If I am understanding correctly, you booked an interior guarantee.  This is the cheapest option available for booking and doesn't entitle you to any choice.  You are going to get the best room that hasn't already sold - period.  If you want something more, you will need to pay for it.

Supply and demand - it's worth what people are willing to pay.

Why would they give a credit for people who were able to enjoy the full cruise?

2 hours ago, mAdCapper said:

Ok, I've been through this in my head a lot and I thought I'd look to some veterans for their opinion.

 

I was on the March 9th sailing of Adventure of the Seas and let me start by saying overall I had a blast.  Amazing service staff, great ports.  Had a great cruise.  That said, it was nearly ruined by a single, though major problem.  Our bed was the WORST bed I have ever slept on.  In my 20s I went camping with a tent and a sleeping bag and that was more comfortable than this bed.  It was TORTURE.  Both my fiancée and I suffered nightly.  We brought this to our attendant's attention day 2 (the attendant was sub par as it was unfortunately but nothing worth talking about)and nothing happened.  I asked for a topper and got nothing.  On the 3rd dinner service, our first in the MDR we mentioned it to our server in passing conversation and low and behold things were taken into action.  He told his supervisor and suddenly a topper was found, though our attendant said there were none.  

 

Unfortunately it was a half inch used foam topper that did little to assist in the sleep.  The bed frame was a solid sheet of metal...it looked like leftover from the ceiling construction to be honest.  The mattress was too thin and obviously too worn.  This was, as i said the worst I've ever slept on.  This was so disheartening as we had so much fun on the cruise.  We were 11 in total and every day was a blast, except every morning we woke up over tired and restless in sleep.  It nearly ruined what was a great cruise.  

I also felt I didn't have a poor expectation.  We had a spacious balcony from a royal up (from standard balcony, probably not worth in retrospect) so I felt like I paid extra for a worse sleep.  I sailed on Navigator in December and though we had a promenade view, the bed was 100x better than this.  In fact as a result I have been suffering from back issues for the last few weeks post cruise.  I would have had a week sick save for a great company that let me take a home week for work.  

 

To get to the point of the post.  I voiced this concern to both my survey and to RC's email address for customer concerns. I felt like this level of poor experience deserved something as an apology.  Both my fiancée and I are now Prime in the casino so we'd absolutely planned on being on RC again and we have a goal of 2 cruises a year.  

 

The response from customer service was we are sorry and value your feedback.  Nothing else, nothing more.  This has slightly soured my experience with Royal Caribbean.  I've never gone to a head office of any company before so I really want to know am I expecting too much?  Having previously worked as a store manager in retail, I know I've done a LOT more to make it right.  We spent $2000 on the cruise, and thousands more between specialty, drinks, casino, etc.  As a manager i'd over easily given a gift card as an apology and to make it right. 

This is something in the company's control.  I mean a decent foam mattress costs $500 and lasts years.  This is how much it would have cost for the situation to have never happened.  It isn't a complaint on weather or clearly defined rules.  

Am I over expecting?  

Mattress comfort is subjective.  Having said that, this is what I would describe as a known issue with Royal.  The beds are very firm.  I don't really like them either, but my wife loves them so it's not everyone who is complaining.  They can bring in the foam topper, but beyond that the beds are the beds and they aren't going to change them out.

On 3/27/2024 at 9:02 AM, CyclingVa said:

I have not heard anything, Would love to see it.  Im glad its come back up to where it was pre covid.  I actually bought mine during covid when it was in the upper 20's.  

Me too, I wish I had bought a lot more.

MDR food should not be compared to a good restaurant because the meals are not cooked to order.  The meals are cooked in mass and menu choices reflect that. They are more correctly compared to banquet food that would be served at an awards dinner or wedding. 

I think they do a good job overall but there are definitely some things that are a miss for me.  I wish there was more variety to the menu's so that those of us who cruise regularly get some fresh choices.

2 hours ago, Colon said:

I have a question. I will sailed my first cruise as a Diamond on June. My sister is gold. Does she allow yo use the Crown Lounge with me or just me?

Officially no, but if you use your card to enter and she follows you in, nobody would really know.

Congratulations!

A few tips:

Make sure you specify whether you are using your diamond drinks or not when you order.  Waiters will often apply them automatically if you don't specify and you may waste one on a low cost drink.

The coffee machine in the Crown Lounge is an underrated perk.  They also have a nice hor dourves set up at happy hour and a waiter to get drinks.

The concierge located in the Crown lounge can do a lot of things you used to have to go to guest relations for.

The free photo (each) is another nice perk.

10 minutes ago, Galveston Steve said:

I've had the same experience. But instead of turning left on Royal Caribbean Circle, you should be able to continue straight on Royal Caribbean Way and turn left into the North parking lot instead of going around past luggage drop-off. 

