MoyCoy

I’m not a hug fan of the big ships either. However the Royal has the best buffet I’ve ever seen on any ship I’ve ever sailed...and I avoid buffets when at all possible, but the Royal’s is impressive!

We have only sailed the Grand, Emerald and the coral. We are use to action stations like on the newer ships for NCL and Royal. Is Royals buffet more open? How is the food different? Breakfast , lunch, and dinner-- which is best on the Royal?

I keep reading about Royals awesome buffet!

I have a cruise booked on a 7 day pacific costal next year. We are sailing in a deluxe balcony.

I was thinking about switching to the Ruby a 5 day pacific coastal . I have sailed the ruby before (1 night Spring 2017) but have has of yet to sail the Royal. I am by no means a Princess expert so I am still comparing the amenities of the ship.

I could sail the Ruby for $100 more PP in a club class minisuite. We have sailed in full suites on Celebrity and NCL. I understand the club class are a amended version of suite benefits.:confused:

I also could switch to a Vista suite on the Ruby for $400 more pp.

I wonder if I should move to the Ruby in order to affordability sail in the Club Class or would you stay in a deluxe balcony on the Royal?

BTW I could sail in a Vista suite on the Ruby for the same price as a minisuite club class on the Royal. Is the Royal a much better experience over the Ruby? I heard about plumbing issues on the Ruby. That indeed concerns me:o

A little background.....

I have sailed the Grand, Coral, and Emerald in the past 4 years. They were all 3-4 day cruises. The Royal would be my first 7 day on Princess. We have sailed 7-10 day cruise on Royal, Celebrity , and NCL, and Disney

Thank you

I

I sailed in a Celebrity suite on the Eclipse a few years back and will sail in a S1 on the Infinity in January. I know you can't eat in the suite restaurant for breakfast and lunch in a S1. Can you eat at Blu for breakfast/lunch?

When I sailed in Aqua class I LOVED the menu in BLU, but it was not to my Husbands liking. How does one receive BLU dishes while dining in the suite restaurant? I did not know that was allowed!

Can you have BLU delivered to your suite if there are no reservations available for a suite guest? What is the best strategy to gain access in BLU for dinner? It is a first come, first serve basis-right?

Did you do the walking tour through the ship or a private excursion?

What time did you get to the port?

Did you arrive at your appointed time?

How fast was the embarkation and debarkation?

Did you eat in the Windjammer for lunch day 1? Was it crazy busy?

How was the food in the MDR-- in general?

Did you have a chance to eat at the buffet for dinner? How was it ?

I am asking because we are sailing with a family member who does not enjoy dressing up. I wonder if they serve lobster in the buffet on formal night?

What was the name of the beach you enjoyed an Labadee? Was it rocky? Did you rent a chair, floating mats etc? What time did you get off the ship? Was it hard to find a spot on the beach?

Sorry for the numerous questions:D

We sail the Harmony in 4 months. I have sailed the Allure without my 7 year old twins and am looking forward to sailing the Harmony with my twins and extended family in December. We choose a OV Balcony (connecting) over a Boardwalk . I am glad we did!

Thank You

we signed up via cruise planner before the cruise. It's $8 per person I think, and we picked our time paid on the cruise planner.

It is $19 pp on my cruise planner. Hummm maybe I should call Royal. Could that be a mistake?

When you say 'waive' the drinks package, I presume you mean that your sailing companion still wants to get it?

 

 

New rules were brought in due to package sharing requiring everyone in the cabin to get a drinks package. There are exceptions to this though where one person can get an alcohol package and the other get the non-alcohol package. I haven't heard of any case where only one person has been allowed to purchase the package since the new rules have been brought in.

 

 

It's not nickel & diming as no one is forcing you to purchase a package in the first place

When did the new rules start? I was able to purchase a refreshment package for just me. My Husband and Children did not purchase a package. My cruise is in Dec.

You will just book the Hyatt for 2 adults...they won't charge for children. The additional $10.00 charge will be for additional "adults" in the room. After you get the confirmation (if you're booking through ValueTrips) call the front desk of the Hyatt directly (not the reservation call center) and request two beds instead of a king.

