Royal Caribbean Star Class Genie

[ronsex]

Even the drinks, dining and gratuities are not worrying me. I know we are entitled to them, even if some RCI staff don't know it. It just surprises me that so many don't and I would prefer not to have to argue about it once on board.

 

No need to argue about anything. We had a couple small issues with waiters who were somewhat confused and rather than get into it... We just signed the bill and took it up with our Genie who immediately and without issue had the charges erased from our bill.

 

Your Genie will take care of everything and if like ours will review your bill on your last day to ensure it is 100% correct.

 

Ron

[A&L_Ont]

No need to argue about anything. We had a couple small issues with waiters who were somewhat confused and rather than get into it... We just signed the bill and took it up with our Genie who immediately and without issue had the charges erased from our bill.

 

Your Genie will take care of everything and if like ours will review your bill on your last day to ensure it is 100% correct.

 

Ron

 

Ron, that's the approach I'm taking with the upgraded steaks at Chops. I read on one of the ships with Star Class that they are charging for it. To me, free specialty dining means all food consumed at the charge restaurant. If I wanted two mains (which I don't) they should serve them. 150 CP or Chefs Table costs more than the upgraded stake. I could be making more expensive dinner decisions.

 

I can't wait for Allure this month. :D

Edited August 1, 2016 by A&L_Ont

[2004corvette]

FWIW on our Grandeur cruise last week asked fellow cruisers who have had Genie experiences.

 

7 cruisers responded with their opinions....

 

4 - excellent service all requests gladly fulfilled...:)

 

2 - despite a few misunderstandings very satisfied and will definitely continue to book Genie class suites...:)

 

1 - way overpriced and would not book Genie classed suites again...Concierges were more helpful than their Genie whom they felt did not provide them with the "above and beyond"

experience they were expecting....they even said "tried numerous times to rub the Genie's lamp or uncork the Genie's bottle" to no avail as the lamp appeared tarnished and the bottle remained corked throughout their sailing...:(

 

[thecoconut]

FWIW on our Grandeur cruise last week asked fellow cruisers who have had Genie experiences.

 

7 cruisers responded with their opinions....

 

4 - excellent service all requests gladly fulfilled...:)

 

2 - despite a few misunderstandings very satisfied and will definitely continue to book Genie class suites...:)

 

1 - way overpriced and would not book Genie classed suites again...Concierges were more helpful than their Genie whom they felt did not provide them with the "above and beyond"

experience they were expecting....they even said "tried numerous times to rub the Genie's lamp or uncork the Genie's bottle" to no avail as the lamp appeared tarnished and the bottle remained corked throughout their sailing...:(

 

 

 

For the one who did not like it, do you know who their genie was? Wondering if it is the same one the previous poster was disappointed with.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Edited August 1, 2016 by thecoconut

[2004corvette]

despite my asking they did not give a name nor did they provide which ship....only responded what i posted above.

 

having met them in the CL on previous cruises i do know for certain they only sail in GS or higher suites so they are accustomed to all the perks and great hospitality RCL normally offers and provides.

[A&L_Ont]

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2368253

 

Above is a thread kjenaz wrote she was going on the Oasis and Margaret would be her genie. Hope this helps.

 

So surprised to read that Margaret on Oasis was the potential problem Genie on Oasis.

 

Before the official launch she had a Facebook page as a genie (Royal made her take it down) and was incredibly helpful and responsive to my questions. Plus her background is as a chief stew on mega luxury yachts. She would have a lot of experience dealing with some of the most demanding people around. But I guess everyone can have a bad day or week? [emoji848]

 

 

Above are two posts that I cut from this thread on the previous page. No one will know if it was Margaret.

 

Matt, I just picked your post as it was a good descriptive. Hope that is ok.

[galleycook]

No need to argue about anything. We had a couple small issues with waiters who were somewhat confused and rather than get into it... We just signed the bill and took it up with our Genie who immediately and without issue had the charges erased from our bill.

 

Your Genie will take care of everything and if like ours will review your bill on your last day to ensure it is 100% correct.

 

Ron

 

 

Certainly that is a possibility Ron. However it's an aggravation that I don't think guests should have to go through. How hard can it be to tell all staff, everything is included in the Star Class suites. I pay more not to be "nickeled and dimed". I'm sure that in the long run this is more expensive but that means I don't have to worry about anything. Even including, verifying the bill at the end of the cruise. That's just me though. As I previously mentioned, we are pretty low maintenance guests. In return, at least RCI should know what's included without me having to run to the genie all the time. This will be moving us from low maintenance to medium maintenance ;). Again that's just me.

