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Everything posted by The Fun Researcher
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Heard rumors about drink vouchers
The Fun Researcher replied to Ret MP's topic in Royal Caribbean International
This new policy doesn’t really change that though right since it goes to 5 AM that last night? I guess the difference is you only have the vouchers from the seventh night and not debarkation day after midnight? -
Top 5 Overrated RC things
The Fun Researcher replied to Husky1987's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Yeah, no arguments. However I believe Celebrity’s classic packages similar to Royals drink package. The premium gets you high end liquors that are more pricey than royal’s per drink $ allowance for their standard drink package. I could be wrong about that. Sure the WiFi may not be the fast package, but allowing me to text others in our party or keep in touch with those at home is all I need. -
Heard rumors about drink vouchers
The Fun Researcher replied to Ret MP's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Love the change. Not major, but it's nice to see them listening to guests and making some adjustments. Once we're D in March, those vouchers will certainly help keep us coming back making the decision to cruise other lines more difficult. It will always come down to the itinerary, ship and value though. Dan -
Top 5 Overrated RC things
The Fun Researcher replied to Husky1987's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Things they do right: Here's a few, in my opinion. Basically what keeps us coming back: 1) Their innovation with ship layout, design, and venues. IMO they are the industry leader here by a significant margin. 2) MDR space (but maybe not Quantum class) and quality of MDR food 3) Pool Deck design and layout 4) Evening Entertainment 5) Connecting inside cabins (2-3, 2-4, 3-3, 4-4) Even though it's still costly, this has allowed our family of 5 to have an option that offers more affordability to cruise. Dan -
Top 5 Overrated RC things
The Fun Researcher replied to Husky1987's topic in Royal Caribbean International
I wouldn't lose much hope. I don't see the cruise industry changing much for the worse. There's always something that may go away, but there are also new things that show up with all these amazing new cruise ships. I'm praying that the cruise industry is going just as strong, or more, by the time I retire. God willing that will be about another 8-10 years and then our hope is to cruise A LOT, making use of those off season prices and just soaking it all in. We'll be D after our March cruise, which for us is our major milestone with Royal. It isn't for the status, but rather the drink package perks, and some of the others like the coffee in the D lounge, wifi, etc... We'll certainly make use of the 4 drinks per day, but that's about our norm so we won't need to purchase too many more unless we decide to go off the rails a day or two. (Hey, it's a cruise and we're on vacation after all). Cheers, Dan -
RCCL and Johnny Rocket's
The Fun Researcher replied to Ret MP's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Yes -
Top 5 Overrated RC things
The Fun Researcher replied to Husky1987's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Yes I believe so but you may want to confirm. For instance, we have a five night booked on the Equinox for December 2023. My wife and I have a balcony cabin and the up charge for the “all in” package (total, not each) was $480. $175 of that pays the gratuities for the two of us leaving $305 total for the both of us for Wi-Fi and unlimited drinks. I would have to price out what the drink package will be on Royal for a five night cruise for two people. I know it’s way more than $305 (and don’t forget that includes unlimited Wi-Fi throughout the cruise as well for both of us) Dan -
Royal changing main dining room menu
The Fun Researcher replied to nasa1974's topic in Royal Caribbean International
My family eats a lot of French onion soup at various locations and multiple cruise lines and LOVE RCCL's. Go figure. Dan -
New menus on Symphony reported
The Fun Researcher replied to John&LaLa's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Escargot have been on the menu every single night of every Royal Caribbean cruise we've done going all the way back to 2012. Dan -
Royal changing main dining room menu
The Fun Researcher replied to nasa1974's topic in Royal Caribbean International
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Top 5 Overrated RC things
The Fun Researcher replied to Husky1987's topic in Royal Caribbean International
You might be a good candidate for Celebrity.(if you haven't tried them already) Their upcharge for the "all in" package that includes unlimited drinks, paid gratuities, and wifi, is significantly less than the price of Royal's drink package alone. Dan -
RCCL and Johnny Rocket's
The Fun Researcher replied to Ret MP's topic in Royal Caribbean International
I do think it's time for RCCL to break their ties with Johnny Rockets. They can do so much better. It's tired and just isn't competitive with other cruise lines. Having to pay for what's on the JR menu just baffles me. Dan -
Royal changing main dining room menu
The Fun Researcher replied to nasa1974's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Given a choice of the two, I much prefer table cloths. I respect your opinion. Can't argue that. -
Royal changing main dining room menu
The Fun Researcher replied to nasa1974's topic in Royal Caribbean International
Not to derail the thread but I've complained about the lack of good late night food options with Royal ever since our second cruise. (The first cruise on the Freedom in 2010 at least had really good paninis every night as well.) Finger sandwiches and pizza are very lackluster especially by about day 3 or 4 of the same dang thing. I love the AMPED ships with Playmakers now. I'm willing to pay a few dollars for some good gastropub type fare. Other lines like NCL kill it with O'Sheehans though. Wide menu, 24 hours, full service, complimentary. All lines have their plusses and minuses though Dan -
Royal changing main dining room menu
The Fun Researcher replied to nasa1974's topic in Royal Caribbean International
I don't think those tables look nearly as nice as the MDR tables with the white cotton table clothes. Maybe it's just me, but looks cold. Dishes clanking on the table surface, surface cold to the touch... I'm being picky but it is a significant difference to me Dan -
Is CBD allowed on ships?
The Fun Researcher replied to abhb's topic in Royal Caribbean International
I was in a particularly persnickety mood when I posted. 🤣 -
Is CBD allowed on ships?
The Fun Researcher replied to abhb's topic in Royal Caribbean International
I thought the question was answered with the very first reply. 🤣 -
Royal changing main dining room menu
The Fun Researcher replied to nasa1974's topic in Royal Caribbean International
That would be a bummer. I don't necessarily need a filet or ribeye cooked from Chops. I think those upcharges are at least $20. That NY Strip steak got the job done on that rare night that I couldn't find an entrée on the main menu that I liked. I'd even settle for a decently cooked sirloin. I just don't want to pay more for something we had complimentary. Hopefully they will accommodate. Heck, maybe I'll see what Asian or Indian cuisines they are secretly offering that night. -
RCCL and Johnny Rocket's
The Fun Researcher replied to Ret MP's topic in Royal Caribbean International
You're right about that. Lot's of 50s style locations going in back then. (Mid MI area) Hard to believe that was 22-32 years ago. IMO it's time to reinvent JR into something more competitive with other cruise lines and more widely appreciated by Royals guests. Dan -
I have seen the D lounges in the Viking Crown Lounge area on Voyager and Freedom class. That is a beautiful area overlooking the pool deck, but really no different or unique than when it was all just the Viking Crown Lounge. We'll be Diamond after our March cruise so just trying to get a feel for what ships might draw us more or less to the Diamond lounge. Personally I don't think we'll use them much other than perhaps a good coffee in the morning. Dan
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RCCL and Johnny Rocket's
The Fun Researcher replied to Ret MP's topic in Royal Caribbean International
I'm not knocking why you like it, at all. Makes total sense. Just doesn't jive with our likes. However it almost forces me to bring up venues like O'Sheehans on all NCL ships. 24 hours, full service, better and wider menu (IMO) including burgers and fries, and complimentary. They really do a great job with that. However, don't get me started about the abysmal pool decks on NCL, or the layout of their ships, etc. All cruise lines have their plusses and minuses and we've yet to have a bad cruise. At least with Royal I can just ignore JR, but since you asked LOL...