Censored

Not proctored. Not for travel. Not good for Canadians at all. I bet Don finally found his test in Ottawa at the local Wallmart. $19.95 CAD Disembarking is a concerning issue for us Canadians to. No more comped tests. PCR at the terminal $210 PP

Yes, perhaps for large groups,, but there are only a few loungers in the Cabana. The cost of the Cabana equals the cost of another cruise. The value equation does not work for me.

Sorry about that experience! I think they have been very strict about check in times now to avoid that. I thought the terminal was actually very big. Lines can be long, but its the length of time that matters. How long did you have to wait?

I live in Toronto. I have the same issues. Mine is Drive or Fly? Im doing a B2B Feb 20, and I love to fly from Billy Bishop Airport in Toronto. The flight is an hour, with no line ups and easy boarding. I arrive one hour before the flight. The problem is getting the PCR test after the cruise as Royal have stopped their complimentary testing . The charged last I checked at the Bayonne terminal is $210 US ! ouch! Convert that to CAD for a family of 4! I have no idea how long the results take . For me the logistics of the whole thing is simply too stressful. I have decided to drive and pay $300 for parking, pay the fuel to drive 6-7 hours to and from Toronto. I will try a rapid test at a local Walgreens in Buffalo or Niagara Falls New York and try my luck. If worse comes to worse I will stay at the local Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino to figure things out.

Of course I know that there are others who like things I don't like. The premise of the question was pointing to the investment cost and overall usage of the venue/activity to determine if it was a good idea, or a bad one. One day I will muster up the courage to do the flowrider.

A very thoughtful and insightful answer. Im sure the researchers for Royal have figured out the math on how much these venue/activities are used. I hardly saw anybody going down the "dry slides " on Oasis. Rock climbing always sporadic. The suite sun deck has potential for great improvement .Regardless, different strokes for different folks.... Royal does an amazing job to appeal to many. Thx!

I think you are right here. Lots of people catapulted to Diamond status with double points especially if you had suites. My wife does not drink so now I get 12 free drinks a day... . I think that includes fresh squeezed orange juice and starbucks coffee ... right?

Do you think the perks and benefits for all the levels within this program need some changes? Pinnacle seems unattainable for most, unless you live to be 90 years of age and cruise every month ! I met one gentleman who was a pinnacle at age 44!!! What!? I think if you live in Florida, and go on a lot of weekend cruises, along with week cruises is how he does it. Do you think there should be a another level created between Diamond Plus and Pinnacle? I think there are internal levels of Diamond Plus and Pinnacle not posted. Super Mario is the highest of all.

Prior to Covid, I recall you could check in earlier if you were Pinnacle, Diamond, Diamond Plus or booked a suite. Has any of that reinstated? Or is it strictly by a reservation on the app....first come first served basis? No loyalty perks here?

Most of my cruises came out of Bayonne. I did not experience what you post. 4 cruises in Nov-DEC 2021. I arrive mostly at 11-12, never waited more than 15 minutes at most. I check in the earliest on the app as soon as I get the email for check in.

Only for suite guest. Junior suite dinner only

Have you ever noticed how some venues on board look like they took a lot of time and money to create on a cruise ship? On Oasis class ships there are up to 6,000 cruisers or more. Ask yourself how many of those people went rock climbing?? Waited in line for the flow rider? Played mini golf? The north star... sky pad etc etc.... The sky deck for suite guests are hardly used.. with an empty bar at most times. Private loungers in a sealed off area extremely hot, no pool, ...the whole area to me is just poorly planned. NCL has the "haven" Is that a better idea? The robotic drink makers.... Ive watched it, but dont get it. That novelty wears off quickly...... to me a waste. Agree? Disagree? I

Ive heard this rumour, and if its true, it makes sense. They do it in Labadee, why not Coco Cay? Suites come at a premium... for some a huge premium, so why should they pay extra for an area like the "Coco Beach Club"? I walked through there....and it was nice, but IMO not worth the extra $$$. Its the same sand, the same water, ok they have different loungers ( some are with cushions and Im sure you must arrive early to get those) and a nice but small infinity pool that can become crowded. Along with that a superior offering of food. The cabanas on the water are ridiculously priced and are for people with money to burn or want to be Fiji tourist wannabes . Its not the same. And certainly not worth $2,000 plus IMO. I like Coco Cay... it needs some refinement. The sand feels artificial. Its not smooth powdery white like the rest of Bahamas.The water is murky along most of the shoreline including the manmade bay. Ive been there 5 times, and each time someone steps on a sea urchin, and you must watch out for baby sharks, manta rays etc..... My wife spotted a few of these creatures and now refuses to swim on the shorelines . We go to the bay area where it is netted off to keep the creepy crawlies away. Personally I enjoy the massive pool area. All in all I prefer Coco Cay to Labadee . What say you?

