Jetdriver787

No! It is a “rock hard stone slab!” Ask for the topper which makes a huge difference. The mattress isn’t upgraded until you are in a GS or above. I found the sofa very hard and uncomfortable as well. That said, the extra room size (on a standard balcony) is noticeable and really does make a difference. On the Quantum class ships the extra large wardrobe space was redesigned to provide one and a half bathrooms, which we really loved. Still no shortage of wardrobe space with units either side of the bed as well as a standard fitted unit opposite the bed. Just spent 21 days on Anthem in a JS and really enjoyed it once we got the bed situation sorted out.

The quality, portion size and presentation are so much better. I would say that even ignoring that, is the fact that it feels like a proper restaurant. You won’t be seated cheek to Jowl with your neighbour!

Nickel of the Seas Dime of the Seas Enhancement of the Seas Gouge of the Seas

Absolutely loved it. Size wise, think Grand suite. Big bathroom (no tub) but huge shower. It was quirky (in that Virgin way,) but comfortable. We enjoyed being in it! The balcony set up was weak. The ubiquitous hammock was great, but the additional furniture amounted to a tiny table and a metal chair. That was our only real criticism of it, but our “Rockstar agent” said we should have spoken to her and she would have arranged for a lounger for us. We can’t help feeling that aspect of the layout needs a bit of a re-think. As for noise? When there was a party on the pool deck there was some overspill of sound and you could hear it on the balcony. I didn’t think it was overtly intrusive. Couldn’t hear anything in the room, nor did we hear any deck activity (chairs scraping, etc.)

Tends to happen on days with a “Y” in them!

The rules are that you have to book it and use it on one of the first 2 nights of the cruise. On Rhapsody last year they weren’t too fussed. On Anthem this year they stuck rigidly to the letter. Im not really sure why they do this? Spreading it out would seem to be a lot more sensible and likely to generate additional (albeit discounted) revenue. D+ users of the offer will likely be very familiar with the restaurants and more likely to pay extra with more flexibility on timings.

Every ”GTY” we ever had, has indeed been assigned “months in advance,” so that assertion isn’t correct. Just as with hotels, a lot of people aren’t unduly concerned if their assigned room has an adjoining door to the next room. For many people the strategic location of a room to elevators or facilities is of greater importance. For bookings made later in the offer cycle, it might well be the case ( and often is,) that only adjoining cabins are available to book within a category, as they are usually the least popular with travellers who don’t need them, save for the reasons given above. It’s a rather blinkered viewpoint to suggest anyone booking one is being “rude” or “inconsiderate.” Personally, I would avoid them like the plague (hotel rooms too,) but that isn’t always possible.

The CLS every time! Not only do you have the 2 bathrooms on different floors, but the 3 dimensional aspect of the loft makes the whole suite feel so much bigger! If nothing else, they can believe they have relegated you to the attic, and you can believe you have relegated them to the cellar!

I suspect a lot of it is “GTY” allocation, or cruisers unfamiliar or unconcerned with the layouts and deck plans?

The crew are salaried and their primary role is safety and regulatory. Unlike a waiter or bar keeper, the hospitality aspect is secondary, even though it likely takes up the bulk of the onboard day. The crew treat everyone with professionalism and equality. You can see the problems that could arise from the passenger who didn’t get their upgrade, their first choice of meal, their preferred seat, etc, when they saw a crew member slipping cash in their pocket from somebody perceived as less inconvenienced than themselves?

Most airlines cabin crew are required to politely decline any such offers. It is usually a disciplinary offence not to.

What safe? Do you mean the completely inefficient microwave? Only thing less reliable is the coffee machine in the Diamond lounge. I am impressed by the wallet saving strategies. By the time I get on board, RCI has usually ensured that artefact is well beyond any hope of rescue!

The representative is a “Womble!” You get everything that the suite offers. The only restriction is with the booking privileges. That is to say, the points or OBC, or whatever booking restrictions or privileges are tied to your original booking and not to the upgrade. All the hard product items that come with the suite are coming your way!

