twangster

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Yeah, the mayor of Amsterdam got involved also.  

 

I just can't figure out their total lack of security at the lock.  It's government property, and a tied up ship is a sitting duck.  That does not happen in ports.  

I think the pier is secure but the lock gates are used for pedestrian traffic as a means to get across the river.  People ride their bicycles and walk across the lock gates when they are closed. 

In this case the protectors fixed themselves where the two lock gates meet so if the lock gates were opened it would rip an arm off.  

Pinnacle power.

Tremendous volumes of hot air.

If the price of anything is too high don't buy it.  Long term if people stop buying something Royal will eventually lower the price.  It's high right now because so far people are buying it or they are testing new higher prices to see if sales remain strong.

Royal is extremely driven by supply and demand pricing.  High demand equates to high prices.  When they go too far and charge too much eventually they will reach a price where enough people refuse to buy it.  Only then will they find ways to make it less either with "sales" or they'll just lower the price.  Once masses start buying it again they know they have found the new market normal for that item.    

Twenty Zenith on Reflection this past weekend.  They didn't break it down as to the source of the Zenithness.  

They did a Zenith gathering on day 2 at 4:45pm in Cellar Masters and took a group photo that was delivered to the cabin later that night.  Hors d'oeuvres offered by roaming servers and drinks.   Apparently this gathering was a new thing for them to try on the short 3 night cruise where they didn't offer a Zenith lunch.  A number of officers were present including the HD.  

Just about every bartender asked why we didn't have black cards.   Color of the card doesn't matter to me.  Just odd that every bartender at every bar commented on the standard card being given to a Zenith.  

A Pinnacle friend was also on board.  His card had a star on it.  Apparently the star indicates someone who is on their first sailing with Celebrity.  In his case his card had Zenith on it (like mine) but also had the star.  Kind of funny Zenith but on his first X cruise. 

Used the retreat line at the terminal to board.  Suite concierge greeted us in the suite waiting area as we waited to board on day 1.  They were available in Michael's for anything we needed.   They offered the priority escort off the ship at the end of the cruise so we could get on the road to beat traffic.  We met in Michaels for that.  

Full drink package worked well.  Premium internet was fine but Reflection still has the old 4 Mbps x 2 Mbps per user speed limits on their WiFi packages like Oasis class did before Starlink.  Reflection has Starlink but kept the old WiFi speed limits. 

Never used Michael's during happy hours as we hung out at various bars enjoying live music.  

All in all it worked out quite well. Looking forward to going back in a few weeks.  

14 hours ago, Cherful59 said:

@twangster Can you give me your opinion.  I have heard the comment that people were disappointed when they cruised Iceland after cruising Norway.  I cruised Norway on the July 18th Jewel cruise which I loved and am now contemplating an Iceland cruise.  You seemed to enjoy both.  Can you give me your thoughts.  I would like to think they are each special in their way, but thought I would ask.  Thank you Patti

Norway has wonderful fjords and coastal areas.

Iceland on my itinerary did not have fjords like Norway.  It's a different experience in a good way.  Iceland has many inland areas to explore.  Waterfalls, glaciers, volcanic formations.  

I will return to both in due time, flying in next time.  I'd love to explore more of Norway by train for example.  I would like to visit Iceland in some other time other than summer in hopes of seeing Northern Lights and driving around more of the country.  

i don't understand how Iceland would disappoint unless someone had the wrong expectations.  That's more of a failure to research a destination.  It would be like saying there's no point going to Alaska once you've visited Norway.  I would strongly disagree with that statement.  I have plans to explore Alaska by train as well flying in without a cruise attached to the trip, outside of the summer peak.  Norway won't ever replace Alaska or vice versa.  Both are worthy destinations as is Iceland.  All require some research and planning to understand each destination.

In my day as a 7 yo if you came home without cuts, scrapes and bruises you weren't playing hard enough.  

• Quantum Class have great solariums that are closed but not always temperature controlled in a significant way.  They can get quite warm in summer and sunny Caribbean regions.
• Wonder and Utopia have closed solariums that are temperature controlled.  Not always full on air conditioning but typically a break from the heat and humidity of outside.
• The rest of Oasis class have varying openness in the solariums so you are basically outside which could be great or bad depending on weather.  Some have more open ceiling panels compared to others but all are open in places.
• Voyager and Freedom class have my least favored solariums as they are very open to the sky plus you will have some transient kids 
• Radiance and Vision class have closed solariums, on some the glass ceiling may be opened at times but not too often.  Transient kids are possible.  Small size and fill up quickly.
• Icon doesn't have a solarium but does have an adult only area on the aft.  It's a nice space but completely open with little cover to be had. 

Deck 13 forward had no noise and no overhang.  

I may be getting some of the others in this class confused but I don't think there was direct Solarium access from deck 13 forward like there is on at least one sister ship.  I've stayed deck 13 forward on several Q class and generally like the area.  Avoid midship deck 13 where the overhang and supports are annoying in your view.

6 hours ago, sjhanksaz said:

Because they need to run Natural Gas?  Maybe Celebrity?

 

 

It's more than LNG, which may be cleaner but is hardly a clean fuel.  

Royal has stated they start rumors with no intention of actually following through.  They even trademark names they don’t know if they will ever need.  Standard corporate marketing.  
 

Until it’s officially announced Legend is just another rumor no more certain than Carnival of the Seas. 

Time for something modern. 
 

I think my D+ pin is on a backpack when the cheap logo it came with fell off and it looked odd with nothing in that space.  CAS to the rescue.  
 

It’s a free loyalty program.  Still better than the cheap plastic tags airlines provide.  

