BoyntonBeth

Had dinner with him on EN last night!:):rolleyes:

He's not gone. Still with RC. New assignment as HD before long.

Robert is on EN for a few weeks.

Joff posted some photos on Twitter of him and his wife onboard Quantum this week. He was also onboard before the transatlantic.

 

I have info from a reliable source that he is covering Allure from Jan 18 - March 1, and then going over to Anthem to prepare for its takeout.

 

Unless the Allure info has changed, he might just be onboard Quantum to do some "research" for Anthem?

 

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Joff was on when both ships were in St Maarten. I spoke with him at the Plaques and Keys event. He was only visiting for a few hours.

Enchantment is still on the spread sheet https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...#gid=371892551

Actually, EN concierge (D/D+/PC) is not on the spreadsheet. EN Diamond concierge is.:eek:

I really want Splendor to come, I know it is the smallest but I am impressed with the renovation. Plus there is mini golf. I could see Royal completing the set, first they had Radiance then Jewel then Brilliance.

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Wouldn't it be Serenade to "complete the set"?

Thank you for posting here.

 

This is interesting. Rich is already scheduled to be on Grandeur at that time.

 

I wonder which is accurate?

Donna,

We have no idea which is correct - as usual!:eek: My information last week was directly from Rich in an email on July 30, but that was a week ago.

I guess it must be confusing for them also!

Just off VI this morning. Efren (DL concierge) left for vacation. I understand that a GS officer from a Freedom class ship will be arriving today, but he has no concierge experience.

FWIW, the drinks-on-card system seems to be working well. I only used it once - last night at the Flag Parade. When my drink was delivered, there was no receipt. I asked for one, and the waiter was surprised. He actually asked me if I wanted to tip, but he asked in surprise, not as if he was asking me to tip!

Donna,

Heard from Rich today. He's on FR until Aug 10. He didn't give me an exact date for GR. Sorry.

Donna, we really enjoyed Ken Jones on our March thru April 27th ROS sailings. We will be on the SOS Oct 19th 2015 so would love to see him there but doubt it will happen.

 

Gay

ROS? RD? RH?

SOS? SP? SR?

:confused::confused:

Trudy and I seem to be in the minority. I meant to post here yesterday but forgot to as I was still catching up with what I missed while I was away.

I was on VI b2b2b recently and posted a few comments on another thread where people were concerned about VI.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=43242798&postcount=179

There are too many people who have gotten more and more demanding over the years. I wouldn't object if they stayed home or switched to another cruise line or even a land vacation.

OTOH, I find the service to be improving. Sure there are bumps along the way, but stop examining things under a miscroscope. Go with the flow, literally, and make lemonade when you have to.

(Soapbox off!)

Ban may have been there but just sick or at a meeting. It could have been the stf cpt being master for a week. I was told the rotation would be 5-31.

Capt Srecko was in Miami for a few days at a special meeting w/several Miami staff and captains. I understand it was very intense. Lots of changes?

He reportedly flew from Coz to Miami and then went back to the ship 2 or 3 days later.

Got off BR May 14. Clo said because her son is 7 yo she doesn't want to spend too much time away from home at a time. She has an arrangement to have 8-week assignments w/her family boarding for a while in the middle.

When I was on VI in March, Capt Srecko said he'd be on until May 31.

Also, got off BR this am and heard that Capt Per would be on OA in June. However, info was not first hand.

Beth explained that quite well! I thought all the menus were the same as usual. I usually throw the daily compasses away before we get off the ship' date=' so I don't have any to share. Sorry.[/size']

 

Beth.....I would like to hear more about your experiences!!

Jane,

As usual, you and I pretty much agree.

I spent one week with each of the Captains - planned it that way. The only bad thing about them is that Capt Srecko does his table at 9pm and we didn't finish until 11. Way too late for me!

Jose and Pablo (Loyalty) took great care of me - as usual. Same for Ron (F&B), Jennifer (maitre d' for Specialty restaurants), her husband Alex (Izumi mgr), and seemingly the entire Izumi staff - remember I'm the "godmother" of Izumi. I really missed seeing Rico, even though Carlos did a great job - it's just that Rico and I go back several years. GSM DeDe was new to me and she's a blast! HD Sanjay was very busy, so we didn't have much of a reunion. Spent a little more time w/Efrem in D lounge this time and a little less time in CL, even though I knew Butcher from before.

One new shining star was the CL bar waiter on the first week. Karlo, from Bosnia, is so much better than the others. It's his first contract, and I'm sure they'll be moving him up quickly.

It's funny. You ask about experiences, and all my comments are about people. That's what it's all about on Vision class ships!!! Yaaaaayyy!!

:D:cool:

Maybe be a silly question, but my wife brought this up and it got my attention.

 

We are going on this b2b cruise next week and one of the main reasons I love to cruise is the food. Love to eat! My question is: This is being labeled as a "Cultural Enriching Experience" Cruise (or something like that). Our TA explained that one of the themes are that we will be eating food from the countries that we visit.

 

That is great and I always like to try new foods. However, can I still expect to have some steak, shrimp, lobster, and pound of bacon in the morning?

 

My wife suggested that I should not be surprised if all the foods are authentic to the country.

 

Lastly, any daily bulletins (not sure what they are called ) out there for this cruise that go over the daily activities?

 

Any help will be great.

 

Thank you!!!

I was on VI b2b March 8 and 15 and I think the Immersion has been unduly overemphasized. The most obvious difference is that English is not the first language for the announcements.

