shellfish5 Posted October 3, 2016 #1 Share Posted October 3, 2016 We just returned from the PNW cruise on Explorer and overall enjoyed it very much! I must address the overcrowding problems in both the Concierge and Diamond Lounges. While we are Diamond members., we were fortunate to be in the Royal Suite as well, but found it next to impossible to get a seat in either lounge. They open at 4:30, but we soon discovered people were getting there before 4:00 and claiming many seats for their friends. We certainly feel Diamond and Pinnacle members are entitled to these perks for sure . . but the Suite passengers are also told that these benefits apply to them. We had discussions with many passengers and everyone agrees (no arguments!) that Royal has tried to address it with the 3 drink vouchers on the Sea Pass, but it's also nice to have an area dedicated to C & A and Suite folks. Denzil tried his best, but with the number of us onboard(over 400), he was helpless. We didn't let it ruin a great cruise by any means, just wondering if others have had the same problems and are there any solutions? Thanks for listening! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted October 3, 2016 #2 Share Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) The PNW cruises have had an unusually high number of Diamond and above guests. Sometimes we found seats in Viking Crown, sometimes we used vouchers in Schooner. It was not that big of a deal for us. Edited October 3, 2016 by clarea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troykahack Posted October 3, 2016 #3 Share Posted October 3, 2016 We just returned from the PNW cruise on Explorer and overall enjoyed it very much! I must address the overcrowding problems in both the Concierge and Diamond Lounges. While we are Diamond members., we were fortunate to be in the Royal Suite as well, but found it next to impossible to get a seat in either lounge. They open at 4:30, but we soon discovered people were getting there before 4:00 and claiming many seats for their friends. We certainly feel Diamond and Pinnacle members are entitled to these perks for sure . . but the Suite passengers are also told that these benefits apply to them. We had discussions with many passengers and everyone agrees (no arguments!) that Royal has tried to address it with the 3 drink vouchers on the Sea Pass, but it's also nice to have an area dedicated to C & A and Suite folks. Denzil tried his best, but with the number of us onboard(over 400), he was helpless. We didn't let it ruin a great cruise by any means, just wondering if others have had the same problems and are there any solutions? Thanks for listening! You want me to ask them to give up their seats... LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckcruiselover Posted October 3, 2016 #4 Share Posted October 3, 2016 We didn't go into the Lounge as it was so crowded. However, we did find out we could get free cappucino/latté in the Promenade Café as, apparently, the machine in the Lounge was broken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troykahack Posted October 3, 2016 #5 Share Posted October 3, 2016 We didn't go into the Lounge as it was so crowded. However, we did find out we could get free cappucino/latté in the Promenade Café as, apparently, the machine in the Lounge was broken. So glad you found your coffee elsewhere and didn't make an issue or let it ruin your vacation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sugarmill Lady Posted October 3, 2016 #6 Share Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) We almost always sail in a suite on all RC ships and have found overcrowding every time! Not worth it for us! We buy drink package, don't need their freebies! Sent from my iPad using Forums Edited October 3, 2016 by Sugarmill Lady Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigkauhuna Posted October 3, 2016 #7 Share Posted October 3, 2016 We also sail exclusively in Grand Suite since we discovered them. There is always the crowding in the lounge. They are not suppose to save seats for others. If it were me I would just sit in an empty seat and then wait for the fireworks. We have sailed with Denzil a few years back when he was new to the concierge lounge and he could not handle the crowd then. We just drank at the overflow bar for the lounge at that time. We will be sailing with him again out of Sydney so, hope he has improved and able to mingle with his guests.:rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
