FloatyBoaty

Eagerly anticipating being back on a ship and our first trip on Liberty!

I have seen "Recorded Ballroom Music" listed in the Entertainment section on the app. Can't remember which venue it was in or time or anything - but - might end up as an option for you?

I've been on Quantum, love it, will be on again for Alaska in September. Given that the 2 ships are so nearly exactly alike, perhaps consider their embarkment/disembarkment days and associated travel expenses? This summer, Quantum is in Seattle every Monday and Ovation is there every Friday. So less expensive to fly in/stay the night before on a Sunday and fly home on Monday as we are for Quantum - or - to fly in and overnight on a Thursday and fly home Saturday? May be something, may be a wash.

I started tracking Quantum's 7 day menus once they arrived in Canada/Alaska last week as I have 2 weeks booked later this summer and also want to figure out where I want to make specialty reservations.

Last week it was:

1-Welcome Aboard, 2-France, 3-Mexico, 4-Caribbean, 5-Italy, 6-Royal, 7-Bon Voyage

This week it is

1-Welcome Aboard, 2-France, 3-Asia, 4-Italy, 5-USA, 6-Royal, 7-Bon Voyage

so days 3, 4, and 5 differ from the previous week and 2 of them are completely different menus. Am going to continue tracking for curiosity's sake... 

There are no menus for MDR or specialty restaurants (except Chef's Table) in the iPhone app for my June Liberty cruise.  There's not even the word menu where it has always been.  I tried switching to the May 4 dates for the same itinerary and no menus up there yet either - only for the current cruise. This was also the case before my March Quantum cruise - nothing for that cruise started populating in the app until the cruise immediately prior was underway.

I am trying not to judge because we obviously do not have all of the facts, just the heart wrenching story the news/lawyers are putting forth - BUT - I personally can't even imagine staying on the cruise with my dead husband in any sort of cooler upstairs. I just can't imagine. And - I would hope that one of my children or siblings would pop on the next flight to San Juan to help me deal with the loss of my husband and the transport of his body back to our home. Yes, last minutes flights are very expensive and we don't know what all was considered/discussed. I am just saying, if it were me, I could not imagine staying on the ship or not having someone there to support me. My father passed very recently and 1- there was just so much to do at his death, and 2- my mom needed us all there/available for her for help and support.

We created accounts before our first sailing, but you don't necessarily need to.

If you decide you want to create accounts before you sail, just use the "create an account" selection here: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/account/signin.

Make sure your C&A numbers are included on every reservation.

My first cruise since the change to once daily service was last month on Quantum and it was ideal - my stateroom attendant said to just put out the magnet whenever I wanted the room serviced - no need to commit to morning or evening. I think there was only one time I stopped back at my cabin and he hadn't yet gotten to it. So stress free! 

This is a set of 3 magnetic motion sensor rechargeable lights someone on this forum recommended. I'm sorry I don't remember who to credit them, but I did recently purchase. It's not exactly what you're asking for, but it is forum-member tested and recommended:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09DZ4SQNZ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

@Ryan79 that looks like such a fun & beautiful itinerary.  I'm interested in cruising out of San Juan to get to Martinique, Trinidad, and Tobago. I think Barbados is also mostly reached out of San Juan? I can't fit it into my schedule with a couple of other things I'm looking at, so those islands will have to remain on my Caribbean wish list for now.

I think I would have hunted down the floor supervisor by now and pitched a fit. I get so upset when I see the floor supervisors coming down hard on the stateroom attendants (and I have seen that in two of my most recent cruises) instead of offering support. I'm sure we all have stories of what nightmare messes we've seen through open stateroom doors. I know it's the job the attendant signed on for, but holy crap, sometimes I just want to see the floor supervisor take off their jacket and help out. Or maybe they do and I just have never seen it...

1 hour ago, JohnK6404 said:

No, there is no size limitation... we did the 8-night Odyssey Southern Caribbean last year to Aruba and Curacao. Definitely one of the best itineraries we've sailed. We really want to get back to Aruba & Curacao!

Maybe there's a size limitation for Bonaire since it's so tiny? I was on Allure to Aruba and Curacao last fall and I loved those islands so much, but was disappointed  that I couldn't say I'd done the ABC's because we didn't go to Bonaire. So I put it on my "cruises to do list" (which is very very long) and will hit all 3 on a smaller ship this time. It also rained half the day we were in Curacao - I kept saying "well, I'll just have to come back then"! Also love Antigua, St Kitt's, St Maarten so so much

2 hours ago, jbrinkm said:

It may be a pilot program because I haven't heard of any other ships having it yet.

Had this (QR code with same forms) on Quantum in March. I found it really convenient as well with a quick response.

Sailing Grandeur 12 night Southern Caribbean out of Miami in January - includes Panama, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Jamaica as well as the ABC's. Can't wait!

31 minutes ago, Randon1234 said:

You can get free lemonade in the MDR? I thought you need at least the soda package for that 

I have always gotten lemonade in the MDR. I have also always had a drink package so far BUT because of the lag in drink service, I very very very rarely order a cocktail or wine there, so they would not know I had one. There is (usually) lemonade in the dispensers in the Windjammer too. Sometimes there is fruit punch or at breakfast apple or cranberry juice. As mentioned, it is a concentrate - I saw them refilling the machines in Windjammer on Quantum and it was: Nestle Vitality Concentrate Lemonade Beverage Base. The stuff in the MDR tastes exactly the same and both even have a little pulp. I usually drink a couple glasses at dinner - give it a shot

I really like the lemonade in the MDR and Windjammer!

