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Gears

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  1. Like
    Gears reacted to twangster in You know you are addicted to cruises with Royal Caribbean when :   
    You don't worry or flinch when you log into the RC website and find no cruises listed for you when you have several booked You start running into the same people from here on multiple cruise forums Your morning ritual includes logging into the cruise planner every day You only use social media for cruise related purposes You know exactly how many nights you need to reach the next C&A level and this plays into your booking strategy 
  2. Like
    Gears got a reaction from Lovetocruise2002 in You know you are addicted to cruises with Royal Caribbean when :   
    When you can answer about 98% of the questions posted to this board.
    Agree with @twangster...when the ship has become the destination.
  3. Like
    Gears got a reaction from Traveler in You know you are addicted to cruises with Royal Caribbean when :   
    When you can answer about 98% of the questions posted to this board.
    Agree with @twangster...when the ship has become the destination.
  4. Like
    Gears reacted to Sweety in You know you are addicted to cruises with Royal Caribbean when :   
    I know my C&A number. It's like my social security number.
  5. Like
    Gears got a reaction from twangster in You know you are addicted to cruises with Royal Caribbean when :   
    When you can answer about 98% of the questions posted to this board.
    Agree with @twangster...when the ship has become the destination.
  6. Like
    Gears got a reaction from Sweety in You know you are addicted to cruises with Royal Caribbean when :   
    When you can answer about 98% of the questions posted to this board.
    Agree with @twangster...when the ship has become the destination.
  7. Like
    Gears reacted to SaltyNavyCruiser15 in Cruise #6, First Time on a RC!   
    Greetings!!
    My wife and I are thrilled to be sailing with Royal Caribbean on Serenade of the Seas from 29 MAR - 10 APR, on a 10-night Southern Caribbean cruise! This vacation is one that's been long overdue for us, following a successful 5.5-month long deployment ??⚓️ and two year anniversary celebration that fell through the cracks due to hurricane season ?
    As previously mentioned, this will be my sixth cruise altogether, but my first on a Royal Caribbean. I am all ears for any tips that one can provide! 
     
  8. Like
    Gears reacted to twangster in Cruise #6, First Time on a RC!   
    The man behind this site is @Matt.  He has created many blogs for first timers to RCI:
    What time to get to the port
    What makes Royal Caribbean different
    and so on.
    If you go to the main page of RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com there is a search box in the upper right.  Just type in "first time" and you will see more blogs that he has written and possibly some podcasts as well. 
    My only Disney experience is a long time ago but I sailed ten Carnival ships before switching over to Royal two years ago.  Disney is great, no argument there but also very expensive.  For me I love Royal and haven't looked back.  
    Cheers!
  9. Like
    Gears reacted to tiny260 in Suites - how do you get one reasonably priced?   
    Look at this other thready I just posted this on, there is some discussion of Suites and suite pricing.
    Royal Caribbean raises VOOM packages!!
    There are a ton of other suites available besides the Royal Family suite, Junior Suite, Grand Suite, Owners suite and many others on the Oasis and Quantum class, what I read, most other people say that they get the big suites is that it is not so much the suite (The room itself) as it is the amenities associated with the suite, see link below.
    http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass/star/
    The strange thing is that if you try and get one of the big suites, actually try and book one, is that they are always sold out, especially the Family sized ones, and especially during the American school breaks.
    I have 4 future cruises booked, 3 of them are in Grand Suites and 1 is a Star Loft Suites (On Allure), and my main purpose of reserving these is so I get the "Suite Perks", the amenities, I had to book these really far in advance (At least a year) because before when I would try and get a suite they were always sold out.
    So yes, someone is getting,  them but I can't tell you who or what demographic it is...
  10. Like
    Gears reacted to Matt in Sorrento's Pizza   
    Unrelated, but this thread is a fantastic example of why when you read cruise reviews and someone writes "the food was terrible" or "the beds were awful" or "Billy was really annoying", you can't hold any of it as gospel.  Food is so subjective, as evidenced by this thread! 
    Okay, I feel better now 
  11. Like
    Gears reacted to constable145 in Sorrento's Pizza   
    Nah. Different chain. Similar slogan. 
     
