WAAAYTOOO

1 hour ago, KJones said:

Trying to use the elevators on disembarkation day is a nightmare. Going up is not a problem. But unless you're on Deck 16 (where Windjammer is), good luck finding an elevator going down that isn't full.

This is the time that you learn that you often have to go UP in order to go DOWN.

I believe you will enjoy Grandeur.  She's a little lady with a big heart.

Don't forget to try the Park Cafe.  It's all the way aft just before you get to the Spa area on Deck 9.  It's an especially nice place to eat on embarkation day.  I think it opens up around 11:45.  Many people never even know that it's back there.  They often serve the kummelweck sandwich and cream of mushroom soup on embarkation day.  Yum, yum, yum.

Unless you've been on a Vision class ship before, it can be hard to get used to having the Solarium and the Windjammer reversed in location.  The WJ is on the front of the ship and the Solarium and spa are aft.  I have been on that ship at least a half dozen times and I STILL get mixed up on which way to go.  Once you get your bearnigs, though, it is very easy to get around.  It is noticeably smaller with much less walking than the bigger ships.

With the cooler weather, my guess is that they will have the sailaway party in the Centrum.  I would recommend that you get there early and plant yourself so that you will have a good seat for the music.  I love the Centrum areas on the Vision ships.

Have a GREAT Thanksgiving with your parents.

No, you do not have to pack a wash cloth but if they don't provide you with one, you will have to use one of the hand towels which is a bit cumbersome....but we do what we have to do, right ?

31 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

Enjoy Star Class!

I don't think 14526 is SC.  14528 is, but I think 14526 is Sky class.  To my knowledge only those 2 big ones on the ends (14528 and 14128) are SC

I just got back from Bahrain.  They didn't have any wash cloths either but they do provide guests with a luffa so I guess that was good enough.  Not so great for washing the ol' ears, though....

I highly recommend Ercolano (Herculaneum).  IMO it is a better, smaller, more well preserved and easier tour than Pompeii - especially if you are on a tight schedule.

12 hours ago, 12thman said:

Looking at Star class, several days in London before or after the cruise. 

If you are seriously considering Star Class, let me give you one piece of advice.

Do NOT book one of the corner Grand Loft Suites (10720 or 10320) on Deck 10.  They are inferior suites (are not Star Class material, IMO) and very small.  We weren't even able to get all of our clothes into the closet upstairs.  We loved the GLS on 8 (8724) so I would recommend that one or the one next to it (8724). I haven't been inside the Owner's Loft Suite on 8 or the Royal Loft Suite so I cannot comment on them.  I think the corner rooms, in general just suffer from the geometry of the ship.  I would probably stay away from all of the corner suites.

YIPPEE !!!  Glad your mind is at ease, now.

Nope.  No Concierge email this morning.  I guess I will have to try and nudge them.

1 minute ago, Afc said:

Does royal Caribbean offer any  kind of discounted drink packages on day of boarding? 

Never....with the exception of a Diamond Plus discount

Allure is an awesome ship.  I know you will have a great time

8 minutes ago, Queenbeecruises said:

We heard from the Genie on our schedule.  I am not too pleased with it, rather disappointed.  So to turn a negative into a positive, I am making my own schedule!  

What do you mean ?  Your Genie created a schedule without consulting with you first ?  This isn't really a big deal.  You can do whatever YOU want to do.  I'm sure the Genie was just trying to be proactive.  Sometimes it's a waste of their time but they usually try and do SOME kind of pre-planning. 

8 minutes ago, Queenbeecruises said:

How am I ever going to cruise again with out Star Class?  Please tell me it can be done...

You cannot go back.  I wish you could, but you can't.  

It is easier when you cruise on a ship that doesn't have SC.  

29 minutes ago, teddy said:

My thoughts on the Royal Up program is that they are hedging their bets....trying to make the most money they can.

If they get someone like me (who books Insides) to upgrade to a higher priced stateroom with a reasonable bid, then my original stateroom becomes available.  Then they can sell it to someone else who might be looking for a last minute deal.

Rooms....in ships, hotels, etc...are perishable.  If they aren't occupied by the sailing date, then the empty room isn't generating revenue.

Yep.  You've got it !

30 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said:

Note: Only the drinks, champagne and fruit punch, are bottomless.  The brunch is pick one option per course - appetizer, main course, dessert.  The guy at the table next to mine asked for a second main course, he was told he would be charged for it. This package should be renamed, “Bottomless Drinks Galley Brunch”

Very interesting.  I've never done this event but had no idea that they would limit ANYthing with a name like "bottomless".  Pretty cheesy, actually.

13 minutes ago, Neesa said:

do they respond via email to your requests at least so I know they did in fact receive my requests or do they just take care of everything and you meet them formally on the ship?

Denise, they definitely SHOULD respond to you prior to boarding to confirm that what you have asked for has been accomplished.  I am not very familiar with Elaine but Jeremias is excellent.  I would be very very surprised if they do not get back in touch with you before embarkation.

I still have not heard from the Brilliance Concierge.  Somewhat annoyed about that.  We sail on 11-25. If I don't hear anything today I will be sending a proactive email their way.

11 minutes ago, 12thman said:

Thank you for information!! Are you going on this group cruise?

Are you referring to the northern Europe one that Matt just announced ?  Unfortunately, not at the moment.  Our cruising lives for 2021 are going to have to slow down due to our planned move to Florida.  After that though....no holds barred !!!

Right now, the only group cruise into which we are booked is the New England cruise on Brilliance next October.

It's boarding day !!!!  YIPPEE !!  So excited for you.  Tell us EVERYthing !

Just a note, if you have not stayed in a London hotel before.  As a GENERAL rule, the rooms are much smaller than we, Americans, are used to.  I made a horrible choice for my hotel a few years ago.  I absolutely LOVE London...but the hotels....not so much.  I vowed never to stray from an American big-name brand again.

I was hoping for a quaint local hotel and got a run-down, no-elevator broom closet.  Be careful.

Which ship ?

1 minute ago, ellcee said:

Coconut water is gross. Gimme any other part of that coconut but blehhhh about the water.

^^ +1 ^^

Hmmmm....that is a great idea.  I had forgotten that THE bot was going to be on this cruise, too.

Just now, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Take pics!

UGH.  You know how bad I am at this...but I will make a special effort.  I might EVEN try a live blog.

I just hate lugging a camera around - even a cell phone.  But this is going to be a special cruise.  I will do it for YOU, Sabrina !

Just now, Jaymac Radio said:

I Saw This When I Was Looking At The Deployment Flyer. It Should Be Up Some Time This Week.

Yes, it was on the flyer but not yet showing on the website.  Maybe I will get lucky and Michelle will be able to book it even though it's not yet on the website.

I just got an email from my Genie.  She told me that all staterooms have been refreshed.  "New carpets, drapes, TVs and more" were her exact words.

YIPPEE !!!

2 minutes ago, Jaymac Radio said:

Well One Time In 2021 Symphony Will Be Doing A Rare 8 Night Cruise To Aruba and Curacao.  I Hope In The Following Years Royal Will Do This Route On Oasis Class Ships More Offen. 

 

It is not on the website though.  I asked Michelle to see if she could book it.  I haven't heard back from her yet.

We have been getting our snail mail offers for the past couple of weeks.  There was a period of time when we weren't getting them, though.

The offers are awful so we just dump them in the trash but we ARE getting them.