myraid

Greetings to all.

We will be sailing on Harmony the week of March 12th staying in the Star Loft suite.  Wondering if anyone has recently been on board in a star class room knows who Genie's are.   We have had several genies in the past on other Oasis and Quantum  class ships but this will be our first time on Harmony.   

Much appreciated.

29 minutes ago, lovescats5 said:

Why would anyone think a Genie is less than a concierge.  On Liberty we had a concierge, don't remember his name, but he was never at his desk and he spent most of his time in the Suite Lounge talking to the Pinns and Diamonds, never much to say to anyone in a suite.  Our genies have always been around, meeting us at restaurants, any onboard activity, shows, getting off ship, and anything else we needed.  I have never had a genie, and we have had 5, that never spent time with us in person.  Now we are looking forward to a genie for our Thanksgiving cruise and we will see if and what has changed.  Still better than standing in line and being part of the herd when debarking.  Who was Rahul following on Oasis to learn the genie trade?  We know a terrific genie who has been on Oasis.

Agree.  Not going to get into the amount specifics, but if anyone wants to search this board what folks are tipping (on average) their Genies, take a peak.  A Genie would be making quite a bit more than a lead concierge.

12 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Wow, I guess very much different then it used to be, you could go the whole week and never really talk to your Genie in person...............Only on the phone, seems like the job could now be done by somebody remote on land.

Boy have times changed. Seems like the value of having a genie doesn't seem as special as it once was.

Will definitely see once we get on board and compare our previous Genie experiences pre-covid.   

7 hours ago, jgoodm said:

We are on the next sailing after yours on Oasis and I am very curious to hear how the Genie's work under the Covid guides.  For example, do you still get walked on the ship at your requested time by your genie?  Do they walk you through port testing if necessary, etc.  Please let me know what he said in the e-mail and/or keep. us posted on your vacation!  Thanks.

The email is quite detailed and much of the information around Covid is a summary of the Health precautions (masks indoors, physical distancing, etc.) already mentioned on their website and in the App.  Saying that here are some of the points that were not mentioned on the website:

• I want to ensure that you have the full gastronomic experience you desire, so I would like to confirm your preferred dining time. Should your dining time conflict with any of the awesome shows that we have in store for you (show schedules are yet to be confirmed), I will tweak your dining time as required so as to allow you to have a leisurely dinner either before or after a show. While we always endeavor to fulfill all your requests, please understand that due to reduced seating capacity in our restaurants (50% only), last-minute requests may not always be possible. If I may kindly ask whether you are travelling with any family or friends, who may be joining you for dinner, as there are certain restaurants that cater to vaccinated guests only. 
• As per CDC requirements, certain bars and venues will be for vaccinated guests only. Also shows, at our entertainment venues, will have either designated areas for vaccinated guests or designated timing. 
• To allow for physical distancing, capacity in our Concierge/Suite Lounge will be limited and accessible on a first-come, first-seated basis. Should you experience any challenges in gaining access, please let me know.
• For your safety and ours, only your Loft Attendants and I will be able to access your suite after you arrive, and we are not permitted inside your suite while you are there. Should you need to speak with me, we can do so on the phone, you may message me via WhatsApp or email, or we may meet in the Suite Lounge or other physically distanced location onboard while adhering to personal protective equipment protocols. Additionally, if you need assistance receiving any items in your suite while you are not there, such as minibar items, do let me know—I am happy to assist.  
• With regards to room service, the delivery is now done with room service personnel placing the trolley, containing the food ordered, right outside the suite door and guests are now asked to pick the food up from the trolley onto their dining table. For clearance of soiled dishes, you can either leave it in your suite and the same will be cleared by the loft attendant while you are out or you can place the soiled dishes outside the suite and call or message me, and I will have room service clear the same

We will still be walked on the ship at our requested time although now we have to select our check-in time via the App.  I am told that Star Class guests, after going through vaccination validation, etc. will be escorted onto the ship approximately a hour before our dedicated check in time.  We will see.  As for the rest of the email received, it basically goes through the standard set of questions such as preferred dining times, restaurants, mini bar drinks to be stocked, etc.    One thing that I noticed that is different is they asked us what activities we are interested in (Abyss, water slides, flowrider, etc.) and will have our VIP bands ready for us in our room.  This was different than pre-covid where we had to go to the sports booths and get our wrist bands.  Other than this, we put together our other requests and sent them earlier this week.  We have not heard back as of yet.  

