Neesa

I'd rather be there right now! Lol! Drama on steroids here in Pasco County Florida. We are just north of Tampa and inland, we have ancient Indian burial grounds protecting us once again. A huge thanks to every PM I received today about this storm, it warmed my heart. What an amazing group of people here.

If Royal wants true feedback the solution is this; complimentary Margaritas for everyone before dinner. That being said and I know I'm in the minority here, but I really believe the after sailing feedback is more for us as guests then them. It allows us to vent, it allows them to read and get a laugh. If we vent on that survey to them full of the debarkation emotions then the venting later is diminished if at all in most cases. Maybe you won't do a negative review, maybe you won't the discuss the problem with friends, maybe now you remember only the great things which there are many. They minimally listen ie. the Chrystal blocks debacle to make us believe they care enough to affect changes but those surveys I believe are used as a tool to help them with crew behaviors most of all. I think @Lovetocruise2002 was really fortunate to have a crew member that cared and probably felt similarly and that is why he called over the executive chef, bad meals mean less gratuity. I'm sure your server was so appreciative of your honest feedback articulated in the most respectful way. Bring on the Sangria ( for me ) and Margaritas for all of my dining companions,

@SMOKEY0202 put it so well. I am frugal in so many other areas of my life because I enjoy the larger cabin and suite experience. Whenever I sail in a regular cabin I find myself missing some of the perks. BUT the suite product is disintegrating it seems under Mr. Liberty and it stings when I pay for something and get a minimized version of it for the same monies or more. I sent an email to Carlos Jimenez in charge of the guest experience asking a simple question that I wanted a concrete answer for, that was 15 August. Not even the courtesy of a response, nothing. Even if it was lovely to hear from you thanks for being a frequent cruiser with us but go pound salt. Nothing, not a peep. I save Mr. Bayley emails for the most important things like where is my FCC? I personally don't feel the Royal warmth I once did, it's sad but I understand they are in business to provide a product. I just can't help feeling it was better previously. Oh well, here's hoping the money man finds his heart. @Lovetocruise2002 Flowrider widow

Our next sailing is on the Adventure so I'm on Amazon now, (thanks @Ampurp85 looking at travel tea kettles.) There are some nice ones, I'm just hoping I purchase one that doesn't make the Prohibited items table! Ugh, suite amenities on these ships are silly at this point; no included internet, no tea kettle, I'm happy I love this southern itinerary for the 8 nights. While I wasn't a fan of the Wonder I prefer the her older sisters, I may try her again like @OCSC Mike suggests. It's going to be a minute before we sail again so I started looking at Celebrity now. She will have a ship homeported in Port Canaveral starting December 2024 I believe. I'm thinking this is the sign to start spreading my wings. That Pinnacle status is becoming less and less and less likely. I'm sure the company doesn't mind that at all. Enjoying this trip report so much, keep those pictures coming please?

On our one and only Star class sailing our cabin host was amazing, really working in tangent with the Genie. Albeit the gratuity for her was "included" with the higher cost of said cabin, we felt she was deserving of an additional monetary gift. 2 nights before debarkation, we saw her in the hallway, "training" another host for our cabin. We actually knew the second young lady from another sailing. We stopped & chatted to find out our host for the week was finished that evening as her contract had ended & she was going to pack the next day get everything in order & leave the day we did. I would have been so upset as she was most gracious. We went right back in the cabin & grabbed the thank you card we had brought on board with us and placed her well-deserved gift within. I then gave it to her in the hallway that very evening with a huge hug, so appreciative that the universe works in mysterious ways. I would have felt ugly if she had left without saying goodbye. So, like@WAAAYTOOO stated, especially when we B2B we tip along the way if warranted. We don't do it with future expectations in mind but for amazing service we are receiving there & then. Enjoy your sailings, I love B2B's.

We did Adventure on the first sailing out of the Bahamas after the shut down. Hardly any shows and much of the venues were closed. We were aft in a 2 bedroom which I spent a great deal of time in as I loved the balcony. Booked her again in June 2024 due to her itinerary & am looking forward to shows & things we missed the first time around. I found & follow her Cruise Director and he is a hoot! He just left or is leaving this week for his time off but he said his next contract is also on her. I'm still not sure he will be there by June but he was super fun and engaging from his videos. We have fond memories of meeting Dudley Jean on this ship in the concierge lounge, while many many concierges are kind and very good at their calling Dudley remains the one all others are compared to. He was everything plus warmth & personality for days. When we heard from him on our Mariner sailing we were so happy, he greeted us like long lost friends. Just an amazing human being. I even wrote corporate & recommended him to be elevated to Genie status. We are doing a few specialty restaurants & Chops for lunch embarkation day but from what I remember we were seated at the railing on a higher deck in the MDR, we enjoyed the people watching and the restaurant was airy & pretty, so MDR traditional seating for us. We will have a dining table in the cabin so we are mulling over enjoying room service one day as well. 287 more days to go.

