Royal Suite Class program - Roll Out Date?

[MattInFLL]

I really hope that post about 3 Genies per ship is incorrect. There's no way they can offer the service they are hyping as an unparalleled 24/7 experience with 3 people assigned to 11 cabins - where 6 of those cabins are isolated (even from each other).

 

And yes, the Genie services are a big part of the reason we went from a CLS to an SLS.

[A&L_Ont]

I really hope that post about 3 Genies per ship is incorrect. There's no way they can offer the service they are hyping as an unparalleled 24/7 experience with 3 people assigned to 11 cabins - where 6 of those cabins are isolated (even from each other).

 

 

So true. Especially when these cabins can have anywhere from 4-6 guests, possibly more in the RLS and ATS, per cabin all wanting the genie's attention.

 

Three tends to spells logistical disaster to me especially if they are to give personalized service such escort you to supper, off the ship at ports or at disembarkation, welcome you on board on embarkation, take care of individual needs etc. Unless they have people under their control to help accomplish other tasks it is a lot to ask of a person for an 8 hour shift especially taking into account the size of the ship.

 

I could only guess how unhappy a genie might be they were run off their feet by one demanding cabin and then how unhappy other guests in other cabins might be if they never saw their genie. I think we have all seen an example of a demanding suite guest with the concierge in the SL along the way. I can only imagine what the genie will get "hit" with from the same type of guest.

 

I guess we will see what happens in about a month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Edited March 29, 2016 by A&L_Ont

[hulksmash]

There are always growing pains.

[A&L_Ont]

A quick apology in advance for the thread diversion.

 

There is nothing wrong with John's way of doing posting photos, especially if people are following on the app or Tappa talk. However, it will have changes for those not following on those two formats.

 

The thing about posting the photo without resizing it smaller is what happened when John posted his photos. By being the original size it has made the text smaller and harder to read if you are looking at it on safari or internet explorer. Generally speaking if something is harder to read people will be less apt to follow your thread, and if people aren't following you who is reading your hard work? I have stopped reading reviews when it was difficult to follow or read. I suspect others would too.

 

My pictures I posted on this thread were resized to 800 by 600 pixels and it did not change the text size of this thread. John's picture most likely wasn't and it dropped the text size in half for those not using Tappa talk or the branded Cruise Critic App. To see this difference go to safari on your iPad or internet explorer on your computer and jump from page 8 to page 9 and you will see the difference. Even the look at the two ways John posted photos and you can see a difference in size on a conventional computer to an app version of looking at them.

 

The hardest way to post photos during a live review is with photo bucket, as they have to be hosted for life or they will disappear from your review. It is also more labor intensive. I highly suggest avoid using photo bucket unless you are bringing a laptop with you, and it if you are going to that level will you enjoy the actual cruise?

 

As I posted earlier use the test forum in the app as well as on a conventional computer/safari to try posting posting pictures in advance for practice. It will help you. As for whatever way you decided to post, at the end of the day it is your choice and people will follow.

 

The question you need to ask yourself is; are you doing the review for you or for the readers? If you aren't getting feedback, followers or reads you will feel like you are live for no reason. It is a lot of work to be live and if you don't get feed back it could feel discrediting or discouraging.

 

Whatever you decide to do, have a great cruise.:)

Edited March 29, 2016 by A&L_Ont

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

A quick apology in advance for the thread diversion.

 

There is nothing wrong with John's way of doing posting photos, especially if people are following on the app or Tappa talk. However, it will have changes for those not following on those two formats.

 

The thing about posting the photo without resizing it smaller is what happened when John posted his photos. By being the original size it has made the text smaller and harder to read if you are looking at it on safari or internet explorer. Generally speaking if something is harder to read people will be less apt to follow your thread, and if people aren't following you who is reading your hard work? I have stopped reading reviews when it was difficult to follow or read. I suspect others would too.

 

My pictures I posted on this thread were resized to 800 by 600 pixels and it did not change the text size of this thread. John's picture most likely wasn't and it dropped the text size in half for those not using Tappa talk or the branded Cruise Critic App. To see this difference go to safari on your iPad or internet explorer on your computer and jump from page 8 to page 9 and you will see the difference. Even the look at the two ways John posted photos and you can see a difference in size on a conventional computer to an app version of looking at them.

