Mum2Mercury

My point exactly, and I think people are kinda "over" seeing the 50s as cool /nostalgic. I associate that time period with my parents. My kids don't relate to it at all. I was going to say the same thing. Anyway, WHY would a company as big as RCCI need to partner-up with any food company? I mean, they can create their own label /their own brand and use it on all the ships; for example, Fish and Ships seems to be their own creation ... and popular. Why are they paying Starbucks instead of creating their own coffee name? I saw lots of people getting specialty coffee from the Plaza Bar in the Windjammer at breakfast. On Coco Cay I had the Philly Steak Sandwich. It was good. My husband had tacos and seemed to enjoy them. I didn't know the Crispy Chicken was "the thing to have" -- but I live in the land of Chick Fil A, and that's my standard for a really good chicken sandwich. Love some 5 Guys! Super good burgers! Still wouldn't pay for it on a ship -- not when no-cost burgers are available right next door. What I would like to see in terms of Windjammer burgers -- this probably won't be a popular thought: I'd like to see smaller burgers. Like sliders. Why? For a person my size, they're rather large. I'd rather have a slider-sized burger and have space on my plate for some other things as well. People who want more could take multiple sliders.

The website from which I took these menus said Symphony menus -- wait, or was it Serenade? Which one is "testing" the new menus? Ick to the French Onion Soup. It was like water that some beef and onion ran by.

- I don't want to deal with time zone changes. - When I wake in the night, I like to see the time without reaching out and touching the phone to activate it -- that seems to "wake me up more". - My phone is kinda old, and the battery doesn't have a great life -- that's a temporary issue; I'll probably have replaced my phone by the time I sail again next fall. - If my phone needs charging, it'll be over on the desk, not next to my bed. As former photography teacher, I promise you, I get better pictures with my camera than with my phone.

Having typed all that -- Y'all are welcome -- here's my analysis: - Each evening seems to offer 6 appetizers, 7 entrees (ignoring the for-cost items), 6 desserts. - Looking at the old menus, they seem to offer 4 appetizers + 5 classic appetizers ... 5 entrees + 4 classic entrees ... 3 desserts + 6 classic desserts. - So, yes, roughly 30% fewer options. - Note that the full Maine lobster is gone ... you can get a for-charge lobster tail each evening. It is less expensive than the full lobster was, which is fair ... but $16.95 is expensive for a small lobster tail. - Note that a second lobster tail costs extra. - I see many of the classics are still here ... but they aren't offered every day; for example, Shrimp Cocktail and Escargot used to be an every-day option -- now they show up, but only a couple times during the week. On the other hand, Roasted Chicken, a "plain eater's choice" is gone altogether. - If you're a "plain eater" who doesn't like to venture out much, I do see something for you each evening, but I don't see a lot of choices for them. - The desserts seem to have taken the greatest hits; that is, they seem least appealing to me.

