flyboyswife

All - We're new to Royal and booked for the Grandeur next month. I've been scouring the board and reading lots of cruise reviews (big thank you to the reviewers). Looking particularly for tips that experienced Royal (and Grandeur) cruisers know and that I won't find on the Royal website. Thanks in advance!!

Thanks all. Fairly discouraged. I may just go a la carte and watch my account sign and sail balance. I'll be less upset to have slow (or non-existent) service in MDR if I'm paying a la carte vice if I've paid up front for a package .... And, now that I think about it, if I go a la carte, hubby and I can just share a bottle at dinner and serve ourselves at our pace.

Thanks for indulging my neurosis. :)

That's why I have two CC names... :cool:

hmmm...doesn't that get complicated though because you'd need a second email address and your booking would need to be associated with that second email address. Do you really think they're watching that closely with hundreds of thousand's of passengers?

Watch as you go through the bing bong machine and you may see a line of photos from CC 10 most wanted list that RCI uses to monitor your compliance.... or it might not be.

OMG; too funny! But look at this comment I just read on another post - I swear, CC is making me paranoid!! :) (You're all hilarious; thanks for the laugh!)

"Hope you have signed up for your Meet and Mingle. Giving the cruise line your screen name and real name and then telling the world you are going to share a drink package is priceless."

Privacy? Are you worried someone will have a connection between your real name and your cruise critic name? I think I already know you, isn't your name Perry Noya? Just kidding. :p The attempt is to keep it a private function, As Bob said, you can put anything you want there.

OP here. I love the Perry Noya! I'm going to steal that to describe folks I know in both my personal and professional life! And yes, I admit, I'm a nervous Nelly, but the paranoia was planted on CC - someone here said Royal cross checks the names with posts. I can't help but remember all the questions I've asked about bringing on alcohol/wine/etc over the years (different cruise lines). Thanks for the laugh!

I'm new to Royal and would like to go to the mix and mingle that is set up for my upcoming cruise, but in order to register, I have to give my cruise critic user name. I don't know why but I feel like it's an invasion of my privacy. Why do they need that information?

The experience can vary depending on your servers. Some report excellent service. Some report difficult service. It is impossible to predict from here, and now.

 

But my best advice to you is to arrive on the first night, and speak to the waitstaff and make your desires and expectations very clear.

 

Even though gratuities are included in your package price, and on each drink, a little cash with these instructions may go a long way towards a happy, happy cruise. ;)

Thank you Merion and all for being so kind tonight; I appreciate all the advice!

I like to have a cocktail when I'm seated and wine with the meal. Its not a great system for that. The bartender and the waiter are always waiting for the seapass card. From my experience its not very speedy service.

That's what I was concerned about in my original post. Will they bring you another glass if current glass is not finished? (I'm beginning to think I might have a problem as I'm focused so much on alcohol!)

No..No one cares or will scrutinize you...RCI doesn't require both of you purchase their drink package...Wait until you're onboard and make your decision no need to pre-purchase. Also don't consider it "tacky" to bring your own wine to the dining room or WJ (buffet)....lot's will be doing this.

Just re-read this post...so I shouldn't be pressured by pricing now? Currently 20% off (believe it's 33/44/49). I was feeling some pressure....

Ok thanks, I'll tell him...what a worry-wort! He needs to remember a happy wife is a happy life (& I'll be happy if I'm drinking all day!!) 😜😍

Thanks again!

We find the drink service in the MDR to be slowwwwwwwwwwwww. I would bring my white wine into the MDR with me and then order my red.

My hubby thinks that would be tacky but I'm game. I like to sip and savor while I peruse the menu vice waiting until halfway through the app to get the glass of white. (First world problems!)

We've done Carnival in the past and they require both adults in cabin to purchase package. Hence we've not done a package before. Hubby thinks it would be odd for me to have a package and him not (he'd rather we order a bottle of wine every night if we both want to partake). I like the package so I can try new things and not worry about cost or waste (i.e. if I don't like a particular drink). Will we be scrutinized if only one of us has a package?

Bummer re the card! Thanks all!

New to Royal and considering a drink package. How well does it work in the MDR? I know from other lines that it can take a while to get a glass or bottle of wine while at dinner. Same true (or worse?) if one has a package? I typically like a glass of white with the appetizer and red with entree/dessert. Will this work (from a sped/service standpoint).

Also, what's the story on the 10-drink cards? I've seen some posts discussing them but nothing on cruise line website (at least that I could find). I'd love to be able to buy those instead of the package.

Thanks in advance!

Tell me about the ship itself, crew/service & food (esp. in MDR). Thanks!

Ain't THAT the truth!

Bully.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&snav=2&faqId=5442&faqSubjectId=336&faqSubjectName=Food+%26+Beverage&faqType=faq

Thank you! My searching skills need improvement! Truly appreciate the prompt reply😃

If we bring that to the dining room, is there a corkage? If so, how much? Thanks in advance!

Unfortunately they have quoted exactly what is on the website and what the reps at Royal will tell you on the phone. What actually happens at the port is totally different.

😃 thanks Ken! We usually cruise other lines and I've never seen the cruise line respond to a cruise critic board...is this common with Royal or should I now be concerned that they have their eyes on me? 😳

Hello there.

 

Unfortunately, guests aren't allowed to bring their own beverages onboard (with the exception of a beverage in hand upon boarding, and 2 bottles of wine or champagne).

 

Additionally, the only alcohol that can be pre-purchased for stateroom delivery is wine or champagne.

 

We hope this info helps!

It does, thank you & thank everyone else!

Interesting, thanks. I guess I could risk a six-pack and some juice boxes. Thanks again!

Wine I knew about from the Royal website. Interestingly, it seems limited to wine. Can I bring non-alcohol drinks on-board such as juice boxes for my daughter or cans of soda? Thanks all!

My hubby will be bummed! Thanks for responding. I'm looking forward to trying out a new cruise line.

Hi - My family is new to Royal; we just booked a cruise for next month so I anticipate posting many questions in the next few weeks..... We are not likely to buy the drinks packages, but were wondering if it's possible to buy a bottle of rum and some cans of Coke for the room. I saw the Coke available on the Royal website, but couldn't find anything about arranging for a bottle of rum in the room. Does Royal not do this? We're more familiar with Carnival and NCL.

Also, I've read about a drinks punch card. That might be more our speed. I understand there's no guarantee that the card will be offered. Have you ever been on a cruise that did not offer the card?

Thanks in advance!

Hi All - pardon this remedial question. I'm sure with time I could research on the Princess website but, in the interest of time....

My mom and her soon-to-be husband are cruising on Princess for their honeymoon. Telling me they can bring on 2 bottles of champagne. BUT they don't know if it has to be in their carry-on or checked luggage.

I'm a frequent cruiser but not on Princess. All guidance re alcohol - even smuggling tips, dare I ask! (Please no haters!) Thank you!

Sounds like a great 5 year anniversary present - with a reservation at the chef's table or steakhouse thrown in too!

So I revived the post last night as I received the same email. Happy to report I was onboard by noon today with three of my four bags received by 1pm. Porters and CCL staff recognized status ("manually added") so no problems. Letter in room with GS direct line. Even my skeptical husband is now loving FttF! Leave shortly but wanted to report back that it's legit!