RoperDK

1 minute ago, screwsmcernst said:

Okay.  I guess the next question is,  Is there a lunch in the MDR or is the Windjammer their only option?

I don't believe the MDR is open for embarkation.  The Windjammer can be a zoo. That depends on your embarkation time. There are other options.  Park Cafe has salad bar and sandwiches.  Quite enjoyable in Central Park.  We like the Boardwalk hot dog place for a quick bite, too.  Depends on how much breakfast you have and how early your dinner time is.  Check the app.  There may be pay restaurants available, too.     

4 minutes ago, screwsmcernst said:

I'm sure the answer to this question is somewhere on CC, but I'll be darned if I can get an answer.

 

We are sailing Quantum OTS, and we are in a GL Suite.  Our friends are in a Jr. Suite.  The question is This:  Do Jr. Suite Guests have an embarkation lunch in Costal Kitchen?    

Sorry, only GS and above get Coastal Kitchen for lunch.  Your friends can dine with you for dinner though.  Either the concierge can set you up before the cruise or first thing on embarkation go to the Coastal Kitchen to set up dinner for you and your JS friends.

21 hours ago, slyster said:

Are reservations only needed for dinner?

Yes

22 hours ago, slyster said:

I am super excited.  We have booked a GS on Allure next year and this is our second cruise in a suite (Radiance 5 years ago).  I have some questions about Coastal Kitchen:

1. Do they require reservations?

Reservations are required for dinner.  The concierge will email you about 5 days before the cruise.  Just email them back with your preferred dinner times.

22 hours ago, slyster said:

2.  Do you find your own seat or do they seat you themselves?

You check in with the maitre d for all meals.  They will seat you.

22 hours ago, slyster said:

3.  Can you explain the breakfast set up?  Is it a buffet or do you order from a menu?  I would love to have made to order omelette.

There is no buffet.  You order off the menu.  They have a made to order omelette with many additions.  Ask for what you want.

22 hours ago, slyster said:

4.  Is there a suggested dress code throughout the day? Especially dinner?  On par with the MDR?

Shorts and polos for men during the day.  Suggested long pants for men at night.  Women should (and do) dress smart casual.  My husband wore shorts and polo shirt for dinner a couple of nights with no problem.  First night, late port nights, and last night trend a bit more casual.

22 hours ago, slyster said:

5.  Anything else that makes CK unique to other dining venues on the ship?

It is an intimate and relaxing venue where you get to know your waitstaff.  We love it.  The first night filet is a must.  We also like the lobster/rack of lamb night.  Sometimes lost in the shuffle is the veal chop night.  Amazing.  Shush 😉, don't tell anyone.  It is usually on the last night.     

22 hours ago, slyster said:

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

To add my experience.  We are cruising in 2 weeks and our luggage tags are still showing pending.  I called the regular Royal phone line today (punched the number for issues with check in) and they emailed my edocs again once they confirmed there wasn't a problem with any check in issues.  I received the new edocs within 4 hours with the luggage tags included. Problem solved.

I don't want to start another one of "those" threads, but this hasn't been posted recently.  What is Royal's current policy for those that test positive during the cruise?  Are you allowed to quarantine in your original cabin like you do for the flu or noro or are moved down to the bowels of the ship?  What about your traveling companion?  I would hope that with the new protocols they would treat covid the same as other respiratory viruses and have you quarantine in place.  I am sure that most folks nowadays don't report symptoms unless they are becoming quite ill.  There are options to limit your exposure to others.  I just want to know what is happening on the ships now.    

Just off the Harmony...

CK is open for lunch.  We went straight up to the Suite Lounge when we boarded and relaxed with a drink until lunch was served.  After lunch we went to our cabin.  Nice and easy embarkation day. 

We made our own reservations for the shows on the app once onboard.  I'm sure the concierge could do it for you.  The concierge emailed the show schedule a couple of days ahead of time so I knew what dates and times we were interested in.  There was reserved seating at the ice show and aqua show,  but you needed to have reservations to be allowed in. Didn't go to Grease, so can't comment there.

Don't know about the Suite Sundeck bar hours, but the open times should be in the app.  

