Michael Vitale

Fellow cruisers: This past January on Radiance, they were constantly walking around offering BOGO deals on specialty dining. So now I'm hesitant to book anything beforehand. Has anyone sailed Grandeur recently and seen this ? I was on Celebrity Beyond a few weeks ago and didn't see one person the entire cruise upselling specialty dining, let alone any special deals.

I just noticed this on Cruise Planner for an upcoming Grandeur cruise. Chops+1 is $105.99. Chops & Giovanni's individually is $85ish

I'd love to hear what y'all recommend for parking at Port Everglades. Cruise terminal ? Offsite parking ??

You're not wrong, and I don't disagree. It's just a bit off-putting that so many reviews (and I agree with them) show that cruisers who are basically loyal to Royal are growing disenchanted with the decreased quality of the experience. Unless of course you spring for a mega bucks cruise on a mega bucks ship.

By the time this ship is built, if Icon is any indication, it will cost $10,000 for an interior guarantee. No thanks. It's said in some quarters that they're still recovering from the Covid shutdown/losses. That's why the obvious cost cutting measures on board, such as blah, unimaginative dining choices, elimination of the turndown service, and institution of charges for room service, among other things. But throwing another $1B+ onto the debt load ??? No problem.

Just finished 5 nights on Radiance. Service was wonderful. Food in MDR was acceptable for the most part. Portions small, menu limited. Prime rib ok, beef tenderloin very good. Skipped the MDR the rest of the cruise based on menu. However, the drop in quality in the Windjammer is stark. When we began cruising, the Windjammer was an event. Officers wandered around proudly. Roving bar, fruit carvings, huge displays of deli, fruits, desserts. Chocolate night !!! I remember cookouts on the pool deck with again, huge displays of fruit carvings, and bread offerings. Sadly, the WJ has become a small version of Golden Corral. Who ever heard of carving stations serving chicken ??

Yes, you are wrong ? There’s been much speculation about Liberty being replaced by a larger ship at some point, but nothing has been announced yet. Liberty will be in Galveston until at least the end of the spring 2021 season.

Just curious, if you’re sailing out of Galveston, and you’re concerned about how small Enchantment is, why not book on Liberty ?? She’s a great ship, my fav, and has all the bells and whistles. Certainly she’s not Oasis class, but she’s an awesome ship.

While I can’t say I remember cruising back in the old days, 10 years ago, I have cruised 10 times over the last 4-5 years. With all due respect to the original poster, I cannot believe any of that story. Sorry. I can’t remember one time where I wasn’t treated as a valued guest. Oh sure, the occasional Windjamaire busperson who isn’t smiling perhaps, or the random pool bartender who looks like he just can’t pour one more drink of the day. But outright rudeness???? Nahhhhh

I agree with the others. I booked a couple of JS’s to get to Diamond. Mission accomplished. I may do it again someday, but as others have said, it’s a little bigger, has a tub and walk in closet. Is that a game changer at ANY cost ? Nahhhhh

It’s my understanding that at the very least you will have to purchase a soda package for her in lieu of the deluxe package. And that’s if they permit you to do that.

You will be 2 adults and 2 teens in ONE stateroom ???

I have a nifty RC over the shoulder bag w zipper. It’s kinda geeky, and I’d never be caught dead with it outside the actual travel scenario. But for safety & convenience, it works. ?

My 2 cents: in doing some preliminary research for a May 2020 sailing out of Barcelona, it looks to me like flights from EWR to BCN are much less costly than from JFK to BCN. For whatever reason. Another odd thing, it looks like I can fly to EWR from here in DFW, then EWR to BCN for about half of what it costs to set up a DFW to BCN flight.

Ok peeps, I’m looking for tips on sailing out of Barcelona. Sailing day is Sunday May 24, 2020. I’m thinking we’ll fly Thursday night into Friday. So hotel Friday & Saturday night recommendations. Also, the proximity of the hotel to the port, and the best way to get there. I swear, after 10 cruises I feel like I can do it with my eyes closed, but for this trip I’m totally a nervous wreck ?