Lovetocruise2002

7 minutes ago, FManke said:

Although the food has mixed reviews, isn't part of the draw of the MDR, the ambience? Old school classic cruise dining. Or do some just think of it as a large banquet hall?

IMO, the food quality has really gone downhill over the last few years.  You still get the MDR experience in CK.  Just on a smaller scale, like @Fairlynew new said, less hectic.  More peaceful.  Better food.

6 minutes ago, MotleyCruiser said:

Is this a time share. Do you get a Deed?

Both my sisters and their families are on this sailing with me and we can't even justify it as a split.

5 minutes ago, BB1 said:

Can you make reservations in advance? I believe that suites have first choice. I don't see it on the cruise planner but was thinking the concierge could make them when they contact you prior to sailing.

Most of the time you have to wait until the suite concierge emails you.  However, there have been a few reports that some were able to make them online on their cruise planner.  In our own experience, we were able to do it online the first time we sailed Anthem in March 2018 but that was it.  All other suite sailings after that we had to wait for the suite concierge.

1 minute ago, ChrisK2793 said:

In my personal opinion, once Oasis and Allure receive their amplifications, Harmony will be the WORST of the 4 Oasis class ships

Very true but that will only be for a short time because HM will be due for a dry dock in 2021 and she might get additions to match the rest in terms of dining.  Just a guess, but a ship does go into dry dock every 5 years so she is due.

2 minutes ago, Traveler said:

green pee foam with cream

Sorry, I can't help it on this typo.  That sounds gross. 

I'm guessing you meant "pea". lol

9 minutes ago, vanelli56 said:

weigh all your options, such as price, travel distance to port, itinerary,

^^^This.

With HM moving to Port Canaveral, this might be a deterrent to some and a huge advantage for others.  

2 minutes ago, Atlantix2000 said:

Or do those that intend to eat at CK always choose My Time Dining and just never make reservations?

^^^That's what we do.  When we book a suite, the agent, whether that be Royal or a TA, automatically puts us in My Time.  We just don't make reservations.

On 8/21/2019 at 9:10 AM, Jedi Jason said:

  @Lovetocruise2002 suite life influenced us to book a junior suite.  We have a aft facing room on deck 10.  We might not be able to go back after previous balcony experiences.

Glad to be of help! 

Next step, GS and above. 

11 hours ago, ncnickel said:

Thoughts, tips, etc. welcome on Oasis. And if anyone is also on that voyage, look us up!

Keep an eye out around here on the message boards because quite a few regulars will be sailing Oasis right after her revitalization.  @twangster, @WAAAYTOOO, @AGSLC5, @AshleyDillo to name a few and I am sure they will all have feed back on Oasis.

Also, you can check the Master Member's cruise list to see if anyone here is on your sailing.  It's located right here in the People Connect section.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/2056-master-member-cruise-list/

Ok, whatever you ate for lunch looks delicious!

2 minutes ago, ChrisK2793 said:

What’s the main difference between Coastal Kitchen and the MDR?  Should we just eat in the CK every night?

Umm...everything!  And yes!

CK is better than the MDR in terms of everything from service, food quality and presentation, and the views. 

The food in CK is made to order (and not mass produced like the MDR).  The quality of the food is comparable, if not better sometimes to a specialty restaurant.  In fact, many of the meals in CK are also in the specialty restaurants and Chef's Table. 

The menu in CK is also an upgraded menu from the MDR. 

And last but not least, you cannot the beat the ambiance of CK, especially on Oasis class ships.  Up on on Deck 17, with floor to ceiling windows, it's airy and bright and a more relaxed environment that the MDR.  I never go to the MDR if I have access to CK. 

If you are interested in seeing the CK menu from SY, it's in my blog along with some food pics.

