cublet

2 minutes ago, Jeremiah1212 said:

 

It's not legitimate espresso. Think gas station coffee dispenser "latte". What you get is basically extremely condensed drip coffee. If that is fine with you, then you won't have a problem with it.

 

This is from Apex (I think?) - ignore all of the "expresso" labels.....

 

 

Similar machine on Beyond. This may be the one where we did all of the people watching as they were mystified at their 2oz coffee. I think this one was espresso only. 

 

 

Hello,

 

No, that is not the same one as on Anthem.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Hello,

 

From the picture it looks like the one in the DL on Anthem (for about a year).

 

It makes the full suite of espresso and milk based coffees - both regular and decaf (if set up correctly). Unusually both coffee and milk come out of the same delivery spouts and the wand on the right is for hot water.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Hello,

 

I’m currently on Anthem and thought I had escaped the begging for ‘10s’ as I ate in the rarified atmosphere of CK BUT it has now happened to me twice and once from a waiter that has never served me anything.

 

I have also noticed the Cruise Compass advertising ‘art [sic] seminars’ in the venue usually occupied by PW but with no mention of them by name.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Hello,

 

Yes, but……..

 

So you have ‘nightlight’ in the bathroom, but you still have to make your way there in the dark. The gaps between the door and door frame don’t let out enough light to help you.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

1 hour ago, hcat said:

topic is straying a bit..

Do any  other cruise lines close off major  venues  for  pvt events  for long periods?  Large groups csn be annoying but losing space adds to it..

Hello,

 

Royal regularly close Bolero’s (a bar) on Anthem for PW to show and auction their tat.

Regards,

 

Cublet

 

On 8/30/2024 at 9:08 AM, little britain said:

Same can be said for actually being a P. 
On my last 2 cruises I was Not Pinnacle Enough to be allowed into CK or the lounge. In my mind you either are a P or you are not.
My future cruise bookings reflect my frustration with RCI. The Zenith match could not have come at a more appropriate time 

Hello,

 

Prior to departing on this cruise (greetings from Bilbao), I didn’t get the ‘You lucky Pinnacle Person’ email, only one welcoming me to the Crown Lounge. But, as fortune favours the brave, first thing on board I presented myself at CK and asked to be let-in. I was told it was space dependant so I was booked-in for that night only. Next day I was told I was booked-in for the rest of the week.  I just let myself into the Concierge Lounge as the card worked the door and no funny looks from the concierge either - especially as she remembers me from June! 38 Pinnacles on this cruise.

 

I’m not jumping exclusively to X unless and until they match Royal’s single supplement. In the meantime I’ll chip away at the CC points deficit one cruise at a time.

 

 Adios Amigos,

 

Cublet

On 8/19/2024 at 4:21 PM, sgmn said:

Thanks Cublet,  I didn't know about the b2b, but good to know.

Hello,

 

Greetings from Bilbao.

 

I picked-up some glossy mags in Southampton. I can see an ad from ABP in an August mag quoting SA2024 for a 10% discount with no expiry date and another, also an August mag, quoting CRUISE2024 valid for 2024, 2025 & 2026 bookings offering 10% discount again with no expiry date.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

 

On 9/3/2024 at 2:24 AM, teddie said:

Considering how fussy they are about electric cords/plugs, I'm consideriing  filling my allowed wine bottles with gas. LOLOL

 

T

Hello,

 

I brought a chef’s gas blow torch on board at Le Havre, by itself in a paper carrier so not disguised, and security didn’t bat an eyelid.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

 

18 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Not sure if the rules in the UK are different but that is certainly not true for North American bookings whee it is 12 and under where 13 is considered an adult.

Hello,

 

I don't know how the 'internal plumbing' deals with a 12 yo but here the printed T&Cs refer to 'aged 12 and under'.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

On 8/30/2024 at 4:01 PM, Nunagoras said:

Pretty much every port that can handle an RCL Oasis class ship, can for sure to handle such an Ultimate class one. that said, you'll likely to see those ships doing: The usual Caribbean routes currently serviced by Oasis ships, the Mediterranean sailings now serviced by both Oasis and World classes of ships, some Chinese ports will be also ready soon for those behemoths, so one in China is quite likely and I believe that even Dubai can receive one, come that ugly war on Israel to an end soon. That is not the challenge. To find interesting ports that are actually open to receive them is the real challenge as so many of them on the market. One day you'll see the "big 4" making cruise ships to be the destination by themselves. Here in Europe you'll might to be able to pack a vessel in Barcelona, go to Civitavecchia and then return to Barcelona with no other port in the middle, or just a beach club one built on demand for them elsewhere, and spend a week just with full of entertainment and kid friendly activities to have a wonderful week flying by.

