S.A.M.J.R.

All I'm saying is what my experience was. I may have had a low grade temp, but not enough to knock me off of anything. If you want to discount my experience and tell me I had other symptoms, I can't stop you.

I wouldn't say that. The first (and only) time I've been diagnosed with the flu, I had a stuffy head for 4-5 days. I was going overseas the following week so decided to go to a "Minute Clinic" to get some meds clear things up before flying. They tested me for flu and it came back positive.

I've been on CC long enough to know what some people qualify as "inedible" varies greatly. I mean, along with all of these other changes, why would you continue to sail with Royal if HALF of the meals presented to you can't be eaten? I've read post after post about people complaining about poor meals, poor service, poor everything, I have yet to read a single post that's "I'm no longer sailing Royal!" So either people just have to complain about something, or it's not as bad as some people let on.

Really? 50% of the food is going to be "inedible"? I've only been on 4 cruises, ate at MDR every night and have yet to have a single dish be "inedible". What does that do for your "statistics"?

Use the website?

I agree we're missing a lot of data that would help form opinions. I was just pointing out the definition of "partner" may not even matter. For that matter, it really doesn't matter what anyone on here says. We can be in 100% agreement the situation should be covered and the insurance folks say "nope".

Do most insurance policies cover the death (or imminent death) of a family member of a TRAVELING COMPANION? Assuming the partner is part of the traveling party, this may apply. Best.thing to do is contact RCI and see if they'll be compassionate. Simultaneously, contact the insurance company and ask if the policy covers the specific situation.

I've been hanging towels in hotel bathrooms for years. If I KNEW they were going to be taken away, then yes, maybe leave them on the floor. But, as mentioned, there's not a lot of floor space. After a single day of seeing them still on the floor, I'd hang them up. This is the new reality. Love it, tolerate it, or hate it, it's what Royal has decided to do.

When we were there in July, the lines were long in the morning... going later in the afternoon they were obviously smaller... 0 wait for the "lower" slides on the tower, 5-10 minute wait for the "middle" drops, and probably 15-20 minute wait for the "top".

People are just telling you why they like to board early (as you asked).

Or are they putting them to work elsewhere?

Don't forget the daily tip charge also includes the waitstaff, which isn't affected by the change to 1x day service.

But see, here's what's "simple" in my mind... why do business with a company that doesn't provide the service you want? I mean if complaining on a message board makes you feel better, great! If you (general) think complaining on a message board is going to change anything, I have a bridge to sell you. 😉

Also possible. BUT, just because people don't get the ultimate drinking package doesn't mean they're not getting drinks. They could have a lower package or be paying a la carte. Either way still ties up the bar staff.

IMO, you need to spend at least $50 every day in alcoholic drinks. That's the difference between the refreshment package (non-alcohol) and ultimate (alcohol). So roughly four cocktails every day. Easy on sea days. Even a "light weight" like me can down four cocktails when I'm on the ship (or private island) all day. It's the port days that are killer for me. I would probably have a cocktail at dinner, one at the show, and then possibly a night cap. If that's all I have in a day, the following day I need to have 5. Alcohol just isn't that important to me.

I'm guessing there was probably a "resort fee".

Here's something I don't understand... Based on posts, stewards were responsible for 18 cabins twice a day. Going forward, they'll be responsible for 25 cabins. Let's say there are 1800 cabins on a ship (I don't know, just making up a number to do the math). So there were 100 stewards on the ship. But, by going to 25 cabins/steward, you now only need 72 stewards. So, what happened to the other 28? A) Never came back from covid (so stewards were covering more cabins)? B) Being cut by Royal C) Being redeployed by Royal to cover other vacancies. On a related note, if they were cleaning 18 cabins twice a day, that's 36 "cleanings". Over an eight hour day, that would be one cabin every 13 minutes. Now going to 25 cabins, and let's call it 1.5 cleanings a day (to allow for putting 3rd bed out/up, maybe ice), and that's 38 "cleanings". More work? Yes, slightly. In reality? Probably not as bad as they think it's going to be. Sure, it sounds like almost 40% more work (from 18 to 25), but is it really?

Sure. Find a cruise line that has 2x service. 😅 That I can't argue with. But I will continue to say... if you don't like what a company has to offer you, don't patronize that company. That's the quickest way to get the point across.

I'll agree that's a "you" problem. 🙂 I have wondered if Amercians "fascination" with cleanliness (ie: wiping everything down) has had a negative impact in how bodies now react to viruses. I've got nothing to back it up, just a little questioning of mine.

Nah... those towels are clean, just wet. 🤪

I still don't understand how towels get dirty... especially in a day.

It's hard to get a taxi? I would at least drop the luggage (and POSSIBLY others in the traveling party) at the pier, return the rental, go to departures, and call for uber/lyft. If that didn't work within 5 minutes or so, hop in a taxi. Taxis can't refuse rides I don't believe.

Then uber/taxi from there. You can't tell me it's hard to get an uber or taxi from an airport.

Eat, drink, muster, check dining reservations, kids can swim, tour the ship. Beats sitting in a hotel room watching TV.

Where do cruises market room cleanings? Have I missed it? Please explain. What would cripple the company? 50% of people removing autograts or people not booking? If the latter, the company would either reduce fares or add value.