dixielady

So your definition of a fan is being willing to spend whatever they ask and not hold them accountable for their product? That whatever they do is covered in pixie dust and that's the end of that? I have other words for that and they definitely don't include the word "fan".

 

I'm not saying they are equal. I'm saying they are different. One product has provided better service IN OUR EXPERIENCE this year (which was nine cruises between Royal/X/Disney). It just so happens that the one providing the best service cost the least. Why would I pay more for an inferior product? The things that matter to me have suffered greatly on Disney. We are sailing them less. The end.

This is what I have felt reading the boards here on Royal and finding why I really dont know if I want to sail on them again once I finish this cruise in 2016 with them. Its the attitude here on the boards.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but things turn ugly and nasty so fast espically the loyal to royal people. I understand that they feel the need to defend them in some way, but this just leaves an bad taste to me.

I'm sure that I will have a good cruise with them, and this is based on the people that I will be cruising with. I am sure that Royal will fine also, but to me it will not be Disney.

Sailed 4 times on Disney, am booked for my first Royal in 2016 and to be honest the only reason I am booked on Royal is because going with family and this was their choice. Although, they didn't have to twist my arm that much to go I thought I would give it a chance and see how I would like Royal vs. Disney.

I am looking forward to the cruise a lot, looking forward to traveling with my family and friends and doing the Hawaiian itinerary. With that said, I have to say with all the reading I have been doing here, I have to say I think that once I have completed this cruise, I will be back with Disney. I'm just not getting that same feeling from these boards or reports. I am hoping that I am wrong and that at some point I will rebook another cruise on Royal, but right now, I don't see that happening.

I know Disney does charge more for their cruises, but I also feel you get such good service, never had bad complaint on any of my cruises with them.

I am going on this cruise with an open mind. I am sure it will be great and I will have a great time. But what can I say, Disney is in my blood!! ;):D

Miami Vice

What is the Miami Vice?

Is it a Pina Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri in the same glass?

They have something similar on Disney but its called a Bon Voyage someone told me the correct name was Miami Vice. Just double checking on this.

thanks

never mind, if I had read the post fully I would have seen the post...

Panoramic of the port. Disney Fantasy was with us.

 

 

 

The Aqua Duck. I want to go on Disney just so I can ride this thing

 

Thanks for your review and pictures...totally enjoyed your report...

The Aqua Duck....rode it...it really is fun....

:)

Ok since we've traveled a lot of different cruise lines, let me give you our 2 cents!

Disney vs RCL

Disney has no casino, RCL does!

Disney has better free food, RCL on larger ships has more pay options!

RCL has more teenager things to do on larger ships, like ice skating, flow rider, rock climbing, etc.!

Disney has better entertainment except on RCL's larger ships with Broadway production shows!

Disney has better youth programs!

I am not a gambler, so the Casino was not an issue. My husband and I along with our traveling party are in our "60's so we wont be using any of the kids/youth programs. I sail Disney, because I love Disney. I am just hoping and I am sure that my experience will be a good one on Royal. I guess I am used to Disney, and reading a lot of negative things about Royal just has me concerned. But again, I am keeping an open mind and am sure that I will enjoy and be very pleased with what Royal has to offer.

If I alarmed you, let me apologize. I truly do believe that Royal delivers what you pay for. Meaning, you get what you pay for. And I use that in a positive manner, not a negative manner. If you get what you paid for, that's fair value!

 

My perspective is tinted by having first cruised on the line 20+ years ago. However, to my mind, in the last 5 to 8 years prices have fallen through the bottom and things previously included were removed. I still found it a good value, and today DO think it is a good value.

 

However, that said, Royal has recently stated they won't do deep discounts to fill a ship as it damages the brand. I get it. Makes sense. What I am saying is...you've reduced amenities and services to reflect the current "low" average fare per pax; if Royal is going to increase their fare I'd like to see a return of some of those services or amenities. I'm willing to pay more to get more. If my cruise fare goes from $499 to $599 but it means I've got a special gala buffet once a cruise and that I'm not always seeing room attendant carts at all hours, or not having to wait on lines for anything because there is more staff to manage things, so be it, I'm all for it. Anything where you get what you pay for is good value. I stopped cruising Carnival when I felt like I no longer got what I paid for, and paying more for a more expensive room was only going to minimally impact that situation, it wouldn't change the total experience enough to matter.

No you didn't alarm me, and I totally understand what you are saying. Like I said in my original post, since I am new I will not miss what is no longer there. I know what Disney provides in their cruise service, and I am hoping that I will walk off the ship and have the same feeling of Awe, that Disney provides me. This will be an 11 day cruise with 5 sea days so I am sure I am going to have a fabulous time and really I am so looking forward to it.

So thanks everyone for your kind responses.

Denise

I am "new" to Royal, have not sailed on her yet. I have been reading these boards and getting as much information on Royal as I can. I have to say, the more I read the more I wonder if I will enjoy sailing on her. I am trying really hard keeping an "open mind" on this. But when I read post's like this, it makes me nervous about my up coming cruise.

We booked this because we are traveling with family and friends and I wanted to try Royal.

