Groucho

There are thousands of good charities in the world, but mho, helping sick children is the best.

 

The environment is important, as are many other charities, but if dropping make a wish is correct, I believe Royal has made a mistake.

My opinion of Chops is not good. At the risk of sounding like a broken record and getting flamed. We wont be back. I said earlier in this post that i wasnt going to Chops but I only went because I wasnt paying for it. Ive had better steaks at our local bottom tier places like Western Sizzler for much less money. They have really ruined that place with the new menu in our opinion. What kind of steakhouse doesnt serve a ribeye? really? Only two cuts to choose from unless you want to pay an extra 18-20 dollars for a supposedly "better" steak? My filet was just "ok" but everything else was mediocre to just bad. Baked potato was overcooked, the shrimp cocktail tasted freezer burnt and still had a popsicle like texture to it and the new cheesecake was a joke. Service was just ok. It is no longer worth the money. Some might not believe this but I NEVER complain about food. Chops was bad enough to deserve it though and I made that point in my survey.

 

Giovannis absolutely rocked. Excellent food and excellent service. I highly recommend it

I agree with the above. I was given a free dinner at Chops and ordered the "Something Specal" dried aged steak. It would have cost about $20.00 over the $39.00 cover charge. The only thing Specal was the size of the steak. I ordered it medium rare. It was tough. There are better steaks at Outback. Service has also declined with what I believe to be less servers.

 

We have been crusing for over 25 years. At one time, Chops was very special, but it has really gone down hill since the menu changed. Geo Table is a good choice.

How many times can those booked in a JS eat in Coastal Kitchen? I have tried to add it to my booking but it accepted the first one but won't take any subsequent. Are JS's only allowed in once per cruise?

 

Thanks

PB

 

We were on Quantum in a Spa JS in January and while passing by the Costal Kitchen Host on boarding day I asked if we could eat there. She asked for our cabin number, looked it up on her computer and, then said yes. We eat there for dinner and breakfast several times over a 10 day cruise making reservations for dinner each time.

Hi, folks

 

We are considering a transatlantic cruise out of Barcelona. The first stop is Malaga, Spain, then onto the transatlantic.

 

I have read about the Spain VAT, and that it applies to all food and beverage purchases @ 11%, and to all other purchases @ 21% including Internet packages. My question is if I buy an Internet package for the entire cruise will the VAT apply for the entire package or is it prorated for only the day's we're in Spain waters? Also, I'm assuming that once the ship is out of Spanish waters the VAT is no longer applied.

 

Thanks so much for your advice!

[quote name='yogimax']The pendulum has swung too far!

All the added benefits for suite guests means a reduction of benefits for loyal D+ guests.

The former Concierge Lounge on Oasis (and now Allure) is an example. Previously, D+, as well as Pinnacle and Suite, could enjoy wonderful hot breakfasts and lunches in the lounge. That is now gone as the CL has been repurposed to a "Diamond Lounge," adding to overcrowding because of the much larger number of Diamonds.

As I say, the pendulum has swung too far. Yes, suite guests are paying more, but they are enjoying MUCH LARGER STATEROOMS, and all the stateroom amenities that go with them. I thought that was the main reason to book a suite. Some of these guests will NEVER sail RCCL again. Meanwhile, those who have been totally loyal to RCCL and have booked 30-60 cruises are being shunted aside![/QUOTE]

We have been on Oasis 4 times since the dry-doc and the new Diamond Lounge is now two floors (2nd level where the Chief's Table was located, which is now in the Suite Lounge/Coastal Kitchen). The new two story Diamond Lounge is actually much less crowed than it was when it was the one story Concierge Lounge.

Like some have posted I always tip between 2-5$

 

Depending on the order

 

 

They usually get 5$ if they set my breakfast on the Balcony for me :D

 

I agree with you.

From Royal's web page:

 

 

"Gratuities

 

 

Q: How is the automatic daily gratuity shared between members of the staff and crew?

 

A:

The automatic gratuity is $12.95 USD, or $15.95 USD for suite guests, applied to each guest's SeaPass® account on a daily basis. Here's how it is shared between your onboard service team:

Dining & Culinary Services: $7.75 USD

Stateroom Attendant: $3.85 USD OR Suite Attendant: $6.10 USD

Other Housekeeping Services: $1.35 USD OR Housekeeping and Suite Services: $2.10 USD"

 

I believe room service staff fall under "Culinary Services".

 

Again, still give the room service staff an extra tip.

Royal does not say food and beverage department. You say that.

 

Royal says dining staff, which is the staff that serve in the MDR (and rotate through buffet etc at lunch and breakfast). Please dont spread the misinformation that room service is included in this, it is not. If guests utilize room service they should tip the server directly.

 

I'm not looking for an argument with you. As I said, we always tip the room service staff extra upon delivery.

 

I'm not spreading misinformation. Go bother someone else.

So now I'm a bit lost as to what I should do..First time cruiser with RCI... My original thoughts were to just have a larger cash amount with me on my VOS cruise next year. Usually I have cash to tip my room steward and table people like I have always done with previous sailings with P&O but how do I organise smaller US amounts if they are needed for things such as room service? I was planning on using room service in the mornings on all sea days as my children are early risers and will want something early. Excuse my being a newbie at this, any thoughts? Will the post office allow me to order small denominations amounts? Appreciate any ideas ...it's probably obvious I know...:-)

 

I would keep some small bills on hand for the room service staff. If you need change you can get it at Guest Services or the casino.

