cruisinforabruising

Thanks for the advice. I emailed the concierge and Nancy emailed me back stating their reservation system isnt open yet for them for my sail date and they would contact me when it was.

Hello everyone,

My question is does the onboard concierge contact you prior to cruising or is the first contact you are able to make come after you board the ship? I was just told by RC over the phone that the concierge will not contact prior to boarding. I thought I had read that Sky class suites get an email two weeks prior.

Has anyone that has booked a Grand Suite or above had trouble booking a cabana on barefoot beach after boarding. I want to make my reservation as soon as I can for my cruise on the Allure 5/13 but I am afraid they will all be booked if I have to wait until embarkation day.

Any thoughts? Thanks!

Thank you for the suggestion. I appreciate it.

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We will be headed on our 4th trip to the Allure in May. 1st time no kids, second 3 and 10month old, third 2 and 5 year old, fourth and upcoming no kids. The adventure ocean program is great. You can drop the kids off early on some nights and they will feed them while you go to dinner or they have a program that they will get the kids from the dining room early while you finish your meal in peace. We've also done it on port days that we have left our kids on the ship while we go tool around on St. Martin (Just know the kids staff have no way of contacting you if something goes wrong).

Make your reservations ahead of time is a great suggestion but also be prepared to be flexible some of the shows run later so depending on how your kids are with bed time melt downs be prepared to just head back to the room. There is in room child care available but that is on a first come first serve availability so be sure to book that early on day 1 if you intend on using it.

Lastly, don't try to do everything. The ship is so big and has so many things to do that you will exhaust yourself trying to do them all (Nobody needs vacations from their vacation). Relax and don't feel guilty for dropping the kids off at adventure ocean. They will have a better time than you.

Had this issue also. I called RC and it's either safari or the MacBook I was using (or a combo of both). The rep said the website is just not designed with them in mind. I can use my MacBook and log into RC and not see my current Res but use my PC and log in and see it perfectly. Nothing to worry about though.

Any package you do with the cruise line is going to be expensive. I'd try to find a way to do it yourself, without buying a Royal Caribbean package. Last time I saw the cruise line price it was around $1200.

Thanks. I wonder if I could find somebody on the islands that does it.

Sounds like you've dealt with her before. I go to Cruise Critic to relax -- what I do in my day job has lots of toxicity and I just want to exchange information and be a bit helpful on certain threads.

 

Thanks

Never dealt with her before but the comment that she made that she only comments on post where people are whining shows the type of person she is. The boards are full of all types of people and some that just want to bully others but I have gained a lot knowledge here from some very nice people.

I never referred to you as a "Pal" or a "Gal" -- don't know where you got that from. When posting, I don't care if a poster is a he or a she.

I did but I didn't think much of it honestly gender wise. Obviously she likes to bring toxicity into posts so Ive just ignored the rest of her comments

Has anyone done a vow renewal on Royal? Curious to know your experiences and what it cost you. My wife and I want something really simple but it seems like all Royal has are elaborate wedding packages? Any helpful input would be welcomed

Also, JSs cost a lot more than regular balcony cabins so your suggestion that they take CK dinner away from folks like us who book JSs (on OA class partly because of being able to have dinner in CK) is a bit insulting.

It absolutely is insulting. You are paying for a perk plain and simple it should be treated equally as somebody else who is paying for the perk even if they are paying more for extras. There is nowhere I can find on the website that says "access to coastal kitchen for dinner only after we take care of higher class".

I think when you drill down on the denials posted on Cruise Critic, the posters may have been offered dining times that they did not want (probably around 8 or 8:30 PM). We have sailed on OA 4 times and have not had trouble reserving 8 pm (except for one night when we asked on the next to last day day for the final night -- we could have had 8:30 PM). We reserve as soon as we get on the ship now. On OA, now that it sails from Port Canaveral, earlier dining slots are more popular.

I would add also that right when they opened at 6:30 I believe was when I saw them at their emptiest so I never saw the entire restaurant full on my cruise. But yes I don't see them telling people you can't eat here it just might be we don't have a reservation spot for you at the moment just like what happened to me last night when a restaurant at home said it would be a 2 hour wait. The attitude of the Manager though was my biggest issue with KC. Maybe she was having a bad week but even our server apologized to us for her behavior

I believe this is directed at me so I will respond...I think they should take CK away from JS for Oasis class due to all these problems. And yes, pay more get preferred treatment. (By the way, I'm hardly the first to point this out-and now you want to use that preferential treatment to your advantage-------pretty hypocritical)

 

So much drama over eating dinner and getting our feelings hurt and the nightmares and the headaches...........oh my!

Umm.... Not sure how you thought this was directed at you since I haven't seen you post in this thread before now. So first of all my comment was a general statement. Second I'm not seeing where it is hypocritical. I booked a GS because the deal was amazing and something my wife and I probably won't be able to do again for some time and its our 10 year anniversary. Third you seem to be the one who has hurt feelings needing to reply in a post that had nothing to do with you to start with.