We've done HM twice and just sailed SY last month.  I was on a mission to compare the two ships.  The conclusion I came to was that they are essentially the same.  The differences are so minor (other than the shows obviously) that I would not be able to justify the much higher price tag of SY.  Now, if the price difference is minimal, then I would say do SY just because you haven't done it.  Or if you are like my husband, and you don't like to sail the same ship twice, then the obvious choice is SY for your next cruise.  But if that doesn't matter to you, then you are not missing much.  Like others have already mentioned, it is so similar.  In fact, there were a few times on our SY sailing, that I forgot and thought that I was on HM.  I blogged our SY trip and made comparisons along the way if you are interested.  Final thoughts near the end.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/14288-“symphony-no-17-celebration-relaxation-exploration-reflection”-–-072719-–-080319/

I always love @Traveler blogs because I get to see pics of another side of the world that I wish I could go back to!  You bet I'll be following!

20 minutes ago, twangster said:

 

Is that $CAD or "real" money?  

 USD!

Thrill Park Cabanas are $999 USD for our December 2020 sailing. 

I am a little annoyed at how Coco Cay cabana prices are not consistent like Barefoot Beach cabanas.  While not everything is a money grab, the cabanas there definitely are.

22 minutes ago, tiny260 said:

We are going on a B2B June 14th and 21st, we also cannot wait.

Wife will be upset about Sabor, this was one of our favorites besides the Sabor on Liberty, but I think she will get over it with El Loco Fresh.

I've gotten her now to where she loves Izumi, so that will be a win.

IMO, El Loco Fresh is tastier than Sabor. 

If Hubby and my kids ever took one of these, I'm pretty sure it would be the kids leading the way! lol Have a great time!

2 hours ago, Marc Van Niekerk said:

Pretty much agree considering that now that same cabana is going for $799 which is still a bargain compared to other prices I have seen reported.

It's $899 for our December 2020 sailing on Harmony!

1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

They seem to be knocking, ringing, calling every five seconds for one thing or another - particularly at the beginning of the cruise. 

I found the first day to be particularly hectic (compared to non-Star class) but after that, I did not notice too many interruptions other than room service delivery.

3 hours ago, Matt said:

@Lovetocruise2002 is the real power behind the scenes!

That's what makes this such a great community!

25 minutes ago, twangster said:

First noted on Empress so I inquired some more here on Majesty.  Powdered or "bulk" scrambled eggs are a thing of the past.  They were having trouble with the product turning black upon cooking so the fleet has standardized on fresh eggs being used for scrambled eggs, in fact for all egg purposes, only fresh eggs are used.

Great news!  Especially for @WAAAYTOOO!

1 hour ago, raahc said:

vibe is completely different, very easygoing without the sarcasm and drama 

That is until they get to know you better.  And warning...they pick on Canadians   

Kidding of course lol...But you do have to watch out for this guy called @mworkman 

2 hours ago, berkeleykel said:

Ahh this has just made my day. I can drink my weight in Bellinis. 

That's how I felt until I tried a Lemon Drop Martini.  That is my "go-to" drink now. 

26 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I guess it’s possible that the son was Pinnacle on his own. It would be difficult but not impossible. If he had his own Pinnacle pin then I would have to believe that he has attained Pinnacle status, himself.

If that was the case, that kid probably spent half his life on a cruise! He was not very old at all lol.

My choices...Bellini, Lemon Drop Martini, Vodka tonic, and Cosmos.

Also, thanks to @Michael Vitale and his lovely wife, I also learned that they can make chocolate martinis in the suite/D lounge. It’s too sweet for me, but that’s another idea. 

36 minutes ago, ChrisK2793 said:

Yes ...... But what happens if the parents are Pinnacle when their child is born?  Does the child inherit the lower Diamond Plus?  Or do they get no status at all as someone suggested above?

I cannot answer your question directly but I can tell you that on our Symphony cruise, last month, there was a “younger pinnacle couple” there with their son. The boy could not have been more than 10. When we were at the Top Tier party, they had reserved seats for all the Pinnacle members on the sailing, including the young boy. The seats were marked with each of their names.  He also had a gold pin like his parents. They were recognized for being the cruisers with the 3rd highest C&A points on our sailing.  Over 1000.  All 3 of them went up to receive the honour and Captain Rob gave the gift to the boy.

Interpret what you want from that.

My kids will be stuck at D+ for a while so I won’t be able to tell you first hand lol.