I just googled menus, as suggested. Here's what I found: Symphony, Day 1 Appetizers Classic Caesar Salad Spinach & Artichoke Dip Chilled Shrimp Cocktail Escargots a la Bourguinonne Vegan Roasted Tomato Soup Maryland Crab Cake Entrees Battered Fish & Chips Southern Fried Chicken Grilled Pork Chop Aromatic Chicken Saag Spaghetti Bolognese Vegan Herb-crusted Portabello Slow-roasted Prime Rib Maine Lobster Tail ... $16.95 + 18% tax Chops Grille Filet Mignon ... $19.99 + 18% tax Surf & Turf ... $34.99 + 18% tax Dessert No sugar added Warm Blueberry Cobbler w/ice cream Boston Cream Pie Ice Cream Royal Cheesecake Vegan Peanut-Caramel Bar Key Lime Pie Symphony, Day 2 Appetizers Classic Caesar Salad Classic Wedge Salad Crispy Buttermilk Calamari Baked French Onion Soup Vegan Creamy Butternut Squash Soup Escargots a la Bourguinonne Entrees Fragrant Herb-Crusted Salmon Chicken Cordon Bleu Classic Beef Bourguignon Seafood Linguine Curried Lamb Rogan Josh Vegan Spring Pea & Asparagus Risotto Roasted Beef Tenderloin Maine Lobster Tail ... $16.95 + 18% tax Chops Grille Filet Mignon ... $19.99 + 18% tax Surf & Turf ... $34.99 + 18% tax Dessert No sugar added Layered Peach Trifle Ice Cream Toasted Almond Profiteroles Apple Blossom a la Mode Vegan Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies Creme Brulee Symphony, Day 3 Appetizers Classic Caesar Salad Garden Mixed Salad Crispy Parmesan Arancini (mushrooom) Italian Minestrone Vegan Golden Polenta Fries w/ Spicy Dip Seared Beef Carpaccio Entrees Pan-seared Filet of Sole Chicken Parmesan NY Strip Steak Creamy Mushroom Risotto Spiced Lamb Kofta Vegan Spaghetti Bolognese Garlic Shrimp & Vegetable Linguine Maine Lobster Tail ... $16.95 + 18% tax Chops Grille Filet Mignon ... $19.99 + 18% tax Surf & Turf ... $34.99 + 18% tax Dessert No sugar added Dark Chocolate Custard Italian Chocolate Hazelnut Cake Ice Cream Lemon Curd Tartlet Vegan Crumbly Oat & Berry Bar Classic Tiramisu Symphony, Day 4 Appetizers Classic Caesar Salad Green Lentil Soup Asian-style Pork Bao Tacos Baked French Onion Soup Vegan Honey-soy Tofu & Avocado Salad Crispy Coconut Jumbo Shrimp Entrees Garlic-herbed Buttered Tiger Shrimp Steak Diane Grilled Caribbean Chicken Pesto Tagliatelle Rustic Chicken Korma Vegan Stuffed Grilled Eggplant Jerk Seasoned Pork Chop Maine Lobster Tail ... $16.95 + 18% tax Chops Grille Filet Mignon ... $19.99 + 18% tax Surf & Turf ... $34.99 + 18% tax Dessert No sugar added Coffee Pot de Creme Royal Chocolate Cake Ice Cream Carrot Cake Vegan Chilled Banana Cocoa Custard Pineapple Sunshine Cake Symphony, Day 5 Appetizers Classic Caesar Salad Escargots a la Bourguinonne Fried Chicken Empanadas Grilled Sweet Corn Cakes Vegan Tortilla Soup Roasted Poblano Pepper Soup Entrees Chipolte-lime Crusted Salmon Pulled Pork Enchiladas Carne Asade Spaghetti All'Arrabbiata Spicy Shrimp Jaffrezi Vegan Crunchy Chili-crusted Tofu Tacos Pollo a la Mexicana Maine Lobster Tail ... $16.95 + 18% tax Chops Grille Filet Mignon ... $19.99 + 18% tax Surf & Turf ... $34.99 + 18% tax Dessert No sugar added Coconut Layer Cake Soft-baked Chocolate Chip Cookies Ice Cream Caramel Flan Vegan Toffee Cheesecake Tres Leche Cake Symphony, Day 6 Appetizers Classic Caesar Salad Escargots a la Bourguinonne Chilled Shrimp Cocktail Vidalia Onion Tart Vegan Bright Citrus Avocado & Melon Salad Baked French Onion Soup Entrees Broiled Lobster Tail ... second entree costs $16.95 Lemon Butter Baked Cod Autumn Turkey Dinner NY Strip Steak Cheese Tortellini Pasta Butter Chicken Vegan Stuffed Red Bell Pepper Chops Grille Filet Mignon ... $19.99 + 18% tax Surf & Turf ... $34.99 + 18% tax Dessert No sugar added Strawberry Shortcake Warm Chocolate Cake Ice Cream Red Velvet Cake Vegan Chocolate Creme Brulee Baked Alaska Symphony, Day 6 -- yes, I know we already had a 6, but this is how it's labeled Appetizers Seafood Fritters Chilled Shrimp Cocktail Baked French Onion Soup Traditional Greek Salad Vegan Pan-seared Asparagus Mediterranian Tapas Medley Entrees Moroccan Spiced Ahi Tuna Chicken Marsala Clams & Linguine Grilled Mediterranian Steak Chicken Chettinad Vegan Vegetable Moussaka Braised Lamb Broiled Lobster Tail ... second entree costs $16.95 Chops Grille Filet Mignon ... $19.99 + 18% tax Surf & Turf ... $34.99 + 18% tax Dessert No sugar added Cappuccino Chocolate Mouse Dark Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream Warm Apple Cobbler Vegan No-bake Lemon Tart Creme Catalana

Interesting! - I myself wouldn't do laundry on a cruise ... unless it were a back-to-back or part of a longer vacation. - I would like the "real refrigerator" instead of a cooler. - Couldn't care less about bed frames. We only ever bring one suitcase, and it goes into the bottom of the closet to act as a hamper. On the last day, we zip it up, and we're packed. - I would like a better mattress. Just for the record, I never desire to do laundry. Not at home, not on vacation -- but I do it.

