Lovetocruise2002

10 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

@Sabrinaklai, regarding the mixed reviews -- If they're posted by American cruisers who've never sailed a European line, you have to take it with a grain of salt. My TA made that very clear to me when I asked her about MSC a while back. The most consistent critique I've seen is about the quality of the food, and the most frequent of those complaints is that it's cold by the time it's served. Quality has also been described as hit or miss, although I heard that was a lot better on the Meraviglia than earlier ships; hopefully with Seaside it will further improve, since they're learning from Meraviglia and that ship was already moving its menu a bit more Western (e.g., they now have a Teppanyaki restaurant with the other specialty dining venues).

My TA also advised me that MSC still applies a very European style of service and entertainment, and by all accounts they're still trying to figure out what the American market likes while holding to those European roots. So you get things like the shows presented on board are still very much cabaret or Cirque du Soleil style rather than Broadway (including, per some reviews I read, occasional toplessness with the women performers). Service staff can seem (but aren't always) a bit gruff or distant. And I've seen some reviews that reported apparent "classism" in terms of the service level provided for Yacht Club (suites) level guests and the regular cabins.

Overall, my TA said that cruising on MSC can be a really enjoyable trip, but you have to change your mindset about what to expect and be prepared for something that doesn't give all those American bells and whistles. Definitely looking forward to the reviews from @DocLC for both Seaside and Meraviglia (which I think he's sailing in January).

Yes, this is exactly what I have heard Joe.  However, in all the things I have read, MSC promises that Seaside will be very different and very much cater to the North American market.  I think this is what I am most interested in hearing from people between Dec-March.  If they are successful with that or not?  I take the reviews I read about Meraviglia with a grain of salt too because that ship does not sail in North America so it's hard to compare.  To be honest, I would be slightly nervous to sail this ship without the Yacht Club as I have read about the "classism" you read about too.  I have really good friends sailing this ship in March 2018 (when I am on Anthem) so I will be looking forward to see what they say as well.  However, they have not sailed RC and it's that comparison between the two lines that I am most interested in.  

Just now, JLMoran said:

@Sabrinaklai, I seem to recall that @DocLC is sailing the MSC Seaside just a few weeks after she makes her launch. He's promised to provide a review of her here, so you'll definitely have a review you can trust. 

Perfect! @DocLC if that is correct please provide all the details!  It would be much appreciated!  It's good to have someone familiar with RC comparing the two lines.  I have never sailed MSC before and have heard and read very mixed reviews.  And there newest ship the Meraviglia (out in June 2017) has not been received that well either.  That is why I have two sailings reserved for July 2018 in case the Seaside is a bust (Type A again ).

24 minutes ago, DocLC said:

My first and only cruise with Celebrity was a Pacific Coastal and it was one of my favorites even though I live in California. There were some differences from Royal, particular in terms of food quality, but if say they were more alike than different.

This is the same as what I have heard from friends who have done both and also from the things I have read on other reviews and blogs.

1 hour ago, Boston Babe said:

 but got some cheap suites on Carnival for July so going on that!! It can't be that bad

Been there. Done that. Never again. No other comment. 

1 hour ago, Boston Babe said:

 I wanted to try Edge but she's going to Europe that's not going to happen with 2 Doggies still here, can't be away that long, was looking at Symphony but boy she's expensive. 

I was thinking of Edge and Symphony but similar reasons, both are in Europe and with 2 kiddies left behind that's not going to happen yet.  So it's Seaside for us.  Unless the reviews start coming out in December/January/Feb and it's bad......

1 hour ago, Boston Babe said:

@Sabrinaklai, I was afraid of that! LOL Oh well, I got such a great deal on the Celebrity for Jan and April 2019 (both under $5K with premium drink package, Internet for 2, Pre-paid gratuities and $300 OBC with the additional on a Butler!! LOL  My husband and I are so NOT like the Butler thing but figured what the heck I work HARD! As you are too still teaching!! Can't wait to hear about the Yacht Club too!  Where are you heading?  

That is exactly how the Yacht Club thing happened.  We got our suite for about $3600 (they give teacher discounts) for 2 people and it includes the entire Yacht Club exclusive experience plus the butler (which we feel a bit awkward about too).  Sometimes you can't even get a JS for that amount!  And the Seaside is a brand new ship so we figure it is worth a try. Going in July 2018.  Headed to the Eastern Caribbean for now.  I do feel weird about not cruising Royal though 

My friend got similar deal as you on Celebrity when she had the Sky Suite and she ended up loving the butler!  Same thing, she said you cannot go back after that...