We really enjoy Coastal Kitchen.  We enjoy the atmosphere and views.  It is relaxing and beats the heck out of the crowds at other venues on the ship.  Our favorite dinner menus are on the filet, lobster and rack of lamb, and veal chop nights. We pop in for either breakfast or lunch most days, also.  Specialty dining is a step up in quality, but we just can't eat that much day in and day out.  If we cruised more often, perhaps we would get bored with the menus.    

I am very sorry for your loss of Jiko.  

Capt. Johnny was on our Harmony cruise last week.  He told us he would still be there on our next Harmony cruise at the end of September. 

FWIW....I prefer the older coffee makers in the suites.  I like plain old coffee.  You can't make that with these coffee makers.  If you like espresso, I guess it is fine.  I guess I'm not up to date.  Just give me an American cup of coffee with creamer.  Very strong coffee doesn't settle well with me.  I know people love them, but they just take up counter space for us. 

Signed,

Grumpy Old Fart 😁

Cruising on Harmony 2 times in the next couple of months, both times in full suites.  We give a cash tip for all free drinks in the suites lounge, also leave a cash tip after each meal, and tip the concierge at the end of the cruise.  Am I missing someone?  What about the host/hostess at Coastal Kitchen?  I tip the concierge according to service rendered.  Always something, but more if they have gone out of their way to help with something.  TIA     

On 8/14/2022 at 6:41 PM, ATSEAMYLIFE said:

We have stayed at the Garden Inn Coco Beach on north Atlantic Ave and are staying there again in November pre-cruise.  However, at this late date "reasonable" might not be available for you.  I booked our rooms eight months months ago and they are currently going for double what I booked.  

How are the rooms at the Garden Inn?  The property looks nice, but the rooms look small.   Do the rooms have a frig and microwave?  We are Hilton Diamond members, so usually book with points.  We usually stay at the Home2Suites, but want to try a hotel with an on-site restaurant next time.

What if I get caught in the rain?  Is the scooter able to get wet?   

I am awaiting surgery and using a scooter.  Haven't been to St. Martin since the hurricane and covid.  Is there a place to get a good lunch and drink at the port?  Also, if I don't want to take my scooter, is there a tram at the ship to get me to the port area?  TIA

1 hour ago, Ms411 said:

From the ship to Tickles it may be less than 1/4 mile on flat pavement. You can get food and drinks on the dock at Island Flava if you can't make it to Tickles.

 

It's nice just sitting at the dock in the shade. Always very breezy and there are iguanas that love being photographed. 

Thanks so much.  We are looking for a good bushwacker.  I know I can't make it up to Paradise Point right now.  Can I get one at Island Flavor?  The food looks amazing!

I am having hip replacement after our cruise and decided to rent a scooter.  I was just going to stay on the ship, but thought what the heck, why not go exploring.  What is near the ship in Crown Bay and is it easy to get around with a scooter?  I was curious about Tickles. Would like to have lunch and a drink somewhere. Would it be accessible with a scooter?  If I tried to walk there, how far would it be? TIA   

On 8/14/2022 at 2:42 PM, zanydoc said:

Yep! We just went on a Carnival 2 weeks ago which, by the way was actually quite fun!  

Might I ask...which ship? 

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

If the ship docks at Havensight in St. Thomas, it is easy for a scooter to be used.

Our ship docks at Crown Bay. 

Having my hip replaced after the cruise and am renting a scooter for the first time.  I was just going to stay on the ship, but am wondering how easy it is to use a scooter at the ports.  I am not looking to do an excursion, just get some fresh air and maybe lunch and a drink.  It appears there is a marina and restaurant nearby in St. Thomas.  How scooter friendly is it to get there?  Is there anything interesting in St. Martin that is scooter friendly at the dock area?  BTW...what happens if it rains on your scooter? 😧 Any suggestions are appreciated. 

2 hours ago, Lionesss said:

4 hours ago, Lionesss said:

The buffet included 

hot dog

hamburgers

jerk chicken 

all the condiments 

corn on cob 

salads 

cookies and chocolate cake 

 

 

 

Is this the suite area buffet?  It used to have seafood, lamb, and lots of goodies! 

