joge107

On 7/27/2023 at 6:40 PM, joge107 said:

We were on the Anthem from Bayonne Dec 26th.  2d time on Anthem.  Nice ship, typical RCL experience, but, the MDR food left a lot to be desired!  In past experience , I always found Carnival  MDR food better  ( pre covid).  On Venezia 8/2 so should be able to make solid comparison.

Hi, just off Venezia yesterday.  NYC crowd was what you encounter everyday living in tri state area .  Somewhat entitled yet also more accepting of little inconveniences like buffet lines.  Saw no fights but some close calls, mostly in the theatre, people saving " rows" of seats.  Weed was everywhere.  I personally spoke to 5 teens smoking on the "Terrazza Carnavale" at eleven pm.  Just told them to keep the noise down, which they did.  Walking the promenade on deck every morning at 7 am, was amazed at the # of roaches (weed not bugs) I saw.  I mean there was no end to the quantity of reefer on this ship.  I saw the drug dog also.  I know a little about dogs.  This animal was older and certainly past his prime.

10 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

@joge107 were people waiting through the entire line or did they just pop in and out of different areas on the buffet?

Thanks for sharing your experience!

To everyone's credit, and surprisingly, lines were respected. Very little "popping in".

Just off today.  Lido marketplace always had lines, AND, always had  Lanes completely closed. Ate there once on embarkation day.

We were on the Anthem from Bayonne Dec 26th.  2d time on Anthem.  Nice ship, typical RCL experience, but, the MDR food left a lot to be desired!  In past experience , I always found Carnival  MDR food better  ( pre covid).  On Venezia 8/2 so should be able to make solid comparison.

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

I was surprised by the 5 pm dinner slot. Usually if I wanted I can drop by the diamond lounge if I wanted snacks. Now both are at 5 pm. I overheard the diamond ambassador saying she is aware of the complaints, both at 5pm. She said rcl decided diamond snacks should start 5 pm and be consistent on every ship. It would be fine if they didnt have dinner at 5 pm. Earlier than I expected also. 

 

179 pinnacles, never saw so many gold name tags. Several said they got kicked from the suite lounge, 1 lunch 1 dinner allowed in CK. The top 3 in pts all over 3k. Pinnacles pinnacles everywhere. I think the most I've ever seen.

 

Great weather except a couple of rain bursts yesterday morning. 

 

Captain james will be back sunday who I love. 

 

Quite a few friends boarding sunday. Each set talking pay restaurants. 

 

Enjoy chops tonight. I'll leave you to your review. As far as the seating no one wants to be a 6th wheel and horn in on a family who wants to eat alone. Me either. And if i order something i agree with john, i have the right to say this poblano soup is supposed to come with roasted corn and chorizo. I went down special for that soup. Usually I prefer the WJ where I can sit and read a book and enjoy myself. We will see next week with friends. 

 

Finish your review. I'll quit reading. Dont want to be tempted to jump in. You dont need to hide behind your menus. I wouldnt recognize any of you from that one dinner if you walked past me. Sorry.

Must be challenging to dine solo, with the inherent complexities, and then be subject to judgement by strangers taking sides.  Hang tough, enjoy next week, and interact with the cruise staff  in a manner in which you are both comfortable and gracious.

RCL would not allow us to reschedule.  Was going on Anthem for NYE.  Gave us full refund except for NRD which will be FCC.  Some people on same cruise were allowed to reschedule.  I assume my deal was too advantages for us .

Sent email Monday, 10pm.  No response yet.

Chili today, hot tamale

SAGE advice

Sorry for the bad news.  I hope that   your husband recovers quickly with no complications.  The Omicron varient is so transmittable, ships may have to stop sailing.  We are booked on Anthem for NYE and I'm waiting to see if there is an outbreak when she returns from her current 12 day cruise.  Things could fall apart very quickly.  

1 minute ago, LGW59 said:

BTW I should have added a laughing emoji as I was totally joking.