 

The hardest way to post photos during a live review is with photo bucket, as they have to be hosted for life or they will disappear from your review. It is also more labor intensive. I highly suggest avoid using photo bucket unless you are bringing a laptop with you, and it if you are going to that level will you enjoy the actual cruise?

 

As I posted earlier use the test forum in the app as well as on a conventional computer/safari to try posting posting pictures in advance for practice. It will help you. As for whatever way you decided to post, at the end of the day it is your choice and people will follow.

 

The question you need to ask yourself is; are you doing the review for you or for the readers? If you aren't getting feedback, followers or reads you will feel like you are live for no reason. It is a lot of work to be live and if you don't get feed back it could feel discrediting or discouraging.

 

Whatever you decide to do, have a great cruise.:)

 

There were a couple of images posted during your review (by someone else as I recall) that were quite large - to the point that I had to scroll to the right to read the text... and back and forth as I moved through the paragraph. Unfortunately, that similarly (and negatively) impacts the entire page of posts.

 

I use SmugMug, but as you said - if I don't keep up my membership @$50/year or so, those images no longer will post (in old threads). It certainly does take a few extra steps!

 

Tom

[A&L_Ont]

There were a couple of images posted during your review (by someone else as I recall) that were quite large - to the point that I had to scroll to the right to read the text... and back and forth as I moved through the paragraph. Unfortunately, that similarly (and negatively) impacts the entire page of posts.

 

 

 

I use SmugMug, but as you said - if I don't keep up my membership @$50/year or so, those images no longer will post (in old threads). It certainly does take a few extra steps!

 

 

 

Tom

 

 

I noticed those pictures as well but I didn't mention it out of respect to them. They were trying to be helpful to someone asking a question. They did however screw up the text on an entire page.

 

I did my best not to do it to my own thread but I had one page near the beginning that I did it to myself. After that one page I always checked on safari that it was sized correctly immediately after posting on the CC branded forum app. I did catch a few photos of my own that I didn't resize properly however I was able to correct them while it was in the allowable time frame.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Edited March 29, 2016 by A&L_Ont

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

... I did catch a few photos of my own that I didn't resize properly however I was able to correct them while it was in the allowable time frame.

 

That's one of the few beefs I have with CC - their limited edit window. It gets under my skin, if only a bit, when I see grammar errors and such in my posts and I can't correct them. :o

 

Tom

[A&L_Ont]

That's one of the few beefs I have with CC - their limited edit window. It gets under my skin, if only a bit, when I see grammar errors and such in my posts and I can't correct them. :o

 

 

 

Tom

 

 

I got what you meant. [emoji6]

 

Auto correct doesn't do any favours either.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited March 29, 2016 by A&L_Ont

[suzyluvs2cruise]

I noticed those pictures as well but I didn't mention it out of respect to them. They were trying to be helpful to someone asking a question. They did however screw up the text on an entire page.

 

I did my best not to do it to my own thread but I had one page near the beginning that I did it to myself. After that one page I always checked on safari that it was sized correctly immediately after posting on the CC branded forum app. I did catch a few photos of my own that I didn't resize properly however I was able to correct them while it was in the allowable time frame.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

I think I'm the one you're referring to. I didn't know the pictures would be so large when I posted them. You're right...it messed up a page of your review and I'm sorry about that. I use Tapatalk. What app do you use to resize your pics? Thanks, again, for a great "live review".

Edited March 29, 2016 by suzyluvs2cruise

[A&L_Ont]

I think I'm the one you're referring to. I didn't know the pictures would be so large when I posted them. You're right...it messed up a page of your review and I'm sorry about that. I use Tapatalk. What app do you use to resize your pics? Thanks, again, for a great "live review".

 

No worries about it. Like I said you were helping someone out so it is all good. Since there are three ways to access and post on CC what looks uniform in one format doesn't always translate to another the same way.

 

I use the "Image Size" app to format the photos and in four quick clicks the photo picked, adapted and saved . I typically made them 800 X 600 and some of them were marginally larger.

 

Thanks for the kind words on the thread. It was a lot of work, but fun to do.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

So, I get home this afternoon to find an email relating to my upcoming sailing!!

 

Upon opening it, it was just Royal taking the opportunity to tell me that they've increased their daily gratuity rates.

 

That's all well and good - and I get that they're not yet ready to start sending out that 60 day letter to their future Star Class guests. What I don't get is that they're bothering to send me an email to inform me about tips... tips which are supposedly included with my booking.

