Broken07

Your guest will need to have the unlimited dining package or they will have to pay the per meal fee for any specialty meals in your suite. Your guest beverage package has no bearing on the Star drinks delivered to your room. You maybe able have some drinks delivered to accommodate a few extra but if you are requesting more than for your consumption they may ask you to pay.  You can however for a fee set up a party or so. Your genie will try to accommodate you as much as possible but will also let you know politely what they can and can not do for your guest.  

You can use the dining package with chefs table. Instead of the full fee you pay a prorated upcharge of 49.99 or so. 

I was on Oasis in the summer and the Suite/priority boarding security line was longer than the regular. Jumped in the regular security line made it through well before the other. Then bounced over to the suite checkin which was shorter than the regular.  

2 hours ago, phd1003 said:

Great review. When did you travel on the Star class trip. Have been reading that the Genie's power is dwindling post Covid.

That hasn’t been my experience. Maybe it’s genie dependent. We had our best Star experience to date post Covid. 

Your genie is correct and you are actually lucky because it’s not included anymore at all one most ships. In the roll out it was included for the week. Not anymore. 

There is skating on Anthem. Port days only. 

You can have a sail away party. Concierge can also help you with that. You can hire a bartender, have food and even and entertainer. It’s all handle through food and beverage and there would be a fee. Think catering package or so.  

We have done Star several times. If you are hosting a party of this size, there is going to require a separate fee. This is considered a private event. Even to do a smaller party and to have a bartender in suite there is a fee. It won’t be nearly as much as renting the restaurant. But it has to go through food and beverage.  We did something similar were quoted prices starting at $500. Another Star guest on our sailing hosted a wedding on their balcony with food and the such. As a Star guest you are basically paying for the staffing. But you can inquire about cost before hand with your genie after first contact. 

The voucher can not be used for room service or mini bar service.  Use at any bar or restaurant. 

We used them a few times. Think curated excursions with special request which comes at a premium expense. Worth it if you are traveling with a large group or want something off the beaten path.  

Choice is your Royal casino level. 

2 hours ago, the_dylaness said:

 

That's a good idea, splitting it that way.

 

Did you feel like the quality of in-room dining was pretty close to dining in the restaurant? Do they do course-by-course or all at once?

 

My 11 year old does pretty well with a longer dinner but my just-turned-8-y/o is less patient with this type of stuff.  

We’ve had in suite dining course by course and all at once. The quality was on par to dining in. I honestly preferred all at once it was quicker lol. The genie would love to know any specific request upfront. Like specific decorations or things that may not necessarily be on the ship. However, the benefits of having the genie is having the ability to have some spontaneity. Be specific in the must haves but leave some room for genie magic. You may get on the ship and have a total different plan.

25 minutes ago, the_dylaness said:

Hi,

We're going on our first (sort of--- stay tuned) RCCL cruise in a few weeks.  We have opted for a suite which involves a Genie.

 

(I sailed on Legend of the Seas in 2002 so it is not technically my first RCCL cruise but obviously the product has changed so much I'm essentially a newbie. Experienced cruiser, just not this line.)

 

They have been in contact and want us to set a dining plan in advance. #FirstWorldProblem but this seems kind of stressful to me; I've not been on many cruises that you need to have basically all your dinners planned out in advance.  The last night of the cruise is my birthday and we are debating what to do for it... ideas range from "robe party" in our room with room service (kids don't get too squirrels, and I've done this before on another line and it was really fun, in a silly kind of way) to CP150 with everyone to CK with everyone to just an adult dinner one of those places... we are all over the place.

 

We already have reservations for Chef's Table and Izumi Hibachi (the Genie suggested making those in advance and then getting refunded later).  Our kids are 8 and 11 so while they can be patient for a restaurant meal, if it is TOO long they get a little squirrely and bored.  We don't permit electronic devices at the dinner table.  

 

What might make the most sense in this circumstance, or perhaps what considerations have we not taken into account?  RCCL feels like a very different kind of cruise than any of our prior experiences and I am a little unsure what to expect.

