jandj1224

Our grand loft suite for Jan 19 on Anthem just dropped by $550. Woo hoo

Happy to report that I booked non-refundable and had no issue with price adjustment.

Would entertainment be the same as the last time you were on Oasis?

We sailed in the 2br AT suite on Allure and it was our first experience on that class of ship. The experience was AMAZING. We had never vacationed like that before and we had an amazing time from the time we arrived at the port until our genie walked us right to the custom desk. The benefits we enjoyed most were the balcony in the AT suite, prime seats for all shows saved for us and unlimited specialty dining which for my kids and husband included ice cream on the boardwalk all the time.

If shows on Oasis wouldn't be of interest to you because you had already seen them all that would lessen benefit for me. Entertainment is important to us so I probably wouldn't want to sail same ship with same shows.

Thank you for taking your time to post. We will be sailing in same room next year.

Would love if you could post a summary of things genie was able to do for you. Did you happen to try aerial class? Can they set you up with that? Hoping no waiting on lines for any activities.

Thanks!

I think it would feel like less. We travel with our 2 kids and recently cruised on NCL escape after our last cruise on Allure and it was kind of blah. Nothing bad but just not as good. Our next trip is booked on Anthem and interested to see how that will compare to experience on Allure.

Just booked a star class cabin on Anthem of the Seas for next January. Was looking for feedback from people who have experience in Star class on this ship. What were perks you most enjoyed? What was your genie able to do for you?

Never heard of this program. Is this only for referring someone new to Royal or can you get referral credit for someone who is a crown and anchor person already that is joining you on a cruise?

Wondering if anyone else has had same experience with no beer being provided in room. When we sailed star class on Allure in 2017 beer was provided.

Can you detail which activities you were able to have direct access to? Bumper cars? North Star? Roller Skating? Ifly? Trapeze classes?

Thanks!!

It’s the same promo for a February

Thank you.

In the past on a "kids sail free" promotion for example we have saved significantly so if that happened to be the upcoming sale would have been helpful to know.

With non-refundable deposits in place now looking to book something and wondering if anyone has inside on information on new offer starting tomorrow. Currently 30% off all guests and obc.

TIA

We just got back (NY cruise) - our second time on the Escape (NY last year too). Overall, love the ship. Few "tips" from our perspective:

- Vibe: We got it and used it only once for 15 minutes. Weather wasn't great for sitting and lying in the sun. Check weather forecast before trying to go for it. ALSO - we were always able to find a spot outside to sit (deck 8 - waterfront - just not a "sun deck" which is fine by us)

- Bayamo: lovely, but really quite expensive (had the SD "package" but needing to pay +$15 and pay for our son's meal made it expensive). Value for money not there for me

- 5 o' clock somewhere: outside bar was great - Chocolate Cowboy is the bartender and he's AWESOME

- District Brewhouse was fun, but every time we went it was the same "kitchy" sing-a-long stuff and it got a little boring

- We didn't love Cellars - we were on the UDP and I thought there white wines by the glass were pretty much the same as everywhere else on the boat. I always found a decent glass of wine to have, but was a little disappointed that Cellars didn't have a more extensive "by the glass" menu

- not sure what room you're in, but we had the mini-suite large balcony on deck 8. Great room and great location. We had the Haven last year and were worried about really missing it and we didn't!

- Food Republic seriously is a must. It got busier as the week progressed - if you don't want to wait go the first or second night.

Have fun!!

We are in the large balcony mini suite for our upcoming trip having sailed in the Haven last time and I was worried we might not enjoy as much. Happy to hear you did!

Internet packages are available for my cruise on 1/13 on Escape. The unlimited plan is $210.

Does anyone know how you receive login information? Do they provide at check in?

In March I would prefer to sail from FL.

We have always sailed in regular cabins (usually balcony) over the course of several years with our girls now 7 & 9. Our last NCL cruise was in Haven 2br which was pretty awesome but when booking full price is a large expense. As someone else mentioned I would consider connecting balconies, you probably wouldn't need larger bathroom as you'll have 2.

We have an upcoming cruise on the Escape and my kids are looking forward to water slides and rope course which you might not be able to use as frequently on Breakaway.

Great video! My girls and I enjoyed watching and are looking forward to our cruise on the escape in 50 days!

Where were you with the water trampolines and slides?

I believe the balcony & mini-suite upgrade prices are exactly the same. Don't quote me on that. Here are the PER PERSON minimum upgrade prices on Escape from a Balcony (BE to be exact):

 

H2 - Deluxe OS w/ Large Balcony - $1,500

H3 - OS w/ Large Balcony - $1,500

H4 - 2 Bedroom Suite - $1,000

H5 - Courtyard Penthouse - $400

H6 - Aft-Facing Penthouse - $750

H7 - Forward-Facing Penthouse - $400

H8 - Spa Suite - $400

Appear to be the same (We are family of 4 so H5 & H8 not available to bid). Minimum bids were higher than I anticipated.

