seanjulz

Board arrived yesterday took it for a spin today and loved it I think it will take me awhile to get fully used to it but so far I'm happy with the purchase can't wait to put some hours on it

On 1/10/2020 at 6:59 AM, spudstrawb said:

So seanjulz, did you end up getting anything?

I ended up ordering a 39inch ash board after trying a older one at my local flowrider will update how it rides when I get it, thanks again for all the information people have put up here

1 hour ago, spudstrawb said:

 

Wow, this thread has certainly come back to life. Hi JC - I hope all is well in your part of the world.

 

I did end up building a second board and like it way more than the first board. The whole process has been a great learning experience, so I might put some thoughts down on paper here in case it is of use to seanjulz. 

 

To put things into context, I'm an engineer, so I have a tendency to want to know how things work. I also like having little personal projects happening from time to time, and building a flowrider board is the sort of challenge that I like to take on. I turned up in Sydney with the first board and jumped onboard Ovation for the Sydney to Hawaii cruise. I was amazed to find out how many guys on the cruise could ride, and also how many guys on the cruise had their own board (seven by my count):

1) JC with his outlaw with channels

2) Another outlaw without channels

3) A wooden shuvit

4) A wooden Ash board

5) A Mak board

6) A Jaan board

7) My board

I found my board to be difficult to ride (it was very unforgiving), then got talking to a guy from the UK who also owned a Jaan board but hadn't brought it on the cruise. He explained to me that he thought my board was too stiff and his preference was for boards that had more flex. Over the course of the cruise, I rode all of the above boards except the Mak. Of the other boards, they all seemed reasonably similar, except for the Jaan. It was lighter and more flexible, and I found it more suited to my specific riding style (or lack thereof). So subsequently my second board is lighter and more flexible than my first board. The only outing to date for the second board was a long weekend to Cairns. That was my very first time on a land-based flowrider and it took me a while to get used to the extra steepness and power of the wave. Once I got that sorted though, I was quite satisfied with how the board went. I went up there with 2 other guys, one of which was the guy from the cruise who owns the wooden shuvit. He is a much better rider than me and he had one ride on my board and really struggled on it, so my board clearly doesn't suit everyone. I'll hold off on the tick of approval for my board though until it's had a run on one of the ships. That might be a challenge though, because my wife has become bored with cruising. I'd be there in a heartbeat if the ship had a flowrider, but she doesn't think along the same lines.

 

So seanjulz,  I'd definitely consider a Jaan board as well as the WaveLoch boards. At least one of Lordnlkon's boards is a Jaan by the look of things. I believe that Jaan boards are made in the UK? Now here's the rub, I am currently in London and will leave here on 10th Jan. If you could get the planets aligned, I would be prepared to bring the board back to Australia. You could then arrange for a courier to pick it up (from NSW central coast). Alternately, if you are in Cairns, I have a trip planned back there in mid-April to ride the flowrider up there. Just a thought and it would probably be a stretch to make it all happen, but the offer is there. It seems that you can only contact them (Jaan) via facebook. I don't have a facebook account. I also have no idea where in the UK they are based, so that could be a showstopper as well. The whole thing would also require a leap of faith on your part to trust me to uphold my end of the deal. I'm sure that JC would vouch for me in here to do the right thing though.

Wow thanks for all the info I will have a look into the Jaan boards, I also went back and re looked into the postage and it was only the ash boards that had the 160usd postage the wavelock and mak boards are only about 70, also if you are ever going to be on the Gold Coast dreamworld has a flowrider there little bit closer to you than Cairns 

2 minutes ago, Lordnlkon said:

If you don't want to do tricks, the channel boards are good but if you ever want to graduate into tricks, I recommend without channels. Also the outlaw boards are some of the most unresponsive boards you can buy. I currently own 4 boards but have owned 8 in total. 

Wow 4 boards that's awesome living in Australia it costs a fortune to get one over here to get a outlaw deliver is going to be nearly 800 230 of that is postage, I would love to try a different board I liked the look of the ash one I saw on my last cruise but if I got it and didn't like it I would be gutted, when you say unresponsive do you mean to turn or more for when your doing tricks, also does the channels hamper spinning the board is that why no good for tricks? 

