squiffynimrod

Was the fountain working under the Rising Tide Bar? It wasn't on all week in Oct last year, so curious if they repaired.

 

We were on the same cruise and the fountain was working, but not consistently. Off for the first couple of days, then it was and I only saw the main jet working once.

As for entertainment, mid week we sat in the Schooner bar and had front row seats for the mayhem that was Matt Yee and his ancient Hawaiian sing along. We blew off the headliner show to see it. Fun fun fun. Adult, raucous, politically incorrect and the best time on the boat.

Brittoni!

Missed you buddy while we were on board, never did find you at the M&M.

But I'm sure we crossed paths!

Yes beer drinkers, it's true. La Fin Du Monde and Chimay Blue are off the menu. The beer offering is truly weak if you prefer anything out of the ordinary. The Redhook Long Hammer IPA (the only true IPA on the menu) had a weird sour taste to it. Don't know if that's it's normal taste as I don't get it up here, but as an IPA it was nearly undrinkable (but I soldiered through, don cha know). The Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was fine, but not an IPA. From the volume of aluminum fake bottles and Corona's I saw being consumed it's unlikely that RCCL will make further efforts in improving their beer offering. They have met the demands of the majority of their beer purchasers and are sticking with the easy path.

I don't cruise that often, and beer is more important to me than cruise line brand loyalty. When we plan our next cruise I will be including quality beer as a criteria in the decision making process.

Cheers to all!

And it's $20.99 in our gov't liquor stores in Saskatchewan.

There were a number of servers patrolling the pool area .The service I found though was slow. I did tip extra on my first few orders in the hopes of receiving prompt service but it did not seem to work.

So if the service was slow, was there much of a lineup at the bar if you went and got your own?

And could you comment on drink prices and how they are covered by the drink package?

I'm on Allure next week.

Thanks.

I'm on next week. Any idea who the comedian and the headliner are. I have some recent info but not as current as you!

Yes. They will show up in your cruise planner around the 90 day mark.

My upcoming cruise was at 95 days.

At least a 12 pack for in room refrigerator and a bunch for cruise. Just warn them we are coming. I will ask the concierge [emoji136] to stock our refrigerator.

 

 

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And to which vessel should I direct your order?

On our Allure cruise next week we talked about a slot pull, but changed it to a roulette spin as there was more interest in doing that.

My drink package is already purchased. I have downloaded and printed the drink list from the RCCL UK site that shows 236 individual cocktails, not including the standard hiball offerings. 33 cocktails a day over 7 days and I complete the list. That's only 1.5 cocktails per hour, every hour, every day.

I will give it my best shot.

WOW. Those prices though. Does anyone know if RC has beer specials (buckets) like on Carnival? I am going on the Allure later this year and I may need to take out a second mortgage for my beer tab at those prices.

For me in Canuckistan, those prices don't seem out of line for what is charged in our local bars and pubs.:mad::mad:

Wife and I met the beverage director on one of our recent cruises. He said he's been lobbying corporate for brew pubs on their new builds. He also said their problem with craft beers is craft brewers inability to keep up with demand. Celebrity tried the craft brew route in Michaels but it didn't last long. They turned Cellar Masters on Equinox into Gastrobar but I haven't sailed it since the conversion. I have found craft beers on Reflection and Summit so maybe Royal will follow suit.

Yes, the true craft brewer would not be able to supply a cruise line with the volume . A macro craft brewer could toll brew to a customer's specification, private label it and have a captive market. An almost guaranteed success if the product is right.

Blue Moon's on the menu pic.

How many do you want me to have on board for you?

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....beer.

Self professed beer snob here.

It's a shame that RCCL hasn't embraced the craft brewing movement, which as many of you know is the fastest growing component of the beer industry. Another line seems to have it going (Carnival), and the post about beer on NCL has me intrigued. Quantum class has the Michael's Genuine Pub offerings so its' not like they don't have it in the pipe.

I sure hope they have the Stone product when I'm on Allure next week. They make good stuff. DFH 90 is great, hope that one is there too. Depending on the style you like, the current offering of Chimay Blue and La Fin Du Monde are both outstanding offerings of Belgian style strong ales.

How would I improve the current list?

Too many pale lagers, but I suppose that's what the masses want. More good pilseners, an oatmeal stout, an out there choice like a gose or a sour.

Some session beers for the afternoons. I bet a nice Lambic sold as a dessert beer would generate interest, a 750ml size to be shared. The possibilities are endless!

I guess being able to fill your growler on board is asking too much.

via Imgflip Meme Generator

Ahh, I see, said the blind man to the deaf woman.

as he picked up his hammer and saw.

Great report. Bonus style points for being entertaining.

For the show titled Headliner? It was called "Beatles Maniac". We didn't see it though.

Thanks. I hope it's still on when I go.

I'm on the Allure Jan.15th.

Do you recall who the headliner act was?

Thanks.

Have you at least considered a light weight short Wet Suit?

I have one but won't need it. I was working outside at -28C yesterday morning. Only gonna be -20C today. Believe me, it will seem warm.

Won't be an issue, I'm from Nova Scotia :)

Well at least yours is still wet. Ours is kinda hard. I'll be in Nassau on the 16th and I'm going swimming regardless of the temps. It will seem glorious!

Over the years we have noticed that the number of people who have given up on the MDR for dinner has been growing. This is very noticeable in the WJ There although the food is not really great, there is a large variety including several soups, a large salad bar,deserts, usually a carvery station, at times a Mongolian stir fry area, an Indian selection and a glutton free area. Usually the food is available at the proper temperature and selections are constantly being trefilled. The WJ is not for cruisers who prefer a sit down/waited on experience. For that we go to a specialty restaurant even tho with each menu change the quality of the dining experience and service has lessened.

Quoted for posterity.

Aha! The secret edit!

A ship's name would be rather.........................helpful

Our Allure sailing 1/15/2017 also had our early time bumped forward 30 minutes.

Evidently this is a common occurence.

I also have this list printed out and will question them when I board the Harmony in March, if they won't honor it I will be cancelling our 2 packages!

Just remember that list is for the UK and Ireland. Bet they'll use that as the out.

This whole subject is making Carnival's 15 drink @ $50 limit package look pretty good. Prepurchase @ $49.95/day plus a 15% gratuity, all pax in room have to purchase. Kind of makes it a wash with RCCL's prepurchase @ $46/day + 18% gratuity. No way I could do 15 in 24 hrs but no worries about a surcharge.

I'm waiting to see if this is a high season increase or an across the board increase.

We agonized over the drink package purchase, and finally bought. It was a substantial amount of money for the 2 of us, and if we have to pay extra for the mixed drinks we like it will just not be worth it, IMHO.

If we get onboard and find the prices aren't covered by the package, can we cancel and get $$ back? Or would they issue OBC?