No problem.  Actually, using incorrect spelling changed the meaning of my attempt at humor.  Now, to the point; I believe that our United States are not so United at the present time.  I just felt that the poster who I responded to was trying to justify being a stiff with a socioeconomic argument about corporate greed.  Doesn't work for me,but probably, many think I'm jerk.  About 1/2 the people I interact with must have the same thoughts.  Thus, formerly United, at least in demeanor and disposition.  So,  I'm going to tip extra and often; and will not be using either $2.00 bills or singles when I do so.

16 hours ago, LGW59 said:

Formally OR formerly 

Correct.  Formerly.  My bad.

On 12/9/2021 at 1:24 PM, UNCFanatik said:

I hate that they add gratuity when you buy a drink package on Cruise Planner. I shouldnt be charged gratuity on the front end. 

 

Tipping culture has gotten out of hand in the US and has some pretty unintended consequences that people who work for tips have to endure all in the name of a tip. I would rather be charged more upfront than be expected to tip.

 

As a consumer on a cruise, I shouldnt be expected to supplement someones income because the cruise line industry doesnt pay them a fair, living wage. Me going on a cruise and paying my fare contributes to the employment and wages of the workers. If I spend $1000 on a cabana for instance, why should i be expected to tip the attendant? The markup on Cabanas are ridiculous to begin with and Royal can certainly afford to give the cabana attendant a bonus. 

 

My advice to new cruisers, no matter how unpopular this opinion is, is to go to guest services and have the automatic gratuities removed and to tip only if they want to and not be pushed by an abusive and punitive policy

So, quick question.  Let's pretend that you're having dinner at a decent restaurant anywhere in (the formally) United States, do you prefer to use a $2.00 bill or 2 singles?

I'd guess East of North Carolina

Been away a Long time.  Sorry to come back to some bashing others.

Queen of Bermuda, NYC to Bermuda, 1958. (really considered ocean transportation, rather than an actual cruise) I was 5 years old

USS SANTA PAULA, 1964, Southern Caribbean, Roundtrip NYC. I was 11 years old.

We were on the Breakaway July 2014 to Bermuda. This year we were on the INDY to the Eastern Caribbean. Royal Caribbean outshines the Breakaway. We had one of our best cruises this year. I was not happy with the Breakaway. We had a balcony cabin. The balcony was so small, the room was also much smaller then Royal Caribbean. The shows were much better on Royal Caribbean. I was not happy at all with the Breakaway. Stick with Royal Caribbean!!

We, too, were on the Independence July 5th, and on the Breakaway July 2013

The IOS was a nice ship, typical RCL, but the crowd was disappointing. Rude, crude, troublemakers. The Breakaway was a nice ship, the Vibe is a great adult area. The food is better on Breakaway. As to the shows, we saw Broadway quality ROCK OF AGES on Breakaway; on RCL, average production shows.

Thank you very much for your advice. Yes the Atlantic side does sound like bigger waves. Not what I want. Cockleshell sounds nice.

 

Thanks again!!

Carambola is a private section of cockleshell beach. We were just there on July 9th. No seaweed at all. Very nice beach and water. You should reserve your chairs and umbrellas in advance by email. Restaurant good, drinks good, service a little spotty. Clean restroom and shower facilities. Take a cab from the pier. Usually they will fill the cab, and make pick up arrangements at the agreed upon pick up time.

We know the rules about being on board 90 minutes before, manifest must be sent 60 minutes before etc...etc..but often ships still wait

 

and many cruisers still manage to make the ship with minutes to spare

 

from listening to other cruisers and having ships wait for me(legit reasons)

I am just wondering if people boarding very late is more common that we are led to believe and would like to hear some of your stories.

Our flight Newark to FLL was delayed on 7/15. When I first called RCL to report late arrival, I was told no later than 3 PM for 4PM debarkation from port. At my next call, I was told 3:15. As we boarded the delayed flight, RCL said "your feet must be in THE TERMINAL by 3:30 pm. We arrived at the terminal at 3:04, checked in and proceeded directly to the muster drill with our luggage.

