JG1209

I do not know if there is any connection, but I booked through a travel agent and she said they get the info about 30 days out and then they send me the edocs and luggage tags.. So maybe since it was booked through a travel agent, there is a delay?? I dont know 

We are in a grand suite.. room already assigned from the beginning... already checking in online... and nothing... but I have seen people on the same cruise who have gotten theirs... so who knows what the reasoning is LOL

I am at 49 days and counting down and my docs are not available yet.

I was in the same situation. I called and they said that I can always check on board with the Shore Excursions Desk to see if there was any availability- but that was my only option.

The bad part is- you cant book your back up excursion and then get on the cruise and ask about the first choice because you are within the no cancellation window, if there was an opening    So, I guess I will just have to go on another cruise and make sure I book my first choice LOL

2 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

If  you have access to CK, you effectively have your own specialty restaurant with a rotating menu each night. I personally feel that once you have that, there's no reason to eat in the MDR or the WJ.

And if you're in a Sky Class suite or better, you get access for breakfast and lunch, too. I haven't gotten to experience that yet, but @Lovetocruise2002 and others seem to all agree that breakfast is great as long as you're not in a rush, but lunch is nothing to write home about.

Yup, in Sky Class... so that is good to know.. I am looking forward to this cruise. I have always gone on the smaller ships- but this time we will be on the Harmony. Thats a big change I have the My Time Dining for the Mai Dining Room, but I have a feeling that we will not be there- unless there is something on the menu that we want. This trip is about going out of my comfort zone, trying things new, and taking advantage of all the suite perks! 

6 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

I'll try and guess at a little more detail than @Lovetocruise2002 gave.

The tl;dr summary is that, for me, the Chops filet is what I get when I go to Outback or maybe a place like Longhorn Steakhouse; pretty good, but rarely stellar. CK filet is what I get when my mom goes to the butcher and has him hand-pick a filet for her, and she has my brother cook it up medium-rare on the grill that same day with no / minimal seasoning; truly melt-in-your-mouth good, not a tough bit to be found, and rich flavor that can't be beat.

 

 

 

Now the longer version. 

CK is a suites-only restaurant and has its own galley, and I'm betting that part of the difference is that their chefs are getting first choice of every single filet that gets delivered on embarkation day. They can do this, not only because they're a suites-only restaurant and have to offer the best to those guests, but because they only offer the filet on one night. True, they'll serve it two nights if it's a sailing longer than 11 days, but note how @twangster said that second filet was perceptibly not as good in his recent 11-night Anthem blog.

The other difference to my palate is the seasoning they use. I happened to have both CK filet and Chops filet on the same sailing, and Chops' was very noticeably saltier than CK's. That's going to affect the cook (draws out more moisture from the meat while its cooking), as well as the final flavor.

Final factor I can think of is that the CK galley is cooking for relatively few passengers at any given time, and every meal is made to order and paid close attention, so it's a lot harder to mess it up. Chops' galley is serving far more passengers at any one time, and the chefs just can't pay as close attention to every individual meal. Mistakes, even tiny ones like cooking it a bit closer to medium than medium-rare, are going to happen.

 

Well it is a good thing that I am in a suite and can experience CK. Now I just have to tell my mom this is where we are eating the first night LOL Celebrating my 40th bday so I will use that as my leverage... ! Honestly, my plan was to eat in CK a lot- try things new.. instead of the same routine of the MDR. I am super excited.. I now know where I am eating on my first dinner-- and my last dinner (we are going to try Sabor).

Thanks for the short and long version ! 

Sometimes it is cheaper to buy connecting rooms. You can just keep the door open... and as as added bonus, you have an extra bathroom. This is what I am doing on my cruise March 2021. We usually do a grand suite when I sail with my mom, but this time we are taking my 2 kids with us- doing connecting rooms. It is A LOT less! Sure, you lose the perks of the suite- but it is saving a ton of money.

39 minutes ago, Tigerlaw said:

This is what i should have asked. There will be people using a rolling carry on size suitcase so I won't feel stupid on day one using a roller case.

I won a really nice rolling carry on suit case (Briggs & Riley) in a sweepstakes not too long ago... so I will definitely be using it LOL  Its really all about how much you want to tote around. I usually bring 2 carry bags- one with my purse an important stuff and another with a change of clothes, etc. It only becomes tough when the person you are with wants to use the stairs instead of the elevator- like my person did last time LOL I got my work out on that last cruise without even trying!

Depending on when you are sailing- Black Friday had some good deals too. (I know that is forever away LOL)  Like in a prior post- book it and then if you see it cheaper, cancel and rebook. You wouldnt want to miss out on an excursion because it becomes sold out...

Ok, so I have to ask... What is so special about the CK filet?  Everyone is raving about it on day 1.  I am going on a cruise in March and just might have to check it out.

Thanks

1 hour ago, Fairlynew said:

Grand Suites and above include internet.

I think it depends on what ship class you are on -- if internet is included. I was on Enchantment last year and internet was not included in the Grand Suite.. but I am on Harmony this year in a grand suite- and it is included.

29 minutes ago, Worldtraveller said:

JG, great.  Thanks for the advice  I think you're right.  I often will get one answer on the phone and yet a few more when we board.  I think it's all about getting you booked into something as quickly as possible.  Have a great cruise!

You have great cruise too! I am counting down the days! I have one this March on Harmony... then Harmony again in May... and then Oasis in March 2021. 

20 minutes ago, Newtorc said:

For our upcoming cruise, the Deluxe Drink Package says that it’s $65/person under the BOGO sale.  Does that seem high?

I’m almost positive that was the “normal” price when I checked the other day.  