Great! I'm glad this helps. I always sit down on the balcony and look through everything in the suites folder. Always the same, but alas not this time. The letter expressed if you didn't do this they would assume you did not want your block, and not deliver it.... so essentially unknowingly you would miss out on receiving it. My positive self told myself, Self...they are doing this so as not not to give blocks to those who are not interested, my little devil side thinks they hope you miss it, forget and leave it behind, thus eventually saving money giving out less blocks in the long run. Bad devil, my Royal would never do that!

I received my block last sailing. There was a little paper in the suites leather folder that said congratulations! Since everyone doesn't take their blocks check here if you want it and leave for the stateroom host. At that point if you chose one it will be delivered before sailings end. I filled mine out and walked it to the C &A ambassador where he took the paper and gave me the block. Just an FYI. I don't enjoy or participate in boiling my water for tea in the coffee machine, it does not taste right! When we are not sailing a Q or O ship class I ALWAYS opt for traditional MDR, the absolute manic chaos that ensues to sit for dinner via MTD takes away my vacation "high" While weighing dinner at 5:30 (early) seating vs dealing with that mess for all of the monies I separated myself from, it's a hard no. It seems MTD is hit or miss and my patience is low for the "miss"

Nailed it! Yes please......him!

We need a stronger response emogi for something like this!!!! Maybe a red head with steam coming out of it?

When we sailed DCL Wish in June I was concerned because their parking deck is also used for the Fantasy and she left the day before us. We drove over from the hotel about 0930hrs to search for a space in the garage as I like the car to be covered if at all possible. (My luck there would be freakish hail or something) Well they had the deck totally coned off with huge "closed" signs opening at 1000. We sat in the car line to the side with everyone else and then at about 5 minutes after 1000 they opened the entrance. You drove up and paid at the machine which allowed for some staggering of cars entering, never saw a vehicle exit I assumed all Wish debarks were already out of there. We were pleasantly surprised at the amount of spaces ( I think it was Terminal 8 ) and how orderly the process was. First I was seething like " of course DCL has lines, they LOVE lines" but then I was like OK this actually worked well.

@Lovetocruise2002 We were given a tea kettle on the Wonder when we asked for it in the CLS last month. I was surprised because we were told NO on the Mariner (panoramic suite up front) NO on the Harmony in a CLS & NO on the Serenade in the 2 bedroom owners suite. We don't drink coffee & I love to prepare tea in the cabin early to start my day, just another suites amenity that is being phased out it seems.

Babysitting the luggage, that's always my job. They plant me somewhere and disappear to explore. I actually love sitting in quiet by myself to start. Question, what did you do for transportation from the airport to your hotel and then this morning to the port? Also, would you recommend? Have a great time, enjoying this adventure so far!

@Lovetocruise2002 Yes, just for clothes, toiletries are now pretty simple, I am an Eminence girl myself. If I need anything kiddo has an entire array to choose from. Also I love that D15 is crocheting, it calms the mind. Sometimes I forget this world is so different and to calm the mind is a necessity. My kiddo loves this activity, she volunteers at our local library assisting the teaching class, where she learned it and fell in love. She even chose to cancel X Box! She was mesmerized by that MineCraft thing. She is working on her big final paper for graduation, she chose to focus on the positives and future of nuclear energy, sometimes she is as her desk in thought with her crocheting in her lap, fingers working. I encourage such an amazing skill, she insists it helps her stay focused. I was so happy to read that, good for D15! Those clothes will jump in that suitcase in no time. I'm so excited for this trip!

I make a list! I create a calender labeled with the activities, excursions etc of each day. Then I fixate on a color pallet to mix and match allowing for everything to fit in my back pack and carry on. I label my packing cubes as well. You go D17!!! I love this Great minds....

I think you will! I had that cabin with same scenario on the Adventure, TBH they didn't bother me in the least. It was so spacious and comfortable back there, I failed to see them after a day or two. Enjoy this amazing journey! Following along ......

Yes, we just did this in June. I was lazy and booked through Royal. Next time I will book a private driver like @wordell1 suggested. The animals were fantastic, we felt the love by the caretakers. The rum and chocolate was tedious, I did not enjoy as it was crowded beyond measure at the little place for rum and chocolate they took us to. We did go to an iguana farm as well. The WORST part was they once again like most Royal excursions squished us in a tiny vehicle with knees in your throat, crowded to the point of every tiny seat taken and over bumpy roads minus any air conditioning. The transportation was abysmal, the animals were breathtaking and amazing. Next time I'm listening to @wordell1!!