Thanks! I will definitely do that next time.  The signs make it seem like you need to go around.

16 minutes ago, Galveston Steve said:

Here is a story in the Galveston Daily News regarding the Port's continuing efforts to improve traffic flow in and around the Port.  For instance, the new Cruise Terminal 16 opening in late 2025 will have a parking garage.

I love the new terminal and parking is much better than the offsite parking at the old terminal. My only complaint is that they force you to go all the way around the North Lot, past the terminal, just to enter the lot.  It makes no sense.

Traffic in Italy is notorious for delays.  You probably make your flight 90% of the time but there are many issues that could prevent it. 

If you miss it, what options would you have at that point?  I would think you would be able to get to Madrid somehow that day but there may be a cost.

If you can afford it, there are some big advantages to staying in the park.  Disney is really 4 parks so you will definitely need to make some decisions depending on how many days you have available.

21 hours ago, Carlos A. said:

Hi! I'm staying in Houston (near Energy Corridor) before my August Harmony Cruise, I rented a Car with Enterprise from IAH and will be returning it on Galveston. Waze and Google says that usually this is a 1:15 drive but I've read about traffic getting to Galveston, how much time in advance would you recommend me to take?

How difficult is to get from Enterprise to the Port? I'm thinking on dropping off my family on the port and then return the car. Are there taxi or Ubers available for a short drive like this?

I've never been to Galveston so I'm clueless.

Also, how difficult would be doing the opposite. Getting off the ship, get to Enterprise, rent a car and then pick up my family? I'm clueless about getting back to Houston, where we will be staying near The Galleria mall.

Thanks so much in advance!

I would call the Galveston office for Enterprise and ask them the best way. 

It can vary by port as the ship does need to clear customs before allowing people to leave.  7 to 7:30 is normal but it can definitely be delayed.

This is very common in Roatan.  Cash is preferred at restaurants also.

A lot more bids were won when Covid was high and occupancies were much lower.  The truth is that there will most likely not be any available rooms to upgrade to.  I would place a bid for what you think it is worth, and then forget about it - you probably will end up in the cabin you booked.  If you do win, it will be a nice surprise at the last minute.

4 hours ago, GADGT5 said:

Hi Folks. 

My wife booked a 9 night cruise with her friend.. and now I am available and can book a room (me and the kids) in a seperate room. 

Q: would we just get the 9 points, or do we get 9 points each as its a seperate room and booking? (ie 18 points?) 

You would each get 9 points in your scenario.  You would also get 9 points each if you were in the same room.  Each person in the room will get the points.

Yes, they can definitely do that.

I use taxi's.  I usually arrange with the driver to pick me up a set time - i have never had a problem with them being there.

Unfortunately no, coffee makers are only in suites.  

They are similar in what they offer but Nachi Cocum is much quieter.  Paradise beach has more people, but also more to do.  Both have a very nice pool.

The biggest difference is the blow up water stuff at Paradise Beach that can be fun for the kids.  

We like both and typically pick PB when my teenager cruises with us, and Nachi Cocum when it is just my wife and I.

I would recommend the two outside areas that are accessible from the solarium.  There are glass panels, but you can use the spaces in between for photos.

On 1/3/2024 at 4:13 PM, foxrunner said:

Although the fee is minimal and rarely enforced, it is very inconsistent. Which puts the staff in a bind and that is unfair. They allow you to bring on two bottles per stateroom and therefore shouldn't charge you corkage or should always charge you the fee. These are the nickel and dime tactics that degrade the overall experience. On a land based vacation we tolerate these tactics as it is part of the adventure. With cruising starting to cost as much as land vacations this becomes irksome. The thing I love about cruising is going away and that is cost certainty. Yes I've only been on 5 RCC cruises but have had a corkage fee once. The thread question was how to avoid the fee. This is a site dedicated to cruise hacks and I wish Royal didn't make us play these games. 

Royal clearly states the policy on their website.  Note that it is actually all public areas that are subject to the fee.  As @WAAAYTOOOstated above, it is not really about the waiter opening the bottle.

If you want cost certainty, just expect to be charged and be pleasantly surprised when you are not.  Even with the charge, you will be saving alot vs purchasing a bottle on the ship.  

I don't think Royal is in any way obligated to allow us to bring wine aboard in the first place, so I see don't see any of this as nickel and diming.  

Corkage fees are VERY rarely applied in any of the restaurants onboard.  I typically bring 2 bottles of wine and bring the full corked bottle to dinner and the waiter handles it the same as if I had ordered it.  I understand that I could be charged, and would not be upset if I were - but it has only happened once, and that was very shortly after they added the fee.

You take the bus from the cruise terminal to town.  The walk from the bus drop-off to the Sitka Historic Park is a nice walk along the harbor.  There are quite a few trails within the park.  If you want to add some distance, walk over to the Raptor center from the park, or start there and then do the park.