Neesa

No to Evian unless in Star class has been my experience. I asked for it while in Sky and would be told they didn't have in in Sky. I think I was given some in CK but I was not allowed to receive any bottles. I just purchase the package now because I drink copious amounts and am sensitive to the filtered water taste, as in I hate it. 

In CK on the Wonder they poured it into our glases and took the bottle away....I'm sure it's a cost saving measure. It wasn't everyday either, it was when they could "find some"

Evian for the win !

Fantastic news, so good to hear. Please enjoy....but beware the space alone is just so decadent! You will be hooked. Enjoy your sailing & congratulations again!! 

@tonyfsu21 Is it El Cid in Cozumel? We walked over & experienced it once before. Very clean but not well organized.  Their pool was super small for the property. The food was surprisingly good but the chairs & such when we went were not in the best shape. To get into the ocean water it took taking some rocky stairs as well as to return. It wasn't bad if you wish to walk over for a quick beach day without the bother of a taxi ride & it's cool lying on the beach and viewing the ships. Personally I might return if I'm feeling a lazy day in Cozumel, super lazy. LOL! 

The day pass included towels but when we arrived they were all in the "laundry" so I would bring my own next time. It was okay at best in my humble opinion, I liked Nachi better but I've yet to visit any additional beach clubs in Cozumel yet. We were told about the bar hop as well, people were talking about it on Nachi but that's not particularly our thing. 

Paradise is on our radar for next time. Do you have their website to share?

7 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

You're going to RUB from the exact GS I had on Wonder??? After I told you how great it was??? I'm offended!!!

I really did love that location, but I get that you guys like some of the fancier suites that I've only seen in videos and I don't actually care about my cabin... so I hope you all get whatever you want!

WELL.....TBH I am looking forward to sailing in your suite, I have no desire to leave it for anything on Deck 18! I will place a RUB on a 2 bedroom Aqua because it's only 4 nights & I have never stayed in one before....and it has 2 bathrooms. We are looking forward to being right next to the lounge though, that cabin I won't give up. (well unless the 2 bed aqua is RUB'd) Hahahaha, I wondered how long it would take for you to notice I said that, I was like hearing from @OCSC Mike in 3,2,1......

My plans for that sailing in 17222 are simple, CK, photo bomb, balcony, CK repeat!!

21 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

26 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

I don’t think long term success should be a concern considering the record number of people willing to pay these prices. I hate to say it but RC doesn’t care about loyalty or the legacy cruisers. The market caters to the new money cruisers and the families willing to spend exponentially more then the legacy cruisers complaining about the MDR or the $2 increase in gratuities. The new cruisers will buy the drink packages, pay for the overwater cabanas and spend tons of money in the casino. The gameplan is laid out and it’s pretty black & white. 

 

This 100% put so well. I was going to type this same thought but erased it because I could not communicate it well,  I feel the exact same way....

I try to be careful with my words through voice or typing, my grandmother always said to me "speak with soft & tender words because some day you may have to eat them."  I'm old & I still remember this from over 50 years ago. I try not to be careless as one never knows what someone else is going through & maybe it is translated wrong. I never want to hurt with my words so I love when someone else can communicate what I'm thinking like @tonyfsu21 did here

@Sea Squirrel My understanding as explained to me by a CK host so not sure if it truely is the case is the gratuity for dining follows you up to CK. This is another reason for recording your cabin number. Supposedly the gratuity from the MDR makes its way to the CK team. 

The service being what it is always finds us rewarding the elevated experience additionally but I do believe and hope that is the case. 

Yikes, my computer didn't refresh. I see this has been answered previously.

Sending positive RUB thoughts your way. The people in the grands surely bid on the panoramic! Personally, I love that you bid and encourage the CLS as well! YOLO and you only have to tell J if you win. I'm fully team @Lovetocruise2002 with this one! 

I'm going to embrace this concept on our shorty Utopia in July! Lets go!

And thanks a lot guys, I've been dreaming about Mounds and Almond Joy for what, almost 24 hours now? 

