sandyh422

Previously the only shows that could be reserved were Hairspray (now Cats), Come Fly With Me, Oasis of Dreams, and the ice skating show. The Headliner Showtime shows did not require reservations. Just show up!

I just cruised on the Oasis on Nov 22 and was able to reserve the headliner show several months in advance.

Cruise Planner does not list a headliner show on this sailing, however, there seem to be added performances of Cats. I have read other posts for january 2015 sailings in which there is also no headliner show listed. Does anyone have any idea of what is happening with the headliner shows?

We have 12330 booked for 4. Is that going to be possible? Can you report back whether the new smaller sofa will be a big enough for two?

The room steward did not explain what a smaller sofa might be. Hopefully, someone staying in that suite in the coming weeks can provide that information or post some photos.

Thanks for the info, I'll stay with a Jr. Suite.

I had 12330 and 12730 booked in several future cruises which I have just cancelled and booked a standard GS. My concern after going through 12330 is the sofa bed for our 3rd person. When I pointed out to the steward that there was no room to unfold the sofa bed, she replied that they would have to replace it with a smaller bed. Another concern was storage space for 3 persons. Perhaps, 11330 and 11730 have larger sitting rooms with more storage and will work out fine.

I would highly recommend booking the CL suite. In addition to the space and the great decorating, the CL is so close to the Suite Lounge. We were in a CL this past week and absolutely loved the Suite Lounge and the Coastal Kitchen. Additionally all of the staff go out of their way to make you fell special.

We asked the room steward about the sofa bed. She said that a smaller couch will be brought into the room. If the sofa bed is extended for sleeping looks like it would take up most of that small room. Now I am wondering what 14330 is like if 12330 is so small. I had booked 11330 and 12330 in several reservations and have just cancelled all of them.

Before leaving the Oasis this morning, we walked through the new GS - 12330. What a disappointment. They have divided the suite into 2 rooms, both of which are small. The sitting area is so small that one could not open up the sofa bed. Also very limited storage. The only nice thing about this stateroom was the wrap around balcony. However, the balcony furniture consisted of 2 chairs--no table or lounger.

Is it safe to leave item suchs as cameras, phones etc in a barefoot beach cabana while in water or at the buffet?

Forty people did not want to dine together. We were all in small groups of 4, 6, 8, etc. All of our small groups tried to get into different venues and everyone was having problems. The anytime dining was a nightmare for some of my friends who tried to get a time anywhere between 7:00 to 8:30. One group of 4 was told when they called in the morning that all reservations were taken and they would have to show up and see what time they could be seated. When they showed up at 7:30 they were told it would be at least an hour wait. Some of our friends who couldn't get a table in the MDR at a time between 7- 8:30 decided that the buffet was the easiest way to go...but they weren't happy. One group of ten found that the only option for their size group was to book the gourmet dinner...very pricey...but they loved it and they were able to dine together! It just was a very difficult dining situation for many people...and the food in the MDR isn't very good. As I said before, we have been with a large group of friends on other Inaugural cruises and never experienced the dining problems that this inaugural cruise had. The Allure has many more passengers than The Regal and that Inaugural was a pleasure.

We tried to book a speciality restaurant as soon as we boarded the ship and were told that all 3nights were completely booked. The maitre d put us on a cancellation list but never contacted us. This was extremely disappointing as we brought friends to whom we had bragged on how good the specialty restaurants were.

Bottom line for us - we will not sail on Princess again but instead will stay with the Oasis and Allure of the Seas where we can book specialty restaurants in advance and be guaranteed a place. Also, their entertainment is the best with headliner shows that were outstanding.

Enjoyed Charo's show and the Love Boat Q&A. However, we did not enjoy Fiera as it seemed to be only contemporary music rather than some representative music form the 50's, 60's, 70's, etc. The 2nd show had more of a variety of music but still not totally to our liking.

Flame me if you like but this is my opinion.

We are going back to RCL where we can make reservations for dining and shows and where entertainment is more professional.

Has any one ever reserved these cabanas on Cruise Planner in advance of the sailing? I am getting different answers from the customer service agents at RCCL about the RCCL policy. One agent told me that the only way to reserve one is through the concierge on the ship on day of sailing. Another agent said they can be reserved in advance on Cruise Planner. Also, there have been some posts from people who say they emailed the concierge in advance and received confirmations. I have several bookings on Oasis in a GS--1 in 3, 9 and 12 months I have inquired on each one, and agents tell me that on all of those sailing cabanas are sold out.

