SailorMarg

1 hour ago, shipgeeks said:

And my home machine says "skim milk only".

For good reason.  Due to protein percent, whole milk and skim milk are the best options for foaming/frothing so given the relative ease with which skim milk will move through your machine the manufacturer would recommend it over whole milk. As did our Jura Giga 6.  But skim milk is not the best option for many who like to add creaminess to their coffee with no concern for foaming/frothing. https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/articles/food-chemistry/521-the-facts-about-milk-foam

1 hour ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

why would you think supply issues. We have no problem getting as much on land as we want.

 

 

I also have never seen anything but whole milk poured into the machine. 

Here I am, OP, going off topic, BUT we own a machine (Jura Giga 6) similar to DL/SL at home.  We spent a lot of time learning best practices.  We were surprised to learn that *in these machines* when foaming/frothing is important it is whole milk and skim milk that produce the best foam. This has to do with percent protein in the product    But, of course, the skim milk will not provide the taste or creaminess. Given that frothed drinks are one of the choices in the machines, it makes perfect sense that whole milk is what is added.  My question was specific to what is available to add to coffee, unfoamed/unfrothed, in the Main Dining Room.  If you’re bored and want to go down the rabbit hole, here is the source for my foam/froth information. https://www.ricardocuisine.com/en/articles/food-chemistry/521-the-facts-about-milk-foam

7 hours ago, chazzinator8 said:

On Ovation last month, we struck up a good relationship with our head, main, and assistant waiters. On the 4th day of the cruise, they all told us that they don't carry half and half anymore and when a guest asks for cream, they serve milk instead and don't mention it. That's what I had the entire cruise with the regular, not espresso coffee. 

Thanks for the information.  We were told the same but I came here to see if this was specific to our ship or if it was fleet wide.  I wonder if those that say they had “cream” with their coffee recently are speaking of coffee “creamer” or some other product that is being offered when cream or half and half is requested. Else, the issue might actually be ship and/or venue specific.  Anyway, thank you for the on topic, and non aggressive, reply.

16 minutes ago, BirdTravels said:

Rather than flaming the cruise line, did ya bother to ask while in the ship?  
 

supply chain problems abound. The didn’t get hash browns, so we’re serving French fries for breakfast. 

Not that I need to explain what I did, or did not do, but yes I “bothered to ask” while *in* the ship.  I received a different answer each time I asked, from the waiter, to the head waiter, to the maitre d, to the Suite Concierge. Coming here to get other’s current experiences seems a reasonable choice.  And half and half was readily available for purchased coffee, just not for included coffee.  So supply chain is not the issue. Hope your concerns as to my methods of inquiry have been assuaged. 

30 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

CK almost half empty for dinner. 
 

 

Yet still three ball caps being worn 🤦🏻‍♀️

50 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I asked for a cup of ice once and they were big ice cubes, not small ones.

 

I can't believe how RC is ruining the cruise experience.

Please don’t attempt to overstate my intention nor denigrate my concerns.  I clearly stated that this did not ruin my cruise.  But that it did make me question Royal’s choices. 

15 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

Ok I tend not to complain about the little things but 1% milk is absolutely unacceptable. Anything less than whole milk doesn’t even look right, the coffee gets this weird greyish-beige color. 
 

Luckily, last month on the Enchantment TA there was half-and-half in the MDR though I can’t say if it was every night because I usually ordered a Bailey’s coffee. WJ had separate containers of milk and cream so I just mixed them. 

Same.  I deal with most of the other little tiny cuts with some grace.  But don’t mess with my coffee!

25 minutes ago, TinkBellaMom said:

On the Grandeur twice in 3 months.  No coffee machine in the DL.😳

We we’re told the machine broke and unable to get parts.

 

 

p.s.  No cream in MDR of Granduer either, only watery milk.☹️

Yup.  Exact same on Voyager in May.  This is what that watery milk makes your coffee look like….🥴

29 minutes ago, ShillyShally said:

Sheesh, it wouldn't be a smart place to cut corners at all!  I'd understand if you had to ask for them since the little containers tend to attract kids.  I'm a straight black coffee drinker so unaffected but this seems the wrong place to start!

Right?  Don’t mess with people’s coffee!!!

24 minutes ago, hucifer said:

I don't downgrade to milk in my coffee at home, I certainly wouldn't expect to on vacation. Am I forced to bring my own cream packets now?

I am doing exactly that for the President’s cruise, bringing my own.  Just in case it is a repeat of our May 15 cruise where it was simply unavailable anywhere other than with purchased coffee at Cafe Promenade.

11 minutes ago, neverbeenhere said:

Time to bring a case of cream aboard?    $1 a shot = Free cruises for life

😂.  I’ve already purchased my “Mini-Moos” on Amazon to take with me on the President’s Cruise.  Ain’t that something.  Pay for a Crown Loft Suite and bring your own half and half.  Stop by my cabin if you’re in need. First one is free.

15 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I cruised twice march and end of march into april. Never saw the cream pitcher in the WJ out. That's the only place I use cream. Never asked for my own pitcher in Mdr. 

 

I cant believe it is totally gone from rcl. I bet the buffet still has it unless it's a one cruise issue where they ran out. I'll ask on the live allure thread. See if she has cream. 

