Carlos A.

When you look at Carnival's old VIFP program it was pretty weak.  I've been 3 cruises short of platinum for over a decade.  Over that period there was zero motivation to cruise in order to advance to platinum.  The only real benefit of platinum was early boarding.  Carnival creates chaos for the boarding process so they can sell FTTF.  Platinum and above don't need FTTF.  
The one free beverage had restrictions, only available on the last day after 5pm, or something silly like that.  
VIFP was always a terrible loyalty program.
What's fascinating to me is how strong the reaction has been.  Despite taking away very few benefits, the customer reaction has been explosive.
Can you imagine what Royal would face if they took away the real benefits that CAS currently provides.  Customer reaction would be nuclear in comparison to the strong reaction that Carnival received.

I concur, at the very least if they were even unsure..tell the client that you’ll look into it and do so, especially if that was my job! 
Tell me how you suck at your job, without telling me. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Thank you for your response. My post was solely about sharing my personal experience and the challenges I’ve faced in finding a knowledgeable travel advisor. It’s not intended to offend anyone. In my view, if you’re selling a product, it’s important to truly understand it and know the ins and outs. I completely understand that you may not have every answer readily available at your fingertips and in those cases, I think it’s perfectly fine to say, “Let me look into that and get back to you.” There is nothing more frustrating than when someone flatly says, “No, that can’t be done,” without taking the time to research it properly.

I would think that an TA like Harr Travel that specializes in cruises, and particularly Royal Caribbean, would have that information at hand...

I would think that an TA like Harr Travel that specializes in cruises, and particularly Royal Caribbean, would have that information at hand...

I would think that an TA like Harr Travel that specializes in cruises, and particularly Royal Caribbean, would have that information at hand...

Maybe they want Ovation to be refreshed for the new Alaska season? I'm sure they'll do Quantum and Anthem eventually too.

Jason Liberty is nearly impossible to like. He's not Richard Fain and in some ways that's not fair but Jason Liberty just to me comes off very, very bad and literally only care about money. Richard was a visionary, of course he likes money too but he doesn't come off like Jason Liberty. Just my 2 cents. 

It worrys me that the man who is now in charge of of Royal Caribbean group doesn't have the best track record when it comes to decisions most on this board like. Seems to put the bottom line above anything else.

2BR AQS was on Allure. RLS was on Utopia. I’m not going to try to compare the ships and cabins themselves as it would not be fair. I do think the crew on Allure tried harder overall to make up for her shortcomings compared to other Oasis ships where as I didn’t get the same attitude with Utopia’s crew overall. The only negative I had with the AQS was the walk between the cabin and elevators. Then there was the isolation from CK, suite lounge, and the sun deck. The only complaint I had with the RLS (and ultimate family suite as well) was that it wasn’t actually in the suite neighborhood’s limited access area so (I found out about this post cruise) we had no less than ten people ring the doorbell and say they were there to tour the cabin. My FIL said that two were especially pushy. I only dealt with kids ding and dashing but giving them ducks solved that problem. 
 
Here’s what I have photo wise from Allure of the cabin as well as the RLS. I do not have a photo anymore of the main room in the AQS for some reason  sorry  

Every Royal ship should have a playmakers

For cruisers, NOT shareholders, Jason Liberty is the worst thing that has ever happened to Royal Caribbean.
I don't get how stock value translates to good customer experience. 

I wish it would be cascading pools like on the Quantum Class

Great! I wonder if the "refreshed" solarium on Harmony includes a pool to bring her in line with all the other Oasis class ships.