You will probably get the email/s tomorrow? You should receive one for each cabin type you placed a bid on. They usually come through the day before, but can be anytime up until 2 hours after sailing.

We have travelled on “Oasis” class ships 3 times (Oasis and Allure.) all 3 voyages were in ocean view Crown loft suites. We have travelled in Grand suites on other classes of ship and they are perfectly nice suites. In fact our next 4 cruises are all in Grand suites on Enchantment and Anthem. To use an old Royal buzzword, there have been a few suites were we have opened the door and said “Wow!” The Crown lofts definitely fall into that category. These suites are unique to “Oasis” class ships and if you can make it fit into your budget (generally or as a special occasion one off,) then I would do it! If you can properly upgrade for $160 a night, then I think it will be the icing on the cake for you!

Worth also bearing in mind that not all CLS are equal. The side (ocean view) suites are great. There are also suites located at the back of the crown. These overlook the sports deck and boardwalk “canyon.” Reciprocally, they are also less private. If you can select a side (ocean) view CLS for less money than running the risk of a more expensive aft view with a “Royal up” bid, then I would do the former, and know what you are getting. The CLS on deck 17 has more of an exclusive feel and is located adjacent to the suite lounge and Coastal Kitchen.

Buy now, usually! Advance discounts are anything up to 30%

…..but is it a problem? our kids (all 7 of them) “earned” and inherited their C&A status up until their 18th birthdays. As adults, almost all of them have booked Royal Caribbean cruises in their own right. In fact, they have ONLY booked Royal Caribbean cruises! Their children (our 13 grandkids) are now growing up with the same exposure to one company, and probably with the same result? That is a lot of commercial return for the sake of a few “free” drinks, a photo, and a paper bag full of clean underwear! If I was a marketing director for Royal Caribbean, I would be patting myself on the back! Actually, that might be too contortive, so I would probably just award myself a 7 figure bonus!

Regarding the 18% gratuity charged at the “Bionic Bar,” does anybody know if this is shared with the Lifeboat hoists, the Azipods and the Crane arm on the Northstar? Can I have it removed and just tip those appliances I feel have served me personally? I did once skip paying the trolley cart dispenser in the terminal and simply took an abandoned trolley that was lying around. No sooner was I outside than one of the wobbly wheels locked up and tipped (see what I did there?) my baggage all over the sidewalk!

I shouldn’t think it happens too often. It is the Captains decision to notify as he sees fit. In this case he obviously “saw fit.” End of story! “Tannoy” was a brand name for a company that made public address systems amongst other things, and in the UK became a generic name for the item. Much the same as “Hoover” did for vacuum cleaners.

Stayed overnight in Aruba and Curaçao last year. Lisbon and Ibiza this year. In all cases you could come and go as you please from “gangway down” to “all aboard.”

Indeed!……and even if it were true, it’s still better than “Iced Tea!” 🤦🏻‍♂️🤢

Although a “Junior suite” uses the magic word, the truth is, it is more of a “Balcony Deluxe.” It doesn’t qualify for most of the normal “suite” enhancements. It also has the lower stateroom gratuity requirements despite the fact they still get serviced twice a day. Also qualifies for double C&A points. There may be other specific examples, but I think this is the first general category where you will find 1 & 1/2 bathrooms. It is only on the newer ships as the older ones utilise the space of the “half bath” for a larger closet. The next level up with more than 1 bathroom is likely to be a “Loft suite.” The other option would be simply to find 2 connecting rooms where you benefit from the shower room in each?

Yes! Junior suites on Quantum class ships (and possibly Oasis?) have 1 and 1/2 bathroom set ups. A full bathroom (with tub,) and a separate toilet/sink room.

It should really be renamed “photography revenue enhancement night!” Cunard aside, the days of a gentleman in a top hat reaching into one of his 6 steamer trunks for tonight’s tuxedo, never had to deal with todays “lo-cost” airlines baggage policy!