Engineroom Snipe

Let me throw a debate grenade into the conversation: Popcorn is a mess to clean so we charge to reduce it. Cruisers still insist on buying it so we charge more based on the cost and effort to clean spaces after selling it. I do not know about other people's experiences, but melting ice cream is sticky and can become a slipping hazard on the pool deck. I have seen a few wilting cones on top of deck lounge chairs melting like Frosty the Snowman under a heat lamp. Do we start charging for the "included with the price" soft-serve on the pool deck to avoid such meltdowns and their clean-up costs? 🤔

Great pictures which describe your post. May I ask what time? Definitely a sea day and I would guess about 11:45am?

I have made comments about how a person is now onboard the biggest water park on a floating vessel. After your comment, would you spend additional money to get off at Coco Cay to do the water park and spend additional monies when you have a one-of-a-kind onboard? The "Hideaway" similar to the new theme on Coco Bay "Hideaway" might not be the same experience many adults imagine. I would like a 'hideaway' from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. More of a serene quiet oasis on a beach listening to the ocean. We all have our own definition of 'hideaway'. You are a tough opinion CC poster but I do read your posts and take them for face value. I am a long time 'Royal' and loyal cruiser but it does not mean I am blindly loyal. Interesting post.

As soon as I saw the "T" word in the title, I predict there will be no "end of debate." It is as predictable as pouring gasoline on a campfire. The results are the same every time. 🤣

I did not want to put a "like" emoji on your post because it might appear that I liked your outcome. Thank you for sharing your factual experience. 😊

I think the comment is made because as already mentioned, there is no Aqua Theater on the Voyager as well as the following: 1. Should you book a voyage that does not use tenders (docking at every port), the tender priority is meaningless. 2. Only specific ships have entertainment venue which offers reservations. If your specific entertainment venues do not support reservations, this perk is moot. 3. Should you arrive after 12pm, the early check-in process is moot and you will not benefit from having your bags held for you. You have to weigh the perks against the price like everything else on a cruise. 😉

When we drive to a port, we do 2 personal bags, 2 carry-on bags, and one bag which would equal a small check-in bag at an airport. this is one of the great perks of driving and parking which has been mentioned, I really enjoy no baggage limits or considerations. This allows us to do absolutely no laundry onboard with fresh clothes everyday. I have a fabulous washer/dryer at home which handles it all when our cruise is over (and Dry Cleaners for any formal wear). Everyone has their style of traveling and cruising. I am studying everyone's take on this subject. You have to do you and what works for you. As far as delaying anyone boarding or leaving because of luggage, in the big scheme of things, I find this insignificant. For instance, you can be the first person off in Bayonne, NJ, on the Oasis, and spend 90 minutes trying to get out of the parking lot with or without taking your luggage with you from your cabin. You can have the porters handle your luggage completely and wait 40 minutes for a shuttle or taxi. Should there be someone in a wheel chair who is slowing me down, it reminds me to be grateful that I do not need one yet and celebrate that someone is still able to do another vacation. Someday, I might be in that wheelchair and I hope that those who I slow down are patient and courteous knowing I have no other alternative. That cruise in a wheelchair might be the last one I have before I stop cruising. It might be the best memory I talk about for years. Carry-on luggage should not be much of an emotional topic as it is almost inconsequential in the big scheme of life.

Yes, I have seen you going to Daytona Beach in February when the water temperature is about 53 degrees F and enjoying the waves as the native Floridians are in parkas in disbelief. You are like, "This is as warm as summer gets where I live." Your "short" weather season would see me in double thermal layers! A very good packing list as you can just substitute swimwear for shorts when needed.

Noticed no shorts on the list. Omission or purposely not packed? I noticed two light hoodie jackets so maybe this was a cooler temperature cruise?

I have been on the Anthem for multiple cruises. Deck thirteen where your cabin is has the possibility of some noise from the pool during active hours and some chair movement by crew when they are cleaning during the night. If you are a light sleeper, bring a white noise machine and possibly even earplugs just in case. A benefit to your area during hot days is that you are shaded and if it happens to rain, you can meditate on your balcony without getting wet. A big benefit to your location is that you only need to climb one deck of stairs to get to the Windjammer or Pool Deck. You can go from your room to the Pool Bar in about 3 minutes, get some drinks and bring them back to your balcony under ten minutes if the lines are not long without waiting for an elevator. You can make the decision on which elevators you want to use since one bank is not much more of a walk than the other. Many good aspects to your location. My wife and I are early-birds and we sleep well under almost any circumstances after a full day of sun and activities. We normally book Deck 12 balconies to reduce any noise possibilities and find the two flights of stairs to Pool deck and Windjammer a perfect exercise which does not exhaust us but helps us get steps in.

