NittanyLioness

Thanks to all for the info! It’s really appreciated! 😃

Thanks so much for the info HicksRA! Happy cruising! 😀

Hello all!

It’s been a while since I’ve booked a cruise on RC. Prior to COVID, I would sign-in to my C&A account to select my Embarkation Day “gift”preferences.
 

Tonight I don’t see any link to do so, and the fine print says to “call” the Loyalty Ambassador phone number.
 

Is this correct? Does anyone have a current list of D+ choices? 
 

Thanks in advance…So excited about cruising again!!

As a female Night Owl (Night Owless?) who has cruised a fair bit, I've never sailed ANY Royal Caribbean ship that didn't have a "Disco/Club."

It's incorrect to say that any RCCL ship "did away" with its Club...They just changed the venue to the Viking Crown! Check your Daily Compass for "Music" and look for the late night DJ. That's where the Club is!

As previously mentioned, one night of your cruise there might be a "Wear White Party" in the Solarium or a "Dancing Under the Stars Party" at the Pool .

Frankly, I hated the Goth, two-story clubs on Voyager/Freedom class ships: Bold, bright "black lights" around the lower bar making some people's teeth glow yellow, absolute darkness in the seated section, and "creepers" looking down at you from above the dance floor. Yuck!

Viking Crown is a much better venue...Softer lighting, great views, good music, and a more challenging Dance Floor...The higher up, the more motion of the ocean!

My favorite Disco/Clubs are on the Radiance Class ships: Brilliance, Jewel, etc. for the 360 degree rotating bar in the Viking Crown. I can't tell you how much fun it is to be sitting "still" at the bar, yet being able to check out the entire club! If they have the time, the bartenders sometimes tease patrons who visit the restroom, by rotating the bar 180 degrees...There's a little confusion upon their return!

Your mileage may vary!

Happy cruising!

NittanyLioness (aka Night Owless)

Although wearing a bathrobe in public is not MY particular style, it doesn't bother me when "older" people wear them during the day, nor does it bother me when "younger" people wear them at night to the "White Party."

People who matter, don't mind.

People who mind, don't matter.

The world would be a better place if people were more accepting and less judgmental.

Shucks, I need a Coca Cola!!!:rolleyes:

A level between D+ and Pinnacle! :)

Hello all,

Our family recently returned from our July 12th Serenade cruise to Scandinavia and Russia...a very port intensive cruise. We found the food on Serenade to be a great improvement over that of our last few RCCL sailings on different ships.

Like other Royal ships, Serenade's dining staff has been stretched thin, resulting in a "longer than we prefer" dinner service. Nonetheless, each evening in the MDR, our meals were served at appropriate temperatures, with dazzling smiles and attentive service, and most importantly, were absolutely delicious!

With 6 out of 7 Port Days, DD and I enjoyed our "Wake Up Call - Room Service Breakfast" each morning in our stateroom. Breakfast consistently arrived on time, the order was accurate, and again, food meant to be hot was delivered hot, and food meant to be chilled was delivered chilled! DH and DS had their own cabin, and went to Windjammer each morning. Their opinions of the food quality and service level matched our own.

We were cruising for the itinerary, and fully expected a so-so food experience. We were delighted with Serenade, and would highly recommend both this beautiful Ship and this amazing Itinerary!!!

Happy cruising to all!

Terry Jo

Rosethorn,

Heavens, no! Cats saved millions of lives in SPB!!! Please see the link listed below...

Yelisei the Cat was a sculpture endorsed by the government, representing the appreciation of SPB'ers to cats. Just as throwing coins into Trevi Fountain in Rome assures one of a return trip, throwing coins up at Yelisei assures good fortune.

