Caribbean Tom

22 hours ago, canderson said:

Hoping to have an answer on Friday, the next time I talk to one of the shore-side concierges managing this Constellation voyage.

I got through to the CEO office (typically every customer service has a group of executive escalation agents).  While the person was unaware of the issue with the Constellation (and others), I sent her a screenshot, she contacted their IT department and eventually found out that ships that have not sailed yet are not opening Online Check-in until two weeks before they sail.  So, for our 11/7 sailing on the Constellation, we should expect to be able to check-in on or around 10/24.  

 

I was not able to find this out through my Costco TA or the Celebrity customer service agents.  I told them there are people that need to know this so they're not tying up TA's with easily answered questions.  I asked her to communicate better with their customers and partners.

We just returned from the Edge yesterday.  The greatest discontent on this thread seems to be with the IV.  We stayed in the Sky Suite but poked our head in the IV.  I would gladly stay in one.  The design increases the average size of a veranda cabin by 23 percent.  Other than that, it looks like any other veranda cabin.

 

The loyalty program happy hours were different from our Celebrity cruises more than a decade ago which we liked very much.  They are now in The Club (a disco) which would not be our first choice. However, they appear to extend the happy hour all bars with no stated limits.  This eliminates a bunch of loyalty members sitting in a room speed drinking to try to get hammered (used to be us also which was really stupid because we had the drink package).  The main reason these folks are at the event is for the appetizers.  

 

The Suite experience was wonderful.  You did get a lot of attention, but we also visited Blu, the main dining room, Oceanview Cafe and other areas.  I would find these areas as good or better than any other cruise.

 

We're Diamond Plus on Royal, but are probably going with Celebrity due to a decidedly elevated experience.  We've sailed with most every major cruise line.  The Edge is one of the most intelligently designed ships I've ever sailed on.  It does have fewer bars but better run.  Never waited long for a drink.  

 

I would say if you're predisposed to having a bad time, you're going to have a bad time.  We're the type that think every ship we've sailed on has a good product and each just has a few difference we like better which is why we've gone with Royal/Celebrity.  The Edge was a cut above the rest for us.  It pressed all the right buttons.

I don't to create too many spoiler alerts but I'm sure several of us that met and traveled on the Oasis o/t Seas this week will have a few tips. Disembarkation was the best we've ever had it. The genie escorted us down to the terminal and a special suite debarkation area where our luggage was waiting. We then went to customs/re-entry clearance and there was only one other family in front of us. There was easily another thousand people in the normal lines.

Our Genie had seat maps on his laptop and asked where we wanted to sit. He was able to reserve seats anywhere we wanted.

And it varies by genie. Ours just selected seats and they were always excellent. Another couple with the same genie wanted to sit somewhere specific and that was accommodated as well. MKBruce, have a safe journey home!

Oh progressive sounds fun too! I'm not sure we've figured out the details, perhaps this is where Israel and Smitha may be able to help. I think we all want to tour each other's suites so I am definitely up for that!

 

Jealous your vaca starts tomorrow! We don't start until Thursday afternoon, I'm counting hours at this point!

 

I was thinking we might give our Genies a break on Saturday by running happy hour from one suite after the life boat drill. It would be a great intro opportunity for us. We do want to see each other's suites though so we could maybe go on tours between drinks. At some point we could run into the CS and see who's there (we have a Pinnacle friend on this cruise). We are doing early seating this trip so we may leave before the rest of you. We're thinking CK that evening but aren't sure.

I received a reply from my genie on Loop. Her name is Smitha Judoobur. I had just said that I had some questions and she said she would be delighted to answer them. I asked her what to do with our luggage when we arrive to the port and I also asked if we can order from Giovanni's or Coastal Kitchen for dinner in our suite one night. I will post her response when I receive it.

 

We received the first contact email from our Genie a few hours ago. We have the same Genie (Smitha). She hasn't responded to my loop text from yesterday. It may be a timing issue if you've heard from her. I'll give her another try.

We figured they were busy also, particularly on an embarkation day. That's why I haven't sent a follow-up. We're in the GLS across from Nicole and Chris. We're looking forward to meeting you!

We also have not gotten anything besides the Loop email. I have not tried to contact them via the messenger since I'm sure they're busy with it being their first week. Hoping to hear something by tomorrow...I'd like to know if I should give our luggage to the porters and a few other logistics. I'll let you know when we get an email, but as some have already gotten theirs, I have a suspicion that we may be sharing the same genie.

 

We didn't get the letter from the Genie either. Just the loop email and letter from the concierge which we've already discussed. I sent a message to the Genie about 22 hours ago and didn't hear back. Let us know when you've tried.