As someone early on this thread mentioned, if flying in the day of the cruise is so fraught with risks, why does Carnival fly you in on the day of the cruise when you book air through them? Are there risks? Yes. Life is filled with risk. Are the odds so low of making it onto your ship that every single person should ALWAYS fly in a day or two early, whether that extra day off work, hotel room, and extra meals are in their vacation budget or not? What do you figure the odds of not making onto the ship, because of flying in on the morning of the cruise, are? 90%? You and the poster's comment that you are championing surely must think so. 50% maybe? You know as well as I do that the risk is likely less than 5%. I'd love to see real stats on this, if they exist.

Because they will wait for a flight they booked passengers on.

As this is a RCI thread it's not hardly any surprise that if there was a poll asking "would you sail Carnival instead of RCI Oasis or Majesty of the Seas" the majority would say no, which appears to be the case when reviewing the responses.

 

Now if you asked this on the Carnival board, I'd make a sure bet the majority would vote Carnival over RCI.

 

We have to bear in mind that each board has its vocal cheerleaders, so it's pretty pointless trying to have a reasoned debate, especially as so many are so adamant that they'd never set foot on the opposing cruise line.

 

My question is, how many stating emphatically 'no' have actual sailed on Carnival (other than those who have stated they have)?

 

IMHO some of the previous comments arise from snobbery as they belittle those who sail Carnival.

Right on! We've been on 5 RCL cruises, 5 CCL cruises, 1 Princess, 1 NCL. With the exception of the Oasis class, the RCL ships do "wow" you, but they all look the same. As to the Carnival, "Walmart of the Seas "naysayers, I'll tell you this. On the IOS 7/5/15 to 7/12/15, we encountered so many unruly, uncooperative, un friendly, discourteous, pushy, rude, chair hogging (shows and pool) passengers that we almost wanted the cruise to end. Add to that the extraordinary drink prices and the "worst" specialty restaurant food; I would suggest the RCL snobs get off you're high horse

I used to fly in the day of the cruise, until a mechanical issue got us to MIA at 3:00PM, instead of 11:00AM. Talk about rushing!

We made it on board, and into our cabin just before muster drill.

NEVER AGAIN.

I realize some have time constraints, and can't come in a day early, but if you can, it is so much more relaxing not rushing to the ship. ;)

 

Besides, the airlines aren't offering as many alternate flights in case your plane is held up.[/quote

 

This just happened to us on July 5th, Newark to Fll, we were on the tarmac when a "check engine light" illuminated. Repair was made at the gate but we arrived at the terminal @ 3:04. This was a RCL cruise leaving at 4 pm. Rcl told us we had to have our feet inside the terminal by 3:30. We boarded with our luggage while the muster drill was under way. Way too close for comfort. Never again!!!

Fire on the Freedom! Abandon all hope! How could this happen on R.C.?

Okay! I am going on my very first cruise in little more than a week! Getting excited. Let's talk food.

 

If you have sailed on the independence of the seas before, please give your rating for each of the following food items with a scale of 1-10!

 

If you feel inspired, please leave comments as well! You can copy and paste the list so that you can answer more easily. Have fun!

 

Breakfast - Main Dining Room

 

Breakfast Pastries -

Pancakes -

French Toast -

Kippered Herring -

Smoked Salmon Plate -

Waffles -

Omelette-

 

Windjammer Buffet

Breakfast rating

Lunch/dinner rating-

(Sorry but I don't have a menu for here)

 

Sorrento's

Pizza-

Panini-

 

Coffee on the promenade- espresso, cappuccino, etc

 

Ice cream on the promenade (not Ben and Jerry)

 

Johnny Rockets

Burgers-

 

Giovanni

General pasta quality-

 

Chops grille

General steak quality-

 

Anything else I've missed, feel free to add. Thanks!

Dining room-adequate

Windjammer-adequate but boring

giovanni's-worst specialty dining ever experienced on any Line. Pastries almost unedible.

Chops/outback steakhouse quality