CruiseGus

Everything EXCEPT the ice show, they required you to have reservation via the app in mid May for the ice shows.

@Matt, you are correct in that this is not just a cruise industry problem. My Example is as a Marriott Titanium, staying at a full Marriott, I am entitled to lounge access where pre-covid they served a full breakfast for free, now almost none of them are open again. They could open the on-site restaurant for breakfast, but not the lounge?? Oh wait and now they will no longer service or clean my room daily unless I specifically request it, wait isn't that what I paid for? Absolutely not just a Cruise industry problem.

Personally we love Holiday Cruises, Xmas and Thanksgiving only because of our unique situation both weeks generally only cost 2 vacation days total. Well we "love" everything except the COST and extra Lots of Kids (ours are now grown). We also like to do the "Ducks", but again unique in that we "hide" them somewhere where we can sit close by and see them, then marvel for somtimes more than an hour at everyone that walks past when they are looking right at them and just don't notice.

I have been making it a point to talk with my bartenders a lot since the re-start and the exclusive use of the "All Day" vouchers. After I get to know them, especially so on my 3 b2b cruises, I have started to talk about the vouchers with them, although about half just smile and say they can't comment some have opened up. They told me most of the bar staff dislike those with vouchers as opposed to those with the UBP, because at least with the UBP they know they have at least contributed to the "Gratuity Pool" Those of you that say they tip are apparently a large minority according to my sources. We always gave a $1 a drink in the lounge before Covid, but after Covid, last August we started tipping on out voucher drinks usually $5 for both of us are getting a drink or $2 individually. I came up with these figures based on the daily drink specials are $10+18% or $1.80 grat and $13+18% is a $2.34 gratuity, so my figures at least in my mind are relatively close. All JMHO, I hope all of you are able to enjoy your cruise.

That's because none of those older ships had "Royal Suite Class" when they debuted. The older ships had the Concierge Lounge for a longer period before they startd converting to the Suite Lounge also.

is this new? Or was it just a large(r) Van Taxi that they contract with when taking one of the bigger groups out in the mornings. Then individual taxi drivers on the way back (I'm sure they have there regulars). I know I've had my return ride fairly quickly with them, but when driving past some of the other beach resort out that way I have seen long lines waiting for their taxi's. Anyway i will give my THUMB's up to Maya Chen, as long as you go knowing the restroom facilities are typical non-resort Mexican and there may sea weed on the beaches (that applies to all beaches in that area, no exceptions). Their service is just superb! Repeat visit is always on the list for this resort.

True The final bill in fact even the one they may or may not deliver to your cabin on the last night, will only show actual charges or credits. Also at times when the bars are busy and they know you and that you have a package they may skip or forget to log that drink in.

Thanks Matt. Just for easy reference they only sell the drink package on board for approximately the first 1/3 of the cruise and pre-covid in the rare instances they sold the 10 drink card it is only going to be for the last 1/3 of the cruise. (My experience has always been on a 7 day cruise those 1/3'rds have always been 2 days)

The gratuities for all beverage purchases, ala carte or package purchase go into a common pool for those that work beverage services, whether bartender, bar server or bar back worker. I'm pretty sure your position also determines what size your share of the pool is.

don't forget location on the ship as some locations are able to access the Wireless Access Point better than others. If your paying for access you might just as well get Surf and Stream.

This has been the case on almost every sailing i have been on with the new process, if your on of the first ones on they do not have the muster stations open yet for around an hour or so.

Which puts the price given by the OP as comparable to the current US prices. The problem is that inflation coupled with US stock market losses are going to make it a lot more expensive to vacation in the future. I just don't see the prices coming down as long as the fill ships, and that seems to be happening still, so far. I have repriced all of my currently booked cruises and not a single one has had a price drop and some have gone up quite a bit. I have airline tickets purchased for Sep, Nov and Feb 2023 and they have either doubled or more in price since I purchased them, but then so has Gas in the last 3 months.

From what i have seen post Covid sailings i would have to agree with your assessment. Definitely not a true Chops Lunch.

My impression from the crew i have talked to, at least on the ships Ive been on it that asking for high survey ratings is discouraged. I do know that it seems that Corporate seems to give each ship lots of leeway on how they do things, so it may be different on different ships.

Mention it to me once and I'll let it pass, on the 2nd time from the same person I will politely say "my score will be very low if i hear about the survey again" I'm glad they've quit bugging me about it.

I believe 2 things from my multiple interactions and discussions with crew this year. 1. Your specific comments by crew name in the large box towards the end of the survey are pull and placed in a document that is posted on that crew members department bulletin board. They like them. 2. They, the crew are not supposed to be asking for good ratings on the survey. It is highly discouraged at the management level. That is the purpose of the survey question ask if any crew member has solicited a rating from you and what department they were from. In 10 cruises since start up I have only had it mentioned to me twice now and both time from the MDR. I have no problem rating each item as I precieve it and provide a reason for a low score in the comments block. Also I always name those that go a little above expected service by name.

I believe the answer is YES you can restrict charging privileges on any seapass card. Although, the first link is Aus. I seem to remember it asking the same question on USA checkin for my wife, who I always grant that privilege to. Though it seems to be an all or nothing Not a Limit. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/aus/en/faq/questions/children-seapass-limit?country=AUS https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-limits-be-placed-on-arcade-spending#:~:text=Can limits be placed by parents or guardians on arcade spending%3F&text=The system is automatically set,onboard to adjust the limit.

At check in YES, as long as you drop off after they start accepting bags for your cruise. At disembarkcation NO, once you leave the terminal you will not be allowed back in

Already been running 80%+ in may sailings I've been on

I have seen parts of it, but the on board tv/channel schedule leaves so so much to desire.

Going to base my conclusion in support of the thread subject on my current b2b and the picture I am posting of this current sailing below taken this afternoon. YMMV

It has meant being put in quarantine for everyone else I've read about.

Your answer to question 1 would be NO, as you have 2 separate bookings and the will be treated as such. I would recomend not wasting your time or money bidding on any Royal Up as you already have connecting cabin and any accepted Irreversible bid will mess that configuration up Answer to question 2 is only in a cabin with a capacity of 5 or more, they will not allow you to squeeze into a cabin limited to 4 people.

I have also read, that most extracts that use a vodka base, the higher the proof of the vodka the more flavor is extracted.

Another option is to send an email about 2 weeks before sailing with your booking #, ship, sailing date, cabin # and your request to [email protected] I have had excellent results