Not one to complain much, but this one was a doozy.
We booked the named excursion through Royal and from the time we stepped off Symphony, I knew it was going to be bad.  We arrived on the pier and our "meeting" spot was complete chaos.  People from Blue Lagoon running around, lining people up, putting people in wrong lines -- you name it, it happened.
*Cue two hours of standing in the heat with no shade later*
Now that we've wasted two hours on Bahamian Queue Simulator 2025, we finally are finally (over)loaded on to the crappiest catamaran I have ever seen....You would've thought that the hefty law suit and them literally killing a lady from 2023 would have taught them, but nope.  I (an ex-coastie) made it a mission to count everyone on board.  They stuffed over 300 people on this vessel.  Yes, I spent the 20 minute ride over counting.  Max should've been 150-200 at most.
But wait, the fun doesn't stop there!  To relax, I decide to go to the death vessel catamaran's bar and try to purchase a Kalik beer to help ease my nerves (or at least be a tad bit tipsy when fighting for my life when we sink).  That'll be $15, sir.  So I nope right out and go sit next to my family with a scowl on my face.
We finally arrive to our "deluxe" and "exclusive" Blue Lagoon Island and (you guessed it), it was packed.  I am talking nuts to butts.  No chairs, no seats, no umbrellas, everything packed.  These people then have the gall to give us *one* drink voucher and *one* food voucher and tell us where to go.  I go to the bar with my new golden ticket like I'm Charlie heading to the chocolate factory, but way more disappointed.  The bartender looks at me and points at the two options I have.  Delicious ice cold water (tap water) OR powdered lemonade!  Spoiler alert, I drink the lemonade because I'm dehydrated at this point and guess what I have when I get home!  An immigrant from the Island named H. Pylori!  YAY!
I wish this was the end of this grand tour, but alas, it isn't.  The food we were served was akin to that of what I would receive on Riker's Island -- absolutely awful.  Think the saddest hamburger you've ever seen in your life, double it, give it to your enemy, and it's somehow worse.
By now I've already turned on my phone and paid the $10 to let Royal know exactly how I feel about their deluxe offering via email.  During this time, I again attempt to get a mixed drink in hopes of salvaging what little patience I have left of this godforsaken place.  I ask for a margarita on the rocks, no salt.  That'll be $25 please!  I loudly decline and ask how much a simple bottle of water will be.  You're in luck, it's only $10!
By now I *hope* I dehydrate so that they'll be forced to take me back to the beautiful ship with unlimited beverages.  
Finally, the straw that broke the figurative camel's back was when my 16 year old asked me to "follow him" with a grin on his face.  He's a down-to-earth kid, so I knew this was gonna be good.  He directs me to a lovely beach on the north side of the island that is a little more quiet and had 3 lifeguards.  He then proceeds to tell me that the lifeguards asked him to get out of the water because he went in over his knees (it was a calm day).  As we walk toward the beach and near where the lifeguards are sitting, the smell hits me.  That sweet, sweet smell of the Jazz Cabbage (also known as the Devil's Lettuce).  Cheech, Chong, and Snoop were sitting under the only umbrella on the beach, passing a joint at work like it was 4:20 in Denver.
Back to the ship, and the lovely hotel director has already called my room (see email above) and asked to meet me.  He apologized, thanked me for letting him know (I also let him know about the stoners), and immediately used his super duper bat phone to call the excursion desk to refund me. 
Too long, didn't read?:  Avoid anything Blue Lagoon like the plague.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk

Yes, they can be.  When there is an AT show on it is very noisy,  No getting around that.  There will be some noise associated with AT show practice but nothing beyond that of concern.  BTW, there is a similar issue on the Quantum class ship suites relating to the 270 shows.....so it's not unique to the AT suites.

That's total BS about the Genies not being as attentive/experienced/responsive.  Just disregard that entirely.  Your Genie will be the same Genie that others have on the same cruise.  They rotate around to different SC suites.  This is one concern that you can simply forget about.
There are 2 disadvantages to the ATS, IMO and that is their distance from the elevators and the fact that it is away from Deck 17.  It is a LONG way all the way aft.  For me, that's a show-stopper but for most, it is not.  It is a long walk to get ANYwhere...and it's a long way from the Suites Lounge and Coastal Kitchen.
There are a number of advantages of the ATS over some of the other SC suites.  Namely, there are 2 completely separate and private bedrooms as opposed to one big open area.  The location (aside from its distance from the elevators) is just spectacular.  
The 2 BR ATS were our introduction to Star Class.  We did 3 of them before we moved on to other SC suites.  You will love it....nothing like it !
 

They only have the small pack and play with the thin "mattress" that comes with them. They say they are not allowed to put anything else for safety reasons so If you want to bring another mattress for the crib you should do it.

But this doesn't start until 9/1.
Also, how did they know it was such a disaster without anyone saying anything? I'm assuming you know since you also know that everyone who went on it was refunded.

Well said!  The food in the MDR is just ok, in my experience.  It stands out as the one area that I don't gush about when trying to convince everyone in my life to cruise on RC.  I'm always, "Here's ten things you'll absolutely love! …and the food is alright."

For cruisers, NOT shareholders, Jason Liberty is the worst thing that has ever happened to Royal Caribbean.
I don't get how stock value translates to good customer experience. 

For cruisers, NOT shareholders, Jason Liberty is the worst thing that has ever happened to Royal Caribbean.
I don't get how stock value translates to good customer experience. 

I think for just common cruisers who do not hold Royal Caribbean stock they don't care about that, some are just unhappy with the direction the company is going despite how full each cruise is sailing and how much profit the company is generating for themselves and their shareholders.  I don't own RCL stock but they are still my favorite cruise line.

Jason Liberty is the worst thing that has ever happened to Royal Caribbean.

Jason Liberty is the worst thing that has ever happened to Royal Caribbean.