HBE4

I have a Android phone and use Message+ as my texting app of choice.  It has wifi texting capability. So, keeping my phone in airplane-mode, turning on wifi and connecting to "Royalwifi", will I be able to text someone on the ship that does the same?

 I don't want to text the outside world, just others on the ship. This just a general questions, not specific to any ship.

I've done something similar when traveling internationally on land based vacation, connecting to the hotels wifi and have successfully texted the outside world. Never tried it on a cruise however, since I always thought the Royal IQ app was needed and/or Google Hangout.

I guess I'm not even as smart as a 5 year old.😵

55 minutes ago, the mistral wind said:

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth my friend.

Some fellow rule breaker you turned out to be!     Just Kidding.

This topic has been debated on other threads with both sides presenting evidence to support their case. ONnthe "it's okay to share" side, it's usually getting the okay from the bar staff on the ship or customer service on headquarters (or wherever customer service is located).

My final thoughts on the subject: I've spent tens of thousands of dollars over the past decade on Royal. I'm 2 cruises away from Diamond which means - most likely - that my next 2 cruises (and $4,000-$5,000) will be spent on Royal. So I'm okay with sharing my "free" $8 drink with a family member/close friend (not a stranger I met at the pool that I'm trying to impress) at one of the public venues. If the bartender tells me I'm not allowed, no harm, I won't make a scene and my family member/friend will purchase their own drink.

As for Royal, it's just excellent customer service and rewarding a loyal customer.  As mcatmcat said, it's courtesy to give back to the community you have taken from.

23 hours ago, cruisegirl1 said:

If I gave family and friends a drink from my voucher,  I certainly would not  post  it on a public message board.  When the vouchers are reduced or  removed from the program, we can all speculate why?

my two cents!

M

 

 

 

I doubt that RCI sets corporate policy based on what is posted here. If that was the case, they would enforce the no-chair hog "rules" or the suggested dress code "rules", which are rules that are routinely broken by many.

EDIT: Plus, that would be punishing the many for the sins of a few is they reduce/remove the program.

They will set policy based on financial impact which in this case, cheap and easy cruising resulting in way more many Diamond members than they can possible handle, as evidenced by the overcrowded DL and overflow lounges.

9 hours ago, Riverviewnb said:

What if the person is your emotional support animal?

Well, then in that case, in addition to getting Diamond benefits they don't deserve, they also get to hog as many chairs as they please (poolside and Viking Crown Lounge) and get to kick Pinnacles out of Coastal Kitchen in mid-meal.

8 minutes ago, jspqld said:

I certainly could be interested in this program in future cruises if offered to me. However, as it's an Upsell and not an upgrade, if I am going to pay extra $$ and extra grats  to say go from a balcony to a suite, I would like all the regular suite perks that go with it. Concierge lounge, double points, priority lines, etc, etc. If all I'm getting is the larger room, well then my offer is zero and I'll just stay in my already booked balcony.

Agreed.

I'm actually okay with not getting double points as long as my original price + upsell price does not put the total price into suite territory.  But I want the suite perks, otherwise what is the point of bidding? Other than a bigger room and bath tub.

4 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

 Not sure who this was speaking  .Wish I was there to discuss many itinerary possibilities from California ports into the largest ocean in this world ,the Pacific 

Sorry, it's Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley. I meant to post the link (not embed the video) like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Pt64Bvxgqo

17 minutes ago, wl2cruise said:

 

Hope this article helps

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-magazine/feature-magazine-articles/5787-summer-2011-green-shorepower-yes-or-no.html 

It does help. Interesting: 

"According to Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, shorepower should only be considered on a situational basis. He noted that even though shorepower is offered in Juneau, for instance, it is only available at one pier, which Royal Caribbean does not use, so the access is very restricted.

“We do not participate in shorepower on an operational basis,” Goldstein said, “but our newer ships can be set up for shorepower.” He added ships spend little time at the pier so the benefit would be relatively limited even if every single pier had shorepower. Royal Caribbean’s goal is to generate as little emissions as possible all the time, Goldstein explained, “and shorepower can at best be a partial answer.”

I wonder what they consider "situational"?

Thanks!

14 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

Why is every one trying to knock California ports as a starting point for any Royal Caribbean ship  ? 

 

 Do we knock down NYC   or Florida ports or any other port of call . 