Thank you Thank You Thank You! I still have not received a conformation BUT I saw that someone on CC mentioned that they normally will call the Hyatt and see if the request went through. Low and behold, they had both of our reservations on file. They could not conform the final amount because it was through a 3rd party. I spoke with the Reservation Department. Maybe I should speak with the front desk. Do you know if they charge your card for the room before you arrive or does it work like a normal reservation where you are charged on your check out date? I called and emailed Valuetrips again..No answer. Makes me nervous using them when they are not responsive. Anyone have similar issues?

In the end, the Hyatt has my reservations. It is a good idea to ck the bed type. I did request 2 beds with Valuetrips but without a confirmation email, I am not sure if request was added.

When I visit Tripadvisor, their site shows rates somewhat less than what you are finding for hotels on the SE 17th St strip. right near the port. For your January 5, 2019 date, they show the Hyatt Place at about $US300 through Booking.com, the Extended Stay is only $US212 through a variety of sites, and the big Renaissance at around $US270 (I see the prices in Canadian dollars and I'm converting to US $$$s so there may be a little variation in prices). Our usual fallback area when 17th St prices are high is Plantation, just up the 595, but at the time you are looking at, right after Christmas, the prices aren't that much lower and would be offset by higher transport costs to Port Everglades.

 

 

You could also wait until September, when the Valuetrips.com rates for the Hyatt Place are due to come out according to posts here on CC. We just booked the Hyatt Place at $153 for our early November stay.

 

Best of luck in your search.

I booked VT for Dec for the first time. I called Hyatt and they have my reservation but I did not receive a confirmation from VT. How much is the tax on 153? I called VT and emailed.. no response yet. I will have 2 adults and 2 kids in my room. Trying to figure out the final cost

I was going to book Embassy Suites in Dec. I fould somewhere posted that they will be doing renovations. I call Embassy suites and they could not guarantee which renovations they would be doing in Dec, but stated that the major ones would HOPEFULLY not take place then. So I booked the Hyatt. I did not know the 153 did not include tax. I am also confused on how the rate changes when you add more than 2 people to the room. We are traveling with 2 kids and 2 adults. It states $10 added to reservation per added adult past 2. Anyone know?

Does anyone remember which days the Broadway shows were? When will the shows appear on my cruise planner?

I found a great video regarding the Thermal Spa on the Harmony

Do you need the 2 device package? The 2 device package allows 2 devices to be connected at the same time. The one device package will allow any number of different devices to be connected but only one at a time.

I have a few introverts in my family who need re-charging time in the room. They would be using the internet at the same time. Me, I recharge by 'people watching '. Therefore I would let another family member use my login while a explore the ship.

We did Allure's Thermal Spa in Feb. as another cabin in our party was doing it as well. As stated it was Steam with Eucalyptus, Steam only, Dry Sauna with Two showers off to sides and the ceramic beds. Just the Thermal was coming in at $100 per person for the week. They had you could add a mineral soak couples experience and mud sauna thing with fancy name with the Thermal Spa on embarkation day for $199 per person.

Thank you! Was that in limited mineral soaks or one time only. Did you think it was worth it? Was it always crowded?:)

Thank You!!! Everyone's responses are so helpful

I am Platinum with Royal. I sailed on the Allure 4 years ago. I will sail the Harmony (7 day)with my DH and 8 year old twins in about 5 months.

I was wondering if someone who has sailed the Harmony could answer a few questions please.

1- I bought the 2 device internet package during a 'sale'. It came to $199 I think I remember the price actually being cheaper BEFORE the sale-- but I am not sure. I read a few blogs that stated the onboard prices are Cheaper than online. But none of those blogs were for a Oasis class ship. Does anyone know what the current prices are on the Harmony of the Seas for Internet , Drink packages (refresh) , and dining package (3 day)? Has anyone else experience a time where you paid online , but found out later the onboard prices were better? I sailed the Explorer last year and paid $150 (2 devices) for the internet package. It was a 7 day as well!

2- What is the best time to board the Harmony. I know they have a very unique checkin process. Do they marry you to the time you are given when you check in online? Or can you arrive at 10am and get on the ship in a reasonable time. I was thinking about maybe a 11 or 12pm arrival. Is that right when the madness starts?

3- Is there a steam room and sauna on board? Is there a cost? I truly enjoyed the Thermal spa on NCL last year. I wonder if the Harmony has a thermal pass and how much it would be per person.