If you want to go to the Main Dining Room on formal night/dress to impress night, just go. So many people do not participate, whether because they don't want to pack extra stuff or just prefer to live casually. Most cruisers would just recommend not wearing shorts and men having shoulders covered. I hear that Alaska is even MORE casual, so do what works best for your family.

I got to the point last cruise that I tried to just politely interrupt them and put us both out of our misery. I said "this is my 6th cruise in the last 12 months. I am very aware of the survey, I take notes throughout the cruise, and will absolutely fill it out. Please, let's just leave it at that." and they stopped. This is absolutely the most awkward part of every cruise. I am all for giving people credit where due, but I HATE the repeated references to the survey. And - I am DONE giving scores that are undeserved - the food was NOT a 10, the MDR service was NOT a 10 (first contract for my waiter, and he was sweet and he was trying, but absolutely not proficient and experienced as yet), but so many other aspects of the cruise were 10+++++.

I use and love this phone wallet case just for cruising - it is so easy to slide my sea pass card out and is super secure. Room for some tip $ too, although I usually keep that separate.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B097Q9DRPC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

FAQ's about the Royal Shareholder benefit are on this page: https://www.rclinvestor.com/contact-us/faqs/shareholder-benefit/  .

The form is linked under FAQ #3-  redirect to https://rcg.questionpro.com/shareholderbenefit

I always use this e-form and have not had any issues.

3 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

The CP is also wonky, they list the UDP for $116 but you cannot purchase as it says "oh Ship!"

 

Happening to me too on an Alaska cruise - 3 night dropped from where I'ld purchased at 112.99 to 94.99 (where I had never seen it before). I cancelled my 112.99 and when trying to purchase again at 94.99, get the "oh ship".  It's the only price change I see since yesterday and it doesn't work. Oh well, patience is a virtue I hear.

On port days it just goes up and down over the ship. On sea days it goes over each side too - it's pretty incredible!

People wave at you from their balconies

34 minutes ago, ScooterScott22 said:

Thanks, I have the whole fleet, this is filtered down to Quantum.  It may not be completely accurate since it was created over a year ago and I believe they might be changing one of the quick counters as she moves back to the Asia market.

I've seen you mention Quantum going back to Asia a couple of times. I may have missed something, but I thought that no itineraries for Quantum or Ovation had been released  for after her Vancouver to Hawaii trip October 2024? I know there's a rumor out there but would be interested to know what else you've heard...

I had them delivered to me on Anthem in January and found I used them less and less, so I decided to try to do without on Quantum last month. They did have a few copies out in Guest services, and I saw a few people with them, but I went the whole 13 days without a paper copy and was surprised to be just fine with it. I did the QR code version 2 days but really just felt ok using the app. I do always have my phone with me for photos, messaging, and have a card holder case for my phone so my sea pass is right at my fingertips too. 

46 minutes ago, Levi is good said:

Hi everyone,

 

Purchased the Key for my upcoming cruise on Symphony 5/21/23.  I have not heard a word from Royal except a receipt for purchase.  I re-read the description they have online, and figured out that I needed to sign up for a boarding time and show times like I would without the Key, but it's odd to me they wouldn't have anything clarifying that.  Granted we're a few weeks out, but should I be expecting Key-specific communications from RC?

 

Thanks very much.

Do sign up for a boarding time on your own when it opens up, but also see example letter below -

You'll get an email  letter about 10 days out with the subject: Reminder of The Key program benefits!

This was my more recent one from last month - note, you will also get a letter listing the private times, etc,

when you drop off your carry on luggage in the MDR OR in your stateroom (done differently on different ships) :

Dear Guest,

We're excited to welcome you onboard soon! Before you set sail, we wanted to remind you of the benefits that come with The Key program.

Here's what you can expect on your upcoming sailing:

• Early access at the terminal.^* 
• Drop off your carry-on luggage in the Main Dining Room on Deck 4 by 1:30 PM - your carry-on luggage will be hand delivered to your stateroom. 
• Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring the Chops Grille® menu (open from 12:00pm - 1:30pm). We recommend arriving to the terminal no later than 12:00 PM for you to have enough time to enjoy lunch with us!
• Private time at some of our onboard activities such as rock climbing, FlowRider, etc. 
• Priority departure from ship-to-shore at tender ports.
• Seats in the exclusive VIP seating section at shows in the Main Theatre, Aqua Theater, Studio B and Two70, however a reservation is needed so don't forget to book once you're onboard!
• VOOM Surf & Stream package, now including high speed internet, for one device (1 package per guest).
• On debarkation day, enjoy a private á la carte breakfast and choice departure.

^*Please arrive at the terminal between 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM. If you're unable to make the early access window, you may arrive within your selected appointment time and you'll receive priority access into the terminal.

Lastly, when you arrive to the port for your sailing, please locate The Key signage for priority access into the terminal and make your way onto the ship.

We look forward to welcoming you aboard Quantum of the Seas in the coming days!

Sincerely,