I will definitely try Celebrity one of these days.  I might wait till I reach Diamond in C&A first which will happen very soon and after I try Symphony.

Fuzzy logic or false advertisement...??  Either way, it is very dishonest.

3 hours ago, Boston Babe said:

I can't say anything yet about Celebrity, I am booked on 2 cruises for 2019.  I researched them to death and am quite excited about them.  I too am in a Grand Suite on Royal this May and the Grand seems much larger than the Sky Suite we have booked on Celebrity if you look at dimensions for both.  I hope I don't get spoiled being in the Grand on Royal!!

I think both websites are a bit odd though! LOL! I hope you book and enjoy!! 

You will most definitely be spoiled by the GS.  Trust me!  There is no going back after and if there is it is painful lol.

I have researched Celebrity quite a bit too (although I have yet to book one) and I agree the Sky suites are somewhat odd.  Maybe because they are at the back and some have that pole in the middle of the room? I have a friend who stayed in one in March and she loved it.  And she has been on Royal and Celebrity.

We're trying out the Yacht Club on MSC this summer.  A TA told me it is comparable to a GS in benefits but closer to a JS in size...

1 hour ago, rjac said:

Thanks, me too!

Keep us posted...will be interesting to see how this turns out.  It is actually quite unacceptable that even a supervisor does not have a solid answer for you.

41 minutes ago, rjac said:

My gripe with this whole drink package deal is thier math. I have no problem buying them for my wife & myself, however, get the damn math correct. Here's a screen shot from my Allure cruise next March. The banner says "buy one get one 50% off". But then just above the "add to cart" button it says 

From*$45.00USD Adult per day

Price Shown Reflects Your Discount

According to the customer service reps I have spoken with, it's actually 25% off of the regular price of $55.00 of each package, hence the 50%. Of course 18% gratuity on top of that. What is mathematically incorrect here is 25% x $55 is $41.25 NOT $45.00 as above "Price Shown Reflects Your Discount". $41.25 + 18% = $48.68. So, I am confused about this discounted "price" of $45.00. 

Am I wrong here or does RC have a super golly wampus high speed low drag hand held computer integrated calculator to perform simple (?) math calculations on their packages? I'm almost afraid to look at excursions and dining "deals".

 

 

@rjac I am still so confused about this too.  Have you called them out on their calculations?? And if so, I am so curious as to what their response was. Or is their regular price not $55? It is very confusing since prices are different depending on what ship you are on.

1 minute ago, twangster said:

I can see the exemptions being abused and they'll have to make them tougher.  In this day and age of social media word will get out how to get around the policy.  I've contributed to that by sharing my email on exemptions. 

I can honestly report I've never shared a drink from my drink package. When I've sailed all over 21 in the cabin did buy the package,  but I wonder how many upset people fall into the category of "My SO only drinks 1 or 2 glasses of wine at dinner so its okay, those rules don't apply to us, its just 1 or 2 drinks".

Ten glasses of wine over a 7 day cruise at $10-12 per glass plus gratuity is $120-$140 in stolen drinks and lost revenue.  

 

I can honestly see that over time the solid rule will be purchase the deluxe and if exempted then you must purchase the refreshment package.  Because you really can't argue your way out of that one and they are still making money off of you.

15 hours ago, katjoe said:

Hm yum, you make my mouth water!! I do love a good steak, but I think I'm not as discerning as I never go to expensive steak houses (I have no company paying for me and I'm too stingy for that kind of thing - I have hubby cooking them on the grill :-) 

So I have to admit I don't fully understand how this dining in the specialty restaurants works; for example, if I got the BOGO dining deal, we'd eat in restaurants other than the MDR for the first two nights, if I understand correctly? Would that extra charge (which would be $30 per person for the BOGO deal) cover the entire meal, or only part of it? And are the wine prices the same as in the MDR (they are already so overpriced there, I certainly wouldn't want to pay any more!!). And would we be able to eat at Chops both nights? I read that they assign restaurants for you but you can change that??

Yes, BOGO you are restricted to the first two nights.  The $30 covers your appetizers, entree, and dessert but not beverages.  I don't pay attention much to the alcohol prices so maybe someone else can chime in here.  I usually get the drink package and it has always covered me so far.  I know the specialty cocktails can be a bit more. 

They pre-book the restaurants for you with BOGO but if you don't like it you can change it once on board.  Just go to any specialty restaurant or they are usually set up in the MDR to make changes.  And yes, I am pretty sure you can pick Chops both nights if there is availability but you have to wait until you get on board.