Years later, someone mounted a female cat sculpture across the waterway, so Yelisei had a mate...Because the sculpture was not officially endorsed, it has been considered "illegal." There is currently controversy regarding the removal of Yelisei's beautiful female partner!

http://english.pravda.ru/history/23-01-2004/4669-cats-0/

Roars and purrs,

Nittany Lioness

P.S.U. Never, ever would I endorse harsh treatment of fellow felines, except of course, on the College Gridiron! ;)

As a family of four with two children (21 and 18), we wanted to maximize our limited two days in St. Petersburg. We have extensively traveled the world, and have taken numerous tours via cruise ship shore excursions, Viator, and local tour operators. Our SPB Tours in St. Petersburg were the best we have ever experienced. We chose to take a "Group Tour" of the 2 Day Deluxe St. Petersburg, with the optional evening excursion of the "Fun Vodka Tour."

Our "Group Tour" turned out to be only 17 people, so we had a smaller van/bus, and thus a more personal tour. We were also fortunate that everyone adhered to the "return times" established by our guide. Because of this, we were able to see more sights on Day 1, and had additional sights added on Day 2.

The reason these tours are the highlight of our entire travel experience is our guide, Alexander S. His commentary, expertise, and knowledge of the history of both the city of St. Petersburg and the country of Russia was extraordinary!

Exactly positioning our group, using the visual aide of his tablet, Alexander truly made history come alive!!! He transformed our specific vantage points from the time of Czars, to the Russian Revolution, to the German invasion and horrific aftermath of WW2, to the modern day restoration.

Before booking an evening tour, we had viewed SPB's offered "Folklore Show" and "Russian Ballet" on YouTube. Our older children wanted a more immersive experience with modern day Russians, so we decided to book the "Fun Vodka Tour." We are so happy we did!

We experienced current day Russia, with benefits! Upon entering our van, again with expert Alexander as our guide, we sampled sips (1/8th of a USA-size shot) of different types of vodka and ate both savory and sweet "chasers" as we drove from our ship to downtown St. PB.

We stopped at a souvenir shop, which was much cheaper than any others during the day's excursion. After that, we strolled down the main promenade, Nevsky Prospect (the Champs d'Elysee of SPB), feeling as though we were part of the evening's festivities.

Alexander highlighted both modern and historic sights and sounds along the way, including historically significant monuments, an electric guitar player "jamming" on the streets, a bar with a scale model of SPB, a modern controversy regarding illegal "cat" sculptures, a photo tribute to Putin and recent Russian Olympic athletes, as well as the "Food Hall" (more of a Gordon Ramsay-type culinary display) with every delectable type of food imaginable.

We then boarded our private canal boat and cruised St. PB's waterways at sunset. With warm blankets, a bit more vodka sampling (with orange juice for us lightweights), and Alexander's fun commentary, it was a delightful way to end the evening. We were returned to our ship very happy, with plenty of time to enjoy evening activities onboard.

We woke up refreshed for our second day in St. PB, which was every bit as fantastic as our first. We were also impressed with the personal service of Viktoria, who not only answered our questions before our trip, but also greeted us at the end of our tour to ensure we were completely satisfied. In addition, our drivers Alexei and Dima were very friendly and professional.

Our only suggestion would be to re-name the "Fun Vodka Tour" (which sounds like a Booze-Fest, which it was not) to "Heartbeat of St. PB at Twilight Tour." Keep the same description!

We highly recommend SPB Tours in St. Petersburg. Ask for Alexander (Sacha) for your guide!

Best regards and safe travels,

Terry

Our first cruise was on Sun Viking in 1994. We were four couples: DH and I, and my three siblings and their spouses. Some of the highlights I remember are:

1. Booking four “Ocean View” staterooms in a row on Deck 2 all the way forward…These tiny rooms had tiny salt encrusted portholes and were right next to the anchor! We woke up bright and early every morning to “clunk, clunk, clunk!” Also, our bathroom door WAS the shower curtain, as the entire bathroom was also the shower!

2. Our mistaken impression that “Seen one Saint, you’ve seen them all!” With ports of call including St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and St. Barths, you can see how wrong we were!

3. The eight of us seated in a circular booth having a cocktail, when my DH notices the Captain in the booth next to us. He said, “Excuse me Captain, would you like to join us, or do you prefer to drink alone?” We had the pleasure of sharing a drink with Captain Per Moen, who honored us even more with an invitation to dine with him. To say that he was a fascinating gentleman is truly an understatement!

