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Quantum of the Seas - 2 Sep 2021 (4nights) - First timer Star class ☺


Leikela

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Hi everyone! I've been lurking a little the past few days and have been reading quite a few of the older 2019 SC live blogs...and I just couldn't resist jumping on the bandwagon..

We have been on several RC cruises since our kids were babies but always in a balcony room. These babies are now S10 and D8. Our last cruise trip (Feb 2020) was fortunately or unfortunately just before Covid hit us big time and also our last vacation overseas. We got ourselves a Junior Suite on that trip, had a taste of Coastal Kitchen and enjoyed the add-on of the Speciality Dining package. But didn't quite realise there was a whole other magical genie in the lamp world out there!! ?

So not vacationing for almost 18 mths now has been very very tough on our sanity...we were scheduled for a trip on Quantum next week (Grand Suite) but convinced ourselves to cancel because it looked like we were headed for another slew of covid restrictions. I was very hesitant and wanted to just stick with our booking..yes logical thoughts out the window when u are just desperate! But after checking our alternative Sep slot and finding out that there was 1 last Suite available (GLS). I took it as a sign! Haha so here I am, excitedly waiting for my first comms from my Genie and stalking this forum for all the info I can get to tide me over...

I have to say the part that tickled me the most from reading most of the SC live blogs was realising that many of you, are just like me! Type A planners!!! I'm a total control freak so this is going to be an interesting experience. But I'm sure I'll find something to 'plan for' even with a genie..after all, I'm here on the boards aren't I? 

Can't wait!!!!

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That’s awesome for you!  We are booked in the 8th floor Aqua suite on the Allure next February.  We booked right during Covid’s peak, and got a wonderful deal for the five of us.  Having a casino discount helped big time too!!  I can’t wait to experience a genie!!!  Keep us inform or just share your excitement!!

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  • 5 weeks later...
On 6/8/2021 at 12:17 AM, Leikela said:

Thanks can't wait to post more..haha and taking the chance to learn all the little features..to help with the live posting ?

Eagerly following along. I was on Star class 3N sailing in march and wondering how different the 4N sailing would be and if anything has changed since then. 

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On 7/8/2021 at 11:47 AM, LogicallyLazy said:

Eagerly following along. I was on Star class 3N sailing in march and wondering how different the 4N sailing would be and if anything has changed since then. 

I have been reading your live blog for genie request inspiration and also to get a gauge on what to expect ? so far no news from my genie yet...and we are 53 days out.. tick tock tick tock ?

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12 hours ago, joberry57 said:

Loving this so far.  I am interested in how you are handling everything being a planner.  I'm that way and we have our first SC cruise next year and I look forward to hearing how you handle  that.  Thanks for the live blog.

Haha thanks for reading! Yeah I wonder if I'll still micromanage or if I'll finally be able to let loose (I doubt though, the planner in me is itching to give our genie a plan but I need to resist)

Right now...I've just finished planning my reply for the questionnaire ? yes I have taken down notes of everyone's answers and am about to send them through..

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On 7/12/2021 at 10:04 PM, Leikela said:

Royal Genie Questionaire received!! 51 days out! 

Is it weird that I'm savouring the moment before I hit the "See my questionnaire" button. Worried that it will be gone too soon and it will be awhile until I see another royal genie email in my inbox...?

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Can’t wait to get mine. We still have like another 8 months ? 

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10 minutes ago, Leikela said:

Haha thanks for reading! Yeah I wonder if I'll still micromanage or if I'll finally be able to let loose (I doubt though, the planner in me is itching to give our genie a plan but I need to resist)

Instead of trying to micromanage focus on must do and when. Once the Genie reaches out present them those plans. You'll still get the fulfillment of planning while someone else makes it work.

Also the post from Patta_Conna might help give an idea of what to expect schedule wise. While it talks about the RoyalUp process it does provide a last minute schedule the Genie created. Just keep in mind the poster had no Genie contact until the very last minute prior to sailing.

