Beach Ball

Happy Birthday, Andy!!!!!!!

Have a great day and a fantastic year! Thank you for all your guidance and wisdom that you share here on Cruise Critic.

Great review, Ken. We will be on the Jewel for a B2B in late January. We are Diamond+ but we are not in a suite (oh how I wish). Who gets to use the Yacht Club and when is it opened? Is it located right next to the Concierge? Does it function like the Concierge Club? Loved your pictures and recommendations for some great beach days. Thanks for a great review.

On the Explorer on May 8 we were told "no" from our waiter that we could not come back an additional evening. Probably should have sought out the manager but the waiter said he spoke to him. In December we were allowed to use it two nights. So I guess the best answer is "it depends".

Am I the only one out there that thinks this pre selection thing is unfair.?

I keep reading how this one is excited and that one got their times and here the rest of sit on the side lines not because we not at the right membership level which I would have been fine with there should be perks and not because we didn't book a suite again something I would be fine with but simple because I was not chosen by a computer. I think we have been incredible patient waiting for our chance. And now I am reading that when it finally does come down to our turn we will not be able to book coastal kitchen again because a computer decided we shouldn't? Every day I sit here i am more and more convinced I should just cancel.the whole thing is leaving a bad taste in my After all everyone is suppose to treated equally and fairly. I guess I am just venting but wondering if I am alone?

This response is only to Boston Lab Girl.

My husband and I totally agree this process was unfair. We booked Quantum the first day bookings were open (May28) and paid full deposit and booked a balcony for our Dec. 1 sailing. We are diamond+ and have five more RC bookings in the next year. We will be on the Explorer on May 15th and won't even be able to book dining until May 18th or so. At that time if we can't get reservations during our wanted times (5:45-7:45) at each of the "free" restaurants we are going to cancel. We do plan to do two specialty restaurants too. I know RC won't care. They'll resell my cabin for a higher price. All the people who pre booked don't care- they already have their reservations. Some did this by linking their reservation with someone who was preselected. If RC had to test this process they should have done it with the November and December reservations. Why do people need their dining booked now for an April 2015 reservation? Just wanted to let you know their are other couples who feel like you.

We often go to a specialty restaurant. Bags are packed and time to relax.

I posted that I couldn't get a specific time. In my case, I was booking for a party of 5, which is always difficult, even outside of Royal Caribbean. And it was for Coastal Kitchen, which has more limited availability than the other 'free' restaurants.

 

To be exact, it was the last two nights of an 8 night cruise that I was trying to book, and I could only get 8:30pm on either night. I like to eat around 6:30pm so that was not good for me. Others might have been happy with that.

 

I wouldn't worry that restaurants will fill up before you can book as the other 4, from what I have read, have capacity of ~400 each. Plus, they will be saving some times for onboard booking (some people do not book in advance online).

 

Right now, I think they just want to know what people are thinking regarding bookings. They may have only released very limited time slots to begin with. We don't know. I think it is a testing phase to determine the best way to handle future reservations. It was all very new to the agent I spoke with, and he said that things were still evolving. So I wouldn't worry too much.

With all respect you can feel like it won't be a problem. You got to book what you want. Those of us not selected are concerned that times are filling up and we will get the leftovers. As I stated on a different thread if it becomes a problem when we try to book after May 15 we may just cancel. Not worth all the hassle. Vacations are suppose to be fun. RC states at a public function that reservations open May 15 and now MANY people got to book early. Once again they changed the rules once the game started.

Thank you Beach Ball for the quick response. We are also booked on the May 8 Bermuda and Caribbean Explorer run. I fully agree that trying to use the ship's internet to book dining will most likely be impossible. It's been my experience aboard the Explorer that the cruise line "free" sites usually don't work. At 85 cents a minute and the ridiculously slow system, I will have wait until we get home. We like to dine early. I don't think that will happen on the Quantum.

Hi djjoe,

Just a little frustrated that some people are booking early. RC states that booking will open May 15 and then you read 800+ people are making their reservations.

Looking forward to the Explorer in 5 weeks. We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary. Just putting the Quantum

concerns on the back burner. Perhaps we will meet on the Explorer. Have a great day. Chris & Carl

I just don't get it. It seems that everyone who calls is allowed to book all their dining reservations now. Why did Royal stipulate the May 15th date? What's the catch? Has anyone been shot down and told to wait until May?

Yes, unfortunately I was turned down yesterday. Got through last evening and the gentleman I spoke to told me I had not been pre-approved. Reasons he gave me that I was part of a group reservation ( I did not know this) and that people were randomly selected from people who had booked with Royal Caribbean directly. He told me Loyalty level was not considered and that level of cabin (for example booked in a suite) did not play into the decision. He repeated it was random. I asked him to speak to a supervisor because I will be on Explorer of the Seas on May 15 and I will not waste a day of my vacation trying to schedule reservations for Quantum. (We all know how the internet works onboard). He was polite but I got nowhere with him.

Has anyone else got a "no" and what reasons did they give you? When we get home from our May cruise I will try to book reservations but if this becomes more of a problem we are thinking of cancelling even though we are very excited about the new ship. Chris & Carl

Oops!!! I was checking out the restaurants. Got to see 4 of them and now the sight is down. A picture of the sea is on my screen and it says something like "Royal Caribbean.com is on vacation. Try calling us!!!!

