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9 minutes ago, mets123 said:

I've seen Blanton's for sale on some of the ships , but not at the bars.

I've never seen Bookers or my favorite for mixed drinks, Knob Creek.

On 11/11/2022 at 10:32 AM, DaKahuna said:

 Surprised many said eggs benedict.  I really like eggs benedict but what I have had on cruise ships has been disappointing, even in Coastal Kitchen.  The English muffin has been tough and often not toasted and the Canadian bacon is very thin.   I have often ordered a two additional pieces of Canadian bacon but it still leaves me wanting. 

 

 

The hollandaise sauce is a little bland for my taste and I always request a runny yolk egg or it will come out hard.  It sill isn't bad - just not great.

2 minutes ago, RedIguana said:

I am not saying anyone has a right to their homes, just public areas. Public areas are not their home. I have lived through many special events that create traffic gridlock. Although it is a pretty good inconvenience, as an American I have to defend other Americans right of free travel.

Seriously this is totally ridiculous - nobody is being prevented to travel to Bar Harbor.  They are not banning  Americans or anyone else from visiting.

40 minutes ago, RedIguana said:

 

Different country, different government structure. I cannot use the same statements for Bar Harbor as Venice, or any non-American port for that matter. It is the American municipalities that attempt to restrict tourists strictly by cruise ship conveyance vs overall numbers that slightly upsets me. I mean, as a native Floridian, I would have loved to have seen growth in Florida and The Keys shut down 40 years ago. But this is America, and citizens do have the right of travel and residency.

Oh please - not much different than other areas in the US, like Mackinac Island, that have restrictions.

One time I was on X and they had a bourbon tasting event advertised.  I went to the bar and asked what they were tasting and it was really pitiful.  I like Bookers straight and they told me they never get that or Blanton's either.  I like Knob Creek or Elijah Craig in mixed drinks - never see those - occasionally see Woodford's and almost always Maker's Mark.

On 11/6/2022 at 2:03 PM, dohertm1 said:

I stand corrected on the COVID testing policy. Recently changed, so no Covid test is required before boarding RCL cruises to the Bahamas. I think that's unfortunate because we all know that illness can spread quickly on a ship, and not just COVID. I'm an avid cruiser and I've been on cruises where people boarded when they were ill and there were consequences. How quickly the cruise lines forget.

Just like everyday life.  Anytime I go out I'm sure I run into people with colds, flu, covid. Nothing I worry about.

34 minutes ago, jamestown478 said:

They had buffalo trace on my January Symphony sailing. 

I was on Allure three weeks ago and they didn't seem to have a very good selection of bourbons.

I'm afraid of heights and I have done the cable car in Santorini, but I'm ok if I'm seated.  Is there anyway she could just get on the car and close her eyes during the ride?

I've done Alaska 3X with Princess, 1X with Celebrity, and 1X with a line that no longer exists.

While I can't give you my opinion of Royal in Alaska, I can tell you that Princess wins hands down from my expreiences.

The last time I was up there was the end of September, 2019 and I'm not sure if things have changed, but the food was great with wonderful seafood selections including king crab legs in the MDR.

The Princess ships have always had an Alaskan vibe to them and the shore excursions and land extensions are excellent. IMO, the Princess lodges are the best.

13 minutes ago, ZoeyVictoria said:

Even the people who don’t spend time in the solarium can be affected when the places they do enjoy are swamped with the people who were displaced from the solarium. 

Agree, but they are probably going to try to find somewhere outdoors in a lounge chair and that wouldn't affect people like me at all who never spend any time by the pools or on open decks except to just walk around.

The only point I was trying to make is I don't think Royal will do a blanket adjustment because disruptions like this might not bother everyone.  Had this happened on my cruise, I wouldn't  have given it a second thought.

Again, please don't think I'm dismissing the frustration and disappointment of those who do care.

2 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

I wish posters here could just let people enjoy what they like instead of finding fault with anything and everything and trying to change opinion with criticism.  You like what you like. We go for innovation, I love seeing and experiencing anything new and exciting, so this ship will be right up my alley...others would rather sit and chill on their balcony...there are times we do that too...something for everybody, different strokes for different folks.  It's not a crime to be different.

It certainly would be boring if all ships and cruise Lins were the same.  That's one reason we like to sail on a variety of lines.

58 minutes ago, thrifty99 said:

Sorry to hear this. I’d be upset too as we love hanging out in the solarium. And with a pretty full ship and 2 pools out of service, the pool experience is now ruined. 
 

Not sure what “fair” compensation would be but some future cruise credits would be appropriate in my opinion. 

Unfortunately, FCC's only benefit those who cruise frequently or at least will plan another Royal cruise in the not too far off future.  

If  people are being impacted on this cruise, then something should be done for them now, not later.

But honestly, not everyone is impacted by this.  I was on Allure 2 weeks ago and while we had lunch and breakfast 1x each in the Solarium, those were our only times there and we don't use the pools or sit on the open decks.  If this had happened on our cruise, it just wouldn't have mattered to us.

Not dismissing the fact that many people are unhappy, just pointing out that it's probably no biggie for some.

24 minutes ago, topanga49er said:

I truly love this ship.  families w small kids will concentrate on Surfside, while older folks have a swim up bar, a suspended infinity pool, largest pool at sea, adults only pool and so much more!  And they haven't even talked about the Pearl yet.  Makes me sad that so many people just see immediately what is in front of them and not the bigger picture.  The icon should expand your audience: grandparents, parents and kids all on same cruise having a ball!  Please think before you judge!