That seems to be about the normal price for the cruises that I have looked at.. the $60 price range. One good thing- if you book it and then you find it cheaper at a later date, you can cancel for a refund and book for the new price. I did this with my soda package. I originally paid 12 or something a day and then I found it for 6 or 8 a day.. I figure any savings is better than no savings. 

On 12/22/2019 at 2:40 PM, Worldtraveller said:

Hi, we are cruising on Harmony in February.  I called Royal to see if we can just go to one restaurant and they said no, there is only a package for 3 or more.  We don't want to do three, just one.  Should I go to the restaurant when we get on the ship and see if I can make one?  Also, I'm reading conflicting information about what the charge covers.  I read somewhere that the 49.95 is a credit towards dinner and we would be responsible for the rest and others that it covers the whole thing.  I mean, whats the point of a flat charge if it doesn't include the entire dinner?

 

This is our 8th cruise or so and we've done the dining on Norwegian but never on Royal

I am going on the Harmony in March.... Cant wait!! And I was looking at the specialty dining too. I was able to book just one restaurant - Sabor- in the cruise planner. I am convinced that some of the RC people have no clue on what they are talking about ... ha ha ha ha

Just now, SpeedNoodles said:

Nobody knows because it's not  open yet. But they do limit the number of people who can use it - I don't know what that limit is. There's typically plenty of room on Coco Cay.

I didnt realize that they werent open yet LOL I go in March... I am looking forward to it...

1 minute ago, SpeedNoodles said:

No. Coco Cay has a great freshwater pool with swim-up bar, it also has fantastic food. Your drink package will work on Coco Cay, as will Voom, if you have it. I like Blue Lagoon, but it doesn't have great food (fair, small selection).  

@SpeedNoodles- I just booked the Coco Beach Club thing- with the pool and such. Any clue how crowded it gets? That was my worry. I am hoping because you have to pay for it- that it doesnt get that crowded..

8 hours ago, Va4fam said:

I'm glad that you posted this question.  Thinking about booking two more cruises right now during "wave season" but didn't want to miss out on the NextCruise offers either.   Sounds like I can book now with the TA and doublecheck with NextCruise  on my Feb. cruise to see if they can do better.

 

Just make sure it is a refundable deposit 

10 minutes ago, David W said:

Two formal nights on an upcoming cruise with RC.  Their "it's a fire hazard" doesn't wash when it comes to irons in the room. Every hotel has one available so what is the difference. Yet another way they can fiddle with your wallet. Not impressed at all, and, yes, laundry services invariably trash your clothes.

I do not think that it is a matter of them trying to get more money- its a safety thing. If a fire breaks out at a hotel, you can evacuate and fire department can reach you... not so much if you are out in the middle of the ocean.

Ok, I deleted my original post.. I totally misread what you asked LOL

I do the same thing. I kind of do the research ahead of time. The advantage of TA- they can sometimes offer discounts that are not published. For example, they may offer an on board credit through them, because they have a group on that specific cruise... or they may be able to offer you a discount because of booking with a group.

A good TA will also keep an eye out for additional promotions that might happen- allowing for a possible reduction in cost.

I have booked with a TA with a refundable deposit and then when on a cruise- sat down with NextCruise. If I can get a better deal, I cancel with the TA and then book with NextCruise.. and just have them transfer the new info to the TA. I was told that this does  not impact the TA at all. I hope that this is true.

I didnt have a problem with an excursion...  but with my crown and anchor account- someone else having access to my info.... after numerous attempts by phone, email, chat, etc... and nothing being fixed, I found some corporate emails and started emailing them. Needless to say, my issue finally got resolve.. sometimes you have to go up the chain of command to get results.

5 hours ago, KJones said:

This hasn't happened to me, but I would definitely call Royal to verify what is included in this excursion. Based on the title alone, it does seem that the cleanse is no longer a part of it. I guess some could call shopping a "spiritual cleanse" (maybe more of a wallet cleanse) but I doubt that was the original type of cleanse intended

So, I got 2 different answers.... Imagine that LOL I chatted with Royal on FB messenger- they said that my original excursion was cancelled and replaced with the new one. I wasnt happy with that answer so I called today. The phone agent said that my original excursion was not cancelled, they simply changed the name. I even made her look up the details. It was exactly the same as before. So, fingers crossed the phone lady was right... Im not booking an excursion to go shopping-- Im going to experience the culture and the area.... If I have time after the exploring and the healing ritual, ... and tequila tasting  ... then a little shopping will be fine  ..... 

4 hours ago, WesKinetic said:

I've had ones change names before, but usually it was just a minor tweak in the wording. Yours makes it sound like something completely different. I'd definitely check on it. 

That is exactly what I was afraid of- them changing the whole excursion activities. I chatted with them on FB and one rep told me that it was cancelled and replaced with the new one... so I called and then they told me that nothing was cancelled, it had just changed names. The activities were all the same.. So lets hope for the second one.. I dont care to shop- Im going for the experience of swimming and Mayan rituals LOL

We just received an email stating " The tour you booked, CZ4S Mystical ChaakTun Cenotes and Maya Spiritual Cleanse, is now called CZ4S A Hidden Underground River and Shopping " Has anyone ever had this happen? I am wondering if it changed the activities within the excursion? Any thoughts?

We just received an email stating " The tour you booked, CZ4S Mystical ChaakTun Cenotes and Maya Spiritual Cleanse, is now called CZ4S A Hidden Underground River and Shopping " Has anyone ever had this happen? I am wondering if it changed the activities within the excursion? Any thoughts?

Hi! Just booked my next cruise leaving out of Miami for March 2021.  Suggestions on parking?   
Thanks!