dunrobbin

22 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

They hold back inventory 

So they very possibly have hundreds of rooms, but are just showing a few so you think you better grab one quick smart?  Very sneaky....

G'day,

When you go into book a Royal Caribbean cruise, even in 2026, they only show a couple of cabins on only a couple of different decks being available.

Any one know why?

Is there a way to see how full cruise ships are at any time?

Thanks Robby

15 hours ago, ILCTCRUISER said:

Astoria!   Four words for all on board:  BOWPICKER FISH AND CHIPS!

The Goonies!!

On 4/23/2024 at 4:27 PM, DFWPalm said:

Crazy.  What a waste.  4 night western pacific. 

So the cruise is still going, but  4 nights at sea only?

23 hours ago, TeeRick said:

If you are really eager for the snacks in the Suite Lounge then just go have some at 5PM and go to dinner a bit later?  Maybe 5:30?

If you are late they give your table away to my time diners.

SOMEONE WAY UP THEIR      COMMENTED THAT MORE PEOPLE WERE LEARNING THE CASINO TRICK TO GETTING FREE CRUISES. 

CAN'T FIND THE POST NOW.  CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN THE SECRET TO THE CASINO FREE CRUISES? 

THANKS!

Hubby and I are going Fulltime in an Motorhome in a few months, when we retire.

We are leaving from Canada and plan to see as much of North America as we can in the next few years.

Love cruising, even with the issues abound with food and service.

We hope to pickup last minute cruises as we travel around the coastline. (If we can afford it!!)

Does anyone have a magic formula for finding these very last minute cruise gems?

I do check out the 90 Day Ticker from Vacations to go.

Has anyone dealt with Royal on the phone looking for last minute?

Any advice you can share would be appreciated!

Thanks Robby

8 hours ago, DawnGail said:

The RCCL offer of a 9 day cruise to Hawaii with no stops is what I was asking about.  The Quantum 13 day cruise was supposed to stop in Victoria, Seattle, San Francisco, Kauai.  The 9 day stops in Honolulu for a day and then we cruise again for two days and then end up back in Honolulu.  Each port stop costs the cruise line - how can they justify a 9 day cruise with no stops for the same price?  RCCL are not prepared to do anything about it so I guess I have to let it go and hope for a great cruise!

Totally agree. You are being offered a shorter cruise, with less ports. I would be very unhappy as well!

Royal doesn't give a rats about its customers anymore.

In years gone by they would have offered a small cruise credit to make up for the inconvenience as well.

Now the only ones they care about are their shareholders.

On 2/12/2024 at 9:53 AM, cruisenewb1 said:

I’ve seen a few posts complaining that food has deteriorated since the restart but then there will always be those who enjoy complaining whatever the truth of the situation.

 

In general what are people’s opinions? Is there a noticeable change?

 

I’m sailing on Mariner but I suspect any change will be fleetwide if real.

Windjammer food was totally changed from our last cruise.  Love a salad with a scoop of shrimp for lunch.  The salad was minimal in variety and style. There was no shrimp on any day of the 7 we were onboard.  The food was best described  as ordinary.  I was very disappointed.

5 hours ago, GJustice said:

We've never had issues with the Scootaround 3 wheelers. They're pretty massive machines.

Can you tell me approximately the cost of the scooter rental?

13 hours ago, LindaD22 said:

We are doing a NZ cruise from Sydney next month. I know that tipping is just not part of the culture in either country, but I’m surprised to hear that this extends to the cruise itself. We also prepay gratuities, but will give extra to our cabin steward and wait staff, along with the deserving bartender who gives us excellent service. 
 

But, if I’m understanding you correctly, tipping is not done as well on board? I guess I assumed that since the ship’s staff is international and being compensated in line with other RCI ships outside of Australia (I assume), then it would be the same as if we were on a Caribbean cruise. 

Tips are actually hidden within the cruise cost when you book out of Australia.

10 hours ago, Debgra6057 said:

Then why don't the cruise lines pay their staff a decent minimum wage? Why call it a tip anyway if it is not compulsory, only suggested.  Maybe they should just include the figures into the fares and be done with it, divide the percentage up for staff later after the cruise.  I'm not going on with this any  longer.  There are a lot of people who don't pay gratuities, they just don't want to be known.  I understand the reasoning behind it, but just have not known tipping as a usual part of everyday life.

