Lovetocruise2002

2 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I'm guessing (as you did, I believe) that this program is targeted at cruisers who have never done SC before and won't know what they're missing.

Bingo! I flat out said this to the GSM  and he did not deny it.

Flight update: it’s on time so far and we got a complimentary upgrade to Delta Comfort+! Small win but we will take the earlier zone boarding

3 minutes ago, dustfsu said:

Well that’s a bummer. I know how that goes for lobster, but man, when they get it right it’s the best!

Our best Chops experience so far has been on Utopia. 

29 minutes ago, dustfsu said:

What wasn’t so good this time? Last time when I went on the Wonder I thought the lobster bisque was different and my filet was good but not excellent like it usually is, but I still enjoyed it!!!

The lobster was slightly overcooked. Mushroom soup was runnier than usual, and the creamed spinach was not too fresh. 

The Royal Genie Package experience: 

Our Genie for this sailing was Lissandra. She is coming from a suite concierge role into Genie. It would seem like all 4 genies working in this RGP role are newer genies on their first or second contract.

Despite being newer to the role, Lissandra was fantastic for what we needed. She was able to anticipate our cruising needs rather quickly and once she got to know us a bit, conversations flowed easily. She constantly checked in on us, both through WhatsApp, and in person. She was very thoughtful as well. The genie experience itself was no different than regular Star Class. Everything that a regular star class genie could do for us, she did as well. Embarkation and disembarkation process remained the same as Star Class. 

The RGP experience is similar to Star Class, but it’s not. They are not trying to market it as such either. It is marketed as the RGP, right down to the banners, literature in the room, seapass card, reserved seats signs, etc., nowhere is the word “star class” mentioned, because they are not trying to make it star class.

Their target market for this program is new and/or suite cruisers. For those who are familiar with SC, it makes it trickier for them in that you should not book this expecting it to be identical. 

There are many similarities: the genie and their “powers”, the inclusion of dining and drink packages, dedicated flowrider sessions, priority embarkation and disembarkation (identical in procedure to SC), etc.

But there are definitely differences as well. One being the exclusion of gratuities, and laundry is questionable. On Freedom it seems to be pressing only; and Indy might be full laundry? The other difference is the room. When you book regular SC, part of the WOW is the suite. With the RGP, depending on what room you book, there is not much WOW. In fact, the smaller rooms hinder the ability to really take advantage of the food delivery etc. The smaller ship also limits what the genie can do. Not as many activities and amenities to offer to guests. 

So is it worth it?

In my opinion, at the right price, maybe. Let me try to clarify. If I was booked on a Non-QN/OA/IC class ship in a category lower than a GS, then it would be worth it at the right price. At $300pp/day, it’s still a hard sell for me. The disclaimer here is that I am already D+ and have access to the crown lounge even without the suite lounge. If I was booked in a GS or higher, no way would I consider the RGP. I would probably be just as happy buying the Unlimited Dining Package, VOOM, and Evian water package. The only way I would consider the RGP if I was booked in a GS or higher would be if the price went down considerably to make it worth it. 

For the amount it costs (regular price) for the RGP, my money is likely better spent sailing true Sky Class on QN/OA/IC class. 

Overall, Hubby and I think the RGP gives you the SC “lite” experience. If you have never tried SC and want to test it out at a possible lower cost, then it’s worth trying. It’s quite similar. If you are familiar with SC, then book with the mindset that it will be a slightly downgraded experience from true SC due to the reasons mentioned above. 

Happy to answer any other questions anyone might have. 3 weeks to SY! This cruise was easier to end knowing there’s a short dry dock. 

Final thoughts on room: 

I don’t think that I will book another suite GTY in the future, unless it’s a steal of a deal. Even then, I would have to give some serious thought to age of ship etc. 

As I already mentioned we ended up with a JS, which I expected. The accessible part, I did not. We really enjoyed having the open space in the living area. But the bathroom was another story. Hubby had no trouble with it, but I was never able to shower successfully without getting water all over the floor. Most days I ended up putting down a blue pool towel instead of the bath mat. 

Also, perhaps because the ship is older, there was some not so pleasant smells in the room. There was an area by the side of the bed that I slept (near the night table) that smelled like my 8th grade classroom. There was also an area near the balcony that did not smell too fresh either. None of this seemed to bother Hubby. But for someone like myself, who is quite sensitive to smells, it did bother me all sailing. We did not say anything about it as we just chalked it up to being on an older ship. 

