Matt

 

Listen here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-2-specialty-restaurants#.UguqCZK1EaB

 

Welcome to the Royal Caribbean Blog podcast, a weekly look into the world of Royal Caribbean cruising.  I’m your host, Matt Hochberg and this is episode number 2.  

 

This week, let’s take a look at one of the biggest areas of change across Royal Caribbean’s fleet of ships: the specialty restaurants. In my opinion, the dining aspect for the Royal Caribbean passenger has changed the most over the last ten years or so and it continues to become more and more of a focal point when going on a cruise.  Let’s look at the role specialty restaurants offer guests now, the various options to choose from and where dining aboard Royal Caribbean is going in the future.  

 

Of course, we’re going to have talk about our favorite places to eat as well.  And before this episode is over, I’m going to share with all of you some of the amazing feedback I've received from all of you. 

 

Share with me your thoughts, questions and comments via...

• Twitter: @therclblog
• Facebook: /royalcaribbeanblog
• Email: [email protected]
• Leave a voicemail: (408) 6ROYAL6

I always thought Portofino was really good. I've eaten at Chops as well, and thought it was good too. I just the Tiramisu snagged me at Portofino. Never did get to try Giovanni's on Oasis. 

I really enjoyed Portofino when I ate there on Freedom.  Great quality

I was thinking about how a 4th Oasis ship could fit in and then I considered what Disney is going. Their 2 new ships are in the same port, one doing 3 & 4 night itineraries with the other doing 7 nights.  Might be a model Royal Caribbean could emulate

Not sure if the hammocks are still onboard.

I did not see them on Freedom on my cruise in February

I arrive early as well. I'm always early in my daily life and that is no different when I'm cruising. Besides, you've paid for the first day, might as well get on the ship as soon as you can!

And your vacation starts a day earlier!

August 2013

9 - briffler (Radiance of the Seas)

25 - hallyluhopper (Freedom of the Seas)

 

September 2013

21 - Matt (Jewel of the Seas)

 

October 2013

14 - DARKCABBIE (Independence of the Seas)

 

February 2014

11 - trainer.stan (Rhapsody of the Seas)

 

March 2015

21 - Matt (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!)

It's home port is Cape Liberty!!!

Being that I live up here and really do not enjoy flying, I gotta agree with that

Sorry for the confusion, the login for the message board is not the same as the login for the Questions section of the site.  They are two different pieces of software, so unfortunately you will have to create another login for that area of the site.

 

I will look into ways to create a single user database for the entire site.

We have enjoyed our short cruising life with RCI. Only 3 cruises in 3 years.  I have never cruised with another cruise line but my wife has, with P&O.

 

The RCI cruise ship, itinerary, crew and staff have been fantastic and in my opinion could not get any better.    

 

But from an Australian point of view the administration here in Australia needs improvement we don't have the same rules when it comes to making bookings.   There are no discounts for servicemen/women or police fire etc. for example

 

So far this has not been a problem but it does make you hunt around to try and get the best price available.  

I've read quite a bit about issues with booking rules outside of the USA versus in USA.  From what I can tell it's more government laws than RCL policy but I can see your point.

 

That being said, RCL's presence in Australia has never been stronger, so I'd imagine things overall are getting better for you.

I won a couple hundred dollars on a good run of Roulette once.  

 

I've always liked Freedom's casino, although they all kind of look alike from what I can recall.

We are arriving the day of the cruise. Flying all night and arriving at 6:30am. Glad I will. Be sleeping on the plane

You must be a better sleeper than me.  Anytime I plan on sleeping on the plane, it never works out.  Plus pre-cruise excitement? Forget about it! :D

Curious when everyone arrives for their cruise

Royal Caribbean welcomed its 50 millionth guest and to commemorate the occasion, is celebrating with a year long event

 

Details: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/08/12/royal-caribbean-kicks-fleet-wide-celebration-50-millionth-guest

AT&T launched a new package for people on Royal Caribbean cruises in June that is cheaper than using your phone at sea in the past: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/06/18/att-launches-smartphone-cell-service-package-royal-caribbean-ships

I am worried about the ship rocking too much if the weather is bad. How bad is it?

 

I haven't experienced anything that bad *knock on wood*

TheRoyalCaribbenBlog group cruise March 2015! :)

http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/royalcaribbeanblogcom-cruise-aboard-quantum-seas

Seconded! This will be a lot of fun.  We're working on ideas for some exclusive events for those that book with us!

My bigger problem is I cant sleep very well the night before a cruise because of all the excitement.  So the earlier, the better

August 2013

9 - briffler (Radiance of the Seas)

25 - hallyluhopper (Freedom of the Seas)

 

September 2013

21 - Matt (Jewel of the Seas)

 

October 2013

14 - DARKCABBIE (Independence of the Seas)

 

February 2014

11 - trainer.stan (Rhapsody of the Seas)

Big welcome to all the new faces. I hope you'll hang around and talk Royal Caribbean with all of us!

You can order as much food as you want from Johnny Rockets.  So if you want 10 burgers, there's no additional charge beyond the initial surcharge.

 

That being said, milk shakes do cost extra and you will be charged for each one of those you order.  But all the other food is included in the surcharge.

Ran across this and was surprised: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/08/09/royal-caribbean-must-decide-about-fourth-oasis-class-cruise-ship-december

 

Evidently Royal Caribbean has an option on a fourth Oasis-class ship.  Given that it's on the hook right now for 1 Oasis-class and 3 Quantum class ships, it's kind of surprising to me if they go for a fourth Oasis-class ship. Not that I'll be complaining!

 

Do you think Royal Caribbean ought to order a fourth Oasis-class ship?

I have booked my cruises through Travel websites and Royal Caribbean. I look for good deals. The deals that come with onboard credits. I have never booked a vacation with a TA, Can you get better deals, or it is just less hassle?

 

TAs offer two things that I feel you can't get with booking directly: less hassle of you having to do the legwork and booking incentives.  Incentives namely come in the form of onboard credit, a gift (wine/champagne, food) and/or free specialty restaurant meals.

 

Remember, Royal Caribbean pays the TAs, not you.  So cost is the same to you, so you only have to gain.

August 2013

9 - briffler (Radiance of the Seas)

25 - hallyluhopper (Freedom of the Seas)

 

September 2013

21 - Matt (Jewel of the Seas)

I'm going to get deep here...  ;)

 

In your opinion, is Royal Caribbean overall a better experience for you/your family today than it was when you first started cruising.  I'm talking about overall, so value, onboard experience, direction company is going, etc.

 

There's always that notion of "everything was better years ago" but I'm not so certain that is the case with RCL.

I book with a TA.  I'd rather not waste my time on the phone with Royal Caribbean to get things changed (big or small).  I've done it in the past and I'd rather focus on other things and let someone else do that work for me.

 

I will say it's important to use a good TA.  They aren't all the same but I've been happy using one.