monkeyinhat

Thanks all.   I thought location was probably it.

I have scoured the internet and called Royal for an answer to this question with no luck.   Does anyone know the difference between the two?

Also I assume that what people are referring to as South Beach is now Breezy Bay

On the booking for excursion it lists Beach Bed Breezy Bay $199

Chill Island Beach Bed $299   I can not find the difference between the two Beds.  Royal says they both have curtains but the 100.00 difference is one has a roof and the other does not.  I am not buying this answer

Side note:  I know we do not NEED  a bed.  but would like one.

I appreciate any help.  First time back since 2019.  Learning all the changes

On 2/15/2020 at 9:49 PM, bennybear said:

 

 

We've stayed in the Kensington area twice.  It’s great.  But beware the Gloucester station I recall some stairs.  The Earls court stop prior from Heathrow has elevators right to street level.  Don’t know if this matters, but could make a difference. 

 

How long do you have in London? Then I could help more. 

We took national express to Winchester,  didn’t go out of Southampton.  We were on a Med cruise last year and spent two weeks in England prior. 

I have 2 days yet to plan.   Just trying to narrow down. Not a shopper so Harrod’s and  High Street shops to me is type of thing that haunts me in my sleep 😁.  

Have a overview tour planned. A a day planned in Kensington area.    The theater is on my list to research.  Plan on doing Sky Garden get drinks and dinner instead of London Eye.  Hubs not too keen on those.

 Wow, I can’t believe how reasonable cab fare is to Windsor. Especially compared to what companies want to charge in transportation.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

On 2/16/2020 at 1:01 AM, Cotswold Eagle said:

is it possible you mean the TKTS booth in Leicester, not Russell, Square?

 

And one of our regular reminders that the American habit of dropping the second half of place names can cause confusion here. In context, people will probably work out that references to Gloucester station in this thread are to Gloucester Road underground station, not the railway station in Gloucester, a town in the west of England, but I’d really recommend using the full name for practical reasons, not just because it grates on my British ears 🙂

sorry to offend Cotswold Eagle. Going from memory.  Was reading and typing with a giant nine month old baby sleeping on my chest and reading glasses out of reach. I noticed you British are really touchy about that .   Will try to research before typing.

Sorry to but in 😁  We are going the same time.  After a lot of research  Decided to stay in Kensington area as I think it is Gloucester station area looks really convenient with variety of places to eat. And some of the places I want to visit are nearby
 

Tanyaewa= I have been looking at tours by locals and thinking of using some of theirs.  I did book where they pick us up at airport and directly give us a 4 hour tour. 
 

see ya on the ship!  Too bad our plans don’t coincide or we could share tours.
 

2 hours ago, bennybear said:

Happy to help.  What specifics do you Need? 

 = Was the cab fare reasonable. ? I thought a tour bus with tickets included would be less.

the train didn’t look too hard .  But I am going for less hassle  the better vacation 

=what Southampton transportation did you use?

=Any thoughts on do not miss or skip it on  St Paul’s, Westminster, Tower of London, Churchill War room Or Windsor. I need to cut some out and all but war room seem time consuming. With long lines

would appreciate any info you would share

excited to read this.   Going in May.  First time on larger ship

On 5/21/2019 at 6:49 PM, Globaliser said:

 

If you'd clicked the link, all would have been clear.

 

I'm frequently reminded (because I often travel past it) of the day that a friend nearly missed a dinner in his honour. We were in a restaurant in Royal Mint Street. He does the North American thing of thinking of it as "Royal Mint". He was in a different place altogether and puzzled as to why he couldn't find the restaurant.

 

The one I like best in that area of town is Cannon Street Road. If you shorten it to "Cannon", you'll be two (conceptual) steps away from where you need to be. If you shorten it to "Cannon Street", you'll be two miles away, literally.

