DocLC 2,006 Report post Posted March 19, 2017 I just booked Oasis 2yrs out, but included gratuities in case they go up by the time I'm actually on board. This is another reason why I book dining, beverage packages, and excursions as early as possible. Price protection. In addition, you can always cancel and rebook if the pricing changes. 1 FManke reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FManke 2,200 Report post Posted March 19, 2017 This is another reason why I book dining, beverage packages, and excursions as early as possible. Price protection. In addition, you can always cancel and rebook if the pricing changes. Also another smart thing to do. Lock the potential lower price in now and then change or cancel later without any penalty. 1 DocLC reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLMoran 5,525 Report post Posted March 19, 2017 Also another smart thing to do. Lock the potential lower price in now and then change or cancel later without any penalty. Especially since, unlike cabin fares and excursions, gratuities are only ever bound to up and not down. 2 WAAAYTOOO and bcarney reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillHoo 31 Report post Posted March 22, 2017 .....That's not the point, the point is there is a perceived value in cruising, and by slowly eliminating all of these values, aren't they becoming less of a value and more of an expense? ..... EXACTLY! Next time, instead of spending on a cruise, I may just fly to a destination and put my cash into hotel room service and other local dining options. 2 Candocruises and SLT31021 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillHoo 31 Report post Posted March 22, 2017 If by all accounts, the number of people on a cruise that order room service is rather low, isn't this more of a waste cutting move than a revenue generator? The way I hear people complaining about room service trays cluttering the hallways, I got the impression it was a fairly commonly utilized service. 1 widallas reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
widallas 15 Report post Posted March 23, 2017 The way I hear people complaining about room service trays cluttering the hallways, I got the impression it was a fairly commonly utilized service. Our last holiday cruise, lots of families...lots of orders, lots of trays, all day. I agree with the poster who talked about the thousands of meals they have to put together daily -- running 1 or 2 item orders all over the ship is cumbersome and probably not very cost effective. I also plan to "get my money's worth" when we order room service, but it will still only be 2-3 times over the entire cruise that we will use it. And I imagine it will be the same for most people -- they may have a few "big" orders, but won't order something every day like before. I understand people being irritated though...the roll-out was just so sloppy, and it is harder on those will mobility issues. 3 Jerel, Katelynnhab and DocLC reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ogalthorpe Haywood 132 Report post Posted March 23, 2017 Is it a flat fee and one can order all they want or is it a charge for each premium selection? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DocLC 2,006 Report post Posted March 23, 2017 Is it a flat fee and one can order all they want or is it a charge for each premium selection? A single, flat fee, so it's not that expensive if you're ordering for two or more people. However, it now makes for an expensive mid afternoon snack after a long day ashore. I hope they extend the WJ hours to compensate for this new charge. Many on other ships are open from 6 am until 11 pm with no closing times between those hours. 2 BillHoo and SLT31021 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WAAAYTOOO 8,633 Report post Posted March 23, 2017 I hope they extend the WJ hours to compensate for this new charge I've always believed that the WJ hours were insufficient. I doubt they will make a change b/c of this new RS policy but I can think of a half dozen other reasons why they should have SOME portion of the WJ open at all times. 4 BillHoo, widallas, Jerel and 1 other reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DocLC 2,006 Report post Posted March 23, 2017 I've always believed that the WJ hours were insufficient. I doubt they will make a change b/c of this new RS policy but I can think of a half dozen other reasons why they should have SOME portion of the WJ open at all times. We agree! :) On the last few ships I've been on, the WJ didn't open for dinner until 6:30, which is a little bit late if you're dealing with kids who want to go to AO at 7 when they open. It's even harder if the parents want to squeeze in a dinner in the MDR and a show afterwards. I'm also noticing as I research other cruises, that it's not uncommon for other lines to keep their buffets open longer. For example, I remember Holland America having their buffet along with a cooked-to-order pasta station open until 11 p.m. On Princess, their buffets are open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. without any breaks in service. And on MSC, the buffet is open 23 hours per day. 2 jticarruthers and WAAAYTOOO reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
whenismynextcruise 144 Report post Posted March 26, 2017 Well, this topic really got the juices flowing, so to speak. I guess what it boils down to, like so many other things, is personal choice. If you like room service, then order it. If you don't, then don't. If you don't mind paying for it, then do. And if you do mind paying for it, then don't. Be mad, don't be mad. The choice is yours. You have the right to feel anyway you want about this and you are not wrong. This is just one of the many choices you'll have while on a RCCL cruise. Happy cruising all! Preach. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmcclelland 4 Report post Posted March 26, 2017 From what I've read, at least about hot breakfast, people aren't really missing much. I think at least keeping the complimentary continental breakfast is a good move. In the end, if somebody really wants room service they will pay for it. I think a lot of people just order it for the novelty of it and maybe that staff will be better used elsewhere? glad some is still free - plus tip - we always order coffee & juice & cereal & rolls & fruit - to enjoy on the balcony & not rush getting dressed - later we sometimes stop & grab something else if we're planning a late lunch ... God forbid we starve, huh? ... 