Board_Shorts

This is all such a shame, we love Royal and have always sailed with them.

The saying "the straw that broke the camel's back" springs to mind. So many cutbacks, removal of small or even tiny touches that make a cruise special - remember that little pink flower on your table in the MDR? If you hadn't noticed, they've gone. The RC pen and notepad on your desk? Of course there's so much more as others will know.

Remember when the Cruise Compass wasn't filled with $ signs?

You'd have a chance to chat with your room attendant because he/she didn't have to take care of so many rooms. Plus of course room service was complementary, it was just all part of cruising.

Then look at the fact that the company made $1.2 billion profit last year... that makes all these cutbacks harder to swallow, it's not as if they're on the brink.

Yes the prices have come down and maybe I'm naive in thinking all of these small things could continue.

I don't know what the straw that breaks the camel's back will be, but I feel we're getting close.

I believe I am in RCI's target demographic; mid 30s with families, and as much as I love Royal and will continue to cruise with them for now, my partner is now very eager to try other lines.

I'm trying my hardest to justify why we should stay with Royal, but it's getting harder and harder.

A positive and humorous point to remember though is that at least we still have our tablecloths; Carnival only bring them out on formal nights nowadays! That's right, bare tables for dinner.

I have a feeling our cruising future will be a mixture of RC and Princess if what I've heard is true. So many friends have told us to take the plunge and try Princess, but for me, as long as the camel's back can take the weight - Royal is "home" for now.

(Please take note RCI, I know you read these pages. Thank you.)

People love to hate the WJ. I have always found it to be perfectly acceptable and have even occasionally eaten dinner there instead of the MDR, you'll usually find the same menu items in there as are being served in the MDR that night.

I must admit that the Windjammers do seem to be getting busier, especially around dinner time, and it can sometimes be difficult to find a table in a nice location.

As far as the food goes, there's an enormous range, beautifully presented, and we've never had a real issue. There's something for everyone.

I will be boarding the Rhapsody for the crossing in late April. Booked, and paid in full, for 2 passengers but the wife cannot make it so I will go solo.

 

I have tried to change the reservation to solo but that would mean a re-price at current solo rates which would cost substantially more than I paid. I would also lose some OBC and the select drinks package included.

 

Royals advice is to 'no show' the wife at check in.

 

Does anyone have any experience of 'no showing' one guest and did you receive single or double points?

 

Thanks

 

Pete

I've been in this position before. My partner had work commitments overseas, which we knew could overlap with the cruise, and they did.

Just check in at the port at usual. You won't have any problems.

Port taxes and charges will be refunded.

Yes you are entitled to double points, but you may need to remind them when the points are added post cruise. Just a quick phone call to C&A solved that problem for me.

Just a final thought. If you've never cruised solo before as I hadn't, you may be dreading it or be feeling apprehensive. Let me tell you that my solo was one of my best cruises ever and would certainly do another one if needed.

Hope that helps!

Is it this one?

Michel Teló - Ai Se Eu Te Pego

I've been hearing it on various RCI ships for the past few years. It's definitely Portuguese.

Always gets me in the cruise mood!

Hope that's the one.

Simona came straight from AD, and only had a 1 month break between JW from Jul-Nov and AD in Dec-Feb, so I don't think so. Also, FR is from Barcelona, not Civitavecchia. I would imagine her heading back to Jewel in June/July.

I think it might be Jerome taking over FR for the summer season. Maybe someone could contact him on Twitter?

Yes, that does seem more likely. You really know your stuff!

Jewel OTS - Simona Ferraiuolo February 19 until mid-April

Freedom OTS - Michele Scarpato February 18 for 2 months (exact date? then who?) (Casey will not be returning to Freedom after his break - he has been reassigned to Adventure)

As Freedom is repositioning (as Michele leaves) to the Mediterranean in mid-April for the European summer season, it seems plausible that Simona could be joining Freedom after her short stay on Jewel (which ends in mid-April).

Simona was the regular CD on Navigator OTS during it's European summers thanks to her multilingual language skills.

Just a thought that seems to fit and may be worth investigating.

Sorry but what is a top tier ice show?