 

Thank you in advance for your suggestions!

 

Enjoy your cruise!  We’ve loved our genie experiences this far.  You could probably have the best of both ideas. Maybe have birthday lunch in suite with party vibes and cake and ice cream with the kids. Then later dinner for 2 at a specialty. I have a 9 year old and she is laid back and does dinner service well but it’s their last day and maybe they would like to explore while you dine. Idk. Just some thoughts.  Our genie did a really great party for my bday in suite with food from 150. He set up an ice cream and cupcake bar for my little with party decor and the such. You have a genie so you can have it all lol. Let us know you what you end up doing.  

5 hours ago, Midway7934 said:

Has anyone recently left from Bayonne Star Class?  Pre Covid there was a location specifically marked for Star Class in front of the entrance. The Genie (or assistant) met you and escorted you on WITH the baggage carrier. Has this changed? Hopefully someone has done this recently. I am traveling with family in sky class so I assume they drop luggage off at pier and bring my husband and I to entrance. Thank you for any guidance. Leaving soon.

Yes. It’s in the same spot. Zone 6. Near the main entrance of the terminal.

Owner’s Panoramic on Oasis did, and an extender can be added for more people. 

2 hours ago, missmad said:

I did make royalup offers but have no emails from them about getting an upgrade just a change of booking email with a new room number to a suite upgrade, is this royalup or have I just got lucky? and if so what happens to my royal up bids? this is for navigator on 23rd dec

They same happen to me. The Royal up email came 2 days after I got my upgrade. I checked my credit card, it showed there. 

5 hours ago, Dan83 said:

So diamond kids do get the photo and 24 hour internet? I’ve read reports of yes and no for those benefits. 

No, it was not until my 9 year old daughter became diamond on her own, did she get the free picture offer.  It never showed in photos onboard until she gained enough points  to be diamond herself.  

The key was worth it for us on the Oasis this past week. Ships are full and the lines were long. We never waited to rock climb, flow rider, ice skate, zip line or ultimate abyss. Times for key guest were doable. Getting off the ship was fast and we always get internet so the price was a 3 dollars difference. If it’s in the budget go for it. If I’m not in star or sky on oasis/quantum class we always get the key - more so for my daughter then anything.  

Just got back on Oasis from Bayonne and had the key and Jr. Suite.  The non suite line to get through security was shorter, I took that and beat my Grand suite cohorts. However once in the terminal Key, suites and pinnacles were routed to the far left and the line went quickly.  Honestly there was no real key specific line. 

People have there own idea of tipping so it’s subjective. We tipped $100 per person per day. But use your discretion and what’s comfortable for you. We had outstanding service from our genie. There are several links to other’s experiences. Maybe someone more experienced on the threads will chime in and send you in the right direction.  We didn’t ask for much but our most recent genie Allan F. Anticipated our needs and took care of any challenges.  We never waited for anything and anything we needed we received. Stocked minibar, treats in the room returning from excursions, surprise gifts from him throughout, and he made sure my pre-teen daughter had a blast. 

11 and under can now take the antigen test, but it must be clinic based. So no home test for that age group. 

We were on Anthem for Christmas last year. The Christmas Eve party was held in the promenade. However, Christmas morning with santa was in 270.

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That casino closed.

 

 

 

We visited the Casino Metro when we were there in March. It's located at the Sheraton Hotel by the convention center. It was about a 15 minute cab ride from the port. It's newer with a good selection of machines. I hit for $1700 on a machine. My husband hit for $4000 on another. So I would recommend this place.

Oh wow. That is good to know! Thanks.

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Absolutely do it! We did on Anthem on December 22, 15. Buy your excursion early. Many people were disappointed it sold out. There were at least 8 busses for Disney. We had a great time and of course the 3 year old did too. Fast pass helped. But I just chose the must do's and we got it all done. For prime season it was not the nightmare we thought it would be. We had great traffic, the monorail was being maintenanced so running slowly. We bought our Disney tickets in advance to chose our fast passes. We got to Disney around 8:30. Left around 6:30.

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