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Was there a "oh hell no" option?

Record earnings! Best quarter ever! You hear this and you think "Whew!" Maybe now they can stop the death by a thousand cuts that is killing my desire to book anything new. Nope! Let's see how fast and how far they can gut the core experience. This company under Mr. Liberty has me very much questioning my loyalty to cruising in general. They are going to keep pushing this and in five years they are going to wonder why all the repeat business has dried up.

Sorry! I’m a little behind. Lol Day 6 turned out fairly uneventful. We met up with Freedom OTS and it looks like we will follow her to Coco Cay tonight. The artist wasn’t up for the heat so I ventured out to Nassau to see the new port and it’s lovely! I bought a few trinkets and hopped back on to join the artists on the pool deck for some fancy drinks. We went to the Schooner bar to relax a little and tried a new drink there. I think it was a tropical sunshine and it was super yummy. Dinner in the WJ was a Chinese theme and very tasty. There was chow mein and fried rice and even a ramen station. We had the cutest little stow away in our cabin when we came back. Isn’t he adorable?! We ran a little late leaving Nassau due to a medical emergency. I really hope they are ok! We had to wait for the ambulance to arrive to pick them up so they could get proper attention. Capt. Diego let us know it would not affect our itinerary. I sincerely hope all is well with the passenger! We turned in early so we will be well rested for Coco Cay! IMG_9515.mov

Several nuclear scientist folks I've followed for years all state that the type of uranium used in modern reactors isn't the fissionable material needed to make weapons...the terrorist angle doesn't seem to be an issue.

I know right? They already took the Anti-Pasti away. Scaled the WJ way back. Gutted the MDR menu. Rolled back cleaning service. Doubled or tripled nearly every fee on Coco Cay. That mostly all happened the first month after Fain stepped down. I could have understood this stuff more when the restart first happened and they were actually just barely getting by. But it seemed like Fain was trying to protect the product. Now, it seems nothing is off limits and they are testing the waters to see how much they can get away with. It's a slippery slope.

I am having fun on my journey.

Bring back skeet shooting!!

I haven't gotten it yet, but I don't even like that these questions exist. I would be a No and a Less Likely

The video games available. Please not I have not turned on either console so I don't know if more games are available as downloads without disks.

I have never purchased travel insurance and never needed it. Reading this thread I just purchased an annual policy from Allianz. We have 5 cruises booked in next 14 months and typically take non-business flight/trips a few times a year in addition. I just got the basic one, which appears medical is the big selling point of that one. I hope we don't need it (obvs) but if we do...

My experience last week on Oasis in the MDR…several of the men in my family group ordered quite a bit each night. At least 2 appetizers, 2 main meals as well as 2 desserts. Appetizers came out together. Main meals came out together most nights and one at a time just once. Desserts came out together. Once or twice… I ordered a couple of extra dishes for the table and they came out with all the meals.

all about Sorrento's and fees to eat there, anyone else get it?

Can't wait for those ship names though. Fallout of the Seas Radiation of the Seas

I agree. Problem is it would be one more thing in the litany of service cuts, price increases, and general degradation of the cruise product over a short amount of time.

This.

I laughed when I saw this! When my oldest son came out to me, we then took our first dad/son cruise without his little brother, and he wore on embarkation day, a tank top that said "Out & Proud Cruiser." Mitch here happy to meet you!

You should make sure their reservation number(s) are linked to yours on your phone App. Then you can log in and just go to the check-in section and choose the time…you can skip the first section requesting personal/ travel information until later on. Click your name and choose time and keep doing that for each name linked to you. That’s it. Yes, once you have checked everyone in and have boarding time…they can use their own app to add their info. But this info is not needed for the boarding time checkins.

What could possibly go wrong with the combination of the DBP and axe throwing on a sailing (bouncing and moving) cruise ship?

