balkor2

1 hour ago, George C said:

I believe it is 15 mins but not enforced, if there was no time limit you should be able to get doubles , that rarely happens. 

I know not of any "rule" with Royal. There is a courtesy from the consumer to the staff to wait before ordering next drink. But if you can consume (alcoholic drinks)  enough to where the bartender (staff folks) needs to consider, then WOW.
in my experience, I have only seen folks at that level on the Carnival (the two I have been on). BUT that being said, there was a young lady on Anthem whom ordered three drinks in like a 15 minute window and consumed all three. She ordered one at a time and paid for each. After which, the bartender said something to another staff member whom went into the back. Then the bartender said to me "WOW, not good"  

I have gotten several of them myself, but it was for a ship/cruise I am not booked for/on ?!?! 

36 minutes ago, MellowMel said:

I was on Adventure a few weeks ago but it wasn't offered.

Thank you for the feedback.
Appreciate

13 minutes ago, cruisetorelax44 said:

we did mystery theater on adventure about 6 years ago.. it wasn't very good. the meal was fine, but it was hard to hear what was going on and the story didn't make a lot of sense. it may have improved since then, but i would save my money and spend it on something else...

Ok thank you 😉

Have not learned if they are or are not having the Mystery Dinner or not.
It is listed on the website for the ship but nothing in the Daily Planner

10 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

Most of us know people who brag and embellish their deals.

11 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

when in truth the shoes were full price and the bid was high for that desired upgrade

Valid statements. 
I assumed (yes it applies here LOL) that we were all on the same page as in the Royal Up would be the same for all. Meaning Min bid JS being X would be the same for all people. 
In truth don't know 😞

1 hour ago, boscobeans said:

Just wish they had spent a little time on upkeep, not even on upgrade, just upkeep.

Sad to see her in such bad condition, and I am not fussy about some rust or a frayed or worn sofa or rug. 

Agreed. 
She was an old gal, but we REALLY enjoyed her when we had her..
Sorry to hear others are having issues with service. 
 

9 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

No, only Plusgrade and RCI know the algorithm/criteria.

Ok fair enough 

18 minutes ago, SWACruising said:

From a business standpoint, what you paid for your room shouldn't matter if someone else has a higher bid, that should be the offer accepted with one caveat. The room currently occupied might not be equal and the room that's more in demand either for regular bookings or upgrade bids should win their upgrade bid even if it's somewhat lower. 

 

I have to assume it's somewhat driven by an algorithm that looks at all the bids to determine the best revenue total. It might be done manually but that would be time consuming and possibly not as efficient.

 

Just speculation on my part of course.

 

 

So the short is.
The other person whom low balled, bid the minimum going from interior to JS

I bid a little bit more than min ~50 bucks or so. and was going from balcony to JS.

The person from interior bid ~50 less than me and won.

Like 2 days or so before we left, there was like 5 JS still open .

As SWA.. was saying, from a business perspective less money was gained from an interior to JS 
Versus Balcony to JS.

Person whom (also) won was Gold member - One could argue that it was to promote / reinforce. 
I don't know 😞  it just wasn't logical to me.

Has anyone heard if they are doing this since COVID has come and (praying) going out the door.

Going on Adventure Of The Seas May 12 - May 21

It has seemed that in the past this ship has hosted the dinner theater. 
But don't want to get my hopes up prior to the cruise to only find it not there 😞

Have we fully understood HOW the offers are being accepted? 
Anthem cruise I put in a bid slightly higher then another person and the guy that "low balled it" won an upgrade ?

Didn't make sense

One of the best ships (IMHO) do to the crew to customer ratio and that the ship is very intimate with superior service.

Granted it doesn't have all the bells and whistles like Anthem or Harmony or Allure. 
It is a great ship for Low Stress, relaxing on the deck with a good book and enjoying Schooner Bar. 

Booked RCC Jan, May & Aug 2022
Booked Carnival Jan 2023

Oh the days of Yore.

