JBC1

"New Year, New Odyssey. Our Journey into 2024…" – OY 12/31/2023 – 01/06/2024

I am writing this blog with a heavy heart. Even as I write this, I am not sure if this sailing will be a go for us or not. I even contemplated not blogging, because I was not sure if I had it in me at this moment. However, blogging makes me happy, and these blogs remain a great way to record our memories, and that is what these trips are all about. Making memories with the ones we love.
About 3 weeks ago, our lives were unexpectedly turned upside down. My Dad is going through a major health crisis that took us completely by surprise. If you asked me 3 weeks ago if I was going on this sailing, I would have probably said no. However, as awful as the situation is, our health care system in Ontario has not totally failed us, and my Dad has received treatment, and is stable for the time being.
I have long supported the whole “YOLO Book It” mentality, the pandemic fueled it. However, with the events that have transpired over the last few weeks, it has only strengthened our resolve to seize each moment, to not let a single opportunity pass us by, to truly live, and have no regrets, and to take every moment to enjoy each other because life is so fragile.
We have no idea what 2024 is going to hold for our family. But one thing is certain, we take heart in knowing that God is working for our good in the midst of all of this, and there is always joy come morning.

I use a travel agent every single time. 
It’s not about booking the cruise.  It’s about who’s there to fix it when a problem occurs.

Australia is one of the few places that still needs proof of vaccination for sailings. When I was boarding Ovation for my cruise a week ago, everyone had to provide proof of vaccination, you also need to do a RAT test 24 hours before or a PCR test 48 hours before, if by the time the sailing has come around and Royal still hasn't replied, what I would suggest is that you get to the terminal a few hours early and explain your situation to them there, they seem pretty lenient at least they were when I was boarding... ymmv however.

Fantastic, I hope its the same for me February 19th.
John 😃

Just boarded Allure this morning…wow! Fastest boarding I’ve ever experienced in over thirty years of cruising. Never been on an oasis class ship before so was prepared for longer wait times, but from the time my husband’s cousin dropped us off at the (incredible, beautiful, new) terminal it took 7 minutes from curb to getting on the ship. So impressed so far! 

@Jason12 @mistertomatohead @smokeybandit   Good find! Deleted the last digit and then retyped it in…hit save. Back to normal!
**And yet another reason to love this forum!😎

Mine is not showing in the app or website 😒
John

Hi!
Thanks for the message and we can certainly check for a better fit for you. There are situations where we just need to diagnose your needs and communication styles, them match you with the perfect advisor.
I will send you a PM to get that process started. 
Always feel free to PM me or email me at [email protected] with any needs or feedback. 

He is fantastic, we had him on the Oasis earlier this year. You won't be disappointed at all.
 
John 😀

He is fantastic, we had him on the Oasis earlier this year. You won't be disappointed at all.
 
John 😀

Great report thank you.
John

I am looking forward in trying Gold dining in December.
 
John

Thanks for all the info, which makes me very happy! I'm sailing out of Singapore on 2 Jan and all I want is time in the sun by the pool, and quiet time in the solarium and spa. I've also purchased UDP for the first time and had no intention of going into Windjammer. Based on this post, my perfect cruise is going to be....perfect!

I had the same today for our Singapore cruise, great news indeed.
 
John

I had the same today for our Singapore cruise, great news indeed.
 