I have booked Odyssey on 3-16-24. It's an 8 night "enhanced" southern Caribbean to - guess where ? - Aruber and Curacao ! Since we have never cruised on OY before, I thought this was a good make-up cruise for the cancelled RH (which we had also never sailed on) sailings. It's just 8 nights vs 14 nights on RH, but it's better than going to Panama for the enhanced experience ! Dan had a really crappy casino cert that was going to expire today so we used it. $100 off is better than $0 off !

I think you need to escalate this. email the ceo [email protected] keep it short and sweet with dates (names if any) and brief statements. I do t see the need for your appointments with DPS, it muddles the point of your complaint and makes it difficult to understand why it is mentioned. finish with your reasonable expectation as to what you feel should occur based on your complaint. (Ex full refund or future cruise credit equal to the cost of your cruise-or if you be willing to accept either.) BTW Royal cannot keep port fees and taxes so expect a refund.

Ditto.

those were my exact answers lol

It was a great post too. I’ll never be able to duplicate it. Haha

I’d have no concerns cruising on a nuke.

I agree with those who say that the pasta dishes seem to be on the small side.

Afternoon snacks We started with something really nice looking, one plate full of snacks, more then adequate. But it got more. By day 2 we had 3 plates Then it got more and more. This is day 7 (yes, we had some friends over so it was more): The friends left again but the plates didn't. We don't like to waste food so I politely asked to reduce it again by at least one plate. This is day 11: If it stays at this level everything is good, otherwise I will add another picture.

OK, I know I have already some days to catch up with but let me try some answers and hopefully some pictures first. The room overall: It is really nice, we love it and it is in a great condition. If I should pick out some negative things I guess I would start with the technology. It feels like a smart home 5 to 10 years ago. Some things have older touch screens, others have lots of buttons. Example, next to my side of the bed I have light switches labelled 1 to 6 and off. I'm now here for 10 days and I still couldn't tell you what 1 to 6 do. Theyx turn on lights - but what the difference is - no idea. Also while very nice, it is confusing the off switch turns everything off but with various delays. Some lights turn instantly off, the longest one has a 30 second delay - now that is cool, but it took me about 5 days to figure this out. Also some of the TVs share a remote (others even the program - I think). And there is no way to turn individual sets of lights off. For example the stairs have some nice lights but from where I'm sitting at the table right now they are really bright in my face, but I can only turn them off with the rest of the room. The curtains are also interesting, they are big, heavy and electric, but you can either open or close them, not half close them for example. If you want them closed but leave a gap to go to the balcony that is not possible - or I didn't figure out how. I guess if you have teenagers the consoles would be a problem. Not the latest generation and not that many games. We don't play that much, but don't you just log into your account anyway and then have all the games you play at home? OK, now the smaller things - I love a pitch black room for sleeping but there are a lot of smaller lights here and there, that are a little annoying. - I understand real estate on a ship is tight, so they use smaller toilets but why are they so low? Please build them higher in the future. Also the flushes are so hard that my kids need help to press them ??? - If you have a kitchen, please build the fridge in the kitchen and not away from it. Really the negative points are only there because I needed to write something. We love this room and the ship and we would book it again.

Hi @EaVae! I'm not sure if this is the same issue, but I would try this just in case! See the second post from @FionaMG in this thread from this past FEB... hopefully this will resolve the issue! "The fix is to log in, go to your profile, delete your C&A number, re-input it and save."

Nuclear obviously powers many war ships with great success. Though I'd still wonder how some people would think about sailing on a cruise ship powered the same way. https://www.cruisehive.com/ship-builder-explores-nuclear-power-for-cruise-ships/108313