Platinum, Emerald, Diamond, Diamond+ and Pinnacle members of the Crown & Anchor Society will receive an invitation in their stateroom to a "Top Tier Event" at some point during the cruise. These events can take the form of a gathering in a lounge, a special (different) Aqua Show on Oasis class ships, a "Champagne Sailaway" on the bow of the ship (also Oasis class), a special, and different Ice Skating show put together by the Ice Cast themselves or a show by the RCI singers and dancers, possibly others.

The events will also usually feature a speech from the Captain or Loyalty Ambassador (who slipped on the ice while presenting an award on Navigator!), thanking you for your loyalty, a presentation to any guests who are turning Pinnacle on that specific cruise, recognition of the cruisers with the highest number of points on that sailing, handing out of crystal blocks to commemorate specific levels of cruise points, complimentary Champagne or non alcoholic drinks.

Definitely worth a visit if it's one of the more interesting shows, but as mentioned above, it seems that this is not done on Freedom. I have known it to happen for sure on Navigator, Explorer, and I believe Oasis/Allure.

It must be a ship's own decision activity.

Was on Freedom back to back in Dec, and last week and 2 other voyages and have never heard of a top tier ice show.We had the top tier Pinnacle & Diamond + galley, bridge and studio B backstage . The so called top tier event for all except gold was held as usual.

Wow, all those cruises and not one top tier ice show? You have been very unlucky my friend. Perhaps it's only done on certain ships. The Ice Cast will put together their own show and do a special performance, the usual glass blocks are handed out and highest cruisers announced, and of course plenty of complimentary "Champagne".

I know for sure that they are performed on quite a few ships with ice rinks.

It seems I've been very lucky!

I'm not holding out much hope for Freedom now though unfortunately.

So, how was the cruise?

There's always one :rolleyes:

I guess he did say he'd answer any questions, but perhaps you could be a little more specific? I don't believe this thread was meant to be a full review.

Can anyone tell me if there has been a Top Tier Ice Show on Freedom recently? I know that sometimes it's done and sometimes it isn't.

We recently did a B2B on Navigator - the TT Ice Show was performed on the first sailing, but the second sailing had only the regular Top Tier Event. I absolutely prefer the Ice Shows and don't usually attend the events.

I'm wondering if it depends on the number of C&A members onboard, I know that there were over 700 top tier on the first week of our recent Navigator cruise from Miami, and fewer the second week. Perhaps they feel that the extra effort of using the ice in Studio B is only worth it with a very high number of C&A members onboard.

We will be on Freedom in a few weeks and are hoping for an Ice Show, although there will be far fewer top tier members on this Mediterranean sailing from Barcelona compared with Miami.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thank you for that info, I'm hoping that's the case here. We have two rooms booked, this one, and a balcony down the hall. I'm just hoping that this room is not smaller as it looks on the deck plan. If so, I'll probably try to change. Thanks in advance for any more help.

It would be wonderful if anyone also has any photos of these rooms.

Thanks

These two rooms, 9201 and 9501 at the very front of deck 9 on Freedom and Voyager class ships appear to be a slightly different shape to a regular inside. According to the deck plans (I know, not to scale) they seem very slightly wider, but not as long as usual.

Can anyone tell me if there is in fact any difference in the size or layout of these rooms, I can't imagine them to be too different but would be interested to find out.

Deck Plan for reference:

You are planning too much...this is VACATION TIME...go with the flow! You picked your times...you're good to go!

No, she's confirming that her requested times are correct after encountering other problems with the reservation. Planning and reserving times is one of the main points of the MTD system. Sure, you can turn up in the standby line but that really would be wasting ACTUAL vacation time.

Sorry to say this, but does cb at sea actually read the questions or ever give a helpful or at least appropriate answer? I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed this?

And to the OP: It seems that this is just a reminder to reserve MTD if you haven't already done so, and so you have nothing to worry about. :)

Thanks. There is 6 of us travelling and I can't be bothered phoning...

There's no need to phone or wait to sign up onboard, just visit the C&A website here to enroll:

www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/

Wow! Another Jim Zim review! Just wonderful. Thank you so much for all your hard work on these photos, videos and commentary. Your cruise, and the ship, looks fabulous, and I absolutely love your great attitude to life. Thank you!

Even though the mystery has already been solved, here's a pic that should convince the last people in doubt (and, yes, that pic is from Carnival's Jubilee, supposedly taken in 1999).

Awesome find. Now the only mystery left to answer is what happened to the OP??

