RFerrington Posted September 5, 2016 #101 Share Posted September 5, 2016 The list of amenities does not mention the thermal spa. Originally it included daily access, then it seemed to go to a 1 day only access and now it doesn't mention it at all. Did you have any experience with the Thermal spa ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattInFLL Posted September 5, 2016 #102 Share Posted September 5, 2016 That customized schedule is a new thing. Nice to see that. And with a genie lamp at the bottom :) I don't remember seeing the bit about arranging a cocktail party. Maybe Ron and I started a trend lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted September 5, 2016 #103 Share Posted September 5, 2016 The list of amenities does not mention the thermal spa. Originally it included daily access, then it seemed to go to a 1 day only access and now it doesn't mention it at all. Did you have any experience with the Thermal spa ? If it was offered we didn't use it. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted September 5, 2016 #104 Share Posted September 5, 2016 That customized schedule is a new thing. Nice to see that. And with a genie lamp at the bottom :) I don't remember seeing the bit about arranging a cocktail party. Maybe Ron and I started a trend lol. Trendsetters I tell ya. We did get a drink one day from the afternoon door to door hand crafted cocktails cart. Had we "caught" them again I would have done a scope of it. Loved my drink, Lisa's was a too strong for her. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevekc Posted September 5, 2016 #105 Share Posted September 5, 2016 We have a cruise on Oasis coming up in late September and we have already heard from our Genie (Israel) two weeks ago. He agreed with my arrival time for priority embarkation at 11AM. He's worked out a schedule with specialty dining for every night of the cruise. He's also secured our preference of cabana for Labadee and arranged a galley tour (we declined the bridge tour). I've been most impressed with his speedy communication and getting everything worked out just the way that I had hoped. This may sound presumptuous but considering the cost of the program and the way they are marketing it as being so fabulous, isn't that the way it should be? We are really pretty low key in terms of our needs and are quite certain that our time aboard will be wonderful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frick_&_Frack Posted September 5, 2016 #106 Share Posted September 5, 2016 Andrew - thanks for posting those sheets. Nice to see how this is being handled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveg Posted September 7, 2016 #107 Share Posted September 7, 2016 Does anyone know if there is a seperate area you go to for parking in Bayonne if you are Star Class on Anthem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiss2619 Posted September 7, 2016 #108 Share Posted September 7, 2016 Does anyone know if there is a seperate area you go to for parking in Bayonne if you are Star Class on Anthem? When we sailed Anthem this past June, there was an area marked "STAR" class and our genie met us there at our appointed time. Our car pulled up, our luggage was unloaded. Genie arranged for our luggage to go right with us directly to our GLS. She had someone with an iPad with her who took care of our check-in and we walked through security. From car to our suite took less than 15 minutes. It was awesome!! Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
croosieloosie Posted September 9, 2016 #109 Share Posted September 9, 2016 Can't remember, does Star class get free pressing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted September 9, 2016 #110 Share Posted September 9, 2016 Can't remember, does Star class get free pressing? Yes, "Laundry and Ironing Services" are included with Star Class. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisinMareme Posted September 9, 2016 #111 Share Posted September 9, 2016 We are a family of 7 sailing on the Harmony, Ft. L, November 5th, in a 2 bedroom Aqua Suite, a Star Class category. The RCL site reads, Star Class Guests receive complimentary specialty dining throughout their entire cruise. I tried booking our specialty dining reservations in advance, but incurred some difficulties, so I called the help desk. I was politely told that Star Class guests cannot pre-book their dining reservations via the Cruise Planner unless they want to pay the dining fees that are non-refundable. I was assured our Genie will do his or her best to book the restaurants and times requested once we hear from him or her. Fingers crossed, being we are a party of 7; the times won’t be difficult to arrange. I did pre-book our entertainment, not knowing if the Genie would be able to secure 7 seats on the day and times requested, especially since this is only a 3-night cruise. Any feedback would be most helpful. Thank you, Marilyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFerrington Posted September 9, 2016 #112 Share Posted September 9, 2016 I was politely told that Star Class guests cannot pre-book their dining reservations via the Cruise Planner unless they want to pay the dining fees that are non-refundable. I believe this is incorrect. I was told that the cost of any specialty dining that we had pre-booked would be refunded. I do not know whether it is refunded directly or as OBC once onboard. I have not made any such reservations so I cannot say definitively that this is true but that is what I was told and what I have read a number of times on this and other sites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crodri35 Posted September 9, 2016 #113 Share Posted September 9, 2016 We are a family of 8 