Va4fam

So many questions........

Is the goal 2 or 3 ships each day?

Does current pier have capacity for 3 ships?

What is capacity of the waterpark?  Will that be limited or expanded?

Would they ever consider using tenders again for the smaller ships to keep increasing capacity?   They did that until 2017, right?

As much as I grumble about the changes, it does seem to be good for my RC stock price.

• If you have access to the Diamond Lounge, they may be able to assist you with airline check-in.

14 minutes ago, CruiseGus said:

I would think a closer comparison is the major All Inclusive resorts like these examples in Mexico.  Bahia Principe, Riu, Secrets, Dreams, Iberostar, Grand Oasis, Grand Palladium, Hard Rock, etc

Agreed.   We are booking an all-inclusive ocean front suite at the Hyatt in Puerto Vallarta for less than an Ocean Balcony on Royal will cost at the same time.  Can eat all the pizza, steak, hibachi, Italian, Mexican, and all the drinks we want 24/7. 

Cancun and D.R. have amazing deals that cost even less.

Not sure if this was already brought up, but last month Princess announced fees for some previously complimentary venues including Pizza.   Don't want to pay more for the all inclusive pricing......you NOW get to pay a la carte pricing for pizza, or burgers (they used to be included in standard cruise fares).

Probably got attention from somebody at Royal.

Bring back the interns! 

12 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I feel like the possibilities of charges for garbage services and offerings is the proverbial straw. You have a former CFO who is now the CEO being transparent with his money thoughts. He feels like the value of cruises aren't on par with land based vacations and it wasn't but now it's also not. You can now find wonderful land based vacations for less than a cruise.

I am D+ but I have gone from having 5+ cruises a year booked to 2 because the value has decreased for me. I wasn't a MDR/WJ or Sorrento's pizza eater before all the changes. But with decrease value in the UDP and possible changes. I will have to rethink my booking habits. Also the newest ships aren't geared towards a single 40ish woman and the oldest ships are too old. I might transition to Celebrity, which is under Royals umbrella but a different beast.

This sums up our feelings as well.   When did Royal turn into Disney?

-We are D+

-Since we are flying anyway, land based vacations offering better values now and in 2024-25

-4 cruises this year but only 2 planned for 2024, and 2 in 2025 (1 is a Celebrity cruise with wifi, drinks, tips included)

You could try to review past cruise compasses for a general idea of the entertainment.   Many of them are posted on this site.

Didn't they used to offer Beginner Pickleball sessions for free?   Maybe they should include a racquet, $ 70 pp seems quite steep.

Congrats @KevinK and @RCIfan1912 for your upcoming Diamond cruises.   

You can start using your Diamond drinks as soon as you get on the ship.   

Friendly tip-make sure you specify when you want or don't want to use your Diamond vouchers........no use having a bottle of water count unless you want it to.

On Alaska cruise this summer (different cruise line), we ordered Hot chocolate with Spiced Rum.   It was amazing and perfect after a chilly day outside.   Imagine you could create your own on any Royal ship.

The big brains at Royal had to know this C & A logjam was inevitable.   If you want a totally out of the box idea, how about creating a few cruises that cost double the current amount with the promise of sailing at 50% capacity.  No overcrowding, no elevator waiting, anytime dining would really be.......any time. 

Or some type of bundled package.....internet, drinks, gratuities include similar to Princess Plus or Celebrity.

How about 2 new C & A Levels:   Mid Tier-340-350 points to break up the Diamond Plus-Pinnacle void, and 2000 points......  All those Pinnacles need a new goal too.The lounge is not a big deal to me since we get the free drinks.   Maybe the new 350 pointers get Free internet or drink package or specialty dining?

Big picture for us is that cruising is not the "value" that it was last year or in 2017-2020.   Charging for inexpensive and average pizza seems pretty low even for Royal.

Us too!  

We were on Odyssey in April.   The Book was sold out, but all other entertainment could be booked once we got on board.

The one flight on Jetblue would make me nervous.

We flew Alaska Airlines to Anchorage with a return from Vancouver.   Plenty of flight options.  Seattle is one of their bigger hubs if you choose to fly there.

The recycle/reuse photo sounds like it would be a good solution.

Can't imagine how much time and materials it costs to print all of these pictures every day.

Seems like a kiosk would be more cost efficient and take up less room than the current set up.  

Thanks @TXcruzer and @melmar02...........for confirming Royal doesn't use the same technology for every ship.

How much does it cost them to print all those 8 x 10 pictures and throw most of them away?

Would it really be that hard to convert the space to the digital kiosks?

Photos.  

The newer ships seem to use digital technology allowing us to pick and choose which pictures we like, print out, and take home (or download at home).

The older ships seem to be using 1989 technology where they take the picture, PRINT IT OUT, and allow you to sort through a dozen or so pictures by the end of the week and choose what you want.   Seems like an incredible waste.   And what happens to all those pictures at the end of the week?  Was on a non-Royal ship last month and they were still doing it this way and not sure if Royal had converted all ships to the new technology.

How hard would it be to convert the photo area on a ship to all digital?  Wouldn't it save a considerable amount of money?

What is "luggage valet" program....and is it available at every port?

We have done this trip several times and have an 11 nighter on Anthem coming up in January.

It can be chilly/cold for the start of the cruise but not too bad.  Fun to be bundled up sailing under the Verrazano bridge and seeing NYC at night as you leave Bayonne.

I enjoy a couple of sea days at the end of a cruise, but the weather coming back has not been very nice (windy/rainy/cold/choppy) in our limited experience.

Where is a good place to find the magnetic white boards?   Didn't see any at Target.

Oydssey is our favorite ship right now (Quantum class).

Symphony (oasis class)....but like Aqua 80s and Portside BBQ on Oasis

Freedom of the Seas and Navigator are both great ships.

I have an easy solution for you....each cruise go to Nextcruise desk and book another cruise.   Maybe two or 3.   That way you always have future sailings.

Problem solved!

Thank you for the St. Lucia tips @FionaMG....and the reassurance @ChessE4......it's strange that they list San Juan and DR excursions for the same day.

I will reach out to the TA to see if we can get any clarity on if there has been an itinerary change to DR instead of San Juan.   

DR is great but have never been to San Juan.

Looking at the itinerary for our cruise in 2024 (Anthem 1/18), the first port is San Juan.

BUT.....take a look at the shore excursions that day and many of them are for Dominican Republic (Puerto Plata).   Is this for real, or another intern mistake?

The other two trips on Anthem have stops in Puerto Plata, but this sailing goes to San Juan instead.

Advice needed for good excursions in St. Kitts and St. Lucia.   We enjoy hiking, biking, beaches, snorkeling, atvs, etc.   Has anyone done the volcano hike in St. Kitts?

following along.....headed to Alaska in less than 3 weeks.

I'm assuming the weather inside the ship will be comfortable, but glacier viewing and sail away could be chilly or wet.

I'm bringing layers and a rain jacket.

10 hours ago, Dumpling214 said:

For anyone that has stayed in a Junior Suite on Oasis/Quantum class ships, what would you say are the biggest drawbacks/cons? 

I'm probably in the minority but my biggest drawback is the tub on Oasis class.   I prefer a shower.

I've only had the split/separate tub and shower on Odyssey (Quantum clas)...which was amazing!

We also stayed at the Embassy Suites Newark Airport precruise.   There is a large mall and very nice multiplex theater reasonably close to the hotel.   

Drove to the parking garage at Cape Liberty....does anyone know what that costs now?

@Teddy, for the stay and park package at the hotel, how much extra is the parking vs. regular hotel rate?