Any clarification would be appreciated.

That would have the unfortunate side effect of preventing aid workers and supplies from getting to the affected areas, since any aid flights would end up being one way for the plane, pilots, and crew (not to mention that the halting of all imports and exports would further cripple the economies of those countries).

If commercial flights are banned, humanitarian workers and supplies could be sent via military planes.

As for the economy of those affected countries, how about our economy here in the US? If people are fearful of traveling on planes, cruises, etc, that could have a very significant effect on our own economy.

We have sailed with Celebrity for the past 6 years on M class and S class ships and enjoyed the cruises. however, once we sailed on the Allure and Oasis, we were hooked and will probably not go back to Celebrity due to the wider range of entertainment options. We found in taking our children and grandchildren that these 2 ships offered something for every age group, and everyone in our party absolutely loved the cruises. I highly recommend Royal over Celebrity for families.

Celebrity frequently has the 1, 2 ,3 offer and it will be on the 1st page of the site. Often, though, you can only choose 1 option from the 3 offered. however, on a 7 day european cruise I got the premium beverage package plus $400 OBC.

I guess I don't get it, if that's what the policy is then accept it or move on (lots of other lines out there with perks not even close to RCCL). Its still a $200 Loyalty perk that the other guy isn't getting, plus I assume this is the Diamond discount, so with your 3 drink coupons that's another up to $168. What is the total price of the cruise? 2k? 3K? and we're all upset over $25?

 

$2000 cruise $368 in Loyalty savings=$18% savings

$3000 cruise $368 in Loyalty savings=$12% savings

(Not counting the loaded coupons)

 

I don't know, I think that's still pretty good. :)

 

I guess I don't sweat what I think is the small stuff.....:rolleyes:

 

It's 25 bucks......it's really not worth the aggravation (IMHO) of course:cool:

The amount lost - $25 - is a small drop in the bucket for my cruise for 2 that cost well over $5,000. For me it is the principal - this was not a new booking - it retains same booking # with only change being an upgrade to a more expensive suite. I agree with others on this board that RCI is nickel and dining us.

I do disagree with this quote from the poster above (lots of other lines out there with perks not even close to RCCL).

We sail Celebrity and Princess also and have received equal and often better benefits.

For instance Princess offers a military discount to anyone who has served and has an honorable discharge .

$50 to 250 based on the length of the cruise.

Onboard booking credit of $100 when future cruise certificate is purchased (same as RC

All fares are discounted for past passengers and during promotions OBC per person is $100 and up.

I have an upcoming 3 day cruise on Princess in a mini suite with a discounted total fare of $900 for 2 and a $300 OBC.

We are elites on Celebrity which is the same as diamond status and receive the same complimentary drinks that RC offers. Celebrity has frequent promotions in which they offer a choice of free classic beverage pkg ($65 per day on RC), free gratuities or OBC. A while back I had a 7 day European cruise in which I received $400 OBC and the free classic drink package.

Both Celebrity and Princess provide a value discount coupon book also

For me it is the principal - this was not a new booking - it retains same booking # with only change being an upgrade to a bigger suite. I agree with others on this board that RCI is nickel and diming us.

If this is their new policy, they need to state it in black and white. I have no problem when I find the rules and exceptions stated. However, I am somewhat doubtful when a customer service agent tells me that is just the way it is when a booking is repriced.

I am aware of the rule (225 out side of 6 months and 200 inside of 6 months). What surprised me was that my c & a discount (225) I received 9 months ago was reduced to 200 after an upgrade from JS to CL (I am 2 months from sailing). RC agent said this is correct, so I guess I have to accept it and move on.

This is our first time in a loft suite and would like to reserve a barefoot beach cabana on Labadee. We have learned that they cannot be booked on line but instead must be booked by concierge. Found an email address for the concierge on our ship (Oasis), sent an email and never got a reply. Our cruise date is nov 22 so perhaps it is still too early. Has anyone had any luck recently in contacting the concierge to book a BB cabana? Or if you were able to reserve a BB cabana, how did you do it?