I love coconut! Oh and I can't get that jingle out of my noggin either

18 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

#teamcoconut

+1

@FireFishII sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes ya don't!!

I love both!!

4 minutes ago, Doug_Texas said:

I wonder if TAs are swamped with "pre-pay gratuities" calls and emails today rather than making money booking cruises?  Nov. 11 is a pretty short fuse.

Yes, I'm sure. I called @Sharla right away (as soon as I read the email) to check my status and pay where I needed to, I bet she was swamped!! 

It was just the point of it all. I remember we just had an increase about a year ago. Blessed to sail so there is that!

Amen to that, @SweetPea. I sailed DCL recently and we had little tickets with names and amounts to include departments, so we could see who received what! I'm sure they had a staff meeting right before the announcement of raised gratuity that fed them this line to give lowly people like me, undeserving of knowing where the monies are actually going. I just feel strongly if they were going to crew why not be transparent. Gees!

@Figuring It Out depending on my outfit of the day photo bombing will be an activity I will fully embrace! Glad you are sticking it out! 

I just don't understand why the breakdown is such a secret. I asked and this was the response, honestly it is what it is but what is the reasoning behind not allowing the consumer to know. 

@Figuring It Out We have fun looking back and seeing if by chance we are in the video. Seriously though, I get your hesitation. When we were on the first sailing on the Adventure from Nassau after the shut down the ship seemed to have more travel industry professionals & bloggers than leisure passengers like us. They were there in full force....but I can say they know how to sail and were very respectful. I thought everyone was being pretty kind to each other & there seemed to be a lot less little ones underfoot. 

We do believe when a new ship is released your assertion is correct, they will be there. We just go about our business & enjoy the sailing being respectful of our surroundings. Stay excited, I have never experienced an inaugural before so I'm looking forward to celebrating how special it will be. I wish for you joy with what ever decision you make.

@Lovetocruise2002 can these two strands be merged? I just spoke to the amazing @Sharla & prepaid my two remaining sailings as well.  Longer strand under Discussion.

@CrznTxn Is there a website or somewhere specific to research group take overs? I think especially with large groups taking over venues unsuspecting other cruisers should be made aware. Twice on Oasis we were "booted" from specialty dining lunch that we previously paid for because a "group" booked it, we were never told until we went to check in at the podium, I thought that was very fresh. 

Another time there was a college "take over" yikes that one was wild! 

Also maybe it's a group I would be interested in joining, I like the TCM sailings but they are doing them on DCL so no thanks. 

I guess what I'm asking is there a central location or website to peruse for these special offerings? Thanks so much, and BTW so sorry your sailing was not enjoyable we have 2 more with Royal and for us if things don't improve our family is moving on as well. Here's hoping for the best!

I can not agree more with @OCSC Mike @Ampurp85 could and should write some books, I would purchase in a heartbeat. 

Shenanigans of the Seas!

The Vintage Brigade's take over of our Cruise Holiday!

Pointers on how to Coral Cats, otherwise known as Vintages!

Tomfoolery on the High Seas, narrated by Ampurp85!

Ampurp85 Complete Guide to sailing with Vintages!

Ampurp85; TA to the Stars, by Stars we mean Vintages!

@Ampurp85 observations & the way she expresses them are something I always look forward to, but it does make me sad that she had a true *Demon ship experience! I wish those sailings on no one. This blog report had me internally being pulled in opposite directions, on one side what in the world is going on in society that being polite and respectful is the exception not the rule, as well as in the same breath, oh please let this sailing get better for our newly minted D+

Once again thank you again for bringing us along & I truly wish for you peace, relaxation & an amazing next sailing:)

*Shout out to @asquared17 for teaching me this perfect descriptive....and if there was one saving grace (shout out to @SweetPea & Batman)  there were zero underwear ordeals....that we know of!

My next blog will be named, Did I pack enough underwear for my Adventure of the Seas!!

