smeck

I hate to bring this up because the mere mention of dress code gets everybody’s  dander in a tizzy.  I’m new to the haven and was curious what the accepted dress code is for the Haven restaurant?

A couple of questions from a Haven rookie. 
 

1.  Were traveling with another couple, how easy is it to make dining reservations using our concierge onboard?  

2.  Do they have reserved seating for Haven guests at the show venues?

we’ll be on the Escape 12/3 sailing. 

22 hours ago, brillohead said:

Listening to what?

I did FIVE CRUISES IN A ROW, never wore a mask, shared dining tables with strangers most weeks, did shared excursions / taxi rides in most ports, and didn't get COVID.  

 

Count your blessings 

2 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

The problem is the US office that handles the Visas for the crew is extremely backed up. If the current crew aren't extended, there isn't anyone to replace them. This isn't just a RCCL problem, all cruise lines are facing this. 

 

I do feel for the crew. They are doing their best under the circumstances.

If the problem is affecting the cruise experience then it’s a RCCL problem. 

3 hours ago, cruisingator2 said:

And how long do you think they would stay afloat with keeping capacity lower? What is “your” magic number for lower capacity? Sounds like cruising is not for you at the moment and there’s nothing wrong with that. 

Your probably right I just want to get what I pay for which isn’t happening right now. 

6 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Lol carnival has anytime dining down to a art. Push a button on my app and almost immediately it computer matches me to a table. First time on rcl I was appalled how bad rcl is at anytime and switched to early. I agree they are terrible at this. The whole pt of anytime dining the answer shouldn't be I need to schedule a time to avoid standing in line nightly.

 

Not that you want carnival but they do it well. 

 

I do read more and more about covid on ships, it's a risk you take. We have to agree to the risk or stay home. I'm taking time off myself. The hassle is getting to me.

Covid is a risk each individual cruiser must determine.  Royal can adjust to staff shortages if they desired. 

6 hours ago, cruisingator2 said:

 

Covid is not just a cruise line thing. It’s everywhere. It’s at your local Publix, Winn Dixie and Walmart. It’s at your local restaurants. What would you like for RCI to do? It’s not just cruise lines. It can be picked up anywhere and more than likely it’s being brought on board by guests. There is no way to keep it off ships. 
 

Labor shortages is not just a cruise line issue. We’re annual pass holders at Disneyland and right now they’re hurting big time with cast member shortages and it shows in some areas. Doesn’t make us happy but we deal with it because we understand the situation. Same situation when we go to the grocery store and selves are not stocked because they can’t get help to stock them. The list of examples goes on and on. 
 

Also, the same exact crew shortage that’s currently affecting RCI is affecting just about every other line. Add to that crew must test weekly and some test positive for Covid and must therefore quarantine. There’s no way to simply replace crew who must quarantine. Other crew members are forced to pick up the slack. It’s difficult for them right now. They work hard enough when things run normal. No, things are not back to pre Covid service levels and won’t be for a while. Every person should look at the current situation and decide if maybe it would be a good idea to hold off on cruising but Covid is not going anywhere anytime soon. We have to learn how to live with it. Sorry that you did not enjoy your cruise.

I have gone to land based restaurants where they cut hours  and lower the table count for waiters and waitresses.  The cruise lines should cut capacity until they can service all of their guests. 

It seems that a good portion of posts on Royal boards concerns Covid.  On my recently completed cruise on the Allure I read post after post on our Facebook page of more and more cruisers contacting Covid on our cruise. Royal are you listening?  On a unrelated note  until Royal fixes MTD I think I’ll switch cruise lines. On our recent cruise we ate in the main dining once due to chaos at the MTD DESK and lines a good fifty feet long. I go on vacation to relieve stress not add to it!

The Allure was once my favorite ship in Royals Fleet.  With MTD a mess and the general operation of the ship the worst I’ve seen of any ship   points to Management issues within the ships hierarchy.  

5 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

wow, solarium bistro does made to order omelets now? They didn't in 2019... My DH was very sad about it.

 

Back then we couldn't even get into the WJ - long lines and crowded. So, we went to the Solarium bistro and loved it, but they didn't do omelets.

