tonyfsu21

1 hour ago, Crown&AnchorEsq said:

Anything available can be a little  confusing, I believe there is technically a list of the labels included and that is usually stocked in the SL.  If that's what you mean by available, then, yes 100% correct.  If you ask for something specific, say a neat single malt that's not on the menu I think you are venturing into ymmv territory and could be one possible explanation for the charge here.

Other possibility is that perhaps OP was outside the happy hour window? "evening drinks" is a set time (I believe usually 5-8 on most ships) 

To clarify “anything available” means anything on or off the list is available if you ask. I have never been declined or told otherwise in the SL. It’s very possible there are different experiences on different ships but I also tip generously which might help change the bartender or servers mind about declining my request. 

3 hours ago, Atlantix2000 said:

Perhaps the type of drinks you were asking for were not complimentary?  For example, basic rum and coke included but a specifically named brand of rum is not?

Nope, you can order anything available w/o issues. 

On 9/18/2023 at 11:53 AM, RCVoyager said:

I think behavior has a lot to do with it as well.  A shorter cruise is a cheaper cruise, and that in and of itself invites a younger more boisterous crowd.  I bet the public area clean up "incidents" happen at a much higher rate on short cruise.

I would bet you are correct. The 7 days voyages tend to be more family focused. I can’t imagine what a dumpster fire a 3 day sailing on Carnival would be! 

1 hour ago, APM said:

Please refresh my memory, do suite lounge happy hour cocktails count against your Diamond/Diamond + allotment of 4/5 drinks?

Unless things have changed since Labor Day, the answer is no. 

Phoenix band was decent on Wonder in March. If they no longer offer tribute bands in the music hall then what on earth is the point of that place? If this rumor of no house tribute band or rock & roll cover band is true, then they might as well lock the doors on the place and close it down. 

2 hours ago, Jolly Ogre said:

I would think about Royal uping if extra points and maybe a drink pkg would come with it, otherwise it is really not worth the extra cost.

Sounds like Star Class to me. 

15 hours ago, Biaggio said:

Not shocked Xaa, I’m a motorcycle enthusiast. 
 

I don’t find it an inviting place where solders are patrolling the beach with AR-15s 

 

Cozumel is a different ballgame. I share your same sentiments about mainland Mexico but Cozumel seems safe. I doubt the cartels want to waste time with turf wars on that little island. I personally wouldn’t go to Cancun, Tulum or even Cabo at this point and assume the elevated risk of getting robbed or kidnapped by the cartels (especially with young children in tow). And as far as the scooters go in Mexico or even the Bahamas for that matter, you are embarking on a death mission and will be killed or seriously injured by the garbage they pass off as a motor vehicle. 

36 minutes ago, Stephanie said:

I don't have personal experience with this, but it is a goal of mine. On our latest cruise on Navigator, we met a handful of older, single ladies who were all Pinnacle members. One of the ladies - we'll call her Sharon for anonymity - was greeted by name everywhere she went on the ship, so naturally, we couldn't resist asking them a similar question - not how they afford the multiple cruises, but how they became Pinnacle. Sharon said she takes at least 1 cruise every month. Another lady said she was going on 24 cruises this year!! Now, obviously I didn't ask them how they could afford it, but they did say they all live in California. Sharon almost exclusively sails on Navigator and just does the B2B cruises. They also said RC gives them good rates for being single cruisers (vs the other cruise lines). And, of course, at Pinnacle status, there's comps & perks there - like booking an interior room, but still having all the perks of a suite guest.

“Sharon” has been at it a long long time. I’ve been cruising on RC for 31 years and can’t seem to make it out of the Diamond + black hole. 

Move to Florida and connect with a good travel agent who focuses on RC cruises. We get on Freedom of the seas for quick weekends all the time and I am back at the office before the lights turn on Monday morning. 

10 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

Whew I hope you are right? I think I put in all the correct info but not 100% sure. 

I am 100% positive. I wouldn’t count on that Royal Up though, it’s been tough even with maximum bids lately. 

30 minutes ago, Ryan79 said:

If they cannot charge the card, they move on. It’s why they won’t let you use a card that will expire before the cruise to input for RoyalUp

Not true. If the card fails for any reason (fraud protection exc) Royal up sends you an email for an updated credit card that is time sensitive. I’ve had issues several times with AMEX rejecting a charge from Royal Up. 

I don’t plan to fill out the surveys ever again. I find them to be a complete waste of time. 

20 hours ago, Mike n Ky said:

From what we were told on Nav last year, they run 3 and 4 day cruises then a full week (which is what we were on) and back to the 3 and 4 day...the crew does not like the shorter cruises because of the behavior and work load. I asked some of the crew on Allure what they thought of going to the shorter cruises when it moves to Florida and none of them were looking forward to it.

That’s purely a turnover issue I’m guessing. Much better for the crew to turn over that big ship every 7 days. 

7 hours ago, jbrinkm said:

Does anyone have experience with this hotel? It meets all of our criteria (shuttle, breakfast, 3 separate beds because my teens won't share, good location, Hilton points) but the reviews are very mixed online. i.e. Shuttle doesn't ever come, or comes after 2 hours, bedbugs, dirty, etc. Then also great, perfect, beautiful rooms, loved my stay, etc. Not sure what to think. Have they renovated lately? 