4. As mentioned by a previous poster, the ship’s manifest of passengers was given out to all.

5. Most nights had different Dress themes…I recall a Masquerade Party and a Western Night, in addition to the Formal Nights.

6. The windy outdoor “climb” to the Viking Crown Lounge on a very steep staircase. Directly inside the door was a full length mirror...First time visitors, before the eyes adjusted to the lighting difference, would give a "start" at the person just inches away...Their own reflection!

7. The opulent Dining Room with many courses (including sorbet to cleanse the palate), the Sommelier, the “Drink Guys” with after dinner shooters, and a different theme every night (with waiters in different costumes.)

8. Attempting to dance on the small Dance Floor, with the ship rocking and rolling, while we were a'reeling!

9. The various poolside activities like horse racing, pool relay races with t-shirts/hula hoops/etc., and bean-bag contests.

Needless to say, all four couples became addicted after that first cruise, but we do prefer mid-ship ocean-view balconies on higher decks!!!:)

What keeps us coming back? The combination of the sea, the ships, the ports, the staff, and the fellow passengers...Basically, when we board a RCCL ship, we feel like we are coming home!

Happy sailing to all!

Captain now said "forklift" issue, with new sailaway at 6:00 (18:00)

Was listening to Pt Everglades webcam...Captain reported to Harbor Master that during routine maintenance of life boats, a hydraulic line broke, and is being repaired...Captain checked in with Harbor Master again @ 4:45, and told them he hoped for a 5:30 sailaway.

Might Ebola be "isolated" by using the common sense business practices of Supply Chain Management, a.k.a. Logistics?

Given the disease has been centered in a certain geographical area:

1. Shouldn't all out-going flights from afflicted areas immediately cease?

2. Shouldn't Health Care workers having the compassion (and Hippocratic Oath) to assist patients, be allowed in?

3. Shouldn't International support be solicited for all necessary supplies?

4. Shouldn't a "Quarantine Zone"(no symptoms after 30 days) be established for Health Care workers and all others seeking to travel FROM the afflicted zone?

It's a deadly disease and needs to be isolated.

Just food for thought from a non-medical Business Major who wants to cruise on Brilliance in January!!!:rolleyes:

I might have done the following: carefully chosing a moment when either of the couples were on their balcony (before they start talking over you), I would have pretended receiving/giving a phone call to a friend. (Do mobile phones even work in the middle of the ocean? Without trying I would not know, and I bet that these people do not know either!) . I would have "made" a discussion with the caller explaining LOUDLY that I am enjoying myself with the minor issue of STRANGE neighbours. Telling to the "caller" how annoyed I am with the constant "talking over".

Maybe, just maybe, either of the couples would have heard this and realized how their actions affect me and maybe it would have made a difference.

 

I do this sometimes at work. If something is annoying me, I would talk to the person explaining to her that "has she heard how somebody is doing this annoying thing" as it would be our "secret". Not accusing the actual person at her face, but explaining that somebody has an annoying habit and asking her, if she knows who does it. Sometimes it works and the person "takes a hint" and actually changes her behaviour.

 

Sorry if my English is not proper, as it is my third language. I hope to have made myself clear enough!

Myriam1234...Thank you for your thoughtful response!

First of all, your English is excellent!

Second, your subtle, non-confrontational approach might have worked for me! I shut my phone off as I did not want to incur roaming charges...but I certainly could have pretended to talk to someone about "annoying" behavior while in hearing distance of my neighbors!

Thanks for the suggestion!!! Hopefully, I'll never have to use it on any subsequent cruise! :)

Hiya Neighbor!!! How youse doin'? :D

LOL...Our money and our daughter (and hopefully, our son in Fall, 2015) goes/will go to Penn State!!!

(OK, I confess...Some of our money is pledged to RCCL!)

