tomika75

I had the UDP on Indy a few weeks ago & had to fight to not pay an extra fees to dine at Izumi Hibachi. They originally tried to charge $14 more per person, and stated that because of the $35 threshold that lunch would be fully covered. The website now states that the Hibachi will be $10 extra per guest and added to your bill, and that Playmakers is now at a $20 limit. Forgot about trying Fish & Chips though... 

You would probably better off purchasing a dining package, because unfortunately, the specialty dining prices are typical for Royal 😕

I have not sailed other lines for comparison, but I agree with you. My Liberty sailing had some seemingly disinterested employees in my opinion. They seemed to be all over the ship, too, maybe they were homesick, tired, etc.  I'm not sure what the issues were, but it was very distracting.

I ran into a lady that worked the MDR on my first sailing, that I never saw a smile from at any time. I notice that a lot of staff do not speak in the hallways unless spoken to as well. Met one perfect room attendant on Anthem, and a host of forgettable ones.

I haven't seen them for my November sailing, and the beach beds didn't show up until recently. I don't know what they are doing over there...🤔

I prefer specialty dining, but when in the MDR, I always look forward to the short ribs, lamb chops & jerk chicken.

Not too impressed with dessert selections (very picky eater), so I just go with ice cream & the cheesecake

Last year on Liberty, the bartenders swiped our cards at first, but stopped after a while. This was at multiple bars, with different bartenders but we were sitting there with them for a while. Some would just look at the sea pass card, and give a disregarding wave. On Jewel this year, our cards were always swiped.  It appears that it varies by ship. The same thing with a receipt, some will give you a receipt while others did not. But to the OP's question, I could get 2 drinks & 2 waters using both cards at any bar.

Thank you, the word was misspelled I see

I read it more than once, which is why I asked. Thank you.

21 hours ago, jetta8300 said:

-The clientele is definitely not the classiest.  Sorry.  (ex. I didn't see a single soul bother to dress up for formal night. PJ's at dinner, etc.)  This will differ by ship/port/itinerary, but tends to be true overall. 

 

What is a single soul brother?

21 hours ago, jetta8300 said:

I think everyone should try a different line.  We have been on Royal 2x, Norwegian 1x, and Carnival 3x, with a Royal Cruise booked for next year.

 

Honestly, Carnival cruises are not my favorite.  But we will sail Carnival if the price and itinerary is right.  We have never experienced an overly rowdy crowd on a carnival cruise.  No more or less kids than Royal, and we never saw people outrageously drunk.   A few things though having just sailed carnival recently on their "newest and best" ship, the Horizon.

 

First the BAd:

-The buffet food variety is HORRIBLE.  There are like 8 choices and they are the same at every single station, and there were virtually zero desserts.  It was bizarre.

-The entertainment shows are not up to par with any of the other lines, especially Royal. Not even close.

- There really isn't the "wow factor" to the ships like there is with Royal.

-The clientele is definitely not the classiest.  Sorry.  (ex. I didn't see a single soul bother to dress up for formal night. PJ's at dinner, etc.)  This will differ by ship/port/itinerary, but tends to be true overall. 

- The balcony in the regular balcony rooms is very small.  (narrow).

 

A Few things we like about Carnival:

There alcoholic drinks are very very good.  Like excellent.

The rooms are very nice and you can get a suite/much bigger room on carnival for the price of a regular RCI room

The OTHER free food options (besides to buffet) are VERY good.  Guy's Burgers, Blue Iguana, etc.

The specialty restaurants are excellent, just like the other lines.  And the MDR food is no better or worse

Their kids clubs have been unbelievably amazing

Their movies under the stars every night are our favorite.  They do them every night with blankets and popcorn

 

We found Norwegian to be more similar overall to Royal.  However their alcoholic beverages are HORRIBLE... premade watered down drinks accros the board due to Norwegian's "free drink package" .

 

 

I never had a problem with getting my price adjusted prior to final payment. Of course, they try to sell their usual add-ons, but that's about it.

40 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

  Don't get too excited for the Oasis itinerary unless you like Florida and the Bahamas.  The prices are more than what I am paying for a 9 day itinerary on the Anthem this year.  Also Anthem is designed for cold weather cruises . I'm not sure how the first and last days in November will be on Oasis.

Oh, I understand the Cape Liberty routine sailings; I was interested in the pricing comparison for a little variety. I sail Anthem only because it's Anthem, and the prices are excellent, relatively speaking. I don't need to get off at the Bahamas & Florida ports at all.

3 hours ago, Lily2006 said:

Im so glad the Oasis is coming to NJ 2020. I have been on the Anthem 5 times and love the additional choice

But Anthem had the best value, although the itineraries were ehh.... I would have sailed Anthem a lot regardless, it's a great ship. I will have to check out the prices to see if we will venture back to NJ for Oasis.

French toast for breakfast, Tutti salad bar for lunch, beef short ribs or rack of lamb for dinner-all MDR. And I'm starting a love affair with Giovanni's 😍

We prefer MTD for the flexibility of port days, theater shows, naps, etc. I don't care to be so regimented while on vacation.

I was on there 2 weeks ago, and they had Jumanji (the newer one with The Rock) and the more recent Mission Impossible movie. I brought my cruise compasses back but cannot put my hands on them now, to see the other movies offered, although it was only a 5 nighter.  Hope this helps...

We were on Anthem (8 Night)a little over a year ago, and my husband won't stop talking about her to every passenger on every cruise we have sailed since. Glad to know that you had a great time as well.

I always try to get back on earlier than most of the other cruisers, to not have to deal with the lines, possibly enjoy some areas of the ship with less people on it, etc.  But I still wonder what actually happens to the ones that miss the ship, like in reality.

If you have a suite, do they not have the kettle in the cabin? That's been my experience, but I have not yet been on the Oasis class yet...

We were offered up to 40% off when doing the BOGO on Jewel. This was by both waiters in Giovanni's & Chop's. 

I'll be sailing on Indy in November. We were on Liberty last April and enjoyed the ship, but the crew were very ho-hum. It was difficult to find anyone with energy. I hope that her sister will have a happier crew. 

I booked while on board the Jewel a little over a week ago and the price difference is exactly $300 less with $100 OBC, and currently the OBC is $400-the sale is basically the same (at least for my cruise) in reference to pricing for the stateroom.