[ronsex]

Certainly that is a possibility Ron. However it's an aggravation that I don't think guests should have to go through. How hard can it be to tell all staff, everything is included in the Star Class suites. I pay more not to be "nickeled and dimed". I'm sure that in the long run this is more expensive but that means I don't have to worry about anything. Even including, verifying the bill at the end of the cruise. That's just me though. As I previously mentioned, we are pretty low maintenance guests. In return, at least RCI should know what's included without me having to run to the genie all the time. This will be moving us from low maintenance to medium maintenance ;). Again that's just me.

 

Well there be the problem....

 

Not "everything" is included. Starbucks beverages are included, but Starbucks pastries are not. Scoops ice cream is not. And probably a few more. While I agree with you that "everyone" should know.... When you consider the number of staff on these ships and the newness of the program - you can understand where the confusion comes in.

 

There is no need to run to the genie all the time. Just forget about it, enjoy your trip - and then have one meeting with your genie on the very last day/night to review your bill and remove anything that should not be there.

 

Like you, I dislike these types of issues but simply refused to let it color our experience. And quite honestly, now looking back, the incidents were actually quite funny - considering everything.

 

Ron

[ronsex]

Ron, that's the approach I'm taking with the upgraded steaks at Chops. I read on one of the ships with Star Class that they are charging for it. To me, free specialty dining means all food consumed at the charge restaurant. If I wanted two mains (which I don't) they should serve them. 150 CP or Chefs Table costs more than the upgraded stake. I could be making more expensive dinner decisions.

 

I can't wait for Allure this month. :D

 

My last ten cruises have been on Regent, which is all inclusive and a much different experience than Royal....

 

But I have to say that this last cruise in the Sky Loft with a genie on Allure was so much fun... so much so that we've already booked the same suite for our next cruise which I wish was tomorrow!

 

I'm so jealous of you... but will be watching you periscopes and looking for your updates. I hope your genie is terrific and if it happens to be Frankie - say hello for us.

 

Ron

[A&L_Ont]

My last ten cruises have been on Regent, which is all inclusive and a much different experience than Royal....

 

But I have to say that this last cruise in the Sky Loft with a genie on Allure was so much fun... so much so that we've already booked the same suite for our next cruise which I wish was tomorrow!

 

I'm so jealous of you... but will be watching you periscopes and looking for your updates. I hope your genie is terrific and if it happens to be Frankie - say hello for us.

 

Ron

 

Just under four weeks and the fun will begin. Expect scopes and a true live review. I will make sure to say hi to Frankie if we have him, for both you and Matt. I will also say hi to Jesus and Keith for you.

 

We aren't in our normal cabin, but I have a view of the flowrider and we are aft racing. It couldn't get better that. :)

[croosieloosie]

How do we get

The "scopes"

[A&L_Ont]

How do we get

The "scopes"

 

Periscope is an IPhone and Android app that you can download. You also download it to your iPad (as and IPhone app) and computer as well. I believe it is called periscope TV. Once you have it loaded you can search for me and find me at my username @Andrew_1720

 

If you follow me then you can see my past scopes that have been saved and will be notified when new scopes are live.

 

I hope this helps.

Andrew

[kjenaz]

I have posted some comments about our Genie experience, and had planned to write a review. I went silent because I was working with the RCCL Customer Service Rep on some of the issues. He went way above and beyond.

My goal of the contact was to get the incorrect charges reversed. I have been watching to see if any others had similar experiences to us. But it doesn't appear that our experience was the norm.

