ColdRingo

I'm in the "get rid of the bionic bar" train myself. We used it once, it was novel, but we had to pay extra for the drink even with the Deluxe Beverage Package. It's certainly not cool enough for that. Besides, I like to get know the bartenders when I can.

Didn't see this one listed, so figured I'd start the thread.  Big family group going for us this time (8 of us)!

Yep - I see it on both the webpage and the app, but the app just shows the discount, no fancy "NATIONAL MARGARITA DAY" banner. 

14 hours ago, FloatyBoaty said:

I got the message too. Checked all of my upcoming cruises. No better price than I already had and/or wanted to pay. And not 40% on any of them - maybe on somebody's drink package, but not mine.

Turns out this was the case - when he went into actually check out the price and maybe purchase it, the price was the same 20% off the rest of us were seeing.  Stop teasing us Royal! 

Just curious to get some insight from the group here....

The setup: we're headed on a cruise in September (7 nights out of Fort Lauderdale), and it's a big group: my wife and I, my brother and his son, my sister and mom, and my daughter and her friend.  We have 4 separate reservations that we'll link together at some point.

The thing that happened: my brother and his son (who are on one of those 4 previously mentioned reservations) received a notification via the Royal App that they could buy the Deluxe Beverage package for 40% off.  And, 40% off is a pretty nice deal for those!  However, none of the rest of us received that offer, and the packages are currently 20% off on the website and the Royal app for the rest of us.

The question: what gives? Is it random?  It's not the end of the world, but 40% off would be really nice for the rest of us (esp. me since I'm buying 4 of those packages)....

Anyway, just curious if anyone has experienced something like this or if we know the mechanics behind those offers.

Thanks all!

15 hours ago, jenmsherm said:

I’ve searched here and the Google and can’t seem to find an answer so I’m asking  I’m sailing on symphony in a couple of weeks and saw there are stationary bikes in the fitness center. Anyone know if they take cycle shoes? Trying to figure out if I need to pack mine or not. TIA!

I've yet to sail on the Symphony, so take this with a grain of salt, but....on every ship I've been on with a spin studio, the spin bikes are equipped with dual sided pedals that allow tennis/workout shoes on side, and standard SPD cleats on the other.  None of the stationary bikes out on the fitness center floor were fitted with SPD pedals for cycling cleats, however.  Again, can't confirm on the Symphony, but it was this way on the Oasis, Allure, Liberty, Anthem, Quantum, and Odyssey, at the least (I don't think I checked on either the Explorer or Brilliance).

And I'm the same way...always waffling between packing them or not. 

It really does seem to vary a bit by ship.  My first two cruises were on the Liberty and it was...meh. Fine for easy fuel and a place to sit while we ate.  The last couple of times we ate it were on the Odyssey and the Quantum, and the pizza was pretty darn good for a quick serve slice or 4....  In between we had it on the Oasis, Allure, Brilliance, Anthem, and Explorer and it was fine, but not as good as the Quantum or Odyssey.  I'll pay attention this year on the Harmony and Adventure and see what's up!

My Time Dining times have definitely gotten later - I'm not a huge fan of the change.  When it's just my wife and me cruising, we just roll with it, but when I travel with the extended family, in particular my older mom who has to eat earlier, we just go with the traditional dining time and shoot for a 5:30 start. Or, we just hit up the Windjammer where it's not really a problem.  I do wish though that they'd include some earlier, say 5:30 or 6:00pm MTD times like they used to have.  Sounds like a good item to leave as feedback on our next cruise maybe.

Ahh...I had no idea there was no Solarium pool. We're booked in April. C'est la vie - pretty sure we can find a way to enjoy the heck out of the cruise anyway! 

Boss and I are signed up for this one - looking forward to our first trip on the Harmony of the Seas!

24 minutes ago, teddy said:

 

I especially like this part. 

I wonder if Royal will update their Healthy Sailing Protocols before our cruise on the 3rd out of Vancouver? 

10 minutes ago, jeffmw said:

Man you guys are tough!  Sh*t happens! Apps and websites go down sometimes! It's okay!

[Now, having said that, I have a sailing tomorrow and just got a Royal Up bid accepted, so if they don't get things back online soon so I can log in and see my new room, etc., I'll be leading the angry mob.]

#pitchforkEmoji !  

1 hour ago, KeithMB said:

I don't think the Canadian government have formally announced the update yet.

Agreed - we fly into Canada on October 2nd for an October 3rd cruise. I'm hopeful the requirements go away, but still planning on taking the eMed test on the 1st so we have our bases covered.

On 7/14/2021 at 7:46 AM, Kathleen said:

Nassau. Never been a favorite.

 

Us too! At most we get off and have drinks/lunch at Senor Frogs, but sometimes we just enjoy the mostly empty ship on those days.

Curious about the 2 hour bike tour in Victoria - anyone done this? I was wondering what kinds of bikes they use, if I should bring bike shoes with SPD cleats, etc. Any comments appreciated. Thanks!

Check your cruise planner over this holiday weekend.  They dropped the Key to $14.99 per day on our cruise that leaves on October 2nd.  I cancelled by previous reservation at $25.99/day and then just rebooked at the $14.99.  We're big fans of the Chops menu lunch after boarding on Day 1.

In case anyone was wondering, the Honolulu shore excursions for the October 2nd sailing to Hawaii on the Quantum are now available in the app and the cruise planner online.  Guess I was being impatient.... 

We always pack a hand-held luggage scale to make sure our bags aren't overweight.  That's the last thing that goes into the last suitcase...every time.  

That's one of the nice perks of buying "The Key" - embarkation day lunch in the main dining room with the Chops lunch menu.  We like it!

13 minutes ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

Its US customs because you are going from Canada to US (Alaska).

Wonder if we'll have to do that then? The October 3rd cruise out of Vancouver goes from there to Victoria, BC, then 5 or 6 nights of open water before hitting Hawaii (where I expect to have to hit customs at some point).  Anyone who's done that cruise know?  Not a big deal I suppose as long as we get on the ship. 

20 minutes ago, dodgestang said:

Only takes about 10 minutes with good timing, I will warn you though.........there is a LOT of walking involved...it is an interesting process.

Walk down long hallway to ship check in, then double back on a lower level and walk long hallway to customs, then double back again and walk hallway to waiting area to board ship.

Interesting - what's the additional customs check for?  I'm assuming we'll have to hit customs the day prior when we arrive at the airport (and we'll have the ArrivCAN stuff all ready to go too).  We're on the same cruise - can't wait!

We're taking the October 3rd 10 night cruise to Hawaii from Vancouver (can't wait!)  I don't see any available RC cruises for the last stop in Honolulu, though we do get to spend a night there before disembarking.  Anyone know if they offer any? I found a few via a Google search, but not sure if they're current.  Thanks in advance!

16 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

Is it in the app or online sample? The online sample for some specialty restaurants hasn't been updated.

Yep - the online sample. I don't see it the menu on the mobile app either.

That's definitely possible - the link says "View Sample Menu", so it may not be current. Here's a snip:

Interestingly, I DO see it on the Chops menu for the October 3rd sailing on Quantum of the Seas.