Ret MP

We've had the best (Marla) and the worst (no name). But, the cruise with good or bad Genie was still great. In fact, on one cruise we went through 3 genies on a 7-night cruise. We still received all the benefits, post-COVID cruises could offer.

This is like many other topics that come up time and again. I find that you can not compare dollar for dollar/Sky to Star. It's all about what you want and expect in a cruise vacation. For us, Star is well worth the cost. We can't cruise Star Class every cruise but we try to at least every other cruise. If you want to use every benefit that Star offers, add up all the costs for those items, ala carte, it is within a reasonable cost for the benefits included and the luxury received. If you don't want or care for a few of the benefits, it's probably not for you and/or worth it. Different strokes for different folks. We try to take advantage of every benefit offered but at the end of the cruise, we don't owe anything. We just walk off the ship without worrying about a thing. BTW, if booked with a big-box TA, you get a health OBC that will almost cover anything that you do have to pay for that isn't part of the benefits package. In fact, on our Alaska cruise last May, we actually got over $400,00 back in cash at the Casino as we didn't use all the OBCs. Just load up your OBC in a Slot Machine, case it out, take the ticket to the Cashier, and get your cash. If it isn't for you, it isn't for you.

Agreed! For General Consumption: Also, I don't believe the new policy has anything to do with how much you pay for a cabin. It's about the possible loss of alcohol revenue per person. Just because someone is a solo and pays for a double, that doesn't have anything to do with alcohol consumption. It's all about consumption and revenue per person, not price per cabin, IMHO. Alcohol and Gambling revenue is a major source of revenue for the Cruise Industry (Excluding Disney (gambling, that is)) I'm no cheerleader for any corporate entity, not even Royal Caribbean. However, I feel (that means it's my opinion) that the more people try and do circumvent the policy(ies) the more the corporate talking heads will come up with ways to try to circumvent the circumvention(s), and the more it's going to cost us all to cruise and the talking heads don't need any more excuses to cost us more money. I personally feel that the policy of one bottle per "of age" person is a fair policy. We can all come up with how a policy(ies) can affect us in a way that not everybody else will be affected and we feel we are being screwed because of it. There is no such thing as a perfect anything, policies included. Heck, I know a guy that has a re-corking and sealing machine at home that re-corks and seals his wine bottle(s) with Vodka or other liquor and takes the alcohol/liquor on the ship. The above is my feelings, and my opinions, they don't have to be yours.

Wait, are you implying that "Royal's always-stellar IT Department" knows how to "program" ANYTHING?

Great job, swabby! Great review without any B.S. or agenda. Love it.

I heard that and I'm tell'in!

Sabor for us. It's a full-service Mexican Restaurant with a full Bar and a fairly good view of the ship's wake and the Aqua Theater, depending on where you sit. At least that's my memory of it. But, for a formal evening meal, it's Chops for sure.

Retired, not dead. Still very inquisitive.

My wife and I don't care for it either. A little too fufu for us.

And there is no dress code. There is a suggestion, not a code. My meal never changed its taste after I saw someone in shorts or a tank top, not one bit. I don't understand the busybody mentality.

Yes. That is my kind of music, 70's & 80's. Reserve the Rising Tide and have a ball!

While we all know of people or we have personally gotten away with prohibited items being brought on board an RCCL ship, it doesn't take away from the rule(s). Just because you or someone you know got away with breaking the rules, doesn't mean it's okay for someone else to do the same. I don't see the need, in my opinion, to post YOUR own experience or one of others that contradicts the policy/rule is giving someone the possibility of "false hope" and future frustration(s). I believe (that means it's my opinion) it is doing the less informed people a better service by just providing the fact(s), not information of what someone got away with. BTW, scissors less than 4 inches are not prohibited. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/prohibited-items-onboard-policy

I made nor am I looking for an argument. It was, as stated, an opinion of mine, mine alone. But, the middle class is shrinking and more and more young folks are living at home for a much longer period of time. Can't get into too much as it would violate the rules of the board. I referenced younger folks because it was what was mentioned here. I could have referenced many categories. As a 71-year-old, I fully understand the stresses of today's economy.

FYI: Just a note to the Veterans out there, Galveston requires you to enroll in their Loyalty Rewards Program, be at least 50% disabled or have a Purple Heart, provide a VA award letter of 50% or more OR DD214 with Purple Heart awarded on it, along with a state-issued Identification that matches the name on the DD214 or Award Letter. You can't just show up at the parking lot as you used to, and show up with a VA letter and get free parking.

Both. But, I answered EVENING.

Thank you. That makes me feel real good.

Yep. I cruise every other cruise in Star Class (fact, not bragging) and it's included, unlimited. When we don't do Star Class, that's when I get cheap and only use it out of necessity.

Exactly! For general consumption: Is it worth $36.00? No. Is it handy if you need it? Yes, but not a bargain for what you get. If you are on a longer cruise and you didn't quite pack enough underwear or shirts or or or *, you may need it. But, in no case am I or my wife going to do laundry in the bathroom sink. That's why it's called a vacation. If someone thinks that paying an absurd price for something that is a needed commodity, then I guess you can say it is worth it. I don't! I will say though, they do a great job. *Full disclosure: We do use the ship's laundry when needed, once or twice and I hated doing it. I'm cheap!

It's that damn Flux Capacitor again.

Fred, it's my conclusion. It doesn't have to be yours. I answered the question, my way. You can answer it any way you want to.

The $36 laundry bag. Is it worth it? NO! But, depending on the length of your cruise and how much you pack, it may be a must!

We booked Harmony at that time, for us, was the last Oasis Class ship that we haven't cruised on. But noooooooooo, RCCL had to come out with the Wonder and then the Icon Class is coming. Seems we are always trying to catch up to fulfill the complete category game.

I posted and then edited this after I saw the below. Cigar smoking is limited to, see below: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-smoking-policy Cigarettes, cigars and pipe tobacco must be properly disposed of and never thrown overboard. Cigar and pipe tobacco is limited to designated outdoor areas and Cigar Bars**. The casino is not a designated OUTDOOR area.

What you said is perfect. I don't care or need to see bacon and eggs. But, I'd like to see inside the Sabar, Solarium Bistro, et al. I'd like to show them to my buddy and his wife who will be on the Harmony with us in Jan 2024.

It happens! Most, if not many do take right or left turns then back again then off to the right or left again. I look at it as a learning experience, almost always interesting and information that I didn't know. I enjoy it and participate in it.