bilyclub

It's a great port if you are driving in from Texas. Not so much if flying. Rental cars are a pain, especially because they are closed on Sunday and charge for an extra day plus drop off charges. I would never pay to park a rental for 7 days.

App and website both bad news today.

4 hours ago, bonsai3s said:

 

Alison Hubble is one of the friendliest crew members  we've ever met onboard. (She was working at NextCruise at the time.)

7 hours ago, RobInMN said:

No, Rover is not going to be free roaming, and she won't belong to the Captain.

RC Blog posted a story on the 18th about Rover's handler, Alison Hubble, title "Rover's Chief of Staff".

Apparently there won't be any sort of official schedule (it's up to Rover). 

No mention of a second handler that would rotate with Alison.

The article said that they spent time on Freedom prior to going to Icon.

1 hour ago, topanga49er said:

Gosh, some people just always choose to be snarky.  I, like Becciboo, am thrilled that Rover is on board.  Probably great therapy dog for the crew, will definitely be loved and has one caretaker that he is with almost all the time:  she was hired for this purpose.  So he has his bonding person.  The real question should be: who wouldn't be happy with a lovable golden retriever on board?

She was already an employee of Royal before being made a dog handler.

On 1/15/2024 at 4:20 PM, Mikew0805 said:

Well I am fairly confident that Royal knows what they are permitted to do on their own foreign flagged ship. However, if you are fully aware of something else, maybe you should reach out to the legal department at Royal, and advise.

You mean the same legal department that was unaware of the  liquor laws in Texas when their ships were docked in Galveston ?

1 hour ago, Mikew0805 said:

There is also no mention of them at all in the rule. However, I do not find it that hard to believe that the rule was directed at guests all this time, and does not apply to the company that owns and operates the ship. Their ship, their rules.

Just because they are the owners of the ship doesn't mean they are immune to CDC and other government laws and regulations. In Florida non service animals are not allowed in food licensed premises.

Got off the Seaside a couple of weeks ago and the food quality and choices were not good. Pizza was better than what you find in Florida. Debarkation was the worst I've seen in many years.  Entertainment was good, but theater itself was small with no drinks allowed in.  Casino was small and smokier than most.

Only had one voyage in the CL as a Diamond before they kicked diamonds out and now can only recall one trip with CL access as a D+.    Without the happy hour drinks, doesn't make much difference.

On 9/25/2022 at 9:52 PM, Host Jacquelyn said:

I thought it was bigger than Oasis and Harmony as well. Better layout, for sure.

 

Here is a timelapse tour of Wonder, you can see all the areas directly

 

 

I'd have to be on speed to get any sense out of that video.

Think they started the bathroom nightlight with Harmony.

8 minutes ago, CruisinMama2003 said:

You are correct, thank you, that was my mistake. It was our 2005 Voyager cruise that it was on. 

That was the first one, and now it's gone.

17 hours ago, jean87510 said:

So this is actually worth it?  Give me deck 5 or my balcony.

This doesn't even look like a Royal ship.  

4 hours ago, CruisinMama2003 said:

Our very first cruise was on Majesty in 2004 and there was a $4.95 cover charge at JR's. Ive seen a 2011 compass for Majesty and it was still $4.95. 

Pretty sure here was no Johnny Rockets on Majesty in 2004. It was added later on, maybe 2007.

The barcode works. Told me exactly what cabin it was even though everything else said TBD or GTY.

5 hours ago, mo&fran said:

Isn't Johnny Rockets open for breakfast?

I was thinking the same thing.

One male solo skater in the Harmony ice show wears hockey skates. First time I've seen cast members wear them. Thought it was pretty cool.

I would think if it happens a lot more the bean counters will put an end to it.  Can't wait until the fleet is out of hock and things get back to normal.

Having spent 3 weeks on the Empress right before the "pause" I can say smaller ships are doable. A lot of that depends on the crew, the activities, and the ports. There was a very good CD staff on Empress which kept things hopping during down times. 

Fiona was hitting on me back on the Allure and Shrek wasn't taking it so well.

On 9/13/2022 at 7:38 PM, gerif said:

I don’t recall that ever being a perk. 

I can remember the free cover charge once a voyage being a perk. When the first JR's opened it was free if I'm remembering correctly.

1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

Harmony has it now also (I think, could be Allure...can't remember for sure).  It was on deck 15 where the little shop used to be on the starboard side as you walk outside from the aft elevator lobby.  Makes sense as there was rarely anyone in there buying anything but it needed to be staffed when open.  With the machines, it can be open 24X7 with no staffing.  And the added bonus of making extra money when a passenger pays for a razor but doesn't get it. 😉

Harmony still has the little shop that I never saw open. Must be the Allure.

I think the OP is just trying to see how much mileage a ridiculous question could get. You don't hang on CC since 2005 without cruising. 

16 minutes ago, moposh said:

"Columbus, the Musical".  I don't know why I laughed at that.

 

I saw "Mamma Mia" on Allure.  I only went because my mother went.  I had not enjoyed "Mamma Mia" when we had seen it in the theater.  I like the songs, just not the story.  I thought RC did a good job.

Got off Harmony Sunday. No Columbus, the Musical and only one aquashow.

Got them both a few days after I sent them the emails. Only one MyVegas per cabin and no stacking with Casino Royal.

53 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

Checking out the app for todays activities 

 

This is surprising

 

And just a little inappropriate for age group

I'm sure that's violating some kind of federal regulation. The drink of choice in Central Florida.  Don't know how anybody can drink that crap.  

On 6/14/2022 at 9:56 AM, djmike said:

Good morning everyone. 
 

just wanted to drop in and help provide insight on what the CD does these days as there are some common misconceptions. 
 

To give you an idea, I logged 410 hours in the month of February this year. 
 

a typical 1st sea day looks like this for me

 

7:45am-8:30am - finalize compass for next day

8:30am - 9:30am - HD meeting

10:00am - announcement 

10:05am-11:00am - top tier event

11:00am - noon walk areas (adventure ocean, sports, pool deck)

noon-12:30pm - lunch

12:30pm - 2pm - admin work, compass, future cruise work, evaluations, budgets and ordering, group approvals etc. 

2:00pm-3:00pm - break (gym)

3:15pm-5:00pm - more admin work

5:00pm-5:45pm - guest log meeting

6:00pm-6:30pm - dinner

6:30pm-7:00pm - mingle before show

7:00pm-10:45pm - shows (I normally watch at least 1 show per night per venue as I have to write reports) on Oasis class I normally am running back and forth all night between the theatrical venues. 
11:00pm - midnight - ensure HUSH or what ever else is up and running smoothly 

midnight- 12:45am - clean up any emails that need addressing 

 

this is in a perfect world, what it doesn’t account for is any HR related items from crew berthing, par levels, interviews, promotional package work for my mid-managers and staff. Also any issues with venues or activities that I host. Plus whatever else gets thrown out way on a daily basis. 

 

While the CD role has changed over the years, especially with the complexity of the newer and bigger ships (way more admin) we still want to have that positive impact on the guest experience. Know if you don’t see us it’s not because we are sipping champagne and chilling on the pool deck, but likely up to our eyeballs in work making sure the cruise vacation experience goes as smoothly as possible. 
 

happy cruising all. 
 

 

Nothing like the good old days on the AD.