vjmatty

On 9/19/2024 at 3:41 PM, jevotm said:

I just can’t pay more for my drink package than I did for my entire 11 day aft balcony cruise with unlimited dining package.

It’s even harder to pay $60 per day for drinks when you sail other lines charging $60 per day total for drinks, WiFi and tips. 

2 hours ago, Suite Susie said:

Good luck getting a drink when you’re in The Sanctuary. We have just got off Sun today before the new Sanctuary class kicks in.  Took 20 mins to get a drink when only a dozen or so people up there. Apparently they are doubling the staff up there, but at full capacity, getting a drink could take a while. Also it will be difficult to get a sunbed up there as there are not nearly enough for all the extra passengers who will have access. 

Not to mention none of them in the shade. 

54 minutes ago, dides said:

Almost, we are booked on the TA for my milestone birthday but have an alternative booking so could swap over 😄

You’re like the third person I know of including myself who has booked a backup 🙂

48 minutes ago, Grego said:

I would expect that all ships will be affected.  The Sun Princess arrives in Port Everglades on the 9th of October from her transatlantic.

According to this article, cruise ships would continue to operate 

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/port-officials-ready-for-first-strike-by-dockworkers-in-decades/#

1 hour ago, dides said:

Heard unofficially that the Star Princess Float Out is scheduled to take place sometime next week

Does that seem on time, especially as compared to the Sun last year?

53 minutes ago, SCX22 said:

 

 

Royal Caribbean used Walltopia an a recent build.  They built The Crown's Edge on the recently released Icon of the Seas, which is supposed to be similar to Park19.

https://walltopia.com/introducing-crowns-edge/

 

Which means the company knows how to install such things on cruise ships properly. So much for the “too windy/not meant for cruise ships” theory that’s been tossed around here. The plot thickens. 

4 hours ago, chisoxfan said:

Notwithstanding the taboo of changing a ship's name I agree with you and nominate "Surprise Princess" as the new moniker beginning for Caribbean cruises. This rolls off the tongue better than Mysterious Princess, Evolving Princess, or Exiled Princess.

I like Amoeba Princess and Chameleon Princess. Or Whoopsie Princess. 

8 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I don’t know if this is true or not but I had read somewhere that the wrong metal was used and it was already beginning to rust. Someone please correct me if I am wrong. 

Can’t say, I wasn’t on the Meraviglia just passing by sailing out of Nassau. 

4 hours ago, neverbeenhere said:

 

268 3/4 (I measured it)  Especially upstairs.

Back of Bolero's when no events are going.

Crown and Concierge Lounges

I also liked the second floor of the Music Hall during the day, when there are no events.  The bar was always open when you needed a drink. 

32 minutes ago, voljeep said:

yep, now about that sanctuary area below ...

I don’t think the sanctuary will bother them, once people start playing pickleball they’ll notice nothing else around 😉

6 hours ago, Teeara said:

There was plenty of indoor space on Wonder, but yes, the lounges always had music playing which was kind of annoying.  At least on Wonder we had an Owners Suite and we spent most of our time there.

 

What is the Quantum class like?  I haven't sailed it yet and it looks like they do the TPs between Hawaii and Australia which is what I want to book next.

 

Not a fan of the smaller ships.  Radiance was boring and too small for us.  Although we did like hiding out in Singapore Slings when they weren't having activities in The Colony Club.  Our cabin was right outside the entrance to the Centrum area.  Talk about music all the time.  It didn't stop until 11:30 p.m. every night.  Ugh.

The good things: Many more indoor spaces such as a larger, truly indoor solarium, plus 270 which is a large aft two-story lounge with wake facing windows, and a larger promenade. There is the indoor Seaplex which has bumper cars, roller skating and sports events.  There is an indoor pool for families so you’re not limited to the solarium to stay out of the weather.  Also, the Music Hall is much larger and nicer, more like a theater and less like a studio as is on Oasis.  The WJ has an open floor plan so it’s easy to get around, rather than the rat-maze set up on Oasis class that leaves you bumping into people and amplifies crowd issues.

The not-so-good:  Not as many outdoor decks, so other than the one outdoor pool deck and the upper jogging track area, there’s very limited space outside. I wouldn’t recommend Quantum for a Caribbean cruise or anything with a lot of warm weather.  There are fewer specialty restaurants and the solarium bistro is very small with a much more limited menu. No water slides or children’s amusements on deck, although they still have the flow rider and other activities such as iFly and North Star.   Schooner bar is tiny and inadequate, usually hard to find seats for trivia and other activities. Smaller Sorrento’s without as many pasta or salad options. Tiny Cafe Promenade and Johnny Rockets is just a counter up on the pool deck.