I'm probably going to get the outlaw 39 just got to decide weather to get one with channels

Awesome thanks for the reply we did the crossing from Hawaii to Sydney in September and a lady was riding a ash board kicking myself for not asking for a go, they had the 39 outlaws on board I don't think they were the channel ones though I really liked those ones soo much easier to move around I went back to my local one the other day and all they have are longer boards and it feels like I'm riding a bloody Mal 

Just wondering what board you ended up going with and whether you were happy with what you got? , I'm looking at purchasing one want one that carves hard but I'm just starting to learn how to Ollie and want one that will be good at going down that path as well

2 hours ago, xpcdoojk said:

Cutting the line is a crappy solution whether you are star class or Key.  You want to be friends with the people in the flowrider line.  Cutting the line will make you the A-whole of all time to the folks in the line.  Pretty much means I will have the key one time and one time only. 

 

On the upside I don’t have anything booked until November 2020....  who knows what they will be doing that far out.

 

jc

My thoughts exactly, I brought the key so I could get extra flowrider goes without being the Ahole jumping the line when I purchased it that was what it said I would get but now it's just less and less, we are doing the reverse cruise of the one I think you just did I hope the flowrider sessions do not go down even more by the time we do it

7 minutes ago, xpcdoojk said:

 

 

Just curious did I come across as petty and small?  I am trying to figure out if I am clueless or a jerk?

 

jc

I didn't think so you are actually giving information that people like myself are wanting I'm doing the same cruise as yours in reverse in September and your post have been very appreciated 

25 minutes ago, xpcdoojk said:

I mis spoke (typed) a while back there are 6 key sessions for the flowrider on our 16th night sailing.

 

JC

Wow that's still terrible, is there a heap of people with the key or have the just been tight arse with the extra hours? 

3 hours ago, October17 said:

 

Nope. Only got the wristbands as a temporary “proof” of Key while waiting to get the cabins and sea passes. 

 

I’ll try to upload the key activities schedule here. Note, they didn’t even spend money on color (or decent quality black&white copies) 

wow so inconsistent, this 7 day trip has 4 extra flowrider sessions and yet JC who is on a 16 day cruise has only, 5 RC need to standardize it, if all people brought it for was extra sessions they would be very disappointed  

This has been posted by someone currently on the Ovation 

10 minutes ago, Grenouille21 said:

 

One of the things that bothers me most about this is the inconsistent implementation, even on the same ship!  It really just seems like this is an idea that wasn't well thought out.  I am fine with the idea of a pay-to-play option for people who would benefit from the extras that are included.  But when those specific extras are NOT included, what are you even paying for?  

 

If they are not going to be able to offer private hours on FR because of private lessons, maybe they need to rethink offering that as a benefit?  

 

I just can't see The Key lasting much longer, especially as more people are sharing their actual experience.  

They should of just left it as it was at the start and tried it for a year like that then looked at changing if they needed to the way it is now it changes week to week ship to ship

24 minutes ago, Grenouille21 said:

 

I'm just getting the automated "My name is EFSJ and I will be handling your inquiry.  I will respond within 24 to 72 hours" but it has been 5 days so... 

 

I also emailed RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com and have heard nothing for 5 days as well.  Giving them one more chance then going up the line.  And will be putting a hold on recommending RCI to clients or posting about them in my social media until this is resolved.

9 minutes ago, Grenouille21 said:

FYI no one has responded to my emails about The Key and our disappointing experience.  Time to escalate. 

I have been emailing them and they keep sending me emails back (a different person everytime even though i am still replying to thr orginal email) they dont even bother to read what i say and just spew forth standard email that says what the key is 

6 hours ago, kdeason912 said:

 I haven't been to any activities yet so I can't report on cutting lines, etc. The way the in room letter reads they arent doing it that way this week. There are flowrider hours everyday for key holders. 

Are you able to post a picture of the flowrider hours pleeeeeeease

10 minutes ago, MissLittle1959 said:

Speaking of waivers...how come we can't sign them online?  is that something new for Anthem or Quantum class?  Or do we now do it for each individual activity?

Not sure i have always just dont it at the flowrider 

4 hours ago, MissLittle1959 said:

On RCL's website it is a private lesson, so where do you schedule a small group session?

