Mitsugirly is finally sailing with RC again!

It's been a LONG time since I have sailed with RC (actually since the late 90's) and I know a lot has changed. So...call me a newbie (although not a newbie to cruising and a lot of people know me around the boards from my extensive reviews).

I have tons of questions that I have written down (some I "think" I might have the answers for and others I'm not sure). I know I could take hours/days to search and google and ask and......and.... but I didn't want to have questions all over the boards and would rather ask everything in one thread, belonging to me, that I could keep everything organized to refer back to. So...here we go:

1) Daily Service Charge, although I have read different amounts, I believe the last I could find is $14.50 a day?

2) Soda Package: $8.50/daily per adult? You HAVE to use their cup they provide to you and carry this around everywhere with you?

3) Tell me about the internet...are the speeds good? What does this VOOM mean? Is that just the provider name? I have read prices of $15.99/day and also $15/day for newer ships and $20/day for older ships??? Does RC have a discount package for purchasing for the entire week and not daily? Do you get a discount if ordered online prior to the cruise? If only 1 person buys the internet, if they sign off can another device sign on?

4) Can anyone tell me about how much they charge for pictures? Do they have different pricing according to the "type" of picture (for instance candid shots around the ship are usually cheaper than the gangway and so on)?

5) Do the rooms have their own safe in them? I had read something about a "safe deposit" box at Guest Services. I can't imagine having to go there every time to get something out.

6) What kind of hours do they have for the kids club? Do they close 2x daily for meals like other lines do (NCL & CCL)? Do they have anything where the kids get to go eat dinner with their friends (like CCL does, but NCL doesn't have this).

7) Do they have after hours sitting services or parties that the kids can attend? Costs?

8) How much is room service and anything good (and hot) on the menu? Do they have free items and also paid items? What is gratuity for this service?

9) Buffet Hours anyone? I always have to coordinate this with events, kids club, port days.

10) Do the rooms come with body wash and hairdryers? If so, how good is it?

11) What is the "Family Dining"? I read something about ages 3-11 years old. Tell me more.

12) Some "kids" things I read and would like to know more about if you (your children) have done them and also if there is an extra charge: Adventure Art, Imagination Studio, Voyagers, Scrapbooking (<--what do they charge for materials if any?)

13) Jewel of the Seas has a cinema? What type of movies do they play and is it an extra charge or do you have to sign up for it?

14) Pizzeria in the Soarium-so this means that a family with a child can't get pizza there?

If there's anything else anyone would like to volunteer information on that I might need to know, please feel free to let me know.

Well, believe it or not, that's all I can think of at the moment. :D

Thanks for everyone's help, replies and so on in advance. I appreciate it.

Can help with some questions.

Daily gratuity is $14.50 per day for stateroom categories through Junior Suite, $17.50 for Grand Suite and better.

You only need the soda cup if you want to use Freestyle machines. You can get fountain soda from any bar or restaurant with your SeaPass card.

VOOM is the name for the internet service on all ships. Some ships have a faster service than others, but the prices are the same onboard: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=55188055&postcount=105

You may find the VOOM price less expensive in your Cruise Planner on Royal's website. You can use any number of different devices, but only one can be logged in at a time if you have a one device package.

All staterooms come with hairdryers. The showers have a dispenser with a combo shampoo/conditioner liquid. Bars of soap are also provided.

Children can use the Solarium food venue.

To answer some of the other questions:

-There's a safe deposit box in each stateroom.

-Photos have a ton of pricing options and packages. Prices vary for prints depending on size and there's digital packages available as well. Depending on your C+A status, you may get either discounted prints or a free print.

-Room service now has a $7.95 charge for anything that isn't the cold continental breakfast. Room service menu here: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/data/dining/room-service/menu/In-Stateroom-Room-Service-Full-Menu-web.pdf

-Jewel has a cinema on deck 6. No charge for movies- usually what's shown on the ships are second-run movies that have left the theater but haven't made it to retail sale yet. I think Jewel also has a large screen out by the pool as well.