@BigPapi21, This was your first posting on Cruise Critic. Overall, the cruise just seemed to be one awful situation for you. I have been lucky that in my many years of cruising, I have not had to endure a cruise that you have experienced. Some were great, so many were very good, but none as disappointing as yours. After such an experience as yours, you would probably not cruise again and no one would blame you. It is what it is. Thank you for sharing your experience.

Now that's what I call an obstructed view! On the bright side, just close your eyes, listen to the ocean, and enjoy some fresh sea air on your balcony. I always say, it depends on the price point. If the price was right, you have fresh air on your balcony with some extra room beyond your interior cabin and more light than an inside cabin with an outside view. "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life" (Monty Python)

Sounds like you have a reasonable plan. Your "vacation" from stress should not have you stressful about the vacation. Look forward to a great cruise.

If I were to get this room as a guaranteed balcony, I would take it. You can see directly in front of you and are not looking at the top of a lifeboat. As @Coralc stated, "After a couple of days, you don't even notice it."

Very much a possibility considering the much higher prices which the ship is commanding today. I am hopeful that Royal considers that this cruiser was 'loyal' enough to commit to what was at the time a premium price excited about a cruise only based on it being "Iconic". Royal has to appreciate such loyalty which would lead to more good will and publicity about the cruiser's experience concerning this special occasion. My opinion was that it was the start of a mutual negotiation. If Royal thought that my offer was a bit extreme, I might counter-offer that the 20% could be credited as "On board credit" knowing that Royal was getting the money in their pocket and maybe just costing them an actual of "10% cost". It is a starting point in a mutually beneficial negotiation instead of an outlandish demand of "I want my cruise and a 1--% towards a future cruise credit" which might be a non-starter and lead to your outcome. You have an absolutely plausible outcome but I am trying to offer an alternative to a flat-out "NO".

I need to patent a suntan resistant and chlorine/high water temperature resistant laminate cruise card. If I get just 0.001 cents per card (per cruiser), I can retire tomorrow! 🤣

Yes, I had one start to delaminate after a few visits over multiple days in the hot-tub. A quick visit to Guest Services to issue a new one which was about two years ago. The most recent cards seem to be more resistant because I have not had problems since. Just my experience and maybe, I do not spend as much time as most people which affects the card.

Yes. The more we travel creates a huge difference about: 1. What we would like to have with us? 2. What we can have with us?. Against: What do we REALLY need? The REALLY need items are few. Especially when you have to constantly hoof the load in situations you describe.

I think that was the reason the carry-on limit was 30 lbs but was not enforced with a scale. If a flight attendant needed to assist someone lifting their bag, and it was difficult for them to lift, the weight might be questioned. You mention a good safety point. I would not like 30+ lb carry-on released during rough weather bouncing around.

Yes, if one were to believe the interview information on face-value, I would take it as a "hold" on the stock that things were definitely getting better if not slightly "buy". I do not hold stock in Royal but I do have a significant amount of investments. Not quite sure why the institutional investors would be selling off unless there are other numbers that contradict the interview information which to me seemed very positive.

For that particular flight, the carry on limit was 30 lbs but I never saw any of them weighed. The price was extremely low so I could tolerate working around the limits. My wife and I pack light so it was no biggie. I brought the checked bag for extra room for souvenirs and items which are not allowed to be carried on but can be checked. I know that I could maybe get too cocky and have it overweight so I have a backup plan to take an easily accessible items and shift it to my carry-on or personal bag.

Since the view blockage is estimated at 20%, I think 20% of the current cruise booking price would be appropriate and reasonable as a future cruise credit.

Frontier lowered their limit to 40 lbs (from 45 lbs which was 50 lbs before the shut-down). Anything over 40lbs would double the checked fee. This must be a huge moneymaker for them because they scrutinize each bag on a digital scale which the customer can see when the bag is placed for the agent to tag. Mine came in at 39.7 lbs (I carry a very accurate travel hand scale which has saved me time and time again). The baggage check-in person weighed it twice hoping it was over the limit. I offered to use my scale if she wanted a second device to weigh it. My offer was not appreciated. 39.7 lbs was the verdict.

Yes, he mentioned Royal only had some of "their smaller ships" affected by the situation.

Jason Liberty was just interviewed on CNBC. Record bookings, blockbuster numbers for 2023 and into 2024. The cruise discount to land experience percentage used to be 45% (his words, not mine). Royal has shaved 15% off of the difference since the reopening. He seemed to suggest that things were going in a very positive direction (and maybe trying to get the 30% current difference lower). Does not look like prices for the average Royal cruiser will be coming down. Stated a "30,30,30" split on typical passengers. 30% new to cruising. Specifically mentioned that younger cruisers are desiring new experiences. 30% new to Royal that cruised on other brands. Specifically mentioned that new cruisers from other brands are 5x more likely to stay with Royal after sailing with them. 30% long time repeat Royal cruisers. He did not seem to think their bookings would be affected by a slowing economy as their customers are now more diverse and more affluent in general. He also mentioned the generational transfer of wealth which will assist future bookings. Interesting interview.