Jolly Ogre

1 minute ago, smokeybandit said:

Another drive by

Clearly...LOL

22 hours ago, Scotty34145 said:

Just finished a 4-night Freedom cruise from Miami. I really did not like the new menu. The food has become bland and uninspired—think college cafeteria. The Windjammer food was much, much better. I needed cow teeth to chew the tough beef curry. The Arancini had no flavor and was cold. The shrimp dish on Caribbean night was not good at all. On the other hand, Sportsmakers and the “specialty” restaurants were very nice. IDK why they can’t convert these MDRs to specialty dining areas and do away with the MDR concept. It can’t be fixed.

Are you sure you were on a RCL ship?? There is no such place as Sportsmakers that I know of.

17 hours ago, Gilley said:

I saw something about Black Friday sales in earlier post.   How long does it last hours or 1 or 2 days and will prices really go do during that time.

they go the whole weekend Friday-Sunday. Yes there are sales, but how much really depends on which sailing you are on and what ship. It is not a straight sale on all things.

On 8/11/2023 at 5:54 PM, CanHardlyWait said:

Con. Long lines. 

Pick early or late and walk right in.

Nah!!... We always get MTD and make reservations @ 6:30-7:00 PM and the longest line we had was 2-3 couples ahead of us. We ask for the same table and wait staff so we get the MDR experience but at MY Time.

On 8/13/2023 at 7:01 AM, Juliet said:

How do I do that?  my son and his family are booked for this voyage and I’d love to join them…. But I am seeing it will cost me $4000+.  How can I get in on that ‘existing group’ pricing?

 

 

You need to know that I booked this cruise March of 2022 and that was late on my part. My Dec 2024 cruise was booked Feb of this year. You really need to book as soon as they release the itineraries to get the best pricing.

7 hours ago, ScottD said:

Isn't the survey EXACTLY that? A way  everyone was able to let them know they did not like the idea. That's what a survey is. When people answered it,  they were letting RC know how the felt. I don't think calling or emailing anyone is going to do anything that the survey did not. It's not a thing, they haven't made any kind of announcement about charging for pizza, and it might not even be something they are considering at this point. Complain about them not  having tribute bands any more or once a day cleaning if you must- at least those are things that have actually happened.

Well I am pissed as I did not even get a voice in this.  My last 2 sailings and my next are in suites. I am a Diamond C&A member and I did not even get the survey, I just happen to hear about it.

I was not even asked about it. So where is my voice?? What happens to those that do not follow this forum or youtube? None of them even get a say in the matter either.

Bring back skeet shooting!!

This is exactly what Princess did and I said look out here it comes... did any one listen no!! Well here we are now.

Yay !!!...120 days to go... can't wait!!

Entertainment not yet open...

37 minutes ago, MaryCS62 said:

cool - I'd love to bring you along if I ever had to worry about that - but I prefer the warm weather destinations

There was one time when my wife and I were in the hot tub in the Solarium and two really good looking 20-30 something girls got in and moved really close to us and asked if they could hang out. I was a bit perplexed but then they explained that there were some guys hitting on them and they felt that if they were next to me with my H-D tattoos then the guys would leave them alone...They were very sweet and well mannered girls.

yay!! we are now under 500 days until sail away.

2 hours ago, CruisingNewb said:

Honestly, the under 16 kids are not as much of a problem for me than the over 16 and under 25 year olds.  They monopolize the jacuzzi and are making out and doing all sorts of PDA.  Grosses me out.  Ugh...when did I become my parents?  

They don't last long when I am there... I guess having a big tattooed bearded guy staring at them creeps them out and they leave. LOL 

That is why I only cruise the Caribbean and between Thanksgiving and Christmas. These are warm weather cruises and when most children are in school even the college age as they are getting ready for finals before the Christmas break.

9 hours ago, Villageidiot said:

It's not a bad package if you were going to buy the drink package anyway. Includes drinks, wifi, and gratuities. Also gives you room service and food delivery through the app. $60/day not bad. We cruise on Princess occasionally and as we don't drink it doesn't give us the same value as someone else so we stick with the standard fare.

I will never want the wifi, drink package or room service so why would I want to ever pay for it?? I do pay for the gratuities ahead but If i want to eat at the  complementary casual places now they are going to charge me... this is not right.

What if Royal started charging for el loco fresh, park cafe or the solarium bistro??

25 minutes ago, HeWhoWaits said:

My point was to the OP complaining about paying "more" as a single, adding on to your comment that one is paying for the room as a whole. I was AGREEING with you, but you seem to have missed that point.

 

Oops!!.. sorry yes I missed that. 

14 hours ago, HeWhoWaits said:

Think of it like a hotel room (which it is, but just happens to move from place to place). When I travel alone on business, I pay the same price for a hotel room as my wife and I would for the same room if travelling together for pleasure.

That is for a hotel... the cruise industry does not work that way.  

And the hotel does not have to pay for the fuel to move from place to place. You get more for what you pay for on a cruise than a hotel.

I don't understand the problem... If you actually look at the cost it is less to cruise solo... I have to pay for me and my wife and if it was just me I would say a few bucks.

While the single rate is more per person it is less total than paying for 2 people. With 2 there is double gratuities, port fees and taxes. 

Remember you are paying for the cabin not just as a per person fee.

5 minutes ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

Hello from the future....are the cards still physically required?

not anymore

45 minutes ago, ScottD said:

That'd be great if we didn't rely on the app for activities, schedules, reservations and keeping in touch with other family members on board

23 minutes ago, 69RoadRunner said:

This is all true. I've enjoyed trips when I was a scoutmaster where we completely unplugged, but a cruise with the family is not one that would work well for us. If others have success, that's great. We're all on our own vacations.

That is just sad that you "have" to rely on cell phones.

I have never used my phone on a cruise, and have had many many family vacations in the last 40 yrs and never communicated to anyone using a phone while on a vacation.

I don't understand on a cruise ship were it is impossible to get lost and where there would be nobody around to ask how to get anywhere on board why you would "need" to use a phone. 

All the activities are in the cruise compass and you can still get one the night before to help plan your next day.

If family members can't make it to functions on time if they are off doing their own thing then they will just miss out and maybe next time they will be on time.

Just power it all off and lock it in the safe for the entire cruise and will have no problems at all.

They also have water available to get and fill up your water bottles at Solarium Bistro, Park Cafe, Sorentos and the WJ. You just have to take a cup from there and then fill up your bottle with that, they will not allow you to fill the bottle directly from the machine.

Also ask your room steward to make sure you have ice and then you can use that as well.

I use one with a sleeve so that I can just tap it to get into the cabin, also I keep a few singles in the sleeve for drink tips.

We bring insulated water bottles and make sure our room attendant brings us ice everyday so we have free ice cold water all day everyday and night in addition to all the free water and fruit juices on board.

It is a more picturesque drive than I have going via Alligator Alley.  LOL. 

There is a HUGE problem with choosing an Oasis class as your 1st ship.

You will be forever spoiled and will not want to sail any other class of ships.