Kids Club is pretty much like Carnival’s. Our oldest granddaughter enjoyed it on some ships, not so much on others. They do close around lunch and dinner on sea days. After the first day, they are open until late. Free until 10 or so. After that, there is a fee. They do a pirates parade, which goes around the ship.

Family dining is early seating in main dining room. They come to get the kids about 45 minutes after the assigned dining time. We never used it.

No bodywash, just bar soaps. I bring my own shampo, conditioner and bodywash. Blow dryers are ok, if you don't have thick hair.

Not as many free dining venues as Carnival. Pizza is bad, but passable as a late night snack. Chops and Giovanni’s are usually worth the splurge.

Radiance Class does have Shampoo/Body wash combo in the shower dispensers...

Which ship and sail date? You mentioned the Jewel, so is that the one you are travelling on?

- The buffet is the Windjammer, and it usually closes by 9am. There is not a whole lot of options after and what there is (pizza, pre made sandwiches) are hit and miss. Pizza is bad for the most part.

- There are relatively new movies in the movie theater, and there is no charge.

- The bodywash/shampoo combo is NOT a good option in my opinion, I bring my own.

I think your questions are answered. I love your past reviews, and will be looking forward to this one!

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Mitsugirly,

Since you are intrested in both Soda package and Voom, check your cruise planner often.

Before our last cruise, Voom specials varied in the Planner. At times there was a combined Soda & Voom 1 Device special price offered.

Looking forward to your next review!

It’s been a while since I’ve cruised on RCL too, but I thought the pizza was good before. I hope it’s not as bad as people are saying. It’s my fav late night snack.

I bring my own shampoo conditioner and body wash as the smell is not to my liking. The hairdryers are ok.

For pictures and internet RCL has discounts online in your cruise planner. Just keep,looking for the internet and photo packages. They can be a really good deal especially if you buy a lot then get the package that includes all photos on a flash drive and you get copywriter to print them as you like.

Buffet closes early (I believe 9 or 9:30pm) and the remaining free choices thereafter are Solarium pizza (certain hours) and pre-made sandwiches. So, be prepared for this if you like to eat after 9pm.

Here is a link to the Daily Compass for Jewel of the Seas. It will help with Buffet times, movie times, etc. You will note there are certain times where food venues are very limited.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2450493

Can help with some questions.

 

Daily gratuity is $14.50 per day for stateroom categories through Junior Suite, $17.50 for Grand Suite and better.

 

You only need the soda cup if you want to use Freestyle machines. You can get fountain soda from any bar or restaurant with your SeaPass card.

 

VOOM is the name for the internet service on all ships. Some ships have a faster service than others, but the prices are the same onboard: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=55188055&postcount=105

 

You may find the VOOM price less expensive in your Cruise Planner on Royal's website. You can use any number of different devices, but only one can be logged in at a time if you have a one device package.

 

All staterooms come with hairdryers. The showers have a dispenser with a combo shampoo/conditioner liquid. Bars of soap are also provided.

 

Children can use the Solarium food venue.

 

 

Thanks for the response and answers.

Can you explain the freestyle machines? Like if you have this cup can you go up to some type of soda machine like at a restaurant and get your own? Or you still have to go to a bar?

To answer some of the other questions:

-There's a safe deposit box in each stateroom.

-Photos have a ton of pricing options and packages. Prices vary for prints depending on size and there's digital packages available as well. Depending on your C+A status, you may get either discounted prints or a free print.

-Room service now has a $7.95 charge for anything that isn't the cold continental breakfast. Room service menu here: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/data/dining/room-service/menu/In-Stateroom-Room-Service-Full-Menu-web.pdf

-Jewel has a cinema on deck 6. No charge for movies- usually what's shown on the ships are second-run movies that have left the theater but haven't made it to retail sale yet. I think Jewel also has a large screen out by the pool as well.

