TheHawk1

Sounds a bit like you're making excuses for Royal. For years, since the introduction of Oasis, you could pre-book all your shows prior to sailing on the cruise planner, just like dining reservations. Shows get cancelled and re-scheduled all the time for a particular sailing, especially the Aqua shows due to weather. Even in pre-Covid times, the Entertainment team on board were able to manage the changes. Not sure what has changed now that they can no longer handle this approach?

No, but I could see it 😀. It's hard to miss right in the middle of the ship now.

Maybe square footage is smaller? But it certainly feels larger since you can walk around the two sides of the deck as well as the back for seating space.

At the Captain's talk onboard, they mostly talked about the upcoming Icon of the Seas and how different it will be from Oasis class. They said they couldn't think of any more improvements to make in this class beyond Wonder. I assumed that meant this was the last in this series.

Having just completed a cruise on WOTS, thought I would provide some observations about what's new and/or different on this particular ship. While not an expert cruiser, I have been on all five Oasis ships, so feel able to comment on how the newest ship compares to the others: Larger public eating spaces. The most noticeable improvement is the larger Windjammer, which has a horseshoe design with much more seating and window areas. Other eating places like El Loco Fresh and Park Cafe also have larger seating spaces than previous ships (although Symphony did have a larger Park too) New bar areas. The Vue bar has replaced one of the hot tubs, which is a much better use of space. Cantina Fresca beside El Loco had the best (only?) frozen margaritas on board. The Mason Jar bar area is a nice evening cocktail place, with country music included. Stateroom improvements. The bathroom doors are magnetic, so that they stay shut and the bathroom light has a nightlight feature (also on Symphony). USB outlets are now included in the bedside light stands and there seem to be more outlets in general. There are hooks for hanging things located under the TV, although I bring my own magnet hooks, but it was good to have extras. And someone finally figured out how to keep the clothes hangars from banging together when the ship is moving (it's the little things that count). The former suite sundeck area is now open to everyone as the suites have moved to a different location. Also, a number of lounge chairs in the Solarium and Main Pool Area have padded seats, which are big improvements over the standard deck loungers. But you have to be an early riser to snag one of them. The casino has a smoking and non-smoking side (as do other ships), but the non-smoking side had noticeably better air, so they've improved the ventilation somehow. There are also sliding glass doors into the casino, which keep the smoke from wafting out into other public areas. The elevators use an LCD screen instead of buttons, which make it easier to select the right deck you are headed towards. Some of the other changes that I didn't consider improvements: Wasn't a big fan of the enclosed solarium. They say it's climate controlled, but it felt about ten degrees warmer on any given day compared to the outside main pool area. It's like a big greenhouse. There are windows which could have allowed in fresh air, but they were always kept closed on our cruise. I prefer the solarium design on Symphony. The main pools seem smaller, which they've reduced to allow additional shallow water areas surrounding the pool. This is also where they have the curved lounge chairs that sit in the water, which are ridiculously uncomfortable. I only saw people using them briefly to take a photo and then promptly sitting somewhere else. The Aqua theatre has removed all of the deck chair seating and it's now completely bench style seating. I used to get to the show early to get a "good seat". Now that there aren't any, just resign yourself to sitting on a hard bench for an hour. The giant LCD screen at the pool area shines directly onto Central Park area, 24 hours a day. Central Park is one of my favorite quiet areas of the ship, especially for evening drinks. The atmosphere is now kind of ruined by the Times Square billboard lights shining on it. As this is presumably the last of the Oasis class ships, it's been interesting to see the incremental changes over the years. All in all, had a great cruise as usual and still prefer Oasis class over any other Royal ships.

The new process is stupid. I spent my first half booking shows when I got on board Wonder instead of enjoying my lunch at Park cafe. I much preferred when you could have everything reserved before you sailed. No different than excursions.

I was on Wonder last week and saw 50% or more of MDR staff and stateroom attendants still wearing them. For others like bartenders and retail shops staff, not so much. As others have said, they should be able to mask and protect themselves if they choose to.

The drive to Florence and back from La Spezia was more time than I would have liked to spend in a car, but couldn't be helped. Overall, the quality of the tour was excellent and both the driver and the tour guide were top notch. I'm glad I chose this company.

You could book shows in the cruise planner on line right up until the pandemic started. Ever since sailings resumed, Royal seems determined to make things more difficult for their passengers.

That’s what I’ve done in the past and they are usually quite accommodating. More so than the people on the other end of that email address.

Well that was a bust! I emailed RCL Dining with my table request and received this prompt response: Please be advised that My Time Dining is “open” dining where we are not able to accommodate table requests pre Cruise. A table will be assigned upon check in for dinner based on availability in the dining room at the time. Once onboard please contact the dining room Host on embarkation day with your table request. Perhaps this works for Diamond or Pinnacle status, but as a lowly Platinum, I don't seem to have any pull 😁

In the past, I've usually gone to the MDR on embarkation day and asked to speak to the manager about the MTD table I've been assigned and the location. I don't like two top tables that are six inches away from other tables, because it feels like I'm dining with those people. Your suggestion is very helpful, so I will try this approach for my upcoming cruise in two weeks and see if it works.

Curious which port you left from? We are booked on the Florence/Pisa tour leaving from La Spezia and I understand it's a long drive to Florence. Just wondering about all the time spent in a van, before you actually get to the sightseeing part.

I booked all my MTD reservations months ago for my Wonder sailing in two weeks. I have a 7:00 pm reservation every night, except for the Florence and Rome port days. Certainly hope that won't be a problem.

Interested in the outcome of your "Capri on your own" tour. I assume it's essentially RC just purchasing the ferry tickets on your behalf and then sending you on your way? I'm considering this tour rather than purchasing the ferry tickets myself, only because RC is then responsible for getting us back to the ship, in the event there are any ferry or weather delays.

The changes are on the website, listed.by sailing port, effective after Sept. 5. However, I don’t see any changes yet in the app, which is still indicating testing needed for a 7 day cruise on Wonder out of Barcelona in mid Sept. Perhaps they just need time to update.

There haven't been many reviews on here of European sailings this summer, so your updates have been really appreciated. The countdown is on and will be there in three weeks.

We had a card expiring in December, 2022, so initiated an online renewal request on our own in mid-June. Based on backlog, I was expecting any email reminder. Received the official renewal confirmation in under 7 weeks.

Is that what you say to nurses and physicians too? As someone who works in healthcare, I can tell you they are happy to continue wearing masks at work.

Would be interested to hear about your stop in Civitavecchia tomorrow. The ship docks at 7:00 am, but can you let me know what time they announce the gangway actually being open? Trying to figure out the earliest train into Rome that I can make on that day once off the ship.

I'm on Wonder in a few weeks and there's no way I'd accept a table with someone that close to me. Hoping there are other options with more space.

Then why would you suggest switching your loyalty from Royal to Carnival over a little test? I’m not a big fan of it either, but I’m not all bent out of shape over it like some others here.

Maybe Carnival could become the official cruise line for the unvaccinated? Works for me since I plan never to cruise with them.

What do those 3 places have in common? Hmmm, let me think. Could it be people living in the same space 24@7, in an enclosed area without much ventilation?

I used Costco last time. Shoppers is gouging compared to the others.