 

 It just so happens that California has a lot to offer the cruise industry & it seems to us that Carnival corporation  is very happy to port their ships up & down the coast of our state 

I'm not sure if people are knocking California as a starting point, just wondering why Royal chooses to not sail from there.

According to the man himself, in 2017, he does not think there are enough people to support a ship permanently stationed in California.  I'm not saying he is right or wrong, just stating the facts that he states.

4 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

In the not too distant past ChengCP gave a brilliant dissertation on these boards surrounding the shore power requirements VS installing exhaust scrubbers specific to the CA market. Need to find that, or maybe we will hear from the chief. 

Is there a hot-line or a bat-signal (or chief-signal) we can send up? I'm interested in this as well.  Not doubting Wl2cruise' knowledge of the subject, just wondering why Carnival and Holland American can "plug-in" and Royal can not. Does Carnival possess some kind of exotic, advanced power supply??

Everything I've read about California cruising points to the lack of interest in cruising to Mexico for the decline in popularity of West coast cruises.  With the newer, bigger "ships are the destination" Oasis and Quantum-class ships, you'd think that would be less of an issue.

Maybe when the Icon-ships come out, they can spare a ship for the left coast?

3 hours ago, KKB said:

Anyone had experience with Wonderland--especially with a self-proclaimed not so adventurous diner (tho he surprises me!)?

That would be me. I'm the basic, boring meat-n-potatoes guy, don't like seafood and would never think of even going near Izumi.....I don't even like typing it and pretty sure I just misspelled it.

Having said that, with some left over OBC to spend, went to Wonderland.  Can't remember what I ate but it was a mixture of land and seafood. Loved it and would do it again. All the items ranged from pretty good to really great.

If it helps your DH, the waiter will fine tune the selection to his liking. But the portions are small so if he doesn't like it, it'll be no big deal. And he will be full at the end b/c while the portions are small, there are plenty of them!

1 hour ago, RSS from SF said:

 

From a business perspective, we still can't quite figure out how to make the best sense from a business perspective, so we keep looking at it. I can't say it's not gonna happen, I'm pretty sure it's going to happen. The question is, when. For sure in the next five to ten years there will be a ship in California. "

"

 

-----

 

 

 

Translation: "Yes, we will absolutely think about the possibility of maybe having a ship in California"

My guess, they'll see how well Carnival does before moving a ship out there.

55 minutes ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

So, if I bid to change from a balcony to a sky or star class suite, do I get the benefits of the suite (free internet, drink package, meal package, Coastal Kitchen, priority debarkation, etc.)?  I guess the devil will be in the details...

Imagine the amount of last minute scrambling when we find out that we are being upgraded 2 days before the cruise. All the perks that were pre-purchased via the cruise planner will need to be cancelled, restaurants reservations re-booked (possibly), etc.

Heck, we may even want to pack more luggage (more closet space=more stuff to bring). Which would not be an option for us since we usually have a 2-3 day pre-cruise vacation as well whenever we fly to a port.

2 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Not being a fan of Sabor, it would not be worth it to us, losing two nights at those restaurants. 

 

Going off topic for a second but why did you not like Sabor? I wanted to try it on my last cruise on Liberty but for various reasons, never got to it. 

It seems like its a recent addition to the dining options and some ships are already replacing it.

On 11/22/2018 at 4:58 PM, twangster said:

 

Right.   Next Royal Sale: 7 Night Cruise $100!  *MDR purchased required at $195 per night.  

LOL.

Just wait until they go full-bore ala carte pricing and start giving cabins away for free while charging for use of the rock climbing wall, flow-rider and entrance fees to the production shows.

On 11/22/2018 at 1:10 PM, twangster said:

Let's face it, $24 per day for dinner when you have already paid for dinner in the MDR is a very high price to pay.  A part of that high price is the gratuity (service charge) for the staff.

Not really.  Seeing how most specialty restaurants charge $30 - $50 depending on venue/ship, $25 is not bad price for those that really do not want to eat in the MDR, especially since it includes lunch on sea days.

2 hours ago, Wine-O said:

You're not Diamond, but you are OK with a Diamond member giving their free drinks on their seapass to others who aren't? 

Yes. And when I reach Diamond status in 2 cruises, I may use 1 or 2 of my 3 free drinks to buy my non-diamond family members a drink. Then again, maybe not as they most likely would have purchased the deluxe drink package and can get their own drink from a far more extensive menu then the limited C&A menu. But I won't take them into the DL.

