rjrpar

So, for a long time, I was a 'specialty restaurant every night' guy. But after our Oasis cruise in August, I think I am now an MDR convert. We did MDR six of the seven nights and it absolutely exceeded our expectations. One night, when our group shrunk from twelve to six due to teens getting into other activities, I decided to head to Chops. I was SO DISAPPOINTED! The steaks were okay, but nothing great. I would have expected better from the most basic local joint at home. The sides? Well, they brought small dished of EVERY side and totally filled the table. All it did was underscore the fact that they're all premade and sitting under heat lamps in the kitchen.

 

 

 

I used to really like Chops, but now, at least in my experience, it was a pale reflection of what it once was. If it was free, I honestly would still have chosen the MDR.

 

 

 

Did I have an uncharacteristically poor experience? What have others experienced lately?

Totally agree. We don’t bother to go there anymore

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Oh........One other thing you may find helpful....... unlike NCL the Royal Caribbean cruise line has a VERY FORMAL DINNING EXPERIENCE. Yes evening gowns, full suits, and tuxedos are not out of the norm. The first night they are a little relaxed because of the luggage situation and the muster drill etc etc etc. I always dress smart casual for boarding and that's usually good enough to enter the first night:)

Why would you post this? This is not true and almost everyone knows it. The dress code is never enforced, except possibly swimwear and tank tops.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We went to the cab stand and asked the dispatcher for a “private cab for 4 hours this past February. No problem, he hooked us us with a driver almost immediately and charged us $160+tip. She drove us anywhere we wanted. Nice day, saw the effects of the storm.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Agree, lack of a decent burger is mystifying. They should learn from Carnival

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

San Francisco is not what it was 15 years ago; homelessness and filth everywhere.

I can’t see your image - it’s showing as a broken link for me. But, yes, the $1,600 is for 2 people. And of course it’s all subjective to what one defines as a “deal,” ha.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

$230 per day for a balcony is a good deal. May not be the deal everyone is looking for but good nevertheless

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

My first cruise will be on the Oasis August 19th and I’m already being nickel and dimed before setting foot onboard. Here is the situation...I have a medical letter so I can waive the drink package well 2 phone reps have tried to convince me to get the regular drink package and I’ve had to explain yet again no soft drinks and I have to avoid sugar so I wouldn’t get my monies worth. They then press on telling me I really need to purchase it even though my balcony cabin comes with a soda package that I won’t use. I’m just so annoyed that I’ve spent all this money on this vacation and they are relentless before I even step on the ship. Is there anyone to voice these concerns to at Royal? I’m getting a bad feeling about how it’s going to be once we’re on the ship. Am I being set up for a week long sales pitch?!?:confused:

I would stop looking for problems and enjoy your cruise.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The reason I started the thread is the constant bashing of the MDR food. The specialty restaurants sound good but I don’t know if they are worth the upcharge. I’ve always enjoyed having the same servers for the week and reading some posts, it’s almost like you’re better off in the Windjammer for dinner.

Could have fooled me.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

True, but I think the demographic is changing. Younger top tier travelers are not going to find a crowded lounge and well drinks to be a reason to maintain any sort of brand loyalty. I certainly don't feel any brand loyalty for that. I just wonder if it's a missed opportunity.

I generally agree with your point but don’t fool yourself that many young top tier travelers take cruises.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Sillouete was the last ship we sailed on and it is a beautiful ship. I am not brand loyal to any line, but I have to say the food and service is awesome. Thy are a cut above other lines in those areas. They honored my Platinum status from RCCl.

Not our experience, have been on the Eclipse twice and never had a meal that we would consider better than standard mass market cruise quality. Service and the overall experience are a little better but not the food.

I really wish people would stop spreading false info. This is not true in any way for the refreshment package that the op is talking about.

And you have never been wrong?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Best thing is what we do , do not travel in summer or spring breaks or holidays,also take longer cruises, last cruise was a music charter on celebrity adults only, I think celebrity or Hal would be better since they do not have all the features kids might like .

Great response, cuising during the school sessions reduces the number of kids by 80-90%, its a no brainer. Longer cruises also help. This applies to every cruise line. We have been on about 15 cruises and never had a problem with kids, very low numbers and well behaved.

On our last night on Adventure, need to top out.. . We did already prepay our gratuities.

 

 

 

We are a party of 6 and have had tremendous service from these two gentlemen.. What is an acceptable amount to give? Someone in my party wants to give a hundred to each of them. Is that over the top? I'm just trying to justify spending more on tips than the prepaid grats.....

 

 

 

Thanks!