I've loved this little research game. Maybe it should be a periodic game/thread on CC. "Which ship is this photo from?" The photos would have to be of very obscure things.

Me too! It was fun. I'd love a regular quiz/game!

Hi,

 

I am glad that everyone agrees with my theory that this photo was taken on the Jubilee. I am confident that we are correct. :)

 

Chuck

Definitely Chuck. You were right all along.

It is a very strange thread, and yes possibly a troll, that is really the only explanation for posts like this:

I have dozens of other pics of that cruise, but none of Churchill's. And Churchill's is the only identifying thing I have in my pics. All that can be seen otherwise is RCL's crown and anchor logo.

There are dozens of photos but all the others are of the C&A logo? Or show the logo in the background? Why would people not be able to identify them? The more I read, the less it makes sense. :o

I was thinking the fire place is right behind that same "figure" that you speak of.

Oh yes, I see it now, the two parallel stone pillars on either side of the fireplace are very visible.

I can almost make out the fireplace, also.

Me too, on the left? Also, the glass door book cabinets. The seating is identical.

Slightly enhanced...

Is it just me, or is there a figure standing in the doorway? One of those suits of armour from the other photos possibly?

Hopefully we aren't being trolled. :rolleyes:

I have a feeling that we are...

I am digitizing my slides

I have dozens of other pics of that cruise

I do not have the means to scan them

Churchill's is the only identifying thing I have in my pics

The crown and anchor emblem is all over the place

I was a travel agent for 20+ years

what is C&A?

I was never on the Jubilee

Hmmm.

But why...? At least the detective work was fun :cool:

Actually you might be right

I found this youtube video and at the 112 mark I see similar signage above the casino, similar looking walls and hardwood flooring before the carpet

After viewing the picture at 1:12 of the video you linked, I'm also certain it must be the Jubilee. The hardwood flooring, shiny ceilings, and especially the wall design with the dark blue banding and door frame design. Plus of course the identical red lettering and brass/gold effect of the signs.

Churchill's Mystery Photo

Carnival Jubilee Sporting Club Casino

The mystery still continues as to how this photo was actually taken though...

I could be wrong here, but I believe cruise lines used to offer tours of their ships to other cruise line guests while in the same port of call. Could it be it possible that you took this photo on one of these tours of another (Princess / Carnival?) ship during your RCI cruise in 1987? Just a thought.

While on a recent West Caribbean Cruise with RC....I spent some cabin time watching CNN. Instead of commercials, they would run weather in it's place...and the music backdrop got me mesmerized. I have been trying to figure out what the music was. I have gone through youtube searches...to no avail.

 

Any ideas would be appreciated. sure wish i used Shazam, but when i was thinking about..i did not have internet connectivity.

 

thanks

Could any of these be what you're looking for?

CNN International World Weather - Main Themes:

1:

2:

3:

Full Older Version:

This type of interlude (usually world weather, or share prices) is commonly used by the 'International' version of a television channel to replace commercials, when broadcasting their content worldwide, in place of local or country specific advertisements.

(By the way, there's no such thing as a weird question!)

Hope that helps.

We spent have spent a total of 3.5 weeks in China and have always been treated respectfully, warmly and graciously by all Chinese people we met in five cities. It was the best vacation of our lives. Certainly we experienced culturally different behaviors, but we are richer for the experience.

 

The tourist goes to see sites and expects people to treat them in the manner they are accustomed to. On the other hand, the traveler and the people in the country they visit have positive interactions and both benefit from the experience.

 

In Xian, we brought our clothes to a cleaner. The laundry took up one room and the family lived in the next room. I brought in a list of items I took the time to write in Pinyin (phonetic Mandarin using Latin letters). The mother, who only read characters, said her eight year old daughter read Pinyin. Yes, I studied Chinese Mandarin for seven months before the trip. The daughter translated Pinyin into characters for the mother and was fascinated by our phrase book as she kept looking over my shoulder. When we returned to pick up our clothing, I left my phrase book for the daughter. THAT is what being a traveler is all about and it was one of the most memorable experience of our trip to China.

 

So, if you visit outside of your home country, learn to be a traveler rather than a tourist and both you and the people you interact with will be enriched in ways you can't imagine.

What a beautiful story. Now this is really what traveling and exploring the world is all about.