mek

We were there in October and it was beautiful - sad to see it look like that.

On 1/22/2023 at 11:22 AM, grandgeezer said:

Replace them all with artificial ones. It’s a one time cost and you’ll be able to cut more jobs. On one of our trips on the Allure we were told that there were 3 or 4 arborists on each ship to make sure they survived.

Yuck - I hate artificial plants - can't imagine using them outdoors.

3 minutes ago, Orange jeep said:

Are curling irons for Womens hair allowed?

 

Yes

37 minutes ago, time4u2go said:

You should definitely go on Princess. They go to Glacier Bay, which is amazing. Be sure to include staying at their lodges. 

Agree - IMO, Princess does Alaska best.

2 hours ago, HappyTexan44 said:

This seems like why you'd go to GS first.  

That was my first move - I did call them the very first time it happened.  GS is who sent security to this idiot's room.

9 hours ago, hotsauce126 said:

I think it’s fine as long as it’s at a low level

Sorry, but I simply don't agree.  If you can hear it and I'm in the balcony next to you, then I can probably also hear it.

9 hours ago, Coralc said:

When we were on Viking Serenade, many years ago, itinerary was San Diego, Catalina, Ensenada. The captain announced that for those wondering why it took 17 hours to go from SD to Catalina, "We were lost, 20 miles off the California Coast, and we were going in circles all night" 😄 But now we have arrived, and the tenders will be arriving shortly.

 

I think they put on the GPS at some point and just mostly stay in one place overnight. People want to feel like they are on a cruise! 

The Viking Serenade down the west coast of Mexico was our first Royal cruise.

8 minutes ago, BND said:

Wow, you really do miss the point.  BTW, not just the US has these "rights" you do realize, I hope.

Agree - I have the right to enjoy my balcony in peace and there are ways people can listen to music w/o bothering me.

On the Allure in October, we had a guy 2 cabins down that one day decided to play the most god awful rap on his balcony - it was loud.  I called and reported it and someone must have contacted him because it stopped for a while and then it started back up, so I called again to complain and they were surprised he had turned it back on. We went to dinner, so not sure what happened after that, but a few days later it started up again.  Same drill, he would turn it off and then back on.  Finally someone from security came to his room and we could hear the "colorful" conversation  - he was really pissed off that someone had complained - a real AH.

7 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I can't speak for the present situation but I have never had a bad cruise on Adventure. Though the entertainment on the ship can't hold a candle to that on Allure. 

I think the fact that Adventure has an ice rink, flow ridder, and rock climbing wall that will provide enough entertainment for them.

They were married in Sept, 2021 and options were limited, so this is a honeymoon cruise. They wanted the balcony, but if they decide down the road they would like to go on an Oasis class ship, they can always book an OV to keep the price down. 

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Interesting question. Maybe RCI figures that new cruisers are more likely to book newer ships an it is more important to impress them than it is established cruisers who are more likely to cut RCI a break?

I hope I didn't make a mistake helping my grandson and his wife book an October, 2023 cruise on Adventure.  They looked at Allure, but he price was above their budget for an OV balcony and they really wanted to sail out of FLL.  This will be his 5th cruise and her 1st.

4 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

5pm. Try and get deck 5 if you can

5 PM is a very late lunch - lol.

17 hours ago, timbom said:

Just got back from from taking a back to back on these two ships.  Both were enjoyable ships but enjoyed the Ruby far more.  I have been on more than fifty cruises so believe these pros and cons valid.

 

Allure pros-

Entertainment was much more varied but not as much as I expected.  Ruby had very good headliners and decent produced shows.  

Inside balcony I loved as it was insulated from the wind and direct sun.  Plus was much more modern.

Check in was a breeze as was check out.  Best I have ever seen till I got on the Ruby with its check I which was even better.  Both lines get A plus on this

Bells and whistles (slides, water park, diving shows, ice skating. wall climb and flow rider) not offered on Ruby  

Allure cons;

Elevators and crowds everyplace- Perhaps the most overcrowded ship I have ever been on ship is not designed for the number of people on this ship.

Central park was all dead from freeze.  Was told they will not even try to replant till late March.

Cruise director, and staff were just phoning it in felt they were way overworked

Parking was far more expensive than parking for Ruby

Diamond lounge is way overcrowded with over 1100   diamond and above in lounge.

Specialty dining was twice as expensive as Ruby and not as good

Drinks were usually not prepared properly  (due to large numbers getting free drinks).  After several were sent back some of the lazy servers realized we knew how a drink should be made and made them properly

Buffet was not good for lunch.  Ok in AM and did not eat dinner

 

Ruby Pros

Crowds were never a problem and staff was much better trained in proper service  

Food quality was far better and menu much more varied.  Most of the main dining meals were equal to those served in specialty restaurants on RCL

Average age was older on ship so there were fewer children.

Honduras stop was much nicer as they dropped you off on beach resort at no extra charge while RCL dropped you off in the middle of a third world country

Platinum and above lounge had better appetizers and was less crowded even if you had to pay for drinks

Great ship band and dance bands

Far better price

 

Ruby cons

Older ship showing its age needs an upgrade badly

Internet did not work as well as the RCL ship

Casino far to smoky

Only sails from Galveston till April

Thanks - I've been looking at Ruby Princess - some good prices right now and I'm tired of Royal.

