gdpups

We are on a June sailing, Spectra’s Cabaret just opened up for reservations.  Watched a YouTube video to see what the show is like.

Currently on Summit and enjoyed the Huevos this morning, so good.  Same menu, nothing has changed on this ship. They have really taken care of me, I have to eat gluten free and always have the same waiter.

Because it’s the next port, today is 3rd day in Quebec with beautiful weather.  We leave this afternoon then have 2 sea days followed by last day in Portland.  It’s been a very nice cruise.

53 minutes ago, JDPCruisers said:

Who do you speak to for any requests, the head butler? Does he have a direct number or you contact the concierge, or? Thanks for the information.

He gave us his business card with number, said to contact him for any requests.  Had room service this morning and got a call asking if everything was ok with it. Don’t have experience on another ship in a sky suite since the change, but totally impressed with everything Summit so far.

Currently in an Aqua sky suite on Summit.  Head butler came to our cabin to introduce himself to us the first day on the ship.  He assured us nothing has changed, will deliver coffee, afternoon treats, fill our fridge with what we want, which you can see from the picture was done.  Awesome service on Summit and wonderful crew!

That’s the flight I would book myself, cruised in and out of Ft Lauderdale many, many times,  the airport is really close and quick off the ship when in a suite.  

I called Captains Club to just upgrade my packages since my roommate doesn’t drink much alcohol and was told no, but she did offer to change my roommate to the nonalcoholic package so I could upgrade just myself.  I assume they will let you purchase the alcohol package if you purchase the non-alcohol one for your wife.  That’s also Royal Caribbean’s policy, same owner.

Just checked in for my September cruise from Boston, I’m on the West Coast so with an 3 hour difference was able to check in at 9 pm the night before.

I tried calling Captains Club, but was told no.  Would also like to know if anyone has had any luck ,even if once onboard.

My friends daughter was able to get an upgrade to a sky suite onboard a few months ago, said the price was not bad. Pays to ask.

Just be careful at Cafe Al Bacio, usually they have dedicated tongs for gluten free cookies, but I have seen them use the same tongs for gluten free and non-gluten free cookies.

I also did the same excursion solo several years ago since my husband wanted to do something else and didn’t feel weird at all.  I love meeting others so I agree, go for it!

At the hamburger station, on Harmony, they occasionally had gluten free hamburger and hot dog buns out at lunch that were very good.  If I didn’t see them out I would ask for one and they would get it for me.

I was on Harmony two weeks ago and we had quite a few pinnacles that week that enjoyed happy hour.  I could tell because they wore their pinnacle pins.  They enjoyed happy hour just like suite guests, which was quite busy the first hour or so when I was there.  I usually arrived 15 minute before it started just to get a seat, it was fun visiting with people.

We just did the chefs table on Navigator 3 weeks ago and yes it was a private round table in a separate area between decks in the dining room.  We had a fun table and conversation was flowing, the food and wine was very good. The food is exactly as shown on the video, although you can’t see the food well.  I’ve done the chefs table on Celebrity as well, I think you will enjoy the on on Royal, we sure did.!

I just noticed activities for our cruise have been added to the Daily Planner on our cruise app, haven’t seen them before.

5 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

And for the insurance fans, don't come on here and say it cost 50 grand to be airlifted off the ship. 

 

It's free courtesey of Uncle Sam

 

 

My friend, who I was traveling with, had to be airlifted off a ship near Florida and was told if the Coast Guard wasn’t available the cost for a private airlift would be in the $60k range.  I was with her when she made the call to her husband to let him know.  She had not purchased travel insurance.  Luckily for her the Coast Guard was available and she had what we older Disney fans call an e-ticket ride that night.

When we booked I believe they charged full price for our 9 year old and told us they would adjust the price onboard as long as she ate from the kids menu, but full price if from the regular menu.  From what I remember we couldn’t at the 4 year old, I believe because they are free so they said they would just add a chair for them.  I did call Royal to get the answers.

I just wanted to make a comment to the poster that said not to worry about covering air transport from a ship that would be covered by the Coast Guard.  I was on a ship with friends a few years back and one of them had to be airlifted back to Florida not long after we set sail.  She was told if the Coast Guard was not available they would need to use private transport and the cost would be about $60k.  She did not have travel insurance and was lucky the Coast Guard was available, so didn’t have to pay out of pocket.  After that we never travel without sufficient travel insurance.

 
Please be careful what you advise people.

I just used it to purchase shore excursions and received an email immediately from AMEX that my transactions qualified and I would receive the bonus, so should also work for beverage package purchases.

I have used the luggage valet service 4 or 5 times and just wanted to mention that twice my luggage didn’t make my plane. I was kept notified and my luggage was delivered the next day in both cases. The other times worked like a charm.

I attended the Ultimate BBQ on Reflection last week and had a wonderful time. It was $69 pp and not covered by any package.  We found out about it on a sea day, they were promoting it outside the Oceanview Cafe, but I’m sure you could book once you board the ship.

We were told they only take 60 people and it is family style so long tables. You start on the lawn with cocktails, then sit down for dinner at the Lawn Grill. We were advised in advance to pace ourselves so we did.

First we had several starters, then flatbread all family style. The meat servings reminded me of how they do a Brazilian BBQ restaurant, they came by with chicken, seafood, lamb, steak, etc. I can’t remember all of it but there was a lot of food. It ended with dessert which was cheesecake, apple crisp and I think carrot cake. I am gluten free so they were great at accommodating me, just can’t remember all the regular food that was served.

They did serve and include wine, they served a red and a white, but we had the premium package so asked for a different wine and they brought up a bottle for us (we tipped well for that).

As I said we had a great time and would do it again.

2 hours ago, Gonzo70 said:

 

FYI Michelin does not award stars to chefs. 

I assume they mean he was the chef at a restaurant that was awarded 2 stars. Just what I was told on the ship.

I had dinner in Eden several weeks ago with 3 friends and we had a wonderful time. I was told the chef in Eden is a 2 star Michelin chef and since the kitchen is open to the dining room it was fun watching him and the other chefs prepare the food. 

If you have an adventurous spirit you will love Eden and the food.  Some of the Eden charatures help serve the food and do little performances around you during dinner. If you engage them they are delightful to talk to and will explain their character as well as the others so their performance later that evening makes sense.  

I think Eden is a one time adventure for me unless I am traveling with others who had not experienced it.

You can also request a check which will show a zero balance and can add a tip to it which will be deducted from your onboard account. This is what we do as we don’t always remember to carry cash.