Yes, we were mostly able to have half and half or cream brought to our MDR table in February when specifically requested.  But it was a firm *no* in May.

27 minutes ago, ShillyShally said:

I expect it is far more supply chain issue than budget decision at this point!

Cafe Promenade had a steady supply of half and half for the *purchased* coffees.  It was not available for the *included* coffees.

24 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

On Oasis in March I have all my Latte's made with half and half.  Never had a problem ordering.  

Yes, we too were able to have our *purchased* Latte’s made with half and half at Cafe Promenade.  So it was *not* a supply issue. It is the lack at *included* dining that I have seen which seems to be a budgetary decision.

On our cruise before last it became very difficult to have half and half, much less cream, brought to our table in the Main Dining Room.  On our last cruise it was simply not possible.  We were aboard Voyager May 15.  I’d like to know if this is a policy across all ships or if it is ship specific.  As Royal lowers and lowers their product all these seemingly small things are beginning to add up to the point of my deciding that sailing with them is no longer a choice with value.  At some point the cheapening of the brand with all these “small” downgrades will place the brand among the low end cruise lines, if it hasn’t already. Did it ruin my cruise? Of course not.  Did it make me wonder about Royal’s commitment to a quality experience? Yes, it did. Only 1% milk was available for after dinner coffee in the Main Dining Room. What land based sit-down restaurant would even consider doing this. We would bring the fake coffee creamer tubs from Windjammer so we could at least pretend to have a cup of coffee to our liking after dinner.  If anyone is aboard, or has recently been aboard, can you please tell me if half and half was available in the main dining room.  If anyone is dining in Coastal Kitchen, can you tell me if half and half is available there.

We are sailing Voyager of the Seas for the first time after sailing Adventure of the Seas multiple times out of Galveston.  I’ve noticed that the Suite Lounge on Voyager is where the Diamond Lounge is on is on Adventure and appears considerably smaller. Anyone who has sailed both Adventure and Voyager, and used the Suite Lounges, can you tell me if you feel the loss of space on Voyager.  I can’t imagine the “cocktail hour” doesn’t get even more challenging to find a seat when you reduce the space.

14 hours ago, BettyCruiser said:

send an email to: customerrelations@princesscruises.com

 

the fixed the same error for me

 

I sent the ship, date, confirmation # and the error message and they booked the excursion for me

Thank you.  I sent an email this morning as you suggested.  I will see what they are able to do for me.  I received an automatic reply that they were busy, etc.  We shall see.  Thanks again for sharing.

9 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Is this on a Princess cruise?  How far out are you?

Yes.  Regal Princess 02/11/2024.  Others on this cruise have booked excursions.

I’ve been trying to book excursions for months now and always get the same message.  “Guests with a errors” (grammar issue is theirs).  I have tried all excursions, all ports, different browsers, clearing cache, different devices, using a desktop, and always get this message.  I am “Green Lane”. I have spoken to the excursion “specialists” more than once and they tell me that there is no problem with my account, but for me to try again in a day or two because they can’t seem to figure out the problem.  The excursions are available to book, but neither I nor those in the excursion department can seem to book any.  I’m hoping someone else has had this issue and might provide some solution for me.  

I checked in for my May 15 cruise aboard Voyager of the Seas and whereas all previous SetSail Passes showed the word “Suite” when I was booked in a suite, this one does not. I asked others on the same sailing that are also in a suite and their SetSail Passes also fail to show the word “Suite”. Having our SetSail Passes show we are in a Suite is what allows us to go to the suite check-in area at the terminal. Has anyone booked in a suite recently checked in and show “Suite” on their SetSail Pass?  Have others noticed this change?

Does anyone have the page provided in cabin for Grand Suite and above perks for those ships without Coastal Kitchen?  I’d appreciate a photo of it if convenient. Ideally a recent one. 

3 hours ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

If you select the option to book a suite they answer the phone immediately. 🤫

Now you’ve gone and given away my secret.  Geesh!

I asked our server about this question one night in the Main Dining Room.  He said he would ask his boss and get back to me.  The next night he said that his boss recommended not answering the question and go to the next question.  That’s what I’ve done ever since.

If Stockholder Benefit OBC has been applied to all upcoming cruises and one were to sell all the RCL shares that were used to qualify, how does Royal monitor the current holdings at the time of sailing?  It appears to be a done deal with the new invoices sent for each upcoming cruise (currently 10 over the next 2 years) with the Stockholder Benefit OBC showing on the new invoices.  I’ve can find nothing about a re-verification of holdings closer to sailing.

 I hope someone can point me to where this is addressed within the Stockholder Benefit literature.

I ask because we used my husband’s shares to qualify, and he may sell, whereas I will retain my shares which is also enough to qualify.  I don’t want to rock the boat, so to speak, if not necessary.

16 hours ago, Ret MP said:

Yes, I'd be willing to bet a dollar to a donut that BOA provides RCCL with the information of every approved application for the card and RCCL enters the info into their customer database.  

That would make sense for an unusual name, but what about John Smith?  Don’t think I’ve supplied Royal Caribbean with social security number or any other defining information.