    I'd take a 5 dollar hot and ready from little ceasars over Sorrentos.. That's how bad the RCI pizza is 
  12. Like
    Gears reacted to WAAAYTOOO in Sorrento's Pizza   
    I've waited for all of the "haters" to have their say and I will take a stab at standing up for Sorrento's pizza !!

    I will start out by admitting that I am neither a pizza snob nor a pizza connoisseur but I think the pizza at Sorrento's (at least, on Allure, which is one of the very few times I have tried it) wasn't bad.  I have certainly had better but I have had FAR worse, too.
    Admittedly, we got the pizza when it was very fresh (immediately after they opened) and we were enjoying a nice cold beverage across the way in the pub while they were putting up the Christmas tree on Allure in Nov. but we rather enjoyed it.
    Not much else to say, really.  When you are really hungry and it is right there waiting for you, it's ok.
    I will make myself an even GREATER target by admitting that I also don't mind the hot dogs at the Dog Shack (or whatever it's called).  I love the greasy burgers at Johnny Rocket's too.  So there.
  13. Like
    Gears reacted to monctonguy in Sorrento's Pizza   
    Little Caesars I would say is a little better than Sorrento's but not much...however it is cheap so it is what it is.
     
    I have to admit that the "snack" or pub type foods on Royal has never been very good in my experiences. Which is both surprising and disappointing. I am surprised more customers over the years haven't complained to the point where they would do something about it.
     
    Hoping celebrity has better and tastier options?!......I know they have the grill out on the pool deck for burgers and snacks, but not open late I am sure so I guess I'll have to see once I am on board in 12 days!
  14. Like
    Gears reacted to Madelyn D in Best city to live in?   
    Perhaps the best place to live is Wisconsin, so that you have more appreciation for vacations when it's -25 outside 
  15. Like
    Gears reacted to mworkman in Upgrade fairy   
    Well wouldn't you know it.  The upgrade fairy has hit us without even a phone call.  Just checked online and we have been upgraded from JS to Two Bedroom Suite with Balcony on our sailing the 5th Jan 18, Serenade of the Seas.  I couldn't believe my eyes...i better run out and purchase a lottery ticket!! Waahoooooo!!!!
  16. Haha
    Gears reacted to mworkman in Upgrade fairy   
    My luck it will be a computer glitch, as we has seen several of them lately, so when i actually check in on Friday it will be fixed and we'll be downgraded to life boat with no facilities. 
  17. Haha
    Gears got a reaction from henrysea13 in Sorrento's Pizza   
    Sorrentos is about the only thing I tell people to stay away from. Hard to understand how something so bad can be repeated over and over again with incredible consistency. I equate it to dipping a slice of gooey white bread into tomato soup and sprinkling some ultra cheap Parmesan cheese on it.
  18. Like
    Gears reacted to JLMoran in Next Cruise... is it really worth it?   
    All I can say regarding the internet reviews is that I see the same themes over and over again, across the entire lineup of ships. I agree that often the 'net is just a sounding board for those who are perpetually pissed off, but this is one case where I feel like if it sounds like a duck, walks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it's most likely a duck. I really want to be proved wrong, because they're so cost competitive and the ships look gorgeous, but I'm dubious about their chances. There are plenty of folks here with sailings on various MSC ships lined up for the coming year, and I'm going to be looking for those liveblogs or after-sailing reports with bated breath.
  19. Like
    Gears reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in Next Cruise... is it really worth it?   
    No brainer for me too...just to throw in a few more numbers...we booked the Seaside for July 21 in a YC deluxe suite. Total price for two was $3692.20. That includes a 10% off teachers discount which MSC gives but RC doesn't. Without the teacher's discount it was $4050.  Deposit was $49pp, fully refundable until 90 days prior. With YC you get: a butler, all drinks included, priority embarkation/seatings, all week access to thermal spa, 24/7 access to private lounge and restaurant for all meals, private sundeck with pool and bar/food area etc.  Booked a JS on Harmony for July 28 as a back up plan. That was $4550.86. Deposit was $500, refundable because I booked this before NRD kicked in. So JS not only more expensive but way less privileges and YC cheaper and more privileges than Sky class on RC. This is why, although I love RC, I could not walk away from trying Seaside.
    @bcarney...when are you sailing? I really want feedback from someone who is a seasoned RC cruiser to compare the MSC experience...
  20. Like
    Gears reacted to twangster in Next Cruise... is it really worth it?   
    It's an interesting study. 
    Some cruise lines have a lot of baggage they've accumulated over the years.  They are hesitant to sell off old ships to a start up competitor who then competes with them selling no frills cheap getaways but to keep those old ships requires investing millions to install scrubbers and keep them up to date.  New ships are ordered with little for the older fleet to do except for short or "hometown" getaways.
    A newer player without all that old fleet baggage who has a lot of shipping expertise behind them can focus on the lucrative North American market with newer, large and more efficient ships attracting all the new cruisers who have no brand loyalty while also luring in some long time cruisers.  Large ships are more profitable on a per passenger basis.  
    They haven't quite cracked the North American nut yet so far remaining a European line that came to the Caribbean to satisfy their European customer base.  Now that is changing and they are building ships for here.  Give them a year or two to adapt the on board culture to suit North America better and they might become quite a formidable competitor for three legacy giants.
    I'm tempted to try them just to see how green that grass is, or not.  It's so hard to put trust in internet reviews, sometimes you need to see it for yourself to know if it works for you.
  21. Like
    Gears reacted to ryan.aubin in Next Cruise... is it really worth it?   
    I too am booked on MSC Seaside, March 31... I was going to go with a Royal option, but the Next Cruise changes, plus some of the drink package changes really just put up a red flag for me.   I just finished a 12nt Anthem that was quite nice, but I really think now is the time to spread my wings and check out what else is out there.  I never thought I'd choose another line, but RCI has convinced me to do so.  The status match, plus automatic 15% off your fare for first responders and teachers, plus OBC & drinks, and the already low fare... it was actually a really easy decision for me.  
     
