okiecruiser71

Homeless people do that in the ghetto. I would be appalled to see that on a cruise ship. If you were in a cabin next to me I would complain.:mad:

Nobody should ever doubt that. A default position for you in all probability.

I'm not sure I've ever read a review of a Christmas cruise that was positive, however, most of the time it's due to unrealistic expectations rather than broken legs.

Its the best on any line.

Easy there, chief. That's a little over the top.

My wife and I are taking her mother on the Navigator in a couple of weeks and I was curious if there were any other options for lunch after we board?

This is my mother in law's first cruise and I'm not sure I want her first impressions to be influenced by the buffet madness.

This is an RCL board so it's going to skew heavily to RCL.

I've been on Fantasy twice. Both were family trips and both were excellent experiences. We've sampled most of the mass market lines and Disney's MDR food is by far and away the best with the possible exception of Celebrity. I suspect Disney spends more per customer on food than the other lines do. Their dining venues are impressive, especially Animator's Palate. Additionally soft drinks are included in your cruise price which isn't a big deal to everyone, but some people like that.

Their shows are also more impressive than anything I've seen on any other line. I also like that you can watch first run movies on DCL ships, even in 3D.

The cabins on Fantasy are well appointed and the split bathroom is useful.

The other items like the Aqua Duck is something that really can't be found on any other line. We saw kids of all ages riding it and I made a point to ride it many times over our 2 cruises with them and I am over 40.

Disney's private island is also pretty amazing.

With all that being said it is Disney so you will pay for it. I have not been on their older ships so I can't speak to what that experience is like but I have heard great things about Magic and Wonder.

There's lots to like about both lines but I think Disney is a slightly more premium experience, that you definitely pay for.

Did I say I wouldn't complain? No, to the contrary, I said that their wait was indeed long. But that I also would expect that with a new opening. No need to be a rude lout.

No need to be quite so obtuse, either.

Because I make the (quite reasonable) statement that any restaurant in its early stages will undoubtedly have problems with decor, staffing knowledge, and the like, I'm drinking RCI kool-aid? I'd say you're very MUCH, MUCH, MUCH a little bit of a drama queen. I do concur that OP's wait was much - and I would have complained too. Just as my wife and I complained when we had to wait 20 minutes after finishing our meals before having to flag down a server to get our checks (OMG I complained! They may cut off my RCI kool-aid!:rolleyes:). But pointing out that Sabor is a new concept and some amount of growing pains should be expected. I never expect a new restaurant to have a 100% smooth service. Similarly I wouldn't swear off specialty dining forever because of poor service at ONE restaurant at ONE ship "several" years ago. That too, is being a bit overdramatic.

I'd love to see you sit there for 30 minutes with no drinks, no food and no service and maintain the phony baloney sunny side up no matter what demeanor.

Any person with at least 2 working synapses in their brain would have been highly annoyed by this. Get real.

You apparently missed thread started by a passenger who was outraged that he had to spend time waiting in line to claim his suitcase that contained wine instead of booze. Terribly upset that not only did he not get an apology but also had to haul his heavy bag back to his cabin.

Yeah I saw it and didn't get it. To me, as a smuggler in the past, you do it with the knowledge that you may be called out on it. To get mad that you "lost" in the smuggling game is pretty weak sauce. Take it like a man.

Not sure that it is strictly necessary, but it is recommended and preferred. I think the two main concerns with putting it your checked luggage is possible breakage and that you will likely be called down to do a luggage inspection with security on board to confirm that it is only wine. We just usually use a small wheel bag for our carry on stuff and put it in there - not as convenient as having it check in for you but not that difficult.

Likely is maybe a bit strong in this case. Odds are you won't be called down there, especially if it is wine which has a very distinctive look compared to vodka in an sealed bottle of water or green tinted whiskey trying to pass for mouth wash. You're allowed to bring the win, not the booze.

Interesting. I guess it's a case of different strokes for different folks. I would be happy to see an a la carte restaurant on board, so long as I felt the quality was commensurate with the charges.