John

So, the wife and I just returned from our second cruise aboard Spectrum OTS, this time it was a shorter 3-night sailing visiting Penang with one Sea Day. Compared to our previous experience a few months ago (despite the loosened restrictions) - the ship still feels very different than a typical European or North American sailing.
A few things of note which I never mentioned in my previous post (which have remained status quo): so for anyone considering a Spectrum OTS out of Singapore - the market is a bit different based on the below:
Unlike our previous cruise, the Windjammer is now fully self-serve (and for the North American's on this board) - the WIndjammer on North American ships will typically have 'theme nights' featuring a cuisine of a particular country, look no further as on the Spectrum's Windjammer has dedicated sections for Indian and Chinese cuisine.
* Like my previous cruise on Spectrum earlier in the year... the pool decks remain largely 'empty' - hot tubs generally empty and of the people on the pool deck - the demographic on board including families tends to over dress aka pants and sweatshirts on the pool decks (as though it was Alaska) and hardly anyone in the pools as its just not part of the Singapore market.
***no 'chair hogs that we witnessed on this sailing, as most people in this market tend to prefer shade over sun and to avoid spending time at pools or on the outdoor decks generally - so if one is looking for a lounger, even on a Sea Day - there was a ton available... in fact the crew was removing loungers since they weren't even really being used***
* The Casino was extremely crowded (as per usual on sailings from this market) - as was the Windjammer (hard getting a table at any given time).
* The solarium remained largely empty and the bartenders were generally 'bored' along with the bartenders at the 'Schooner' Bar. In fact on the occasions we were in both venues... we were able to chat up the bartenders for 30 minutes average before anyone else showed up... and we were advised that drinking and bars are not very 'popular' in this market.
* The Flowrider was basically empty for the first two days of the sailing... in fact the Flowrider Instructors were the ones doing all the 'flowriding' for the first two days while people watched - basically 'performing' various stunts (this is something one would never see stateside as the Flowrider fills up on embarkation day). Only on the final day of the sailing did it 'fill up' and even then its nothing like out of Florida or California. Mind you something else you'd never see out of the US market is people waiting for the Flowrider carrying Umbrella's to shade themselves from the sun... and there were A LOT of umbrella holding people in the queue; though luckily no one attempted to flowride with an umbrella 🙂.
* Masks like the North America market are now 'optional' however the majority of crew about 95 % are still masked as again it makes the people in this market more comfortable, and for the guests... about 90 - 95% masked as well indoors and outdoors despite it being optional. The only ones who went unmasked were those visiting Singapore for this cruise and it was quite obvious who the guests were.
* Beverage packages are not very popular according to the F&B staff we interacted with since in this market... people tend to either a la carte beverages or just go with the free options ... in fact the drink of choice was typically hot drinks which the bars don't serve - again different market.
* NextCruise was quite a popular spot with many people booking future cruises... though when the wife and I enquired about potentially putting down a deposit for a cruise from Florida or from Seattle, we were met with 'those markets not being very common in Asia' since most people who booked future cruises on board were only booking in the Asian market.
* The Cafe270 was a nice upgrade from Cafe Promenade on the other ships, it serves a wide variety of things but closes at 1700 daily. Also Sorrento's is located in the Windjammer rather than on the Esplanade.
Speaking to the Hotel Director at a public Q&A, the Hotel Director advised that the vast majority of the 5000 onboard are from Singapore with about 600 Indian Nationals and only 53 from North America (US / Canada) making this the smallest minority of guests on board. This is also the reason why the hotel director further clarified that in Asia... the North Star, Rock Climbing Wall, iFly Skydiving Simulator are chargeable (around $40 and up) in order to 'control crowds' while on US Based ships, these three things are typically non-chargeable at least at on Port Days. Even the sports staff on board knew this though most passengers are not aware of this. When this was also raised in the public Q&A - the Captain also re-iterated that the above are 'novelty attractions' but stateside their 'common'. The Captain of this sailing was Captain Wu Huimin who is from China - though the main speaker at the Q&A was the Australian Hotel Director.
* Also there's a big hope that China will open again by late 2023 and 2024 and the plan is for Spectrum to offer cruises from Shanghai again - per the Hotel Director. Was also advised that if the ship does end up returning to China by then... everything would be in Mandarin only (in Singapore everything is still in English).
Overall this sailing was pretty much like our previous sailing except masks were 'optional'. It was still a relaxing experience and it was great to interact with the bored bartenders who were standing around, many staff on board have mentioned they prefer this market since its a lot less work at the bars however the Windjammer does have its work cut out since non-stop eating is a big thing in this market. Didn't attend the Art shows this time around, and the SPA was also empty the times we went by as was the fitness center (even on the Sea Day).
If anyone has any questions feel free to ask, also let the forum know if you're taking a cruise from Singapore soon, lots of useful tips including the revamped check in process at Marina Bay Cruise Center which is much to be desired.

I have Kathy as well, she has been brilliant.
 
John

THAT is one of the things I really enjoy about cruising, especially on Royal, is the relationships that are built with some of the crew.  I love hearing about their story, why they work on cruise ships, how the living conditions are on the ship, the hours, and so on.  They always, if they have time, seem to want to share their story with you.  

Once a person has done something quite a bit, in this case cruising, I believe they start to let their guard down and just start showing more of who they really are.  If one complains a lot in real life, they will start to see more and more faults in their crusing life.  If one is an "any day can be an adventure" kind of person, that will come out in their cruise life too.
DH & I fall into the latter category.  Although we do completely understand that people pay good money to take these vacations, we are fascinated with the quest for a perfect trip and have seen the melt downs when perfect doesn't happen.  We also plan our trips as best we can, but once we get started driving to the airport or cruise port the adventure starts.  We make our greatest memories in the imperfect moments - in real life and in our cruising life.  They become some of the best stories we have to share.
And we have definitely have great, good and sideways stories regarding crew on the ships.  We are careful about how we speak to the crew if something is not working for us - treat people how you would like to be treated and all that - but the only way for the crew to get better is by speaking up in a polite way. 
My DH thinks it is funny that I am still so giddy as we arrive at a terminal and start checking in.  I have told him that if I stop feeling that way, we have to stop cruising - he doubts it will ever happen.
Just got home from the Anthem this morning and we have all kinds of stories from the trip.  The best is the Great Earl Grey Tea Shortage of 2022 - none in the WJ, none in Cafe Promenade or the pastry/coffee place, none in MDR on Day 1.  Our assistant waiter went searching for some for me before dinner on Day 2, but did not find any and started apologizing over and over again about being out.  His eyes got really big as I pulled out 2 Earl Grey tea bags from my pocket.  I swore our dining team to secrecy about the stash I was able to find until the ship took on more provisions.  I swear I only took a few tea bags from the motherlode I found (ok it was 4), but I really, really didn't want to have to start a mutiny over not being able to have a cuppa in the morning or after dinner.  🏴‍☠️

I think you hit the nail on the head, something I just couldn't come up with/figure what it was.  MARLA KNOWS HOW TO READ PEOPLE, that's it.  She'd probably make a good detective.  Within the first hour of the cruise she was sitting down with us, very relaxed, not looking at her watch/phone and just talking to us, asking fact finding questions.  She must have done that for about 45 minutes.  After that, we didn't want for anything.   

I think that there will always be a certain segment that will complain about anything.I also think that as you do things more you just notice things that others don’t.  However I think the complainer group also had a lot of “do you know who I am” when it comes to status and think they should have more say in things. I’m a “problem solver” as part of my career, so I do write suggestions and leave them at the front desk when things are “off”, but there really has to be some major issues for me to complain about something.
I’m curious how you know they were Pinnacle? I would never think to mention my C&A status and would find it weird if someone asked me about it.
We are more of a “go with the flow” type of traveler.

We did as well, very nice and a great location for the sights.

We did as well, very nice and a great location for the sights.

We stayed at the Marriott and it was so nice.

UPDATE:
Apparently being old school with my AOL account is NOT conducive to getting an email from MEI. My travel agent, Sue had to resend the email she sent and I FINALLY got it this time. Crisis averted!