psupa

We went on our first Royal Caribbean cruise last week on the Allure of the Seas. It was a big mistake choosing that ship! We are so spoiled now. I don't think we would like any ship other than an Oasis class ship. I hope I am wrong because we are officially Royal Caribbean fans. We had become bored with Carnival, so we decided to try Royal Caribbean. We tried Norwegian last year (and liked NCL as well). No more Carnival cruises for us for now.

 

I will be writing a review this coming weekend (or sooner if I muster up some strength - very tired still from the delayed flight home due to bad weather in Atlanta).

Nice catchy title and so glad you enjoyed your cruise

I'm guessing that they will be able to add a lot more tables to the 4 restaurants by doing away with a lot of the 2 - 4 top tables. A table for 10 takes up a lot less floor space than 5 tables for 2.

Well I hope not. We like a table for 2 and don't want to sit around for over 2 hours at a larger table, have to wait for everyone to be done before another course is served and then have to listen to someone's drama. If you look around the dining rooms you will see that many people like the smaller table.

There has been constant negative comments on this board about DD and in fact about Anthem in general since the ship was launched. I truly feel that on Cruise Critic the negative comments are from a more vocal minority of passengers. Many in the majority with positive experiences don't speak up enough. Sorry for the rant!

Agree and think those who like DD should make it known to Royal how they feel and there are many who need to speak up. We haven't experienced the Anthem yet (Oct) and looking forward to it (even though we selected classic DD). We don't let things bother us and go with the flow, so if Royal decides to keep DD we will go with it.

Theresa

From the sounds of it, we're not going to be rotating. Classic gets the pretty dining rooms (Grande and Chic) and MTD gets to eat in American Icon and Silk.

So looks like we'll be stuck in 1 restaurant for all 12 night!

Well if so many people feel so strongly about DD then make it known to Royal and maybe they will re-look the decision. Will be sailing Anthem in October and have selected early classic dining and looking forward to rotating through 4 dining rooms.

Theresa

My mother has COPD she uses an oxygen concentrator a few times a week. My son and I are asthmatic. We are looking to cruise Thanksgiving week. We want to know if the size of the ship matters. Also are some lines better at helping with disabilities.

Not sure what cruise line you are sailing, but I would stay clear of the casino which is very smoky except on Celebrity where their casino is smoke free. There are other outdoor smoking areas to avoid as well. I don't know about you but someone wearing perfume triggers me to cough and almost gag.

Hubby has booked us an Alaska Cruise for next aug 2017!! So excited and yet a little worried

 

I currently use a power wheelchair invacare :) And I am not bringing it on the plane, we will bring the push one. Which means my first ever rental.

 

So what do these things cost? When I look at the websites they want me to give my infor to get a quote. I just want a rough estimate. I will be renting an power wheelchair joystick type controller for that is what I use now.

 

How far in advance do we book the wheelchair?

 

thanks for your help!!

Maybe a scooter would work better for you. Call Care Vacations or Special Needs at Sea to inquire. They deliver the scooter to your cabin and then you just leave it on the ship when debarking.

I don't want to start another thread about non-handicapped folks requesting accessible cabins. But who decides if someone is handicapped or truly needs an accessible cabin?

 

I have mobility issues. Hip surgery twice, not too steady on my feet, can walk very short lengths but for everything else require either a cane or a walker. My walker that I'll be bringing is wider than a normal cabin door. It would be nice to have the handicap rails in the bathroom, and a little extra room around tight bed spacing, etc.

 

But when I inquired about booking an accessible cabin, I was asked if I am in a wheelchair. I am not. (Yet, at least.) But I do have genuine mobility issues. I was told ONLY wheelchair passengers are allowed to book accessible rooms. And I really don't have a problem with that, as long as that is who gets those rooms.

 

But if an accessible room goes unbooked, why shouldn't I be able to get it? It would sure help my disability! Should I have it noted on my booking that I have mobility issues, so that if an accessible room becomes available, perhaps they would offer it to me? As it is, I'm booked into a regular cabin just like anyone else.

 

Is there someone else I could speak to about it? Maybe there isn't... maybe I'll just have to make the best of it, and that's okay. But if there's a possibility of getting a little roomier cabin, I don't want to lose the chance just because I never asked! :)

You need to call back and speak to someone and tell them you need an accessible cabin. Whoever told you an accessible is for wheel chair users only is incorrect and they are discriminating against you because you don't use a wheelchair. These cabins book quickly and I would not wait for one to become available. Carnival is really tough when it comes to booking an accessible cabin. I know we are in the same situation as you. My TA always has to go to bat for us with Carnival but has been successful. We have to fill out forms for their Special Needs dept. stating we need the facilities in the accessible cabin. Carnival does have modified cabins with a wider door and larger bathroom with the roll-in shower with drop down shower bench.

Royal Caribbean's vision class ships have accessible cabins that can hold 3 and 4 people and when I try to book one it does not show as available because we are only 2 people. I had to have my TA call a supervisor and they had to over ride the booking so we could book the accessible for 2 people.

Maybe it's a plot to make it more difficult to check prices!

I'm finding it hard to do that now. I just don't understand if something is working why they fix it:rolleyes:

Theresa

Don't forget the water taxi! We totally enjoyed taking that into downtown

right from the front of the ship. :)

Is that something new. I never saw that but that would be a nice ride into town.

