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Bryce G.

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Everything posted by Bryce G.

  1. I think you hit the nail on the head there, Matt. With ports getting bigger, that will be the green light for other cruise lines to look into larger ships. That being said, there's still a market (some people like smaller ships) and even a NEED for the industry (ie- Panama Canal) for smaller ships to continue being built.
  2. Best thing for me is that I get to be on one of the FIRST spa tours. I ONLY do the tour so I can get a raffle ticket (you need to take a tour to get a raffle ticket). Once I've gotten that out of the way, I can take care of other things--removing gratuities (yes, I still tip, I just need to adjust to whom the tips go), booking my reservations for specialty restaurants (I buy the Royal Choice Dining Package 3 of your 4 reservations MUST be made onboard, not online), ensuring my show reservations that i booked online (if applicable--Oasis, Allure, and Liberty) do not overlap with certain events such as formal nights, and finding the bar.
  3. Also note that sometimes, they use words interchangeably like the ShipShape Center (older ships), ShipShape Spa, Fitness Center, etc. But, don't get the hours confused--the Fitness Center usually opens, as Matt said, around 6am, BEFORE the spa. Some ships are a bit earlier than 6am. The hours of operation on Majesty of the Seas, from what I hear, are pretty measley.
  4. Agree. I won't be too jazzed if they decide to bring a Starbucks on every ship because it's kinda a sellout to me! Speaking of which--at the Solarium bar on Radiance, there was a GIANT sign that advertised how they sell Seattle's best coffee, with a photo of frozen frappucino-style drinks. I tried to order one--they don't make them there (hot espresso drinks only). They're for sale at Lattetudes. Poor sign placement, if you ask me.
  5. For ships with fewer specialty restaurants, yes--it would get tiresome. I'd venture to say, though, that most of the ships with so few specialty options are on shorter itineraries anyway.
  6. I apologize if I come off as negative (looking back on my comments). I'm a systems engineer so I study efficiency everywhere I go, and how human factors and business practice can improve revenues. Naturally, I point out the downfalls. Apologies. <3 RCI 4 lyfe. ;-)
  7. Right around the corner from me!
  8. Samba Grill was pretty neat--but I've never been to a Brazilian restaurant, so maybe that's why I liked it so much. Rita's was nice, but completely empty. They push it--big time. But no one goes, probably because of the surcharge PLUS a la carte pricing. But I would like to mention the Dog House Boardwalk Hot Dog stand. This venue was a COMPLETE waste of space. It takes up a large area that used to be part of the Windjammer on Radiance. It gets very little business (food is free) and really seems out of place. It makes more sense on a "boardwalk" a la Oasis-class. Most people just go there because there's extra seating and it's right near the Windjammer. RCI would've made a MUCH better choice in tossing in a Johnny Rocket's and making some revenue.
  9. The cake celebration kind of fell by the way-side. They didn't announce it, or if they did, it wasn't widely publicized. The cruise director DID announce the milestone itself at a few of the shows. Part of the reason they may not have announced it? None of the room intercoms worked. They must've been disabled in the revitalization. It was a pain, for sure, to not be able to hear ANY announcement unless you stepped outside, or tuned your TV to Channel 40 (a channel which was otherwise silent when no announcement was being made). Also, IMHO, this was one of the lower-quality cruise directors. Had it been someone else, I bet the 50 Millionth celebration would've gone a bit differently.
  10. Loved the ambiance of Giovanni's on Oasis. It was just average on Radiance in comparison.
  11. The Royal Choice Dining Package I believe it's called. Or just the Royal Dining Package.
  12. Ordering the milkshakes (for extra) is totally worth it. On Oasis, Johnny Rocket's was mediocre. I really enjoyed it on Liberty and Mariner. Also of note, Johnny Rockets serves breakfast--and if I remember correctly, it's free--no surcharge. Omelettes are great.
  13. They had cake and a celebration in the Viking Crown Lounge (sorry, "StarQuest") on Radiance OTS last week to celebrate.
  14. Nah. The Oasis Class is too big to build a 4th IMHO. They should stick with innovation, and start with remodeling more ports (a la Falmouth) if they want to build another Oasis-Class ship.
  15. Hi there! I just returned. I ate in Chops Grille, Samba Grille, Giovanni's Table, Izumi, and Rita's Cantina. Oh, and Park Cafe. (free). Lots and Lots at Park Cafe. Healthy AND unhealthy options. Never busy. These are all specialty restaurants and have a cost associated, but tip is included. The food is FAR beyond the MDR, and the atmosphere is amazing in each. It may get pricey with several children, though. If you go on a Freedom Class, Voyager Class, or Oasis Class, go to Johnny Rocket's with the kids. Small fee, and your kids will love you forever--or at least for a few hours.
  16. It would probably be off-putting to the guilty guests. I'm sure they'd rather just turn the other cheek and have other guests be angry at the guilty rather than the cruise line.
  17. The only thing that I would say has gone in the "wrong" direction (strong word--unnecessarily) is the food in the MDR. They've put less focus on that menu to really push the Specialty Restaurants. I'm not sure about other cruises, but I feel that RCI adds some amazing and innovative stuff on their ships, MOST for a fee. Starbucks at Sea? $$. Johnny Rockets! $$. Pets at Sea! $$. They have lots of "firsts" but charge for so many. Remember when the food on cruises used to be the MAIN selling point? And it didn't include a sitting fee? And a corking fee? And a fee for that after-dinner specialty coffee?
  18. Hi there! I'm Bryce. I live in Michigan now (I've moved quite a few times recently). First cruise was aboard Majesty of the Seas. Love the intricacies of the ships--seeing how the staff works, etc. I am a Systems Engineer, after all. Efficiency is what I study.
  19. August 9, tomorrow. Radiance of the Seas.
  20. Are you talking for specialty restaurants? If you're booking a PACKAGE, you only book the 1st reservation online, and then you're required to do the rest on-board. If you're doing specific individual specialty restaurants, do it online. OR, do it IMMEDIATELY when you get on board. They fill up very quickly, so you may not get the day/time you want. Plus you'll be so excited with the ship, you might forget. HINT: Go to ANY specialty restaurant to make your reservation on board. They all share the same computer system and can book you for other restaurants.
  21. They came up with a new policy. NOW, your two options are: -Pay ALL gratuities in advance -Charge each days gratuities, automatically, to your onboard account. If it helps, since i will NOT be using the main dining room at ALL during my trip this coming week, I will go to the Purser's desk everyday (or just toward the end of my cruise) to remove those gratuity charges, since I did not use the services.
  22. Yes, you can get Wi-Fi anywhere on board that class of ship. There is a cost associated. You may call home. From a mobile? You'll need an international calling plan, and it won't work while you're at sea. There are phones in the room. The cost is outrageous to call home--but it's there if you need it. Not ALL of the pools are open 24/7, but they usually keep a few open. For example, the children's area closes around 9 or 10pm. And the usually close 1-2 pools and 1-2 hot tubs at a time to drain and clean it. But if you want to go swimming at 3am, there WILL be a pool open for you. :-) Welcome to the Loyal to Royal Family!
  23. But I will say that a marriage proposal or wedding ceremony in North Star is a neat idea.
  24. They BETTER have Broadway shows! UPDATE: Matt covered it in his blog here http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/08/07/quantum-seas-frequently-asked-questions-reveals-more-details Looks like we're all set.
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