 

Over on the other side of town, in W2, there's "Hyde Park". Which could be any of:-

• Hyde Park Crescent
• Hyde Park Gardens Mews
• Hyde Park Gardens
• Hyde Park Place
• Hyde Park Square Mews
• Hyde Park Square
• Hyde Park Street
• Hyde Park

All these streets are within a few hundred yards of each other. But there are other streets named "Hyde Park something" elsewhere in London too.

Was reading and typing without glasses and left out Palace.   You forgot to correct me on misspelling Buckingham. 🙄

On 4/19/2019 at 7:28 AM, Globaliser said:

 

Buckingham is always open. 

Do you mean you can tour the inside of Bukingham palace.   all months of the year?

Thank you so much for your review.    I am so disappointed we will not be there when Buckingham is open.

great info

I know but a little extra hand sanitizer . Doubt they clean off menus.

I am sure people lie on those things anyway.   I asked once what happens if a person says yes.  Was told a ships doctor comes and checks them out

we get weird looks and comments about using hand sAnitizer after touching the menu.    I get one vacation a year I wash my hands . I do everything possible to avoid people who don’t washy washy.

First of all you both look extremly young.   Not old enough to be married 2 years.   Second the consecutive dates thing is too cool.  

Thank you so much for the good review.  You gave me a lot of information.  We have a Oasis booked and I am leery of it.  I am not a crowd or buffet person anyway.  But hubs wants to do it.   Independence is my favorite class ship.   I am surprised at the condition of the ship you showed. Such a shame how quickly it has detoriated, but a lot of people i guess use it.

We are big Disney World people.      Not for the parks so much as for the food.  Some great restaurants!   After your review I am thinking the dining Package may be a good idea.   We will be there for my January birthday next year.   maybe an appropriate gift to myself.   you really sold it 

We always stay on the ship and enjoy the peace when in Labadee.  It is enjoyable  when others in port.   We walked away from the food, couldnt do it with the conditions.    

I am sorry you missed your ports.  Our first cruise was Empress out of Ft. Lauderdale.  in the middle of the first night  there was a big bump.   the propellor fell off the ship.   RC said it was an act of God , no compensation  and we would be skipping ports and stayed in Key West  then coco cay.    we for some reason were given a 500.00 obc,   i bought a sweet diamond necklace and tell everyone Captain Johnny gave it to me.

As far as the woman staring at you in the elevator.   My Atlanta born dad told me when i was about 11 and a man was freaking me out staring at me.   My dad told me to look him in the eye count to 10 and smile real big.   Ha ha.  i still do it to this day.  freaks them out!

Thanks again for info and Happy Birthdays and Anniversary

Thanks for my answers 👍🏻

Sorry to but in.   Booked Oasis for way off.    Can adults ride carousel 

is there’s zip line charge?

Unsure about the making reservations for shows.   Part of the cruise appeal when we started was the no hassle of reservations.

I was told not to only use Firefox.  

Their site is the most unfriendly/screwed up I use

Thank you for the great review. Curious about this class. Read anything I can.

I am shocked at the second menu you posted has no vegetarian main options. And they took off the marinara pasta on everyday menu. These menus are totally different than we had in February on Freedom

Congratulations on your engagement.

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I too havent cruised RCL in IDK when and finding out that my emerald status is now diamond and now there is a diamond plus.

 

I used to have a bar where i could sit and drink wine. Im not sure i get that now or not, but now i am reading I get 3 drinks use it or lose it per day, which seems like a nice perk. I might or might not be allowed to order these free drinks in the MDR, depends on the ship.

 

I know you cant combine obc like before, i was still cruising when this changed. I asked about a sale with $65 obc, if you can say you dont want it and then still get $100 obc from stockholders> No one answered me that i saw. though might have missed it.

 

Im playing catch up too, will follow this thread.

 

you and me both missed some new ships and changes to loyalty program, they posted happened in 2011.

What I have found is every single cruise has a discount of some kind so never can I use my stock 100 obc. But usually use the diamond discount balcony of $250.00 . Therefore better deal than getting the Stock holder credit. It is all a game.