[quote name='NicoleAndChris']Hey Tom, from what i understand (I'm also in IT, but on the mobile & web technology side) Loop is the 3rd party providing the service. It appears to be a web based chat system, which I think is what may have prompted some of the questions (what model/OS phone do you have). So I'm expecting a link and a sort of chat room type of set up accessible via wifi.[/QUOTE]

Interesting. I wonder if there will be an app.

[quote name='NicoleAndChris']We had reserved our shows long ago and I just kept the reservations, we prefer to eat a bit later (8/8:30) so it logistically only a very particular set of show times available for after dinner. I realize I really don't need the reservations, but just haven't gone through cancelling them. I will keep them until we board and see how the genie wants to do things. We haven't heard back from concierge after the "we'll take care of it/its been handled" email. I think the plus with the genie will be having the ability to change your mind at the last minute should you feel like doing something else. If it were up to my husband I think we'd end up at chops every night, but I love Sabor's guac too much to let that happen! I've loved everything that has come from limited reviews, but cautiously optimistic, having the reservations is my safety net I suppose :)[/QUOTE]

Here's a burner email address. [email]CTBurner@outlook.com[/email] Please send me an email address.

[quote name='NicoleAndChris']I didn't see that, But I'll try and find it this morning cause that sounds crazy awesome!
For the survey, we are just sailing the two of us (we don't have kids and have never sailed with anyone else's so not sure where they got the assumption). I guess because we're married they assumed?[/QUOTE]

So are you all situated with your dining reservations? I cancelled all our shows except the standup comic. The concierge suggested we wait on the dining reservations until we board and discuss with the Genie. That's what the trade flyer said so it should be okay.

[quote name='MattInFLL']Did you all see the posting from the Ovation Star Class guest ? LOOP texting service to be in touch with your Genie 7 days before your cruise, during the cruise, and 4 days after. That's cool AF.

Couldn't help myself.[/QUOTE]

I have to ask, what is LOOP texting? I've been in IT/network/telecom technology for more years than I care to admit (text messaging being one of few exceptions), and I even asked one of my lead voice engineers, and you've stumped the pros. I'm very interested to learn what it is. We figure it's WiFi based because not everyone's going to have a Cellular at Sea package for standard SMS texting.

Maybe I got a weird one last week because the questions were just a little different. Like it said what are you favorite movies versus this one 'what movies are you dying to see'.

 

We received our invite for our first survey this morning. Linda and I are going to fill it out later today. I imagine it will be like the one above.

 

Tom

What is your email? I can forward you the link. It's not tied to any one person, it's a survey monkey link that they use in the email and you have to fill in your name and sail date.

 

We just received a form letter from the concierge last night. It focused mainly on the Suite class perks, nothing Royal Suite Class specific. Not much new except they said suite class don't have to make show reservations, you just show up with your "gold" card at least 20 minutes early. I'm going to write back and see if we're taking up general seating by having reservations. No questionnaire (yet). I'm also going to ask if we should make our dinner reservations now or just wait until we're on board.

What is your email? I can forward you the link. It's not tied to any one person, it's a survey monkey link that they use in the email and you have to fill in your name and sail date.

 

Thank you! I'd like to give it a few more days into next week just in case I'm right on the vacation. Plus, I'll have to create a "burner" email address if I post one.

 

On another note, one of our Pinnacle friends (who will be on our cruise) recommended Park 'N Go. Looks close and like a good operation. Have you used them?

 

It looks like we'll save about $40. That's a good bottle of Chardonnay on board. Two or three at a local grocery. :)

It might be...

I used it to let them know my dining reservation preferences and to ask about reserving a cabana at labadee. I imagine as they see how guests use these surveys, they will start to alter them to better meet expectations. I think we're all a little more concerned with ensuring our reservations and preferences are met than with whom throughout history we'd like to dine.

 

Hoping the stranded island question isn't because they plan on leaving us on labadee with our list and want to make sure we have what we wanted :eek:

 

We haven't heard from our Genie yet. We must have the one that took a little vacay on they way back from Ovation/Germany.

Yea, it was the same as we've seen above. There was an intro page put in your name/sail date and there was a question #13 I hadn't seen in previous photos. Basically a "tell us anything we missed"...so maybe you can add your favorite color there :D

 

I already know we're going to like your sense of humor!!!

Hey Tom, be sure to check your email I just received the pre-cruise survey from the genie!

 

Nothing yet! Other posters are saying it was the same one that was posted previously. Was it? Really soft questions. They left out what's your favorite color. :)

 

We'll do our best. Thanks!