Lets just agree to disagree, as is our right to. And sorry if I have offended anybody out there.

As an Aussie living in Canada, I believe the "Tipping" culture in North America is off the wall!  All companies are expecting us to pay their employees for them,  with our tips. Pay your staff a living wage and drop the whole painful tipping nightmare!

You buy a sub, and the machine asks for a 15% tip.   It's beyond crazy!

1 hour ago, schooner_Drinker said:

 

@BecciBoo

If you are doubting if my post is authentic 

I’m not sure what you are doubting 

I only post facts and don’t speculate 

Please quantify your comment

 

Looking at Celebrity Xcel and the retreat in a Royal Suite is cheaper than most of the SKY class and Star class suites on STAR 

 

Nancy 

 

He is NOT DOUBTING your post is authentic by the way.

2 hours ago, Mum2Mercury said:

I don't know how to judge whether Indian food is healthy or not.  It contains so many ingredients that aren't obvious to the eye.  

My buffet trick is to use a larger plate and fill it 50% with a really good salad.  Then I add a piece of chicken or fish.  No potatoes, fries, rice or other starches.  That's what I have for lunch on a ship pretty much every day -- perfect for those of us who eat low-carb.  

Our last cruise did not have really good salad, in any way, shape or form.  Lettuce Tomato cucumber peppers onion.  No specialty salads, no shrimp, or chicken to add to it. Good luck!

On 11/1/2023 at 6:10 PM, PompeySailor said:

I just tipped my mailman for delivering my daily post 

Now I know in the future my mail will be delivered as usual, with a ribbon on it 😜

 

Forgot to add - I love tipping threads 🍿 

Awwww  and we only get an elastic band around ours!

You may be able to book it with another private company that also does the tour.

Ships are all over capacity right now so, its not surprising. 

Thought Dining was at 5pm  and 8pm,  not 6pm

No,  With the overwhelming flight delays, baggage delays I would never fly in the day of my cruise.

Always the day before.

1 hour ago, ace2542 said:

I cancelled on the 11th Oct when it went cheaper for the Anthem T/A. BOTH payments have been taken out of my account but the cancellation has not yet been refunded.

Short term money market is paying right now. Call and check why they are taking so long.

10 hours ago, joeyancho said:

Did you remove the gratuity?  Only 2 is an outrage. 

LOL No we did not!  Sad though as we love getting them 🙂

On 8/21/2023 at 12:00 PM, GimmeOcean said:

The menus showing in the app for our Dec. Anthem cruise are decidedly uninspiring.

 

I hope something changes before we sail or I see us spending most nights at Windjammer.

Sadly, the Windjammer is worse than the MDR. Very  few choices and similar every night.

TA's do a lot of work booking, and if you cancel, they get nothing from the cruise line.  Maybe it is a TA fee?

I am an Aussie, and we do not have the same tipping culture as in North America.

Thank goodness! 

I live in Toronto Canada, and find the tipping becoming a total joke!  You buy lunch take-away at the mall and the debit machine asks if you want to give a 20% tip!!  For what?  Dipping some food from the container onto a plastic plate and handing it to me?

If you own a business, pay your staff yourself!    You make the profit, and if its not enough profit, then get the hell out of that business!

If you own a business in Australia, it is your responsibility to pay your staff.

1:  Enough salary, so they do not leave your workplace,  and take a different job.  It is not up to your customers to pay your staff.  

After my last Cruise in May, I am really going to rethink the auto Grats I have always paid. 

So many things were below acceptable standard, starting with the very sad food in the buffet every single day.  The lack of choices in the MDR.  Royal dropped the standard of everything, and then also want me to pay their staff?

Royal should pay their staff a living wage themselves!  I understand that cruise  prices would go up.

I would prefer it.  

In a Grand suite last May for 7 nights cruise to Alaska.  Got 2 Towel animals only.    

1 hour ago, BecciBoo said:

Bingo!

 

The official definition according the the National Dairy Association: Half and half is simply a mixture of equal parts whole milk and cream

 

Everyone will, and should, make their choices as they seem fit.

 

Of course.

 

Believe it or not back in the day my Grandaddy used evaporated milk (that's tinned milk to you brits) in his coffee and I grew up loving it, still do on occasion, anything that comes from a cow is just OK with me.  Sorta like bacon, gotta love it!

 

 

They all still use evaporated milk  in Newfoundland in both tea and coffee,  eeewwww