Slight detour here, has anyone ever dined on deck 5 MDR of the Adventure of the Seas? Our cabin is on deck 10 & after our "challenges" with the elevators on the Wonder we decided we wanted to try to do a majority of stairs moving forward, we actually didn't "hate" the stairs. Whenever not on a class with #CK we do dine in MDR most nights. We have only ever been assigned decks 3 or 4. Is 5 saved for something special? Would they allow us a table there albeit we have the standard early seating? One last question please where do you prefer to sit (location in dining room) for a little less noise, rear, sides, corner, on railing? We always get a table for just the 3 of us, our sailing is 300 + days away and I booked a few specialty but the specialty restaurants don't have enough variety to draw us back after one visit, so thoughts? I would love to hear your ideas! Thanks so much!!

@WAAAYTOOO that is a goal! Pinnacles getting free internet is a beautiful and well deserved perk. Seeing that light at the end of the tunnel must feel amazing. With October being around the corner, Congratulations!!!!

@instaGator I replied to the DM, again that was so kind. I like the chart also, it helped me envision how i would do it. Thank you again

This, exactly. Of course the smaller vessels "star" class would be silly as they are....smaller vessels. The internet is something they could easily add to the amenity package of their suites program across the fleet. To enhance, mitigate or even sell higher end cabins on the smaller ships if they proudly advertised Sky Class benefits across our entire fleet.... now that would get people like me excited and I'm a Royal enthusiast! I personally believe little to no effort with a program announcement like this would drive even more monies their way. Just my 2 cents, I still booked the suite so I accept I'm part of the problem,

We are on an 8 night on the Adventure 07 June 2024. I realized after speaking with @Lovetocruise2002 and reading some additional great information sheets on here internet will not be included in the cabin unless you fork over additional monies. I personally find this insulting. I even sent a very kind and vibrant email to Mr. Bayleys office, they responded enjoy the suite as is. Kindly purchase the additional amenity if you so choose. Okay, it is what it is I continue to not love that the suites program isn't standardized but I'm part of the problem, lol I booked the cabin anyway! So to minimize the pain in my wallet can I piggyback the 2 days each of us get? Can I give kiddo all of the D + days? We would get 6 free days in total and that is enough. If this is possible, how do I do this, does it necessitate me visiting the internet desk every 2 days? This will be the first time trying to use this perk. I'm really being stubborn as I purchased some specialty dining and an excursion on the cruise planner, but it's the point darn it. I want to continue to feel joy, it just hits different knowing suites on other Royal ships include this amenity. Rant over, please help? Oh I'm in 1620 so it's like adding insult to injury This is our 18th Birthday/High School graduation celebration sailing that is why I splurged on this cabin. Sadly I didn't realize it only has one bathroom, oh my!

Clearly I need to go back to school to learn how to read, we start the 10th as well! The additional date is another open house. Wow and I didn't even start on my thermos yet, lol! Here's to an amazing school year!

@OCSC Mike we start classes 10 August but clearly our teachers are hard at work already. We've had a new to the school open house, schedules were delivered and emails are coming in. It's a sad time this month for everyone. Here we go again. Oh to top it off the population here has exploded, orange groves are now new homes....loaded with families. I honestly don't know how teachers do it. I'd have to bring a thermos of red sangria (I mean juice) to get through August alone! Teachers=Heros We graduate June 1, 2024 with classes ending a week before, so next sailing 7 June 2024.

@Lovetocruise2002 once again I'm behind. 24 days, glorious! What ship please and are you blogging it? I hate missing your adventures. We visited 2 colleges this past week and honestly I am finished sailing for a few years (after the 2 booked next summer) This whole process is depressing and exhausting. At least she wants to go more technical so she will have licensure and a profession when done. Oh my I just returned from the supermarket, I'm not sure where inflation is reported to be going down but it's sure not in Tampa Florida! The people who say this obviously don't shop for their families in person. I will live vicariously through you until probably 2027. Don't get me wrong kiddo is working and will absolutely do her part but we don't want her strapped with crushing debt, it's hard enough now a days.... Bring it on please, I can't wait for your next experience! Did you Royal up bid? Oh, by the way did you find any ducks?? You know I love my ducks! Last thought now that you're back. I'm not a fan of the suites neighborhood on the Wonder, nope I prefer the older Oasis class ships set up of deck 17. Thats why on the Utopia I booked @OCSC Mikes suite next to CK. Im there for the inaugural festivities but otherwise will be from lounge to balcony, period. Looking forward to sailing in my CK cabin! Glad you're home safe