psupa

Good news! My TA went to bat for me & we got our accessible cabin (#3602) for our November 9, 2017 sailing. She talked with RI & they gave us a waiver so we could get the cabin.

 

I don't know why it was so difficult to accomplish as I know there are lots of couples (2) who need those facilities for 3 or 4. Anyone should not have to jump through hoops to get something so simple & needed.

I'm glad you were able to get that cabin. I went through the same thing and it is aggravating. Someone with mobility issues should not have to go through this much aggravation.

Theresa

I just called my TA about booking an accessible cabin on the Grandeur for a cruise to the Bahamas. RC told her there are no cabins below a balcony that will accommodate less than 3 or 4 people. I checked their website & the description of the staterooms state "Two twin beds that convert to a Royal King". It does not state anywhere that there is room for a third person. What is going on?! Do they not allow a couple in an accessible cabin. My DH uses a scooter. Did they change their cabins & NOT correct their website??? I'm a little confused & upset. This means I can no longer sail out of Baltimore.

Do a dummy reservation and put in 3 people and it will give you a list of the accessible cabins that are available. They cannot withhold this cabin from someone who needs this type of cabin. If you are a member of C&A, have your TA contact them and they will have to override the reservation. Hope this helps.

What they don't tell you is that you cannot use your TAs group rate on an open booking and I get a much better price using my TA. I no longer purchase these even for the OBC because it's not worth the aggravation

Full moon folks so that's explains a lot

More likely Carnival.

As a D+ I have to say we tried Carnival and actually liked it. As a matter of fact we've done b2b because they had better itineraries than Royal. This past January Carnival had a Journey's cruise from Baltimore that went to the ABC islands and ended in San Juan. The 2nd leg from San Juan (eastern carib) and back to Baltimore. Great 21 days and I wish Royal would come up with some nice itins like this from NJ or Baltimore. Remember Royal can do whatever they want to their loyalty program. Watch what you wish for you might just get it.

Theresa

We eat all our dinners in the MDR. The food is good (in our opinion) and I don't see a reason to pay extra for food in a specialty restaurant. Matter of act we eat in the MDR for breakfast and lunch when MDR is open on sea days. We try to stay out of the buffet

They really have no incentive for them to improve their TV programming. It probably costs them more for better programming. Also, when people are in their rooms watching TV, they're not out spending money at the bars and in the casino/QUOTE]

 

Or the $10 junk sail:D

Although we don't cruise to watch tv, we do watch some each day. Mostly for the CD's morning show. Then occasionally through the day when we're changing or such. But we usually turn it on to wind down before going to bed. My issue isn't always so much as not a big selection as much as it is why can't there be more in English. Big Ban Theory in multiple languages, but none of them in English. I know RCI is a multi national passenger cruise, but there are still lot's of English speaking passengers. Especially form US Ports.

 

Erika

Most of the movie channels are in other languages too. Okay Royal it's nice that you have all the channels in many foreign languages, but how about some English speaking movie channels. CNN and ESPN international doesn't do anything for me.

I agree with you and my husband uses a walker due to mobility issues and most of the time people are very courteous, but you will encounter those who are rude and clueless. You know what surprised me was the younger folks who had more courtesy. When at elevators we just wait until there is room to get in and found most of the time people will make room. Our worst cruise was on the Summit last year. Worst group of ignorant people who would just stand there and not move for you to get through, some with drink in hand backing up without looking if anyone was coming behind them.

I very rarely turn on the TV . I wish that they would have a daily newspaper as they had years ago.

Celebrity still has daily newspaper

I would love to see RCCL improve its room TV programming options increase some. Does anyone know if RCCL ever reviews what programming channels they offer to their guests? I sure would like to see some better channels!:)

Carnival Cruises has the best TV programming of all the cruise lines we sailed with. When we sailed in January I was surprised to see ABC, NBC, and CBS, included in TV programming, along with several other nice channels. It was so nice to be able to tune into local news and weather.

Oh how I miss my Explorer from Bayonne. To answer your question we had the cabin next to this one and we heard no noise from the Windjammer. Love those afts. Go for it and enjoy

I would hope that Royal will build a newer, smaller ship that will fit under the bridges in Baltimore. I'm just guessing that the Brilliance class is too big for Baltimore. Love the Grandeur but if Royal is selling off the Vision class eventually she will be gone too. How about it Royal you can build a smaller ship with some of the amenities from the larger ships

Wow just the first day and not underway yet. You have to ask for an ice bucket and may have to ask for robes. Sometimes they will bring them when they turn-down the cabin. Most ships now have the dispenser in the shower. First day is usually chaotic and noisy. Hopefully it will get better once sailing. I wouldn't let the small stuff bother you. I hope you enjoy your cruise

Haven't been on the Breakaway, but have been on many cruises on different lines and have never had any problems with rude staff. We have found them to be nothing but pleasant and always courteous. We treat them like we would want to be treated and always greet them with a smile and thank you. It takes very little to be nice.

ask your room attendant to raise the bed and they will place a wooden platform under the bed legs.....raises the bed about 12 inches.

