Lexster

6 minutes ago, Pooch said:

I don’t remember Windjammer ever being open 24 hours.  It was open for breakfast lunch and dinner on Harmony last month but, as it always has, closed for a period of time between each meal.  And it’s always closed at 9.  Cafe Promenade is the 24 hour snack location not Windjammer.

Jinx!

I do not believe the Windjammer was ever 24 hours. It's generally closed at like 9 or 9:30. The only place that's really open 24 hours is Cafe Promenade. As for being closed for lunch, it's probably for cleaning protocols. Even though lots of things are lifted, I would imagine they still close for a few hours to do a deep clean in between meal times.

Yeah, there are services you can pay for that will proctor you while you take the test. It just comes included in the eMed one.

4 hours ago, Big d said:

Going on Voyager of the Seas in May.  Done check in on the app,all ok till took photo of vaccine certificate .  Came up on the app validate certificate which was 10 days ago. Now today it came up on app not accepted had resend photo but saying not all photo in the box.Just submitted anyway onto app.  Has anyone any the same issue.  Can we just show it at pier on sail date.  Thank you

 

I had an issue where my vaccine card kept being rejected even though it was perfectly clear. After multiple attempts, I then sent an additional picture of the vaccination record print-out from the pharmacy (I got mine done at Walgreens) and they then accepted it.

The frustrating thing here is the fact they had to get an advocacy website involved to get this resolved. Companies are so quick to just assume the customer is lying that they never listen. They were fixated on this idea that the customer was trying to get a RoyalUp refund, but it was because they shouldn't have been charged for the bid in the first place. It even took multiple emails from that website for them to even grasp the issue. Just ridiculous. If a company overpays you, you can guarantee they'll get that money back by any means necessary, but when it's a customer who overpays, companies drag their feet.

32 minutes ago, BowTieBrigade said:

I don’t even like coconut but those cookies…

Well now I HAVE to try them. I love coconut.

12 minutes ago, ellcee said:

It'll be sitting in your room waiting for you.

Okay so won't be able to use the machines until the cabin is ready. Oh well, there's still plenty more I can get!

I have the refreshment package, do they hand you the Freestyle cup once you get on? Or where do you get that?

How much do you actually need to gamble to get free cruise offers, out of curiosity?

1 hour ago, Pooch said:

Table next to us on Harmony ordered every dessert on the menu, took a few bites of each & left the rest.  Wasteful IMHO 

Yeah, like I said, I don't anticipate doing this unless I feel I can finish everything, but I've looked at the menu and there are definitely some nights that have two desserts I'll want.

So, I've been wondering on what the limit is here. I know I've seen it mentioned that they'll let you order multiple entrees in the MDR, but I'm curious how crazy they'll let you be? Could you ask them for each of the main entrees if you wanted? Like, finish one and then keep bringing them out like a multi-course dinner? Or ask for one of every dessert? I know it's a lot of food and I very likely wouldn't do that, but I'm more curious on where the true limits are for things like that.

1 hour ago, CruiseGus said:

the staff includes the food service manager who has at least some control over it.  Anytime i have ever provided a low raating the survey software they use asked me to provide a reasoon for that rating, that is where I get to tell them the rating was low because they went back to self serve at the buffet.  About the only way I know that I can comment on my displeasure with this change, so I will continue to use it

There are numerous places you could comment your displeasure including emailing their support or contacting them on social media. I'm just saying, I've worked at companies that ask customers to do surveys. They're used to punish workers who don't get perfect scores. Management doesn't always use the best logic when it comes to that stuff. But, do what you think is best, I'm just letting you know that it will very possibly affect staff members who didn't do anything wrong.

1 hour ago, CruiseGus said:

On Liberty right now, and all the stuff people complain about at self serve all already evident by day 3.  Hard to understand because every person I spoke with at the Top Tier event yesterday thought they should go back to crew serving.  It is not any quicker at self serve like some say, I know as I was on last week also, both sailings relatively saame number of guests, just more kids this week.  It is actually slower, more milling around and more picking through dishes.  No additional single servings that were ever there in the past.  No addtions roaming servers or table cleaners than last week.

Will it stop me sailing, NO, will they get low marks on their survey for windjammer, Every sailing from now on.

I'm not sure it's really fair to give a low score on a survey for something the passengers are doing. The staff are the ones who will be penalized when they have zero control over it.

2 hours ago, need2cruz said:

But as for the Symphony, we sailed her 2/12.  It was at 50% capacity.  We ate in the MDR most nights and had excellent service and food quality.  We did 150 Central Park one night and the meal and service was superb. We considered doing more specialty restaurants.  But  I really like the experience with the wait staff in the MDR.  We loved our head waiter, waiter and assistant.  We felt like we were cheating on them going to the specialty restaurant.  Now that the ships are at higher capacity, maybe they can't give quite the same service or get to know you the same way.  I love hearing the crew talk about where they're  from their family.  You bond with them.

That's actually pretty standard from what I've read. You always get to know your wait staff in the MDR. Even before the pandemic hit it was like that from everything I've read. It's one of the things I'm excited for.

I'm honestly fine with either way, but I'm also happy to just go one my first cruise and haven't witnessed anyone being bad in a buffet before.

I've been seeing some conflicting info on this in various places, so figured I'd ask here. Anyone been on Oasis of the Seas recently and knows if you can access/use the HDMI port on the TV in the cabin?

I'm hoping mine is there when we arrive. I got champagne and strawberries since it's sort of an anniversary sailing for us, too.

I think the unfortunate thing is because the site is called Royal Caribbean Blog, many folks think this is an official RC website and that if they complain here, Royal will maybe see it or do something to compensate them. Best thing is if you're having a bad experience, go to Guest Services. They'll do whatever they can to help, within reason.

I'm excited to see what they put there! I hope there are some activities like a volleyball court or something.

So, we have a stop in Nassau on our sailing. I haven't been there since I was a kid. Does anyone have any recommendations on a good place for some Caribbean food or something authentic to local cuisine? We'd like to not have to travel too far from the port, so something within walking distance would be nice.

5 minutes ago, Eaglelover said:

Thanks, Lexter.... but that would be my last choice... so it goes!  I still will have my powder!

Oh I agree. I'm not much into energy drinks, but Red Bull would be bottom of the barrel for me if I was going to drink one.

As for energy drinks, I believe the bars will have Red Bull if you're into that brand.

19 hours ago, rjac said:

That's interesting. I wonder if they will charge folks to use the I-Fly and North Star. They do when the ship is cruising but not when in port. Not a heck of a lot to do in the port, other than watching ships and sea gulls. 

My sailing has a stop there as well and my plan is to go to Coco Beach. The Line 9 bus goes from Port Canaveral to Coco Beach and it's a 60 minute round trip. Might be an option. There's the beach and other stores/restaurants there.

31 minutes ago, Shay said:

@Lexster can you share information about the bus line from the port to Cocoa Beach

I don't know a lot about it, but I've read there is a bus line near Port Canaveral. It's Line 9. Basically goes between Cap Canaveral and Coco Beach.

https://321transit.com/route-overview/route-9/14/weekday

1 hour ago, Ja-sun said:

I think it would be pretty neat if each ship had their own specialty drink. Something to kinda set each one apart in that area. 

Yeah, I like that idea!