jillyfish

Thanks for the replies! Wanted to make sure I wasn't missing advance reservations anywhere.

Is there a way to make Specialty Dining reservations ahead of boarding?Or are reservations only taken once on the ship?

Very similar. Some differences based on our 7-night Regal cruise a couple weeks ago:

1. Most tables are for two people and it is assumed that a couple will want to sit at one.

2. The menu is the same as the MDR's menu with one or two unwritten CC only "specials" each evening. These specials can be as simple as a special sauce for a steak, to off menu main entree items. During our cruise a couple weeks ago, the off menu specials included tuna steak, Osso buco, and and upgraded "surf & turf", which was the replacement of smaller prawns on the MDR's plate with larger prawns in CC.

3. Although tableside cooking is advertised, this is basically false. There is Head Waiter with a small cooking table in the CC Section, but he (in our case) never moved from that spot. So unless you just happened to have a table located near the spot, no tableside preparations.

4. We always found the food, at most, warm never hot. Even food cooked nearby by the Head Waiter.

5. Service is good, but I do not know that it is better than the MDR.

6. There was an obvious effort to make sure that we never had the same waiter or table more than twice. In five nights (we went to the SRs both formal nights), we had three tables and three waiters. This was the case even though we arrived early when the CC dining section was still wide open and we could have easily been seated at the same table. We did not object to be moved around so I do not know if you can make an issue of this.

7. Even though the CC section (on the Regal at least) is obviously separate from the rest of the dining room by physical barriers (part of the original design of the dining room, not added later for CC). However, there about 6 tables that are outside this area and are right next to standard MDR tables. We were seated in this area the last night; no problem for us, but I wonder how the people in the standard area felt about their neighbors getting different food some of which would be obvious.

 

I believe that CC cost us less than $100@. I feel that is about what the whole CC experience is worth (not including the prime cabin locations included with CC). If much more and you can find a suitable cabin location, I would recommend that you save your money and move to the SRs every night as we have done the two previous Princess cruises.

sptrout ~

Thanks for the detailed reply.

You have re-enforced my thought that the extra cost, even at $100 (x3), would not be worth it for our family.

How does the club class dining, food and overall experience, compare to anytime dinner dining?

Looking forward to following along.

I can feel your excitement. And even more so since you'll be missing Syracuse's first snow of the season this weekend!!

Have a great journey!!

Thanks for the info!!

This will be great!!

I had googled and the info I pulled up did not list the Emerald.

Is the messeging system on this app active on the Emerald yet?

We were trying to save $$ by not doing much in port when we were there in April. Super easy to save money in this port when there's a beach as soon as you get off the ship. I have a complete review of our day there with TONS of pictures to show you what it looks like if you are interested, just click on the link in my signature line. :)

Very nice pictures!!

.........the huge pool area is FREE?!?! If there's a beach, I'd rather be there. But the pool is a nice option.

Our flight is 3:00pm from Fort Lauderdale when disembarking on a Monday at Port Everglades.

What has been people's general latest disembarkation?

I could only hope that Princess has replaced the wimpy hair dryers on the Emerald, but I suspect that's wishful thinking. I've been wishing it for 10 years now!!

 

I bring my own because the airflow from the usual ones in Princess cabins is weak. I have short hair but it is thick, and the wimpiness of their dryers makes it hard to style my hair and to get it fully dry.

 

If you have long and/or thick hair, you would be better off bringing one that you know works for you.

This is the info I was looking for. ;) Thanks.

Guess I'll have to make room to bring my own. :(

How are the hair blowdryers on Emerald?

I'm hoping NOT to pack mine from home.

I have to agree, our last time at the ES were not so stellar. We've stayed there twice in years past but now enjoy the other Hilton's in the area as well. I can honestly say the Hilton Beach Resort last year was the NICEST hotel I've ever stayed in. Our room was a 1 bedroom apartment! :) It was HUGE! (and the balcony was a 10)

 

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/rccl1/DSCN1154.jpg

 

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/rccl1/DSCN1170.jpg

 

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/rccl1/DSCN1168.jpg

 

We had coffee out there both mornings. It was 'almost' as good as having it on our balcony on the ship. ; )

N - I - C - E !!!!! We are staying at the Hilton Beach Resort in May. :D

Hope we get a fab balcony !!!!!

--I have to agree on ES. They are going to have to improve their housekeeping before we return there.

The 'Royal Rewards' option at the bottom of the Royal Caribbean home page worked fine for me. :)

I almost thought it was working today........................

but then...........NO :o

What site are you looking at, please?

 

I didn't know (or remember) there was a site other than B of A

 

thanks

Scroll all the way to the bottom of the Royal Caribbean home page.

In the second column from the left, click on Royal Rewards.

As of this morning, the site is still non-functional.

Yep, I just tried too.

Glad I requested my reward last week!! :o

DaughterRadio?? And is this cute little guy GrandbabyRadio??? :p

I can confirm that she does! She likes reading Dad's posts and seeing all his pics.

Or Mrs Radio and baby Radio? :)

I can confirm that she does! She likes reading Dad's posts and seeing all his pics.

DaughterRadio?? And is this cute little guy GrandbabyRadio??? :p

You mentioned earlier that Mrs Radio was not on this trip with you. Just curious, does she tune in to Cruise Critic to your LIVE post to see what she is missing?

Welcome home!! Have a safe trip back up North on the train.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does this look safe ? This is the Main Pool (Fwd STB)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

Doesn't look safe OR fun. Who wants to stand/sit in the pool? :confused:

I wish you clear skies and smooth sailing! Have a wonderful cruise!

yeah, what she said..........plus, hope you have no car troubles this time around! ;)

When you walk out of your oceanview balcony stateroom on deck eight do you have a wall in front of you or is it open to Central Park. Does not appear to have cabins across from you.

Thanks

That was my question too! On the deck plan it looks enclosed and you need to go down to the stair/elevator area to access Central Park.

.........anybody????:confused:

We are booked on deck 12, D1 cabin. But now due to this thread, I am thinking about moving to deck 8. :o

If I had it to do over again I would book a hump balcony on Deck 8.

 

Other people really seem to enjoy having the option of using Central Park as a way to get from one part of the ship to another. They also enjoy the quality and convenience of Park Cafe, where they can quickly jump out of their room, grab a hot breakfast and then enjoy it on their balcony.

 

I haven't read any complaints about noise or activity from people who have booked these cabins - just the opposite, as Central Park is one of the more peaceful areas of the ship.

 

And I would choose starboard side, as that side faces the island at most ports.

I just took a peek at deck 8. When you go out of your cabin door, into the hallway, what is out there? Is it a solid wall all the way through? It does seem like it would be quiet without 'neighbors' across the hall. Do you have to go to the elevator/stair areas on the deck in order to get into Central Park?

How long did it take to get to Sapphire Beach from Havensight?

Love your pictures!! :)