It seems you and I understand the values of both PSU and RCCL! (Great minds think alike?)

PENN STATE!!!

Merion...I grew up in Lima/Media (Rose Tree Media SD), DH in Aston (Penn-Delco SD). We have resided in West Chester/Chadds Ford for 24+ years now, and our children attend/ed Unionville-Chadds Ford SD.

University Park, PA used to be my and my DH's (and currently is our DD's) stomping grounds!

Not sure if Merion is your past or current stomping grounds! Upper or Lower? LOL...

For the glory,

Terry Jo :)

Thanks again to all for your responses!!!

To be sure, I am "over it" and looking forward to my next cruise!

Rather than dress code, tipping, smoking, and chair hogs, I thought that balcony shouting and door slamming might be different topics to bring to light on this forum! You know, sort of a "Public Service Announcement"?

Happy cruising to all!!!

P.S.U. To Langley Cruisers, I agree with you that the outward opening doors on Oasis are more conducive to "slamming" than the inward opening doors on other ships!

I would have switched cabins with one of them so they could be next door to each other and not yell back and forth.

Barbyj...I briefly considered that, but unlike my neighbors, had already received my luggage and had unpacked. Also, I had the preferred Oasis room configuration with the bed nearer to the balcony (as opposed to the closet.) Further, I felt there was the potential for confusion with shipboard accounts which might have been problematic. Lastly, why should I inconvenience myself for their poor planning? :rolleyes:

Best regards,

Terry Jo

Thanks to all for responding!

When I first encountered them, I did smile and and say "hello". My gesture was totally ignored, and Wife 1 honestly acted as if I was invisible.

I am an outgoing person, and certainly would have made more of an attempt to meet my "neighbors" had they shown any interest (or perhaps "tact"?)

Never would I allow anyone to spoil MY cruise!!

Terry Jo

P.S.U. To setsail, I forgot to account for times I was not in my cabin!!! :) These "barbarians" were worse than I thought!!! <tee hee>

Ahoy all!!! I recently returned from my first TA, 12 nights on the beautiful Oasis of the Seas!

First, this cruise was FANTASTIC: "Smooth as glass" seas, gorgeous ship, and impeccable service! I was cruising solo, yet had the opportunity to meet many friendly (and fascinating) fellow cruisers from all over Planet Earth!

The exception to my Utopia? The two couples that occupied the staterooms on either side of me!!

On Day 1, I knew I might be in trouble: Prior to sail-away, I was standing quietly at my balcony railing. Couple 1 (cabin to left of me) and Couple 2 (cabin to right of me) simultaneously came out to their respective balconies. Wife 1 leaned over the railing, looked straight through me, and screamed to Couple 2 "Did you get your luggage yet?" Wife 2 leaned over and yelled back "No, not yet!" They then had a back and forth conversation without even acknowledging I was standing between them on MY balcony! Not wanting to hear any more, I went up to the Pool Deck for sail-away!

It got worse! In addition to their daily balcony exchanges, for the next 12 days, all four of them would leave/return to their cabins singly, allowing the doors to SLAM shut each and every time they entered/left! (I calculate I heard their doors slam at least 384 times during this cruise!!!)

Although a cruise veteran, as a solo female cruiser, I did not feel comfortable "confronting" them in person or with notes. I am (almost) ashamed to admit that I did nothing! (Even more wimpy of me, since we had no ports for the first 10 days, I was a Night Owl! I quietly closed my door in the wee hours of the A.M.!)

My question is: What would YOU have done?

Terry Jo

P.S.U. Allowing your stateroom door to close itself is both inconsiderate and unsafe! How can you be sure the lock has engaged?

Hello fellow CC's...

I tell my staff "when you come to me with a problem, bring a solution!"

I'll follow my own mantra, and suggest the following:

RCCL should no longer call them "Gratuities", but re-classify them as "Shipping and Handling" fees, for the following reasons:

1. Quite literally, they are "Shipping" and "Handling...with Care" us passengers! (Whether they do it "well" will be determined by either YOUR future patronage, or lack thereof.)