 

I think part of it is thought process. I've never looked at cruising as all inclusive. I've looked at the cost of a cruise providing the accommodations I select and the amenities of the ship. I honestly don't think about the "built in cost" of dinner (I will admit I do for breakfast and most lunches). Maybe I should, but it's just not that way I think about it. As such, I don't feel the angst others do when I see more potential upcharges.

 

Maybe that makes me a sucker in some people's eyes. And maybe it means I'm not as responsible with my money as I should be.

 

I'm comfortable spending money as long as I am happy with what I get for it. And that metric is true for everyone. However everyone has a different tolerance and expectation.

 

But like I said, different strokes for different folks...

I've never viewed cruising as all inclusive either and in fact when people who have never been on a cruise ask me about that I make sure they know that this is a common misconception.

You made my point for me with this sentence:"I'm comfortable spending money as long as I am happy with what I get for it."

Couldn't agree more. I think where we will have to agree to disagree is on whether or not the lines continue to chip away at that value at their SD venues. It's pretty clear to me that they are.

But in the interest of full disclosure I am booked at Chops for my upcoming Navigator cruise.

I respect that view. I guess I wonder this: How would you feel about a specialty dining venue that was a la carte instead of a single cover?

I absolutely wouldn't be interested. I can do that at home at restaurants that are as good or better than Chops. It would cost more than Chops, but the direction the lines are moving in suggests that may not always be the case.

I loved the concept of specialty dining when it was introduced and have eaten at SD venue on practically every cruise I've been on. However, I will re-evaluate that as lines continue to reduce the value the customer gets when they pay the cover.

There are a LOT of things RCCL does of which I am far from being a fan.

 

However, I have heard people on here rail hard against the existence of specialty restaurants at all. Arguing that their presence may negatively affect the quality of the included dining options. While I don't agree with their objection, I at least see the rational. But I am having a little trouble with being okay with an upcharge for a premium meal, but saying an additional upcharge for an even more premium option is objectionable.

 

As far as lamenting or being enthusiastic.... Are they now charging more for things that used to be included? Or are they charging more for options that didn't previously exist?

I think what people are objecting to is that when you plunk down $30, $40 or even $75 on Disney for a specialty restaurant there is a level of expectation that you're getting something special in return for your money.

The concept of paying the cover, and then having to pay an additional fee for items that might have been included in years past tends to rub most (normal) people the wrong way.

Generally people do not like being nickled and dimed, even if they are willing to pay a premium for a higher quality experience compared to a MDR.

I'm not sure why this is so hard to grasp.

Lets see, let me figure this out. Being refunded 50% off this cruise and 50% off the next. Isn't that the cost of a free cruise?

How do you know those not sick had a ruined vacation?

There's nothing this company does that you would find fault with is there?

I've officially seen and heard it all with this whopper.

Good grief.

Ditto!!!! If you can't afford the insurance then you really can't afford to cruise. Sorry but that is reality.

 

A program as suggested would only raise the cruise fares of others since someone must pay for it. We always buy insurance and would not appreciate cruise fare increases due to such an idea being implemented.

I can afford to cruise and I can afford the insurance and yet I still don't get it. I like to live dangerously, and I know the companies that offer the policies will literally do everything and anything they can to keep from paying out one cent to anyone making a claim. The horror stories I have heard when it comes to dealing with those companies match anything I've heard from those not purchasing the insurance.

I saw a school of hammer heads there last year. Be careful.

Simple question: Are the machines on the Navigator, or will they be after its dry dock?

Terrific review and kudos to your girlfriend for being cool enough to let you cruise solo.

I don't care about the tax (or Texas, outside of Big Bend country) but what I do care about is being inconvenienced by lines created by the collection. Those with nothing to declare shouldn't have to deal with someone else's own personal wants and needs. Smoke away, but just get hell out of my way, please.

Also, a good way to beat the disembarkation **** show in Galveston is to do the self assisted disembarkation. We did that last year coming off Crown Princess and it was very smooth. You avoid a great deal of annoyance by doing that which is well worth the price of getting up early.