I hope this answers your question.

Cheers!

13 minutes ago, ticketsunlimited said:

He was our concierge on Oasis in September and was training the new women to take his place.  He was looking forward to moving to the Genie role.  MYRAID he has lots of experience making people happy I am sure he will do a great job.

 

JIMBO his comment to me for the move was Less headaches and more money.  Take it for what its worth

Appreciate the response.  Cheers!

1 minute ago, Jimbo said:

I guess I thought the Concierge was a lot further up the food chain then that.

 

Just how many cabins do the genie's take care of? If only 1 that could get real iffy if someone doesn't tip that well for the week.

Typically they are responsible for 4-5 rooms each. 

11 minutes ago, barb in ga said:

Rahul assisted us several years ago on the Freedom of the Seas as concierge, and again on one of our Oasis class trips, I don't remember which one . He is without a doubt the best concierge we've ever experienced; his customer service, graciousness and personality were wonderful.

 

He helped us schedule a burial at sea for my brother's ashes. Very thoughtful and efficient.

Barb

Thanks Barb.  Appreciate your comments.

We sail on December 5th and received an email from our Genie on November 8th.  About a month prior to our sail off.   The email was detailed asking for our preferences for dining time, drinks, special reservation requests, etc.   This is pretty consistent timing compared to the other genies we have had pre-Covid.

Cheers.

Greetings to you all.

Our December 5th cruise is quickly coming up and we recently received our first email from our Royal Genie Rahul Barua.   This will be our 5th Star Class cruise and we are so looking forward to it after almost 2 years away.   Wondering if anyone has had Rahul as a genie and could tell me how your experience was.  So far I really like the detailed email that was sent compared to others in the past.  We will be staying in ATS 9330 along with our two kids, 12 and 16. The kids are very excited about the newly reimagined Oasis of the Seas.

Take care for now

Shawn

4 hours ago, TPgal said:

I think we all were; I am disappointed and know that I have fully achieved my 'grown up" card. Cancelling was a very tough decision.   I hope your trip goes off without a hitch.

 

A few of the considerations for us was that we were booked into an Inside and the idea of being confined to that space was giving me anxiety.    We booked onto a shorter cruise, but in a better cabin with a veranda. 

 

Secondly, we decided that since this is still such a new developing situation that the response can change daily.  Seeing that it doesn't take much for our gov't to keep a ship from docking we just couldn't risk it.

 

All that being said, there are plenty of ships at sea right now, and DCL seems to be on their A game when it comes to cleanliness   I genuinely hope you have a great time!

Thank you!  And same to you.  😊

We are sailing on Friday on the Magic and do not plan on cancelling unless they offer a full refund.  I think that the screening procedures will be very adequate and I would imagine that the cleaning will be top notch, as it always is on Disney.  We are very much looking forward to our cruise!

Hi there

Andres from the very start was absolutely amazing.  He went above and beyond our expectations. This was our 4th Star Class cruise and he was our kids favourite genie.  You will not be disappointed 

 PM me if you would like specifics on what he did for us.

Enjoy your trip!

27 minutes ago, lovescats5 said:

I would offer to let you know but we will be getting off when you are waiting to get on so not sure if I can get the time to post on this thread or not.  You will enjoy the Anthem activities as Star Class.  This will be our 5th Star Class trip and they are the only way we will travel on an Oasis or Quantum class ship.  Have fun. 

Thanks for the response.  So far he has been very responsive on our emails for our requests,  scheduling etc.   Enjoy your trip!

On 11/3/2019 at 3:23 PM, myraid said:

Hi.

We will be on Anthem of the Seas the week of December 1st 2019 and will be Star Class.  This will be our 4th Star Class cruise and first on the Anthem.   We are looking for reviews on our Royal Genie, Andres Villarreal but cannot find anything.  There are many other review on genies from the past and so we are speculating that he may be new.   If anyone has had him as their genie, can you please let us know what your thoughts were?

