RoperDK

2 hours ago, orangedec10 said:

We would be booking a suite. I’m leaning toward the Mardi Gras since it seems there is an additional pool for suites. Thoughts? Anyone sail both have a preference?

Are you booking an Excel suite?  Those are the ones with the access to Loft 19.  We have been on Mardi Gras twice in an OT suite.  The OS suites are not very desirable to us due to the location and not being covered.  While we wanted to like the Mardi Gras, it just seemed to miss the mark for us. I haven't cruised on Vista, but we have 26 Carnival cruises under our belt on most classes of ships.  Royal is our go to now. Particularly Oasis class.  We have been disappointed on Royal's cut backs recently and looking to give Carnival another chance.  

We love the Spirit class Vista suites.  I guess they didn't redo much in the cabin.  They removed the jacuzzi tub and replaced it with a regular tub. I'm sure that makes for easier maintenance.  I am too "old" for a tub anymore, lol.  I would have preferred a nice upgraded shower.  You just can't beat the view from those aft cabins. 

4 hours ago, JenSDCA said:

Thank you for your open minded comparison. My family absolutely loves seeing comedy every night it’s offered, so that is something for us to make note of. 
 

As far as the door tags for room service breakfast, we were told that too many tags were being swiped or altered while hanging, and that pranksters were hanging order tags on doors with Do Not Disturb signs. Perhaps they should have a way to order in the app the night before. Some people had luck calling in their order the night before, but we never reached a human in our attempt to do so. 🤷🏼‍♀️

I have to say that I believe the door hangar situation is more about cost cutting and staffing issues than bad kid behavior.  There are rowdy kids on Royal, too.  Their room service excels compared to Carnival. Royal has free continental selections just like Carnival, but they also have cooked eggs, BACON, sausage, and pancakes.  Lunch and dinner have burgers, salmon, salad, and pasta choices. The charges are not a la carte, but all you want for a $8 delivery fee. How many people (like us), just skip room service and go up to lido instead.  We actually get coffee and a plate and bring it back to our cabin to enjoy on the balcony.  It saves Carnival the trouble of picking up the hangars, delivering the tray, and then picking it up later.  That's a saving for them.  I just wish they would say that they are trying to save money instead of blaming pranksters.  Carnival has many positive points, but room service isn't one of them IMHO.

1 hour ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Rather than create a tiny, ill served smoke free space like they did on Oasis class ships, why not make the casino smoke free and carve out a tiny area for smokers. 

 

Or better yet, create a smoking room, so non gamblers aren't sitting at a machine that others want to play.  I can understand if a smoker doesn't want to go outside especially in windy, rainy  or cold conditions. so why not a smoking room?

M

I like this idea.  Princess has an indoor smoking room.  Sometimes the weather outside isn't pleasant and an enclosed indoor room would be nice.  I really get annoyed at people taking up a slot machine just so they can smoke.  It adds to the smokiness of the casino without any financial benefit for Royal.  

I also think a large non smoking casino with a smaller enclosed smoking casino would work just fine.  I have a local Indian casino nearby.  Before Covid the place was very smoky and stinky.  They eventually added a small enclosed non smoking room, which was nice.  Fast forward to Covid and when they were finally able to open up again, they required masks and only allowed smoking outside of the building. As time went on, they eliminated the masks but never reinstated indoor smoking except in the formerly non smoking enclosed room.  The place is just as busy as it was before.  It is clean and fresh smelling and I really haven't heard too much fuss about it.  

On 6/10/2023 at 1:30 PM, keishashadow said:

casino is dreadful, so crowded and crazy Smokey.  We went early before it got busy to make our nightly donation

 

Is the casino on Adventure the same configuration as on Mariner?  We have a cruise with several sea days planned and really enjoy our casino time.  We enjoyed Mariner, especially Playmakers and the other amped areas.  We are a bit concerned about the lack of upgrades, ship condition and casino posts.  I guess I am having second thoughts....

3 hours ago, crewsweeper said:

The Wonder Western is our cruise.  We've been on other ships during Yeshiva week.  Not a problem for us. People were very nice.  Kept mostly to themselves or groups.  Children well behaved. Not like spring break crowds at all.  Big pools will be full, but we avoid them anyway.  Might have to "Chog" a lounger in the morning on the Solarium before heading to the gym.  But no biggy. Maybe Royal will put out some decent bagels and lox in the Solarium Bistro.

It is my understanding that the Solarium Bistro is usually reserved for Kosher meals, so it may not be available on your cruise.

