DRINKS IN THE DIAMOND LOUNGE DURING HAPPY HOUR

[island lady]

2 hours ago, simon.hed said:

@island lady I have seen people almost put the rising tide bar in same category as the bionic bar, glad to see we arent the only ones who enjoy it!

 

LOL...not a fan at all of the bionic bar (of which you cannot use your vouchers, BTW)....I like a "real" bartender.   But we do love to take a couple of rides with a couple of drinks on the rising tide bar.  Cute gimic...something different to do, and included in our "bar hoping".   We don't use the lounges for drinks.  And six vouchers 🤪per person per day...is plenty for us.  

[Tatka]

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

No, they expire and reset to 4 at 5am.

 

Many people will use "leftovers" at the end of the night for beer, soda, bottled water, Truly... anything in a sealed bottle/can you can store in your cooler for future use.

 

If suddenly we cannot drink anymore we order something that can be stored as is. Cognac, brandy...

[gkbiiii]

7 hours ago, Tatka said:

 

If suddenly we cannot drink anymore we order something that can be stored as is. Cognac, brandy...

This I order it "UP" thus in a snifter, with round coaster on top.  I put it in the cabinet, over the cabin desk.  Last cruise I had like 5 shots saved. 

[Tin can]

On 7/27/2022 at 11:25 PM, GITC said:

You do realize that there are a lot of people out there that have never even heard of Cruise Critic, right? 

Anecdotally, the majority of people that I just sailed with on Voyager were opposed to the changes.

You don't have to believe me though.😉

 

I can't decide either way 😄

 

I do like the freedom of the vouchers but I also liked the lounge as it was. The buzz, mixing with the same people each night and getting to know the servers. Yes it was crowded and noisy, the groups of people there for the 'free' drinks made it a bit lively at times and that was its charm, all Diamonds together. 

 

Whenever we visit now in the evening it is empty which is a shame. The vouchers are convenient but its sad that we have lost something in the lounge that will never return. 

 

 

 

[Norwich Cruiser]

8 minutes ago, Tin can said:

 

I can't decide either way 😄

 

I do like the freedom of the vouchers but I also liked the lounge as it was. The buzz, mixing with the same people each night and getting to know the servers. Yes it was crowded and noisy, the groups of people there for the 'free' drinks made it a bit lively at times and that was its charm, all Diamonds together. 

 

Whenever we visit now in the evening it is empty which is a shame. The vouchers are convenient but its sad that we have lost something in the lounge that will never return. 

 

 

 

We’ve only been twice to the diamond lounge on two occasions this past ten days or so on Symphony a maximum of six people in there both times.

 

Although we like the voucher system we also enjoyed the diamond lounge as it used to be but it certainly has lost its buzz.

 

Think that’s the same with all the ships though.

 

 

[Ocean Boy]

Deleted

[island lady]

4 hours ago, Tin can said:

 

I can't decide either way 😄

 

I do like the freedom of the vouchers but I also liked the lounge as it was. The buzz, mixing with the same people each night and getting to know the servers. Yes it was crowded and noisy, the groups of people there for the 'free' drinks made it a bit lively at times and that was its charm, all Diamonds together. 

 

Whenever we visit now in the evening it is empty which is a shame. The vouchers are convenient but its sad that we have lost something in the lounge that will never return. 

 

 

 

 

I agree...used to love the DL for the "birds of a feather" gathering, and the great service of the waiters who knew your preferences.  Lovely place for happy hour...many years ago. 

 

Then...unfortunately the former lovely DL had already begun to change dramatically even before the vouchers came out.  They were getting horribly over crowded with so many retiring baby boomers only needing 80 points to gain access.   No seats to be had when it opened (many went in early to camp out to save chairs).   Some DLs had pax waiting in a long line at the drink station, since it got too busy to wait tables.  With no place to sit, many were taking their drinks out of the lounge to find a seat.  It became a nightmare in there.  

