roquejo

Thanks. I'm sailing Solstice to Alaska this Sept. I also chose this ship over other options.

Can you confirm whether the Molecular Bar is still there? Or it is already replaced by World Class bar.

Can't believe that Tracy Arm has still much ice this June.

I actually saw some carrots for juicing last May, but not sure whether it was in Norwegian Jade or Serenade of the Seas

Been sailing RCCL but will try Celebrity for the first time and have chosen the Solstice over Millennium class for Alaska to get a feel of the best Celebrity has to offer. Got the classic beverage package as a promo with an option to upgrade to Premium.

I've read about the Martini/Crush Bar, Cafe Al Bacio, Cellar Masters, World Class or Molecular bar (if it is still there) where you can use your beverage package. But is there a particular bar in a Solstice class ship where there is a juicer and you can get all sorts of fresh fruit or vegetable juices or smoothies?

Does the Aqua Spa cafe fit this description? Is this the place where there is a juicer and you can order either apple carrot or pure apple juice (fresh ones that they ran over the juicer upon order, not the canned ones or those at tetra packs) And included in the classic beverage package? ..

Or are you limited to just freshly squeeze orange juice?

I just got off from Ovation last June 12 so I have to provide the correct information for everyone based on what's in my sailing and this is fairly recent since this is just last week.

The lounge is CL and is open to D+ and above. And D+ and above are also welcome to join the Diamonds at the Music Hall 2nd floor for nightly Diamond event.

My current understanding that the SL concept currently applies to Allure, Oasis, and Freedom only so far, the D+ are not allowed and it serves wine and beer all day and not just in the happy hour. But there may be other ships that implemented this that I am not aware of. And I have no idea if there are other ships sailing from outside the US that has adapted the SL concept.

But I can say, (as I just got off the ship!!) That Ovation has CL for anyone who is sailing Ovation soon and wants updated information. And I was told by the concierge that here is no DL in Ovation until the ship enters Australia in December

I did Tracy Arm via Norwegian Sun July 2014 and we did reach the South Sawyer glacier but just from the distance.

Does Tracy Arm has more ice than usual this year? Or the Solstice is just bigger than most ships so harder to fit in TA compared to medium sized ships?

Will do this again this Sept via Solstice and have booked that catamaran tour, and hoping by September, the ice has already melted.

Just did the Norwegian Fjords on Serenade last May 15, been to Alaska 2x already and going again this Sept via Solstice, and did the New Zealand's Fjords via Radiance in Feb 2015.

For me the Fjords are all starting to look the same..except for Alaska, that area is teeming with wildlife for some reason, and there are glaciers, which are 2 things lacking in both New Zealand and Norway.. that is why I kept on coming back to Alaska, coz in every visit, there are different wildlife encounters.

In a Norwegian fjords cruise, if your ship calls Stavanger be sure to do the Pulpit hike, it is a rather difficult 4 mile, around 2 hour hike each way but the views up there worth it are voted the best lookout in the world by Lonely Planet.

I think that was the highlight of my Norwegian Fjords cruise.

What I have observed so far is RCCL adapts their lounge setup depending on where the ship is.

For mature markets like Caribbean, the setup seems to be heading towards DL-SL where D plus don't have access anymore to the SL.

For emerging markets like Asia, it seems to be heading for the CL only for suites, D+ and above only. Just like what is happening now in Quantum and Ovation as long as they are in Asia. Diamonds have no lounge but have a nightly Diamond event and coffee and breakfast in lieu of having it in the DL is obtained elsewhere. Because there are not much Diamond members and up in Asia.

For mid markets like Europe and Australia, the setup is still the CL-DL we are all familiar with.

I would like the clarify that there is no lobster on Europe and Australia cruises ever since due to supplier issues.

Also came from Serenade from Norway and no lobster last month, also Radiance from Australia no lobster on both of my Feb 2015 and 2016 sailings, and came from Ovation last week no boiled lobster as well at the Grande...also no SeaBass at Chic

You have to pay extra if you want lobster in Ovation at the Solarium Bistro..

But Quantum has lobster both at Grande (boiled lobster tail) and Devinly Decadence (surf and turf) during the Asia part Global Odyssey days last year that I was in... Voyager had 2 cases that its Asia sailing I was in had lobster... but limited to only 1 tail per person... and the other case they sneaked in a surprise lobster when it says in the menu that it is supposed to be shrimp. :) Lobster is expensive in Asia.