 

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46 minutes ago, CGTLH said:

Instead of trying to micromanage focus on must do and when. Once the Genie reaches out present them those plans. You'll still get the fulfillment of planning while someone else makes it work.

Also the post from Patta_Conna might help give an idea of what to expect schedule wise. While it talks about the RoyalUp process it does provide a last minute schedule the Genie created. Just keep in mind the poster had no Genie contact until the very last minute prior to sailing.

 

Thanks! More reading material yay!

Yes, I was thinking of providing a list of must dos and what we would like to eat and how many times etc..and then leaving the genie to schedule them. For once, perhaps I can get a sense of what my husband goes through before a trip..

 

Actually my main concern or area of interest now is really how flexible the meal arrangements can be. We will likely book all or if not most meals to dine at the restaurants but I suspect we might at the last moment prefer to stay and dine in suite. Wonder how late in these changes can be made

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20 minutes ago, Leikela said:

Actually my main concern or area of interest now is really how flexible the meal arrangements can be. We will likely book all or if not most meals to dine at the restaurants but I suspect we might at the last moment prefer to stay and dine in suite. Wonder how late in these changes can be made

If you're talking about going from in restaurant service to in suite service, maybe a hour notice would be courteous. Just keep in mind that everything is typically delivered at once. Maybe if requesting something frozen they might delay it and have a second delivery.

To change restaurants, can't really give a good time frame for advance notice. Personally I wouldn't worry too much about it, they'll fit you in.

Have to toss in a picture dinner from Chops on the balcony of an Aqua Theater suite on Symphony. Sent the Genie our order some time in the afternoon for delivery that evening. Want to say it was a special service due to Chops not being open for regular service that night due to an event, can't really remember the details.

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Also don't think that was everything. No clue where the desserts are they might have been still inside the suite.

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1 hour ago, CGTLH said:

If you're talking about going from in restaurant service to in suite service, maybe a hour notice would be courteous. Just keep in mind that everything is typically delivered at once. Maybe if requesting something frozen they might delay it and have a second delivery.

To change restaurants, can't really give a good time frame for advance notice. Personally I wouldn't worry too much about it, they'll fit you in.

Oh thanks that's really good to know. I forsee deciding at least a couple of hours before so this is perfect! 

Haha and your pic just made me really hungry..I think I need a steak this weekend..

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We received our Royal Upgrade invite this morning..sharing the email screenshot to show the entry bid from GLS to OLS and RLS.

I was about to place my bids but we just received news of tighter Covid restrictions in our country again which will take place until Aug 18 for now. 

The last time this happened in May, I cancelled my Jun cruise and rebook for Sep. Given I was in the Grand suite in June and in the Grand Loft Suite this time, it may not be too bad to continue on with the cruise but I don't know..

On 1 hand, we might now have a better chance of scoring an upgrade because of cancellations and further reduced capacities. On the other hand, if we do decide to cancel, I'm not sure that they will refund our bid amount if it is already processed? We will definitely still get our original cruise payment as FCC but can't be sure about the bid amount so I'm just waiting and trying to see if I can find out more about the experiences of other fellow Suite cruisers who traveled the Quantum in May/June. 

I really want to make a case for just going in Sep, I just need a break already...Screenshot_20210720-180532_Gmail.thumb.jpg.e99da7d7acbe81cd349c8fa2b767234d.jpg

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Ooof thats bad timing on the increased measures. I think for Royal the same measures that were introduced during the last heightened alert should apply. But, as star class the impact on you should be quite low, except for when all specialty restaurants were closed. Your sailing is a few weeks after the tentative date for HA so there is still a chance for it to have minimal impact on you. Hope all works out for you. I understand the need for a holiday urgently

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17 hours ago, LogicallyLazy said:

Ooof thats bad timing on the increased measures. I think for Royal the same measures that were introduced during the last heightened alert should apply. But, as star class the impact on you should be quite low, except for when all specialty restaurants were closed. Your sailing is a few weeks after the tentative date for HA so there is still a chance for it to have minimal impact on you. Hope all works out for you. I understand the need for a holiday urgently

Yeah I was reading through the experiences in May and Jun, to figure out the impact. I saw our most likely case scenario would likely be that dine in is still disallowed but able to move abt in groups of 5..