Seems like pretty standard reviews for a lower mid tier chain hotel. I can’t speak to the actual hotel, however, I can tell you it’s close enough to Port Everglades that you don’t need to wait 2 hours for the shuttle and can just call an Uber for an inexpensive trip to the port. If 5 star Wynn Las Vegas has rooms with bed bugs then you can pretty much assume a Homewood suites might have them as well so I wouldn’t put much weight on the reviews. 

15 hours ago, jameyscott said:

We cruise often and gamble. We always get the Royal Up offers. I have never won one yet. This is at the max bid every time. This time is from a JS to all the suites above it. Six days to go and still don't know about this one.

No luck lately for me. I also bid max normally from either balcony or JS to all suites through star class and haven’t been successful. 

This is standard operating procedure for the characters that embark on Freedom for a weekend of partying out of Miami. After living in SoFL my entire life I do t even bat an eye at this. On any given Monday down here on the 826 there are degenerates tossing kittens out of their car window going 70mph, shooting at each other exc. I can’t stand the act of littering but it’s mild in comparison to the other crap going down in this world. 

It’s the era of Royal Up. I would like to get something for free for once but even free costs money most of the time. 

12 hours ago, twangster said:

Rank based on what criteria?

Productions shows?  In the main theater or aqua theater?  In Studio B? 

For kids or for adults?

Based on dining?

Based on decor?

The best suite bathrooms are on the first two.  Rank them based on that?

I like different things on different ships in this class, but having said that... I still love Allure.  Allure doesn't (yet) have the purple monster slide blocking the boardwalk views, no Bionic bar, no water slides (I don't need water slides),  I love the massive shower in the loft suites.   Love Mamma Mia! - every time.   Not the best Ice Skating or Aqua show show but still entertaining.  

The truth is all Oasis class provide a great experience.   What one person looks for means little to someone else.   One person's "must have" specialty restaurant is a hard pass for someone else.  Only one FlowRider is a big miss for some, not even noticed for others.  

If any night on an Oasis class ship is better then a day at home then try them all.

  

This is true. What it really should come down to is itinerary because any Oasis class ship is going to be uniquely amazing in its own way. 

On 9/8/2023 at 5:23 PM, Ibenz said:

Anyone know if they are going to offer any on board credit for this? 

Disney is giving every room $200 AND 20% off any future cruise before September 2025. Also, they had the option to cancel at 100%.

I get hurricane Lee messed it up, we are cruising in hurricane season, but I'm flying into Florida to avoid Mexico. I could have it just drove to Galveston and saved $1000 in flights.

Low probability the company will offer compensation for an itinerary change due to a major storm. Mexico or not, I would be content with just being able to vacation at all during the height of hurricane season. 

It goes like this:

wonder>symphony>oasis>Harmony>allure

I would sail any of the five ships listed above given any other choice across the entire industry. The Oasis class (regardless of which one) can’t be beat. I’m sure I will have a different opinion in early 2024 when the Icon arrives but for now it’s all about the Oasis class. 

2 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

I find it offensive to use the term slave wages as in slaves do/did not get paid. 

I really don’t think the commonly used term “slave wages” is by any mean offensive. To each his or her own. Good evening. 

5 minutes ago, TXcruzer said:

And the money made is not spent in the US but in the crews m countries.  You MUST take this into account if you are throwing around terms like "slave wages"

 

Hypothetical scenario:  Young TONYFSU21 is given the opportunity to go to Dubai and work as house staff for a wealthy family.  They promise you at the end of your 9 month commitment, they will send you home with the same amount of money that it would take 2 years to make at home in the USA. 

Would you consider these slave wages, simply because the family could afford to pay you more, or are you incredibly grateful to be 12-15 months ahead financially and sign up for another contract?

Judging by the vast number of returning crew members, if you are honest with yourself, the answer is the latter. You aren't staying in Dubai, so why make that your barometer?

I stand by the term “slave wages” for sure but I tip them as much as I can and sleep good at night. I also don’t want to argue as this topic certainly pisses people off. It’s Friday and young TONYFSU21 is looking for a kracken Pina colada. 

2 minutes ago, TXcruzer said:

The crew does not work for "slave wages" FAR FAR from it.

I don’t consider what they make in their home country as a base line at all. If you take into account the volume of work and the type of work (across the board) this boils down to slave labor by US standards. We are not talking unionized wages and any bargaining unit agreement for these workers. The tips are greatly appreciated by them for the hard work they do and I’m sure it goes a long way when they send the money home. 

On 9/1/2023 at 1:35 PM, Mariner6328 said:

Just got back from Chukka Good Hope Estate pass off Mariner of the Seas. The pictures you see of the crystal clear pool/waterfalls are a lie. The pool was dirty/cloudy and full of debris. Not sure if the filter was broken or what. The employees never offered an explanation. Half the deck chairs are embarrassingly rotten. My kid rode the slide a few times then we left on the first bus back. All told we only stayed an hour. With a half hour bus ride each way, it was a waste of a day and definitely a waste of money.

This is harsh. The water was fine when we were there so maybe it was a broken filter. I don’t think by any means it was a waste of a day for us personally. 

Not gonna happen. There’s higher probability of the aliens levitating the Oasis and taking it on tours through the universe. I may or may not be in the business that glows so I have some insight.