4- How easy was it to make your reservations for your specialty restaurants when you arrived on board. We were thinking about purchasing the dinner package, but am worried that the times will be limited when we get on board. We are trying to work around the dinner break for the kids club (5-7) We generally find that it is better to dine in specialty restaurants without my active 8 year old twins. How do we add the kids to a reservation should we decide to bring them? Do I need to purchase a dinning package for them as well.

Thank you!!!

I am platinum on Royal. I sailed the Allure about 4 years ago. I am booked on the Harmony for December. I wonder if anyone who as sailed the Harmony can answer a few questions please.

1.. I purchased a internet package for 2 devices on line during a 'sale' . The sale price seemed similar to the non sale price. It even seemed a little higher. I watched a few blogs where people state the prices on the ship are actually lower than online prior to the cruise. The vlogs were not for Oasis class ships. I am wondering if someone can shed some light on this. Is it really cheaper to purchase internet, dining packages etc online prior or should I wait. We paid $199 for 2 devices. We sailed The Explorer last year and paid $150 for 2 devices. Both were 7 day cruises.

2. .Are there steam rooms and Saunas on board. Is there a cost to use them? I enjoyed NCL thermal spa last year. Is there something similar on this ship?

3. Water packages. It seems on line they only offer water packages for 40. I viewed a blog where they sailed the liberty and were offered cheaper packages. Is this the same on the Harmony.

:)

I sent in a request today. I m as y need to add a person to the room. Do I send another request or email them now or wait till request is accepted and deal with Hyatt

So I notice the site states 10 per extra adult . The price quoted is for 1-2 aduIts.

f we have 3 adults and 2 kids would that add 30 dollars to the price?

I usually use last minute travel. Can someone please explain how valuetri po s works? Is this a new service? I am looking at reserving a 2 night stay at Hyatt place for a December cruise. Do the valuetrip reservations have severe cancellations penalties . Will you receive Hyatt points if you use valuetrips?

After waiting on hold last night for 45 mins while my agent talked to a “different department,” and sending an email containing screenshots of their website, RC honoured free grats for my AOS sailing. Last night was reprice #6, unless a KSF comes along (unlikely since its spring break) I doubt I’ll do better.

 

The agent insisted free grats was only available for Oasis class and the OBC of 350 was only offered to suites. I’m in one of the new panoramic ocean view rooms which changes room category to a suite level starting May 2018. That took some explaining but in the end they said I was correct and I’ll receive a credit for the gratuities plus I got $350 OBC. I’m happy!

Oh they do? On all ships? What type of benefits? Which ship are you booked on?

According to that link it looks like the 50% reduced deposits will be back?! :hearteyes:

How will that be handled with the new non refundable rate

This is the last year of the jewel going to Alaska. Next year it will be the sun, pearl, and bliss. Look for cheaper prices on the pearl. It also goes to glacier bay which is the best. The bliss isn't going there which is stupid and lame. I have been on 4 Alaska cruises they are pretty awesome :)

We live in WA as well, but choose to do California Coastal because we are sun seekers. We have been to Alaska once. I was wondering , do you book last minute deals or do you book 1 year out. We live so close to port that I wonder why I have not jumped on Last minute Alaska deals in the past.

Got an upgraded cabin on check in day Friday. Deck 9 forward to suite on 10 aft. Beautiful cabin and crew is fantastic. Did Chops last night and doing Giovanni's Wednesday. Heading to SFO for the morning. Ship has had some upgrades since we were on her last. Meet the hotel manager Michael Landry at the cafe and very likable guy-- nice to see the bosses mixing with passengers like that. Had a slight problem with room service- wrong order delivered and long am wait for coffee but nothing ground shaking. Oh something ew for us (we are D+ with 370 days -- got an invite to view grand suite sleeps like 10 people-- was very roomie!!!!!! Nice to check it out with no one living in it.

more in the week.

 

 

Sent from my SM-T587P using Forums mobile app

Thank you for review. I wonder if you can let me know if the coffee card is bring punched per drink or per shot. Also what kind of teas are being offered on the coffee card. Are the teas higher quality than you get in the buffet?

We will be in Victoria the first week of Oct on the Explorer of the Seas. I have never visited the Butterfly garden before. My 6 year old daughter might enjoy it . Are there any butterflies around so late into the season? How would one get to the garden from the pier?

If you are going next week, unless you get incredibly lucky, you aren't going to get on Alcatraz. That books months in advance.

Yeah, we did not even try

Sent from my SM-G930T using Forums mobile app