troykahack Posted October 3, 2016 #8 Share Posted October 3, 2016 (edited) We also sail exclusively in Grand Suite since we discovered them. There is always the crowding in the lounge. They are not suppose to save seats for others. If it were me I would just sit in an empty seat and then wait for the fireworks. We have sailed with Denzil a few years back when he was new to the concierge lounge and he could not handle the crowd then.We just drank at the overflow bar for the lounge at that time. We will be sailing with him again out of Sydney so, hope he has improved and able to mingle with his guests.:rolleyes: Just noticed, we will be on the same cruise, 9/17... we have a GS on deck 10. I bet all the lounges will be packed as this is now the Presidents Cruise. We also buy the packages and don't mind finding our coffee elsewhere. We had to go all the way to the Med to sail on Freedom. LOL I am sure people will be asking me to help the Suite Guest find a seat. LOL Edited October 3, 2016 by troykahack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin Posted October 27, 2016 #9 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Will be sailing on the Explorer in a couple months in Suite class. Is the CL open on embarkation day? Also, is the Coastal Kitchen open for lunch on embarkation day? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lauraapp Posted October 27, 2016 #10 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Will be sailing on the Explorer in a couple months in Suite class. Is the CL open on embarkation day? Also, is the Coastal Kitchen open for lunch on embarkation day? No coastal kitchen on Explorer. CL will be open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin Posted October 27, 2016 #11 Share Posted October 27, 2016 (edited) No coastal kitchen on Explorer. CL will be open. Thanks. I wasn't sure about Coastal Kitchen's existence on the Explorer after I posted. Edited October 27, 2016 by rumpelstiltskin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted October 27, 2016 #12 Share Posted October 27, 2016 Thanks. I wasn't sure about Coastal Kitchen's existence on the Explorer after I posted. As of this moment, CK only exists on Quantum, Anthem, Ovation, Oasis, Allure & Harmony. (i.e., Oasis & Quantum class) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AustralianJetsetter Posted November 27, 2016 #13 Share Posted November 27, 2016 Hi, just out of curiosity as we are sailing as suite passengers out of Sydney early next year, is the concierge lounge only open in the afternoons? Or is that for the free alcohol? Are we able to pop in through the day for soft drinks, water and snacks? We've only sailed concierge before on Disney and their CL was amazing!!! Any info greatly appreciated :-) AJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clarea Posted November 27, 2016 #14 Share Posted November 27, 2016 Hi, just out of curiosity as we are sailing as suite passengers out of Sydney early next year, is the concierge lounge only open in the afternoons? Or is that for the free alcohol? Are we able to pop in through the day for soft drinks, water and snacks? We've only sailed concierge before on Disney and their CL was amazing!!! Any info greatly appreciated :-) AJ The CL will be accessible 24 hours using your SeaPass card. The only beverages that would normally be available outside of the evening cocktail period would be specialty coffee and hot tea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spookwife Posted November 27, 2016 #15 Share Posted November 27, 2016 The CL will be accessible 24 hours using your SeaPass card. The only beverages that would normally be available outside of the evening cocktail period would be specialty coffee and hot tea. And sometimes pitchers of lemonade and iced tea. Best you can hope for snack wise is a plate of cookies. They stoped the mid afternoon 'tea' selections of sandwiches and nibbles. Sent from my iPad using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4774Papa Posted December 11, 2016 #16 Share Posted December 11, 2016 We are booked on the Explorer TP cruise April 2018 from Sydney to Seattle. Would you expect the Diamond lounge to be crowded for that cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merion_Mom Posted December 11, 2016 #17 Share Posted December 11, 2016 I would. ;) Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reedy8 Posted December 19, 2016 #18 Share Posted December 19, 2016 Hi, just out of curiosity as we are sailing as suite passengers out of Sydney early next year, is the concierge lounge only open in the afternoons? Or is that for the free alcohol? Are we able to pop in through the day for soft drinks, water and snacks? We've only sailed concierge before on Disney and their CL was amazing!!! Any info greatly appreciated :-) AJ The lemonade is the fresh American kind, not the bubbly scweppes/kirks etc we call lemonade. Stll very nice tho' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootman4U Posted December 24, 2016 #19 Share Posted December 24, 2016 And sometimes pitchers of lemonade and iced tea. Best you can hope for snack wise is a plate of cookies. They stoped the mid afternoon 'tea' selections of sandwiches and nibbles. Sent from my iPad using Forums Well, after all, those were more of those (for some) un-needed "freebies." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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