Today we are 80 days out from our Escape cruise and I just had the opportunity to put in upgrade bids. We are currently booked in an M6 mini suite with large balcony. I'm a little surprised at the minimums for Haven. We had upgraded once before on Getaway before the new system. I plan on tracking bids and availability etc. and will provide an update once process is over.

We stayed in a 2br Haven as family of 4 with two young kids. I've grown up going on cruises and think teenagers are pretty easy to please. I'm sure your kids wouldn't mind any inconveniences as they would love to have friends there. I would also assume your kids and their friends are all probably pretty close. I would keep master bedroom and bath as private areas for yourself and give up living room. In my opinion we never really used living room anyway and you can always relax in suite lounge.

I would think you could email the concierge ahead of time to arrange for the vibe passes... the idea is they should save you the aggravation of getting it yourself.

Thanks everyone... It wasn't clear to me if I purchased the dining package online then I wouldn't be charged for reserving teppanyaki online ahead of time. I didn't want to pay 2x once for dining package and again for dinner reservation.

Sorry it's been a while. If I wanted to do a few specialty dining dinners what is the process for booking. Can I make reservations through website ahead of time and then buy the package when I get to the ship and be refunded for prepaid meals?

I spoiled my son-in-law first cruise on Allure in aqua theater suite! Star Class is amazing! We had an amazing time! My grandchildren were 1 and 3! My 3 year old granddaughter cried when we had to leave! We loved our genie Susan

We had Susan as our Genie and we all loved her. When we are traveling we will sometimes joke and say "where is Susan?"

Being in Star class was really a first class experience. My kids and husband especially enjoyed the ice cream on the boardwalk. Susan was great about planning and booking dinners for us, walking us off the boat at ports, and saving us prime seats at shows. Would love to go star class again but will have to find the right deal. Worked out well when we went we were in 2br and booked under kids sail free promotion. All kids we were traveling with were booked into our cabin for benefits.

I can completely understand someones frustration that itinerary was drastically changed 1 day after final payment with no option to cancel without penalty. I think its more the timing that is upsetting.

I just logged in to see my itinerary was updated for January Escape sailing however I never received an update via email. I did receive the email a few weeks ago that they would let us know when rescheduled.

New to MSC and trying to understand the different classes and benefits of various cabins specifically in regards to a Seaside sailing. Have experience in suites on NCL Haven and Royal. A few questions....

For YC, I understand includes all drinks. What about dining? Does it include any specialty dining (Sushi, steakhouse etc.) or is it limited to private restaurant? Is pricing for specialty dining available anywhere?

Has anyone sailed YC and been with people in non YC suites? Wondering if it will be worth it still? Do they extend any privileges to people you are sailing with in non YC rooms?

The Aurea experience includes unlimited drinks and a massage. When booking YC you lose massage perk correct? and free My Choice Dining just means flexible dining time in main dining room?

What is situation with grand suites? Present as 2br on floors plans. Are cabins on either side of ship not actually 2brs? Do all of these cabins include balconies?

On a side note wish they would include 2br's in YC...

Also anyone have experience sailing with kids? Did they enjoy?

Did genie help make arrangements which included your family traveling with you that were not star class?

 

 

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When possible. Some things were conditional and it would depend on what was happening with her other cabins.

Did you go to breakfast in the Windjammer at all?

 

I read in another review that there were lines out of the door at breakfast. I'm wondering at what times on Allure you can walk in and be seated in the morning? What time does it start to get really busy?

We did have breakfast a few times in Windjammer. At least 2x we ate there other times I would bring back to the room. It was a little bit of a scramble to find a table but never an issue and never encountered lines to get in. We were there on later side so can't speak to lines earlier. Once was a sea day around 10am, and second was St. Maarten around 9:30.

Thank you for your thoughtful review! It sounds like you had a wonderful week! I'm glad to hear you enjoyed Capt. Bob! We are sailing the Allure in March and have him booked for our day in St. Maarten! I'm sorry you did not enjoy your meals in Coastal Kitchen. We are booked in a GS and were planning on several dinners there. Was it the selections or the food preparation that was disappointing to you and your group?

Thanks again for your review!

I think it was probably a combination of menu choices and quality of the meal. For example at breakfast I wasn't a fan of the breakfast potato and it was cold. I think my husband had ordered shrimp cocktail and size of shrimp was disappointing. Just not impressed.