Was told by the head waiter in Ovation that only in Caribbean sailings that they consistently have lobster as they have a good supplier in that region.

Hope this helps...

I concur that Ovation has CL, not SL, having just sailed her less than a week ago.

Well if the OP exhibited this kind of behavior, then better for him to make good of his threat and move to other cruise lines...

We don't need this kind of person in our lounge.

And at least one less crowd for us.. :D

Just back on the ovation last week and booked another cruise on the Ovation for next year. FANTASTIC ship!!

Same here... just came from Ovation and booked her again for November for a longer cruise..

I'm just avoiding mainland China sailings... the rest are fine.

If it is bad why would I sail her again?

I just got back from Ovation and will sail her again in November in Asia as well.

The setup is similar to Quantum while Ovation is in Asia, the Diamond lounge is the Golden Room for casino high rollers while in Asia and will revert back to Diamond lounge once it enters Australia.

As a Diamond member, no benefit is lost, happy hour continues at the 2nd floor of music hall and the Diamond concierge is holding office there. It is a change of atmosphere from a lounge to a bar event. An advantage is we have a full staffed full sized bar beside us so drinks came in a flash, there is a billiard table and lots of space.. the only drawback is it is a noisier bar atmosphere.. so depends on what you prefer.

As for the morning continental breakfast of the Diamond lounge, it is being held at Chops.

As for the coffee machine. We can get premium coffee at 3 venues. If Starbucks is your brand, you get it at La Patisserie. If you prefer Seattle's best, you get it from Cafe 360 and the 3rd venue is Winjammer Coffee shop where they serve another brand... and it comes with Starbucks and Seattle's best branded paper cups... just show your seapass, no need to sign, get unlimited servings but one at a time.

So hope this clears things out... for me this is a better setup, especially coffee has became more convenient and more brands to choose from, and it is something different for a change.

What complaints? I just got off from Ovation 4 days ago in Singapore. Nothing much to complain about.

If you read Quantum's reviews same time last year, you get the same result.

Since you are sailing Australia, I don't see any problem, RCCL adapts to the culture of the region so the sailing experience changes depending on where the ship is currently home ported.

There seems to be a recurring pattern here that most complainers here are newbies... oh just ignore them, not worth my time.

I will also be in Solstice in Sept 2.

Can you confirm if indeed the Molecular Bar is indeed gone and got replaced by World Class bar?

I sailed both lines, RCCL as my first choice with 12 cruises and NCL as my alternative cruise line with 4 cruises. Even recently sailed both lines one after the other with just one day apart.

Being familiar with both lines, I agree that RCCL now has a generally higher price point than NCL.

I still prefer RCCL even if NCL is indeed cheaper given all things equal. Honestly the only incentive for me to sail NCL is the lower price, NCL compete with price more than anything else and can drop prices to rock bottom rates after final payment more frequently and deeper than RCCL (and pissed those who booked earlier at way higher price but can no longer cancel) if the cruise is not selling well.

RCCL I sail because of so many intangibles that made happy in my 12 cruises for with them so far..(for example RCCL has better compensation than NCL if your booked cruise has been chartered or redeployed and RCCL is generally more accommodating, generally better problem resolutions than NCL if you encounter issues etc just to name a few) so even if NCL is cheaper no doubt, I still prefer RCCL as RCCL makes me feel as a valued customer more than NCL.

Are we now getting way off topic here?

 

In the end, the current structure of the program is not sustainable. There's just not sufficient space to keep expanding the cohort that qualifies. I don't think it's a question of whether they are going to do it, but when!

Not another thread like this...

You failed to take into consideration that the space problem only occurs mostly in US and TA sailings. Perhaps you are only confined in the US or TA sailings where there is only DL and Suite lounge.

Have you ever sailed Asia? Australia? I've sailed in all continents from Alaska to Caribbean to Norway to Asia to New Zealand, except South America. Well, was supposed to sail that continent too but RCCL just pulled out from that market starting next year.

Europe, for example is not that bad as the lounge only gets full before the first seating, after that, there is a lot of room.

Australia, even less, it's very tolerable.. (I know the Aussies agree with me)

Asia.. heck!!! Have you been to sailing in a Voyager class where there are only 2 Diamonds from the entire 3,000? Many times they cannot even do a top tier party as there are not much platinums and up members.

