Lexster

19 minutes ago, Blulady said:

I don't think this is a supply chain issue.  I remember being on Anthem in 2018 and the machines were constantly out of soda.  

Agreed, I'm pretty sure it's a staffing issue.

27 minutes ago, rjac said:

We were on the Odyssey for the first-time last year for a two-week B2B. Nice ship, but we felt way too many passengers especially for the pools and solarium. i would suspect that the freestyle machines could not handle the number of passengers, or the staff could not handle the replenishing of the machines. Perhaps, more freestyle machines would help. We don't use the freestyle machines and were disappointed in the selection of alcohol choices at many of the bars. I drink bourbon and there was no bourbon on board. Previous cruises there were selections of bourbon. All the Odyssey had to offer was Jack Daniels which is not a bourbon, it is a Tennessee Whiskey, check this link out:  Is Jack Daniels bourbon or whiskey - we have the answer for you (thewhiskycork.com). 

The problem is the machines require a water hook-up, so it's not a simple matter to just add more of them without running more water lines. But, yeah, I did find myself just asking bartenders for diet coke which is a disappointment since the Freestyle machines obviously have way more options. I usually get the refreshment package, so I have more choice, but I'd be really annoyed if I got the soda package.

I did even mention all of this on the post cruise survey, so hopefully it's something they will address. The freestyle machines are both simple and difficult to maintain, so I get it being an issue. I also don't know whose responsibility it is to make sure they're filled. Is it the people in restaurant where the machine is located or are there staff members tasked with making sure all of them remain filled? I have no idea.

6 hours ago, Scott Mcelligott said:

On Odessey of the seas  and the Pop Machines are always empty. It's a pain to walk all the way to find one and it only has a few choices 

Yep, had similar issues on Oasis back in May. I don't think they consider them a priority, though they should. If you're going to sell packages, I expect to be able to get what I paid for.

1 hour ago, Maggie M said:

Good point! I haven't heard anything. These ships are getting too big IMO...

I like the big ships mostly because of the modern-ness of them. I think a new smaller class would be fun, but they'd have to figure out what demo to go after for that style.

Very little. Matt's mentioned it before, but it's very unlikely RC will be talking about Utopia at least until Icon launches. No reason to lose out on hype by talking about both at once.

2 hours ago, barjpoe said:

Back in the fall the WJ was having specialty dinner nights ie  British, French, Caribbean, etc. Do they still have those nights and if so do they match up with similar theme that is in the MDR?

Good question. I hope not since if I'm not interested in French night, I'd like something different in the Windjammer.

1 hour ago, TexanTwoStep said:

The Mexican night is.....depressing.

 

No elotes, spaghetti as a main course, and no chips and salsa

Yeah, I feel like a couple of these theme nights are a little half-assed, but I'm sure it'll change over time. Also a bit sad there's no Indian night.

I would still massively prefer the old menus. I still say if you're that worried about taking two hours, then go to the Windjammer. I like taking my time at a nice dinner.

I think we'll be doing the dolphin excursion. As much as I'd love to do the ruins, having to be on a bus for like four to five hours does not seem super fun to me. The dolphin experience is just off the pier, so no need to rid anywhere.

Looks like they added some more excursions for Costa Maya, FYI

Lava Flow Minus Kraken Rum is really good as well (Sorry, Matt).

2 hours ago, bretts173 said:

Exactly, who wants to eat the same thing everyday of the week at home or on a cruise.

I would get the creme brulee every night, thank you very much. Not happy about this change for that reason alone.

Hell, I'm probably never going to make it to Diamond, let alone Diamond Plus, so not exactly worried about this! it does suck to lose benefits, though.

Okay, so since I keep seeing this and I saw someone say they speed-ran through a 24 minute dinner, I feel like I must be weird or something If I go to Texas Roadhouse or something, I can pretty much expect at least 60-70 minutes. Do people expect /less/ time for a pretty much formal dinner? I don't see people complaining about how long specialty dining takes, which is often about the same amount of time. If you don't want that, go to the Windjammer or something. I LIKE taking my time. I don't want to feel rushed through a fancy dinner. Hell, when I eat AT HOME, I generally take 45 minutes because I'm not rushing through eating. Do people just like getting indigestion or something?

13 minutes ago, FloatyBoaty said:

The assistant waiter was in charge of that and she disappeared for 15 minutes or so. She said the line at the MDR bar was super long - so whether that was not staffed or what, I do not know. Either way, their order of service evidently meant I didn't get an appetizer until I got a bread basket or a beverage or something (the assistant waiter being in charge of beverages and bread baskets) - and so I just brought my own in with me after that or waited until afterwards. She really was a darling though, and once I went with lemonade with dinner and decaf/cream with dessert, just brought it without even asking (and still well over an hour for solo dinner).

That sounds more like a process issue. Like...yeah I'm sure you want a drink, but I don't think it needs to be a hard-and-fast rule that the guest MUST have a drink OR bread beforehand.

