Moby Dick

I'm shocked! NOT!

On the one and only tour that offered, for us, a tour of the engine room actually turned out to be a tour of the control/monitoring room with all the monitors and controls in it and we were given a briefing of what it all meant by the Chief Engineer. But, we actually never got to see an actual engine/engine room. It was great and disappointing at the same time. I'm kinda tech geek, not that I know that much about it, I'm just fascinated by electronic geek stuff, and to be briefed by the Chief Engineer was a great touch. On Brand X, we actually got to go into the engine room and there was an actual spare engine in a room next to I-95 where it is ready to be used if need be. But, I don't miss Brand X a bit.

Oops, that's the Australian site. That doesn't take away my appreciation though, not one bit.

Good job! Thanks

I understand that, as I stated in an earlier thread that it only counts what Royal says. But, I was just looking to find out if there is anything in writing about it that isn't as easy to find. But, thanks anyway!

We've got one like that but blue.

This is not intended to challenge anyone that has experienced the titled from being confiscated at an embarkation. I've had this question on my mind for a long time. Many folks, including me a few times a long time ago, have advised newbies that Surge Protectors/Suppressors are prohibited on a Royal ship. HOWEVER, I can't find anywhere on Royal's FAQ in the Prohibited Items list that actually prohibits them. I personally have taken a multiple outlet plus USB onboardL, with surge protector, without incident. Don't know if I got away with it or if, in fact, they are authorized. Has anybody found another source that the one linked below that actually states that the titled are prohibited? https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/prohibited-items-onboard-policy Q What items are prohibited onboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship? A Weapons, illegal drugs, and other items that could interfere with the safe operation of the ship or the safe and secure environment of our guests and crew are prohibited. The following are examples of items that guests are not allowed to bring onboard. These and other similar items will be confiscated upon being found. Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, flammable liquids, explosives, and dangerous chemicals will not be returned. Prohibited items: Firearms & Ammunition, including realistic replicas. Sharp Objects, including all knives and scissors. (Note: Personal grooming items such as safety razors are allowed. Scissors with blade length less than 4 inches are allowed.) Illegal Drugs & Substances CBD Oil / CBD Products Candles, Incense, Coffee Makers, Clothes Irons, Travel Steamers & Hot Plates. (Items that generate heat or produce an open flame. This includes heating pads, clothing irons, hotplates, candles, incense and any other item that may create a fire hazard. NOTE: The only exception to this policy are curling irons and hair straighteners. Matches and normal lighteners are allowed onboard. However ""torch lighters"" and novelty lighters that look like guns are not allowed onboard. Torch lighters emit a powerful concentrated flame, and therefore are prohibited. Hoverboards Martial Arts, Self Defense, and Sports Gear, including handcuffs, pepper spray, night sticks. Flammable Liquids and Explosives, including lighter fluid and fireworks. Hookahs & Water Hookah Pipes. HAM Radios Baby Monitors Electrical Extension Cords NOTE: NO MENTION OF SURGE PROTECTORS/SUPPRESSORS Dangerous Chemicals, including bleach and paint. Perishable Food & Meat Products Alcoholic Beverages (Note: On boarding day, each stateroom may bring up to two 750 ml bottles of wine or champagne. Guests who purchase alcohol bottles onboard, in a port-of-call, or bring more than the two permitted bottles on boarding day, will have their items safely stored by the ship. These bottles will be returned on the last day onboard for enjoyment once home. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned.) Exceptions can be made for the following sporting goods; however, the item must be stored in the guest’s stateroom and cannot be used onboard. Baseball Bats, Hockey Sticks, Cricket Bats, and Golf clubs Skateboards, Surfboards, and Bicycles

Yep, NO cords. Doesn't matter what the sales company says/promises, the cruise line has the final say. I'd send it back. There are many options that don't have cords but they do have several 120 outlets, usb outlets and swivel. Maybe go on the website (royal's) and make a case in their ADA special request section that you need an extension cord to run a fan so you can sleep at night. If they approve, they'll have an extension cord in your stateroom when you arrive or shortly after. MAYBE!

Promise?

Did you try the Chicken lips? They're great with Curry and Chutney.

Yes! Maybe again and again until things smooth out. Everything is fairy rocky right now. Hopefully, getting better by the day! Side Note: All of my problems with Brand X were before, long before, COVID. All of my problems with Brand X, actually the problems were mixed, had to do with ship's maintenance, staffing, ADA items (told, over the lobby phone, to use stairs when elevator didn't come for over an hour, the two times an elevator showed up, they were filled with employees transporting those huge towel racks), cleanliness, a few other things that I think would be important to just about everybody. I wrote to the CEO directly, told him I was not looking for anything like refund, credits, ship on a stick, nothing, just wanted him to know and an acknowledgement, and I got CRICKETS. That ship/cruise was actually one that I could not come up with anything positive. Oh, their chocolate cake was good. Now, I'm loyal to Royal until they really piss me off. If Royal pisses me off, I don't know where I'll go. Maybe to the cruise company that has those 3 hour tours and hopefully Mary Ann will be on it. Before someone suggests it, NO not Celebrity.

