sargemrs

48 minutes ago, chill6x6 said:

I was going to post almost the same thing you wrote! Good job!

 

I will add...

 

I actually like the CK/SL area better than the Haven lounge/restaurant area.  IDK, the Haven is a little stuffy and staff don't seem to be as friendly.  I like the more casual vibe of CK/SL.  Food IS probably a little higher quality in the Haven restaurant but not a lot of difference IMO. I'm one of those that doesn't think the Haven restaurant has the best food/service on the ship.  For sure the Haven restaurant needs rotating dinner menus.

 

With staying in a GS room service is included.  ALSO items from the MDR menu are included in room service during dinner hours.

 

The priority boarding is about equal.  Royal Caribbean's suite waiting area is nicer/larger than what I've experience with the Haven waiting area.  

 

Getting on/off ship at ports...seeing the Haven staff on the pier and bypassing the line is awesome! Having your own elevator is nice.  Great Haven benefit!

 

Oasis class ship.....though not a suite benefit per se...though the Oasis class ships are larger with more passengers, much less crowding than I just experienced on Escape.  So many entertainment venues that are larger and with MORE SEATING. Several shows I never saw because the venue was small and PACKED even an hour before time.  And BTW, you will have reserved seating at production shows.

 

If you've got a particular question or comparison that you'd like, ask away!  

 

 

 

 

Thanks SO much!!!!!  I'm sure I'll have more questions as we wait for our cruise in August!!

3 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Start looking a couple months out. It will say when you can bid. Says 30 days out but usually sooner.

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/booked/cruise-room-upgrade

2 minutes ago, poocher said:

It may also show up when you log into your account on the website.

Oh okay!  So to see if the ship is full, you run a trial booking?  Or another way?

13 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I doubt anyone knows the chances but I'd say look at if your ship is full or very close when you bid. Are the suites all sold out. Then someone has to cancel for you to get on.

 

The bid is X 2, no matter how many in the cabin, 1 or 4 it's still X 2. They dont tell you you won, they move you and bill your card, then send email. Whatever you get might not be your favorite location.

Thanks for that!  We’re in GS now but OS or higher would be nice but not necessary.  The Lofts are amazing but we can’t do stairs easily.  So when/how do you get the chance o bid?  Email from NCL? I booked direct!

On 3/22/2023 at 10:09 AM, mafig said:

What ship on RC are you considering.  That makes a difference.

Some of the larger and newer ships have more amenities.  Like their own restaurant.  Private pool deck.  The smaller/older ships give you only breakfast in a specialty restaurant (like HBCruiser stated).

We’re booked on Allure of the Seas!  Our best Haven was on Norwegian Joy!  Amazing!

Newbie to RCL and have read about bidding, which I am familiar on NCL.  Could you give some points on the process?  Chances? Thanks!

1 hour ago, ShillyShally said:

Yes you can, I think you can bring a 12 pack of regular size bottles, but you need to put it in a checked bag.

Oh thank you!!  Great news!!

12 minutes ago, ShillyShally said:

Ha, would love to know the instagram name - I have to drink water to stay hydrated so can't always be picky, and have used most every "safe" choice I can when available (mainly just try to avoid any source that would likely make me sick).  But when traveling and need to pick up some bottles to keep cold in a fridge, then I can be discerning 🙂

Quick question!  As a newbie to RCL, can you bring your own water on board?

18 hours ago, ajtaylor29 said:

We will be on Allure in 3 weeks, first time on that ship so i'm looking forward to it! We booked parking right across the street (port of galveston), this is our first time at the new RCCL terminal. In the past, we've parked further away and shuttled over, it's always been easy.

You're correct - you will be able to eat all your meals at Coastal Kitchen, including lunch on embarkation day. We've had access to CK on other RC ships, and I think the food is very good (definitely a step up from the MDR). We usually will eat here instead of MDR or Windjammer (buffet), then sprinkle in a couple of specialty restaurants as well.

There is a lot to do on this ship so the kids should have a blast!

You should be able to book shows a few weeks before sailing (on the royal app). 

If you have any specific questions, i can find out while i'm onboard April 16th!

Thanks for that!  I had looked at the parking lots and definitely need to book that closer one.  If it’s not too nosy, what category of cabin are you in.  And also if you you can review the conditions of the ship!  We don’t do most shows, etc. but play games and hang out mostly with our families!  Thanks again!

Thanks, I just did join the roll call.  Not too active, just 2 cruisers.

A group of 18 just booked Allure of the Seas last night. We’re veteran cruisers on NCL but schedules didn’t work.  We all got GS.  Our research sounds like we can eat at the designated suite restaurant.  We’re leaving from Galveston and need some parking tips.  Sounds like there are many activities for kids.  We have ages 2-15, total 8.  6 seniors and  4 young marrieds.  We’re on the August 27 cruise.  Any help would be appreciated as we’re not familiar with RCI.