1 hour ago, ladydiinflorida said:

I am on Harmony Dec 2nd in a GS and CK has never shown up on Cruise Planner.  Do I need to call?

For our Harmony sailing, we were in a GS and it never showed up on our Cruise Planner.  We ended up asking the concierge to make reservations for us when he contacted us a week before sailing.  You can also make reservations once on board.

For our Anthem sailing coming up, it was strange.  It showed up in our cruise planner right after we booked our cruise.  Then it disappeared for a few weeks.  It reappeared again for a few days about two weeks ago (at which point I made our CK reservations) and now it is gone again.  Strange but typical RC website glitches I am guessing.

20 hours ago, Tampaite said:

Question: Smoking - Are there designated smoking areas on the ship or if it free for all? I dislike smokers(nothing personal) as am allergic to the smoke and it's nauseating.

For future cruises, Are there any cruise ships that are non-smoking only?

We didn't think about this(smoking) before booking but with an Infant in the group, this has come up now as we are reading more reviews on Majesty of the Seas ship

Whenever we book a cruise we make sure we find out before where the designated smoking areas are. Then we purposely choose staterooms far from them. I have read on many reviews that cabins around or above smoking areas do get affected, especially if you are sensitive to the smell.

5 hours ago, Matt said:

You can take a taxi straight to the Space Center on your own.  

For those of you who have done the Space Center on your own are taxis readily available when you get off the ship??  What about when you want to get back to the ship?  Are taxis easy to get then?  I want to do this too but I agree that it is way overpriced through the ship.

On 2017-10-20 at 10:44 AM, Boston Babe said:

Thank you so much for that @JLMoran he gave his ALL as I'm sure everyone is! Taught in South Bronx, Special Ed, 30 years! Which is why he's retired and looking forward to CRUISING! LOL

Wow! @Boston Babe hats off to your husband. 30 years in Spec. Ed.  Not many people know how hard that is.  Amazing.  I will have to think about people like him when I get frustrated with my hormonal 12 & 13 year old students that I deal with daily 

2 hours ago, twangster said:

 I've had situations before where certain specific cabins couldn't be booked direct.  It was explained to me that blocks of rooms are committed to agencies and you have to use an agency to book them.  On Oasis I wanted a specific loft suite that I couldn't book direct but I had no issues getting the cabin I wanted through an agency.  

Hmm...interesting.  Thanks @twangster.  Going to file that little bit of knowledge away for the future.

1 hour ago, JLMoran said:

According to CruiseDeckPlans.com's info on Majesty of the Seas, the closest you'll get to a regular balcony is a Junior Suite. There are apparently 50 of those, and they are not at all comparable in price to your inside room.

I did a mock booking for a Dec 10 4-night Bahamas itinerary (lowest price of all dates), and for your first room with two adults and one kid under 12, I'm seeing $535 per person for a JS, total price $1,605 after port taxes and fees. With one adult and one kid (second room), it's $803 per person for the JS, and still a total cost of $1605 after port taxes and fees. I'd expect the room with 3 to cost more, but Royal's site is final-pricing both exactly the same. Maybe because all prices are always based on double-occupancy, and with the Kids Sail Free promo you have "only two" in the first room, and a "solo traveler" in the second who's getting hit with the "solo traveler" surcharge? 

Anyway, if you want a balcony room, this is the closest and "cheapest" you'll get. At least it nets you double C&A points! 

Running that "data checker" again...lol 

1 hour ago, JLMoran said:

My hat's off to @Sweety, @Sabrinaklai, and @Boston Babe's husband! You all have really important jobs and I really appreciate how much you and all the others like you do for the kids you teach and have taught.

Joe, teachers need more parents like you! 

4 hours ago, Koz said:

Hey guys another question or two and thanks to everyone above!

We intend to arrive on the ship as early as possible. In fact, as I type this, myself and the rest of the family are already camped out, dockside, at Cape Liberty (think Black Friday in front of Best Buy), just so we can be the first to check in.

That being said, when we board the ship and make a bee line for guest relations (trying to get day bed at COCO Cay), knowing that the cabins aren't yet ready, are other attractions like Northstar and Ifly already operating?  If so, are you permitted to ride twice, i.e. once with an appointment for later in the cruise and once as walk-on? I've heard of alot of people being lucky hitting these two attractions as soon as they get on the ship, but didn't  know if that was later in the boarding process.

One thing that annoyed me on our last cruise with Norweigan (Breakaway) was that when it came to activities by the main pool, half the day at sea they would kick everyone out of the main pool for an hour or so for activities like belly flop, pool olympics etc.  I'm all for this, but it seemed like we were getting kicked out of the pool more than we were in it.  Does this tend to be the case on RC?