 

Not judging, but the only reason I go on the Oasis class ships is the entertainment.  I don't sit by the pools or in the hot tubs - never go to the casino.  I enjoy my balcony and I don't need a mega ship to do that, so I probably will never go on anything larger.

I hope it's a great experience for those looking for that type of thing, but I'll pass.

I've been in a Central Park Balcony and if the door is closed here is very little noticeable noise inside.  But they are very nice in the evening when live music is played from around 7PM to 9:30PM. - great to sit on the balcony during that time.

2 hours ago, volunteer cruiser said:

Was on the Allure recently, had a nice beach day on Labadee, October 17th.  Did not see any disruptions.

That is the day we were there.  I love Labadee - my husband is disabled and I push him around in a transport chair.  It's difficult for us to enjoy a lot of beaches, but with the paved areas, I can get him on the beach in a lounge chair and we can have a nice relaxing day by the water.

6 hours ago, TheHawk1 said:

Coming from a country where people are packing heat just to go to the grocery store, then I’m sure someone guarding you with an assault rifle while you sip labadoozies on an island beach seems perfectly normal. For the rest of the world, not so much.

LOL- because the rest of the world is so non-violent.

5 minutes ago, Dreamer68 said:

THANK YOU! I am not privileged enough to be a regular. I appreciate your patience and help.

I DID use the Search tool but I suppose I  made my search term too specific. I did not have time to go through ALL Labadee...and I did check the RCCL's list of forum topics...starting on page one and it was all about specific cruises that were not helpful to me. I already read a bunch of blogposts but figured I'd reach out to the CC community. Now I will be more careful about asking what might sound like an ignorant question to those who have cruised lots.

The search feature on CC stinks.  You will have better luck with Google which many time will direct you to a CC post.

Seriously, if the desserts are so good in the evening, why can't they figure out how to have something  decent at lunch besides bread pudding?

3 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

It is amazing reading the posts from those who don't go to the Windjammer at night, yet claim they know what goes on.  We have been going to dinner in the WJ for years because of the cook to order stations, unlike what is served in the MDR.  We enjoy a nice, hot meal cooked how we want, with the ingredients we want.  There are many of the options from the MDR but many different options too.  The dessert nights, especially on Anthem are amazing.  We have seen donut nights, cake nights, make your own sundaes, just to name a few.  It is a much quieter experience than the craziness of the MDR.  Waiters do come around and ask you if you need any drinks.  The make your own pizzas is my DH favorite but I have only seen that on Radiance class ships.  I do remember the table cloths at dinner in the WJ years ago and even a guitarist that used to play on the Mariner when it first started sailing from Port Canaveral over 15 years ago.  

LOL - I think the last time I ate in the Windjammer for dinner was when they still used tablecloths in the evening.

9 minutes ago, CanHardlyWait4NextYear said:

"Armed guards at the gate". "Just another beach day". Lol. I'll take the other side of the argument here. I think there is the potential for folks to have a false sense of security about this location. However, the bottom line is if reading about gates and guards with guns doesn't scream vacation to you, then don't do it. Pick a different itinerary. You have to be comfortable with your choice. It's a place I avoid because I don't feel safe and haven't for years. My personal choice. If it don't feel right, don't do it.

To each his own.  I've never felt unsafe at Labadee and figure I'm just as likely to be a victim of violence at my local Walmart as I am at a beautiful, relaxing port in the Caribbean.

I was in cabin 6250 on Allure last week.  It's the first cabin on the aft hump and it connected to the room next door.  Occasionally we could hear a little noise through the door, but nothing loud and if they talked we certainly didn't notice that.

Was on Allure last week.  Cruising is back to normal.  A few people and crew wore masks and other than the washing stations outside of the Windjammer and other locations around the ship nothing was different than when I last cruised in February, 2020.

3 hours ago, LEMJMcC said:

Thanks all.  Those responses are right in line with what I typically do.  I, too, am one who does not carry over a balance on my credit card, and I only have the one.  Though sometimes I wonder if I ought to have a second as a back up in case my primary quits working...

In addition to Amex I also have Visa - not everyone accepts Amex and it's good to have a back-up.

Was there just last week - as always, a fun and safe day.

1 hour ago, edrussell said:

 

I 100% agree with you and totally get that.  This would only be a 'taste' of what Carnival would offer.  We are really just trying to dip our toe into their waters.  We will likely end up with future COMP from them and this would only serve to be a jumping off point.

 

Truth be told I suspect we will actually end up splitting our sailings between both lines as the traditional loyalty aspect of RCCL via Crown & Anchor doesn't really benefit us all that much.  We get our COMP via the casino, my employer covers my internet packages and we both are Prime and can drink whenever we want in the casino so there isn't much there via C & A.  Unsure about Carnivals programs as I haven't done much research on their offerings yet.

 

Is there anything in particular you would like to know about Carnival?  We have cruised on many lines - including Carnival and have never had a bad experience on one of their ships. Regardless of what some people think on the Royal forum, most of the cruisers on mass lines are from the same demographic pool and the only thing that I personally think changes the mix is when a sailing offers a give away price and that can change the vibe of the cruise.