Crism

My favorites, in order:

Symphony for Flight and Hairspray.

Harmony for Columbus.

Allure for Mama Mia.

I'm hoping they do this shortly. I'll swap to the Oasis TA!

Rhapsody is Captain Phil. I'll get more info when I can. Just started a cruise or two ago

Onboard Rhapsody now from Colon/Cartagena. I embarked in Colon. Lots and lots of Spanish (music, people, etc) but everything you need to know is also broadcast in English. Most activities they can get away with a both unless it says Spanish or English only. Tours the same way.

I've only been onboard for 2 days, but she's in great shape. LOTS of first/second time cruisers. I love the Southern Caribbean itinerary so this was an easy pick. Plus I got a great deal on it.

Mickey Martin (was Freedom) took over 3/16 on Rhapsody from Colon.

We are having this issue this cruise. Diamond Plus cannot dine in Silver, and it's practically empty. Giant oversight on behalf of onboard management, and we're trying to fight it.

9 hours ago, little britain said:

The time has come to set off for MBS cruise terminal and board this ship which is different from the rest of the RCI fleet!

It’s only a 5n cruise but the following one is 12n so I am expecting a lot more westerners than usual, a lot of b2bs and a lot of Pinnacles! 

Only 9 nights on the trip after 😭. I wish it was 12! They've already chopped off one of our Vietnam ports due to engine work/max speed.

3 minutes ago, Badatz2 said:

From what terminal is the Serenade leaving from today

 

G

We were on the Odyssey TA this year. Seen the book many times. The lead guy was the worst we've ever seen. Couldn't keep a tune and his mic wasn't loud enough (thankfully). Rest of the show was great as always!

Just did the water park yesterday. The water slides and wave pool are NOT heated. Water slides did a number on my back though. They're NOT smooth, and you get a bump every section of the slide you pass through.

It was fun, but I won't be doing it again.

Feb 10 Allure, Miami to Barcelona, 12 night just popped up but showing closed for booking. Stops in Cartagena and Valencia.

Hopefully Bill Brunkhorst is off to retirement. He didn't host any of the fun activities on Voyager and was excruciatingly boring and monotone. Ken Jones is similar.

That said....Clo is the absolute BEST. She's joined by Susan Adams, Ricky Matthews, Talita Leoni, Mickey, and Tanya. Lots of personality and FUN.

She's very nice and pleasant...just a little stiff and hasn't let loose yet. It's a WELCOME face compared to Ken Jones or old Bill B (Voyager). They're monotone and excruciatingly boring.

I really haven't gotten that feeling, but I totally understand. It's the little things that add up.

Wifi has been hit or miss this afternoon, but it seems to have improved.

I do find the beer and wine selection extremely repetitive and fatiguing after a week or so. Thankfully Greenland and St Johns broke that up. I've found the bars that have the "good" wines over the standard stock.

Shows have been good! Beatles tonight...I went, but I'm just not a fan of it. Comedian was a riot last night. I LOVE dry humor. Etta May is hit or miss. This guy is better for my taste. I love all the production cast shows regardless of ship. They work their butts off!

Personal small things? We've been trying to dodge a certain passenger who insists on talking to us every waking moment of the day....so that hasn't been great looking over our shoulders all day the last few days. It's fun at first to catch up, but enough is enough after a bit.

There's no Parmesan cheese for late night pizza. 

We had a bad experience attempting the dining room on Night 2 which has only confirmed my hatred for the new menus and way they're doing things there. Windjammer for life now. They've totally ruined it for me.

They had a coffee station similar to outside Windjammer set up outside the dining room on the TA this year. It's gone now. Sometimes I just don't want an Americano or Latte from the cafe and just want straight up Royal coffee. It's usually pretty good! (It's a hike to go get it from the room and I sleep in)

Kat the CD is good and pleasant, but she seems a little...rigid. I'm sure she'll come out of her shell with more experience. Definitely lots of potential!

I know the Windjammer manager from previous sailings. Great guy! Food selection hasn't been bad, but a few of the extras that some of the chefs do haven't been present. Garlic oil, chili oil daily, etc. The head chef on the TA was AWESOME. Just a difference in staff.

Chops and Izumi were fabulous! Definitely the 2 best meals onboard!

Staff has been pretty good. I know a few of the bartenders from previous cruises. Stateroom guy is pleasant and does a decent job.

Wifi has been good around the ship EXCEPT the theatre. Don't bother. We got lucky and have decent service in our cabin this time.

On the TA this past April I had an "add on" interior cabin right next to the centrum. While it was close to everything, I swear it was covered in lead. The only wifi service was next to the cabin door. This "old" room midship on deck 4 has been great.

The HD, Angel (who is great), commented that she should get a full wifi revamp in April on her dry dock. Jewel has still been MUCH better than Radiance (complete disaster for wifi in January) and Grandeur (old girl who needs new access points)....so compared, even with the complaining, she's been awesome!

(And yes, NOT CAPPED, WOOHOO!)

1 hour ago, Blue Eyed Belfast Belle said:

Currently onboard Serenade and Ken Jones is not wowing me. His morning shows are boring, he doesnt interact much (only seen his twice around the ship outside shows and games). The Acitivites Team are carrying the load.

 

I have heard that Joff will be taking over as CD for the World Cruise.

Totally agree. No personality 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we simply skip Halifax and keep going. It'd be a huge bummer to miss Greenland. I doubt they'd send us to the Caribbean though.

1 hour ago, Jimbo said:

From what category to what category? Was this a Royal up change?

No change in category. Booked an interior guarantee and landed in a 3V on Deck 3 Aft a long ways down the hall. I've been looking to change cabins for 2 months, and 2 3Vs finally opened up yesterday! Deck 8 forward or Deck 4 mid-ship.

We decided on Deck 4 mid-ship in case there is motion as my travel partner is sometimes sensitive to it. Can't beat the location right between Centrum floor (far enough away from the noise) and forward stairs (gym in the morning, etc).

On this cruise too! Can't wait! The Faceybooky group is WILD. So much speculation, it's almost entertaining to see what is posted next.

Good news is there were a few cancels already, and I snagged a sweet new cabin!

Grandeur is rough, Radiance in January was rough (Starlink but the wifi routers onboard couldn't handle the speed...it was BAD), Voyager was fine as long as you weren't in your cabin. Jewel is fine depending on your cabin with common areas being fine. Freedom is fine overall.

Newer ships, better wifi router placement.

I've never seen a Top Tier in Studio B.  That's awesome!

Off Brilliance last month. The walk in Juneau isn't bad if you walk fast. It was a bit dreary the day I was there so my feet were definitely wet afterwards. The shuttle had a huge line when I got off so if you can be down and ready when the open the gangway, you'll have a better chance.

Freedom's coming to FLL and doing 7 nights next year. I wonder where he'll go. I've seen him around onboard chatting with passengers. Seems like a nice guy but we never spoke.

Definitely leftover bug in the app!

Booked waterpark and Coco Beach Club in November/December and prices are DOUBLE on the Icon inaugural sailing. Insanity.