Do what you think is right. Tipping is a personal decision.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Okay, this is probably going to open a can of worms, but I'd love to see if I could just get an answer. For the past four or five years, I've pretty much only dined in specialty restaurants on Royal, which have GENERALLY been resort casual every night. I no longer bring a coat, dress shirt or tie. My evening attire is khakis and a golf shirt or a Tommy Bahama shirt.

 

Next cruise, there are twelve of us, so we're sticking to the MDR. Am I going to have a problem any night in that attire?

There really is no dress code on Royal any longer. Some pretend there is but it’s wishful thinking

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Is Europe less formal than the Caribbean?

 

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

The Caribbean is not formal, so the answer is no

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Had a blast on the sailing to Bermuda with DW and the kids, though her and I reminisced a bit on our past trips with formal night dinners, specialty restaurants, and being able to float as we pleased without the kids (trying not to make it sound horrible!).

 

 

 

Anniversary is coming up in September and I wanted to surprise her with a quick trip - just the two of us.

 

 

 

In Laws have no problem watching our boys for an extended weekend (Friday - Monday).

 

 

 

I'm sure we can find some cheap airfare, and I'm having our TA look into it.

 

 

 

The question I have is - has anyone that lived in the Midwest (or far enough away from a port) found it worth a quick 3 night cruise just to get away? (I know that a lot of it is subjective, and it's all on what you want to spend... but I'm still curious about others' input!)

Never would do it

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Adventure....

 

Better Price

Better Itinerary

Better Ship

 

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

Agree, easy decision

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

After 30+ ocean cruises, we took our first Danube river cruise last month. We both loved it.

Now my wife refuses to go on our next Caribbean cruise, so I'm taking my Mom instead. She now wants to book the Rhine river cruise for the end of the year instead.

So comparing the two very cruising experience we're wondering what's the very slim or no chance that the mass cruise ship lines may adopt some of the unique river cruise practices that we prefer:

- no kids

- walking tours included in each port

- alcohol served at lunch & dinner

- small intimate ships

- etc...

 

We know, ocean & river cruising are two completely different experiences. But for the few of us who now has grown children, who now wants the convenience & enjoyment of a cruise lines we've known for years, but with a new experience. Of course it will cost more, but we'll save on the airfare & inconvenience of flying to Europe or Asia, included walking tour excursions (or included transfers to the beach at each port) & included one or two alcoholic drinks at lunch & dinner (not all day alcohol) will negate some/most of the higher fare.

Please no flames from you hard-core ocean cruisers defending the status quo, since we used to be one once too...

Try Viking or Oceania - about the same price as river cruising.

Also, I don't think that most river cruises ban kids or that ocean cruise lines don't serve liquor with lunch or dinner. It comes down to $$$

We were there once about 4 years ago and booked an independent tour on 4-wheelers and it was great. Going back next February and are planned nh on s beach day st Rainbow beach

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The food is what it is. It's mass produced, cafeteria/banquet food. If you're going expecting land based restaurant quality, you're going to be disappointed. You can always find something decent. But don't mistake this for anything close to high end eating. It's grub for the masses.

Good summary of cruise ship food

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

For us the MDR experience was subpar, poor service and fair food.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Looking at booking a cruise, we've done Allure, Oasis and Harmony so are used to the bigger ships.

 

But our favourite itinerary is on Serenade of the Seas, on the website the ship looks great, but what are your personal views on the ship?

 

Probably looking at staying in an ocean view room, person I'm with happy to lounge by the pool most the day, I get a little bored and love activities etc.

 

 

 

My next question is having only sailed during September + October (yup hurricane season) what's March like in the Southern Caribbean? Obviously you can never predict the weather all that much but is it generally smooth? I get super sea sick and have thankfully never been affected during hurricane season.

Been to the Caribbean 20 times in January-March and the weather is beautiful. Probably 2 days of rain in over a hundred days

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

There seem to be mixed reports on the condition of Orient Beach. We will be there for the day end of June and would appreciate some valid information.

Orient beach is still in bad shape. I wouldn’t go there other than to see the devastation. It is a real shame

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We will dock in St Thomas for 9 hours in February. We have never been to either or any USVI. Have always wanted to go to St John. Advice on what we should do for the day, We love laying on the beach, quirky little beach bars but think we should see a little of the islands too. Any advice on how to spend the day, suggestions. How does one differ from the other? Should we focus on 1 or try to see both? Not really fan of group guided tours

 

Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated

 

TIA

I would focus on St. Thomas. St John is noted for nice beaches but not much else to do there.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

This has been addressed multiple times, just search down a page or two. I think people get tired of answering this same question

Sent from my iPhone using Forums