Todd W

but are the other lines really doing anything differently ?      seems to me this is a common trend.    while i've never cruised a "luxury" line and never will,  just not our style,  from what i've read they are still catering to those who want all the perks, bells and whistles but it comes at a cost.  Royal is considered a family value cruise line these days so i'm not really surprised they are scaling back on catering to the "elite".    no disrespect to the OP but those changes aren't happening on a whim.   A simple call to RCCL or reading these boards can provide all with more than enough information to preemptively know of the changes rather than running a risk of disappointment once you board.    While we only cruise one a year, i'm constantly reading and researching about it all.   I find it hard to believe that someone who has spent " $$$ thousands" over the years cruising wouldn't take to the time to do a little research on the constant changes that are going on within the industry before spending $$$ thousands more on their next cruise...   and welcome to the blog!

2 hours ago, tiny260 said:

Look through @twangster blog of the Ovation that he is posting now, somewhere, 2nd or 3rd page he shows the humidor by Vintages I think he says and the then the price sheet, considering they have a captive audience I didn't think the prices were to bad, at least not as bad as they try and gouge you in Vegas,

Thanks @tiny260!   first time i've seen a free standing humidor outside of the Con Club.  prices surprisingly weren't too bad.   Nice to see a Davidoff and Hemingway in there.   AF Hemingway WOAM's are some of my all time favorites when i can find them.    I always try to travel with my own when i can, as you noted, the crazy price gouging can get ridiculous depending on location.    Liberty Con club was a little crazy during our cruise with the Rockets Warriors games on air, it was as crowded as i've ever seen it.

just got back from our first trip on Liberty and everyone loved it (including 4 who had never cruised Royal before).   we wouldn't hesitate to cruise her again.

just goes to show ya,   even with same itinerary and same ship, one sailing can differ from the other.    On our 4/28 sailing of Liberty, formal nights ranged from casual (saw shorts in MDR) up to and including full on tuxes and evening gowns with the majority seeming to fall into the business causal attire. 

we just got back from LIberty last week and with the Deluxe package, all we were only ever able to get one bottle per card on the plan.   that being said, you can always hit multiple spots and grab an extra that way.   i always took my back pack down to the promenade with me each morning when i got coffee and asked for 2 bottles and would then hit Sorrento's up for another 2 bottles as well.    

magnetic & remote controlled (3 in 1, red/blue/white) LED puck lights for those brown chicken, brown cow kind of moments   each one can also turn on and off individually by touch or by remote.   works great as low light night lighting as well.

we all got ours for $43 (Buy one, get one 50% off) on the LOS that we just got back from

1 minute ago, Joe01 said:

How was the CD on Liberty? Your sailing was his first week with Royal.

he certainly needs some polishing up on his interaction but he wasn't horrible.    i think after he gets some more time under his belt, he will be much better.

ok so we were hesitant that anyone would be participating in the 70's Disco Inferno party but life is too short, so our group jumped in head first and had an awesome time!   For reference, i was going for a Disco King look and ended up looking like a 70's porn producer  LOL    we made our entrance down the aft glass elevator dancing the whole way.  by the time we hit the promenade, crowds were cheering us on.     had many onlookers grab us for photos and chat about our outfits.   great time had by everyone and we even made the RC TV loop for the remainder of the week.    most fun we've ever had on a cruise!

our group - me, my wife, sister in law, sister in law and brother in law

my brother in law killed it with his acrylic goldfish heels!




 

who loves ya baby?

4 hours ago, Kriazerie said:

not far from the truth!!!

that was the first thing i noticed as well  

2 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

This looks like fun but frankly, I'm very surprised that you got away with doing this.  I'm sure if I ever tried to do this I would get caught and sent to the brig !

there's no cash on the table so i would be hard pressed to think any of the ship's personnel could say or do anything about it.   now if they witnessed the exchange of money that would be a different question.     never even occurred to me to get a live game going somewhere else other than the casino.  great idea!

my list pales in comparison to everyone else's     don't hate - hah!

1 Mariner - our very first cruise ever

2 Liberty - sailing in 9 days whoo hoo!

3 Harmony - only 366 days to go!

49 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

I got trapped in the bathroom of the Grand Suite and couldn’t get out. 