I want to say that I believe that based on the reviews and discussions posted since our cruise that you should all have a great time and enjoy the "Genie" experience. While I had hopes for an over the top, in the end some of the basics were not met. I could give you multiple examples where she did not meet the advertised standard. I had planned the entire week of show and dinner reservations and sent it to the Genie when she emailed me. I commented on the boards that she never actually responded that she had made the reservations and that was because she didn't. Some were able to be made by her last minute, but on several occasions she called the night before and said she could not get us for the places and times we had planned and while she had alternatives they typically conflicted with a show that I had made reservations for. In the end our biggest issue was we had charges on our bill for multiple items that were to be included. These included complimentary valet and Chef's Table. Both were on the bill 2 nights before we departed. I called the Genie on Thursday night and she said "Not to worry, that it was her job to take care of those things." She said she would meet with us on the last afternoon to review the charges. I didn't wait around the room for her to come and review, but I did ensure that there were several opportunities for her to connect with us. She did not stop or bring the topic up again so I decided I needed to just let her do her job. Not only were the charges still there on our last night, but they were on the print out on the door. My last chance to ask her about it was when we were escorted off. As we had come to find out, that didn't go as planned either. She told us to meet her in the Coastal Kitchen at 9:30 and she would come and take us off. We were there at 9am because we needed to vacate the room. At 9:45 I asked the one of the staff that was cleaning the tables if this was the meeting place for the Genie and he said that we were suppose to be in the Champagne Lounge. I thought I had messed up, so I gathered the group, 1 in a wheelchair, 1 with a walker, my blind husband, and my sister and nephew who were carrying their luggage. We headed to the elevator and as we were getting on another Genie was getting off. I asked her to confirm that we were suppose to be in the Champagne Bar, and she said no we were to be in the Coastal Kitchen. She said she would call our Genie and after dialing she handed me the phone. The Genie told us to go back to the CK and she would come and get us. She did finally come and escort us off the ship, but did not request anyone to push mother's wheelchair so I had to push it. I asked her for a wheelchair for the 93 year old and she clearly ignored me. Three times as we moved thru the crowd I had to ask her to slow down because we she was leaving the 93yr old behind. As soon as we got to a point where she could leave us, she did. I decided not to ask about the bill, and was not too surprised when it was on our credit card 2 days later. As I said when I started this post, RCCL has reversed the charges and I believe they did take note of the issues. They have given us each a credit off a future cruise and while some of us will take advantage of the credits, this was the last trip that my mother and her husband will make, and sadly it isn't one that they will look back fondly on. If you have a GOOD or bad experience, I would recommend that you reach out to RCCL Customer Service because they are committed to make this program work and we should share the names of the Great Genies!

[croosieloosie]

I have posted some comments about our Genie experience, and had planned to write a review. I went silent because I was working with the RCCL Customer Service Rep on some of the issues. He went way above and beyond.

My goal of the contact was to get the incorrect charges reversed. I have been watching to see if any others had similar experiences to us. But it doesn't appear that our experience was the norm.

I want to say that I believe that based on the reviews and discussions posted since our cruise that you should all have a great time and enjoy the "Genie" experience. While I had hopes for an over the top, in the end some of the basics were not met. I could give you multiple examples where she did not meet the advertised standard. I had planned the entire week of show and dinner reservations and sent it to the Genie when she emailed me. I commented on the boards that she never actually responded that she had made the reservations and that was because she didn't. Some were able to be made by her last minute, but on several occasions she called the night before and said she could not get us for the places and times we had planned and while she had alternatives they typically conflicted with a show that I had made reservations for. In the end our biggest issue was we had charges on our bill for multiple items that were to be included. These included complimentary valet and Chef's Table. Both were on the bill 2 nights before we departed. I called the Genie on Thursday night and she said "Not to worry, that it was her job to take care of those things." She said she would meet with us on the last afternoon to review the charges. I didn't wait around the room for her to come and review, but I did ensure that there were several opportunities for her to connect with us. She did not stop or bring the topic up again so I decided I needed to just let her do her job. Not only were the charges still there on our last night, but they were on the print out on the door. My last chance to ask her about it was when we were escorted off. As we had come to find out, that didn't go as planned either. She told us to meet her in the Coastal Kitchen at 9:30 and she would come and take us off. We were there at 9am because we needed to vacate the room. At 9:45 I asked the one of the staff that was cleaning the tables if this was the meeting place for the Genie and he said that we were suppose to be in the Champagne Lounge. I thought I had messed up, so I gathered the group, 1 in a wheelchair, 1 with a walker, my blind husband, and my sister and nephew who were carrying their luggage. We headed to the elevator and as we were getting on another Genie was getting off. I asked her to confirm that we were suppose to be in the Champagne Bar, and she said no we were to be in the Coastal Kitchen. She said she would call our Genie and after dialing she handed me the phone. The Genie told us to go back to the CK and she would come and get us. She did finally come and escort us off the ship, but did not request anyone to push mother's wheelchair so I had to push it. I asked her for a wheelchair for the 93 year old and she clearly ignored me. Three times as we moved thru the crowd I had to ask her to slow down because we she was leaving the 93yr old behind. As soon as we got to a point where she could leave us, she did. I decided not to ask about the bill, and was not too surprised when it was on our credit card 2 days later. As I said when I started this post, RCCL has reversed the charges and I believe they did take note of the issues. They have given us each a credit off a future cruise and while some of us will take advantage of the credits, this was the last trip that my mother and her husband will make, and sadly it isn't one that they will look back fondly on. If you have a GOOD or bad experience, I would recommend that you reach out to RCCL Customer Service because they are committed to make this program work and we should share the names of the Great Genies!

