TNphilp

Just now, twangster said:

I suggest asking on board, or in your case ask the Genie when exchanging emails with them.  

The spa is outsourced to Steiner Leisure who operates the spas on many different cruise lines.  Your masseuse may have been on a Princess ship last contract, or a Holland ship, or a... 

Consequently they aren't directly under Royal's control but they like money, a lot, so I'd be surprised if you can't work out something.

I will ask the Genie.  If that does not work, I will visit the spa on day 1.  I find they are able to customize just about anything if you are willing to pay.

AT&T offered a deal for around $89 or $99 which gave me service on the ship with unlimited calls, texts, etc.  It was worth it for me to be connected while cruising.  Check with your cell carrier about plans they offer.  Without an add-on plan, you can rack up a hefty bill very quickly if you are not careful.

I enjoy wearing a tuxedo for “Dressy” nights.  Other nights I wear a jacket with an open collared shirt or shirt and tie with a vest.

I have noticed that my favorite massage is only available as a couple’s massage.  Any chance it will be possible to get a Ginger & Lime massage for one during the cruise?

On 2/20/2019 at 3:22 PM, 2Beeze said:

While being a doctor and a meteorologist do not add up to a lot of work-related flying, I do understand how quickly you can become spoiled and begin thinking something is necessary and not a luxury.  My husband is usually the calmer of the two of us, but when we found out that due to a delayed flight we were moved from first class to economy on a flight across country from Seattle to Atlanta and then his screen was on the blink I thought my husband’s head would blow off - he was a bear the entire way (which did not help my feelings of course since I too was stuck back there). I have been blaming it on age; I can remember my parents telling me when I was X years old that I too could afford to do Y and so here I am at age X (apparently just this side of old)!!

I do like the space in 1st class.  Not really concerned with the food or alcohol.  I like not having my knees jammed up to my chest (an exaggeration) and I enjoy not having people breathing on me.  Oddly, when I work flights, I prefer to work in coach.  I find more people to chat with, I guess.

10 minutes ago, twangster said:

When I used to fly a lot, being top tier on the airline meant free upgrades to first class were a guarantee.  I flew for two years in a row doing over 250 flights a year and all of them in first class while buying a coach ticket.  One time there was a weather delay and I missed my connection.  All they could was put me in coach on the last flight of the day.  

I remember one of the first times I had to fly in the back.  I thought to myself... It's so small back here, how do people do it?  My knees are touching the seat in front of me!. 

I fly for a living and sitting in coach is a dread of mine, unless I can get the extra legroom seats.

8 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

I loved the 2BR Aqua Suite..the only negative is that it's far away from the Suite amenities (Suite Lounge, 17th floor, etc.)  I didn't find it noisy at all and being able to watch all of the practices and shows for the Aquatheater from our balcony was amazing.  Plus the balcony wrapped all the way around and had a true ocean view right outside the master bedroom door. 

Our room steward was wonderful despite him not being a dedicated Suites room steward.  I only got to see one of the Royal Loft Suites on a cabin crawl.  That one overlooked the sports deck and it was pretty noisy out there and no privacy on the balcony.  So a pure ocean view Royal Loft Suite would be the way to go for sure if you wanted to be on 17.

I have considered the 2BR Aqua Suite.  I would enjoy the balcony very much.  At night the noise would be okay since there is a show to,go with it.  Being on 17 keeps me close to the Coastal Kitchen and amenities I am looking forward to.  I am looking forward to #1718!

Just now, 2Beeze said:

It honestly can be quite confusing and that is why I asked. To make matters worse, there is incorrect information all over on various boards and blogs because it’s older info and things change quickly. I wanted to be sure which benefits you had before launching into them I hope that you have a great time!

 

PS I miss Nashville, I lived there for about 2 years (cool springs) and joined a group practice downtown. Although I thought it was fabulous, I ended up heading back home to Atlanta. 

There is so much old information out there.  Once I board the ship, it melts away!  Nashville is a great city with so much to do and an endless supply of great music.  Currently, the city is growing so fast I can not keep up with the changes.

4 hours ago, csper28605 said:

We are heading on Oasis of the Seas next week on the aqua threate. I can tell you the process has been really easy and I am like everyone here pretty easy going. I am looking forward to less hassle with shows and having dinner.

I look forward to hearing more about the cruises.  I have considered the Aqua Suites but I am not sure if the theatre activities and noise will be an issue. Originally I was booked in suite 1754 but decided I would like to be further from the pool music (I could hear it in a posted video on YouTube).  

2 hours ago, 2Beeze said:

@tiny260  In general the name would not matter, but it only mattered because in the original post he used the term “Sky loft suite” (although he seems to have later   edited it to say Royal loft suite) since he was asking about royal perks it seemed reasonable to me to verify which he was really sailing in from the start so as not to confuse the matter more and to be truly helpful (as I have seen so many posts where people were not accurate about which type of suite they had booked). Otherwise, certainly the name would not have mattered. My intent was to help and thus clarify.

Yes, I corrected the suite name since it was incorrect.  The latest invoice says Star Loft Suite 1718.  I had previously found a photo of the suite door on google, I assume from when they were called Sky Loft.  I know the suite number and location and that I will have a huge balcony with a direct ocean view.  When I booked, they told me I would have a Royal Genie plus additional perks.  I am looking forward to the experience, my second on RCCL.

2 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Dan and I are on B2B Star Class cruises on Anthem right now. I cannot say enough about our Genie, Yen. She has been absolutely priceless.  Yesterday (day 4 of the first cruise) we were in Port Canaveral.  A situation, too involved and convoluted to get into now, required that all guests disembark the ship.  Yes, I mean EVERYbody, including staff.  We were already off the ship when they forced everyone else off so when we got back to the terminal, it was mayhem. A thousand or more guests - some in still-wet bathing suits - all waiting to reboard the ship.  Tempers were beginning to flare and we were stuck in the terminal.  Thank GOD I still has the loop app on my cell phone.  I texted Yen for help.  She came down and escorted us past hundreds and hundreds of people straight onto the ship.  THIS is why having a Genie is so incredible. 

This morning we are in Coco Cay. I am staying on the ship but Dan wanted to go snorkel.  He told Yen that he did not need an escort off the ship b/c he wasn’t going until around noon.  Surely by then there would be no line for the tenders, right ?  He got ready, went down and the line to get onto the tender on deck 3 stretched all the way into the casino.  He called Yen. In 2 minutes she was there to take him to the front of the line to catch the next tender to shore.  THIS is why you have a Genie.

We wanted to try the bumper cars.  When we went up there;  the line was all the way around the sea plex.  Yen took us to the front of the line and we got into our cars as soon as the next session started. The story is the same for North Star. We waited at the bar with a drink and boarded the next session while everyone else was standing in line in the sun. The suite is sweet, the all-inclusive specialty dining and drinks packages are awesome but IMO, Priority access is the biggest perk of Star Class. You have an advocate that can get you just about anything. 

In our pre-cruise questionnaire, I noted that Dan likes Modelo Negro beer.  Yen wrote back to us that, sadly, the Anthem had discontinued stocking Modelo Negro.  No problem....we made a second choice and forgot all about Modelo Negro...but Yen did not.  Yesterday, she came to our suite with a tote bag full of Modelo Negro that she had scavanged from God-knows-where on the ship. It was such a sweet gift that she even remembered. THAT’s the kind of personalized service you get with a Genie.

In the past we tipped the Genie the $100 per day but I think we are going to need to up the ante for Yen.  She has truly been a Godsend this entire cruise....and we still have another glorious week with her.  We also have incredible stateroom attendants.  What a great cruise this is and continues to be ! Star Class rules !

 

Perfect information.  Sorry about your Port Canaveral issues.  Sounds like a Customs and or DEA search.  Went through one years ago and a few crew disappeared without explanation.  Waiting in line for anything is not one of my favorite things to do, the access a Royal Genie offers will be appreciated.