 

I happen to love the voucher system.  It has done it's job to clear out some space in the tiny DLs (that are getting smaller with each new ship).   Though I only use the lounges for coffee in the morning now. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 14, 2023 by island lady

[island lady]

 

duplicate

Edited June 14, 2023 by island lady

[Tin can]

20 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

I agree...used to love the DL for the "birds of a feather" gathering, and the great service of the waiters who knew your preferences.  Lovely place for happy hour...many years ago. 

 

Then...unfortunately the former lovely DL had already begun to change dramatically even before the vouchers came out.  They were getting horribly over crowded with so many retiring baby boomers only needing 80 points to gain access.   No seats to be had when it opened (many went in early to camp out to save chairs).   Some DLs had pax waiting in a long line at the drink station, since it got too busy to wait tables.  With no place to sit, many were taking their drinks out of the lounge to find a seat.  It became a nightmare in there.  

 

I happen to love the voucher system.  It has done it's job to clear out some space in the tiny DLs (that are getting smaller with each new ship).   Though I only use the lounges for coffee in the morning now. 

 

 

Completely agree and like you we only use the lounge in the morning now.

 

I just have a feeling that with the majority of us using the vouchers round the ship the days of the Diamond Lounge are limited. I just have this nagging feeling that the Key and this new VIP pass that is coming is going to involve a new role for the lounge involving a fee to access. Hope I'm wrong.. 

 

[PhillyFan33579]

20 hours ago, island lady said:

 

LOL...not a fan at all of the bionic bar (of which you cannot use your vouchers, BTW)....I like a "real" bartender.   But we do love to take a couple of rides with a couple of drinks on the rising tide bar.  Cute gimic...something different to do, and included in our "bar hoping".   We don't use the lounges for drinks.  And six vouchers 🤪per person per day...is plenty for us.  

I don’t understand why you can’t use vouchers at the Bionic Bar. I think it is a nice gimmick like you mentioned, but the drinks there are average at best. As recently as earlier this year I was still buying the deluxe drink package every cruise. I finally decided I was not being too smart financially, considering I get 5 free drinks per day plus I can drink in the casino for free. On my last half dozen or so cruises I have never paid for more than 4 drinks the entire cruise, so definitely saving money not getting the deluxe drink package. But I refuse to pay for a drink at the Bionic Bar, so all I can do is watch friends who occasionally order drinks there when we are on a ship that has the Bionic Bar. 

[CntPAcruiser]

I wonder if the bionic bar is something Royal leases or has a use agreement with the company that developed it, and they can't do promo drinks from it. Maybe that's why you can't use vouchers.

[Biker19]

2 minutes ago, CntPAcruiser said:

I wonder if the bionic bar is something Royal leases or has a use agreement with the company that developed it, and they can't do promo drinks from it. Maybe that's why you can't use vouchers.

Probably more like it's too much of an IT lift to make it work.

[island lady]

1 hour ago, Tin can said:

 

Completely agree and like you we only use the lounge in the morning now.

 

I just have a feeling that with the majority of us using the vouchers round the ship the days of the Diamond Lounge are limited. I just have this nagging feeling that the Key and this new VIP pass that is coming is going to involve a new role for the lounge involving a fee to access. Hope I'm wrong.. 

 

 

I am thinking the same thing.  

[island lady]

14 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I don’t understand why you can’t use vouchers at the Bionic Bar. I think it is a nice gimmick like you mentioned, but the drinks there are average at best. As recently as earlier this year I was still buying the deluxe drink package every cruise. I finally decided I was not being too smart financially, considering I get 5 free drinks per day plus I can drink in the casino for free. On my last half dozen or so cruises I have never paid for more than 4 drinks the entire cruise, so definitely saving money not getting the deluxe drink package. But I refuse to pay for a drink at the Bionic Bar, so all I can do is watch friends who occasionally order drinks there when we are on a ship that has the Bionic Bar. 

 

Could have something to do with the card access and being all automated, but not sure.  Or simply RCI wanted to limit use there.  I have never used it, and have no intention on doing so.  IMHO, I wish they would do away with it and use that space for something else.  