I wasn’t going to do this but sitting here this morning I figured why not? I’m a little late getting started but we’ve had such a nice time so far, I thought I’d share. Please forgive the million typos, I’m using my phone. Thanks in advance! This cruise is my middle child’s (We’ll call them the Artist) sweet 16 gift and our first opportunity for just the two of us to hang out and have experiences just between us. I’m pretty proud of the fact that my kid would even want to be stuck with me for 9 whole nights and not be embarrassed to be seen in captive public with me. I’d say I’m lucky! We only “kind of “ feel bad that we left Dad and the other two siblings at home. They’ll get their chance. It’s the artists time to shine. Day 1: We stayed at the McHenry Row Courtyard by Marriott right across the highway from the port. So convenient and a very nice place to stay. Dad dropped us at the port around 9:30am we had an 11 am boarding time. We were the second group in line. They opened the doors for us at 10:15 and holy cow, we were checked in, on the ship and mustered by 10:48! We checked out the solarium and the artist took a dip then grabbed a snack in the windjammer to pass the time until the cabin was ready which turned out to be perfect timing. They were ready by 1:30. The windjammer was nice as buffets go. The usual fare. The crew was all smiles and very helpful. The solarium was quiet for the first day. I thought it would be busier. It took the Artist 10 full minutes to get submerged because the water was so cold! Haha I ordered a couple of surprises for the birthday kid for the cabin and they were there waiting for us! The artist was so happy and really felt like a star. Goal achieved!!!! Points for mom! We got unpacked and had dinner again at the windjammer. Hung out on our balcony for a bit and called it a night. Slept like a baby knowing my baby had a great start to a special trip.

It's THE only option for food after a certain time on most ships (except those weird sandwiches at Cafe promenade). And also the main source of food for my 11 yr old. I'd definitely be upset if they started charging...my kid would need a pizza package like we have for drinks

This is exactly what Princess did and I said look out here it comes... did any one listen no!! Well here we are now.

I don't particularly like their pizza to begin with (haven't been able top drink enough to change my mine). LOL at question How would Sorrento's pizza being.... has the option More likely to cruise Royal Caribbean really? Pretty sure nobody will answer that.

Wow. I mean, we're only talking about "okay" pizza.

Axe throwing huh, what's next flame throwers on ships?

The ramen station was awesome. The spring rolls and chocolate chip cookies moist and good.

Was very VERY happy to get a full refund of all air miles plus upgrade fees and taxes on our flights to/from Panama City. So, I have now cancelled the Waldorf Astoria (probably my one and ONLY chance to ever stay in one !!) and have directed my TA to cancel both of the cruises. Most likely we will do nothing to replace these cruises unless something exciting hits me in the face. Up through Jan 2024 we are cruising a LOT so maybe this will be a welcome respite. Hoping (but not holding my breath) that casino comps will come back at some point. I won't be surprised to see some southern Caribbean cruises out of Panama pop up on their list !! LOL Sad that we are going to miss our bucket list Panama Canal crossings but I'm sure there will be more opportunities.

1. Whatever the wife says, you simply nod and acknowledge. Doesn't mean its true, but that is the single most important rule that mankind has never mastered. 2. My entire family loves Jamie's. We have always liked Jamie Oliver as a chef, but were skeptical of Jamie's Italian because the dude is British. Well, whether its "authentic," that is not for me to judge because I am not Italian. Is the food well-prepared? Yes. Are the portions decent (not too big, not too small)? Yes. Is the restaurant clean with friendly service? Yes. Its like this....We like Sorrentos pizza a lot. Is it New York pizza? Hell no. Is it Italian pizza? Hell no. Is it tasty? Yes! 3. Why would a Giovanni or Chops waiter care whether you prefer Jamie's or Chops, or Giovanni's? They all work for RCCL. Joke or no joke, why does this even matter? BUT--see number 1...wife is always right. 4. Yep, food is subjective. When we travel, we watch a lot of YouTube videos and read a lot of reviews of places we want to eat in the particular place we are travelling. It's 50-50. Everyone is out to make a dollar, everyone has something to say. We have eaten at places with rave reviews that were simply lackluster. 5. I am saddened to hear about menu changes, especially at Jamie's. I quite liked the garlicky prawns and the burger. 6. Jamie's Pavlova is really, really, really yummy. Visually stunning. Simple. Elegant. Tasty!

We met a waiter we had on Freedom 6/16-6/23. He was asked to help out Vision, because they were under staffed. When we saw him, we hugged like family. This is why I love the crew on Royal. Today we are at Coco Cay with Freedom. We are getting off the ship to meet Family on Freedom. I Love the Royal crew. This is amazing. Thank you Royal for them best crews.