So before you make a suggestion, broaden your horizon first. RCCL is a global international cruise line and not merely in Florida sailing to the Caribbean where you are in.

And one more thing, not all continents have a drinking culture... so even if you put thousands of non existent Chinese diamond members (as most of them are still gold)... you won't find them in the lounges drinking, they rather be in the casino or in the ship's shopping area snapping up goods.

Judging from you whining about capacity problems, looks like you are just thinking local, not global.

Regarding the lounge rumor....So many have posted that it is not (really) the free drinks that folks want, it is the place to meet and chat with others. Seems this recent rumor supports just that concept. The lounge will still be there, with a place to chat with others who enjoy cruising. Isn't that what folks said was the real benefit of the lounge? (This falls under - Be careful what you wish for).

I disagree, the free flowing drinks are actually "the bait" that draws the like minded Diamonds and up to converge in one place at the same time, in the process, get to know each other, strike a conversation, introduced to each other, exchange ideas and rich experiences on cruising matters, and make new friends.

Without that bait and just having the 3 drink vouchers, most Diamonds and up with just either hang out with friends and family at any bars, while some will just pass by it, grab a drink and go to the pool or bring the drink to the balcony, theatre or MDR.

The free drinks is just like food you need to throw in a pond for all the fish in different areas of the pond to come to you and converge in one place.

Oh great, now we Diamonds became fishes now...

I agree... what we are getting here are a bunch of rumors that cannot be substantiated.

The only thing that came true is the Welcome Back party is indeed gone.. I got a letter during embarkation day in my last Serenade sailing saying they have removed this party since May 1.

I just got off Serenade last Sunday and have heard none of this, in fact the DL on that ship has one of the most generous pours I've experienced. And seapass are not being asked per drink in the lounge.

This rumor that the happy hour is going away is the worst so far, even worse than the rumor kicking out the Diamonds only from the DL as this affects us all, even Pinnacles.

Having the only 3 drinks per seapass will greatly reduce that time where all diamonds are up are drawn to one place due to the free drinks, where like minded individuals meet and make new friends, contacts, chat and share information with each other.

This will just scatter us to different bars of the ship and removes the venue where we can potentially meet every night to gain new friends.

Recall outside the happy hours, the Diamond lounge is mostly empty and quiet. So if they remove it, it will be likely that way the entire sailing.

This nightly Diamond happy hour is what makes me sail RCCL often compared to other cruise lines like NCL even if their fares are cheaper... I just sailed NCL again after 2 years and I do miss that nightly happy hour had I sailed with RCCL, same with other lines. So if this is taken away, then there is already no major difference of the loyal program between RCCL vs other lines.

It was the bar staff themselves. They told us that they had been told it was ending soon, in the Diamond lounge. just the evening receptions. They would no longer be serving drinks in Diamond Lounge in the evening.

 

So, I guess I am now that guest who heard it from the Bar Staff who is passing this information on to other passengers.

And I actually hadn't put much stock in it until I read this post

For me this is just a rumor, not even sure if the your bar staff source is reliable unless someone else besides you is validating this info and came from another ship.

One single post from one person only is not yet convincing.

1. 
   

 

Molecular Bar will be converted to World Class Bar in June 2016.

Can this be delayed until the dry dock?.. was also hoping it will be there in Sept 2 sailing.

I am also a solo cruiser.

Unfortunately, it is the same argument for hotels that if you get a room with buffet breakfast for two included, it is only good for one even if they give you 2 vouchers.

Was looking at deck plans on Voyager and was given two seperate dates for when the deck plans were valid. And then I ran Voyager on available cruises. Notice that there are no cruises between 5/3/17 and 10/18/17. The last cruise in May of 2017 is a repositioning cruise to Singapour.

 

I am going on an Australia/New Zealand cruise on 10/28/17.

 

Was wondering if anyone knew if Voyager was going into dry dock. If so, what enhancements it is scheduled for.

 

Thanks.

Voyager just recently went into dry dock late 2014, in which the flowrider was added as well as the specialty restaurants Chops and Giovanni's table.

The Australian sailings of Voyager are always released way earlier, the missing dates are the Asia season sailings where it will be homeported in Hong Kong which will be released later, probably around October 2016.