alfaeric

We did one in 2015, presumably they still do it.

We’ve shopped around a few times, and every time, our value equation just doesn’t add up (it’s not just dollars and cents). Then again, I’m not bothering looking at Icon nor Star. They are like the Oasis and Allure were 14 years ago, and are plenty big enough to get through FOMO fast enough. The only real hesitation I see right now are a handful of ships- will they get updated for their final 5 year segment as Royal ships or not. But IMHO, the defection away can’t happen fast enough. Prices do need to come down. Seeing the HUGE surge in demand for camping recently tells me that this is a vacation thing that may not go away. Especially with the amped WiFi so that people can work remotely. Seeing a lot of that now, and many of the ones we met have learned the casino hack to pay for it.

It depends on how much it matters where you sit. If it doesn’t, just before showtime is fine. If it does, doors open 40-45 min before the show. And please be nice and arrive before the show starts and there are lights in the theater.

Park Cafe, Sorrentos, and Cafe Promenade are options. Especially Park Cafe.

Since we have the voucher system, we barely go to the lounges anymore. Have even been asked about that by some of the concierges. We eat early, and the snacks are not eaten anymore.

I’m not a parent, but I see splashing water as a pain, and far from dangerous. Lack of washing your hands after using the bathroom is much worse, and we see far more adults do that than kids. And it has resulted in people getting sick. In terms of the same kind of inconvenience that the kids do, we know about the chair hogs and the rude elevators….. it’s not a kid problem, it’s people. Given the options, why are people not just moving cruise lines? That’s the easy button.

Don’t need to go to happy hour to use them. They are there other hours than just happy hour.

For us, I would be more condemning of the adults who don’t wash their hands compared to controlling their kids. The number of times we’ve witnessed adults leave a public bathroom stall and NOT wash their hands is alarming. It’s no accident that last week was a Noro cruise and this week we are constantly reminded about cold and flu season. Yea, it sucks to get water in your drink or visit every deck on the elevator. But that’s minor compared to getting sick on a ship.

+1 to the many that find it odd to complain about kids for a ship deigned for complete families. This is exactly the “problem” Royal wants. Which is fine for us.

There are 50 kids on this 12 day sailing. Can’t even tell they are around. Then again, you can’t hear a thing in the Schooner Bar, as it’s overfull with people who have to yell thanks to the age of their sailing friends. I miss the kids this week.

Two production shows, but there will be other shows in the theater- last week on the 8 nighter, there were two different singing acts plus a juggler. But even on the big ships, there’s normally just two production shows. One might be a longer musical. And there are also skating shows and/or other big venues which are not on Vision.

As for Spectra’s, when it had the aerial component, we would see it multiple times on a cruise. Now, not so much. Hopefully they are able to add it back.

Seems like it, but as a stage show, there was one of those RCI movies that suggested the musical was done specifically for Liberty. And the movie isn’t a musical- much like how Hairspray was a movie in the 80’s before it was a musical (and movie musical).

Personally, I would not consider any of the musicals as production shows. They were all written outside of Royal. Except for Saturday night fever- which apparently was written for Royal. The production shows I would put on this list are all under one hour. We really enjoyed Dare to Dream on the Symphony- could be because of the great tech of it- with the cool ISS scene and the plane flying around the theater. And it’s hard to decide for best aqua show- but Hiro is one of our favorites.

Big v small- the ONLY way you will know is if you try them. Assuming you totally agree with other people is a fallacy, as far as I am concerned. What is helpful is to know the pluses and minuses of each ship- then you will be aware before you board. Posters complain about the big ships and they complain about the small ones. People adore the big ships and others adore the small ones. We all value different things when cruising, so just don’t be afraid to try them. If you assume smaller ships are universally bad, you will never go to places like Iceland. If you assume big ships suck, you will never experience the aqua show.

We were on Liberty last Dec and on Vision right now. They really couldn’t be much different experiences. And to be honest- both are great if it’s what you are looking for. But we generally we sail small ships to get into small ports. So all things being equal, we would choose Liberty.

Based on the timing, normal dry dock. She’s been amped, it appears.

On the Vision right now, and she is in great shape. We were on her last in 2017, and there have been some obvious (but minor) upgrades. Have not seen anything like what the OP posts, so…. And she is going into dry dock one more time later this year. Apparently, the HD thinks these ships will be replaced in 2029.

Do you have a cruise to pay for soon? Get double points for that.

Not the only one, again. That is the one thing that is almost impossible to replace. So we check even after leaving the house. And use them to check in at the airport. Alway on one of us. Like you, constantly checking we have it to board.

ok, if it makes you feel better. Cheaper than going to a movie, though. To me, nickel and diming is more about stuff I have to pay for, not optional ones. btw, we have been cruising since 2001, and don’t remember free popcorn. Lucky you that you did.

Yup. People post as if they are being forced to consume. You are not. Just say no.

if you want to avoid this, sail when prices are high. That way the number of Pins on the sailing are low. Or get a full suite. We were on 4 cruises in December and the most Pins sailing was just 20 on the Symphony. And it's only really a concern on a handful of ships- where CK access might be limited. Other than that, there's always the Crown Lounge. But I'm sure there will be plenty of CC people who will panic and demand a protest.

Another follow up- just got a quote from a cruise centric TA, and got the same price again, with no additional benefits or additions. As people have pointed out to me- no group rates for suites. One other addition, Delta had a sale where their price was the same as what I would get with the C&A discount. Which isn't a sale for us. The only thing we would get by using the right TA would be additional credit card points. Other than that, there's no real benefit. But that is a pretty significant benefit that would help future travel.

Quick follow up Earlier I compared RCI to Delta to others, and every search engine was the same, and the costs were the same. Just looked at the aaa, and, again, exactly the same price. Just submitted a request for quote from a small TA, we will see what we get. But so far, it's the exact same price with no actual additional benefits.