I am on board with your comments. Once free drinks for all in introduced, prices will go up. Whether you are single, married, have kids, old or young, Royal has worked out something for all. Ya, you can call it mainstream generic cruising...but it works. As I posted, I particularly enjoy the Casino Royale loyalty points program. Its the best of all cruise lines. But it was complicated at first. Took me 2 years to digest and go deep to figure it all out and gamble strategically to optimize all the perks., without going broke. They recently made some great changes to the program that very few people know about. You have to stay on top of it.

Ive cruised enough on Royal to achieve Diamond Plus status in the Crown and Anchor Society. Im fascinated by cruisers loyalty to the brand. I think the tier levels and rewards has something to do with it, even though some of the perks are really no big deal. Super Mario and a few like him are anomalies . These people live on ships and I know Royal is very good to Mario. I personally like the suites on Royal and the Coastal Kitchen cuisine. I have never eaten at any of the specialty restaurants to date. Sometimes I switch it up and go to MDR if I see some specialty items I like. Since I am a gambler and member of Casino Royale Signature status, all of my Royal cruises are comped. Most of them suites., along with free play. My next cruise comes with $1,000 free play. or OBC whatever I choose. The Oasis class of ships have the biggest casinos, and that makes a difference too. So I would like to know why other people are loyal to Royal? And if Royal ceased to exist , what would be your second choice of cruise line?

the post was about food quality and consistency on board. You chose an Alaskan cruise that im sure you have to factor in flights etc. Then compared that to a motel 6. Fine. Dont forget to add beverage packages , excursions, etc. With regards to best bang for your buck.... or "all inclusive buck" some land holidays simply cant be beat. Azul/ Sandals/ Beaches/ Jamaica, Mexico, Barbados. If you shop well, and wait for sales, you can easily get one of these properties for $1200-1500. Gourmet food, premium drink, hotel, flight, transfers. all in. Not the same as in a cruise I know. But they do have nightly entertainment, some activities, and kids programs.

This analogy makes no sense. You can book an all inclusive trip to Cuba/Dominican and stuff your face for $600 PP at some resorts. Flight hotel ,booze included. So what? Its very obvious to me that many people book a cruise primarily for the food experience . I have never seen so many morbidly obese people in one venue in my life other than the buffet on a cruise ship. So I think food quality is a high expectation on a cruise ship. No fantasy. McDonald $230?? lol.... Take into account flight costs, taxis, etc,,, I'm sure that overall cost to Alaska was more than you post. I think for most, the Alaska priority excitement is the sites., a destination. Lots of cruises are just sunny sea days around the Caribbean, and a lot of people these days don't even leave the ship. (Im on of them) I enjoy the ship, most of the food, and I gamble a lot. Lost interest in the ports and straw markets and jewellery shopping, etc a long time ago. To each his own.

Yes I would agree that anybody loving any kind of cuisine is "all theirs" as you put it. I would simply be careful to recommend something as "the best" if asked.

Hibachi Izumi has been "recommended" along with being a favourite. Numerous times.

A person with a discerning palate may be able to discern flavors that others cannot. This ability is often associated with wisdom and experience. Being discerning also often involves making a judgment, especially about things that aren't obvious. Japanese cooking tables in general are bland and boring period. Many would agree. Yes the experience of the entertainment aspect might tickle your fancy. But once is enough for me. No disrespect to Matt,( I repeat) but he has been asked numerous times about "best" places to dine, or his "favourite" place to dine. To each his own.

I think with Prime or Wagyu, you are pretty much guaranteed a tasty cut of beef. Food fraud has been happening for years until caught. The savings and risk is worth it to the big companies, because they know it would take a lot of investigative digging to prove anything. Its all about profits, and RCI is in it for profits. But back to the premium restaurants... for Matt to say( all due respect) that Hibachi Izumi is the best dining venue on Royal proves that he has no refined or discerning palate. All proteins on those tables are fried in oil with added soy sauce. Oh, but it fresh and hot! lol

Here is the latest from Royal......

Thx Twangster. A very thoughtful , insightful answer for non boosted cruisers.

Can anybody confirm how buying a minimum of 100 shares gives you perks and OBC with every cruise?

SilverSeas Cruise lines owned by Royal, along with Azamara have announced days ago that booster vaccines will be required to board their ships, This can only mean that this will happen with Royal. I've asked Matt this question and he cannot comment as it is a hypothetical question? I dont think so if these other cruise lines owned by Royal are doing so, why would Royal be exempt?. If boosters are required what are the protocols? Lets say you have a cruise that is only one week away, and the announcement comes out? Then what? Any grace period allowed? Must the vaccine still be 14 days prior to boarding? Many cruisers are double vaxxed, but not boosted. I know the obvious answer is to simply get boosted asap, but I do not want to do that. Being double vaxxed already and having had covid, I feel I am immune enough. Comments?