Hello,

 

You've made my point. If one of these come to Europe, it'll only be Med, Med and more Med.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

1 hour ago, little britain said:

The cabin is not as stark or IKEA like as I was expecting, there are even 2 small paintings 🖼️ ( no art in the corridors or stairwells which makes them very bare and drab).

No cupboard doors but a curtain instead, shelves, some with baskets for your things, a few hooks, a very large lower ledge ( with hidden drawer) from when they used to rearrange the beds to a sofa during the day. And one side of the bed has a raised side which again would have been the sofa armrest. It does have a sliding wooden shelf on it which is very useful ( like a tray) to put your glasses/phone etc at night. 

The curtains automatically open, pita when you’re peeking out at night to see what the weather is like or if you can see land! 

We also have a chair and a small table - looks like something you would see in a hospital. 

Quite a few plug sockets and usb ports.

There is a tablet for controlling the tv, thermostat, mood lighting etc. 

The balcony has 2 chairs and a very small low table, and the hammock but it’s a good depth.

The bathroom is tiny. Not sure how larger people would fit through the shower doors. Huge bar of soap, shampoo etc in containers on the shower wall, nice thick toilet paper! 🧻. There is no low level night lighting though which is surprising for a new build ship. We have those sensor travel lights bought on Amazon which are very effective. 
 

 

Hello,

 

At least I'd be able to read those without my glasses unlike the dispensers on Royal.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Hello,

 

This reminds me of a sea-side postcard.

 

A man and wife are walking away from a wishing well. By the look, and sweat, on his face, the husband has great embarrassment with something now protruding 'below the trouser line' that he is attempting to cover with his jacket. "OK", says the wife, "Now you've got it, what are you going to do with it?"

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Hello,

 

OK, but where's it going to go? Or, more particularly, where's big enough to take it?

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

7 minutes ago, Ethanol95 said:

what about TR being Trinity of the Seas, it just came to me. Trinity will be the third icon class, makes sense?

Hello,

 

Hmm. Trinity was the code name for the first atomic bomb detonation, part of the Manhattan Project in 1945. Perhaps not the most auspicious choice, but you never know.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Hello,

 

There was a period whilst Eclipse was out of Southampton when anyone was allowed in the Sky Lounge during Elite Happy hour because the only way to get free swill, sorry - drink, was to hand-over a paper voucher.

 

The same did not apply to the hot & cold appetisers.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

3 hours ago, little britain said:

Not really. Outside of the Caribbean we only get $2400 off the cost of a cruise, excluding any WOW promos, your balcony discount… my “free” cruise is actually costing $300.

 

@cublet I will buy you a drink 🥃 next September! 

Hello,

 

The Nobel prizewinning economist Milton Freidman said "The only place you find free cheese is in a mousetrap".

 

Not only do you lose the benefits and 'promotions' you listed (including OBC), you still have to pay port fees and taxes and gratuities. Many (very many) years ago free parking at Southampton was offered - what would now happen with that I wonder.

 

And you're supposed to use the voucher within a year of issue and not for a cruise sailing in certain 'black-out' dates (based on US holidays). Given the length of the UK 'season', that's only seven months' sailings from which to make a selection.

 

RCI's largesse  isn't particularly large.

 

But all of this is irrelevant if there's nowhere you would like to go (see my previous post).

 

I would love to enjoy a glass or two with you next September. 🍾

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

On 7/24/2024 at 9:08 PM, jjtt said:

Hi all! Does anyone know if Iceland/Greenland will be offered? Yes, I know this is all speculation. Just curious as we were not able to go before. Thanks

Hello,

 

Out of the UK, Iceland *IS* offered by: Princess; P&O; Cunard; NCL & MSC, based on 2025 it *MAY* be offered by Ambassador.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

1 hour ago, sgmn said:

After our September Anthem we'll be 3 points from diamond plus, but like you nothing excites in Europe next year and nothing booked.

We're looking at more celebrity sailings now 

Hello,

 

There are only two things in 2025 that excite me: August on Celebrity where I can give my newly granted Zenith perks a thrashing and September on Indy when I'll achieve 1050 C&A points - and what do points mean?

 

2026 Looks dire. I've nothing under 'possibles' on RCI (if 2026 = 2025), 3 possibles on Celebrity (if 2026 = 2025), 2 possibles on NCL, 3 on MSC, 1 on Ambassador (don't laugh - I can walk to the port from my house), 3 on Cunard, 7 on P&O and 4 on Princess.