Will do - thanks

How handicap accessible is the Anthem. My DH uses a walker and I've seen pics of the solarium that looks like there are a lot of steps. Are other areas like the theatre and 270 the same way, are there handicapped seating areas and easy access to get to these areas

Theresa

Deleted - double post (see below)

UPDATE: We really do miss Bermuda. Since Grandeur is only doing the single overnight at King's Wharf again in 2017 (on both of her Bermuda itineraries),... For our 40th wedding anniversary celebration in June 2017 we've decided to give up the drive-to-the-port in Baltimore bonus, and we've booked our anniversary cruise on HAL's Veendam out of Boston. She ties up in Hamilton for three overnights, which was the deal-maker for us, even though we have to get on a plane to meet the ship. :D We'll come back to Grandeur for a different sailing.

I remember when the smaller ships sailed to Bermuda and docked in both Hamilton and St. George.

Theresa

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Although we have learned to like Grandeur a lot, it is probably the LEAST handicapped friendly ship in the fleet. If you need an accessible cabin please be aware that you will need to request a toilet seat enhancer as the commodes are all 15". The beds are also quite low but they have a wonderful "jack" system to raise them. The Crew and Staff are among the best though and she is in great shape for one of the older girls in the fleet.

What is a "Jack" system to raise the beds. We had an accessible cabin on the Grandeur and I can't understand why the beds are so low and would like them to be higher on our next cruise.

Theresa

The excursion credit a joke though because all it does is guarantee pax book the overpriced Ncl excursions

I can say the same thing about the drink package. To me it's not worth what we have to pay upfront for gratuities since we are not big drinkers. When we booked the Breakaway we were offered two choices so we took the excursion and internet credit. If we use it fine if not we aren't out anything. Also booking a tour through NCL will guarantee they wait for you if the tour is running late.

The sense of entitlement here (not on all threads about the changes, but here) stinks.

 

Footnote: Here is the list of D+ benefits from the RC website.

 

1. Crown & Anchor Society Onboard Offers
   
2. Priority check-in
   
3. Private departure lounge with continental breakfast
   
4. Exclusive Trivia
   
5. Exclusive Top Tier Event
   
6. Robes for use onboard
   
7. Signature lapel pin
   
8. Welcome Gift/Amenity including choice of beverage
   
9. Milestone recognition
   
10. Chef's Choice Gift/Amenity
    
11. Priority wait list for Shore Excursions/VitalitySM Day Spa services
    
12. Diamond Lounge (on select ships)
    
13. Priority departure
    
14. Exclusive Nightly Diamond Event6
    
15. Daily breakfast with specialty coffee
    
16. Entertainment Tour
    
17. Behind the Scenes Tours
    
18. Personalized Gift/Amenity
    
19. Concierge Lounge Access (on select ships)
    
20. Priority seating at theater, ice show and AquaTheater events
    
21. Meal with an Officer for members with 340 or more cruise points
    
22. Upgraded bathroom amenities for members with 340 or more cruise points
    
23. Bonus Gift for members with 340 or more cruise points
    
24. Bonus Gift for members with 525 or more cruise points
    

What am I missing. Just curious as to what the new changes are if there were any. The only thing I see is a SL instead of CL and D+ go to D Lounge. No big deal. We're D+ and have never had a suite and probably never will because for the $$ I would rather cruise several times a year.

This has always been my thought - why do the points carry on infinitum?

They should expire if not 'topped up' every 3/5 years. That way the true number of C & A members, particularly at 'top tier' level would be known and automatically reduced.

If they don't introduce something like that, the numbers will get so enormous that everyone is likely to loose a lot of useful perks. Just MHO :)

What about people who work and may only be able to take a cruise every few years. This would not be fair to them. We are now retired, but when we worked we were only able to cruise once maybe twice a year and it took us 26 years to get to D+ one cruise at a time and not on someone else's apron strings. Royal needs to take a good look at household members who are registered and maybe only grant them that status when they cruise with the D or D+ family member, otherwise they only get the status they earned.

I know some will not want to read this so go away now if it offends you. We only sometimes cruise in a full suite but always go to the CL. Believe it or not, the concierge depends on tips for a living so we always tip him/her as if we were in a suite. Trust me, after a few cruises the concierges like having us in their lounge just as much as having full suite guests. Honestly ask your selves do you honestly think he/she really cares how much you gave Royal for your room or do you think he/she cares who much you give them?

We tip the servers nightly and Concierge at end of cruise.

Very rare, sliced thin with horseradish