ggo85

I’d describe main entertainment as more cabaret than production show. A couple of (decent) singers, maybe 2 dancers. Not the production shows on RCL or X. For us, the downside is no alternative groups. There is usually a violin or piano player. Talented, but music to slit your wrists to. Probably a trio, but IMHO, OK but not great. You don’t choose SS for entertainment. Just saying.

Consider ship vs. ports and overall experience. We looked at X for Japan but are doing Silversea. We recently did HING Kong to Singapore on SS and loved it. The smaller ship means less competition in port. Also, smaller ships are often able to dock closer to the city. It’s a trade off with the advantages of large ships, such as entertainment, etc. I think you’ll find smaller ships tend to call in Japan.

I’ve never sailed Disney, but disagree that it’s the casinos. Crystal, a luxury line, just relaunched without casinos. Took them out. They obviously decided that they could make more money in other ways. Silversea, another luxury line, has casinos not much larger than an average cabin. And it’s almost always empty. There as a courtesy but not bringing in significant revenue. The prices on these lines isn’t much higher than Disney, and could at times be lower. Whether a casino is popular on a ship depends a lot on the demographics. I’ve been on cruises where casino is always empty and those when it’s packed at all hours. Disney is a for-profit company. It is great at marketing and offers things not found on other lines. As long as people are willing to pay, they will charge whatever they can get, to maximize profit. If it get too expensive, people will go elsewhere. Until they do, there’s no incentive to lower prices.

We are Elite, sailed in suite earlier this month. Got (a nice) beach bag on Day 3. Holder for Seapass card. No keyholder. Nothing else.

There is another website that has cruise deck plans and lots of photos for some cabins by cabin number. I'm sure I can't name it here, but Google is your friend.

Not welcomed back. No gift. No note. Also never invited to dine with, meet, etc. any officers other than the meet & greet at MC. We're nowhere close to Zenith but usually book upper level suites.

I’ve never seen the Solarium crowded in the early evening. Most adults are either enjoying happy hour or getting ready for dinner. I’m as vocal as it gets when it comes to rowdy children, but I have no problem with limited times for kids when the outdoor pool isn’t practical. I would have an issue if it were allowed all day, even in cold climates. There are other lines available for parents who want kids to have access to indoor pools at all times.

As a general rule, you need to look at what drinks are included in the Premium package vs. Classic vs. what you drink. IOW, are you able to get certain types of drinks with Premium that aren't part of Classic, such as specialty coffees, sparking water, etc.? (I confess I don't know the answer to this one). If so -- and you like those drinks -- that might be a reason to upgrade, as they're free with Premium and you'll pay by the drink with Classic. If the drinks themselves are the same (e.g., wine, martini) -- the only difference is price of the type you prefer -- then you do the math in terms of how many drinks per day and the added cost per drink. For example, if you like $16 wine and you expect to drink 5 glasses per day, you'll pay an $36 per day (including gratuity) for Classic, whereas it would be "free" with the Premium. So how much extra is Premium per day -- if <$36, you're better off by the glass. [Hope my math is correct!] Only you know your tastes and how many of whatever you think you'll consume.

Interesting the officers shook hands. Last cruise, they did not. At least not mine. 😐

Here’s the thing. Pre-COVID, X Retreat (then just suites) was a decent deal. You could get a huge, upper level suite for less than or even close to the entry level suites on the luxury lines, such as Crystal and SS. Throw in the beverage package, internet, gratuities, and specialty dining and it was a good deal. Now the prices are actually higher on X. They’ve apparently taken away free gratuities. They do stupid stuff like only giving you 2 bottles of wine in your suite, so you have to stand at a bar and the bring free glasses back to your room. You fight the masses in the pool deck and at shows. No loungers or footstools. It’s just not a luxury experience for those willing to pay for it. We have one cruise left on X this summer (booked 2 years ago) and then are never going back. Not an idle threat. Reality.

IMHO, Retreat is mostly a gimmick. On the non-revolutionized ships, it amounts to nothing more than before they called it Retreat. It’s not luxury. And I agree that X doesn’t read reviews. They look at the numbers and probably penalize the ship, when the real issue is corporate policy.

It's unfortunate. There are some good aspects of X. But more and more it feels like RCCL at a much higher price point. Crowded ship that felt very crowded. Overwhelmed staff (who did their utmost!). Lots of cheapening of the experience -- little things here and there but they add up. And now removing free gratuities for upper level suites. All of the above is fine if one wants a budget cruise. But X is charging luxury prices (and more) -- especially in Retreat -- and not providing a luxury product.

Hmm. Must be something new since they are included on our next cruise which, in fairness, we booked well over a year ago. Just another reason for us to leave X. The crews on the ships have been fantastic but there are too many "corporate" changes that have driven us away. We came back this year b/c we had such a great experience about 18 months ago on an X cruise. But things have changed . . . for the worse, based on the things we value. We have found the luxury lines a better option for us than X Retreat. Plus, we prefer the smaller ships. I realize that my view is subjective -- this isn't to denigrate X. There are lines and ships out there for everyone. X just isn't ours anymore.

