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Rickster

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Posts posted by Rickster

    Whiskey lovers beware!

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    56 minutes ago, mac66 said:

    Celebrity was having the same problem. Had the premium package, only trouble was the only "premium" whiskey they had left was Maker's Mark.   I generally drink Scotch but the only scotch they had was Dewars, Can't drink that so I settled for bourbon.

     

    And I got used to drinking Guinness when I was in Ireland. Got the last two cans on the ship, that's all they had. Went to every bar multiple times, asked the bar managers on several occasions. None to be had. What a bummer.

     

    I feel your pain.

    Whiskey lovers beware!

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Just returned from Bermuda on the Enchantment of the Seas and the selection of whiskey on board was very limited.    No Crown Royal, Bulliet, Woodford, Jim Beam and on and on.  One bar had a bottle of Makers, Buffalo Trace was very scarce.  Probably the only brand fully stocked was Wild Turkey 101.  The gift shop was fully stocked.  RCI should have placed some of these bottles in their bars.  Thankfully I did not purchase a drink package.  We did find an excellent bartender at the Schooner Bar who took pretty good care of us.  Overall a great cruise to Bermuda and back.

    • Like 4

    Diamond drinks

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    On 3/31/2022 at 3:40 PM, Jasukkie said:

    Welcome letter on Anthem said no Bionic Bar so I didn't try it. Cash tips are greatly appreciated by the crew on those voucher drinks by the way. 

    If you find the right bartender, tips will get you unlimited “voucher “ cocktails! 

    • Like 2

    Just completed Brilliance, felt very safe with RCI.

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    On 2/7/2022 at 4:53 PM, blonde375 said:

    Hi Rickster,

     

    We are considering Brilliance for a quick weekend at the end of March.  Can you give us your opinion on the condition of the ship, staterooms, etc.?  Sadly, we haven't been on a cruise since Dec 2015 on the Indy.

     

    Thanks!!

    I think the ship was in very good shape (considering the Brilliance sat idle for around 18 months).  Nothing that would keep us from sailing on her again.  Have fun.

    For my fellow Casino "frequent flyers" - Connie

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Bead Pirate said:

    Mainly older slots in the casino (probably 75%) with the usual tournament bank (bust the balloons during play). About 25% of the slots are more "modern" games and a few video poker machines scattered around.

     

    It is a bit different with so few people on board. The casino manager was talking with me and mentioned that they cannot get enough participation for slot tourneys, cash games, etc.

     

    I will try and get some pics but this ship will likely be dry docked before your visit and may get some updated games. 

    Do they have any “Top Dollar” slot machines?  Sailing in a couple weeks.  Thanks.

    Just completed Brilliance, felt very safe with RCI.

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    15 hours ago, brillohead said:


    One thing I've noticed is that the bigger/newer ships seem to get the cream of the crop employees, and the smaller/older ships get the second stringers (or even third stringers).  

    Since the reboot, I've been on Freedom, Symphony, Allure (x2), Jewel, and Navigator (currently in 2nd leg of B3B).  Staff on Jewel, with the exception of my stateroom attendant, was hands-down the worst experience I've ever had on any Royal ship (out of 20+ cruises on Royal). It wasn't just one or two employees, it was across the board -- literally the only happy and helpful worker I ran into on the entire Jewel cruise was my stateroom attendant.  

    My waiter on Allure was FANTABULOUS, and he has already been earmarked for Wonder when she sails out of Florida.  My other waiters have been animated, conversational, and competent (other than Jewel).  

    I've seen the headwaiter in the MDR almost every single night on every single ship since the reboot (other than Jewel, where I never met him at all). 

     

    My meals have come out hot -- sometimes to the point where I have to let items cool a bit before I can eat them (tonight's battered shrimp, for example). 

     

    My beverages have been refilled before they were empty (other than Jewel, where I had to request a water refill nightly).     

     

    My plates have been removed quickly when I've finished a course, and the next course promptly delivered with a smile (other than Jewel, where my waiter and assistant waiter would walk past my table several times with empty hands while my plate was empty with fork and knife placed across the plate to indicate I've finished with it).  

     

    The menu itself is pretty much identical to the menu before the shutdown, with just a few changes.  The poblano soup is different, and the tiger shrimp is no longer butterflied, but the menu itself has all the same items that I remember.  

    But the small-ship experience, service-wise, was COMPLETELY different than the medium-to-large ship experience, from my perspective.  So much so, that I'll make a point to avoid ships smaller than Voyager class, going forward.  

    I think on our sailing, the dining room experience was off due to the extended shutdown.  Like you, we have sailed with RCI 24 times and we’ve never had this happen before.  

    • Like 1

    Just completed Brilliance, felt very safe with RCI.

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Very impressed with RCI’s safety protocols in regards to Covid.  Ship was less than 50% capacity.  On one hand it was nice; no lines, no crowds anywhere. Check in was a breeze, and so was getting off the ship on the last day.  On the other hand it was kinda sad for the staff, especially those relying on tips.  Windjammer was very good, main dining room was mostly empty and menu was sub par.  Chops was excellent and so was the bar service.  Overall, a very good five day cruise.

    • Like 6
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