My wife had them a couple of times.  They don’t advertise it just ask the person behind the buffet counter. 

7 hours ago, Lionesss said:

@smeck

You summed it up quite nicely.

 

I too was surprised that the WJ food was the best it ever was, we had breakfast and lunch there a few times.

 

It did not affect us, but I also heard that people had bar charges on their sea pass from drinks using their room number from the pool, so now you have to scrutinize you on going tab closer on the TV.

 

But I loved it the day the rain showered upon all the towels laying out on loungers.

 

Take care

 

We found the Solarium Bistro a GREAT alternative to the Windjammer for Breakfast. Much less crowded and a great selection from made to order omelets to French toast.  A hidden Gem. 

38 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I'm not on allure until dec and dont care if it's ever amped. I didnt like hearing the WJ has new uncomfortable furniture. 

 

I'm on grandeur right now and a cold front went thru and it's a little cool and been raining a lot today. No problem getting a chair lol. Pool is closed. 

 

I'm looking forward to allure and a bigger ship with better wifi and computerised. Gotta be better. 

Wi-Fi is very spotty. 

Embarkation:  A breeze no Issues, we had the Key (more about that later) basically walked right on. 
 

Cabin:  We had Cabin 9652 Oceanview Balcony.  We usually Cruise in a Junior suite  so we are use to a lot more space and Storage  we survived.  We scored a great deal on the cruise and couldn’t resist.  Everything was functional especially  in that small shower.  Our state room attendant was the best we ever had and added to our experience immensely. 
 

Food.  First the positive we loved Sorrentos and can’t believe I’m saying this, the Windjammer was probably the best of any of our many Royal Cruises. 
My time dining was a mess we went once and never went back we had reservations yet we had to wait in a line that was at least 25 deep.  I overheard many people complaining about the same thing it has to be fixed. The one time we did manage to get into the dining room the food was decent and the waitstaff excellent. 
Solarium Bistro. What a alternative to the Windjammer for Breakfast never to crowded and very good offerings once you try it The Windjammer for breakfast will be a thing of the past. 

The ship: The Allure was in pretty good shape but if definitely is in need of a Amplification. I really hate the new furniture in the Windjammer it looks cheap and not that comfortable. I wish they would get rid of those Coke Freestyle machines they’re always missing ice or the flavor you want.  
    When in the Amber theater I always felt warm and stuffy and the seats can use a little updating. 
Pool area:  the chair hogs were at it big time.  Unless Royal starts to crack down on the issue it will force everyone to adopt the same behavior. Soon people will be going out at midnight to lay claim to a chair. 
    One thing I want to mention, it may seem petty but at the time it really perturbed me.  After about a half hour of searching for a chair my wife and I found a a couple of spots against the rail. As soon as we sit down a Royal employee in housekeeping comes up and says we have to move we can’t block the rail incase someone needs to grab a rail.  At first blush that sounds pretty reasonable until I look to the left and see at least fifty chairs blocking a rail and people sunbathing, this was on both the Starboard and Port side of the ship.  We moved the chairs not wanting to make a fuss but I still don’t understand the difference between the rail we were blocking and the rail being blocked by at least fifty chairs, go figure rant over. 

COVID:  Covid was rampant on the ship all you heard wherever you went was coughing, I had friends who were quarantined and was told that they ran out of rooms and having them quarantine in there own cabin. I attribute the outbreak due to the ships being at compactly, no social distancing in the dining room and entertainment venues, in short a Petri dish of Covid. Plus in The Windjammer people serving themselves using the same utensils over and over again. 
 The Key: One word don’t. Very limited benefits a basic ripoff. 
 

Overall we had a good time but Royal needs to improve in certain areas to get back the cruise experience we enjoyed in years past. 

On 5/19/2022 at 10:06 AM, jmh2006 said:

On the Odyssey last February we were docked so that we had a better view of the Freewind's deck.  They put on quite a little show for us 🤣.

  Do yourself a favor and google  firewind cruise ship you will find some scary stuff. 

On 5/20/2022 at 10:06 AM, Lionesss said:

Some random thoughts. 
 

very few children/kids/pre adults on this sailing

 

food has been good MDR:IZUMI/CK

 

drinks seem to have adequate measured or free pour in some bars. 
 