So I hope that my experience on Royal will be a good one. Maybe because I have not sailed on her before, I wont notice what has been cut back on and what used to be. I am hoping that what I do encounter will leave a good impression on me.

Thank you for listening to a newbe to Royal.

:)

:eek: 549 :(

:eek: 571 :(:(

Thanks Bill for your live report and pictures...cant wait to 2016. I may have to ask you and Karen tons of questions about things to see on each island. Glad you had such a great cruise.

Denise

:)

One of the "little" things that Disney does when in port they set up a "drink" station. So when you come back from your excursions or such they have ice cold flavored water waiting for you before you get back on the ship. What a nice touch, especially if its hot out...that nice ice cold water really hit the spot....love it...:)

First off, make sure that you sign up for the Crown & Anchor Society Loyalty Program sometime during your first cruise.

 

When you book a cruise while on board the OBC will be determined by the number of nights as I have referenced in my previous post on the first page.

 

When booking on board you will get a reduced deposit of $100pp unless you decide to book a Grand Suite or higher and then you would have to pay a full deposit which would be doubled.

 

Here is a link to the Crown & Anchor Member's Benefits http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do

 

And here is the link to balcony discounts when you reach Platinum Level Current C&A Balcony Discounts With New OBC Amounts Effective 3/15/2014

 

Here is also a Current Listing of Exclusive Onboard Offers by C&A Level

 

Hope this helps.

Thanks will read about the Crown and Anchor....thanks for your reply

With Royal, you get on board credit and reduced deposit. No discount on the cruise. All staterooms JS and under can be booked for $100 deposit per person. Other staterooms require full deposit.

Thanks for your reply....learning all the in's and out's on a different cruise line...

Ok, I have a little time here, however, when on my cruise I decide I would like to rebook another cruise, balcony, I get 100.00 OBC.....! Anything else? Any discount on deposit or off the amount of the cruise?

When re-booking on board with Disney, their "perks" are 200.00 OBC, 10% off the cruise you are booking and 50% off deposit.

New with Royal, just trying to figure out how Royal works.

:) thanks

Our next cruise seems so far away! :p How can I make the time go by faster? I have already registered us for the meet and mingle. lol What are they like? This is the first time we have booked this far out and it will also be our first on RC. We booked it during the previous BOGOHO sale and couldn't turn down the price.

I always book my cruises out....time goes fast...it will be here before you know it....I have just a little longer wait on my next cruise....:eek::D

I did the same thing--cancelled a Disney Cruise (after 16 of them!!!) for RCI because of the price. I was a bit concerned, because it was a 14 night cruise, but I went in knowing it wasn't Disney. I was not disappointed in any way, and, in fact cancelled my next Disney cruise in favor of RCI, and have two more scheduled for this fall, totalling 18 nights.

 

We are two older adults who absolutely LOVED all of our Disney cruises, but we find that RCI is a better fit for our $$$ these days. The only thing we found to be not quite as good were the main stage shows, but we had seen all of Disney's shows several times and weren't going to them anyway!

 

Beth

Thanks Beth,

I have been reading a lot of these threads here, there are a lot of things that sound really great and others I think may have me missing Disney. But like you, I am going in with a open mind, knowing that it is not Disney and giving them a fair chance...this is an 11 day Hawaiian cruise with 8 of us going and out of the 8 of us only 1 has been on RC before....and she had not had any issues with them. So I am thinking it should be fine.

Again, thanks for the pep talk, it really helped and makes me feel better.

Denise :)

I am conflicted because we would give up a balcony and a sea day. I am the black sheep in my fam-I love Disney while others are so so. I heard the service is better on Disney. I am reading my DCL guide and am regretting my choice for RCl. Will a Disney lover enjoy RCI?

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk. Please excuse any typographical errors.

Well only you can make that descision, however, I am a huge Disney person, I actually cancelled a Disney cruise to do my frist Royal cruise...and I am kinda of nervous about sailing on Royal. Disney has the best service and perks....even sailing without kids. I hope that a Disney lover will enjoy RCI....I did the switch because of the itinerary and traveling with family members....but going to miss the free sodas... But whatever you decide have a great cruise. :)

We have sailed many times, but only on DCL. We have taken the plunge to try new cruise lines. We are books for 11/15. I realized I know nothing as to how their dinning works.

Do you get a list of restaurants that are included in your fare? and a list of ones with extra fees?

I also understand soda, coffee & some other drinks are extra. How does that work?

thank you for answering what is probably the same question a million times.

In the "same boat as you" going to miss the free soda's...and the rotational dining but still looking forward to trying Royal and seeing what they have to offer. :)

Booked Liberty for next Aprl, just me and my husband traveling. I'm assigned early seating for dinner, my husband is assigned late seating. IT has said they aren't sure how to fix it:confused:

Wow, this is my first sailing with Royal and this is starting to sound a little scary to me....I dont know how something as simple as making a reservation for a couple in the same cabin dining togething yet getting two different dining times and then being told they dont know how to fix it?? very strange to me.....Hope they are able to fix it for you and you and your husband can enjoy dinners together.

Enjoy your upcoming cruise.