We have 7! More than I ever thought we would have. Three in 2014. Two on Explorer of the Seas (1 Bermuda-Caribbean the other New England. The last one in Dec. on the new Quantum. And four in early 2015. Two on Jewel of the Seas and the other two on Summit. These are all back to back out of San Juan. We like to get out of Pennsylvania and the snow in February. Chris & Carl

We booked this stateroom for a 9 night next February. Has anyone stayed here? We're hoping for a central location with good views of the promenade festivities, but not constantly loud.

 

I'm fairly sure that Explorer hasn't upgraded to flat screens in PR rooms yet, which is no biggie, but all ships have the new white bedding, right?

Hi! That room number sounded so familiar. It is the same room we stayed in for a B2B on the Navigator. Loved the location. Great view of the parades. The volume is only loud while the parade or party is going on (approx. until 11:15). Other times the bustle of the promenade is very calm. We were just on the Explorer in November and December. November we were in Promenade 7591 and had a flat screen TV. In Dec. we were in a balcony (E3) on deck 8 and did not have a flat screen. I think they are replacing TV's as needed. Although I enjoyed the balcony while in the islands I missed the view of the Promenade at night. Both rooms had the white bedding. Enjoy your cruise.

Definitely the Red Velvet Cake. Had it twice on the Indy on our B2B two weeks ago. Keep wanting to try the Mud Pie but I just can't give up the Red Velvet Cake. It is my favorite food at Chops!!!!

I agree with the OP. We have done this for the last 5 years. Have gotten some great prices. Went on the Silhouette when she was brand new for $999 in a balcony for 12 nights. This year we are booked on the Dec.1 sailing of the Quantum. Prices are higher but it will be a brand new ship doing her first 11 night Caribbean sailing. Try to get everything done before you go and you come back relaxed and ready to celebrate Christmas. This year we came back on Dec. 22 and still did not feel too rushed. For the Quantum we come back on Dec. 12 so will have a little more time for the last minute baking and cooking.

email: dsharpe at carambolabeachclub dot com - Ms. Daislyn Sharpe, gen. manager of CBC, I believe. very responsive to email, a lovely lady in her correspondence, most welcoming & accommodating. truly looking forward to meeting her and spending a delightful afternoon there!

Thanks for the info. I am not on Facebook so I was looking for an e-mail. We will be there on Feb.19 and I'll report back how our day was. Our taxi driver in Dec. really talked up the place and reviews look good.

Hi! Happy New Year.

Looking for some advice, please.

We want to use our 125,000 points from BOA on a Caribbean 7 nighter on the Jewel. We will pay for the upgrade to a balcony (lowest ocean view is covered). Once we pay for the upgrade will we get our $250 Diamond plus balcony discount?

Thanks for the advice in advance.

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Our AAA club often does this to Bayonne and Baltimore. Runs about $49 and you get lunch and tour of the ship before it sails. I wouldn't be surprised if they do this in the Tri-State area once she starts sailing every week. It is good publicity and entices people to sail. So it is possible but I wouldn't expect it with the first sailings. Spring 2015 a possibility.

Ready to go!!!!

No, unfortunately it's on the normal end. We've seen a mix of little label tags and the markers. I don't send anything nice, just socks, t-shirts, workout stuff, but I still don't want the writing. I do think they try to use the little labels more often, but don't be surprised to see the writing.

They wrote in marker on the waistband of a pair of WHITE CAPRIS. Yes, it can be seen if I would tuck in my shirt. I wish they would use labels only. Many times it is written on the size ticket. That's OK with me. Stuff does shrink. Sent out different pair of capris that were knit and now they don't fit. So just beware of what you send out.

Been on both and agree that EOS is the one for kids! On another note, I was looking at reviews and thought I saw an enclosed Solarium. I last sailed on EOS in 2008 and it was open so I was surprised to see it closed. Will need to look around to see where I noted this - I hope it has but all the experienced cruisers will likely know!

 

Paula

Just off of Explorer on Nov.23 and the solarium is NOT closed. Agree with the other posters that Explorer is better for kids of all ages.

Just yesterday we booked Summit room 3112 for Feb. 14 and 21, 2015. We have done both ships before and have been pleased with both. Looking forward to sailing out of San Juan so we get to the warmth faster.

One more day to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We sail on the Explorer tomorrow!!!!! We will be back before Thanksgiving. But can't wait to get out of the cold and down to the Caribbean. Chris & Carl

We tendered in St. Thomas last Feb. while on the Eclipse. We ate breakfast in the MDR and then went and got a tender ticket. We were on the third tender at about 9:15. It was a quick tender ride (10 min.) and we were dropped off in the middle of town. There was someone there from the taxi assoc. to help load the cabs. We were at Frenchman's Reef a little before 10:00 for a great day at the beach. We found the whole experience not bad at all. Getting a tender at the end of our day only took a few minutes, too. So I wouldn't worry too much about tendering in St. Thomas if it is necessary. Chris

Thanks for the great pictures and review. Your weather also cooperated with you after the initial rainy sail out. This cruise is definitely on my list. Thank you for sharing your cruise with all of us. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pictures.

Hi! Just watched you sail under the Verazzano Bridge. Have a great cruise. Looking forward to your live report. We were on Summit this summer and had a great time. Chris and Carl