Very smart move

Many times. More than I can count, but I always have my travel agent do it.

https://gcaptain.com/panama-canal-draught-restrictions-spark-liner-surcharges/ "With transits capped, the canal authority advised shipowners to reserve slots for crossings, which soon meant they would have to go for an ‘auction’ of slots, but these consistently exceed $350,000, according to one report." Cruise ships already use reservations but now they are limiting 20 ship transits per day for the original locks and there is talk of reservation auctions going for an additional $350k or more. It's raises some uncertainty for a passenger ship. If other shipping is willing to pay their way before a cruise ship its hard to offer scheduled passenger trips if they can't be certain when they will get in queue to go through. They would need to double port fees which are already steep.

I'm guessing it was by Sea ??

The Canal has been limiting the largest container ships due to drought. I'm assuming the Canal is preserving water as we head into a El Niño swing. They probably don't want cruise ships and running tourists through what amounts to a disaster for Panama isn't a good look. https://phys-org.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/phys.org/news/2023-08-drought-hit-panama-canal-die.amp?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIUAKwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From %1%24s&aoh=16915240024139&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fphys.org%2Fnews%2F2023-08-drought-hit-panama-canal-die.html

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! So I took Bobroo's advice, and I did a little research, found out the cost of OS, GS 1 bedroom, GS 2bedroom, RS, and then I was in the process of altering my bids, when I get a text from my TA. I found out my Suite GTY was actually a Junior Suite, long story short there were 5 Grand Suite 1 bedrooms available, and the upgrade from the Junior Suite was like $240. So my TA told me cancel, my Key which was $299. This upgrade price was last night and they had 4 left.

Thanks for posting these! My wife and I are booked on Vision for the Aug. 31st New England/Canada cuise, and it is nice to hear about your experience on the ship! Happy Belated to the Artist (I am a sketcher as well!). I'll be excited to hear more about your itinerary.

What a nice day 5! We had a great breakfast at the WJ then grabbed a fancy coffee and hung out by the pool for a bit. The artist brought a few crafts along so we made a beaded bracelet and sketched a little before ordering a couple of very tasty and colorful frozen mocktails! I bumped into my old high school buddy and his wife again and turns out he’s a finalist in the superstar karaoke contest! We’ll go cheer him on during the finals on day 8. How fun! We took a nice nap then had a late lunch at WJ. We saved room for chops though! Chops was great. We both had the shrimp cocktail to start. The artists had the wedge salad and I the Cesar. Then I had the bone-in ribeye and the artist had the NY strip. The steaks were perfect but mine was huge even after leaving room at lunch! It was so good I completely forgot to take a picture! The cheesecake was as good as the steak! A very good end to a fantastic day at sea, I’d say. Tomorrow we’ll be in Nassau around 10 am.

Good morning! Day 5 already and it Looks like we’re going to have a beautiful sea day! We ended up eating in the cabin last night. The MDR was just a bit too overwhelming for the artist and the windjammer had already closed by the time we got back to the cabin. Anxiety sucks, but room service was yummy and we had a lovely time together! We have no plans today which is my preferred kind of schedule. Lol My work is nothing but deadlines so being able to NOT look at a clock is my favorite way to unwind and relax and one of the many reasons we like to book cruises with lots of sea days! . There were a couple of activities that looked interesting so maybe we’ll check them out or we might just plant ourselves by a pool. We’ll keep you posted.

We agree! I bet! I am really looking forward to our February cruise when we’ll have an aft balcony.

I see you are new to the board, and I want to say welcome. One of the things I like about this board is everyone is the same here, we are all Royal Caribbean cruises. The board does not separate by anything other than Royal Caribbean or (Celebrity and Silver Seas). If you have questions, feel free to ask and someone will help you. Note: if you spend a lot of time on the board there will be times someone will irate you. But anytime you are around this many different kinds of people you will find someone with an attitude that conflicts with yours. I just ignore them and keep on moving.