Just go up and ask them when you sign your waiver it normally needs to have at least 4 people sign up before they will do it with a maximum of 8

7 hours ago, MissLittle1959 said:

Oh, I'm sure, but never ever having done it, I'm not risking an injury, not at my age! 😉

We managed to get two 78 year olds to do it on a cruise and they loved it

So after my last email where they told me there is activites on everyday i replied and asked if they saw the picture i had attached that showed this was not the case and got the following response 

Here are the benefits of purchasing The Key:

- Priority check-in and boarding (not applicable in Vancouver, Canada or at any ports in Australia). 

- Private lunch at Chops Grille on boarding day from 11:30 AM until 1:30 PM - this does not need to be reserved, as the dining team will be expecting guests who have purchased The Key package 

- Exclusive carry-on luggage service offering drop off at the Theater (until 1:30 PM) and delivery to your stateroom - up to 2 carry-on bags per guest* 

- Daily private hours at onboard activities like the FlowRider, Rock Climbing wall, Ripcord by iFly, and ice-skating rink (private hours will be provided with the guest's SeaPass with welcome letter) 

- Priority port of call debarkation. 

- VIP seating area at shows in the Main Theater, Aqua Theater, Studio B and Two70. 

- VOOM Surf & Stream (1 device) 

- Choice debarkation with an exclusive à la carte breakfast from 6:30 AM - 9:30 AM 

Sandy Rubi

9 hours ago, Cel_cruise said:

 

I find their response to be annoying (because they didn’t really read your question) but also leverage!

If you don’t have daily sessions on your cruise and you purchased the key - you should use that to discuss with the Activities Manager and/or after your trip with Michael Bartley’s team! You might be able to get something for your disappointment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I was thinking the exact same thing will print it out and take with me

So i sent a email to RC asking about how the program has changed a heap and not as many extra sessions on the attractions, i attached two lists that people have posted one with lots of sessions and the second one more recent one thst didnt have many sessions and 3 of the 7 day cruise no extra sessions they sent back.

Thank you for contacting the Cruise Administration Department.

We have reviewed your email and about your query, We kindly inform you that one of the benefits of THE KEY is that you get daily private hours at onboard activities like FlowRider, Rock Climbing Wall and Ice Skating, If you would like to request an extra session in the FlowRider you can request it to our Staff members, however, it will be subject to the availability. Please see attached file with all The Key benefits.

(See attached file: The_Key_Trade_Flyer.pdf)

Thank you for giving us this opportunity to address your concerns. We hope this correspondence has been useful. 

We look forward to welcome you onboard soon, please visit our website to check out the extraordinary itineraries we have available to you.

Should you have further queries, do not hesitate to contact us.

So they obviously didnt even look at the pictures i sent as it shows many days with no extra sessions, such a dismissive email pretty much too bad so sad maybe you can book a private session.

35 minutes ago, blueridgemama said:

 

Definitely a lot of $$$ but I bet you had a lot of fun in that hour. Was it money well spent??

Yeah we all loved it, thats why we thought we would get the key when i took that amount and how much internet was it wasnt hard to justify 

6 hours ago, blueridgemama said:

 

If your primary reason for purchasing the Key is for flowrider hours, why not just reserve a private hour session on the flowrider instead of investing extra money in the Key?

Because for the 3 of us it costs 300aud for 1hr we did it a few times last cruise

22 hours ago, Grenouille21 said:

 

I do have a picture of that.  I was going to add it at some point but will do so now.  It was so disappointing.  

 

The Key:  These were the "priority hours" for Key guests.  I had been watching closely, and all previous sailings had multiple hours per activity per week.  

 

 

I had been paying very close attention to this before we sailed.  This was unlike anything I had seen before.  One hour per activity per week?  Not worthwhile at all, IMO.

Those hours are terrible the orginal hours they were giving people were much better and skipping the line is not the answer, just open the stuff up earlier or later for key members to use it simple no one gets upset with people jumping the queue, the only reason i have purchased the key is for "extra sessions of the flow rider for my family" i really dont want it to be at someone else's expense , i spent alot to get it but if it is going to be like this i will probably cancel it.