cruisegirl1

That is pitiful. Here are a few photos from Hooked on Wonder in March 2023. Sorry about the photo with just shells, but I think you can see how large the lobster was - and the claws. We booked the dining package again for an upcoming Wonder cruise because of meals we had earlier in the year (on my photos). I would be disappointed to get anything like the photo in the OP’s post

I understand. We are on the sailing and generally make good use of the solarium bistro both for mid day snacks and a couple of dinners during the week. Especially since the new menus I will certainly miss the convenience of having the solarium bistro right next to where I spent most of my day. Would be nice if the cruise line had some sort of coffee/cold drink/fruit/cookie station in the solarium to keep us from having to leave the solarium to go to the windjammer several times a day. m

Actually, it is Kosher. That’s the whole point of certifying and using the solarium bistro. Passengers who select (and pay extra) for the kosher meal program, know that they can get freshly prepared kosher meals. Freshly prepared meals that come out of other kitchens (MDR) would not be kosher. What is traditionally offered is a heated pre-prepared, frozen meal for those who require kosher meals. I suspect many would prefer to pay extra for the freshly made food. Not much different than someone deciding to buy the dining package. M

Sorry wrong thread m

Some ships (most) currently set the level at $14. But the same rule applies, anything at $14. You pay the difference plus gratuity on the difference. You will be happily surprised at the number and quality of drinks that are included in the $14 price range. Once on board, you can easily learn the limit. It will be in documentation that is found in your stateroom, plus the bartenders will know. There are some wine/champagne glasses over $14, and a couple of drinks in the bamboo room that were over the limit. The rest were within the limit. if you go to the app and look at some of the restaurant/bar menus, you can see the current price of drinks. enjoy m

Are you on Wonder? m

Just the bistro. m

WRONG INFO. SORRY. Correct date should be Wonder, January 21. Got my cruises mixed up. I am booked on Wonder JANUARY 21 and that is the week that the solarium bistro is closed to general passengers. sorry if I caused any confusion m

I am booked on one of the cruises. I have since learned that The Solarium will be OPEN, but the Solarium Bistro is CLOSED to general passengers all week. Wonder, Jan 14 cruise M

No free drinks at Hideaway Beach either. Let him know unless he likes surprises when he sees the final day invoice. 😀 If you have any RCCL loyalty status you can use the drink benefits at Hideaway beach. Have fun M

We did not need any nets on our only Greenland stop, Qaqortoq ( Mid September). However we needed them in Isafjorour, Iceland at most of the tour stops. Seems we had unusually warm weather which brought them out. Bought nets last minute and it was glad I did. M

Hideaway Beach is a party beach with a DJ. If you are looking for a quiet spot, this might not be the place for you. Take a look at RCCL promotional photos and videos. m

Be careful what you consider status match. Another company may match some sort of level in name, but that level might not provide the same benefits that Royal Caribbean provides. The Celebrity status match is not a true match. It only goes up to elite/diamond. So if you are diamond plus or Pinnacle on Royal, you transfer only to elite on Celebrity. Similarly, if you are elite plus or Zenith on Celebrity you are just diamond on Royal Caribbean I think it’s terrific that some other cruise lines offer benefits, but just be aware and understand what you are being offered m

Packed. She was only on board for the concert. If I recall, the concert was late afternoon. She performed the afternoon we were in Cozumel. We returned to the ship early for the concert. She was off early in the evening ( I guess around 7:30) so we could depart for the next port. Those who did not have tickets or a boardwalk balcony, hung out in the boardwalk to hear the concert. It was not billed as any type of special concert cruise, we only learned a few weeks prior that she was to perform. M

Taylor Swift was a guest performer on the January 2011 Allure. We were on board. The tickets went to Make-A-Wish foundation recipients, some winners of a radio contest, and some specific passengers on board. The concert was held in the aqua theater, so in addition to those who had tickets, anyone in a boardwalk balcony could also enjoy.

Coco Cay is still free. I think everything that was free before, it’s still free, and then some. There are thousands of free loungers with umbrellas (used to have to rent umbrellas) and a nicely upgraded lunch. There is also a snack shack with complementary food as well. Also for your complementary use is a huge pool with swim up bar. There are complementary trams to get you down the pier, and another set to get you around the island. All of that is complementary. If you have the drink package and wi-Fi, it is accepted at Coco Cay Should you choose some different/additional type of accommodations such as the Coco beach club, Hideaway Beach, beach beds, beach cabanas, all of those are there for your enjoyment for an additional fee. m

Coco beach club is Not adults only. There’s usually discount of about $10 less for children. Hideway beach will be adults only. m

We have definitely received mats every time we’ve been at Barefoot beach, and every time it has been with no cabana/bungalow. It is a suite beach, and mats are a benefit. (Disclaimer, we haven’t been in about four months, but the dozens of times prior, we always received a complementary beach mat). m

I presume you mean grand suite. Yes, and it can be before or after dinner depending upon your dinner schedule. The lounge will serve from 5 till 8 PM. m

An 80s party is already held on many ships. I recall it on Harmony and Wonder within the past year. m

I suspect, that the maître d’ will be able to accommodate the OP. If not, the OP has several options. Go to the Windjammer for dinner. Change to my time dining for the cruise. Pay the charges of a specialty restaurant. Cancel the excursion. All of them are reasonable solutions. In my opinion, to to escalate a meeting with the food and beverage director or hotel director because one is arriving back late from an optional excursion is a bit over the top. Every little situation does not require the attention of the food and beverage director or the hotel director. They have serious issues to resolve, not someone’s activity/dining preferences. OP-I hope it works out for you and you have an enjoyable cruise. m

If you have my time dining for your cruise, as long as you get back before about 9 o’clock, you can go to the MDR for dinner. We did that on a recent cruise that had our excursion return after 8 pm. We had dinner in my time dining at 8:30. Of course we were not able to request the staff or area where we were normally served, but that was OK. You could even go on the website, planner and reserve my time dining for a late time on that evening. Windjammer generally closes at 9 as well. m

There is an area of several large blow up water towers/pyramids/etc. on one of the beaches. The beach is free, but it costs to use the large water activities. m

Your scenario would work. Lots of people actually just sent one spouse on lots of cruises to get the extra points. Then both spouses enjoy the tier level. There’s nothing wrong with this option. At this point, it is perfectly “legal“ as couples share the same tier level m

Just so you know, at just a bit more than the standard dinner, it is likely (just) a glass of champagne for each person. m