It has always been my understanding that room service delivery is not included in the gratuity pool. I checked on Royal's website and it says:

 

To simplify the service recognition process, Royal Caribbean automatically adds a $12.00 USD gratuity ($14.25 USD for Suite Guests) to each guest’s SeaPass® account on a daily basis. This gratuity is shared by Dining Services Staff, Stateroom Attendants other Housekeeping Services Personnel that work to enhance your cruise.

 

'Dining Services Staff' is quite a different concept to your statement of the entire food and beverage department. Have you seen something else specific that is broader than what I posted?

 

The room service staff are part of the food and beverage dept and share in the tips. No matter to us though, we always tip extra for room service, dinning room staff, our cabin attendant and bar servers.

 

If you calculate the daily tip charge Royal charges the guests it is, in my opinion, an incredibly small amount the staff receives for their very hard work, which is why we always tip all of the staff extra.

Asked the hotel director on the Navigator and concierge on Oasis.

 

That's interesting because I asked the hotel director on Oasis and he said they share the in the prepaid tips too.

Tips for room service are not included.

 

And where do you see your statement confirmed by Royal, or is what you are saying just your opinion?

Tips for room service are not included in prepaid or automatic gratuities.

 

We tip based on the size of the order. From $2 to $5 usually.

 

If you read what Royal writes about who gets the prepaid tips, then room service servers do get the prepaid tips. They are part of the food and beverage department, and all of the tips are split between the entire staff.

 

Now, with that said, we always tip the room service servers. It is extra, but we also tip our cabin attendant and dinning room servers extra as well.

Hi, all.

 

Can anyone who has/is on Oasis/Allure (post Drydock) tell me if Coastal Kitchen, and/or the Suite Lounge is open for lunch for suite guests on embarkation day?

 

Thanks!

Actually the concierge did address it by speaking to the people concerned and asking them to stop.

 

I always take a drink out with me too - a glass - not several bottles sneaked inside a bag :rolleyes:

 

How did the people get severance bottles of wine unless one of the servers gave them to the guests?

Nap time!

Fiesta was a waste, especially if you have a drink plan. Food was good, but i would have rather tried the red snapper for lunch on the ala carte plan.

 

Viking Crown lounge is being eliminated and converted to suites. the "secret balconies" were closed off after the 3rd day of the cruise after easter, terrible that they couldnt wait another week to put up the walls!

 

The statement about the VCL is incorrect. The chapel and associated lounge are being changed into high end suites just as on Oasis. The VCL is being converted to Costal Kitchen and the Suite Lounge, also as on Oasis. The Suite Loung and Costal are for Suite guests Grand Suites and above. Costal Kitchen serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Suite Lounge serves drinks from 5:00 to 8:30. Chefs Table is also now located in the old VCL. The old Concerge Lounge on deck 11, and 12 is now the Diamond Lounge

I had this happen. I called Royal and they said to just cross the old room number and write in the new one. It worked fine.

We were on Quantum in January and we agree that the TV channels are poor. I read somewhere that Royal is playing with a service that could carry a large number of channels -- for a fee.

 

Has anyone heard of this?

 

Thanks

We loved Quantum in January. The ship is beautiful, and the entertainment is the best we have experienced on Royal. However, we are not big fans of Dynamic Dinning, but overall the food was good. The Windjammer is the best we have experienced on Royal as well as the cabins.

Odd usually I see Oasis/Allure docked at Port Everglades with the the Aft facing the camera. When it leaves it reverses then then turns. It's now docked Bow facing the camera so it will pull out. What about the gangways how are they getting on. I'm thinking of deck 5 where we got it in the opposite side was Guest services. Anyone embarked this way before?

 

We did on our first cruise on Oasis. It is done once in a while, mainly for service reasons.

The "ridiculous" thing (to me), Karen, is that on the Quantum, rather than having a true ventilation system that REMOVES and FILTERS the air, they just blast the airconditioning. So now you are breathing smoke AND freezing! :eek:

 

And, the AC comes from outlets from under the tables. It blows right on your lap! I could not believe it when a dealer told me, but when I checked I found it is true.

I saw on another thread that the Anthem is going to sail with only gold card access to the concierge lounge and that Quantum was going to switch to only gold card access starting in January 2015.

 

Can anyone confirm whether the change has happened on Quantum and whether there is any truth to the Anthem rumor?

 

I am not looking to start another thread that speculates or rants and raves about this topic. I am aware of the situation on Oasis with the Suite lounge.

 

I am just looking for current facts.

 

We were on Quantum in a SJS at the end of January and had no problem in using the concierge lounge.

 

However, we were talking to a person who said he cruises Royal almost year round (one to two months at a time on the same ship) and he said that Royal will be changing the C&A point program by having a new level between D+ and Pinnacle called "Black D" and they will be modifying the perks accordingly. Don't know if it is accurate or not.

We only do b2b cruises and have never not been allowed to return to our cabin prior to 1PM on turnaround day. No one has ever stopped us, we just open the fire doors and walk in. :D

 

We have been on several B2B's and we were always allowed to return to the room immediately after we came back from Customs. Our experiences are with having the same cabin and different cabins. Guest Services said it was OK and we talked to the existing cabin Attendant and the new Cabin Attendant before turn around day; we were welcomed with open arms. If the fire/watertight doors in the hall is closed, just open them. There will be trash in the hall from the previous cruisers being placed by the attendant.

The worst ship I have ever been on regarding the smell of smoke is Quantum. The casino is directly below the centrum and there is a circular staircase that acts like a funnel directing all the smoke upwards into this area. It's a design disaster. People use the casino as a smoke hole, 24/7.

 

I have been on Quantum and I could not agree with you more. The smoke in the casino and adjacent spaces is awful.