Awesome thanks for your answers.

Do they place movies on the large screen by the pool nightly?

Kids Club is pretty much like Carnival’s. Our oldest granddaughter enjoyed it on some ships, not so much on others. They do close around lunch and dinner on sea days. After the first day, they are open until late. Free until 10 or so. After that, there is a fee. They do a pirates parade, which goes around the ship.

 

Family dining is early seating in main dining room. They come to get the kids about 45 minutes after the assigned dining time. We never used it.

 

No bodywash, just bar soaps. I bring my own shampo, conditioner and bodywash. Blow dryers are ok, if you don't have thick hair.

 

Not as many free dining venues as Carnival. Pizza is bad, but passable as a late night snack. Chops and Giovanni’s are usually worth the splurge.

Is the kids club open on the first night of the cruise? (I seriously hate that Carnival isn't open on the first night. NCL is open).

I'm still not getting the family dining time. So it's a preassigned "early" time and you do what? Your entire family goes for a sit down dinner and everyone eats together? Or just your family? Do you get to pick from a menu? So the kids club staff will pick up the kids 45 minutes after you sit down to eat to take them to the kids club? If you don't do the family dining do you just drop them off at the same time they would be picking up the kids from dining?

Radiance Class does have Shampoo/Body wash combo in the shower dispensers...

Is the Jewel a Radiance Class ship?

Which ship and sail date? You mentioned the Jewel, so is that the one you are travelling on?

 

- The buffet is the Windjammer, and it usually closes by 9am. There is not a whole lot of options after and what there is (pizza, pre made sandwiches) are hit and miss. Pizza is bad for the most part.

 

- There are relatively new movies in the movie theater, and there is no charge.

 

- The bodywash/shampoo combo is NOT a good option in my opinion, I bring my own.

Yes, we will be on the Jewel.

The buffet closes at 9pm :o Oh my. I'm not going to like this at all. We eat VERY late normally and usually have to rely on what they offer for after hours. It really sucks to know the pizza isn't very good. :(

I think your questions are answered. I love your past reviews, and will be looking forward to this one!

 

 

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Thank you

Mitsugirly,

Since you are intrested in both Soda package and Voom, check your cruise planner often.

 

Before our last cruise, Voom specials varied in the Planner. At times there was a combined Soda & Voom 1 Device special price offered.

 

Looking forward to your next review!

"Cruise Planner" :confused:

It’s been a while since I’ve cruised on RCL too, but I thought the pizza was good before. I hope it’s not as bad as people are saying. It’s my fav late night snack.

 

I bring my own shampoo conditioner and body wash as the smell is not to my liking. The hairdryers are ok.

 

 

For pictures and internet RCL has discounts online in your cruise planner. Just keep,looking for the internet and photo packages. They can be a really good deal especially if you buy a lot then get the package that includes all photos on a flash drive and you get copywriter to print them as you like.

Thanks. I'm just afraid of pre-buying a package not knowing if they will take enough to make a package or if I'll like them.

Can you explain the freestyle machines? Like if you have this cup can you go up to some type of soda machine like at a restaurant and get your own? Or you still have to go to a bar? ...

The Freestyle machines are self-serve soda machines with over 100 different combinations of flavors. If you want a drink from the Freestyle machine, you must use the special cup. If you want a soda from a bar or restaurant, you can use your cup or your SeaPass card.

Buffet closes early (I believe 9 or 9:30pm) and the remaining free choices thereafter are Solarium pizza (certain hours) and pre-made sandwiches. So, be prepared for this if you like to eat after 9pm.

 

 

Here is a link to the Daily Compass for Jewel of the Seas. It will help with Buffet times, movie times, etc. You will note there are certain times where food venues are very limited.

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2450493

Oh my gosh thank you for this link!

I have just been scrolling a bit and yes, it looks like they close the buffet at 9pm. Darnit. But I'm not seeing anything listed for any other food (like the pizza or sandwiches). What type of sandwiches do they serve? I can remember back in the day...you would get a hot dog just about any time of the day in the "Windjammer". (I can't believe the name is still the same.

So since everyone is mentioning the pizza and sandwiches, I assume that's ALL the choices you have. What about during the day in between the breakfast, lunch, dinner? (For instance Carnival has things like Guys Burgers, Iguana Cantina for burritos, pizza, Italian restaurant and BBQ. NCL has O'Sheehans with a really nice menu and super yummy). I would just expect RC to have more options. :confused:

The Freestyle machines are self-serve soda machines with over 100 different combinations of flavors. If you want a drink from the Freestyle machine, you must use the special cup. If you want a soda from a bar or restaurant, you can use your cup or your SeaPass card.

Awesome! Thank you.

Typically there are movies by the pool nightly. Not always young kid friendly though if that matters.

Yes kids club is open the first night. It opens at 8. Other nights it opens at 7.

I've never done Family dining as we prefer My Time Dining. I tend to get a reservation around 6:15 as the 5:30 early seating is too early for us. We eat and then drop off the kids at the kids club around 7.

Jewel is a Radiance class ship. Make sure you sit outside to eat outside the Windjammer.

Awesome! Thank you.

You're welcome.

Oh my gosh thank you for this link!

 

 

I have just been scrolling a bit and yes, it looks like they close the buffet at 9pm. Darnit. But I'm not seeing anything listed for any other food (like the pizza or sandwiches). What type of sandwiches do they serve? I can remember back in the day...you would get a hot dog just about any time of the day in the "Windjammer". (I can't believe the name is still the same.

 

 

So since everyone is mentioning the pizza and sandwiches, I assume that's ALL the choices you have. What about during the day in between the breakfast, lunch, dinner? (For instance Carnival has things like Guys Burgers, Iguana Cantina for burritos, pizza, Italian restaurant and BBQ. NCL has O'Sheehans with a really nice menu and super yummy). I would just expect RC to have more options. :confused:

Don't get me wrong, I like RCI... however this is where CCL, in my opinion, has them beat. If you eat normally after 9pm, I can promise you, you will need to make that adjustment for a cruise on RCI, or you are going to be stuck with pre-made cold sandwiches, or room service ($7.95 per delivery, not bad items, mostly comfort food.) the sandwiches are like muffuletta, turkey, ham. All pre-made and on display in a window. Nothing like the deli on CCL. They do have some nice cookies there usually. My best suggestion would be to get my time dining, and go as late as possible to the MDR.

I too have always loved the choices on CCL like the Deli, Mongolian Wok etc., and am looking forward to Blue Iguana, Guys, and whatever else there is on the Horizon.

Now.. my opinion, and I have sailed the Serenade of the Seas & the Jewel of the Seas (both radiance class) and the ships on Royal blow CCL ships out of the water in design & beauty. The Radiance class are wonderful with tons of windows to the ocean everywhere you look. They are similar to the Spirit class, but no where near as gaudy.

Family time dining. Say early seating is at 6. You and your family pick that time, at 6:45, they come into the dining room and get the kids. But if that is too early to eat, take the kids to Wndjammer and drop them off at the kids club at 7.

I think you will enjoy the Jewel. Beautiful ship and not too big.

We enjoy Royal but miss Guys Burgers.

First - can't wait to see your review!

The Cruise Planner is when you log into RCL's site to book excursions and such. You can book specialty dining, buy drink packages, photo packages, internet there. It is often cheaper to do so before the cruise, and they sometimes offer a special discount. They also offered a combo package of drinks and internet for my last cruise, so it was a better deal to do that.

I am not sure how much the photo package is but the photos themselves are $14.95 for the smaller one and $19.95 for the regular ones (I think it's 8 x 10?) I don't often buy photos but we did buy two on the last trip. I am just gold on Royal but had a coupon for a discount off the second photo. I also remember they had a special price if you bought a certain number of photos but I can't remember the details, sorry!