 

There are two things where even an old rust bucket like Liberty scores over Anthem: (1) The ice rink; (2) The view from the Crown Lounge on 14. On Anthem all you usually get on 4 is a view of the concrete of the breakwater or the pier.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

 

 

3 hours ago, sgmn said:

MIA to BCN, Allure Feb 2025 (not other way)

I was always under impression that once purchased through UK travel agent you could not get price drops if your booked cruise drops in price (outside first 48 hours). 

Unlike other markets.  Apparently something to do with better consumer protection laws 🙄 🤔 

Hello,

 

If booked on board, a UK cruiser can make any number of changes (FOC) up to final payment date. So whilst this isn't a price reduction, you can change it to something/anything and then change it back to your original booking but at the lower price.

 

I'm now of the age where something that happened a couple of months ago turns out to be about 2 years ago. But I do remember a discussion (here?) about shopping around for the best country's T&Cs. The word from on high, or Miami, was that regardless of which country's system you used to booked, the T&Cs covering your booking would be those of where you are normally resident. Though how they would know provoked much argument.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Hello,

 

I don't know where OP is based but presume if he/she booked via the UK website then those rules apply. That being the case, then you only have 48 hours between receiving confirmation of an online booking from Royal and to Royal receiving your transfer request to make such a transfer.

 

Alternatively, I have been mislead/lied to.

 

The 30 day window for onboard booking transfer still applies.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

4 hours ago, DennysDad said:

Just click on the first post in this thread. It sends you right to the site 

Here is a list of the 'Blog's server details and Royal's various entities, I don't see a relationship.

 

Royalcaribbeanblog.com

 

172.66.43.167

 

Cloudflare, Inc.

Address:        101 Townsend Street

City:           San Francisco

StateProv:      CA

PostalCode:     94107

 

 

Royalcaribbean.com

 

23.193.21.98

 

AKAMAI

Address:        145 Broadway

City:           Cambridge

StateProv:      MA

PostalCode:     02142

 

 

Royalcribbeangroup.com

 

23.213.252.130

 

As Royalcaribbean.com (above)

 

Royalcaribbeanpresscentre.com

 

159.135.22.192

 

Liquid Web, L.L.C

Address:        4210 Creyts Rd.

City:           Lansing

StateProv:      MI

PostalCode:     48917

 

 

Loyaltoyoualways.com

 

75.2.60.5

 

Amazon.com, Inc.

Address:        Amazon Web Services, Inc.

Address:        P.O. Box 81226

City:           Seattle

StateProv:      WA

PostalCode:     98108-1226

 

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

On 7/24/2024 at 10:14 AM, little britain said:

I hate to say I’m not sure about the winter market in Europe.  
I have 2 X booked in November and February.

I have had over $1000 in price drops on the October once since booking; and the February one is $1486 for 2 in an OV for 11n. That works out at $67.54pppn!  In addition as we are Piniths we get free drinks and WiFi and laundry - and I have my $100 shareholders OBC!  I don’t think they are making anything out of us on this one. 

Hello,

 

Likewise.

 

The best way, for both of us, for me to spend more is to put on new or long-forgotten itineraries that I have not been to either ever (like La Gomera) or not recently (like north Africa) so I am happy to go on excursions.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

PS: La Gomera should have been a port-of-call on a Canaries cruise cancelled during the Covid pandemic.

4 hours ago, DennysDad said:

No. It's not her blog. It is part of a Royal Caribbean website that I cannot mention on her. She is works for and is paid by them. Her reports are biased due to this fact.

Hello,

 

Are you sure?

 

The servers on which this blog is posted are not Royal's.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

3 hours ago, little britain said:

Did you watch the Icon programme on Ch4 on Sunday night? I’m still undecided! 

Hello,

 

It's repeated either tonight or tomorrow on one of the other '4' named channels.

 

As I don't fly and it's too big for most of Europe, I've a self imposed lack of interest.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

On 7/4/2024 at 9:16 AM, sgmn said:

I just wish they would have more longer cruises from Southampton. Next Summer is abysmal.

Mostly 5/7 night cruises plus a few 9 night. Just one 12 night. 

None of the 14 nights down into the Med they've had in the past.

Most Brits have 4 to 6 weeks annual holiday plus a lot of retired folk like to sail from their local port with no flying, so the longer cruises are very popular.  Seems like they are giving away the UK market share to other cruise lines.

Makes me wonder what RC UK office is doing to fight our corner 🤔 

Fingers crossed things improve summer of '26

Hello,

 

I think Michael Bayley has 'gone native'.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet