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TNphilp

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  1. Love
    TNphilp reacted to twangster in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    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.
  2. Love
    TNphilp reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in Differences between cruising from Port Canaveral and Fort Lauderdale ?   
    We always fly in MCO when cruising out of Port Canaveral.
    I personally prefer leaving from Port Everglades.  Everything is so close there.  Airport, port, hotels, great restaurants, all within 10-15 min of each other.  When we cruise out of Port Canaveral, we are always torn as to where we should stay the night before.  I don't like the hotels near the port, hotels in Orlando are more expensive.  We've done 3 now out of PC, and each time we've ended up staying at the Hyatt Regency right inside MCO.  Then we take the cruise transfer the next morning to the port.  It's about a 40-45 min drive.  We have Harmony booked again for December 2020.  This time we will be travelling with 14 people.  Unsure as to what we will do this time...
  3. Thanks
    TNphilp reacted to AlohaLivin in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    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)!! ?
  4. Thanks
    TNphilp reacted to tiny260 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    I have broad shoulders, in coach if I sit normally I'm crowding the center seat, so I lean out in the isle, then I get hit by the cart and/or everyone walking up and down the isle, so I understand, I usually go 1st class if at all possible.
  5. Thanks
    TNphilp reacted to AshleyDillo in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    You will have a great time!  The view from the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen is great!  
    The 2BR is a bit of an overkill for two people, but I think it's definitely ideal for families.  The walk all the way aft was a bit tedious, but enjoying dinner on the balcony with the aquatheater show in the background was worth it.  It's almost a shame that this room exists on the OA class as there was just so much to do on the ship that we didn't get that much time to just enjoy the room.  It was my first OA class and I had to do ALL THE THINGS and really didn't just relax.  My father did enjoy the balcony a bit, though.  
  6. Like
    TNphilp got a reaction from WAAAYTOOO in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    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!
  7. Like
    TNphilp got a reaction from SpeedNoodles in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    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.
  8. Thanks
    TNphilp reacted to tiny260 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    Yea, I get it, when I first started looking at Star class was when they just transiting the old suite name to new suite names, which suite was which, etc., it was very confusing back in 2017.
    http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass/faq/
    If you look at this document and go to the FAQ, it really spells it out, but it wasn't around at first so there was a lot of speculation and miss information as you point out.
  9. Thanks
    TNphilp got a reaction from tiny260 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    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.
  10. Like
    TNphilp got a reaction from AlohaLivin in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    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.
  11. Love
    TNphilp reacted to csper28605 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    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.
  12. Thanks
    TNphilp reacted to tiny260 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    I agree with @WAAAYTOOO it's the little things the Genie's do, things you may mention in passing during a conversation, then the next thing you know the Genie is making it a special moment for your while on board.
  13. Wow
    TNphilp got a reaction from The Cruise Junkie in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    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.
  14. Wow
    TNphilp got a reaction from WAAAYTOOO in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    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.
  15. Thanks
    TNphilp reacted to WAAAYTOOO in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    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 !
     
  16. Like
    TNphilp got a reaction from tiny260 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    I think I tend to over tip.  Our concierge on Freedom OTS was invaluable.  And our steward was fabulous.  They were rewarded.
  17. Love
    TNphilp reacted to tiny260 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    As always this discussion is always highly debated, but customary Genie tip is 150-300 PP, I have heard it go all the way up to $1000PP.
    I always tip extra in the specialty restaurants, You will get a $0 bill then I will add an additional tip and then total the bill
  18. Love
    TNphilp reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    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....
  19. Thanks
    TNphilp reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    Oasis doesn't have one at the moment. ?
  20. Love
    TNphilp reacted to tiny260 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    The Zip line was awesome, so glad I did it, great views from up on the top of the hill.
    Yes, they had the street party on Allure, I remember because it was the only time the whole week that the Genie was not able to hook up, it happened to be the same night as the Chefs table and it went longer then he expected and he was trying to save us a premier viewing area for the street party and since we were so late we missed each other.
    On Allure they had a Sock Hop party one of the nights and it was almost as much fun as the Street party.
  21. Love
    TNphilp reacted to tiny260 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    All you really need to know is that it is 1718. The name doesn't really matter...
  22. Like
    TNphilp got a reaction from tiny260 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    I will have to get the terminology correct!  I know it is Suite 1718.  I am so looking forward to that balcony and view.
  23. Love
    TNphilp reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    In the blog that I started, I included the standard pre-cruise questionnarie and the initial Genie email.  In that email, you will find the specific benefits of star class.
  24. Like
    TNphilp got a reaction from Lovetocruise2002 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    I will have to get the terminology correct!  I know it is Suite 1718.  I am so looking forward to that balcony and view.
  25. Thanks
    TNphilp reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in 1st time with a Royal Genie - Any insights?   
    Also tagging @tiny260, @WAAAYTOOO, @CGTLH, @AshleyDillo, @Mindybrite, and @constable145 as these guys have way more experience than me.
    Feel free to ask anything that I haven't yet mentioned in the blog so far ?
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