I have not done family time dining but it is basically you eat at the early dining time and the staff will come pick up your daughter so you don't have to take her there. Given you guys like to eat later you may want to just drop her off yourself and choose the later dining time. There is a note in the Kids Daily Planner that says "My Family Time Dining - Parents you can meet the Adventure Ocean Staff at the Dining Room entrance so you can quickly return to your dining experience. Your children will be signed in by an Adventure Ocean staff and escorted to the Adventure Ocean facility." The location is probably specific to the ship I was on :) You do also have the choice of Adventure Dining - Kids, come join us this evening for dinner with your Youth Staff, Children need to be signed up by 3pm in Adventure Ocean. They will take the kids for dinner (it was from 5:15 to 6:45 on my sailing). I think you have to sign up by 3 that you are going to do it, then make sure your child is there before 5.

Free dining choices are more limited I think, but the Windjammer offers lots of variety, so burgers are there instead of separate (like at Guys on Carnival).

Not sure if this was answered, probably and I just missed it. As to VOOM, if you get a "one device" plan, you can log off with one device, like your cell phone, and then log on with another, like your computer. It means only ONE device can be logged on at any time. BUT, be sure to LOG OFF when you're done or they say it'll stay logged on for 2 hours so you won't be able to log on with a different device for that time.

Oh my gosh thank you for this link!

 

 

I have just been scrolling a bit and yes, it looks like they close the buffet at 9pm. Darnit. But I'm not seeing anything listed for any other food (like the pizza or sandwiches). What type of sandwiches do they serve? I can remember back in the day...you would get a hot dog just about any time of the day in the "Windjammer". (I can't believe the name is still the same.

 

 

So since everyone is mentioning the pizza and sandwiches, I assume that's ALL the choices you have. What about during the day in between the breakfast, lunch, dinner? (For instance Carnival has things like Guys Burgers, Iguana Cantina for burritos, pizza, Italian restaurant and BBQ. NCL has O'Sheehans with a really nice menu and super yummy). I would just expect RC to have more options. :confused:

I believe on Jewel, the pizza and pre-made sandwiches are in the Solarium. It has been a while since I cruised this class of ship so others can weigh in here. The sandwiches are odd to me given they are many times a weird combination of items. I believe there is hamburgers/hotdogs in the windjammer when the cruise compass lists that venue as "snacks". Others can confirm. The free food options during the day and night are one item I struggle with on RCCL. I know this is important to you based on your reviews, so did not want you surprised. :)

I have never been on the Jewel, however assuming all RCCL kid's club programs are run the same, the first night the program is 8-10 (also open after 10 for a fee). Then every other night it is open from 7-10. My family time dining was great on the Allure, went to 6 pm dining then they got my kids and took them up to the kids club by 6:45. The wait staff knew this so they had a meal waiting for my kids before we even arrived.

I hope rccl is paying you to go on them, because you will bring a lot of people over to try them. We tried ccl because of your reviews, loved the cruise line, and have 3 booked with them next year. You should get a commission! Thank you for your reviews!

I hope rccl is paying you to go on them, because you will bring a lot of people over to try them. We tried ccl because of your reviews, loved the cruise line, and have 3 booked with them next year. You should get a commission! Thank you for your reviews!

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I have read your reviews also and enjoy them. If this helps, on our recent trip we signed up for the 8 p.m. traditional dining. I would take my 10 y.o. son to the WJ at 6:15ish and get him dinner, then take him to the kids club at 7 when it opened. We did this every night except the first night which was New Year’s Eve and the last night as his birthday was the next day so he came and ate with us, had cake, etc.

One other thing I wanted to mention. I have read lots of reviews on here and the RC kids club is about the only thing that has gotten close to universal approval. My son, like many, was not sure he wanted to go since he didn’t know anybody but within 5 minutes he was playing soccer. The counselors knew his name by the second night and by the last night he was asking if he could go. Hopefully you’ll have the same experience.