In the meantime, during the next 2 cruises, I'll gladly accept a free drink from any diamond member. 😉🥂

15 minutes ago, timf2001 said:

Wasn't Oasis originally getting Wonderland during its last dry dock but it was scrapped at the last minute?  Maybe the sign is a remnant of that.

 

Ah, that makes much more sense.

23 hours ago, the mistral wind said:

To tell the truth i would be annoyed also. We waited so long for this privilege and would never try to sneak in . I am usually a rule breaker if i think they are stupid rules. But i can tell from reading on cruise critic how crowded the lounge is and how that would impede those who are deserving form being seated or served that it would truly be unfair.

Agreed. I'm okay if a Diamond member wants to share 1 or 2 of their 3 free drinks with a non-Diamond at one to the "public" bars (I know its been discussed extensively on other threads) . But not to bring them to a "private" lounge for the obvious reasons you stated above.  Maybe if the lounge was mostly empty, okay I could see it happening. But the non-Diamond should have the common courtesy to leave as the DL starts to fill up.

Full disclosure: I'm 2 cruises away from becoming a diamond....or 1 if I book a JS

On 11/24/2018 at 8:58 AM, Ourusualbeach said:

Bob is correct about the date.  Nothing official about what us being done but I would expect them to make her similar to Harmony and Symphony.

 

slides

Jamies to replace Giovannis

new restaurant upper deck solarium

playmakers added to replace Sabor

wonderland

escape room

lazer tag 

new broadway show

 

we are booked on her for Christmas 2019 specifically because she will be fresh from drydock.

 

I'm going to miss the Solarium bistro for dinner....not going to miss Cats tho...

Fun Fact: I was on the Oasis this past April and they must've had to replace one of those ship-shaped deck map thingies in the Royal Promenade. But the replacement was already updated (probably from the Harmony) and it showed Wonderland in place of Dazzle's.

Of  course, the electronic Wayfinder as well as the printed deck plans were still correct but I wonder how much confusion was caused by that updated-ahead-of-it's-time deck map? I know I did a double-take and it got my hopes up for a split-second.

14 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I've seen 6 week dry docks lately, and adding the transatlantic would add at least a week to 10 days.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but they usually are working on the enhancements during the non-revenue trips?  I guess it's takes awhile to get the ships "amped-up".

On 11/24/2018 at 4:34 PM, nelblu said:

 

Disappointed that they are replacing Giovanni's.

Same here. I recently had one of my best ever cruise meals at Giovanni's (albeit it was on the Liberty).

I tried Jamie's on Anthem and was underwhelmed. It wasn't bad but nothing special either.  But I know restaurants can vary between ship so I'll give it another try.

On 11/24/2018 at 8:53 AM, Host Clarea said:

 

Last I saw, dry dock was scheduled for Sep 22, 2019 to Nov 24, 2019.  Non-revenue transatlantic to Miami.

I don't usually follow these things (dry dock schedules) but isn't 2 months rather long? I feel like 2-4 weeks is more typical.

And with a Non-Revenue T/A, there must be some pretty extensive changes planned.

On 11/25/2018 at 4:18 AM, molly361 said:

Apparently.  I wondered why it kept sounding like a 1 day sale.  The sale started Thursday and goes thru Monday

Thats in order to create a fake sense of urgency.  

Or is it to create a sense of fake urgency 🤔

53 minutes ago, Froggy1369 said:

So the bottom line. Is $944 for deluxe beverage package on the 8 night cruise Anthem in January the best I will probably see? 

That's the final total for two, including the 18% gratuity. So the  sale price is $50 pp/pd, right?  That's about the threshold of what's generally considered a good price.

For Anthem, I think that's a decent price. Book it and check back occasionally. If you see a lower price, cancel & repurchase.

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

I don't disagree with you.  As my papa always said, "you don't have to drink to have a good time".

 

Fortunately I now get a D+ onboard discount and I can wait a day or two to buy the package onboard saving hundreds and avoiding drink fatigue later in the cruise..  

What is this "drink fatigue" you speak of?

Just kidding, usually for me I take a day or two off from drinking mid-cruise before resuming the party. And by "day-off", I mean only drinking during dinner.