Depending on the specific demographics (and it did change between the 2 weeks), you'll see cultual differences in the passengers but not really in the cruise experience. Some groups gather near the elevators, etc., and just seem to be visiting there. Family groups (read that as large) are louder than others.

The show on the first day was Spanish only, but only that one show. There was a meeting for English-speaking passengers on the first morning, before arriving in Cartegena to help make us feel more comfortable. I felt it was unnecessary, especially since all crew members dealing with passengers speak English.

The most important thing to watch out for is the Shore Excursions. Make sure you book English ones!!

Finally, regarding the food, I was quite surprised to see the regular menus!

It's a great ship with a great crew, so you made a great choice!:D

Joff has an established pattern of 4 months on the ship, and 2 months break. So, after a two month break that begins in mid-September, he should be returning to Indy in mid-November for 4 months. As soon as the exact dates are known, I will update the list.

 

He will likely continue in this pattern until mid-to-late summer 2015, and then move on to preparing for the take-out of Anthem.

Donna,

You're doing such a great job maintaining this list that I am reluctant to correct you :eek: but this is one of your very rare lapses!

Unless I missed a rather major announcement when I was on OA last week, I believe that Anthem will start sailing in the spring of 2015 and move to Florida in the fall. ;)

Gina.....glad you got everything squared away with Eric. He's a nice guy. I think he did not understand much that we said' date=' but we got along OK! Can't wait to hear about your trip.[/size']

 

Beth.....safe travels. you should be all packed!!

Does thinking about packing count at all?:eek:

We board on Saturday. DH just got off the phone with Eric. Thank you for helping up with that. All arrangements are made in Spanish. If you managed with English with him, you are really good. :)

 

Gina

Gina,

It's been awhile since we were on the same ship. Are you b2b also? Where are you staying?

See you Saturday. Or, maybe even tomorrow.

Jane,

The timing of your review is perfect. Really helps to get me ready to fly to PTY on Friday. And, as usual, I'm really enjoying your insights.

You probably won't be finished before I leave, so I'll have to find some free wifi to follow you for my last minute pointers!

Were you on the inside in Curacao both times? That makes such a difference. Probably the only thing I didn't like in Curacao was having to walk to get to the place where I wanted to walk.

Anyone know her schedule? Will she be on Vision in May? Just wondering since it seems like everyone really loves her.. :)

I copied this from the 'Current Captains Con't' thread

Vision OTS - Capt Lis Lauritzen (started rotation 1-4-14)

Vision OTS - Capt Felix Shrecko Ban

 

While I hope she is still on for the last sailing from Panama in late April, I think they do 10 or 12 week rotations, which would mean she would not be. I am really disappointed to miss her again, if that is the case.

Lis will go on vacation a week from Saturday, March 15. Srecko will be on for 10 weeks. I planned this b2b to spend a week with each of them.:cool:

Hey Beth! Great hearing from you! Betsy has just gone on vacation and Gustavo will be in the CL for your sailing. He is usually in the DL. And yes....the CL hours are adjusted. I believe they are from 6-9. Believe me......you will be treated royally on the Vision!!

 

I love your analogy of the Vision being old broken in shoes. That's just perfect!

I know I'll be treated royally. I was on both TransAtlantics last year. On the return trip (immediately after the revite drydock), I was #3 and cut the ribbon to open Izumi, the 3rd specialty restaurant. That is one of my most memorable cruise experiences!

Great review so far Jane, I'm really looking forward to the rest of it. ...Did you get to meet Capt Srecko Ban? Btw, who was CD?

 

I'm really glad you mentioned the crew in this manner... I couldn't agree more on this ship. And I love the comment from the other CC'er regarding Vision Class ships being like an old comfortable pair of shoes you can never get rid of because they are so awesome!! lol. Perfect analogy:p

I don't think Jane met Capt Srecko. He's scheduled back on March 15. I intentionally booked March 8 and 15 b2b to spend a week with each of the 2 Masters. Great team.

And, yes, Jane, please tell us about the CD(s).

Oh.....you will absolutely love this cruise. One of the best we have taken in a long time. Great itinerary. You can have the big ships!!!! This ship's size is just perfect. We enjoy ourselves on the big ships' date=' but on this ship.....we were made to feel so special. Everyone knew who we were and called us by name. I don't recall a friendlier crew. All the ships are great, but this one was really special!![/size']

Jane,

Great to see you here again, but it would have been better in person. It's been awhile since SR out of SJU.

Anyway, I agree with you. Vision class is by far my favorite class. It's like a pair of old, broken-in shoes which I refuse to throw away. I consider these ships much more manageable than the big boys! Plus, the crews are great throughout the VI class.

As evidence of sharing your opinion, I'm flying to PTY this Friday and I'll be on VI for 2 weeks.

Two questions, if I may, both about the CL. Is Gustavo Butcher there, or DL, or still on vacation? 2nd, with dinner so late have they adjusted the CL hours?

Looking forward to your next installment. Hope to see you soon.

Boynton Beth emailed me that Rico DuBreil is no longer with RCI, she'll be on VI soon and will report who the CD is.

When do you think she'll know?

I'm on LG til 2/24. I'll fly to PTY on 3/07 and will board the next day for b2b.

Info has been confirmed by multiple sources but I don't know if it's temporary. Stay tuned.

Boyntonbeth- Where did you get your information that deployment info will be realeased in late Feb, please?

On Oasis recently.

Beth has some very good and knowledgeable sources of information about Royal Caribbean, but it is also the usual time when new deployment schedules begin to be released, so at the very least it is a good, educated guess.

Thanks, Bill. You know that my lips are sealed!:eek: Hi to Rita.