OSUZorba

8 hours ago, wreckem2013 said:

Yeah ever since they brought Oasis class it’s been 98% of the time the same three ports. I remember when we were able to do Grand Cayman and Jamaica out of Galveston.

Yeah, it was widely discussed prior to Oasis class going to Galveston that this would be the problem. I for one am quite sick of Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel. They should really bring a Freedom class (or have Mariner) to do 7-day GC, Jamaica, and Cozumel, cruises.

I did Princess last year for Spring Break, and of course that week they also did Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozumel.

2 hours ago, cmich068 said:

 

I suspect the email was specifically targeted at people who haven't prepaid.

 

If you've already prepaid then the change doesn't affect you at all, you're already locked in at the old rates.

I've prepaid all my upcoming cruises and I got it.

6 minutes ago, Tatka said:

 

Princess just like RCI has both. Assigned and Anytime dining since we started sailing with them in 2006.

 

Every line except for Cunard (regular accommodations) and MSC (maybe they also have it now) have both.

 

NCL does not have assigned dining. Only Freestyle.

I was on Ruby in March there were no assigned times, it was all my time dining.

17 hours ago, RoyalC said:

Of course- you have to tip the stripper more too because they are in college lol

And single moms.

Research shows tipping is usually discriminatory, young white women make far more in tips than black men. If people feel some type of personal connection, they tend to tip more. If the server is attractive, they make more in tips.

Research further shows, quality of service doesn't have much affect on tips.

I'm a poor tipper in general, but I do tip well on cruises because the crew members are away from home for a long time and work hard. I assume most are trying to provide for someone at home, and if not, to provide a better life for themselves.

1 hour ago, coffeebean said:

That does not sound like traditional early seating. This new program they were trying sounds more like My Time Dining than Traditional Dining.

 

NCL started something like this many years ago and they call it "Freestyle Dining". Show up when ever you like and you will be seated but sometimes with a wait. NCL will accept reservations if that is what you want to do but it is not mandatory to make a reservation. You will likely be seated sooner with a reservation though. Maybe Royal is trying that type of dining.experience for everyone. Hubby and I cruise NCL quite a bit and we do like the Freestyle dining very much.

Princess switched to that. One thing I really disliked about Princess. Never knew night to night if you were going to get great service or terrible service.

Oldest: Mariner

Newest: Odyssey (on her 10th sailing IIRC)

Favorite: Liberty

On 9/17/2023 at 5:16 AM, hannibal54 said:

Oldest: Sovereign of the Seas

Newest: Quantum

Favorite: Majesty

Can it still be your favorite when it has been turned into beer cans and hub caps?

37 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

That's how I'd dispute it, charged without explanation or documentation.  I'd tell them that if documentation or proof of purchase is provided, I'd gladly pay it.  Until then, zip, nada, zero................

Yup, I think the category with my credit card is "unexplained/unexpected charges." Royal can then provide the documentation.

11 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

It’s a valid charge; disputing it would be fraudulent 

Not if RCL refuses to explain what the charge is or provide documentation for it.

The emergency exit is right behind the pole they do the climbing show on. It's shown on the maps. I've used it multiple times and no one has ever said anything. Takes you straight to the parking lot area.

On the Freedom class ships nearly every suite is in deck 10, right under the pool deck. They might sound proof suite more, but I've never had a problem with noise from above on Freedom class.

The connecting door can be annoying, though. I saw a recommendation to put a towel at the threshold to block some of the noise.

ETA: I was in CBs on deck 14 of Allure last Thanksgiving, no noise issues, but I was under the transition from the main pool area to the Solarium. Never heard any noise from above. My daughter was in the connecting room, so while I did have to listen to our neighbor it was much better than her being in our room ;).

48 minutes ago, pcur said:

I just looked at the 7 night menus. Luckily, there is salmon on the menu 3-4 nights.  Only one night will I be eating all appetizers for dinner.  I don't eat beef, I hate lamb, don't like the way RCCL cooks pork, so I've always stuck with fish and chicken.  I see that coq au vin is off the menu now, too.

 

I was told a few months ago the fruit and cheese medley plate had been added back on request.  Anyone know if this is true?

I think I saw it under desserts when I was looking at my allure cruise.

Are they still only serving one plate at a time, or will they bring you 2 apps or 2 entries at the same time?

1 hour ago, Donsyb said:

Except at breakfast when it’s free…….

On Oasis ships. But I was obviously talking about lunch and dinner.

I used to worry about seeming cheap based on the amount extra I tipped, but I finally had enough people tell me that "anything extra is greatly appreciated" that I believe it. I am generally a poor tipper in the US, but I always do prepaid on a cruises and since 2021 my standard extra is $50 for the three main tipped positions (total for the 3 of us), and that has generally been an all or nothing thing.

I put it in an envelop and hand it to them the last time I see them and thank them for their service. Every crew member I've ever handed an envelop to seems very appreciative and puts it in their pocket.

4 hours ago, LobsterStalker said:

These 2 bolds are a bit contradictory .

Agree to an extent about specialty VS MDR except , until MDR is not an option at all , (which I have surmised may be their end game) , I will not pay an upcharge for a better quality dining experience , but instead enjoy the included food experience as best I can

 

Cheers

 

 

Have you ever experienced Johny Rockets? No better than Wind Jammer, but costs $15 and generally completely empty.