Thanks for the responses!  Not what I wanted to hear, but needed to I guess!

I can’t compare either, obviously, but Haven is awesome!  Uncrowned, special treatment….amazing!

Oh, sure we could!  With our big bunch (18) it just seems easier and of course the food IMO better!

Two wheels only,

Pardon the hijack but could you give a quick comparison between Haven and Grand Suites on Royal Caribbean?

Good info, John. Thanks!

16 hours ago, johnrich said:

We had a suite on POA and we could eat breakfasts and lunch at Cagney’s every day. I think we only ate at the buffet once the entire cruise. We did a couple specialty restaurants but did the main dining room the rest of the time. 
 

As far as amenities, our butler, Spencer, brought us pastries and juice every morning and snacks in the afternoon. 

Thanks!

A group of us are trying to agree on another cruise and wonder how the Haven (LOVE) compares with Grand Suites on RC?  Itineraries and dates are hindering us from NCL at this time.

Thanks!!

Dexdd,

So my information was incorrect that the suite passengers do not have a designated place for breakfast and lunch?  I know we'd have to do the specialty restaurants at night.  Yes, it's expensive on POA and with it being an older ship, no Haven, well, we're reluctant!!  

A group of us are thinking about an August cruise on POA to Hawaii.  We're very spoiled to the Haven experience and are wondering how the suite meals are on POA as opposed to the Haven Restaurant.  I had read that breakfast and lunch are at the steakhouse, which are for the suite passengers only, and then I guess we'd be on our own for the specialty dining in the evenings.  We don't like the big crowds at the buffets.  Could someone please clarify this for us.  I'm assuming the rest of the suite perks are the same as the Haven, only in older ships?

Thanks so much!!

Just for clarification, from a great lover of cruises, NCL mostly, I need some information as far as is known.  We always cruise with a group.  Some are vaccinated, some would, some refuse as they have already had intense Covid and feel they're naturally immune!  No one mentions the anti-body tests.  For $25.00 you can get a finger ***** and a lab can tell if you have immunity.  Looks like that would be a cheaper and less invasive test and more accurate as to a say 10 day cruise or so. On another note;  Wondering what would happen now, that there are good meds to give if someone gets sick, it would be soon after they've gotten on board, couldn't the ship just quarantine them, and not the whole ship?  Food could be brought to the whole cabin and sad for them, but at least the whole ship isn't quarantined!  Would that work?  Also back to my suggestion of the anti-bodies test.  Would that work?

We have a 60th anniversary, family members have a 50th, and retirement celebrations and this is just awful.  At our age, in a year or two we may not have the good health we have now to enjoy a cruise.

BTW we ARE vaccinated and also tested before for anti-bodies, which we had even before the vaccinations.

5 hours ago, gizfish said:

No I am not conflating safe and effective.  HCQ was indeed found to be dangerous in this situation, when used on covid patients.  It was also not found to be effective.  What was found was that the safety issues using HCQ in THIS situation was not worth it due to its not being effective at treating the situation.  With covid patients, due to everything else that is going on with their bodies, it is reasonable in that situation to say HCQ needs to be given in the hospital or under direct MD supervision.  HCQ is indeed a wonder drug, safe and effective for the vast majority, but not for covid patients who are by no means as healthy as the vast majority.  This is not a political thing.  This is a science thing. 

Some anecdotal information for you to peruse.  A friend is a nurse in a hospital.  Upon diagnosis of Covid-19, they are given HCQ, zinc and z-pak.  He said usually they get to go home to convalesce.  That is being done as we speak.  Don't know how they're getting by the FDA but it's working!  I've heard ER doctors that swear by it's use with Covid treatment.  It's depending on where in their sickness they are given the drug and their preexisting illnesses.  It's not as cut and dried as you want to say it and as has been ruled.  It's not a science thing!  It has been made into a political thing!  Just MHO.

Thanks for suggesting Celebrity!   I will look into them!

Thanks to all that took time to reply.  I'm still in the "looking" and planning phase but you all have given me valued information.

I also would like to hear the comparisons of the Yacht Club and Haven.  We usually eat at Specialty restaurants every other night, so the same menu in the Haven restaurant isn't a problem for our group.  It's large enough and varied enough that all can find something delish!  We also enjoyed the children's programs to keep our grandkids occupied.  The Haven observation area was where we spent lots of time, with the treats, drinks and comfortable seating!  Loved it!!

Oh wow!  Our son stayed in Joy’s owners suite and it was AMAZING!  We’re definitely looking for a similar experience.  We stayed in aft haven but the walk was too much for us but the room was fabulous, but of course way below the OS.  I already looked at MSC but was put off by the 2 story suite.  Climbing up and down would be a bad thing for me!  Is that the configuration for their upper end suites?