 

Thanks in advance,

Shawn

Anyone?????

Hi.

We will be on Anthem of the Seas the week of December 1st 2019 and will be Star Class.  This will be our 4th Star Class cruise and first on the Anthem.   We are looking for reviews on our Royal Genie, Andres Villarreal but cannot find anything.  There are many other review on genies from the past and so we are speculating that he may be new.   If anyone has had him as their genie, can you please let us know what your thoughts were?

Thanks in advance,

Shawn

We received the same email and we cruise on Dec 1.  But the South Beach cabanas are still available in the cruise planner which doesn't make any sense!

You will likely get some type of special access. Either private time or you do t wait in the normal line. Pay no attention to the other comment on this. The spirit of cruising is to meet other cruisers and enjoy time together but I doubt that other guy will pass up his escort on and off the ship so that he can wait in line with those that aren’t in suites. Take advantage of your perks. You paid for them. I will be in two months and did star class a year ago. It is awesome and enjoy.

Here here. Pay no attention. We have done SC twice and are booked again in December and I can tell you the guys that work the flow rider actually were telling my son to stand in the short line. He had a few other buddies as well that were SC. We even had our Genie get us to the front of the line for skating. I did not feel bad at all since it is encouraged.

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Was just on the Allure in December in a 2 bedroom ATS. Booked another one for December 2018 and was told they will still be Star Class now and in the future.

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We have done OTW 1 and B1. While OTW1 was very nice and a little more private, it was also more expensive. I personally will probably not pay $495 for an OTW cabana again. I thought B1 was just as nice for less money (I can't recall at the moment what the price for the beach cabana was, but I know it was less than $495).

 

Star Class guests get first crack at the Barefoot Beach cabanas so if you know which one you want, let the Genie know as soon as you can. Both times I've been in Star Class I have gotten my first cabana choice. We are going in Star Class again in September (Harmony, 9-16) and I think we may skip the cabana altogether this time. It seems like all we really do is take a nice nap there !

Thanks. Will take a look at the map to see which one we prefer. This will be our second Star Class adventure.

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We have done OTW 1 and B1. While OTW1 was very nice and a little more private, it was also more expensive. I personally will probably not pay $495 for an OTW cabana again. I thought B1 was just as nice for less money (I can't recall at the moment what the price for the beach cabana was, but I know it was less than $495).

 

Star Class guests get first crack at the Barefoot Beach cabanas so if you know which one you want, let the Genie know as soon as you can. Both times I've been in Star Class I have gotten my first cabana choice. We are going in Star Class again in September (Harmony, 9-16) and I think we may skip the cabana altogether this time. It seems like all we really do is take a nice nap there !

Hilarious. Thanks for the advice. This will be our first time at Labadee. Will let the wife decide which one she wants as I too look forward to just take a nap while my kids frolic.

Cheers

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Thanks everyone. Very helpful.

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Thanks all. I will wait then and contact the Genie when the time comes. Can anyone recommend a nice cabana? Over water vs land? Over water worth the extra cost?

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Hi all

We will sailing once again on Allure this year in our favourite 2 bdrm ATS suite and the itinerary has us stopping at Labadee. My question is, we will want to book a cabana but not sure if we should do this on our own or our Genie will arrange to get us one.

Any thoughts/recommendations?

Cheers

Shawn

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So we have Susan Flannery as our Genie on the Allure for Jun 11-18. She's already been great with the communication. Has anyone had Susan as their Genie? Any words of wisdom, or want me to say hi to her from you?

 

 

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We had Susan in December and she was great. Very sweet with us and our two kids. We were also in a 2 bdrm ATS room and loved it. Take a look at my review. We will be back in the same room on Allure this December and will likely get Susan again.

Please tell her the Knox family says hi.

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I sail May 14 on Allure. I received email yesterday from Genie Susan.

We had Susan as our Genie back in December on the Allure and I can tell you she is fantastic. Very thorough and detailed oriented. Have her again this December as well.

Enjoy!

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