It wld be a downer to move in grps of 2..since there are 4 of us..now I'm trying to figure out if we are OK dealing with limited menu..no issues with dining in since we have a suite but will a scaled down menu take the fun out of all of it? Sigh...alternatively we have to rebook to nxt year? Since we are already booked for genting dream cruises in Dec..:(

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On 7/21/2021 at 7:49 PM, WAAAYTOOO said:

UGH.  Horrible

So conflicted...on 1 hand I suppose if u had to be travelling in these 'conditions', Star class would at least make things alittle more 'normal'...on the other hand, is it really worthwhile? ?

Poll time...would you guys continue on if u were me?

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I have to agree with @Ampurp85.  I also agree with you....if you HAVE to cruise under those conditions, being Star Class would at least make it more comfortable for you...but eating every meal in your suite ?  I dunno.  If it is possible to go another time, I think I would have to cancel and wait. I feel so bad for you, @Leikela.  I know how disappointing it is.  I just had to cancel a SC cruise myself.  It broke my heart...but it was the right thing to do for us.

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I’m not one to complain too much about certain restrictions.
 

Wearing masks outdoors? Sure. Bars close at 1030pm? That’s fine. Shows are reservation only and Low capacity? Understandable. 

 

But for me, this just goes beyond what I would tolerate. For people who bought drinks and dining packages, they would be refunded those as it doesn’t apply with the restrictions. But for star class, as those were included to begin with, I would say it’s more a drawback. Essentially, you’re not compensated whatsoever for not being able to dine in. Sure, they may give you an extended menu for in suite dining, but it would still not come close to the value of the drinks and dining package on its own

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8 hours ago, LogicallyLazy said:

I’m not one to complain too much about certain restrictions.
 

Wearing masks outdoors? Sure. Bars close at 1030pm? That’s fine. Shows are reservation only and Low capacity? Understandable. 

 

But for me, this just goes beyond what I would tolerate. For people who bought drinks and dining packages, they would be refunded those as it doesn’t apply with the restrictions. But for star class, as those were included to begin with, I would say it’s more a drawback. Essentially, you’re not compensated whatsoever for not being able to dine in. Sure, they may give you an extended menu for in suite dining, but it would still not come close to the value of the drinks and dining package on its own

Agree, my main hesitation is that while the speciality restaurants are still available for Star Class to order from, I understand that it will be a limited menu. Then again I have read from other cruisers experience during the recent similar May/June experience that they are willing to accommodate special orders from SC guests..I suppose it may come down to the Genie n ur request too..

Also while bars are closed for 'drink in, I heard that u are still allowed to order and take away and they do deliver the drink orders to SC suites..so not that bad? Hahah do I sound like I'm abt to justify my choice of remaining on this trip 

Then again, who knows they just might auto cancel my booking and the choice would be out of my hands.

Because the restrictions is 25% capacity and 2 per room (for now) except for people living in the same household. I heard that they would auto cancel bookings that have more than 4 pax. System probably isn't smart enough to differentiate between families with young kids or a party of 4. 

 

@WAAAYTOOO yeah I was looking at alternatives.. with early Nov being a possible time but then again there is no guarantee that we will not be back in this vicious loop..:( I'm ok with eating in suite, just bugged out by the limited menu..

Aww it sux that u had to cancel ur SC trip too..sigh

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So I think we have more or less decided to stay on our cruise..?

There is a real chance that restrictions might be eased by the time our cruise rolls around and if not for everyone then at least for those who are vaccinated..

We are currently 36 days out, no contact from our Genie yet but I suspect we may hear from him or her prob alittle later than usual as everyone waits to see what we can and can't do closer to deoarture.

Glad we have a Genie this time to cater to all the last min changes/bookings..which I'm pretty sure that will be in this current situation 

In other news, I have placed my Royal Upgrade bids..and the temptation is there to revise it everyday..?