I’m sure I’ll think of more after posting 😉

On 9/10/2024 at 2:24 AM, tonygcharles said:

Weather is unpredictable any time of the year , we've  done it in July / August and couldn't use the decks.

The weather can't be any worse then uk that time the year !

I agree! To be fair though, after sailing a transatlantic in December on the 600-passenger Pacific Princess, you’re ready for just about anything. 

On 9/10/2024 at 6:11 AM, Teeara said:

They weren't reasonable at all starting out this year for the Allure WB TA for 10/25, especially for suites.  Prices were and remain ridiculous in comparison to previous years.  We almost always book the morning cruises open for booking.  But I agree that booking early is always best.  We did see our prices go down for the TA, although others in our group did not.  

Yes, Oasis class do tend to be more, although I don’t bother checking Oasis class ships for TA’s.  Not enough indoor space and what there is usually tends to be crowded, or music has to be playing even in an empty lounge with the bar closed.  My favorite TA’s on RC have been on Quantum class, and believe it or not Vision as well.

37 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Allure WB TA next year prices for the past year. Most other TAs are similar.

 

Voyager TA leaving this fall:

Interesting. Odyssey 4/2025 started out $1600 for 5D refundable and is now almost double. $500 higher even for nonrefundable. Similar trends for Independence and Explorer next spring. The fall return trip on Odyssey is starting to climb as well, by about $600 so far. Guess it depends on the ship 🤷🏻‍♀️

7 minutes ago, Teeara said:

No freaking kidding.  The prices for the Allure WB TA next year were waaaaay higher than what we paid for our Wonder TA in 2022.  I'm almost paying more for a Jr. Suite than what we paid for our Owners Suite on Wonder.  I was shocked how much more expensive the prices were. 

They start out very reasonable, but once you get under a year out the prices double. Definitely something to book early. 

And for those speculating that Deck 19 was too high and windy for a ropes course, here’s one on MSC Meraviglia also on one of the top decks. 

29 minutes ago, antsp said:

I won't be going rock climbing 

I won’t either but I’ve got to say it’s fun to watch if you happen to be nearby. I saw this little girl of about 8 blow past a very nervous male teen like it was nothing, all the way to the top. Half our balcony faced the ocean but the other half faced the boardwalk which was great for people-watching moments like this. 

1 hour ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

Nothing screams Sanctuary than the banging and drilling of a construction zone.

 

Will Sanctuary guests now be provided with complimentary ear plugs?

 

 

I would demand noise canceling headphones with my choice of music. 

On 9/3/2024 at 10:51 AM, smokeybandit said:

Hopefully RC won't be far behind. Granted, 95% of it will probably be the same as last year's schedule, but still.

Same as it ever was….same as it ever was….

16 hours ago, dog said:

I suppose if I need to go to Guest Services I could go in the elite line, but it is often busier.  I rarely have any reason to go to GS and this SUN package issue for me is resolved.

 

Not sure why you ask?

I asked because I didn’t realize it was busier. 

17 minutes ago, dog said:

The email provided a link to princess website sanctuary collection FAQ- verifies no premier package- but sanctuary & private restaurant is included if booked before April 23/24 in the categories that are Sanctuary as of October 14/24.

 

I only know about my booking but maybe yours includes bundle, as you were told on the phone.

I will steer clear of GS on  embarkation day!

Don’t you get to wait in the elite line? Or did I misunderstand your minibar reference?

On 8/24/2024 at 9:48 AM, Mast5 said:

Did you check out cabins 14102 or 14101? Was looking forward to your input/photos prior to your upgrade.

I’m guessing that since they were upgraded to a suite they no longer had access to the original cabins. 

32 minutes ago, shay869 said:

I have heard a rumor from  someone at cruise industry, That Royal considering to replace the Odyssey at Rome  with the  Icon 3 on the itinerary to Greek Islands. 

I know it is sound unreal , because of  the size of greek ports , But as per my source  they considering it due to the high demand of US cruisers for cruises to greek Island. 

it will be good competition to the Viva of NCL  which have in similar route.    

 

Hopefully it will be come true. 

This could be the last straw if it happens. I can see multiple Greek islands being pulled out of the cruise port markets, at least to ships above a certain size. 

15 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

what is CA?

More commonly known as gratuities or tips, it stands for “crew appreciation”

51 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

 

I've done Royal TAs on Quantum, Anthem (x4), Vision, Voyager, and Oasis.  Next are Odyssey and Allure.

 

Other TAs were on Star Princess, Azamara Journey, and Celebrity Constellation.

Let’s see….

1 on Enchantment

1 on Anthem

1 on Emerald Princess

1 on Queen Elizabeth 

1 on Queen Victoria

1 on Pacific Princess

2 on QE2

1 on QM2

Next year on Odyssey and Star Princess.