I'm sorry this is travel from hell, but I'm so happy you are safe. I second you the assertion here that you are a Saint, I would have booked a flight and figured out how to pay for it later. I know my tolerance and I couldn't be as amazing as you are with the vintage brigade! I hate travel days normally but this one would have me rethinking, maybe I should move closer to some cruise ports! You have packed your patience and I'm rooting for you to arrive home soon. 

Thanks so much for bringing us along, I just wish it was better for you.

I can't believe there were so many kids, don't they go to school? I had previously booked a sailing for spring break 2024 but the school board changed the date. I had to cancel because kiddo was horrified I would take her out of school, she wasn't having it,

Have an uneventful evening our newly minted D+ Alicia!!

Whenever we sail ships with no CK we are always assigned a table on deck 3 or 4. Our Adventure of the Seas sailing with our cabin on Deck 10 I wanted to dine at the MDR on deck 5. We have traditional dining and the app shows MTD is assigned deck 3. So deck 5 seems like fair game. 

Before the sailing I will ask the concierge for deck 5 so we can take the stairs (that's my stairs limit, lol)

Is there any reason why deck 5 is not preferred? After a handful of cruises on this class I just wanted to ask for your thoughts. Is it louder? Anything that i should be aware of before requesting? Curious minds want to know. Thanks all!

Regarding the sleeping arrangements in your cabin...no, something is amiss. I would ask to speak to the head of hotel services OR show the concierge a picture of the cabin with the beds like that. It seems lazy, I think it should be rectified ( side tables in the middle) and some OBC issued to both you and your brother. That just can't be right!

I want so much for you to experience crazy joy from here on out too. Have an amazing rest of the sailing. 

Our Serenade sailing Thanksgiving 2022 had 29 pins. The concierge told us the cut off was 30 so they occupied every seat circle an hour before happy hour until dinner. They also sat at the little bar in there. They were gracious when you engaged them but very territorial. The mornings were very light but by maybe 3 or 3:30 not a seat unless you went to the back on the stage. Just an observation, so on Serenade that week 31 pins would have been directed to the now Crown Lounge. 

@OCSC Mike we visited the DL and SL on our Wonder sailing in June, same food offerings. We just don't enjoy the venue/space of the DL on Oasis class (except the Allure of course) it just feels like you are in a large closet! 

Sorry @Ampurp85 to continue the hijack, now back to our regularly scheduled Vintage hijinks....hosted by our favorite Cruise Director @Ampurp85

 Ship wide announcements are made to let you know your cabin is ready.

When we sailed the Odyssey 2 years ago our cards outside our door were another family. There were 4 cards first clue & they were in the cabin starboard and we were port, same cabin the 2 bedroom suite on opposite sides we were sure of it! The other family was outside their cabin making the same discovery as we went over to the other side to locate our cards. We exchanged and all had a laugh with lite banter "hey do you have more OBC then me? "  the state room hosts were mortified. We received extra bottled "good" water the entire 8 night sailing. Both families were cordial, had a great laugh and greeted each other the entire sailing. Honest mistake but I never ever felt anxiety over it, so it can occur but 9.9 times out of 10 it is correct, don't give it another thought. 

We bring carry on roller boards & backpacks now so we wheel our luggage in the cabin with us. Not for fear of it being lost or taken but because we like to have everything we need right away to unpack and organize and let's face it we were bringing way to much, Seriously if things hanging in the closet are not touched, you brought to much......well except for underwear, always bring extra underwear, don't leave them in the laundry basket! Taheeheehee!!!  

Ode to; shout out for @SweetPea

Na na na na, na na na batman!

I wanted to answer with multiple laughing emogis as well!!!!

16 minutes ago, SweetPea said:

Now you're speaking my language. If you go, Batman and i are going. Just remember, you do not know him, you've never seen his pics, and you cannot refer to him as Batman. Easy, right?!

@Ampurp85 your smile made me smile right back at you! Love, love, love those frames. Nails are spot on, and I think your hair is on point. Just the whole package. 

FYI I'm a gummie vitamin girl myself. 

Wishing you minimal vintage shenanigans:)

FOUND ONE!!!