Amber theatre shows EXCELLENT 

 

air conditioner in CLS  keeping us comfy

 

cabin attendant doing great job  towel animals every day 

 

again the WIFI BAD. 

 

getting smoked out in casino. BAD. Even though smoking permitted on one side it Carrie’s over. 
 

waiters doing excellent job getting drinks. Only one day poolside was spotty before noon. 
 

Now I have not lived at pool but some towels seem to have permanent residency on loungers and nothing being done. 
 

once again not a great presence of security. Unless there in plain clothes. 
 

I cannot believe how clean the ship is. And on going wiping down of everything and every where. 
 

the elevators have been painful. Cannot understand why it takes forever to have one come to the 16 th of 17 th level. 
and when they do. There empty. 
 

ok

 

layer. 

 

 We were on the Indy this past March, the elevators on this ship is much quicker 

12 minutes ago, Ptroxx said:

True you can go to another line.   But you may get even worse service. 
everyone’s under staffed.  Just sayin.  GL 

If understaffed they shouldn’t go to full capacity. 

Had my time dining reservation for 6:45 tonight what a mess.  Lines around the corner.  I think they went to full capacity to quick and are not adequately prepared.   Also the barbecue at Labadee was worst than terrible. They cut  out many items and couldn’t keep up with demand.  On a positive note dinner in the Windjammer has never been better. In general I think Royal has some work to do and until they do I may have to expand my horizons with the only power I have my wallet.  

I’m on the same cruise as you and I was more than disappointed with the regular buffet.  First they couldn’t keep up with demand had to wait ten minutes for Dry corn on the cob, the horror.  The buffet was greatly reduced only Hot Dogs which they couldn’t keep up with demand, chicken, and burgers.  Dessert only consisted of a chocolate pound cake, fruit and a coconut maroon.  From 1 to 10 a -10 shame on you Royal.  I cannot not believe it’s the same company that gave us Coco Cay.  Sadly in the future if I’m on a itinerary that includes Labadee I’ll stay on the ship.  Royal surely disappointed. 

We’ll be on the same cruise my wife Lisa and me Mark.  Hopefully we’ll meet up sometime during the cruise. 

I believe much of the inconsistency people complain about could be attributed to crew changes.  One week you had great food and another week not so much, the previous exec. Chef might of gone on vacation.  

On 5/5/2022 at 6:18 PM, charlesspinney said:

Myself and brother are long time passengers of Royal Caribbean.   During the pandemic we took advantage of the excellent fairs for transatlantic crossing and booked grand suite cabins on the May 6th crossing from Tampa to Barcelona.   We were booked on the Serenade of the Seas.   Yesterday we received an email from Royal Caribbean saying our cruise was canceled!  They gave us three options.  The first was to rebook on a cruise to Baltimore,  Maryland on the Vision of the Seas.  The second was to book any other cruise,  but pay any difference in fair. The third was to refund our deposit. 

We looked to rebook and discovered our ship, Serenade of the Seas,  was sailing from Miami to Copenhagen on the same dates.  Why were we canceled?  We liked this itinerary much better!  I tried to book but all Grand Suites were sold out and Junior Suites were twice the cost we paid for our Grand Suite. 

I called Royal Caribbean and spent three hours talking to a half a dozen different agents,  half said they were supervisors.   Only the three options stood.   Most of the agents I talked to didn't know where Baltimore was and couldn't relate to my reasoning that we were not being offered another transatlantic cruise. 

All I can say, goodbye Royal Caribbean,  never again. 

Now booked on the Epic.

Good luck on the Epic not a well designed ship, I hated it!!

4 hours ago, pinnacle_king2023 said:

i hope pinnacles will have access to hideaway beach

We all will have access no pinnacle snobbery at Coco Cay

What sucks if you have a late arrival time scheduled to board you can get screwed out of a show how fair is that?

You would have better luck infiltrating the CIA than finding out how Royal prices liquor packages. 

Ship acts as your hotel when in port overnight, 24 hour access.  In my opinion it’s the cheapest way to do Bermuda.