2. In 2014, anyone who has ever purchased a new car...or for that matter, ANY product via phone or online...not only expects S&H fees, but if they truly want the item delivered to them, pays them.

As for me, I consider pre-paid gratuities as part of the cost of the cruise, and additionally reward exemplary service. That said, I can certainly understand the disconnect from those passengers in non-tipping cultures.

I don't think whether you prepay gratuities or wait until the end of the cruise matters. But I do think you should pay them.

It's analogous to spending seven days at an "All Inclusive", but wanting a pro-rated refund since you ventured "off property" and didn't eat/drink at the resort.

Just my thoughts!:cool:

Not pertinent to OP's itinerary, but when we cruised Brilliance from Dubai, all passports (regardless of country of origin) were retained by the ship.

They were returned to us the last day with all the "pretty" Entry/Exit stamps from the various Middle Eastern countries we had visited!

For the sake of passenger goodwill and image, I think the cruise lines simply need to budget for instances like this when noro causes a cancelled cruise, and refund passengers the full price paid. As I said, it's not a question of "fault" or "guilt"--it's about doing right by your customers, building goodwill, and protecting your image. Royal could get a lot of essentially free positive publicity now, to counter all the negative headlines, if they were generous about this issue.

Really?

"Cruise lines simply need to budget for instances like this?"

Call me naive, but I am confident ALL Cruise Lines annually budget for a carefully calculated "expected" number of norovirus outbreaks, with the concurrent expenses of decontamination, staff overtime, and remuneration for guests.

Then again, perhaps ALL Cruise Line's should ban together to ensure "goodwill and image protection" by increasing cruise fares, just in case noro breaks out on a particular sailing? I can hear it now:

Disney CL CEO: I propose we "Share the Magic!"

CCL CEO: I agree..."Fun for all, all for Fun!"

RCI CEO: "Wow...Why not?"

How could refunding ALL passengers full cruise fare for a shortened (not, as mistakenly claimed, cancelled) cruise equate to "essentially free positive publicity" for RCCL?

RCCL must still pay its Fuel Bill, Payroll, Port Fees, Suppliers, etc., etc., etc., for this particular Explorer sailing, so how could this be "essentially free?"

My apologies, but I don't understand faulty logic.

We've never booked the Chef's Table, so cannot comment upon the validity of Chef's Table e-mail confirmations, as posted by others on this thread. (Although I have no reason to doubt them!)

The intent of my post was to point out that RCCL has the necessary demographic information on all passengers. Further, RCCL already does take age into account for numerous activities.

The real question to be answered by RCCL is: What is RCCL's "official age requirement" for the Chef's Table? :)

Are we all missing the obvious???

As a parent of 17 and 14 year olds, it seems to me that it should be easy for RCCL to enforce the "No one under 21 Rule". I have found them to do so with most other "underage" activities. For example:

1. RCCL's website recognizes age requirements in booking Shore Excursions. In our case, for the "River Tubing" in Belize, our 14 yo does not satisfy the age requirement...despite him being 5'11", 180 lbs, an athlete, and in better shape than both me and my DH! Nonetheless, the website does not allow the option to book him. (No problem for us, as rules are rules! There's always next year!)

2. RCCL identifies (flags) children's Seapass cards as "Under 18", so they can neither obtain alcohol nor gamble at the Casino. (Not that our kids would try, but I am glad RCCL does this, mostly for those teens who might be tempted to try!)

3. RCCL website knows to charge my DH the Adult pricing for the "Soft Drink" package, while charging my 14 yo the Child rate.

While my DH and I have enjoyed many gourmet dining experiences with our teens on "land", neither we nor our teens would want to break the rules for the Chef's Table or a Specialty Restaurant! Besides, our teens are usually having too much fun with the other teens onboard!

To sum, my point is that RCCL's website easily monitors age (and disallows registration) for most online reservations..Why wouldn't RCCL do the same regarding the Chef's Table????

Best regards and happy cruising!:)

NitneyLioness