 

This might be dated info but, according to this site, they may have been taking people on Day 1 for North Star.

http://eatsleepcruise.com/2016/05/anthem-of-the-seas-secrets/

and someone also posted this video on YouTube from a few months ago of riding it on embarkation day.

So there might be hope.....

1 minute ago, Boston Babe said:

LOL @Sabrinaklai you sound soooo much like me!  I found also when I call different cabins are available than showing online.  I think I'll just call and book with RC.  I really didn't see any difference in pricing with TA.  BTW, husband retired teacher!! :) 

Yes, I have found they have more available when you call them.  Checking online gives me the price range and I go from there.

1 hour ago, katjoe said:

I've looked into the BOGO deal, which sounds like a good one - however,  we're going to be on the Grandeur, which is a small ship and I think only has the Chops, Italian and Japanese specialty restaurants. We're not interested in Japanese, and we're not huge fans of Italian food outside of Italy (it almost inevitably disappoints), so not sure it'd be worth it for us, especially since it specifies that this would be for the first two nights, so no way of choosing which nights!

Think we'll probably stick with MDR...they usually have a steak offering every night, so how much different would Chops be? 

The steak we had the last two cruises in the MDR has not been the greatest.  Poor cuts of meat, not much flavour.  I have never dined at Chops but it is my understanding that, quality wise, it is slightly above MDR.  They offer (for and extra cost) steaks from Chops in the MDR....

1 hour ago, Boston Babe said:

Thanks Matt.  I like mine, but I was also a TA and in Caribbean Hotel sales for 20 years and for whatever reason, I feel like I still know more than she does. Again, I'm also a control freak and want access to the whole booking. Maybe your TA is better than mine, care to share?

Ha! @Boston Babe you and I are a lot alike.  Started with the TA, then the control freak in me decided I needed to have more control so I started booking with RC directly.  Then two years ago, I was swayed to go with a TA again because they made an offer on a sailing that I could not refuse.  Did not like not having control over my booking and having to contact the TA for every small change.  And i like to fight my own fights. So now I am back to booking directly with RC on my own.  My husband often says I should become a TA when I retire from teaching lol.

I will check the prices first online and then call directly to get the full inventory of rooms available.  I have notice (as many have) the website is fussy.  Sometimes it shows availability and then it won't take you through all the way.  That is why I call them in the end.

@JLMoran here's another thought that might work.....could just book it now to hold your time and spot and then when you get onboard if there is a sale you could cancel your reservation completely and re-book it as a new booking? I thought of this because on our last cruise we booked and prepaid for Jamie's online. Then 2 days into our sailing we decided that we did not want to dine at Jamie's on the night that we booked it for. So when we cancelled that booking it was refunded back onto our onboard account and then on the last night when we dined there it was put back on. 

42 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

Actually, all room categories can be booked with a non refundable deposit, it’s only the Sky class and Star class suites that require it. On the plus side, a non refundable booking provides a little extra OBC compared to a refundable one, and also carries a slightly lower rate compared to the same room with a refundable deposit. I’m actually asking my TA to change my Anthem JS booking from refundable to non refundable with this current WOW sale, since the price will be about $100-$150 less than my original refundable booking AND I’ll get $150 in OBC. That totally offsets the extra $$ I paid to go from a D1 to this J4 (which I did during a June promo with 60% off second guest, so price diff was way less than when the itinerary was first announced).

If you're going to change it make sure you do it before 6 months prior to sail date because that extra OBC that comes with the NRD is only for bookings made 6 months prior. I actually got slightly upset with my family over this because we had been looking at this Anthem cruise of ours for a while (prior to 6 months) and no one could make up their minds if they wanted to go. I kept telling them to decide quickly.  Then all of the sudden in September they all decided they actually did want to go and of course we had just missed the 6 month mark.

24 minutes ago, twangster said:

I'm doing the BOGO on Freedom soon because for $30 for two specialty? Why not!  But I'd have no issue eating MDR all the time.  I'm trying to turn my Anthem into a B2B for 19 nights and I'll mostly do MDR.  

 

@twangster I envy you...freedom too now? Looking forward to more beautiful pictures afterwards ☺️

12 minutes ago, DebD said:

Anyone stay in one of these? Comments? And do we get priority boarding with this suite?

You get priority boarding but not priority disembarkation. You also get upgraded bath amenities, double C&A points, and dinner only at Coastal Kitchen. I'm assuming your ship is Anthem right? Never booked this suite before but I have looked into it. There are some good reviews on cruise critic and there's also a few YouTube videos.