While I was there I found this mildly amusing typo. 

 

is it really a typo?   I prefer my shites to be as comfortable as possible   LOL

1 hour ago, Carl said:

Sorry for the clarification needed but some of us like specific answers so should I take this as a flat out yes we can bring wine or no we cant?

yes, you are allowed to bring 2 - 750ml bottles of wine per stateroom.

my wife and i have the drink package but will still bring on our 2 bottles.   It's more of the convenience of having wine we both know we enjoy  for in the evenings on the balcony or while getting ready in the room without having to run out and get some from the bar.    nothing worse than getting stuck with a skunky wine at the end of the night, so we play it safe for those occasions.      I've inadvertently turned her into a wine snob (as far as our expenses go) and she's particular as to what she likes so we've gotta keep momma happy!    she never poo-poo's my uncontrollable cigar purchases so far be it for me to keep her from wanting something from our little top-shelf wine cooler lol

2 hours ago, mellibee said:

got it ...it was more to see husbands family honestly and catch a bite with them..lol I don't care to do anything but get a tan 

Dropping luggage with porters then meeting with them first and checking in at a later time would be a safer and possibly less stressful idea.   If I got on the ship,   i wouldn't want to get back off LOL.     Certainly don't want to deal with doing boarding 2X.    not to mention Murphy's Law once you got back off to meet family.

i say slap em with a huge fine but keep them coming to the US ports.   Any absence of Carnival in the US market place, while highly unlikely, will probably cost us more money simply from Royal taking advantage of the extra business gained from it all. 

20 minutes ago, AnnetteJackson said:

When I am cruising there are cruises where I do not go into the MDR at all.  I do apply gratuities in advance to my reservation, but if I dont go to the dining room, I have them adjust where those gratuities are going to.  I have elected for the MDR portion to go to the stateroom attendant, or a team of bartenders if I hung out in one bar more than the other.  I do not mind tipping people at all with extra tips and love to give cash to them, but I do not like to tip for services I did not use.

never even occurred to me to do this.  great idea!

sounds like you found the perfect way to vacation.    Regardless of the circumstances, more people need to take your attitude to "stop and smell the ocean".   While my wife and I have always been landlocked in our professions, we truly find solace in the sea.   Plus it's just fun as hell!

12 hours ago, Thetechie said:

Where did you see those little creamer cups?

saw them at a local liquor store here in Dallas but from what i've heard, most chain liquor stores should carry them.   I've always had a bottle for guests to add to their coffee but haven't seen these until recently.      

any idea if they have Rumchata or any knockoff's available on LIberty?     If not, saw these "creamer cups" (its simply the same stuff from the bottles) that I may try to take onboard with us.   would work out great in the room for my wife's coffee.

39 minutes ago, marti314 said:

It doesnt have anything to do with the liquor made in texas (Not much except TItos is made in Texas).  Its all about the TAXES that Texas makes the cruise line pay on everything served while in port.  They serve the cheaper brands so they can limit the taxes they own the state.

you are correct, i had totally meant to reference the taxes.   i shouldn't work and post at the same time lol

For Royal, you can absolutely use your drink package immediately however TABC law limits cruise ships to only sell alcohol made in the great state of Texas while in port.  once the ship has moved into international waters, full bars open up.  '

Carnival on the other hand just chooses to hold off all together with their drink package making their CHEERS begin on day 2 (You don't pay for day 1).  you can still purchase drink by drink, but they too have to follow the same TABC laws mentioned.  

If you are wanting fruity AND sweet,  i also recommend sangrias,  most moscato's, prosecco (it's a sparkling wine) and some rieslings.    if you don't want them so sweet,  but more crisp and fruity stick with pinot g's, sauv blanc and chard.    on a different note, you can't go wrong with most of the fruity, non wine, drinks the bars will serve.    Mojito's are great refreshing drinks that typically top my list throughout the day as well as Lava Flows and Mai Tais!

11 minutes ago, tiny260 said:

Some how we must be related, lol.

Be careful what you wish for, I am adopted  hah!