basenji56

One of life's great mysteries. Royal gives the 4-5 free drink Diamond/Diamond Plus benefit every day of the cruise--including first and last days.

If you don't have Elite and Elite Plus cruisers, more people are likely to purchase the drink packages because there are no free drinks. As I always say, if cruise lines lost money on drink packages, they wouldn't sell them.

Even when all included was the only way to book on the Celebrity website, my travel agent always had cruise only fares. I would always compare the two. Since I don't drink alcohol, the cruise only fare was the only one that made any sense. I am Elite so get non-alcoholic drinks during the happy hour and specialty coffees during the Elite breakfast in Tuscan.

How many people say..."I think it is a good deal and worth the cost because I get off the ship with nothing on my account statement. Worth the piece of mind."

I have heard too many stories of people in Miami who didn't tip and didn't their bag without heroic search efforts at the terminal. May be urban legends, but not worth taking a chance. Tip.

On a loop cruise I don't think it really matters. I would stay away from the Magic Carpet because it can obscure your view if you are not right below it (made that mistake before).

Wow, a 19 year old thread on Cruise Critic! I don't even know if they had verandas in 2004?

As an introvert, sounds like heaven.

I always book a north facing veranda. Because I don't want the sun all day. If you like the sun, book a south facing veranda. If I want the sun, I will go on the pool deck.

That would unfairly affect the entire dining staff for a corporate decision. But I do agree that making a comment in the survey is the way to go--as well as complaining to guest services. I also think that threads like this can make a difference. People who disagree are free to scroll past. I don't drink so could care less about what liquors are available. But if you pay for the premium package and see that they are substituting rotgut for Jack Daniels, I think you have a right to complain.

Well, then that tells you the value of cruisers raising concerns about problems. If people don't complain, nothing will improve. Remember-these are companies that are obsessed with getting a 10 of 10 rating from their customers.

They say they offer it. How do we know they aren’t lying? Why should someone with gluten issues believe them if they lie about other foods?

If they promise gluten free, is it a pinky promise if they lie?

I think that people complain on these boards because they want things to change back to the way they were promised they would be. I doubt decision makers for the cruise lines read these boards but stranger things have happened. I love half and half in my coffee. Would I cancel a Royal cruise because they lied about half and half being in the labeled carafes? Probably not. But it does make me wonder as far as other things promised.

The name of the board is Cruise CRITIC not Cruise Groupie.

I don't drink alcohol so couldn't tell you. Sparkling and still water is included. On Viking River, I thought the included excursions were very good. On Viking Ocean, the included excursions in the Caribbean were often mediocre--panoramic bus tours with one or two stops.

If you have a second cruise booked, you are said to be able to reduce the final payment date to six months. But, I agree--final payment more than six months in advance is ridiculous. As long as people accept it, Viking will require it.

Return fees? I think they are increasing the taxes and fees. My price went up from $114 to $191 in taxes on a six day cruise with one port in the Bahamas.

It comes down to the price point too. In my experience, Viking Ocean is at least twice as expensive as Celebrity for a roughly equivalent veranda. Maybe even more than that. But it also includes some things that are not included on Celebrity since beer/wine at meals is included and you also get one included excursion in each port. Internet is also included as is sparkling water and specialty coffees all day long.

Yes. And I prefer Oceania. Although Viking Ocean is comparable and has a better spa.

I booked with Crystal for next Christmas. Looking forward to it. Viking is a step up from Celebrity. The Viking spa is exceptional. Specialty dining is included. One excursion per port is included. I find the Viking buffet is superior to Celebrity. Breakfast in the dining room on Viking is better than Celebrity. Dinner is probably better but the difference is not as great.

Royal ships are so different. I would never sail on Enchantment of the Seas while I love Oasis and Quantum class ships. I find Quantum class to be similar to Celebrity Solstice class. Which Royal ships have you sailed on?

How is the hotel?

carnival drunken brawl at DuckDuckGo

I don't mind young as long as not kids. Drunken brawlers I can do without. (Carnival, I am looking at you.)