1 minute ago, Ocean Boy said:

That is interesting as Allure has always had a stationary ice cream station in the Windjammer when I've been aboard. I would not appreciate what you experienced. 

1 minute ago, Ocean Boy said:

That is interesting as Allure has always had a stationary ice cream station in the Windjammer when I've been aboard. I would not appreciate what you experienced. 

Just curious if you recall exactly where in the Windjammer it was located?  I've been on the ship 2x and I don't recall seeing anything like that, but then it wasn't until the last day of our October cruise that I discovered the Mexican place where the Wipe Out Cafe used to be located.  LOL.

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Every Windjammer on RCI that I have eaten in for years now has had a dinner time ice cream station. Odyssey had multiple flavors last week. 

It's been a long time since I've had dinner in the Windjammer, so no knowledge of what is available then, but on Allure in October an ice cream cart was pushed around from table to table during lunch and honestly, it wasn't very good - very sweet and gummy.

The ice cream station on X is a permanent area - just like an ice cream shop would have and is available during lunch and dinner.  Unfortunately, it sounds like things have changed  over there so it may be disappearing with all of the cuts that are happening.

 Seems like there are a lot of unhappy people in the X boards.

23 minutes ago, helen haywood said:

No, the ice cream counter is still there.  Some of the recipes have changed for the worse (if one believes they are made onboard) or cheaper products were bought.  Case in point, my favorite was cherry brandy which used to be a delicious rich vanilla custard base with a brandy note studded with large recognizable pieces of cherries.  Now it is a raspberry sherbet color with flecks of something dark in it…small flecks…no brandy or cherry taste.  RIP cherry brandy.

That's too bad.  I always thought the quality of the ice cream was good.

1 minute ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

 

The poster stated that they are leaving next January on the Anthem on an 11-night voyage.

 

The Anthem only sails that cruise twice in January of 2024.

 

I just did a mock booking for two on a regular balcony midship. The price is as of this minute, $3885.98 for the cabin and taxes. Add suggested $352 for gratuities and $275 for parking (if flying in, add flight and hotel). This does not include drinks and any dining packages.

 

This is over $1000 difference than the poster's price of $2,800.

 

I would like people to quote prices with the reservation time period (months or years, general vicinity) they got those prices. I have obtained great deals too, but I do not quote those prices because if it is not available for someone who is reading my posts, it is a moot point and meaningless to them.

 

It does no one any good to quote a price that is not currently available.

But perhaps it just shows that deals and or lower prices are out there, but I agree it would be helpful to mention when the cruise was booked.

20 hours ago, helen haywood said:

As a Celebrity cruiser, I can tell you the same is true on that line!!

But X has that great ice cream station with multiple flavors that is our go to spot for dessert.  

We haven't sailed on the since before Covid, so perhaps that has changed?

The only thing I think is worth eating is the bread pudding.

4 hours ago, nimbex1970 said:

honestly, I know, I KNOW the staff must try to sell products and they are working to make money.  I get that.  But every facial I have had, and they were good.. results in a sales pitch.  Many folks like me write on the intake forms.. no sales pitch... still get them.  Say "no thank you to everything you are going to try to sell me", and even say "stop it".. they continue... we all have had them. 

 

This is my vacation week and I don't need that stress and BS.  There are spa's all around me at home which if they do this, I don't return and frequent the ones that work with me.  

 

So I am saying avoid the spa, it's overpriced from home and just an irritant at the end, why pay for that?

Well, I enjoy going to the spa for a massage and I usually can pick up a special that isn't a whole lot more than what I pay at home.

I don't mind the sales pitch as long as they take no for an answer the first time.  I've never had to get past that point, but if it did, I would just grab my clothes, say "I'm out of here," and go to the restroom to change .After that, I would probably go to the receptionist, tell them what happened, and then reduce my tip.

But, I'm not easily intimidated and it wouldn't bother me at all to do that.

8 hours ago, shellunderwater said:

Oasis or Allure has the super large balcony (not sure of the name)..like a JS but still in balcony category.  It requires minimum of 3 passengers.  So kinda yes, kinda no.

I was on Allure in October and had the first balcony on the aft hump, which is somewhat larger than the standard balconies - just the two of us.  The cabins next to us were large enough to have a lounger(s). I'm. not sure about capacity requirements on those, but we have had the large hump balconies on other Royal ships with only my husband and myself.

4 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

As already noted in this thread, there is no wrong answer to the vaccination question.

Understand, but just double checking for my grandkids.  To me it's strange that they even continue to ask the question.

So, if they answer "No" to the vaccination question, then that's the end of it?

I was on Allure in October and didn't pay much attention to the questions because we arefully vaxxed, but my grandson and his wife will be on Adventure next October and they aren't.  Currently, what are the questions if any for those who have never been vaccinated?

My grandson and his wife are planning a cruise for next fall.  They both vape - what exactly are the rules on Royal concerning this?  Are there designated areas for e-cigs?