Agree. The real reason is profit-based. I greatly dislike being lied to. If they wanted to say (and perhaps truthfully) that most guests are happy enough with a single service per day, then come out and say it -- don't make up something else. Kinda like years ago when they started charging for Johnny Rockets -- they claimed that teenagers were hanging around /claiming all the booth space, and a charge would prevent this. It was a blatant lie. I never cared about Johnny Rockets one way or the other, but the lie still sticks in my craw. Eh, I agree that I'm going to use X amount of towels ... but it does take manpower to deliver them to the room, and that's not free. If this comes to pass, I will start requesting double towels. Yes, every one of us likes Royal -- we wouldn't be here otherwise -- but I don't blindly trust any company. I don't think they'll start selling crew rooms to guests. Those "below stairs" hallways aren't carpeted, and the guest elevators don't reach them. The rooms themselves would require heavy renovations. Remember, too, that additional guest rooms don't give you more space in the MDR, by the pool, etc. If they reduce staff, they'd probably give the more senior staffers private (or double instead of triple or quad) rooms. I'm sure the crew'd like this. I'd be happy to have a self-serve ice machine available. And I really wish each hallway had a "depository" for dirty dishes. I'd be glad to haul my husband's pizza plate and wine glass down the hall to be RID OF IT ... rather than have it hanging around in my room or outside my door. I'm really on the bubble. What I could live with would be an HONEST announcement that we'd get full service in the morning and then a quick "refresh" in the evening. A "refresh" might mean straightening the bed, taking away dirty dishes and leaving the next day's paper Compass. I could do without the bathroom being touched a second time -- I don't clean my bathroom at home daily, and towels could wait overnight.

"Weaker menu" is subjective, but I'd say a good menu should include something for everyone: A beef entree, a seafood entree, a chicken/duck entree, and a vegetarian entree. A good menu should include something for foodies and something for adults who still eat like children (I know quite a few young adults who still eat chicken nuggets 3-4 times/week). A good menu should have something for the health conscious and should not be carb-heavy. Thing is, a lot of the crew can't have "a better life" at home, and they're almost all young -- some of them want the opportunity to get away from home. I had the Steak Diane once recently. It was just okay. For anyone ordering it, ask for a little tub of extra sauce on the side. That price is too high for a lobster tail. I get it. It's a traditional, upscale look. Yes, I want something available late-night. I don't care if it's the full-scale buffet or a smaller venue. Yes, when guests do back-to-backs or sail several times in a short period, they like the menu to change. Personally, I don't care -- I can't eat everything on the menu, even if I'm sailing two weeks in a row.

Another note: I'm pretty sure they had video games (no charge) in the kids' clubs -- but my kids are 25 and 28, and it's been a while.

Yes, letting the kids into the arcade is something of a risk -- the spending limits may or may not stick, and excited kids can so easily leave a card behind. Do they have hand-held video games? Perhaps having them bring those along /getting them each a new game for travel /the trip?

I have a cruise template that I use for packing. Things may change a bit depending upon the length of the cruise or other details, but this is my starting point for a one-week warm weather cruise: For me -- female -- pack lots of colors, but things that match multiple items: - Board wearing shorts, a top & tennis shoes Pack - 4 dresses - 1 pair jeans & 2 pairs shorts - 2 dressy tops & 3 simple tops - Denim blouse, which can be a light jacket - 2-3 swimsuits & cover ups - 1 set gym clothes - Night gown - Under things - Walking sandals, dressy shoes for dinner & water shoes, if needed for excursions - Hat For my husband -- I pack more for him; he goes through shirts: - Board wearing shorts, a tee-shirt & tennis shoes Pack: - 1 pair jeans & 3 pairs shorts - 4 dress shirts & 5 tee shirts - 2-3 pairs swim trunks & matching tees - PJ pants & matching tee - Underwear - Black deck shoes & water shoes, if needed for excursions - Hat

It's not so much whether a place is full service; rather, it's that some fast-foods are no-charge, while others involve a charge. It's the lack of consistency. I don't like not understanding things.

No need to sneak it -- buy a couple beers on the ship and carry them off.

What I don't "get" is that hamburgers are included /served at every lunch and dinner in the Windjammer; in fact, they seem to fly off the serving counter -- hamburgers are definitely one of the most popular items on the menu. But why would people pay (and we're talking about $30 by the time you and your sweetie have lunch) to get the same thing only steps away? I also don't understand how they decide what's "for cost" vs. what's free. The Dog House, the Mexican food place, Sorrento's pizza and Promenade Cafe sammies are no-cost, whereas Fish & Ships and Johnny Rockets cost money. I don't understand the thought process. Um, Dude, if you want to stay married, don't admit things like that about your wife. My Mamaw told me, "You don't have to say everything you know." We don't care about the pool (too loud), but these are the reasons we enjoy Cocoa Cay! It's a beach day that doesn't require transportation from the ship ... with lunch included. I'll add the hammocks ... my husband LOVES a good, long nap in a hammock. Yes, my sports-loving husband LOVES Playmakers. He doesn't really buy food, but they get their share of his beer purchases.