Have a cruise in Nov out of Baltimore [Enchantment of the Seas], May cruise out of Jersey[ Adventure of the Seas], & Aug cruise out of Canaveral [Mariner of the Seas].

Would be good to meet some "good" people. FOD would even be better but it is always nice to meet people whom have a good heart.  

My My My, ohhh to see a FOD again

One day we will all need to sit down and laugh at all this

Seriously

I am in great need of a get away, get of out Dodge, go fly a kite ... but refuse to go play in the streets.

18 hours ago, kasmrobi said:

Gotcha. We usually do sail out of Bayonne. Just thought we would try something different and departing from closer to home. From everything I have read so far, people seem to either love the "quaintness" of the smaller, older Grandeur without the bells and whistles, or hate it for the same reasons.

 

Have sailed out of both Cape and Balt.

Balt has been the fastest from pulling to sitting at the bar. Only Boston has been faster.

First experience of Cape was 2+ hrs from parking lot to Bar. That being said I never heard an official reason took so long to get on the ship.

17 hours ago, PigsCanFly said:

We really like the GotS and will miss her if & when she goes away. 

As you have mentioned the "Quaintness", agreed! Grandeur is one of the oldest ships in the fleet. Some feel she is too old. But like many will say, She is a sweet lady with superior quality in service. She is by far one of the best for a lazy chilling cruise.

She will be missed. 

On 7/5/2020 at 11:59 AM, Biker19 said:

Consider another ship.

Rude

11 hours ago, twangster said:

Royal arguably has the best loyalty program in the business but comes at a higher cost to the company. 

10 hours ago, OHCruisinDad said:

Based on the booking volumes it doesn't appear that cruisers are staying away from Royal.

it had been my experience that Royal Caribbean International has the most and are the most loyal customers. 

1 hour ago, CanobieFan said:

Haha, I'd be getting some 13 'free' C&A points if they actually did.

While I would enjoy the points, If they would I would be getting 21 'free' points 😉

That would be a generous offer from RCI but I would not expect it for, really, why "should" they. 

Have the best Loyalty program(s) with good Loyal People.

Maybe NCL needs the help?

On 7/5/2020 at 12:18 AM, drsel said:

Once the virus is controlled, land tours will always be available and are also cheaper than cruises

 

 

I have been having a hard time topping a trip where everything cost less than 110 a day.

Hotels cost start out at 100+ a day, food usually runs about 60 per person per day [10b + 15l + 35d].  Unless you wana live off the dollar menu for everything.

In my opinion the keyword is "Need". The only NEED is eating drinking and breathing.

The rest is a choice, a choice to keep relations good. A choice to minimize issues. A choice that we enjoy.

On 5/4/2020 at 8:24 AM, 1980dory said:

Be the first on or off the ship.  As long as I get on before the ship sails, I'm good.

While we enjoy being on early .. there is no need to be "First". Enjoy being early for do not enjoy being under the gun or running late. Reduces Stress once on ship.

On 5/4/2020 at 8:24 AM, 1980dory said:

Attend every production show.

While have not attended Broadway (Sheltered) nor have seen all the shows. Truly enjoy the talent of the most of the shows like We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia! So most of the shows will go see

On 5/4/2020 at 8:24 AM, 1980dory said:

Use a lounger on the Melanoma Deck. 

Enjoy the outside, do not have to be in direct sun light, most of the time in the shade for it is easier to read our books there and keeps the Blanc cooler longer 😉

On 5/4/2020 at 8:24 AM, 1980dory said:

Get off the ship in every Caribbean port.

Caribbean or not, if we don't like the port. We don't get off. Not a fan of the Pan Handlers on a couple ports we have been too.

On 5/4/2020 at 8:24 AM, 1980dory said:

Use ship excursions

Absolutely do. On some of the ports, will always use excursions, so if there is a problem ... I know the ship will wait or will provide transportation to where ever. Have seen where the Ship is leaving the port and the "other" is beating on the "other" while calling them every name in the book. So by choice I choose to protect myself at certain (or new) ports.

