deButler
Members-
Posts
127 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Everything posted by deButler
-
Fall Foliage becomes Winter Wonderland
deButler replied to deButler's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
It should have been official on the schedule but it became a popular activity throughout the morning. -
Fall Foliage becomes Winter Wonderland
deButler replied to deButler's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Awoke to Winter Wonderland 2.0. This time it’s being celebrated onboard. SOO cool to see such a contrast of SUN Loungers covered with SNOW. -
According to the Crown Lounge Concierge the threshold for RADIANCE class implementing the Diamond time restriction is set solely by having 39 or more Pinnacles onboard. Diamond and Diamond + are not really factored into their determination. She was not aware as to what threshold has been set on the other classes.
-
She was amazing. Got to meet and speak with her this morning. Told her you said hello
-
Exactly. Figured the count IS high given the number of Pinns we’ve seen embarking. Just interested to see how they are setting the thresholds. Our Wonder trip (10/15) had 483 Diamond, 467 Diamond +, & 97 Pinnacle. Here we have a smaller lounge so I figured they will consider a much smaller number the maximum threshold. They did have the divider open during embarkation. Can’t wait to meet her. We’ll tell her you said hello
-
Doesn’t appear that this was a One Off event related change. I would just consider this a permanent change as we all expected. now onboard Jewel with no special events happening but the same letter we received on Wonder 2 weeks ago. No denying they are just implementing Michael Bayley’s solution to over crowding in the “Diamond Lounge” with Rebranding to Crown Lounge and this new time restricted access on each cruise.
-
Our “Fall Foliage” cruise on Jewel has turned into a “Winter Wonderland” trip. Not enough snow to remain on decks but plenty to greet us around Quebec this morning. A beautiful change from last week on Wonder.
-
Are you on the Oct 22nd sailing now? We were onboard last week where we were congratulated as new Diamonds finally and then locked out from the “Crown Lounge” as well during the Happy Hour times. It was told to us by the the concierge that this was a “One time exclusion due to the Signature event going on in the Casino”. If Diamonds are locked out AGAIN this very next cruise then obviously this is a planned exercise that will continue and not a single cruise, event related, occurrence.
-
Just Back from Wonder of the Seas - Top 3 / Bottom 3
deButler replied to chodnett's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Found these heavenly morsels on first foray into WJ after returning from St Thomas early. Unfortunately they were already out when we returned the next day after coming in from St. Maarten. Chocolate covered cake balls were an EASY substitute though. -
Just Back from Wonder of the Seas - Top 3 / Bottom 3
deButler replied to chodnett's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
They’re now signed as “Coconut Cookies” and seems that most of the crew only knows them by that. LOL - “old” was only implied as experienced cruisers -
I noticed “For You” yesterday when we boarded Navigator but like @Pattycruise showed it is only giving generic items about our cruise. I don’t really see where it is tailored specifically to us. Lord knows I will never be in the Spa on a cruise
-
We had it last month on Quantum but would only provide a Remote for the TV.