Not bad at all! Room to curb 15 mins. Total time from room to airport…1 hour. Now sitting at our gate at FLL.

Off to Chops for breakfast and then off the ship. 

7 hours ago, asquared17 said:

also yum; pretzel rolls and truffle soup

I was just saying to Hubby last night that the truffle soup at Chops is one of my favourite meals in all Royal Caribbean restaurants. 

7 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Oh well, maybe I’ll do better with actual sushi. Not sure what meal to consider light, lol. Our lunch/dinner pairings were mostly based on what’s open for lunch on certain days, CocoCay lunch, and my wife’s limited palate. I’ll survive.

We usually pair Izumi lunch with Chops dinner because we get the lobster at Chops and it’s ok if we had a heavy lunch. If we are eating Izumi Hibachi for dinner, then it doesn’t matter because Hibachi is not as heavy as the sushi side. If we are at PDCC then Izumi sushi dinner is safe for us. 

7 hours ago, GatorCruiser said:

First, God I love trellis and you are correct , no room for a cup. Second, I appreciate your good naturedness. Obviously it all depends how one cruises. Third, Between my Hyperactive nature plus FOMO plus two little crystal  meth jacked up sons. I don’t have the luxury of just hanging out in once place for Any  amount of time. So a cup clip, while cool for some, is lost  on me. Perhaps when we sail sans the crystal meth twins , but even then, im a rover by nature. 

Crystal meth twins!! I don’t know why but at 6:45am, this really makes me laugh. Good luck to you lol

No show tonight. We’ve seen it before and did not care for it the first time. Packed all our stuff after dinner. Lissandra is going to meet us in our room at 7:45am. Making the trek back to FLL and fingers crossed for a smooth return home. 

Dinner was at Chops tonight. It wasn’t the best Chops experience, but also not the worst. Just mid as my 8th graders would call it. 
 

5 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

feel like Izumi will be a "smaller" meal for me regardless as all the small plates seem to live up to their name and I'll be getting sushi for my large plates which isn't heavy.

Careful with that thinking. While Izumi “looks” light, it sure is not! We already try to make sure we eat Izumi on a day with something lighter. Maybe it’s all the carbs. 
 

4 hours ago, A and L_Ont said:

look forward to your final thoughts on the Genie program.  Also your thoughts on how you found the accessible JS;

All coming tomorrow. A thumbs down on the room though. More tomorrow.
 

4 hours ago, A and L_Ont said:

Say hi Justin for me and I hope he’s feeling a better from his fall. Ask him how he likes the inflatable wave VS the normal style.

He didn’t hurt himself falling. He was trying to do an acid drop and heard a big crack in his back. Thank God there was some miracle healing by this morning lol. 
He said he also prefers the old style. And there’s no rooster tail. You realize I have no clue what any of this means. I am just the messenger lol

4 hours ago, JustMeJoe said:

Nothing like that beautiful shower curtain that grabs you and wraps itself around you  !!!

I totally hate the grabby shower curtain! 
 

2 hours ago, Sweety said:

None of my cruises have the genie option.

It’s only on Freedom and Indy at the moment. 
 

1 hour ago, A and L_Ont said:

We have booked Symphony for November, Allure for NYE, and Icon for Valentine’s Day

we need to find a way to sail together again! 
 

8 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

Thank you. I didn’t see a point either. I’m never in once place long enough to benefit from one.

This is true for me too! Maybe that is why I never saw a point in them. But careful, she is going to claim betrayal again

Got lost in my book and almost forgot to post this. Lunch was at Izumi today. Something interesting to note, portion sizes are very inconsistent here on Freedom. Night 2 our rolls were half the size of today’s. The people sitting next to us today got rolls that were 2/3 the size of what we got. Ramen bowl looked like it was half eaten. It’s usually filled almost to the top. This Izumi is strange….
 

18 minutes ago, Sweety said:

Where do I find the genie on Freedom?

Under VIP passes in the cruise planner. 

Just now, LandstromCruise said:

She’s in a suite or probably Star Class anyways so it doesn’t really matter about the check in time 

Hahaha!!!!! Bingo! lol. 
As long as I make it in time for my MJ brunch, I will be happy! 