You get your preferential treatment for breakfast lunch etc, but you didn't pay anymore than I did to eat dinner at KC since its INCLUDED IN THE PRICE. Yes lets just remove these people who can't afford the suite I can because "it causes problems" is what you are saying I guess. Again my original comment wasn't directed at anyone just a general statement from prior posts I have read. You aren't that important and neither am I so relax pal.

In the end it appears that they may have fixed the problem.

I was on the Oasis a couple of weeks ago and "On a space available basis" is no longer the case on Oasis for JS's. If in a JS make your reservations early like everyone else. You can't reserve ahead of time in the cruise planner.

That's great to hear! Glad they fixed that issue.

Very true. Resveations are key. We had some preferential treatment for breakfast a few times as Star class guests but I wouldn't chance it at dinner without a ressy.

 

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Which is exactly why they should allow JS to book them with everyone else but they don't under normal circumstances. I would even be for only reserving a limited number of nights before booking, then reserving the rest onboard and making a very tight window to show up for your table before its been given away. The should do what they do for the Nursery. You can book a few hours (dinners in this case) onboard at the beginning then it becomes a first come first serve deal. Anything is better than turning away guests at the door who rightfully paid for Dinner at Coastal Kitchen. Again, minus the attitude from the Manager everything worked out for us in the end and we are headed back. I'll be curious if its the same manager and how we are treated now that we are in a GS. Reservations are must in any restaurant on the ship. We always try to prebook our specialty restaurants or go immediately first thing when we get on the ship and book them.

Booking 10 is always going to be a challenge. FWIW, all dining in CK is on a space available situation. Everyone needs reservations or risk waiting

 

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Booking for 10 was why I went and emailed RC before the cruise because I knew it was going to be a challenge. The attitude came when my wife and I wanted to eat on our own a few nights (kids were at childcare). In the end it all worked out but we could have done without her attitude. We tried to eat as close to opening time as possible because they seem to be empty at that time. RC does not extend the courtesy to Sea class of making reservations beforehand which is why I recommend to the OP going first thing on the ship and making them. The more advanced notice you can give the better.

While I have not been able to find anything written on RCs website it is their practice. It's extremely deceptive advertising and people in these forums will be the first to point out that because they have spent more money they deserve special treatment for a perk that is advertised for all levels (Dinner only). Sky class and above have the ability to communicate with a concierge before the cruise so they can prebook times for dinner where as Sea class suites need to book onboard and get the leftovers.

My family booked 3 JS on the Allure last year and we all felt like the Coastal Kitchen Manager treated us like lower class then guests booked on higher level staterooms. She was down right rude and condescending to the point of admitting we were not as important as those guests booked in Sky class and above. The waiters etc were wonderful the food was great. There were moments were we wanted to dine at a time where the restaurant was near empty and the manager refused to accommodate us. I did make reservations because there were 10 of us with children and I emailed RC HQ and they worked with us which I think pissed the Coastal Kitchen Manager off. I could care less and understand the point about the doors being locked (Never an issue for us) but the attitude was unnecessary.

With that being said we are going on the Allure for a 4th time this May without children and have booked a GS to avoid the headaches and the deal was amazing.

Caution if you intend on flying with rum or other liquors:

 

 

 

TSA rules: Alcoholic beverages with more than 24% but not more than 70% alcohol.

 

 

 

Don't know how strict they are but just a word to the wise...

 

 

 

bosco

Don't confuse ABV with proof. TSA restricts anything 70 proof and above. So anything that is 140% ABV is considered to be hazmat and thus is not allowed. There are not many bottles that fall into this category.

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We will be going on Celebrity in October and RCI in February. Our son was born in the end of February this year, and I pay full price for him with happiness! Because of this I expect him to be treated with equally service as other passengers.

 

It will also be a true joy to point out to those potential other passengers rolling their eyes when they sees a BABY! onboard, that he (well me) paid as much for this cruise as them.

 

Going on a cruise is a matter of our personal choice. Noone force us to book a cruise on RCI or Celebrity, and therefore I am also prepared to pay what it cost. I would choose another type of vacation if I didnt like the cost of it..

I went on celebrity 3 years ago with my oldest. If nothing has changed Celebrity actually gives you free "jarred" food and baby cereal whereas RCI makes you purchase it after you already paid your fare.

They weren't on the menu but saw them behind the bar. They also had Buffalo Trace....but wanted like $20 for it.

 

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God I hope that's not the case. BT is a "bottom shelf" bourbon at 26 dollars a bottle. It's good but it's still technically a bottom shelf and if they are charging 7 bucks outside of the package for it that is just ridiculous.

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Does anyone know what bourbons they are carrying on the Allure now and if they are all covered by the beverage package? Last year I had fun killing off bottles of older bookers but I heard that they have changed what they are now carrying.

What's the public opinion on semi-public breastfeeding in the US and cruises originating from FL? I specifically mean breastfeeding in the ship's public spaces (some quiet corner) and so on?

