

Mommabean,

I have a few questions if you dont mind....Would you recommend bars in particular that had the best/friendliest service? was the R bar the only place to get the "unlimited" Moet?

if the weather is good I will always be in the solarium area....bar there ok?

Disappointed to hear about Izumi being a "flop", what was disappointing to you? Love sushi, so was planning on eating there 2-3x on my cruise this NYE ...look forward to reading your perspective.. thanks

Thanks for posting. I go on her soon and love to read reviews prior, the good, bad and ugly! Lol

Courtesy of Carol:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=43302272

Thanks Clarea, always glad when you and Bob online as I know I will usually get my questions answered.... hope to meet you guys one day!! :D

I am going on Vision next month and am curious as never been to Izumi before, but adore sushi, so very excited......anyone experienced Izumi and could give me an idea of pricing, I understand it is a la carte, so even an average cost per dish?

ie. starter, 2 entrees? thanks so much

I am back today! I had a great cruise and have already written most of my review, while I was onboard. It will take me a few days to edit all my pictures before I can start posting the review.

 

The unlimited glasses of Moet only at the champagne bar, which I didn't mind. I simply just started my nights there had 2-4 glasses! They ring up at $17, but they $0.00 it out since I had the package.

 

I will note I bought the $49 PP package online prior to the cruise and upgraded while I was onboard, however it was never charged to me! :D

 

Can't wait to share my full review with you soon!

SO glad to hear from you, some of us have been hanging on anxiously to find out how real it was... only at one bar? hmmm thats a shame, but hey, worth it...guess I will be doing a lot of walking back and forth to the R Bar...lol

Thanks Yes, now I cleared my pc of cookies, thanks to Clarea advise, I can see the full itinerary...duh!! what a nitwit I am.....lol

:p

Real or not?

All bars, all times?

Anyone.... there are a few of us waiting to hear the news.... :D

Royal will usually release new itineraries in the Feb/Mar/Apr timeframe. Only thing new at PC is Explorer now until March, I believe.

Yes I guess I have to wait until then, but hope someone will find out b4, like some cc'ers that could have "inside" info!! lol

Thanks