On 5/4/2020 at 8:24 AM, 1980dory said:

Eat evening meals in the MDR

We absolutely love being waited/served on/too.  That is one of the best parts to dress up. Share an elegant evening with good food, great service, and great company (employee and at the table).  We have found the buffet to be more like a trough and competition (for the food and a place to sit). So we chose to be escorted to our table and be waited. We usually befriend the people in MDR and then miss them.

On 5/4/2020 at 8:24 AM, 1980dory said:

To a youngster, I probably sound like an old curmudgeon

I can see how that can happen and have been told that (in different words but same meaning). It comes with Wisdom LOL.

On 5/4/2020 at 8:24 AM, 1980dory said:

but one of the beauties of cruising is that you are free to enjoy the cruise and the ship in your own way.

And that is the best take away from it all. I see and understand the foundation for it is built on the principle of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs (aka Pyramid). People have asked us about cruising frequently from which cruise line to take and Big Ships or small ships, etc.

So in relation to your list :

On 5/1/2020 at 8:58 PM, sullaRaffaello said:

I no longer feel the need to.....

is the same as "I require on my vacation (cruise) ..." or:

On my Cruise, I feel I need too ...

Turn off all electronics and put in the safe.  I don't want to receive text messages, phone calls, emails, Facebook, tik tok, IM's, etc etc.

Go to the Schooner Bar.  On many of the ships we have been on, the Schooner Bar is the hub of conversation, people, great service, good laughs, and trivia. Oh the Trivia games are some much fun, where else can you find out that you know so little and laugh with good people about it.

Go to the Solarium and read.  We enjoy sitting in a lounge chair (if one is available - Do not require) with the outside air,  a cool (cold) dry white wine (or Scotch neat, sometimes on the rocks), and a good book to get lost in. From time to time doing a little people watching. There is so much to learn from people and not say a word.

On Oasis class Ships, We must go to the Trellis Bar in the evening.  There is something about a good drink, good bartender (Xander was the best on Harmony), and the night sky. I honestly didn't understand how or why but it was mesmerizing and enchanting. 

Vintages and Tapis for lunch. On Harmony & the Allure, Tapis and Vintages for lunch. We enjoy the experience of the Wines and all the different breads, meats, veggies, and cheeses (so far). We have only experienced twice thus far. But enjoy the experiences and people. In relation to that, we experienced for the first time (willing to do again) and that was in the Pub, there was this french fries and stuff on it and this soup that never had before with a beer never heard of either. WOW such fun.

Something that is a requirement - no franchise. While we know that Guinness in Ireland is totally different than in America and the McDonalds in Hawaii serves different foods than in PA. We are not interested in going to another state, country, culture, etc and not experience what is. An example is going to Boston, Mass and tasting Harpoon Brewery and Bar Style Pizza. Going to Maine and having a Lobster (both were done on Serenade of the Seas). 

Ok done rambling like an old man LOL

13 minutes ago, adamspt2 said:

Hi everyone. My partner and I (and his sister and Mom) will be taking our first cruise this summer.

How super cool!!!!

Congratza and enjoy the time together 

4 hours ago, beachlovers1129 said:

tyvm

You are most welcome!

1 hour ago, beachlovers1129 said:

my wife doesn't wear womens clothes such as gowns dress slacks etc  I was wondering what she could wear for formal night that would be allowed on Carnival

We personally have not had experience with Formal night for Carnival Recently ~

That being said I am sure they would be fairly close to others, which are

No Flip Flops
No Shorts

No T-Shirts

So I am sure something along the means of a Button up Shirt and some form of appropriate long leg covering (not good with terms for clothes LOL) 

Did a google on Female Business Casual - Which is what I perceive as being "formal" for MDR. And most of what I saw I would perceive as being appropriate/acceptable . Maybe that will help? If not let me know and I will do some 'research' in the matter to Help
 

2 hours ago, beachlovers1129 said:

my question is what do u wear to the formal dinner on main stream cruise ships if u dont wear dresses/womens clothes

I am not sure of the question