i'm very sorry you received the kind of service you had on your cruise. Even though RC has given you some sort of compensation, it will never erase the bad experiences (that should have been awesome experiences) of the Genie Service you missed, the service you were expecting.

Edited August 2, 2016 by croosieloosie

[croosieloosie]

Periscope is an IPhone and Android app that you can download. You also download it to your iPad (as and IPhone app) and computer as well. I believe it is called periscope TV. Once you have it loaded you can search for me and find me at my username @Andrew_1720

 

If you follow me then you can see my past scopes that have been saved and will be notified when new scopes are live.

 

I hope this helps.

Andrew

Thanks!!

[MattInFLL]

Well there be the problem....

 

 

 

Not "everything" is included. Starbucks beverages are included, but Starbucks pastries are not. Scoops ice cream is not. And probably a few more. While I agree with you that "everyone" should know.... When you consider the number of staff on these ships and the newness of the program - you can understand where the confusion comes in.

 

 

 

There is no need to run to the genie all the time. Just forget about it, enjoy your trip - and then have one meeting with your genie on the very last day/night to review your bill and remove anything that should not be there.

 

 

 

Like you, I dislike these types of issues but simply refused to let it color our experience. And quite honestly, now looking back, the incidents were actually quite funny - considering everything.

 

 

 

Ron

 

 

 

To add to what Ron said, I don't think it will ever be possible on these mega ships to ensure that each and every crew member who interacts with guests knows everything perfectly but it's certainly a 1000% better than the on land customer service reps. And it should get better with time. If you think about it we might have been the first or first few star class guests some of those staff had knowingly served. And Ron did have a sort of "off the menu" request at our dinners for the large bottles of water. But Franky took care of it without any hassle. It was his suggestion to review the bill, I believe.

 

I'm still really sorry Kenjaz had such a different experience than we did. But also glad that Corvette reported only 1 out of 7 had a bad genie report.

 

I hope Kenjaz and that "1" stay the exception.

[croosieloosie]

Periscope is an IPhone and Android app that you can download. You also download it to your iPad (as and IPhone app) and computer as well. I believe it is called periscope TV. Once you have it loaded you can search for me and find me at my username @Andrew_1720

 

If you follow me then you can see my past scopes that have been saved and will be notified when new scopes are live.

 

I hope this helps.

Andrew

 

Thx Andrew, but says no results found

[MattInFLL]

Try it without the @ sign.

[Ourusualbeach]

Thx Andrew, but says no results found

 

In the search field on Periscope just type in Andrew1720

[parrotfeathers]

Israel has been a long time concierge with Royal and is beloved by many on here. You should have no issues.

 

I read last year he left RCL and was working in England. So he has returned? Loved him as a concierge!

[MattInFLL]

He is now a Genie.

[jessrosa]

I would like to know if anyone has had genies on Ovation yet? Plus does the loft suites have DVD players like the normal suites?

[Teach2pre]

I read last year he left RCL and was working in England. So he has returned? Loved him as a concierge!

 

He's back! I already LOVE him! We've already planned out our dinners and shows each night and checked with me on several times to ask if there's anything else I need. He moved our embarkation time up (without me asking) and even sent me a congratulations email when I told him my daughter had just gotten engaged. We are going to have a great time!

[croosieloosie]

Thx Andrew, but says no results found

Found ya! :)

[croosieloosie]

He's back! I already LOVE him! We've already planned out our dinners and shows each night and checked with me on several times to ask if there's anything else I need. He moved our embarkation time up (without me asking) and even sent me a congratulations email when I told him my daughter had just gotten engaged. We are going to have a great time!

 

I hope he is still there and up on 17 sept 10!! :)