For my prescriptions, I used to use a local pharmacy. I was informed a few months ago that our wonderful government/MEDICARE/TRICARE will no longer authorize our local and many others, pharmacy. We now have to use CVS for our short term/none permanent prescriptions. We still use Express Script for our permanent, mail order, prescription. So, I can't get a test at my local pharmacy and, last time I checked, my local CVS doesn't do any testing, or at least rapid (15 -30 minute variety) testing. They do sell rapid/self tests when available. HOWEVER, the manager of our local pharmacy is also a very nice lady that my daughter went to high school with. So, we try to stay in touch with her. About two weeks ago, I called her to find out what kind of sharps I used to get from them so I can get some or order them from CVS. She said that they have been submitting claims to TRICARE and they've been receiving payment. So, at this point, I'm not sure what to think. We did go ahead and get the sharps from the local pharmacy, I got a year's worth at about .26 cents each (no insurance involved), that 12 sharps LOL. So, if I NEED to test for travel again, I'll be looking/inquiring my local pharmacy to see if TRICARE is still paying them. Or just go with eMed, et al, as I think it is the best choice anyway. But, I would prefer to support my local pharmacy/businesses. I PREFER TO SUPPORT MY LOCAL BUSINESSES!

Using that logic, what would a stripper do?

This is probably the best beer in the world:

As I've stated, I like critical reviews of cruise experiences. However, I have learned that there are two types of people that post critical reviews. Some with the honest attempt to inform/educate others of good and bad things that may be experienced while there are those, and I feel they are usually very transparent, but not necessarily intended to be transparent, about their desire to be nothing more than "poop" (I didn't use the word I'd usually use) disturbers. A clue of the latter, only one post, absolutely no positives, false accusations, obvious lack of research. Those clues are not "all inclusive" or full proof. You have to probe and poke to get to the heart of it.

Ya, once they figured out how to use the Flux Capacitor. Oh oh oh, your said, "14.9 sec", not 14.9 years. I've got to get my eyes checked. I'm going to hop into my DeLorean and go to the eye Dr.

Oh, "come on maaaaaan", you know that all it takes is for Royal's crack IT team to reprogram the machines and move the RFID to a different location on the machine. But seriously: As stated earlier/elsewhere, we didn't even take the plastic wrap off of ours on our last cruise. We took them home and gave them to our Gkids. They have a nice collection of them.

I'll choose courtesy over IFs, ANDs, or BUTs, every time.

You're 100% Correct!

While I've supported just about everything you have said in this thread, I really don't think the answer is to change brands. Yes, it's your decision and I'd respect it (not that you need or want my approval, I'm just a cog in the wheel). However, I think most of the issues going on with Royal aren't unique to Royal. I'd bet that even the "luxury" cruise lines are having their own set of growing back to pre-debacle standards. AND most cruise lines actually share the same ports and in some cases, the same terminals. Hence, the same landside issues. Most cruise lines don't own the terminals (even though they may have paid to have them built, with long term leases) and they are at the mercy of the Port Authority or other local governmental authority. They're tenants of the landlords, some landlords are responsive to their tenants while others are slumlords. My opinion, pier 91 fits into that category, slumlord. Cape Liberty may be the same. It seem like there is a new terminal and garage but a parking garage was not built to handle arriving and departing passengers at the same time. I hope you find what you are looking for. I'm personally going to give Royal (and I'd do that for what ever cruise line I'm loyal to, today) about another 3 to 6 months to get back to it's original self. Although many call whatever we are in today the "new normal", I don't accept that. I think the vast majority of us are trying our hardest to get back to the "real normal". We'll see! BTW, my use of the term "debacle" isn't restricted to the COVID Pandemic, it's also all the ancillary issues that came with it and/or that came as a result of it, supply chain issues and staffing being just two of them.

I tend to agree. My only issue is that I don't think the current process is the best most cost-effective option. Why? Because as I stated earlier, you can lose your cup, get a new one issued without the old one being deactivated and anyone that finds your cup can get sodas for free, for the duration. But, like you said, "it's only 5 cents or so", or words to that effect. <that's not a wise guy comment> I also happen to know that the PRODUCT is really only about 5 cents per serving. Why does McDonald's sell any size soda for a buck? Because it is still about 90% profit no matter what size you get (always large for me) for a buck. Sodas at fast food restaurants (other than McDonald's) are a racquet, a profit boom.

I think that would be the courteous thing to do. I respect that you would think of such a thing. Good for you!

Makes me wonder if they are Security when needed that are actually Asst., Stewards or Vegetable washers or laundry workers ........ when they're not in the Bat Cave. No, I'm not kidding, not that there is anything wrong with those jobs. I would hope that security has some, at least, self defense training and use of non-lethal force as well. While I'm sure that there are some full time security, I'd bet that what I typed above is true.

Well, damnit, we can't say @Sifsigis a "one and done"/"hit and run" troll.

Are you really, John Heald? I was a loyal to Brand X for years as well. And to be honest, until I cruised Royal, I never realized how screwed up Brand X is. I've told some, just some, of my experiences in here. I won't rehash them now. But, it ain't good!