I don't know about hump balconies, but the biggest balconies are the ones at the far aft. They're well, well worth reserving!

If the ship's all-aboard time is 5:00, we'd aim to be back onboard at 3:00. - If any problem ensues -- traffic, sprained ankle, lose our way, whatever -- we'll have time to deal with it. We've never been delayed in returning, but it could happen. - We tend to "get up and out" and have our island fun in the morning -- then we're back on the ship for a late lunch. So we'd typically be back on the ship before the hypothetical 3:00 anyway. This seems to be pretty typical.

We bring exactly the clothing we need, so it fits in the drawers without difficulty. We place our one suitcase (open) in the closet and toss our dirties into it all week. On the last day, we zip it up, and we're packed. Our room is not cluttered, so it feels peaceful and inviting. Easier option: Two weeks before your cruise, email Special_Needs@rccl.com and ask for a "full change" of bedding. Explain your allergies. Ask for an eggshell mattress topper for comfort too. Maple syrup still has me baffled.

Agree. I'm not paying for food delivery on the ship -- as it is, I'd feel obligated to tip, so even the "free" delivery would cost me a few dollars. True, but I don't care to use my phone as an alarm clock. Personal preference. True, but these outlets aren't by the bedside. I prefer a battery-powered clock, even at home.

Let's take it a step further: You don't like Italian food, but the rest of your family does. With the Classics /basics gone, now we have a fuss.

First question: What's he used to drinking at home? I don't think I'd get the package for a 7-year old -- but I would bring a couple canned sodas onboard for him -- or be prepared to buy a-la-cart for a couple. The 7-year old is very likely to eat all his meals with at least one grandparent. On the other hand, when I had teenagers (daughters), I did buy the package for them. Why the difference? As teenagers they met up with friends for meals, and I wasn't available to buy a soda for them -- we did not give our kids charging priviledges. Also, I lectured my girls sternly about NEVER drinking anything that 1) wasn't handed to them by a bartender, 2) had been out of their sight for a moment, 3) I didn't want them to be out with new friends and feel that they "had to" finish a drink because they'd paid for it. Adding a not-unrelated thought: Recently on Independence, my husband and I sat outside Promenade Cafe for a snack, which is right by the candy shop. 100% of the kids who walked by that place turned their heads to look at it; 50% of the kids walked over and looked in the (closed) doors. I commented to my husband, "One day we'll bring our grandson on a cruise, and I'm going to bring candy with us." The candy is all -- or mostly -- in self-serve bins /decanted into clear plastic cups with lids. I saw a little boy in the Promenade spill about $15 of M&Ms on the floor.

Not a problem at all.

My husband and I LOVED Coco Cay!

I'm with you on that. I don't want to be forced to bring myself to the attention of the medical staff for something that could've been so easily "fixed". I bring small containers, so my first aid kit fits in a red pencil pouch /is easy to bring ashore.

I like Royal Caribbean, but -- yeah -- they have some short comings: 1. Calling customer service on the phone 2. Shops that sell jewelry and watches 3. The spa 4. Drink package as "a bargain" 5. Separate suite seating by the pool

Thinking out loud: - The Classics are simple and require less effort. Also, since the staff makes them every night, they know what they're doing. Seems that they're cutting the easiest items for the staff. Quote my husband: "Why would they cut out chocolate ice cream? What's easier?" - Having said that, my husband and I rarely order Classic entrees, but we both go for Classic appetizers pretty often (Shrimp Cocktail and Escargot). Are they cutting Classics across the board or just entrees? - I agree with the article's comment that this will affect families with kids /teens, those who are "too old" to want to order chicken noodle soup and pepperoni pizza from the kids' menu, but whose tastes aren't yet fully adult. And I know more than a few young adults who eat an awful lot of chicken nuggets and spaghetti. - They're saying the MDR will have a nightly theme -- Italian night or American Classics. This is what they're already doing in the Windjammer. I wonder if it'll be the same them in the two venues. - I assume they'll still offer a vegetarian entree, a seafood entree, a poultry entree and a beef entree each evening? - Is this something I'd complain about? Is it a hill upon which I'd die? No, as long as something tasty is on the menu every night, no. But I pretty much eat everything -- not everyone can say the same.