Thanks in advance.

We have 2 cabins booked and linked in the system- -- a loft suite and a junior suite. If the passengers in the loft suite purchase a barefoot beach cabana, can the passengers from the junior suite use the cabana and that beach.

Is a suite passenger able to get cokes, etc that would normally be covered on the drink packages?

Also, what type of alcoholic drinks are available in the lounge during the evening?

The inaugural Oasis transatlantic. Couldn't think of a better, more equipped ship to do this crossing. Wow what a journey we are having! Have had mill pond conditions, warm sunny days and sultry evenings. Our first Grand Suite experience, what a way to go ;). Would recommend to everyone to do this at least once in a lifetime. Arriving in Malaga in 2 days.

How is the entertainment both during the day and in the evening?

Suggest booking online with Jaital Tours. R/T cost is $14. They pick-up at the cruise terminal in an A/C van and bring you back at whatever time you arrange. We have used them a couple of times and highly recommend.

One person in our group is worried about not getting back to the ship on time. Were they prompt in picking you up?

We are arriving in Falmouth. Is it possible to take a one way taxi to this beach and then pick up another one way taxi back to the port without arranging for a tour?

I will be sailing on the Regal in November. Can anyone tell me which cruise director and deputy cruise director are currently on the Regal?

We have recently sailed on the Oasis and the Allure. Last year we sailed on the new Royal Princess.

Pros of the Royal Princess:

Mini suite had a larger bathrooms and walk in close.

The room has 2 televisions

Alfredos pizza restaurant was outstanding.

The piazza is beautiful and just a great place to enjoy a drink, dessert or a gelato while watching entertainment all day long.

there was great production show in the theatre as well as games shows and lounge singers throughout the day and night.

Cons for Royal Princess

There was some crowding at elevators due to a bad design.

The casino was much too small for the number go passengers on the ship.

The pros of the Oasis and Allure

This ship is good for multi-generational families as the

entertainment and activities was suitable for all age groups.

These ships are much more suitable for children than Princess.

This ship also offered many entertainment choices and have unique shows such as the aqua and ice skating shows..

Cons of Oasis and Allure

The bathrooms in the balcony cabins are way too small and the closets are barely adequate.

Some restaurants such as the pizza place and park cafe were often very crowded.

bottom line - when DH and I are cruising we usually do Princess. When our family is going with us, we do the Oasis or Allure

I'm confused. It sounds like you made out well by booking in advance. So why no more?

I did make out well on these 2 specific cruises compared to their current prices as I booked them in April of this year . However, looking now to book additional cruises in 2015, I am seeing extremely high prices. I can understand prices going up by a few hundred dollars but when they escalate a thousand dollars or more with a good supply of available cabins, I will not book.

I think like all sailings/itineraries available every year it really depends on what sailing you are researching. For example, West Coast Jewel interior & ocean views have gone up quite a bit, and especially since BOGOHO, but there are a ton of cabins left so I don't buy the supply & demand argument. Same with 2016/16 Caribbean itineraries on Serenade/Vision/Brilliance are waaaay up with a plenty of cabins. My Quantum sailing did not go up at all in December. My Europe sailing in Sept has very few cabins and prices have skyrocketed. My Legend sailing next March has many cabins that stayed available throughout the sale and is actually down slightly in price now after BOGOHO!

 

I follow prices obsessively for the last 3-4 years especially... I don't understand the current pricing and I truly don't believe it's supply & demand at all. These are the highest prices I've ever seen hands down. I can't put my finger on it. It's almost like they need to justify their recent 2-3 months of massive sales to re-enforce to the public to buy at a frenzy en-mass when there is a supposed sale... I just don't know.

 

RCL pricing is currently much higher than all other mass market lines in the Caribbean and making the luxury liners (with free alcohol, free excursions, free airfare, 2 for 1 pricing ie. Oceana, Azamara) in Eurpoe on other exotic locations look like a real value in comparison.

I agree completely. A booking I made in April of this year is now $1100 higher than when I booked. Same thing with a Thanksgiving 2014 cruise t - $1200. And I see that in both cases there are quite a few cabins available. No more booking in advance for me, I will do last minute sailings if these prices continue or go to another cruise line.