DoulaAnn

I can see your point, but, again, being there at 6:40 does not make you late in this instance.

I've even seen (once) a chef call a waitlisted person just as the class starts when there is a no-show.

Martini's can go until midnight, but rarely does because most of their clientele aren't late night people. It is usually piano music with an occasional singer. Had one guy who played a trumpet for one song (though there were repeats of it one evening). I don't even think he was loud enough to be heard.

Was there any noise from the thrusters or anchors during docking or casting off? We had issues with that in 7130 on Riviera so just wondering.

It's more the size of a concierge room. It's been a long time since I was in a concierge, so can't compare the closets. I would say about 1/3 - 1/2 smaller.

You are correct that there are Concierge big balconies. But the question was about PH vs. Concierge and that was what I was addressing the PH large balconies and siting 7130 vs. 7128.

Booking a big balcony usually means booking the minute the cruise opens for reservations. We've gotten them before doing that. What I don't recommend (at least in our experience) is taking one with the wrap-around balcony. It makes for a smaller room and a smaller closet (and the big closet is one of the perks I REALLY like about a PH).

What did he do in terms of unpacking? I feel a need to know where my things are in drawers and not everyone organizes that like I do. If he just hangs things that need hanging and puts shoes in the closet and bathroom items in the bathroom, I might take advantage of that (never have before and we've done PH a lot).

When tours have been late coming back, they definitely give some leeway for reservations. We have tried just walking in (it works many times) and have been told in the above situation that they aren't taking walk-ins since people will be coming in late and they don't know how many are coming.

I agree with you. But arriving at the first reservation time means you are still being seated with everyone who has 6:30 reservations. Arriving at 6:45 or 6:50 would be actually late, but 6:40 is on time. Early is no advantage.

Only time that isn't applicable is a 6:30 reservation, since the restaurants don't open until 6:30. We've found going around 6:40 or so makes the line shorter (not necessarily short).

Seems to me that there is a difference in bathroom new buildout and cosmetic refurbishment. My perception of what it says is that the footprint of the bathroom won't be changed (tubs were eliminated in a lot of cabins on Riviera and turned into showers -- which are amazing-- and the small shower eliminated to add storage. We'll see what it looks like when it is finished. Hopefully people will post photos of what changed (will take a few people to show the different levels of cabins).

I can see this issue has had my opinion expressed, but I'm going to chime in just the same. My husband frequently takes a glass from the dining room to the show. We never have the drink package, so we have bought the bottle in the dining room. It must be okay, because the waiter will get him a different glass (the dining room ones differ from the bar ones) to take it in. I don't know how I feel about a glass if it's in the package that only includes it at lunch and dinner. Guess it depends on when it was poured. If one got it right before the show and hadn't drunk much of it, I think I would say no.

There was a lavender one I liked and one with bourbon in it that sounded intriguing, but I can't remember if I had it or not. Quality was very good -- equivalent to O's. My favorite O flavor (that rarely appears), is a mocha-sea salt caramel one. SO delicious to me.

I like pockets in my slacks and wish to goodness manufacturers would put in some inconspicuous pockets in their pants.

My husband typically wears a long sleeve woven shirt (similar to a dress shirt, but more casual) and long pants. He takes a jacket to wear occasionally only because he likes the look. He's frequently one of only a few with jackets on. I typically wear dressier pants than chinos and a nice top. I wear flat dressy type shoes unless my feet are hurting too bad, at which point I wear a nice dark tennis shoe type shoe or sandals (depending on the weather and the outfit). Supposedly, O is starting to enforce the no jeans or grungy look thing better.

I know you didn't ask, but another issue with those cabins (we booked one for a long cruise that had a lot of sea days and was in warm weather most of the time) is the closets. They are MUCH smaller and less efficient that a regular penthouse room. We've had 7128 before, and though it doesn't have the wrap-around balcony with the views of the wake (and an added bonus of having shade most/all of the time), we found it wonderful and would do it again. Pictures on here and comments pretty spot-on.

Oops, my bad. Should have been "on the website". I had been told they were working on an app that was to come out this year, but I'm not holding my breath. If it's as challenging to use as the website, I'm not sure I want it.

Wow. That seems like a lot for such a small room. I didn't think it was a wine pairing dinner that i saw, but maybe it was.

On Vista, there was an area in Polo, I think, that was private and could accommodate a group of 8 (maybe 10, I forget). Don't know if there was any upcharge for it or not. Just saw groups using it.

We also noticed that the newly renovated Riviera has the same "issue" -- only thing I found that was magnetized was the hall door (maybe the bathroom, too --- don't remember). I loved what my magnets let me do on the walls. I was able to make most of it work on the door -- shore excursion tickets, that day's Currents, restaurant reservations, other reservations. Still missed the old version.

We had the room next to the bridge on one of the ships and were told in advance that the officers coming going might be a noise issue. We never heard them. And the laundry was across the hall and no issues there.

We were on Vista in June, 2023 and didn't notice any noise issues. As for a clock, there is no nightstand clock, but there is one on the phone. Since the nightstand clock was virtually unseeable, the phone one is just as good. Someone mentioned the theater seating and stage. I don't remember it being much if any different that Marina or Riviera. We didn't go to the Aquamar dining area, but thought Ember was quite good. Not the fanciest by far, but good food and great atmosphere. Some don't like the fact they took out Jacques, but some of us found it our least favorite restaurant. My only real issue with the layout of the ship is that access to the rear elevators was eliminated by the addition of Ember. Going up to deck 6 and then up wasn't a big deal, though. If one is using a scooter/wheelchair or unable to climb one flight of stairs, I can see it would be a hassle to have to use the front elevators and then (if their room was at the back of the ship) have to either transfer to the rear elevators or go down their hallway quite a ways.

Book your guaranteed reservations as early as you can on the app in order to have a chance to get the times you want. I think the level of stateroom dictates when you can start booking. After you are onboard, go to the dining reservations desk (there may be quite a line the first day) and try to get additional ones. If I recall, we were told we had to wait until everyone had a chance to make their guaranteed. (I keep wondering why they didn't do it in advance, but I guess they had a reason).

If I remember correctly, Concierge is the lowest level stateroom that gets the bags. They are (again, if I remember correctly) okay for the beach, although they don't hold much more than just two towels. Someone correct that if I"m off.