Last Canada/NE cruise we did with Royal was back in 2014 on the Explorer. I remember in the terminal we bought tickets for a shuttle to and from the ship to Quincy Market. I don't remember the cost, but for some reason I'm thinking it was $20 round trip. Again I'm just guessing.

Another option may be the hop on/hop off trolley (http://www.trolleytours.com). That may be a nice way to see a little bit of Boston and Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall.

Take a certified copy of your birth certificate and your driver's license.

Don't forget to take along your marriage certificate if your last name is different than what's on your birth certificate

So many people are always complaining about high prices on cruises lately. :rolleyes:

 

The price for the Jewel OTS 12 night transatlantic just crashed to $554pp! :eek:

 

With $150 OBC from the online site, and another $200 OBC from the shareholder benefit. ;)

 

I recently booked the 14 night Brilliance OTS transatlantic in April for $699pp with $550 OBC. :cool:

 

I am absolutely LOVING these HORRIBLY HIGH prices. :D

That's a great price for the cruise and the airfare you get.

Watch what you wish for because you might just get it. Royal can take away the balcony discount at any time. I do believe Royal is the only cruise line that gives a balcony discount so you should be happy with what you get.

I find the comments about newbie cruisers and booking inside cabins snooty as if your money is different from others. So go ahead and cruise with another line; there's nothing wrong with that because we've done it. Talk about being entitled. Different strokes for different folks.

I just come here for the abuse. ;) :D

I come here for entertainment

:rolleyes:

I'm top tier with Princess and really enjoy their ships...too bad they don't have cruises closer to us..We're spoiled.

Agree totally. Princess is a great line and I wish they had more from NY since we choose not to fly. They only cruise from Red Hook in September/October to Canada/NE.

Theresa

With that being said, I am betting that RCCL doesn't know that Paul Rudder is a cruise director on Grandeur. He is a great guy, we talked to him some, but he just lacks the energy that every other CD we've experienced. He seems more like the cruise funeral director. On the other hand, Andre (activities manager) was very entertaining and he should be promoted to CD in my opinion... I told him that on the way out!

 

One more thing that comes to mind was the rude lady in Windjammer who totally blessed out a couple waiters for moving her sea pass and Starbucks cup off the table she was saving. She was adamant that she put them there and the waiters moved them. They tried to tell her that no one moved them and those people had been sitting there for a few minutes. Still, she continued to humiliate them. She was just a total ASS. I felt so bad for the waiters. They were great and had given us great service just moments before. I watched as she stormed off ]. She looked around and then realized her sea pass and Starbucks cup were safe... just totally opposite of where she was... and no... she didn't offer an apology. It was so much of a scene that an officer came up to the guests at that table and talked to them about the situation.

Glad you had a good time on Lady G. I bet the Grandeur was rocking when John and Katrina Blair were on. We just missed them in March and had Paul Rutter as CD. I feel the same as you.

I absolutely hate when people go off on the staff and she should have apologized. There is no reason to do that to anyone and if there is an issue take it aside with an Officer.

Theresa

How many ships can dock at Crown Bay. We have always docked at Havensight so this will be something different

Have fun on Carnival. I'll stick with RC.

Honestly we are D+ with Royal, but have tried Carnival and liked it too. Part of the reason was their Journeys Cruise on the Carnival Pride this past January that went to the ABC islands and ended in San Juan. Stayed on for a b2b back to Baltimore (21 wonderful days). I wish Royal would do something like that. Different strokes for different folks I guess.

To preface, just got off Liberty in May, our centrum E1 cost us $1450 with our Diamond discount.

 

Pricing 2017 season, albeit middle of summer, the lowest summer price is:

$1,619.00 USD*

AVG $809.50 / PERSON USD*

 

+ Taxes, fees and port expenses $199.66 USD*

 

DEALS INCLUDED

 

EXCEPT....this is an inside!:eek: If we do the balcony again, it goes to 2800 and that's with their new deal plus Diamond discount and every other discount put in perameters.

 

RCCL is quickly pricing us right out of cruising!!! Dare I say we may be heading to Carni????? Looks like it. Or maybe now's the time to consider the Mexican rentals. What in blue thunder is going on!!!

I don't think that's a bad price. Now look at the price of the Anthem now that's what I call high, but I still booked 2 cruises on her since we don't like to fly

Is there an email address to contact the Concierge on the Anthem.

Anyone know if the US dollar can be used in Aruba' date=' Curacao, and St Kitts?[/quote']

 

Yes and bring small bills

Dominica is wonderful! We have been twice and gone with Levi Barron twice.

 

Just beautiful views

 

 

Trafalgar Falls

 

Your pics are absolutely beautiful

Gwen, been there a few times but did not do any tours. We're not beach people and not interested in snorkeling, swimming, etc. The shopping is very limited and if docked at the lower pier there are only 4 high end stores (DI, a leather shop), but the locals are there selling their goods. If docked at the upper pier there is only the warehouse with the locals. Nothing really around unless you take a tour. Question for those of you who have taken a tour - how are the roads; are they paved, narrow or dirt and pot holed filled. I'm not a fan of roads like this. Don't forget the bug spray if going to the forest

Theresa

I did not think that they were holding people booking those cabins to the occupancy requirements. I would call back and ask to speak to resolutions.

Unfortunately that's what Royal's system does

Is there any chance that your TA is not being straight with you? Perhaps s/he wants the higher commission of a balcony cabin?

Nope that's not the case because I went through the same thing

Theresa