Something that has changed since i first started cruising also is that if price for cruise decreases within a certain window (i believe by final payment) they will not give you credit

I like the 3 free drinks. It is happy hour thing 5-8. When diamond lounge is extremely crowded, good to go other places or meet friends and get free drinks. Never tried getting in MDR

FWIW---I HATE COMMUNITY BREAD BASKET with strangers rifling thru breads with questionable hand cleanliness.

We were on Freedom in February 2018. We had different menus. And it was all in one where you ordered dessert same time as entrees. No bread service we were given a basket for the table. Anyone been on Brillance lately to know if posters menus are same or new menus I experienced on Freedom in place?

The pad Thai I had was Windjammer/Jade at lunch.

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Was this the 6 or 8 night cruise? What time did you disembark and or time to start disembarking? We cruise in March and have an early flight.

Thanks.

I just saw the dates, please forgive me?

I believe 7 am.

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Before sailing I had read some negative review re: ship and service. Several people were worried so thought I would throw in some of my thoughts and experiences. Not doing a whole review as many have been done

We have cruised a lot on Royal and not high maintenance.

Our stateroom attendant was fantastic.

The waiters in the MTD were great. The maitre D's had attitudes. The first night was chaotic but have found that to be typical of first nights. The menus had changed since October. Some people didnt like ordering dessert with starter and entrees but did not bother us. And really makes it more efficent. Some will be estatic that Pepper Mill service was offered. Now they set bread baskets on table with a sliced brown bread and roll du jour selection. Hubs unhappy with this as he wants sour dough every night and it never was served. I would have been unhappy had we not had a 2 seat table, being a germophobe, would not have liked to shared with others digging thru basket with unknown hand santitization. (yes, I have a problem:rolleyes:) Food is subjective so not going there. But exciting find for lunch one day they had pick your ingredients and made for you Pad Thai.

Bar service was good. Diamond lounge at night is just diamond lounge room with room key entrance. Small, loud , crowded. Not a big deal , we got drinks went to adjoining Olive or Twist and relaxed ordered rest of freebies there.

The ship is in great shape. However, Carpets and drapes in staterooms do need replaced.

The movies , tv and shows (my tastes only) were meh.

Spa sales verrrryyyyy pushy. upsell on Specialty dining verrryyy pushy. Some passengers got irrate.

Luggage valet fantastic. On form it asks if you are exempt from luggage fees if not you will be charged for them. Random info. cab to FLL $14.00. Airport packed no seats , people laying sitting everywhere on floor. Allure and about 5 other ships in port that day

I just wanted to ease some minds that not everyone was upset with attitudes and service on the ship. Please excuse typos, puncuations and spellings. Hard week back to work. :(

Thank you

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Know cost?

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We have stayed with free shuttle and never used. It is a mad house. Lots of people going different ships. People waiting for rides for a long time. We have taken cab and ubers very reasonable and hassle free. Just stay near the port

Good to hear positive about Renaissance. We are staying there for the first time. Usually do Holiday Express across the street but decided to change it up.

Love going out of FLL. So easy

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we have Cruise quite a bit in the 12 yrs we started. It seems the past couple years service etc has been up and down on every Cruise. We aren't high demand people but have had food ordered missed, such long dinners skip dessert,long bar lines. I think a lot is work ethic all over. Good and bad employees and cruise line cutbacks.

Food is subjective. I don't expect fine dining in MDR. And hate all Windjammer type venues.

Will be on Freedom in a couple weeks. Still a good deal and less hassle vacation for us. Learned to keep expectations moderate.

Can say from experience that they do pay attention to your feedback. We did a Navigator with rude lackadaisical staff. Went back next year and it was a complete turn around. Talked with staterooms attendant he said RC got lots of complaint they came on board firing and turned it around. So keep filling out those surveys and let them know

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Thank you

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