NicoleandChris, I downloaded the TA flyer a while back posted on the other thread we were following and it says in a couple of places that the Genie's going to take care of entertainment and dining reservations on board. Just search for "flyer". So I don't think it matters that our perks are not showing up. I've even received emails to reserve my dining and drink package in the past couple of days. So it appears we're getting standard marketing despite our perks and the genie's going to take care of everything just like you said in your previous post.

Looks like a few nerves were touched! Let me clarify that I'm not trying to wear shorts and flip flops to dinner. Just a nice pair of trousers and button down dress shirt. I have no problem respecting those who prefer to treat dinner as more of black tie event as long as my right not dress a bit more casual is respected. Trust me, your food quality and dining room experience will not be impacted. Thanks to all for your responses and feedback!

 

 

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It's all good chenj78! This is always a touchy subject. You cared enough to ask and that says a great deal about you! We've seen many things on cruise ships and this is a forum so there were some good contributors from all points of view. Enjoy your cruise!

Nicole and Chris, thanks for staying with Royal to get the info. It seems to match what others are getting from Royal also. I was hoping they keep reservations open as you say. Thanks for the update on formal night. Our entertainment choices were largely based on when they offered the dates/times. Can't wait to hear from our Genie!

The crew isn't trying to have an experience...their just doing their job. As far as your experience...enjoy yourself...but allow other's to do so as well. It shouldn't matter what other's are wearing...if it does...perhaps opt for a more formal cruiseline...there are several to choose from.

 

BTW: RCI suggests attire....it's not an enforced "policy".

 

You took my words out of context. The crew is doing their job trying to create the experience desired by the cruise line and it's the reason most passengers take that cruise. At a captain's gala for example, the officers and crew get in their dress uniform, the wait staff usually gives some sort of performance, provide their best effort and most of the passengers like to dress up. It's a good time.

 

I didn't say don't enjoy yourself. I just said there are dining alternatives (and frankly they're often nicer than the MDR). I've been cruising RCL for almost 20 years and cruising for 44 years, it has always been this way. I don't need to find another cruise line.

So I wonder if we go ahead and book our restaurants now if it will just be refunded as OBC once we board? I am a bit OCD about planning so waiting until the genie contacts us has me worried if our preferred dining times will still be available.

 

....so j/k, just checked the cruise planner and all my preferred times for specific restaurants are already taken. I guess we'll see what kind of magic the genie works!

 

Funny! We're almost in lock step (and I'm OCD on these things as well) and looking around the posts for the same info. We have tried to guess formal nights (first night at sea and 6th night but not 100% sure) and scheduled our entertainment around that and our early seating.

 

AFTER that we upgraded from CLS to the GLS so now we have free specialty dining. I looked at the specialty dining reservation system tonight and it showed a scheduling conflict on the times we were scheduled for the shows. It also showed a charge. I'm reasonably sure if I booked a specialty restaurant that it's going to hit my credit card and not the on board account the same way it does for shore excursions. I probably don't want any more OBC's as we should have plenty.

 

Also, we like to dress up on formal nights so we're probably dining in the main dining room on those nights. We're going to have to trust that the genie/concierge help us work out the specialty dining nights based on the response that Tom N Cheryl posted.

Here's Royal Caribbean's policy for formal night:

 

Formal: Ladies: Cocktail dress or pantsuit. Gentlemen: Suit (black tie is optional)

 

Its fine if you don't want to dress up, but don't take away from the experience the crew and the passengers are trying to have in the MDR. If a passenger doesn't want to get into the spirit of things like the captain's gala, etc., there are plenty of other dining alternatives that are not formal.

 

Formal night is my favorite night because the women typically dress very nice and frankly, some of the guys they're with really need to step up their game.

We have a 2-bedroom aqua suite on deck 9 on the June 12th sailing out of Barcelona. We are super excited. Haven't heard from our genie yet and still can't book entertainment. Someone on here posted a questionnaire they received from their genie. It looked interesting to say the least.

 

I wanted to ask the readers about the questionnaire that was posted. I'm not trying to throw you any shade Sports4Fun, i hope you have a sensational time on your cruise!!!

 

My wife and I discussed the questionnaire that was posted. My impression of this questionnaire was if this is what I get, I'm going to consider it a swing and a miss by RCCL. I expect the genie or concierge to contact me and say Greetings! We're here to see you have the vacation of your dreams. We see you have your activities planned but would like to offer a couple of suggestions. Plus things like I'm looking forward to meeting you at such and such time at the terminal were we will take you directly to your cabin.

 

I thought the questions were too touchy-feely and would have little to do with my vacation experience. My wife had no desire to provide that kind of information because it is invasive. We've been cruising too long with Royal and have never seen a product or customer contact effort like this.

 

If the genie wants to break the ice and ask us this while we're boarding, fine, but let's take care our travel arrangements before arriving.