    I consider myself pretty easy to please, but I just don't like to feel as though I'm being taken advantage of, and as of late, I'd be lying if I said I had not felt that way with my friends at RCI.   I'll never dispute their incredible product, but some of the changes are just a wee bit difficult to swallow as a veteran cruiser.  
     
    I guess I now get to see if the grass is truly greener.  :-) 
  22. Like
    Gears reacted to Lovetocruise2002 in Next Cruise... is it really worth it?   
    I don't think this is exclusive to RC.  Reading on other boards, there seems to be more of a trend among many cruise lines between suites and "steerage".  Even with MSC as mentioned above, I've been on CC a lot over the last two weeks reading from people on board right now and the general consensus is yacht club or don't bother.  Up charges, lack of personalized service, increased fees...it's all across the cruise industry.  Don't shoot the messenger...just sharing what I've read lately....?
  23. Haha
    Gears reacted to twangster in Sorrento's Pizza   
    15!   (The limit of the Cheers! drink package)
    To me it's very close to something you buy at a big box store, preheat to 450 and bake for 12-15 mins. but greasier.  Like dab paper towels on it to soak up some of the liquid oil on top before consuming.  Sorrentos is generally better but to each their own.  On Indy it's a weird taste but at least it doesn't ooze oil.  
  24. Like
    Gears reacted to twangster in Sorrento's Pizza   
    In Canada where I grew up we had the Molson scale.  While normally applied to other subjects I find it applicable to Sorrentos. I'm on Indy now and pizza is a 10!  (On the Molson scale). 
  25. Like
    Gears reacted to coneyraven in Sorrento's Pizza   
    Just give me the pizza kit in a box that we used to make as kids, I'll be happy

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