[davekathy]

28 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

I am thinking the same thing.  

They'll have to drag Kathy and I out of the DL. Kicking and screaming all the way. 🍻😂

[firefly333]

30 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Could have something to do with the card access and being all automated, but not sure.  Or simply RCI wanted to limit use there.  I have never used it, and have no intention on doing so.  IMHO, I wish they would do away with it and use that space for something else.  

I think it's too much hassle to program  the bionic bar to process vouchers. No big deal. Lots of other bars. 

[cruisegirl1]

8 hours ago, Tin can said:

 

I can't decide either way 😄

 

I do like the freedom of the vouchers but I also liked the lounge as it was. The buzz, mixing with the same people each night and getting to know the servers. Yes it was crowded and noisy, the groups of people there for the 'free' drinks made it a bit lively at times and that was its charm, all Diamonds together. 

 

Whenever we visit now in the evening it is empty which is a shame. The vouchers are convenient but its sad that we have lost something in the lounge that will never return. 

 

 

 

 

7 hours ago, Norwich Cruiser said:

We’ve only been twice to the diamond lounge on two occasions this past ten days or so on Symphony a maximum of six people in there both times.

 

Although we like the voucher system we also enjoyed the diamond lounge as it used to be but it certainly has lost its buzz.

 

Think that’s the same with all the ships though.

 

 

I thought the reason people went to the lounges was for the conversation. At least that’s what they said. Are you telling me that now since there is no more free-flowing alcohol, people are not going to the lounges. I guess the conversation doesn’t seem to be important since everyone has to pay ( use a voucher)  for alcohol. 

 

m

Edited June 14, 2023 by cruisegirl1

[SHIP TRAVELER]

We loved the Diamond Lounge on the Allure on our cruise is December 2023.  It was usually very busy but not packed and this was post voucher.  The breakfast and snacks were good and the coffee machine worked.  The view off the Aft over the Boardwalk was outstanding.  I wish the newer ships had not moved the DL to the basement.

[Tin can]

6 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

 

I thought the reason people went to the lounges was for the conversation. At least that’s what they said. Are you telling me that now since there is no more free-flowing alcohol, people are not going to the lounges. I guess the conversation doesn’t seem to be important since everyone has to pay ( use a voucher)  for alcohol. 

 

m

 

I think it was 50/50 talkers and drinkers, I went between the two camps (probably more the latter if I'm honest 😄)

 

It was a great atmosphere most times, as I say above noisy and crowded sometimes but there was a buzz.

 

It pulled us together, now we are around the bars in our own groups with our vouchers. I like the convenience but I do think what we have lost is sad.

[OCSC Mike]

22 hours ago, island lady said:

"bar hoping"

 

What are you hoping for? Extra vouchers? A stiff pour?

 

Sorry, couldn't help it. 😁

[neverbeenhere]

The best part of bar hoping?  Not as much peeing.

[island lady]

2 hours ago, davekathy said:

They'll have to drag Kathy and I out of the DL. Kicking and screaming all the way. 🍻😂

 

You two being in there is the only reason we would come in for happy hour.  We may have to sit on the floor...but worth it for the company.  😄 

[island lady]

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I think it's too much hassle to program  the bionic bar to process vouchers. No big deal. Lots of other bars. 

 

Indeed.  I prefer my bartender/drink waiter to be breathing.  😄 

[island lady]

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

What are you hoping for? Extra vouchers? A stiff pour?

 

Sorry, couldn't help it. 😁

 

Ooopss...stupid spell check.  😄   OK...change that to hopping...ribbit!! 

 

 

   

 

 

[davekathy]

2 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

You two being in there is the only reason we would come in for happy hour.  We may have to sit on the floor...but worth it for the company.  😄 

We are a couple of old hold outs. Ok, we'll join you on the floor. 😁 Well worth the good company and conversation with you and Bucky make the DL even better.