I've heard you can't order from MDR from Luminae on E class b/c the kitchens are far apart. But you can choose to dine there any night. You can also order room service.

The "Retreat" experience will differ based on your ship and the level of suite you're in. [As an aside, I realize Zenith might get some of the benefits below based on that status regardless of their cabin]. Also, this assumes you booked the suite outright -- see other threads for what you do and don't get with MoveUp. All suites get priority boarding and disembarkation -- meaning you can show up any time to board (once boarding starts) and can be the first folks off. On the "non-revolutionized" older ships (M and S Class), there is no dedicated Retreat deck. You get Michael's Lounge, which is reserved for suite guests. It offers free sodas and beer all day and free cocktails / light hors d'oeuvres from 5-8 pm. You also have the services of the MC concierge to help with reservations or to address any issues -- never a need to go to Guest Services. Revolutionized older ships and E class have a special deck for Retreat passengers with loungers, pool, bar, etc. We've yet to cruise on one of those but will do so in June. You get reserved seating for the production show on "formal" nights (not all nights). You can eat all meals in Luminae. The MDR menu is available on non-E-class ships. Servers have fewer tables to cover and the service is excellent. There are typically 4 appetizers, 5 entrees (one vegetarian) and 4 desserts. RS and above get free specialty dining for lunch and dinner. RS and above get free laundry throughout the cruise. Not sure about Sky and CS. Also not sure if dry cleaning is included as we've never done it. RS and above (maybe others -- not sure) get free premium WiFi (4 devices), free gratuities, free premium drink package, and bottle of champagne upon arrival, and two bottles of wine or spirits per cruise. Minibar is stocked and refilled with sodas, water, juices and beer of your choice. Suites get free canapés in the afternoon. We got shrimp, cheese plates and fruit plates. RS and above at least get free monogrammed PJs. We also got one X beach bag. You get a butler (realize there is debate re butlers in Sky suites). Some use him/her, some don't. There are lots of threads about what butlers do. Whether the above is worth the cost is up to each individual.

Waiting until after final payment is risky, if you really want the trip. Prices ebb and flow based on occupancy and probably other factors of which we’re not aware and have no control. In my experience, most of the time, there isn’t a huge price drop across all cabins after final payment. Pre and post COVID, of course. If it were a frequent occurrence, more people would wait until the last minute- and cruise lines don’t want that. They also use Move Up to fill empty cabins. Cheaper than the atmospherics of dropping the price. First, you’ve got to pick a cruise that isn’t extremely popular. I suggest developing a price point for the cabin category(ies) you want and having a trusted TA check regularly. If your price hits, book and then check back until final payment. Then stop looking. Or wait until the last minute (by when you personally need to book something) and see what cruises are available at your price point.

I’ve decided that, when cruise lines want to take away something or start skimping on something, they almost always claim it’s in the name of “safety” or “security.” We should all want more of those, right? As the above poster says, they think we’re stupid.

Just did it on Reflection. Got $60 in OBC. Later tried to add $8 and couldn’t do it. Played $5 and then cashed out. Not sure if there is a total limit, limit per day or you can do it only once. I recommend trying the max OBC you have before last day of the cruise and see what happens.

I would be surprised if they offered a discount. My DH doesn’t drink alcohol ( for medical reasons), sodas, or specialty coffees. We’ve never sought a discount. My thought is you get things free but, if you don’t want them, no discount. For example, if you don’t use WiFi, no discount. If you don’t use specialty restaurants, no discount. If you get a positive response, let us know!

On our current cruise, a HUGE variety on Chic night. Some really dressed up - tuxes, sequins, etc. Most wore the same as casual night (collared shirt and slacks). Saw a few in shorts, though they may have dined in Oceanview.

For that price, I’d do a specialty restaurant. Luminae is good, but the menu is limited. 4 non-vegetarian entrees. We often order off the MDR menu (non-E-class). Would not pay $30 for guests unless they just want the experience. YMMV.

As with most “tight” connections, if all goes well - as it does 95%+ of the time with cruises arriving back in port, you’ll be fine. The question only you can answer is what happens if you’re the 5%? What is your backup plan? Know your Plan B and Plan C. If those are viable options, go for it! If missing that flight creates a really bad situation for you, choose a “safer” option.

No footstools on Reflection. Nothing has changed.

Medevac. IMG_2414.mov

I saw all sorts of people tripping over the loungers on the pool deck, myself included, because they are so close together. That’s why I like the one on my balcony - only one and not easy to trip. My DH doesn’t like the crowds in the pool deck - he only “lounges” on the balcony. If the policy re footstools and loungers isn’t changed back, no more X for us. It is that big a deal. For us. YMMV. As an aside, we were told loungers were removed because they took up too much space. Get your story straight , X.