-
Just Back from Wonder of the Seas - Top 3 / Bottom 3
deButler replied to chodnett's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
We have it at the same time on our sailing next week. Really odd that they schedule them that early on the first Sea day. -
Just Back from Wonder of the Seas - Top 3 / Bottom 3
deButler replied to chodnett's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Mrs deButler said she would gladly give you a quarter for your secret location Only us old cruisers still call them by their original name of Ranger cookies. I used to ask the staff for them in promenade cafe and they would look at me like I had 3 eyeballs. By FAR my favorite thing ever served on RCL ships. -
Just Back from Wonder of the Seas - Top 3 / Bottom 3
deButler replied to chodnett's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
^^^ THIS is what I come to these posts for!!! RCBlog users are the BEST. Thanks @Mike n Ky I am TOTTALLY finding those cookies next week!!! -
**** RCBlog Roll Call Meet & Greet - Day 3 - October 17th, Schooner Bar 1:30PM Setting up an informal gathering for anyone that would like to catch up onboard. Looks like Schooner bar is available on Day 3, our first Sea Day, at 1:30. We’ll grab a couple of tables and catch up. Tagging all previous posters here in case anyone is not following and getting notifications automatically. @Jill1228 @Nyx @Poleman88 @MarcD @JustUs275 @Morganno @lakeland @SocialStudiesDude deButlers - Dennis & Gina Butler
-
Welcome to the group. No kids for us on most trips these days though we are trying to get one planned with the entire family and their families now. We chatted about doing our own small M&G. We’re old school CC board folks as well but haven’t been back over there since the restart for us this year. When I discovered Matt’s blog videos and then this forum area. I just never felt the need to maintain a presence in 2 locations. There are some really great folks on this site with TONS more knowledge about RCCL specifically than myself so I’m constantly learning something new. We just need to pick a day/time and set a stake in the ground to meet up. This our 3rd Oasis class ship but first time on Wonder. I know Schooner is where we have previously done a few meet ups but it’s hit and miss with trivia and other events going on. Schooner bar looks open however at 1:30 PM on Day 3 (First Sea Day). We can find 2 tables and join up there.
-
Good hotels/area for Panama Canal Los Angeles departure?
deButler replied to Bowen's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
Headed to San Pedro Wednesday and decided on the DoubleTree Hotel there at the Marina. Close easy access to the Pier on embarkation day. Crowne Plaza is also a popular spot for pre-cruise lodging to see the ship come in. -
Happy Sailing October 2023 cruisers!!!
deButler replied to Lovetocruise2002's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
deButlers Couldn’t wait for Oct to arrive. Happy Sailings to all !! Navigator - Oct 6 * Finally Diamond Navigator - Oct 9 Wonder - Oct 15 Jewel - Oct 30 -
Just got back from Quantum last week. We stayed just west of downtown at Homewood Suites. Very convenient and mostly filled with other cruise passengers. We Ubered from the Hotel to pier 91 for $17 plus tip. Was cheaper than the shuttle option at the hotel. Our return was similar @Bruin Steve going to Pike Market first for lunch and sightseeing around downtown then light rail out to the airport also thanks to Port Valet luggage service. BY FAR the easiest & cheapest transfer we’ve ever had leaving the ship and getting to an airport. NO issues at all for us downtown Seattle. Felt fine traveling around there.
-
Luggage Valet is Back at Port Everglades
deButler replied to WAAAYTOOO's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
We just used it, as most folks do, when leaving Quantum last week in Seattle and it was amazing. The most incredible part is that the port of Seattle provides it as a free service. SO easy to just walk away from the ship and wander around downtown before our flight home and not have to haul your luggage around with you. -
What an amazing trip and such fun to travel along with you @DDaley !! Sure the weather could have been a little better but it sure did make us appreciate our day in Juneau that much more, AND you’re in Alaska. We had planned and packed for rainy weather all week. We especially enjoyed the cooler temps after enduring the last 2 months of TX heat. Thanks so much for all of the amazing pics and fun commentary along the way. I will certainly make note of that Zipline tour. We did a similar experience with many multiple descending zips in Costa Rica back in 2003 and was so much fun. Quantum was a new class of ship for us and I am still processing how I feel about them. I was extremely excited to finally get on but I don’t think that I was overly thrilled with the layout and design. I much prefer the larger promenade space on almost all other ships as this one seemed very crowded all of the time. Even our world record TA on Symphony this year NEVER really felt crowded at any point. The other REALLY disappointing aspect was the Casino. They really need get it updated and SOON. My wife and other family members however enjoyed the payouts on some of the older slot machines this time. What a fun time. Thanks again for letting us come along on your Alaskan Adventure!!
-
Royal Up is rather insistent... 😵💫
deButler replied to Cactus527's topic in Royal Caribbean Discussion
We had planned side by side balcony cabins on Quantum 15 months out and had NO desire what so ever to bid or move for our trip last week. (though we have attempted 3 times previously but to no avail) I also kept getting emails almost daily the week before leaving as well. High pleasure sales never works well on me.