The Fun Researcher

Voyager was the very first with the Royal Promenade. (sorry for the confusion) Previously I was saying how similar Voyager and Freedom Classes were, so I lumped them together but technically you are absolutely correct.

Agreed. Having said that, the ships are/were incredibly innovative and introduced the Royal promenade , which I much prefer

My point is that we should not be surprised that the price is very reasonable for bar food on a cruise ship. That’s all. I love Playmakers, specifically the wings. Had them on Navigator when it was freshly Amped. Finally a place to have something other than pizza or finger sandwiches late at night especially. I wish every Royal ship had Playmakers. I’m not a fan of Carnival, just doesn’t fit my cruise wants. However Carnival has far more complimentary casual food venues, which is my point, not just wings. Royal has gotten better with their newer ships as well as the amped Oasis, freedom in voyager classes Just like Playmakers doesn’t just offer wings. NCL has O’sheehans on almost every ship which includes a wide menu and wings, (good wings in my experience on the Getaway.). Not only that, but it is full service and complimentary and 24/7. No single cruise line has yet to give us everything we wanted. Of them all we still prefer Royal. Playmakers was a huge improvement.

Those two classes of ships are super similar. Freedom is roughly 100 feet longer. This allows for a separate Sorrento’s and café promenade in the Royal Promenade as well as a splash zone by the pools for kids. The freedom class looks wider on paper, but that’s only because it has the cantilevered hot tubs off the sides. The main body of the ship is just as wide. In my opinion, voyager and freedom are WAAAAAAY MORE similar than different.

Yeah but keep in mind other cruise lines have many complimentary quick service locations with similar quality fare (i.e. Carnival). I do think the prices are Playmakers are reasonable, don't get me wrong, but for this type of food your cruise fare should cover a good deal of the cost IMO.

I think the comment meant that Freedom class has most (but not all) of the "bells and whistles" of the Oasis class. I would probably replace the word "most" with "many". Freedom class still has a lot to offer, especially if AMPED. It is impossible to recreate the number of venues, neighborhoods, etc, that Oasis class offers though. I just feel like the Oasis class is very inward focused, and I like the feeling on Freedom class that you are connected more with the sea. Oasis class is growing on me though. I do like all the ammenities.

How do they track this for the roaming servers? Do the workers still use the paper slips when walking around asking you for your drink order? If you go over the 4 allowed I assume they will end up charging you for the extras once they do the tally onboard?

We love it at night too. It's great to be out at 11pm or so and it's still nice and warm out there with the Caribbean breezes. You can get a decent view of the stars also. It can get WINDY up front there though. Lots of fun.

It’s probably our favorite class of royal Caribbean ship (and we have done the biggest) she handles the crowds well, and has a lot to offer.

OP, not sure who you are trying to convince. We can all make our own decisions. Personally, we always fly or drive in the day before, so running to the store to get some wine or other beverages is no big deal. Most places we've stayed in Florida have a Publix within walking distance. I'd rather have what I want, and save money while doing it.

Off to a great start. Tagging along

We have one nearly identical. It was flagged during the security check-in at Bayonne before getting on the Anthem in March. They just asked to check my backpack, and if there was a swiss army knife or something similar in my bag. I told them it was just a wine bottle opener, and I opened my bag and showed it to them and they were perfectly fine with it and I went on my way onto the ship with it.

I will say, in all our cruises with Royal, his show was the only time I spent any reasonable amount of time in the Schooner bar. He is entertaining, but repetitive and not everyone's style for sure.

When we talked with him in March, he mentioned that Royal Caribbean does not like the use of his electric keyboard. They wanted only piano to be used in the Schooner bar. One of the reasons he was not renewed. He is definitely a character and normally wouldn’t be my “cup of tea” but get some alcohol in me at night and I could spend some good time in the Schooner bar with him. He had some unique parts of this show that I haven’t seen on other ships, like the “knockers” or “positions, positions everyone”. The show is dang near identical each night, which did get repetitive by day 4 or so.

A wise plan indeed. 🙂.

Not disagreeing, but that’s the first time I’ve ever heard of that. Thanks for the info

You can’t adjust it. Once onboard you can request gratuities to be removed altogether, and then tip in cash instead… if you so choose. Personally we’ve always prepaid gratuities in advance but to each his/her own.

I wonder if it is because it is sailing out of Europe now?. I checked the quantum, the sister ship, and it is still offering both of those items for its Alaska itineraries right now.

Nope

Great info! Thank you.

Here were our entrées BTW. It took a good two days before we didn’t feel so full. For real. It was a LOT of food. I will hold back next time

In case people don’t know how to do this, you go into the app and click the little person icon in the top, right as in the first photo, then choose “select a different cruise” as circled in the second photo. Then scroll to the bottom, where it says ”Browse our ships” then click the ship and sailing date that you would like. Then find the dining venue are interested in and look at the menu. This works for the bars and MDR as well.

Wow those are significant changes. Bummer. I think we had two if the prawn appetizers and my FIL had the burger

Never ate at Giovanni’s, but here was the meat plank and a few appetizers from our cruise on the anthem in March

I think it was unlimited apps. One entrée each Not sure on number of desserts, but I know you can get all the apps you want.