denamo

2 hours ago, Biker19 said:

The printed one, usually, yes - you can see it in the app. The buffet items may vary a bit.

Looked in the app for our cruise.  There was no menu listed for the Solarium Bistro, only the bar. 😕

Thank You for answering what I wanted to know if it was the same menu each evening.  We have My Time for this cruise, so I was thinking this might be a better option than the My Time "fight" experienced on Oasis class ships.  I just cannot figure out why Royal can't make My Time work smoother. Even with reservations there can be more of a wait than should happen.

Is the evening dinner menu in the Solarium Bistro on the Oasis the same each evening.  It's been quite a while since we've eaten dinner there.

Thanks!

Sorry to hear your report of your boarding experience. Sadly, your boarding process was a total 180 degrees from ours. We were even told to come an hour later than scheduled due to getting cruisers out of the parking lot.  We actually were right on schedule for our boarding time.

We boarded the Allure two weekends ago, a Thanksgiving week cruise.  Second paying cruise at the new terminal out of Galveston. We had no problem with the parking lot shuttle we used which was an off site lot.  Pulled right up into a slot.  Luggage unloaded, porters took it. walked into the port, checked in.  Went through security line. Walked right on to the ship. Guess it was just timing for us.

Awful that your shuttle was told only one per company.  That's nuts.  I know at the old terminal, there would be a couple of shuttles at a drop off spot for both embarkation and disembarkation. Kind of wonder if the various shuttle companies have to pay more to have more than one slot at the port at a time.

Only minor glitch is one in our party has a heart pacer and got shuffled to a new line when could have started there without waiting and confusion, even though asked and received incorrect info. This isn't the only terminal this has happened.

Wishing you a great cruise even with the glitches getting on.

1 hour ago, loman said:

Never cared much for the roast beef sandwich, but i liked the salad bar in the Park Cafe .

Salad bar is still going strong.  They didn't change that.

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

I was already aware wipe out cafe menu changed to fresh. To me that's a huge plus. I hated wipe out cafe food. We have been wondering why they dont change the name.

 

Sorry to hear the roast beef sandwiches in the cafe are no longer being made to order with the juice over them. 

Sorry for the miscommunication....the roast beef is the only one still made to order.  It's all of the other ones they previously had listed on the wall menu such as a cuban sandwich.

Yes, like the El Loco Fresh menu better also.

Just off of an Allure cruise.  There is no longer a menu listed above the ordering area.  If you want to order a sandwich, these are all pre-made and then heated.  The staff will point you to pre-made sandwiches in the case next to the soups as their "menu".  Asked if a sandwich didn't have to include an item and was told no, all pre-made and have to take them as is. 🙄 

Wipe Out Cafe now is an El Loco Fresh.  Was very good when we ate there for lunch one day after an excursion.  Miss they no longer offer breakfast here.  Really did enjoy ordering breakfast there and enjoying the ocean views.

See these changes as evidence of budget cuts. I know Royal will tell you this is to make service faster, but really think it's all about Royal cutbacks.

Sadly, seems like any extra nice touches disappeared during the cruising pause never to return. Love the tutti salad bar.  Have not seen any on the cruises we've taken since the re-start. 😕

The Oasis class ships usually has a wait, even with a reserved time.  Think many get in the reservations line when their reservation may be 8:00 and it's only 7:00.  Rather than tell that person they need to wait, the person at the podium goes ahead and seats them.  Truly think they need a person like they have at customer service screening those in line.  Have an electronic  tablet and asking for room numbers to check reservation time. Those who are there at their reserved time are pulled out and allowed to go ahead and go in.

Just don't quite understand why MTD has an unorganized feel.  We've even been in the reservation line, seen those walk up to the non reservation line and be led into the dining room long before we made it up to the podium.  And even when we've told them to seat us at the same table each night, it doesn't always happen.

2 hours ago, slyster said:

Never heard of El Loco Fresh.  Looking forward to it.  I was also looking forward to made to order omelets in Wipe Out cafe.  Does El Loco Fresh do the omelets?

No. Not opening until 11:30.  Now just lunch and afternoon snacks.

1 hour ago, rorito said:

My app for the 12/4 sailing shows Wipe Out Cafe opening at 11:30 daily so it seems they are converted to El Loco Fresh menu and will no longer serve breakfast. 

Thanks.  I also checked our app which was just populated today with an updated Daily Calendar.  It's the same.  Disappointing.  Wipe Out made a great place to eat breakfast.  Enjoyed they would make omelets fresh and you could eat outside.  Oh, well...the price of progress. 🙂

2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Not sure, there were only 4000 on our sailing so it wasn't open for breakfast.  If they do open gor breakfast I expect it will be the El Loco breakfast. 

Thanks.  I'll check once we're on board next week.

9 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

They were minor cosmetic changes to the decor and added a few signs but the food is all 100% El Loco.  easy conversion

We'll be on the Allure next week. Wondering if The Wipe Out Cafe is still featuring breakfast of a morning or now only El Loco Fresh lunch and afternoon eats?

17 minutes ago, createcolorfun said:

We are cruising out of Galveston in December and the new port should be open.  I'm wondering if anyone knows or has a picture of where it will be in reference to the old port?  I have booked parking and i'm now wondering if i'm going to be walking farther than what i thought?  Thanks

It's approximately a mile plus some from the previous terminal.  We drove down to see the new Royal terminal when we cruised on the Liberty in September.  It's straight down Harborside Dr.

May need to confirm currently booked parking is shuttling to the new terminal.  The parking we've used has always shuttled.  It would be a long walk if parking is close to the old terminal and no shuttle happening. 😐

On 10/24/2022 at 10:42 AM, c-leg5 said:

Is EZ parking adding on extra for parking and transport to new terminal? 
 