traveling on the Allure in November in a Star Class Cabin. Our TA prebooked Izumi Hibatchi for us through their "genie department". No idea if that even exists. RC would not book anything else for us currently without us having to pay for the reservation. We have 8 guests total which includes 2 small children and are concerned about not being able to reserve a decent time. RC guaranteed us that the genie would be able to accommodate our dining reservations but wouldn't guarantee the times. This obviously isn't helpful if they guarantee us that we have a reservation at Chops if it happens to be a 9PM at night. Did you book through a TA or RC directly? It's unbelievable to me that RC's technology is so lacking for a major cruise line. As an example, if you purchase a 4 night dining package on NCL, the first 4 reservations you make show a balance due of $0.00, if you go to book a 5th one, the price for that particular dining venue shows the respective charge. Additionally, in a Star Class Cabin, gratuities are included but still show up as an option to pay for in your Cruise Planner. This can't be that difficult, but RC is definitely behind in their website technology - something that has been pointed out on CC ad nauseam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadioRob Posted September 9, 2016 #114 Share Posted September 9, 2016 We are a family of 7 sailing on the Harmony' date=' Ft. L, November 5th, in a 2 bedroom Aqua Suite, a Star Class category. The RCL site reads, Star Class Guests receive complimentary specialty dining throughout their entire cruise. I tried booking our specialty dining reservations in advance, but incurred some difficulties, so I called the help desk. I was politely told that Star Class guests cannot pre-book their dining reservations via the Cruise Planner unless they want to pay the dining fees that are non-refundable. I was assured our Genie will do his or her best to book the restaurants and times requested once we hear from him or her. Fingers crossed, being we are a party of 7; the times won’t be difficult to arrange. I did pre-book our entertainment, not knowing if the Genie would be able to secure 7 seats on the day and times requested, especially since this is only a 3-night cruise. Any feedback would be most helpful. Thank you, Marilyn[/quote'] We were in the 2 room AquaTheater Suite when the program was first introduced last May, so I've actually been fully through this already. The person on the phone is partially right and partially wrong. If you choose to make a reservation online, you have to pay for it. However your genie can work with the back office on the ship to get it refunded. It's NOT "non-refundable". Now... with that being said... LET YOUR GENIE TAKE CARE OF IT FOR YOU! Don't worry about reservations. They can get you in where and when you want. We did not have any problem dining anywhere or getting into shows. (In fact, for shows, the genies will go back and hang reserved signs on chairs for you before a show and get specific seats for you.) Your genie will reach out to you about a week before your sail date. You can let your genie know preferences for specific dining and shows on certain dates. If you don't, you can do it with him/her once you're aboard. Royal has trained us we have to reserve everything, but remember there are extra spots held back for genie use. Make use of your genie! Let them help you and enjoy your vacation!! (We had such a fantastic time last May, we're doing it again October 15th on the Anthem staying this time in a Owner's Loft Suite for a Bermuda cruise. You'll LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Being escorted on and off the ship at the start/end of the cruise was worth it's weight in gold alone!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troykahack Posted September 9, 2016 #115 Share Posted September 9, 2016 (edited) I am not surprised that you have not seen many reviews related to the Genies. We have been home for a week from our Star Class trip, and I am waiting for RCCL to attempt to correct many problems we had. I normally write very detailed reviews, but on this one I am going with "If you haven't got anything good to say - Don't say anything". At least not until customer service attempts to correct the numerous over charges. The Genie......... deleted... too late in the postings.... Edited September 9, 2016 by troykahack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loveg Posted September 10, 2016 #116 Share Posted September 10, 2016 When we sailed Anthem this past June, there was an area marked "STAR" class and our genie met us there at our appointed time. Our car pulled up, our luggage was unloaded. Genie arranged for our luggage to go right with us directly to our GLS. She had someone with an iPad with her who took care of our check-in and we walked through security. From car to our suite took less than 15 minutes. It was awesome!!Enjoy Thanks for the information! Was that your personal car or car service? I am planning on driving and was wondering if we would have a special parking section. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetsFanCruiser Posted September 10, 2016 #117 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Just back from Oasis in Star Class. Genie handled everything. Reservations in specialty restaurants were made the week before when I emailed him and I even made changes during the cruise. On the first day we reviewed the seating chart for each entertainment venue and we chose the area where we wanted to sit. We met the genie 5 minutes before each show at our reserved seats, front row except for the water show cause we didn't want to get wet. They really do take care of everything. Our itinerary was changed and he rebooked all our excursions. Very much worth it. We were the very first passengers on the ship and right to our stateroom. Bags waiting for us, then right to Giovanni for peaceful lunch. Booked again for next year and will not prebook anything as genie will handle everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swiss2619 Posted September 10, 2016 #118 Share Posted September 10, 2016 Thanks for the information! Was that your personal car or car service? I am planning on driving and was wondering if we would have a special parking section. We had a car service. I don't believe there is special parking for Star Class but not sure about that. We were laughing that the longest time we spent getting onboard was the long walk to the suites in the aft of the ship. That is a long, long walk but so worth it! Amazing views! Swiss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Host Star Posted September 10, 2016 #119 Share Posted September 10, 2016 (edited) Just back from Oasis in Star Class. Genie handled everything. Reservations in specialty restaurants were made the week before when I emailed him and I even made changes during the cruise. On the first day we reviewed the seating chart for each entertainment venue and we chose the area where we wanted to sit. We met the genie 5 minutes before each show at our reserved seats, front row except for the water show cause we didn't want to get wet. They really do take care of everything. Our itinerary was changed and he rebooked all our excursions. Very much worth it. We were the very first passengers on the ship and right to our stateroom. Bags waiting for us, then right to Giovanni for peaceful lunch. Booked again for next year and will not prebook anything as genie will handle everything. we had most of those things done by the conceirge, even offerred to escort us off the ship.. a week before sailinlg we got an email from them to make all our dining reservations.. once on board they took care of the changes... only difference I can see is betterreserved seats for the show.. there was always reserved seats for the shows however I would like to see closer reserved seats....Claudine also took care of getting us the exact cabana we wanted for Barefoot beach prior to the cruise via email.. our shipboard credits had to be divided as we were sharing the suite.. she also took care of that.. our luggage arrived to the suite immediately.. it was put on a separate cart by the porters... I can't see what we would have used a genie for.. does the genie go off the ship with you and carry your packages as you shop?? now that I could have used :) Edited September 10, 2016 by Host Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinck Posted September 10, 2016 #120 Share Posted September 10, 2016 We have a cruise on Oasis coming up in late September and we have already heard from our Genie (Israel) two weeks ago. He agreed with my arrival time for priority embarkation at 11AM. He's worked out a schedule with specialty dining for every night of the cruise. He's also secured our preference of cabana for Labadee and arranged a galley tour (we declined the bridge tour). I've been most impressed with his speedy communication and getting everything worked out just the way that I had hoped. This may sound presumptuous but considering the cost of the program and the way they are marketing it as being so fabulous, isn't that the way it should be? We are really pretty low key in terms of our needs and are quite certain that our time aboard will be wonderful! We had Israel as our genie and he is wonderful. DH and I are pretty low maintenance. I won't spoil anything for you but he will include special touches to make your cruise memorable. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Umblevable Posted October 17, 2016 #121 Share Posted October 17, 2016 hi Bob we are sailing Oct 30 and Daniel just emailed me about being my Genie.. so excited to hear he was a good help to you.. was he at all able to help get chairs by the pool? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmorg1234 Posted October 17, 2016 #122 Share Posted October 17, 2016 Thanks! And just a side note, with a week to go, we finally received the "questionnaire". My wife wants to be on the deserted island with someone other than me though :) That's ok; my husband wants me to bring wigs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kdbennettjr Posted October 28, 2016 #123 Share Posted October 28, 2016 hi Bobwe are sailing Oct 30 and Daniel just emailed me about being my Genie.. so excited to hear he was a good help to you.. was he at all able to help get chairs by the pool? We're sailing on Allure in November and heard from Marla, our Genie. I asked about chairs by the pool. She can't reserve them. Will your Genie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare A&L_Ont Posted October 28, 2016 #124 Share Posted October 28, 2016 We're sailing on Allure in November and heard from Marla, our Genie. I asked about chairs by the pool. She can't reserve them. Will your Genie? A Genie can do a lot, but this is something a Genie will not due. You can try the suite lounge sundeck area if you are a late riser. My DW Lisa usually got to the pool around 8:30 and always find a chair near the pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry the lobster Posted December 1, 2016 #125 Share Posted December 1, 2016 We are leaving on the Oasis soon. Our Genie did contact us about 2 weeks ahead of time and has made us dinner and show reservations every night. I'm curious to know how much everyone tipped their Genie at the end of their cruise? Thanks :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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