Most public places pipe music in all the time.  Getting work done isn’t a problem unless you will be on conference calls, client calls or online meetings.  
 

Starlink internet is a game changer in Alaska but not perfect.  It can still drop out at time, likely when you need it most.  
 

Don’t forget the time change.  Working from Alaska when on an Eastern daily schedule has some challenges.  YMMV.  

Just now, smokeybandit said:

Reminds me of booking business travel through Concur.

Exactly.  I used to use to multi-city and enter round trip city pairs at specific limited times to limit the results in Concur and get around the inherent restrictions built into Concur.

5 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Are some booking sources not eligible for Air2Sea, similar to Cosco and Royal Up?

Don't think so but A2S has always been a little squirrely. Anyone can browse options without entering their booking number.

There are valid flight options that just don't appear in A2S unless you manipulate the system with very narrow parameters.  Sometimes you need to search in a specific order and then manipulate the fiters to have it offer a flight you know exists.

They seem to prefer certain origin gateway cities.  Smaller airports that are valid airports can have limited or no options in A2S even though you could book a legacy carrier on the carriers website directly.

Worst case call them.  

Perhaps try another coach?

I’m southbound forward facing in coach 1.  That’s probably rear facing northbound.  
 

It's that easy.  

The Brightline station is at the MCO airport.  Parking at the Orlando airport is costly like most airports.  Off site parking may be cheaper but requires a shuttle bus to the airport.  The Brightline station is near terminal three at MCO.  

Note check in times for checked luggage on the train.  There is a cut off time if checking luggage.

Pick your return times wisely.  Brightline often increases fares close in or on the day of travel so if you want to change trains it can be costly to leave an hour earlier.  

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

So you're saying it's your fault?

 

I've convinced (or, I think I have) my wife to go on another Alaskan cruise since she showed interest in the one-way.  I'm actually hoping 2026 has a Q class on that route.

Yes! 

The Canadian inside passage is overrated.  I've done it several times.  Most of it is in darkness.  When I have done it in daylight it's not something to define a cruise around.  One time while eating in the MDR there were Orcas outside our window for a split second.  Blink!  Sorry you missed it.

Give me Q class and sitting at the NorthStar bar watching Alaska sail past every time.  

Vancouver remains a challenge for Q class.  They need a new cruise terminal on the other side of the Lions Gate Bridge to seal the deal to compliment the Seward expansion.  

3 hours ago, springaussie said:

The big question with Radiance ships is if they will be still used on the Alaska Seward turn arounds with the pier being upgraded to take Quantum ships. Royal has signed a deal with the Railway. 

Honestly I enjoyed Ovation's sole visit to Hubbard Glacier.  No other Q class has visited since.  

I look forward to Q class in Seward if it means more Hubbard visits.

14 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Not sure if this will have any effect on future deployments:

Royal Caribbean's Marc Miller jumps to Silversea (seatrade-cruise.com)

There is a fair bit of movement within the family.  Likely a good way for Marc to increase rank coming from a top heavy organization.  It’s a small industry.  Could be a grooming role for the future.  I wouldn’t think his move will impact Royal’s somewhat common mass market itineraries.  

21 hours ago, RobInMN said:

As much as I'd like to see something like that, I'm not sure how technically feasible that is. Can't say I've every heard of any cabin changes other than cosmetic, and even that seems to be limited to carpet and drapes. The only time I've heard of any functional changes are the addition of the bedside USB ports (& 100??) on Serenade as part of the UWC upgrades.

 

Anyone every heard of any cabin reconfiguration/upgrades ever being done by other cruise lines?

Yes.  SilverSea, part of the RCG family, extensively renovated a couple of ships a few years ago.  New USB-C and USB-A ports in several places, new power outlets by the beds, WiFi access points in every cabin, complete makeover, not just new bedding.  

Silver Wind and Silver Cloud built in the mid-90s are two that were extensively upgraded in 2021, a renovation that became possible due to RCG acquiring a partial interest and later fully acquiring SilverSea.

In Seward you will walk off the ship.  Transfers to anywhere else are not included.  
 

There are 3rd party services you can arrange such as bus or car service, you can stay in Seward for a day or two for some Alaska time, or you can purchase the train transfer to Anchorage.  
 

Royal charters a train from the Alaskan Railroad.  This is a different train from the train that the railroad offers to the public between Seward and Anchorage.  
 

You can book the train direct from the railroad but it uses different stations on each end.  In Anchorage the directly booked train stops at the downtown station where you’ll need a taxi or other ride to the airport.  Both can sell out.  Book well in advance.  
 

Riding the trains around Alaska with some hotels to match is a pretty solid way to consume several days.   The train ride is stunning.   I’ve always booked direct.  GoldStar service is worth it if your budget allows it.  
 

How did the suggestion they disconnect for a while go?

If your teenage child is anything like mine were, you are better off just getting the Voom pre-cruise for them especially on Rhapsody with nothing for teens to do. 

Thank me later.    

No.  Bookings on X and Royal Caribbean International can't be interchanged.  

Check back from time to time to see if the price drops.  If they set the price too high and folks avoid it due to the cost they will put it "on sale" to stimulate bookings.

16 hours ago, Billy Baltic said:

They obviously have data to support this being the case but it would be the opposite with us. Our first experience of Oasis class was a 7 day cruise. At the end we needed another break. The kids hadn’t done everything they wanted to do. We hadn’t had a chance to try all the venues we wanted. I can’t imagine how frantic a 3/4 day cruise would be. 

 

Kinda the point... better book another, we didn't do everything.