19 hours ago, Drew B 58 said:

Whether or not things return - or other things are added - once the staffing crisis stabilizes remains to be seen.  I imagine that response from the clientele will play a big role in that decision.

 

I have no idea if the wait times at the pizza place will be improved by more hands on deck, or if it is strictly determined by the capacity of the pizza oven.  I doubt that you know, either.  But I’ll bet Carnival does!

 

The point is, if they don’t have enough staff to maintain all of their offerings, they have no choice but to do something about it.  I don’t have enough information to say what other alternative solutions they could have implemented instead or whether these are better, worse, or the same.  I’m just not going to fault them for the choices they make unless I actually know that those choices are bad.

This!  When I was on Mardi Gras last fall, they had one guy at the deli during lunch.  The line was crazy long with grumpy, hungry cruisers.  A plus was that the sandwiches were pre-made.  All the worker had to do was heat or serve the sandwiches.  He was beyond overwhelmed.  Another worker would have made the difference.  There were multiple microwaves to heat sandwiches.  The result was that I ended up with a half heated soggy Rueben after waiting for 30 minutes.  I gave it a pass....covid, staffing, etc.  On other ships pre-covid, the deli worked like a machine.  It was amazing what they could crank out, and with hot fries to boot.  I also don't understand the pizza situation.  Several years ago, they had much more variety of pizza (remember the goat cheese and mushroom?!)  You didn't have to wait long and hot pies were always cranking out during prime time.  I doubt the oven quantity was reduced.  Was it staffing or just a plan to make people deal with less and just like it or move on?  Why would a company offer more than it needs too?  It is a fine line and a lot of people with calculators and degrees are striving to find the right mix.  I do miss Carnival of about 5 years or so ago.  I definitely miss the goat cheese and mushroom pizza!!!    

7 hours ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I am pretty sure that has been Carnival's Modus Operandi all along.  They don't exactly market themselves towards the much-older up-market crowd.

 

Adding Shaq's Big Chicken and taking away (some instances of) Tea Time...I think they know who they are marketing to.

 

For the record, we love Shaq's, and only went to one Tea Time ever - it is always when we'd rather be doing something else, but we made the effort that one time, and it was nice, but would not be the automatic "gotta do it again event".

Yes, Carnival markets to younger families and singles.  They have Princess and Hal for the older up market crowd.  It is a progression.  We are an outlier though.  We enjoy Guys and Shag's more than tea time.  I enjoy watching people having fun and lots of activities even though I don't participate much anymore.  We tried Princess several times and found it more upscale but boring.  We have had many enjoyable cruises on Carnival, but for right now, Royal is our go to cruise line.  We will check back with Carnival now and then and hopefully will continue to cruise with them.  They really are the fun ships!         

3 hours ago, Top_of_the_Cube said:

If these cuts are "the last straw" for you, either Carnival missed their mark, or you are not who they are after anyway.  New bookings will tell the tale.

We've done 25 Carnival cruises in the last 22 years.  We have seen many changes over the years.  I always try to find a balance between value and amenities.  The lido free lunch venues are a positive.  Other than that, not much.  We have one more Carnival cruise on the Mardi Gras to get our milestone bonus OBC.  We were on Mardi Gras last fall.  It was a disappointment.  Because the ship was such a departure from other ship designs, I am willing to give it another try.  I feel Carnival will have appeal to families looking for an inexpensive vacation or others looking for a quick cheap getaway.  We don't fit that mold anymore and have enjoyed other cruise lines recently. It is time for us to move on.  I do hope that Carnival doesn't go too far.  Time will tell.    

2 hours ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

we didn't bother until we started cruising with a kid.  Nothing ruins the vacation faster than a kid or a whole family with diarrhea.*

 

 

This is why I tote lysol and clorox wipes!  I have a big fear of the dreaded norovirus.  I also wash my hands everytime we come back to the cabin and rarely pass a washy washy sink or hand sanitizer station without using it onboard.  We went with a large group of friends on a camping trip once.  Noro went through the campground.  Let me tell you....it wasn't pretty! 😨