Just now, Lovetocruise2002 said:

When we have dined at specialty in the past, we have tipped additional.

As far the Genie goes, tipping from what understand is pretty personal.  There's no right or wrong answer here.  This question has been asked many times over the year.  The average I want to say is around $100pp for the 7 nights.  But that is just a guideline by those who have sailed SC.  Tip as you see fit.  Some tip way beyond that.  Some not so much....

I think I tend to over tip.  Our concierge on Freedom OTS was invaluable.  And our steward was fabulous.  They were rewarded.

Just now, tiny260 said:

All you really need to know is that it is 1718. The name doesn't really matter...

As far as tipping, I was told it is all included.  Well, that won’t be enough for me.  Could you give me an insight as to what is a respectable tip range for our Genie?  Also, is it okay to tip servers in specialty restaurants above what is “Included”.

4 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

We have 1722 booked on HM and that is the equivalent of 1718 on OA/AL.  In our planning so far, I have found it extremely hard to let go as @tiny260 describes.  I plan all our cruises and to not have to do much of anything this time is liberating, yet strange. 

I have learned from others, that some Genies are better at pre-cruise communication than others.  That doesn't mean that they are not good once you are on board.  For us, because we have been on HM before, we just told our Genie that we wanted to see all the shows and gave her the list of places that we wanted to eat at and she took it from there.  She had a preliminary schedule done for us the next day. 

We have fine tuned it a bit over the last two weeks.  It's good to go.  Waiting now is the hardest part.  We are pretty simple too.  We have no extravagant requests, we're not planning on hosting or celebrating anything.  I have heard other others who have co-ordinated many events with their Genies, so that is doable.  Our requests so far have been for a cabana at Labadee, some snacks that we wanted to make sure the room was stocked with, and arranging a private escape room session.  That's all I can think of for now.  Feel free to ask more as time goes on.

Leave out the escape room and you have pretty much described our needs.  I will look into the escape room to learn what it is.

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I'm guessing @TNphilp meant Star Loft.  They are easily confused, especially if you booked really far out.  They just re-categorized these rooms not too long ago.

I will have to get the terminology correct!  I know it is Suite 1718.  I am so looking forward to that balcony and view.

Just now, tiny260 said:

Amazing cruise, the Genie we had really went above and beyond as far as we were concerned, we described ourselves just like you did, we are not needy people so it was an internal monologue (My brain) struggle between getting everything we wanted and thinking we were being overly needy people.

One thing I forgot to mention is that we were told to go ahead and plan any excursions and book them, the Genie will add them to you overall plan/schedule. On Labadee make sure and tell him if you want a Cabana, he will book it for you, you still have to pay, it is not included. I booked the big zip line myself on Labadee (I paid) but the Genie knew about it. The Genie will escort you to the private beach area on Labadee.

If you like food and wine pairing I would suggest the Chefs Table, it cost extra (Around $25) above what Star Class covers and our took about 3 hours so be prepared.

I think the only port we are going to leave the shop for is Labadee.  How was the zip line?  I may try it.  Other than that, we want to enjoy the beach.  As far as dining, I look forward to dining in each of the specialty restaurants, I may try the Chef’s Table, too.  Do you remember if they had the Street/block party on the Allure?  We loved that event with the dancing and great music.  It was a lot of fun.

1 hour ago, 2Beeze said:

Which is why I started by saying it may be that he used the wrong term, definitely a possibility. But sometimes people who don’t sail often are confused about which benefits go with which suite given the similar names for some of them. It certainly can be confusing.

How was the cruise and suite on Allure?

Just now, tiny260 said:

That is the Suite we had on Allure in January, you will love it, the balcony is huge, you look off the side instead of the back where 1720 looks (Looking at the sport court).

Some old documents still call it a Sky loft suite, newer documents call it Star Loft suite. TL is the correct code for Star Loft.

Perfect.  Yes, that over-sized balcony hooked us.  Looking off the side rather than at mini-golf is a plus as well.  Originally I had booked an L1 suite 1754 but decided to go for the Star Loft .