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  • 2 weeks later...

Looks like our decision to stay on this cruise might be paying off...

Announcements were made last night on restaurants in Singapore being allowed to resume operations from 18 Aug and dine in is allowed for those who are vax, in groups of up to 5. So based on earlier experiences, RC typically follows the local rule and that would likely mean they too would open their restaurants and apply the same rules..at the very least, they have up the cruise capacity from 25% to 50% again. So hopefully economies of scale would allow them to open up their menus again.. 

Waiting to see if RC makes an update soon or if we hear anything more...

Still no sound from our Genie.. 26 days out but I reckon any day now after this round of announcements dropped last evening?

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52 minutes ago, Leikela said:

Looks like our decision to stay on this cruise might be paying off...

Announcements were made last night on restaurants in Singapore being allowed to resume operations from 18 Aug and dine in is allowed for those who are vax, in groups of up to 5. So based on earlier experiences, RC typically follows the local rule and that would likely mean they too would open their restaurants and apply the same rules..at the very least, they have up the cruise capacity from 25% to 50% again. So hopefully economies of scale would allow them to open up their menus again.. 

Waiting to see if RC makes an update soon or if we hear anything more...

Still no sound from our Genie.. 26 days out but I reckon any day now after this round of announcements dropped last evening?

Excellent !!!  Good decision.

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Hi @Leikela, I’ve booked a GLS in November on QoTS and it will be my first time on Star Class as well!  So excited for us both and would appreciate it if you could share on your Star experience.  We’re celebrating a birthday onboard and was thinking of getting the Genie to decorate the suite and send a cake.   

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3 weeks to our Cruise and I have been checking my inbox every hour haha..finally the email from our Genie was sitting in my inbox this morning..

So we were assigned to Tao..not sure if anyone has worked with him/her..although I noticed the subject of the email has my old Suite number in Deck 8 (I just requested for a change to Deck 10) yesterday morning. So not sure if we will be reassigned a Genie based on that. 

Nevertheless, my long email of questions and requests has gone out. I feel alittle bad but hoping that this email would be able to sort out most doubts lol

Attaching the welcome note which addresses some of the changes like the Genie and Loft attendant not being able to enter your suite when you are in there..

Also received a list of Suite benefits which are pretty standard..

Now we are just waiting for the menus and activities which are available for booking..

Also checking if kids club is open at this point..not sure how they would be able to be operational with the current group of 5 restrictions..might be a tad complicated so we shall see if the husband n I will get to enjoy a spa session or not ?

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@Leikela Awesome! I remember getting crazy excited once those Genie emails started coming in. 
 

Eli was amazing. I’m pretty type A as a person and she was very accommodating to my requests and plan changes. Super friendly but not overly overbearing. 
 

I wouldn’t mind getting her as our genie for my Jan cruise too. 

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@LogicallyLazy yay that's great to know..I'm super type A too haha..now I'm just sitting on edge waiting for a reply..

I know they must really be quite busy now with the recent lift in restrictions and making changes to everyone's plan but how long did it typically take for her to get back to your emails?

I'm just hoping the handover email didn't get lost in transit..haha

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I received a reply from Eli today and there are quite a few activities which are unavailable at this point in time..

Some of the things that we were thinking of doing eg. Chef's table, vintage wine tasting, bridge tour, bingo etc will not be available ? So we will have to see what else there is for us to do and have them prebooked where possible. The ifly and northstar is foc for suite guests for the 1st round and a special 1hr flow rider session will be arranged for star guests on Day 3. 

Shows are still pending because the ops team is still sorting out the schedules with all the recent changes in restrictions..

Restaurants are not opened for lunch on embarkation day and only takeaways are available so I'm checking if that means in suite dining is also a no go and we have to pick up our own takeaways 

I have a feeling we probably won't see a schedule until very very close to sail date..which is of course no fault of the Genie but just the way things are now..hahah can u tell its bugging the Planner in me ? 

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