On 7/18/2023 at 9:33 PM, RB9643 said:

 

I'm sure. I can't comprehend how anyone would think bringing a 6-month-old on a cruise would be a good idea.

 

 

I loved the cruise we did with DD at 7 months and the week long trip we did to Disney World with her at 6 months. Best sleep she'd ever gotten up to that point and she had no issues.

18 months was by far worse because she was bringing in her canine teeth and was in a lot of pain/wouldn't eat.

Really I enjoyed the baby splash pad on liberty too, spent many hours in it and now they won't let me use it.

1 hour ago, bgyoshi said:

Just off the Navigator so I know it’s not the Oasis info you want, but hopefully it’ll give you an idea.

 

1) No reservations, it was first come first serve.

2) See above

3) See above above 

4) We were told to drop off within the first half hour of each session and shouldn’t have trouble, which we didn’t.

5) Babies and tots, 3-5, 6-8, 9-11.

 

Sessions were mostly 9-12, 2-5pm, 7-10pm, some days you could sign them up for lunch and dinner time. For lunch at 12pm, sign up by 11. For dinner at 6pm, sign up by 4:30.

You can also do 10pm to midnight for $7/hr.

2 hours ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

You know, I just thought about how the cubbies might backfire...

 

Let's say I go up to the pool deck.  I put my towel and t-shirt in the cubby, and proceed to the pool/hot tub.  

 

While I'm enjoying myself, @LobsterStalker, finishes his time in the pool.  He goes to the cubby, but doesn't remember/pay attention to where he stored his towel.  Being the self entitled bore he is (just making a joke, don't really believe  it😛) he grabs MY towel and walks off.  I finish at the pool, go to the cubby, find my t-shirt (so I know it's cubby I used), but there's no towel.  Now what? 

They'll give you a new towel and waive the fee. On Odyssey my cabin Stewart kept taking our pool towel, but not replacing them or checking them back in. We ended up with like 30 towels checked out and I just explained what happened and they changed it to zero.

20 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

Why do you need a prime spot if you are moving from pool to pool?

I don't understand, I never said I got a prime spot. I put my junk on whatever lounger I find that's open, which is never a prime spot unless it's after 5pm. I was saying I don't move my stuff pool to pool because the crappy spot at the new pool will probably be just as far away as the crappy spot at the old pool, as in I can't see if deck patrol flags it while I'm swimming either way.

3 minutes ago, Ret MP said:

I wouldn't classify you as a "chair hog" as long as you are actively using the pool area and/or its amenities.  However, I'd like to ask, if you are "in the pool for hours and move around to different pools", why the need for a close lounger/chair to the pool?  My only concern is that there may be a young mother or father or both that would like to be close to their kid(s), and keep a close eye on them and be in close proximity to him/her/them as possible. 

 

<Different situation>  I know when we used to take our gkids on cruises or any pool venue, even though we didn't utilize the pool ourselves, we like to be as close to the pool as possible to keep an eye on them and other possible safety issues. It was always frustrating when we couldn't get close, only to watch people come back perfectly dry, an hour or more after we got settled in, just to check to see if their towel(s)/stuff was still there and then move on again.  

I generally just grab a chair somewhere in the area. I never get close chairs as I don't care and they are usually taken. I get them on the upper deck a lot too. I only mentioned being close in the sense that I might not notice a post it on my chair when I'm at Splashaway and my stuff is on the tiered seating by the main pool.

I actually prefer being further away from the pool because by the time I'm drying off I can usually find a clump of available ones nearby to air dry for a minute.

1 hour ago, LobsterStalker said:

I understand what you are saying completely , but that doesn't change the fact that "chair hog" is becoming such a stereotyped term , that people who are acting 'reasonably ' get wrongfully lumped into the category .

To fix the "problem " to the satisfaction of the ones with the most extreme views on the subject , would mean that maybe 10% of people who use the chairs could do so as they are meant to be used . Some people seem to think it's like musical chairs and as soon as your A$$ leaves the cushion they should have the right to claim it.

I think for the speciality chairs, like the day beds it should be butts in seats. Everything else should be "actively using the pool area."

The real problem though are the people that are no where to be found for hours that are blocking out 6 chairs.

On 3/27/2023 at 7:31 AM, TwoMisfits said:

Spectacular.  My fam and I swim on a cruise (not lay out), so we only need 1 chair for all 6 of our stuff, and we just find one when we arrive at the pools.  It would be nice to not struggle to find a chair.

Same, but we then stay in the pool for hours and move around to different pools without moving our stuff (because generally there won't actually be a closer seat). We never leave the pool area with our stuff on a chair, though. I'm always worried we'll be classed as a "chair hog" with these policies, but think it'll probably be a net positive.

I wish they'd just put some cubbies by the wall and I'd just leave my junk in a cubby.

I just got off the Ruby and I'm pretty sure it was just finely ground black pepper. I used it to attempt to give some flavor to what they were passing off as eggs.

On 3/4/2023 at 2:30 AM, Times Prince said:

Texas law outlaws unlimited drink packages, so ALL cruise lines out of Galveston are limited to charging drinks by the serving until the ship is in international waters.  Texas also requires that liquor served while still in Texas waters be purchased in Texas, so many of the brands available normally on the cruise are not available.  As mentioned above Princess offers a $25 OBC to people with drink packages for them to be able to purchase individual drinks per Texas law.

Somehow RCL gets around the unlimited drink package rules. Still limited to what you can get in Galveston, but it isn't that limited.