Just now, tiny260 said:

@TNphilp , you and I have chatted before here on the blog, pretty sure you are an over planner like I am, sailing Star Class was the hardest thing for me to do because I had to turn loose with all of the planning and turn it over to someone who at the time I had no idea what their qualifications were. With that said, turn loose and enjoy.

You should get an email from Royal Genie Services, this is a Web based questionnaire, most of us on here are not really sure how much they use this information other than for the Genie to reference during your cruise, so enter the stuff about you and your traveling mates but not a lot of detail of what you might want. I received mine almost exactly 60 days out.

Between 2-3 weeks out you will get an email directly from your Genie, in your reply too the Genie is where you get specific with what you want, like:

Where you want to eat, but not when (Unless you have something you are specifically celebrating and you have a Restaurant in mind, date and time)

What shows you want to see, but not when.

Specific types of drinks you might want in the room, snack in the room etc..

Planning shows and dinner times are the Genies sweet spot, so turn loose and let them use their experience and guide you trough your cruise (This was the hard part for me). When you meet up with your Genie at the Star Class check in lounge area they will go over all of this with you and anything you don't like they will change for you.

I'm not sure of the Star Class boarding in Port Canaveral but Star Class should have a dedicated kiosk to check in with, keep you luggage with you, do not give it to a regular porter, they have special porters for Star Class that will take your luggage. You should be escorted on the ship and directly to your room if you request and you can drop off your carry on luggage, then they should take you to a restaurant of your choice for lunch and come up with a plan for meeting back in your room to go over even more detail of your cruise. The Genies have other guest to escort on the ship so taking you to lunch and scheduling a time to meet gives them time to get the other Star Class guest on the ship. When I did my online check in it scheduled me to be there at 11, I showed up at 10:15 with no issues.

I'll add more as I think of it. 

Thank you, this is is exactly what I want, someone else to do the planning, I want to relax.  The cruise on FOTS was wonderful, only issue is that everyone depended on me to make suggestions and choices.  It was a bit much since I had already planned each private shore excursion and party.  We are not taking family and friends this time, just the 2 of us, we want to relax.  The suite and the Perks sound like a perfect match for our needs for this cruise.

1 hour ago, 2Beeze said:

It may be that you didn’t write the correct suite name, but the Sky Loft Suite in the Oasis to the best of my knowledge is a SKY class suite (wonderful perks in my opinion, just not the over the top stuff with Royal class). The Royal Loft is larger and in the ROYAL class. Unless something changed quite recently...

In SKY class you do have the reservation priority and assistance with any needed from a concierge. Sounds like that is what you are wanting anyway (it is actually what we prefer It to ROYAL for a few reasons). Enjoy your trip!

I saw a photo on the web the door said sky loft.  Could be an old pic.

57 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I'm guessing @TNphilp meant Star Loft.  They are easily confused, especially if you booked really far out.  They just re-categorized these rooms not too long ago.

I know it is suite 1718, a big one, there are 2 of them on deck 17.  Category is TL, was told a Genie will contact me closer to saliling date.

Thank you for the links.  Very useful info.

Sailing on Oasis of the Seas on 14 April 2019.  This will be my first experience with a Royal Genie.  I've booked a Star Loft Suite.  Anyone have any information on what to expect with a Royal Genie?  I am not very needy however, I'm looking forward to less hassle with seating at events/shows and help with dinner reservations and such.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Oasis of the Seas, April 14, 2019.  This will be my second RCL cruise.  I have booked TL #1718.  Does anyone have any suggestions on what to expect with the Royal Genie program?  I am not very needy but as with my first cruise, I did enjoy the Concierge taking care of all of our onboard reservations and having priority seating at events.  

Just now, Skid said:

The cups you get with the package are for use in the freestyle drink machines. These machines dispense a wide variety of drinks. There is a chip in the cup that activates the machine. If you don't want to carry the cup, you can still get sodas at any bar or venue.

Whew,  I was not looking forward to lugging around a cup for a week.  Thank you.