I do want to be positive, so I want to add that I do like the idea of a theme night. The Windjammer gets theme nights and having a "Caribbean" night in the MDR with caribbean-themed dishes or maybe even an Indian night is a good idea. There, I can be positive, too.

26 minutes ago, FloatyBoaty said:

My experience on Oasis and Allure this year does not jibe with your observations at all unfortunately.

Traveling solo on Oasis and seated at a table of other solo travelers, our meal service took 2 hours or MORE each day. I was going batsh*t crazy. It wasn't the conversation - we had very little in common. The service was just abysmal and confused. The waitstaff at all levels seemed completely under water.

Traveling solo on Allure, I requested a table to myself. The first night, I ordered a martini and it took service to almost 2 hours. Definitely not a "too much conversation" issue. I did not order a cocktail any other night to speed up service, but each night still took a good 75-85 minutes. Solo. And I am not indecisive when placing an order. The waitstaff was absolutely lovely and extremely hardworking on Allure, I thought.

I don't have experience cruising in the "before times" and I do love the classic menu, but I'm up for some revisions if it helps streamline service. As a (long ago) former waitress, I can't imagine having my entire station seated at once and I do appreciate the thoughtful attention to detail the staff tries to provide. We can only move forward & let them know what we think along the way...

Why would ordering a cocktail increase service time?

12 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I read that to mean you can't ask for something completely off the wall different from what's on the menu because those requests were slowing things down. And that makes total sense.

How many really did that, though? I think that's a cop-out, personally. I have a feeling it's just a primer for further changes in the future to add more restrictions.

1 hour ago, VBmom87 said:

On Oasis right now. I have been dying to get the soup at Chops since before COVID. So disappointed. It is NOT the same. It was fine, but not nearly as good. It was dark brown instead, and no mushroom garnish. It's like they tried a new recipe.

Not surprising. Looks like RC is wanting to cut corners in various places lately if the new MDR is any indication.

Lovely, so now all the options I'd get many nights are gone. Thanks, RC, making me feel really loved here. Oh wait, they only cared about the opinion of "new customers." And, what, now you can't ask for anything to be changed? Can't ask for anything additional? How long until you can't even have multiple dishes to try out? How long until you don't get to choose more than two options? Heck, if they really wanted the MDR faster, just have one dish that's already on the table when you get there. I know I'm being ridiculous and I'm sure I'll get over it, but I hate seeing options scaled back. To me, it just looks like taking away value and once companies start doing this stuff, it doesn't end.

1 hour ago, Camille said:

I will be sailing Harmony of the Seas. I am looking at the refreshment package priced at $22.99. I don't drink sodas, alcohol or coffee, but I love fresh juices and smoothies and the bottled water option. Is it all day fresh juices and smoothies and mocktails and shakes or is each item during specific hours? Also where are ALL of the locations that I can get these throughout the ship? Can I also order them while in the main dining room to go with my breakfast/dinners or on Coco Cay? Any advice to make this more worth it.

 

It's all day for the entire cruise. You can order those drinks anywhere you like except smoothies are exclusively in the spa cafe. I think fresh juice is only in Windjammer and MDR, but mocktails you can get at any bar and on Coco Cay.

On 11/28/2022 at 12:42 PM, ScottD said:

Can you access certain venues when they are not actually open for events? My room appears to be right down the hall from the second floor of the Music Hall, from what I've seen it has a nice big window that looks out toward the Boardwalk. If I wanted to grab my room service Tea and pastries and sit in there to stare out the window early in the morning, do a little people watching, is that possible? Or are places like that locked when not in use? 

I think Music Hall is usually open. As long as the doors are unlocked, I think you're safe. if not, a crew member will just politely ask you to leave. I found that for some reason the comedy club on Oasis was only open during shows. They actually kept the doors closed and locked.

4 hours ago, jbrinkm said:

IS this a good price/sale? $19.99 pp pd? Is it the lowest it will ever be? As I said just above, this will be our first time buying a refreshment package and I'm debating between the $18.99 Soda + Voom (plus the water bottle deal) and the voom package ($14.99) plus the refreshment package ($19.99). Do you get bottled water with the refreshment package?

 

No because the initial device is always the price listed, even for people buying more than one device. The problems with pricing are happening with devices 2+. When I price 4 separate devices for my party, each comes up as $14.99. It is when I do the one person with 4 devices that I'm not getting the full advertised sale.

I'm not sure if it's the lowest it will ever be, but it's the lowest I've ever seen. Granted, this is my second cruise. You get everything with the refreshment package except alcohol and drinks from the Starbucks kiosk. Includes soda, mocktails, smoothies, specialty coffees other than Starbucks, bottled water, etc.

Yeah I'm just going to wait until tomorrow. The sale is good for like 63 hours, so no rush for me. I don't want to risk billing getting screwed up