GlasgowCruiser01

Pretty sure Ricky joins Odyssey in November when the ship goes to Bayonne.

Not sure if Ana sticks around until then though.

23 minutes ago, denamo said:

Any updates if Captain Johnny is back on the Harmony?  If not, who is serving as captain?

Johnny is unlikely to ever return to Harmony, he'll probably get another ship soon when ready.

52 minutes ago, MJonTravel said:

According to his X/Twitter, Captain Johnny picked up his Harley in Galveston and drove it to Florida last month. I don't have any way to know, but I expect we'll see him appear on one of the Florida based ships at some point if he's going to return, and I can't help but think that he will.

He's also removed Harmony from his Twitter bio so he's definitely not going back there! I agree that he'll be on a Florida ship (likely an Oasis Class or Icon Class).

Bit surprised Icon is being covered by a totally new CD.

1 hour ago, harryfat1 said:

On the way to the 270 theater, we saw this guy doing a video for the daily cruise news and he waived and said hi to me after he saw me taking a picture of him

 

 

 

That was Tristan the Activities Manager. He was fantastic, should be Cruise Director one day. Was definitely a fun cruise with him & Ricky running the show.

Maybe Johnny was initially lined up for Icon but his year out due to illness forced RCI to change it to someone else. Hopefully he gets Star if he's interested in that class.

Always been Oasis Class, they just have so much to offer. I will say though that I've done them quite a few times and it's gotten a little stale (particularly Harmony), sometimes it's nice to switch it up and I really enjoyed Quantum Class. Wouldn't say they are my favourite, and Odyssey is definitely better than Anthem, but fundamentally they are still big ships whilst offering something different.

I have done Radiance, Freedom, Vision & Voyager Class before, but all several years ago so not recent experiences. I was only a child when on Vision Class and it didn't suit us at the time, now as an adult, I'd be open to giving them another try. The other 3 classes are what made me fall in love with cruising, so good memories with them.

In good condition. I personally quite like the older decor as well. Freedom Class looks dated, but Oasis (and Allure) look fine to me.

The one thing I'd mention that was dated was the plug sockets. Newer ships have more plug sockets, often one near the bed and often both European & American. The only socket in my cabin on Oasis was quite a distance from the bed which I found annoying.

Are you aware of the dangers of being in mainland Haiti?

Sorry to be late but can confirm it was Captain Per on Odyssey 12/23, must have been a mistake in the app. He's pretty good. Odyssey is a happy ship so that says something about those running it.

Sailing Odyssey on Saturday, a few of the activities on the app are listed as being with Captain Sindre. I thought he'd left OY but nice surprise if he's still there. Will let you know when I hear who it is on sailaway.

Whoever it is, I'm glad they do Captains Corner unlike some!

I think it will be a decade until we say goodbye to the full class. There's still 4 left and they haven't announced the sale of any of them yet. I think towards the end of the 2020s/early 2030s, they'll sell Grandeur, Rhapsody & Vision, probably leaving Enchantment around a little bit longer.

19 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

On Odyssey now and at yesterdays D+ lunch with officers I asked and he said he’s going to Utopia

Good stuff. Utopia will be in great hands!

Wonder where Captain Sindre is going then as based on the list, it would appear Captain Marek takes his spot. Perhaps rotating Utopia with Captain Gus?

Wow - Royal has really given up on the UK. Indy doing ONE longer cruise, and nothing else over 9 nights. Now I would like to do the Norwegian Fjords cruise before that option is out, but overall such a disappointment and makes me question their decisions. Nobody is going to want a sailing where half of it is sea days through Biscay or just doesn't get anywhere warm period.

Caroline Peters was assistant to Joff Eaton many years ago, thought she had left Royal.

Seems like we're going through a generational shift of CDs at the moment - lots of new names, especially compared to the list 5 years ago.

Just off Harmony - Cory was leaving for vacation today. Not sure of the replacement. He was a good CD. Had a great AM and Cruise Staff team as well.

1 hour ago, PG_Cruiser said:

I just had a chat with Joao Ribeiro. He told me that Marc Walker will be taking over on Navigator on September 11th, not the 4th.  
 

I’ve reached out to Marc Walker… no reply yet.

Probably a handover for Marc.

2 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Did you get fresh squeezed OJ, specialty coffee, or soda?

 

Never, only had water on the ship.

Just debarked from Harmony and checking my final statement, I have multiple beverage charges for a place called "The Grande". I have absolutely no idea what these are. I don't drink, I would never buy anything from the bars onboard so I don't know what these are. I understand that part of the dining room is called The Grande, again I never visited there either.

Anyone know what these are?

It's definitely Captain James on Harmony (didn't get his surname but I assume MacDonald - from Tampa Bay). Just off and unfortunately was unimpressed - I trust every Captain employed by Royal to be good at the job, however a lack of Captain's Corner shows (to me) a disinterest in guests.

In addition, the tongue clicking noise he makes before every announcement is immensely grating, I really wish he would be more mindful of people who are sensitive to noises. Missed Captain Gus Andersson who was on Harmony before. But still a great cruise.

Hi from Harmony - Cory Rogers still here as CD! Activities Manager is Neil from Brazil, who I believe appeared in the CD list a couple of months ago, he looked familiar.

1 hour ago, twangster said:

 

So basically once CocoCay got a pier, SOU lost a ship.  Coincidence? 

Most definitely not a coincidence since they took out Independence from Southampton in 2020 for that very reason - more CocoCay runs (though obviously never happened in the end).

As someone who has cruised with Royal since I was a child and had fully intended to give them my business for decades to come (being of the 'younger' generation they would do well to target), I'm beginning to get quite unnerved by the direction that the company is taking, and it's only been happening in the last few years, ever since Jason Liberty replaced Richard Fain as CEO. The Sorrento's nonsense from this week is particularly concerning, as the late night snack options need to get better, not worse. And there are just endless complaints about food and endless cutbacks.

Some of that can be attributed to COVID but ships have been back for 2 years now and that excuse is gradually wearing off for me. It appears that Mr. Liberty wants more cutbacks and maximum revenue at the expense of a cruiser's experience, so I can't help but wonder if Royal needs to change their CEO ASAP to avoid further alienating their regular customers. Otherwise I'm concerned as to what Royal will look like this time in a decade.

It's almost impossible to find anything to eat for free beyond 9pm. The food has already been an issue for me in the last couple of years on Royal and this would be a terrible change, it's already difficult enough.

Jason Liberty really is the worst thing to happen to Royal.

Just now, rletcher33 said:

Sailing on Harmony today 8/12/23 and we have Captain James. It sounded like James McDonald not James Nazar.

Whoever it is, they need to hold a Captain's Corner session on the 8/26 sailing, it seems missing from the activities on the app.