On 5/26/2023 at 5:32 AM, papaflamingo said:

So, you booked the UDP at a discounted rate, saw a better rate and cancelled YOUR UDP but then found out that the better rate was limited to first come, first served and you came late.  So you are upset that YOU couldn't. get a "good deal" and they wouldn't give back your original "good deal," and you are blaming RCCL for "cheating?"   You're trying to manipulate the system and you got "bit."  That's what happens when you try to manipulate the system.  When you have a price you are happy with, stick with it and don't cancel until you verify you can actually get the new "good deal."

But hang in there, there'll probably another opportunity for you. 

Yikes this is the way it's been done for years.  Find a better price then cancel and rebook at the lower rate.  I've never heard of the "sold out" situation before. You cancel and rebook within basically a minute.  Does the website show "sold out" when you check pricing a minute later?  Too many people are reporting this issue for it to be an unfortunate coincidence. I think Royal is taking advantage. It can all be justified away, but the bad taste will remain.      

On 5/26/2023 at 3:53 PM, Another_Critic said:

Totally cancel = forfeit entire deposit.

Move a non-suite[1] deposit to another sailing = $100pp penalty.

 

[1] Or suite booked prior to June 1, 2023.

We just booked a GS for Jan 2025 yesterday.  I asked the rep (he did seem to be knowledgeable) about the difference past Jun.1st for moving a suite sailing before final payment.  He said that the traditional change fee would still be in effect for suite bookings ($100pp) made after Jun.1st. If your suite re-priced higher than $5000, you would have to pay the increased 10% amount for the new deposit.  He also said that Royal travel insurance rates were increasing as of Jun. 1st.  Did he give the correct info?  IDK. Time will tell.  What I do know is that we are choosing to lessen the amount of cruises we book and opt for easier destination vacations that don't have the restrictions and forever changing rules along with reduced services and food quality issues.  Maybe I'm getting old, but I think I have reached the level where the cruising product (even in a suite) isn't worth the effort anymore. 

25 minutes ago, irishgal432 said:

We had a bartender in allure that made his specialty drink called the tiramisu martini. The best drink I have ever had on a ship. 

Love the tiramisu martini! It is on the menu on Carnival and I have them every night when I sail them.  I've only been able to get a chocolate martini on Royal and it's just not as good.

8 hours ago, RFerrington said:

Yes.  ...unless you are Prime level or above, you will be charged 5% on all table draws on your Seapass.  I believe you can still draw money from your Sea Pass account on the slot machines without incurring a charge.

This has been my experience, also.  Service fee at the tables, but free at the slots.  If you are Prime then the fee is waived.  

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

If you get cash to gamble by charging your room account, there is a 5% fee. So, if you ask a slot machine to deposit $1000 into your slot account as a room charge, you will get a $50 service charge. The casino/cruise line is pay a fee to get money from your credit card at the end of the cruise,,, they are just passing it along to you... with a kicker. 

I have never had a service fee added to my slot machine advances. 

10 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said:

Good tidbit on the Do Not Disturb sign.  

Yep, learned that the hard way. I sure did miss my wake up coffee that morning!

4 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

What's the draw for the D Lounge Coffee?  Is it better coffee than what is offered elsewhere?  Is it because it's in a somewhat exclusive lounge?  How many venues that serve included coffee are passed on the way to the D Lounge?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Since I like regular old coffee that you can get anywhere, the D lounge has another draw for us.  It has comfortable seating and is away from the crowds.  There is a nice continental breakfast served along with that coffee and yummy appetizers served in the evening.  We've been known to skip dinner and just have the evening snacks.  The Diamond Concierge is also there to help with reservations and other issues.  

22 hours ago, fredmdcruisers said:

Enough to make up for price difference?

7 hours ago, Cigar King said:

I'm guessing their response didn't come out the way they intended it.  I've never been able to order enough room service to make up the difference in cost between a full suite and a balcony.

 

 

Lol, my bad.  I meant to say you could pay for a balcony cabin and all of the room service you could eat and still not come close to what a suite would cost. 

Make sure you head up there first thing after you board.  The early bird gets the worm!

9 minutes ago, Cherful59 said:

Having said this, I am talking about a regular balcony.  I have no idea about a suite balcony, it might be different.

Full suites (GS and above) get free room service. Full suites can also order from the MDR menu during meal hours.  For the difference in balcony and full suite prices, you can order a ton of pay room service and still come out way ahead!

20 hours ago, singleflyer said:

Anyone know of a cruise ship that still has the Deal or No Deal Join N Play slot machine?  Not like the live game, but the slot machine.