I know it us still less than parking at the new terminal but just wondering uf all the parking locations are doing this? I presume Galveston is still charging a fee for shuttles, ubers etc to drop off at the new terminal? How do they know if private vehicles are just dropping off passengers before parking?

Would probably need to contact the parking area considering using to find out if they will be charging extra to shuttle. I know the price is a bit more for EZ Cruise parking than previously.  I expected that since they will need to shuttle us about a mile more one way.

Not sure what the process will be for private vehicles dropping off cruisers.

Your review is enjoyable. Your picture was beautiful.  I wish Royal would never amplify the Allure!  The one iconic feature of the Oasis class was the open air aft and the view.  We're doing the Allure in about a month and can't wait to see her again.

We have enjoyed a Boardwalk balcony many times.  Our most favorite was a Christmas cruise we took with our then college aged sons.  On Christmas morning we could see a balcony across from ours that parents had put the children's gifts out for the kids.  They would run in and out of the balcony with great excitement as they found each gift.  It was so fun to watch. That memory always makes me smile.

We are truly anticipating this cruise since we will be out of the new Galveston terminal.  🙂

On 10/16/2022 at 12:57 PM, CruiseMomTX said:

We are booked on the Allure Nov 27th also haven't cruised since 2020 and are excited!  I forgot there will be a new terminal so just now trying to figure out what our parking options are, etc..  We normally park at EZ Cruise Parking.  If anyone has different or new parking information I would appreciate it!  

We use EZ Cruise Parking also.  We're on the week prior to your cruise.  I spoke with them and they will shuttle us to the new terminal just like they have done in the past.Not knowing how busy parking would be at the terminal, we decided to do our usual.  

We've actually driven to the new terminal for a look see after our last Liberty cruise in September.  Probably about a mile down Harborside.   Looking forward to the new terminal!

8 hours ago, FrannyK said:

Thank you for this.  That is great to hear.  You've confirmed many glowing reviews about 150.  We also have gotten away from heavy meat dinners.  Plus, our next cruise is a 12-night on Serenade where only Chops, Giovanni and Izumi are available..  So, that leads me to think maybe we should contain our specialty picks to restaurants only available on Oasis class. This cruise is our first on Oasis class and I'm not sure if we will like being on a ship with that many people but we will soon see.  We are definitely sailing for the ship/not the itinerary! 

The first Izumi's we ever tried was on the Serenade. We've since tried it on a couple of other ships, but none have been as good.  We were very unfamiliar with Japanese cuisine.  Our server was extremely helpful.  We especially enjoyed our cruise on the Serenade. The Oasis class tends to be our favorite, but would definitely cruise oSucn the Serenade again.

One aspect of the Oasis class ships we especially enjoy is all of the live music on board in the evenings.  One area we especially enjoy is Central Park in the evening.  They usually have an individual performer playing.  Such a great atmosphere.  Love Jazz on 4.  Always the Schooner Bar and the Pub.  The times you will really notice the extra number of people on board is when a show is over. During the day, people tend to spread out. We also agree with 150 being a great specialty restaurant.

2 hours ago, BennyBrun said:

This was very starchy tasting to me and I wasn’t not a fan 😆 

I had it recently on the Liberty.  Kind of reminded me of a Reese's peanut butter cup.  It was a novelty at our table of 10, all friends.  It got tasted by several.  I would often get something from the vegan menu, but no one else was brave enough! 😁 

Reading your posts with great interest.  We'll be on the Oasis in January 2023 for 10 days.

Thanks for posting your B2B on the Oasis.  Haven't been on the Oasis in a while, but have been on other Oasis class ships.  Your posting of all the areas and shows was delightful.  We'll be on her for 10 days in January.  Looking forward to Aqua 80!  Also Portside BBQ is a venue that wasn't there the last time we were on her.

Thanks again for such a great tag along!

Been looking through the app to see if it offers times in port.  Seems like I remember we could see in the app on our last cruise.  Can't find it now.  Maybe it's another of those things that populate in the app once on board.  Help appreciated.  Thanks

Does this feature work well?  Some in our group are wondering.  
 

Didn’t realize it was a beta test when used it on the Harmony prior to cruise shut down.  Was spotty then. Any experienced users since? 

On 9/18/2022 at 7:20 AM, Jasukkie said:

I find it to be more of a menu problem than a preparation problem. The choices feel dated. Virgin Voyages gets it right, but it's a completely different product with all specialty restaurant dining. Royal would need to spend a lot of money to transition away from the main dining room model. 

Royal did try to steer away from the main dining room concept with the intro of the Quantum class ships when they first launched.  It was a dismal failure.  They were a bit ahead of their time.  So many complaints here on CC with this concept. Also, Royal didn't quite get it right with long waits when cruisers showed up to a dining venue.  Cruisers complained of not going to the same dining place each night.  Just on and on.  Sounded like a cool concept, but Royal buckled and went back to the main dining room concept.  We didn't cruise on the Quantum at that time, so I may not have all of the details.

Thanks Brillohead and SG65CB.  Your input is greatly appreciated.  Flight will be booked.

Wondering if a 12 noon flight out of Miami can be done.  Would we need to do walk off?  We'll be on the Oasis.

On 8/23/2022 at 6:46 PM, homedepot124 said:

Teaching people how to drive their scooters.

I was narrowly missed by a lady on a scooter.  Saved by a pole near the Windjammer.  Unfortunately, the lady beside me wasn't so lucky.  Got in the elevator with her after getting hit, but not harmed, and she was super mad!  I had seen the lady on the scooter on the ship in another place and saw she had no business on one.  She would get mixed up with the brake and the accelerator. 🙄