1 hour ago, LandstromCruise said:

Well you and I are in trouble for this. I bought some and took them once and didn’t even use them. I don’t find a need for them 

Yup…she is not going to be happy with us lol

1 hour ago, LandstromCruise said:

Definitely an hour solo is too much. Even with just 3 people you get tired by the end for sure. If I was solo I would just have the staff ride some while I rested. It’s pretty fun to watch them do it. 

That would be a great idea! Some of them are so good. 

1 minute ago, JohnK6404 said:

Maybe, that makes sense… strange … some old screenshots I took of all of the options we get in the dropdown during online check-in…

Oh yeah, I don’t have all those options that you do. 

22 minutes ago, CruisingAndy said:

I imagine the overlap of people who can afford/want to do SC is similar to the people who can afford/want to do RGP, so they have to expect these comparisons are going to continue.  

I did inquire as to how many people they have had so far who are familiar with SC and then book the RGP. The answer…not many. 
 

11 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

I don't really belong in this conversation but that sounds a lot like the Sky Jr Suites that don't include internet on most ships (and all ships after a certain date next year). Why call something "SKY" and then take away something included in Sky Class that costs Royal almost nothing like internet?

Agreed! Great comparison. Same with including VOOM for GS and above on newer ships but not the old which is a long time debate. 

Turns out Hubby was not solo in the flowriding session today. There was another family who booked the RGP at the last minute. So last minute that even the two genies on board did not know about them until they showed up with their bags at the terminal after we did. They were not on anyone’s list or anything. But Hubby was slightly relieved too because he wasn’t sure if he could go a whole hour on his own so he was happy there were two others there to split the time with. He said it would have been hard on his legs even though his back is feeling better. 

Pretty leisurely morning so far. As I was making my tea in the suite lounge, the GSM came to find me. We had a nice chat and he said he wanted to talk to me to get the perspective of someone who is familiar with star class and what they think of the program. I don’t have much of a filter these days, so I was very candid about how the reaction is mixed. Will share more in my final thoughts tomorrow.

Regarding the gratuities and laundry, it was what I expected. This program is not “star class”. They specifically asked for marketing to come up with new banners etc., to replace “star class” with “RGP” from the pier all the way to the sea pass card. Being that it is not SC, the powers that be who created this program, decided not to include some things in this program that SC has, laundry and inclusion of gratuities being some of those. He did say they are collecting feedback like crazy on this program. It’s a pilot. I heard that many times this week. They are in a wait and see mode as well. 

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

This is the hack I use when I have to check in when I'm on a ship.

1 hour ago, JohnK6404 said:

What I used to do when I checked in using the website was select anything (eg. naturalization papers) just to get through to the last screen to select the boarding time. This was a good “hack” especially since I tend to check in all of our traveling party across multiple reservations so we can get the same boarding time (since they all are sleeping  when it opens! ).

Later the next day, when I had the time (and when the others had time), I would return and accurately update my passport info and all of the other necessary info. As you know, the check-in screens remain open almost right up to the sailing so you can always update your info at any time.

Thanks for sharing the hack. I just tried it and I don’t have the “anything” option. Maybe because I am Canadian? I will just grab an arrival time tomorrow morning. 

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I'm sorry, but egg on pizza is just....wrong....

Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it lol. In all honesty, I thought it might have been weird too but it is good with the truffle oil and it works. Next time you have the UDP give it a try! 
….the tuna I cannot. That is something that I am not with @asquared17on, that and…don’t hate me…No cup clips! 

8 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

My edit was late & I forgot that was a freeloader trip. Can the freeloaders not grab an arrival time for everyone?

That would require for them to be awake. Lol

No worries, I will take care of it tomorrow when we arrive back in Miami. I am assuming once I get off airplane mode and use data that I can grab an arrival time. 

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

You can’t use the app onboard for check in, you have to use the website.

I just tried that. But also a dead end because I can’t just select arrival time and do the rest later. It wants me to enter all the passport info (which I don’t have for the kids) before I can get to arrival time.

Woke up this morning and realized midnight was check in time for WN 8/17. Tried to check in and cannot. Gives me an error message. How annoying. Wonder if it’s because I am using ship wifi?