1 DocLC reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chrisby18951 1 Report post Posted March 28, 2017 Honestly it doesn't bother me at all, I rarely use Room Service and I do feel that it is a service that there should be a charge for. Maybe $7.95 is a bit high but acceptable. I look at it this way, my cruises today are as inexpensive as my very first one on the Sovereign, and the ships are far superior today. So I will give up totally free Room Service as well as the shoe shine, shower caps, pillow mints, etc that have gone away if I can cruise at 1994 prices............. 1 RestingBird reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cmcclelland 4 Report post Posted March 28, 2017 Honestly it doesn't bother me at all, I rarely use Room Service and I do feel that it is a service that there should be a charge for. Maybe $7.95 is a bit high but acceptable. I look at it this way, my cruises today are as inexpensive as my very first one on the Sovereign, and the ships are far superior today. So I will give up totally free Room Service as well as the shoe shine, shower caps, pillow mints, etc that have gone away if I can cruise at 1994 prices............. Honestly it doesn't bother me at all, I rarely use Room Service and I do feel that it is a service that there should be a charge for. Maybe $7.95 is a bit high but acceptable. I look at it this way, my cruises today are as inexpensive as my very first one on the Sovereign, and the ships are far superior today. So I will give up totally free Room Service as well as the shoe shine, shower caps, pillow mints, etc that have gone away if I can cruise at 1994 prices............. indeed - & as to the Sovereign - we were on her final sailing with RCL - they did some nice farewell parties on that sailing; wonder if she is still afloat & will be sent back like Empress was - if Cuba takes off someday when life for the masses improves there - someday - but don't hold your breath ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FManke 2,200 Report post Posted March 29, 2017 A single, flat fee, so it's not that expensive if you're ordering for two or more people. However, it now makes for an expensive mid afternoon snack after a long day ashore. I hope they extend the WJ hours to compensate for this new charge. Many on other ships are open from 6 am until 11 pm with no closing times between those hours. This makes sense, even with more limited offerings. I don't think they need to run a full menu after regular hours, just give people an alternative to just sandwiches. Although there are those people who feel like not offering a full menu after a certain hour would be another included perk being removed. But as always, you are not going to please everyone. 1 DocLC reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BillHoo 31 Report post Posted March 29, 2017 A single, flat fee, so it's not that expensive if you're ordering for two or more people. However, it now makes for an expensive mid afternoon snack after a long day ashore. I hope they extend the WJ hours to compensate for this new charge. Many on other ships are open from 6 am until 11 pm with no closing times between those hours. I'm going in June. I may pack a few tupperwares to bring some snacks from the WJ and keep them in the fridge for after hours. (some fruit, vegetables and tub of dressing for dipping, a sandwich, or some cold fried chicken, etc.) Stuff that doesn't have to be heated. Are there microwaves in the rooms? 1 DocLC reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjac 2,216 Report post Posted March 29, 2017 I'm going in June. I may pack a few tupperwares to bring some snacks from the WJ and keep them in the fridge for after hours. (some fruit, vegetables and tub of dressing for dipping, a sandwich, or some cold fried chicken, etc.) Stuff that doesn't have to be heated. Are there microwaves in the rooms? I heard about a senior citizen who insisted that the microwave in his room did not work. When the maintenance man showed up, he pointed out that the "microwave" was actually the safe. So, no, there are no microwaves. 2 FManke and RestingBird reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FManke 2,200 Report post Posted March 30, 2017 I heard about a senior citizen who insisted that the microwave in his room did not work. When the maintenance man showed up, he pointed out that the "microwave" was actually the safe. So, no, there are no microwaves. Haha! Gotta love seniors! We will all get there some day, God willing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FManke 2,200 Report post Posted March 30, 2017 So full charge for room service for anything but breakfast. And doubling the cost of it as well. Anyone else hear about this and happy about it?!.... Is it just me or is Royal really going down a path to differentiate themselves from the other cruise lines....for what I would consider all the wrong reasons??! Hey monctonguy! Just a shout out to you for starting this thread! It really continues to have people really thinking and expressing their thoughts and opinions. 1 DocLC reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DocLC 2,006 Report post Posted March 30, 2017 Hey monctonguy! Just a shout out to you for starting this thread! It really continues to have people really thinking and expressing their thoughts and opinions. I'm still really annoyed by this change, just in case my 15 other posts on the topic haven't made that clear. ;) 1 SLT31021 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,924 Report post Posted March 30, 2017 I'm still really annoyed by this change, just in case my 15 other posts on the topic haven't made that clear. ;) I know you know this, but be sure to mention that in your post-cruise surveys. 1 DocLC reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FManke 2,200 Report post Posted March 30, 2017 I know you know this, but be sure to mention that in your post-cruise surveys. When and where are these surveys done? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FManke 2,200 Report post Posted March 30, 2017 I'm still really annoyed by this change, just in case my 15 other posts on the topic haven't made that clear. ;) I had no idea! ;) 1 DocLC reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,924 Report post Posted March 30, 2017 When and where are these surveys done? Online. Following your cruise, you will get an email with a link to fill out the survey. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FManke 2,200 Report post Posted March 30, 2017 Online. Following your cruise, you will get an email with a link to fill out the survey. I'll be sure to mention DocLC in mine, just in case he forgets! 1 DocLC reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