 

Nevermind... after thinking about Royal and their keen ability to communicate so well with their guests, I get it after all! ;)

 

Tom

[suzyluvs2cruise]

No worries about it. Like I said you were helping someone out so it is all good. Since there are three ways to access and post on CC what looks uniform in one format doesn't always translate to another the same way.

 

I use the "Image Size" app to format the photos and in four quick clicks the photo picked, adapted and saved . I typically made them 800 X 600 and some of them were marginally larger.

 

Thanks for the kind words on the thread. It was a lot of work, but fun to do.

 

Thanks....appreciate your kind words and help. I'll definitely try the app. :)

[Clarea]

... Nevermind... after thinking about Royal and their keen ability to communicate so well with their guests, I get it after all! ;)

 

Tom

I was about to ask you if you had lost your head, but I see you recovered.:)

[RadioRob]

We all have those moments. I was thinking to myself earlier that we had not received any pre-cruise communication and we're under 40 days from our cruise now.

 

Then I realized it does not matter much. Just show up and if they try to charge me for my alcohol, then I say something. lol :D

[MattInFLL]

I was about to ask you if you had lost your head, but I see you recovered.:)

 

 

 

See, and I received the email, too, but specifically referencing my Thanksgiving cruise. And I was thinking - wow, did I just witness Royal figuring out I didn't need one for Allure?

 

Must have been a mistake :)

 

On the photo topic - when I did my live Anthem review through tapatalk I always selected highest resolution. Was I screwing up the thread ? Because everyone kept commenting on the great pictures.

[Caribbean Tom]

I think there's only one owner's loft, but it is 1701 on the May 7th sailing.

We were originally booked in the grand loft but switched when the prices changed to be essentially the same. My husband really wanted the extra 100 sq ft!

 

Hello neighbor! We're in the GLS on the Oasis on May 7th.

 

FYI, we haven't received any Royal Suite Class emails yet.

[sports4fun]

Hello neighbor! We're in the GLS on the Oasis on May 7th.

 

FYI, we haven't received any Royal Suite Class emails yet.

 

Are you able to book entertainment yet?

[Caribbean Tom]

Yes, several weeks ago. Waiting on contact from Genie for specialty restaurant dining even though we can sign up now. Want to confirm formal nights.

[sports4fun]

Thank you for the quick response. We are on the Harmony on June 12th. Thought we would hear from our Genie by now but if you haven't I guess we have a while. Still can not book entertainment either.

[beachnative]

The genie program is still being rolled out.

Edited March 30, 2016 by beachnative

[NicoleAndChris]

Hello neighbor! We're in the GLS on the Oasis on May 7th.

 

FYI, we haven't received any Royal Suite Class emails yet.

 

Hey! Glad to see someone from our sailing, and I'm super curious to see the real difference between these two suites. Perhaps we can compare notes onboard!

 

I called Royal yesterday and after being transferred to roughly 3-4 different areas they got a "specialist" on the phone and said that they do not currently have anyone onboard to manage the new emails, yet.

[NicoleAndChris]

Thank you for the quick response. We are on the Harmony on June 12th. Thought we would hear from our Genie by now but if you haven't I guess we have a while. Still can not book entertainment either.

 

I was told that they currently do not have anyone onboard to manage the new emails that go along with the program, so those in the first 60 +/- days of the program may not get communications as planned. However, I was told that we'd still be contacted by concierge and the genie may email on a much shorter lead time than 60 days (perhaps around the time concierge contacts us?). Otherwise, we'll confirm our requests day 1 when we board. Even though I am OCD about getting everything reserved beforehand so I don't have to concern myself with it onboard, they said availability will not be an issue regardless of what the cruise planner says. Hope that helps :)

[sports4fun]

Thank you so much. It helps a lot . Enjoy your cruise.

[Tom-n-Cheryl]

The genie program is still being rolled out.

 

You had mentioned previously, as if it was fact, that there would be 3 Genies on the ship. Was this something you've learned or is it just a guess? Inquiring minds want to know! :)

 

Tom

[jv_nyc]

I'm on the Ovation April 22 sailing in a Star Class suite, is there interest of me doing a review of the program? For example, I just received a survey from my Genie today; don't know what it entails yet, but am happen to "report" on it and the rest of my experience if there's interest. :)