Whip em out. If anyone has a problem it's just that, their problem. My wife breast fed both our kids on multiple cruises with no issues. If anyone had the "balls" to say anything to her I would have made for a very entertaining moment or at least a life boat drill lol.

We're using Quick and Safe Transportation and we need a car seat for our youngest, which they provide.

Make sure you double check with them. I am not sure how old your youngest is with them but I had reservations with them. I spoke to George who promised that they could accommodate our large party. It's a good thing I followed up because not only did they only have 2 car seats (I told him we have 4 children in our party) but they also don't have one that is rear facing after telling them that two of the children are under the age of 2. They also charge 10.00 per car seat per trip. I just rebooked with south florida shuttles. You can request a private vehicle also for a small upcharge (still less than Quick and Safe). There is no charge for the car seats either.

I am definitely going to book something (facial/massage), but then I saw the couples massage/bathing ritual.

 

A few questions for you spa experts...

-If you book a treatment, do you have access to a steam room, or tile beds, or something like that?

 

-Anyone out there done the couples thing? I'm wondering how nice the room is- and if the bathing part is a 10-minute rinse or an actual private thing in a nice room where you can relax and enjoy.

 

Thanks in advance for your advice!

I have emailed back and forth with a rep from Steiner Management (This is who manages the spa). The response I got was very clear because I email multiple times. The couples massage and bathing ritual for $329 is a "75 minute massage with a 50 minute Jacuzzi tub for 2 people." She said that there are bath salts etc available. Im bringing my emails with me because for proof in case she is wrong.

You will never win this argument. Way too many RCI apologists on the boards. The baby does not take up any additional space as they could book the same cabin as they would without the child. I got roasted because I questioned why RC doesn't provide jarred baby food or cereal without an extra charge where as Celebrity does. I was lucky enough to book the "Kids sail free" this next cruise in May on the Allure. For those of you who think a 9 month old creates more work for the crew its laughable. Creating a pure in the main dinning room takes very little time. The same could be said for those with dietary restrictions. Things like your child is 10 months old they should be eating solids by now were even thrown at me. Unfortunately its the reality of cruising though. At 9 months old I would suggest looking at Celebrity unless your ship has the royal babies program. The food is better and they at least give you a little more for the $ you are paying.

To start off with I called and sat on hold to speak with somebody (not long and not an issue). When I finally connected with somebody I was accidentally disconnected (again not a problem, things happen). I called back and sat on a brief hold (again not a problem). I was connected with Irene in the Miami call center. I explained that I was looking for more information on the a spa treatment for couples I explained to her the two questions 1. How much time out of the 75 minutes is the massage and how long is the bathing ritual?

2. What is the bathing ritual? My wife and I were on the Allure in 2011 and we had a spa treatment where we both were able to put a special "mud" on each other and then sit in special steam chair to rinse off. Is this the same "bathing ritual" that is being talked about or is it a different one?

This is where things went sideways. She put me on an extended hold while she was "researching" my questions. When she finally came back she apologized for the long hold and that "their system was having issues". She then provided the following information "The treatment is 1 hour and 15 minutes long and that more details would be provided in my stateroom upon arrival after purchasing the spa treatment". I explained to her that information isn't all that helpful and that she still had answered my questions. I let her know that I felt like 30 minutes of my time had been wasted. Her response was "You've only been on with me for 19 minutes". I tried to explain that between the time I started my first call to that moment it had been 30 minutes (which in the grand scheme of things is not that long) . Her reply was "19 minutes is different than 30 minutes" in a very rude tone. I asked her to please put a supervisor on the phone because I felt that she was being rude. Her response was "I am not being rude and you will have to wait for a supervisor because we are busy". I asked her for her name and employee number to which she only gave me her name "Irene" and refused to give her identification number (they have one that they are supposed to give customers). She stated she is the only "Irene" in the Miami call center. I then asked her to please put a supervisor on the phone to which she reiterated that I was going to have to wait another 30 minutes on hold. I told her ok please connect me. She placed me on hold and about two minutes later I was conveniently disconnected. So basically she hung up on me.

I called back and spoke to Maria who stated right off the bat that they have very limited information (essentially the same that I am viewing online) but she could provide me an email address to the shore excursions department who might be able to help me. I appreciated the honesty and then she transferred to a supervisor who explained that he does not know who Irene was and that she was not in the same department as him but that he would trace the call. Followed by his name and employee ID number.

I don't think any customer should be spoken to or treated the way I was by "Irene". Even if she knew that I was on hold for only 19 minutes there is no reason to correct a customer like that and then tell the customer you are going to have to wait 30 minutes for a supervisor. I feel like this was not an attempt to prepare me for a long hold time but rather to discourage me to not wait for one at all. Which by the way was also a lie because as soon as Maria reached out for a supervisor Marvin was on the phone in under five minutes. While I do get that there are misunderstandings and people have bad days it is a CS representative to work as an ambassador for the company and treat a customer with the same respect that they would expect for themselves.