I loved that slot game. A bank of machines tied to a big screen.  A bit addicting.  I haven't seen them in a few years.  

On 4/23/2023 at 10:05 AM, nelblu said:

Does it have to be a new booking.  I have a booking for October and was wondering if I can apply the annual free sail to the booking.

We booked a refundable rate for Wonder in Jan. 2024 to hold the cabin we wanted.  We were able to apply our annual certificate and reprice at the non-refundable rate while keeping our original booking number and cabin.  I don't think this works if it is after the final payment date.  

We like to visit Coco Cay.  We might get off the ship or we might not.  It is relaxing to know we don't have to get ready for or rush to get to an excursion.  We play it by ear according to the weather and our mood. It's nice to enjoy the empty ship. Also, the casino is always open during the port stop. For us it is a win, win situation! 

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that the phone on the other side of the bed has a USB port.  I know they are that way on other ships.

I was on an Oasis cruise during Yeshiva several years ago.  While we didn't have unruly children issues, it was very crowded.  Are Yeshiva cruisers only on Oasis or Quantum class ships?  We are looking at a Mariner 5 day in late January 2024 and it has limited cabins available.  Could it be for Yeshiva or are there other school holidays in late January?  Trying to figure out why the limited availability.  We can cruise whenever we want to, so would like to avoid the crowds.

We have friends on a visit to Key West right now.  She just texted me this morning that their favorite bartender at Sloppy Joe's told them that since cruises have been restricted that businesses have suffered.  I know the locals don't like the masses to overpower the town.  I don't really blame them.  However, cruise passengers buy trinkets, drinks, food, and do tours.  I believe that Royal always docks downtown. I'm sure it is more expensive to dock there than the old Naval base.  It might be more limited and expensive in peak tourist season, also. Perhaps the price is what limits them.  

17 hours ago, Thisguylikestocruise said:

I felt Wonder had busy moments sometimes, but wouldn’t describe it as too crowded overall. Always found a seat everywhere we went. We had memorable times at a couple bars all to ourselves and chatted with a friendly bartender who recommended his favorite drinks to us. Enjoyed late dinners uncrowded. Can’t wait to get back on Wonder.

We were on Wonder in early March.  Probably a bad choice on our part.  There were 7000 passengers onboard.  We are pretty good at avoiding crowds at meals.  We never ate in the MDR for dinner.  We only ate at Windjammer after the lunch or dinner rush.  We ate in Coastal Kitchen 4 nights and had specialty dining for lunch and dinner a couple of times.  We ate breakfast several times at El Loco Fresh which was great until it was "discovered" mid-week.  We were able to reserve all of the shows we wanted before the cruise and had priority seating, so no real problem there.  We also stay on the ship during port stops most of the time and enjoy the quiet.  We aren't new to Oasis class, but the level of crowds on this cruise was just mind boggling.  It was a slog trying to get from one area of the ship to another.  Everyone was nice and kids were mostly well behaved, it was just too many people in a confined space.  We are retired and can cruise whenever we want.  We will be more aware of busy times in the future.  

I grew up in Coral Gables.  It is an upscale area. Mainly residential with some business and shopping areas along with nice restaurants.  It is not touristy with beaches and such.  There are very interesting sights, too....The Biltmore Hotel, Venetian Pool, and the Miracle Mile.  I gather you will only be staying one night, though.  Access to the airport will be easier than South Beach.   

Both of our Prime free cruise certificates are coming soon.  We have zoned in on Wonder 7 day or B2B Mariner 4/5 day in January 2024.  We would book a junior suite on Wonder or a grand suite on Mariner.  We just got off of Wonder a few weeks ago and were in a JS.  We had a great time and ate in Coastal Kitchen several nights.  However, it was soooo overwhelmingly crowded.  We have cruised on Oasis class several times and truthfully, while I enjoy all of the activities, having the same layout on the ships gets a bit repetitive to me.  We cruised on Mariner last March and really enjoyed ourselves.  We were in a GS on that cruise and enjoyed the suite experience on the ship.  I know the GS experience on Oasis class is better than other classes of ships.  I guess we are wanting to sail on other classes of Royal ships for variety.  The Mariner cruises would end up being a few hundred dollars more than Wonder.  Any thoughts on our dilemma would be appreciated.

3 hours ago, Anton said:

The tier cruise for 2023-2024 just posted, but now it's gone from my casino account.  Others reporting the same problem.  It was probably posted prematurely and they took it down. 

For those that got a peak of the yearly tier cruise offer, was it limited to 7 days or did they expand it back to 8 days?