RCI Cruisers 004

I just saw that on deck plans...it says its for suite guest and gold seapass members? Anyone have pictures of it? I am assuming it is for suite guest and gold C&A members and up?

No, it's not for gold C&A members. Only for anyone in a GS or bigger or Pinnacle members only. These cruisers have a Gold sea pass card and they do check to make sure you can go there. I know its confusing

It pretty much means the Concierge is busy with this weeks guests he is responsible for and then he (she) will be busy getting ready for next weeks guests ! If you still haven't heard from him right after Christmas , then you can send an Email. But they usually get in touch with you shortly after they sail on the week before you leave.

We used to do WJ exclusively and never really ventured to MDR. Not really sure what changed our minds, but now its MDR or a speciality restaurant for dinner. We enjoyed WJ, as you could go anytime and wear pretty much anything appropriate . Maybe some cruise, we'll venture back.

The dw booked one last week for our upcoming January cruise on FOS, although it says onboard only. We do have a GS for the first time, not sure if that matters, or they open them to everyone. In the past I thought they were all held for suite guests... Anyone have info on this? Thanks! :D:D

Bob already posted this, but the concierge ( Rahul ) will send you an Email the week prior to your cruise asking if you want one on Barefoot Beach, seeing you are in a GS. The price should be less too. We heard they were only raising the price at Nellies. You could keep the one you already have, then cancel once you get the Email just to be safe.

Im having trouble deciding!! Are there any differences that I should consider? This is a trip for just hubby and myself.

 

Thanks

We had the same question while onboard FOS, we wanted to book onboard. But with us it came down to Oasis/ Harmony. There was a $2,000 price difference for a cruise leaving the same weekend in April '17 ( non holiday ). Needless to say, we'll do Harmony after the newness wears off and the price drops.

We have never been in a suite because the cost of a suit is usually more than 2 or 3 regular balcony cabins.

 

We don't really need all of the suite amenities.

 

We would rather cruise more often on a balcony.

How does this help the OP's inquiry ?

We were on that cruise. It broke up a dreary day.

Glad you had a great time ! FOS is our favorite ship and we will be on her again Sunday for the western cruise . We hope to hear from Rahul this week about a cabana in Labadee. Don't give up on Royal till after you make D+, then try some others. We really love Disney too !

Personally, we would do it, but Suites have spoiled us ! If we are looking to book a certain cruise, and a GS or better isn't available , we move on to something else !

I recommend a western caribbean itinerary on Freedom. When you are worried about things, take smaller steps. A western would certainly be less of a challenge, a smaller step, than going to Europe.

 

Take your husband on the western and if he likes it, it will be easier to get him on a plane to Europe. BTW, I have the same problem. Wife doesn't even want to fly inside the states let alone an eight hour flight to Europe.

 

A western will be significantly cheaper for any give cabin category than a European once you factor in airfare. It will also take less time. You will have more money to spend on the cruise.

 

Different people have different opinions, but we prefer the western over the eastern. Some say the shopping is better on the eastern but how many t-shirts are you going to buy? Others say the western is more scenic.

 

Save the European until you're a bit more seasoned and have fewer worries about the kids.

 

Small steps. And, remember, this isn't an either/or decision. You can do the caribbean this time and the european later.

Agreed ! Great post ! We have done the western Caribbean on Freedom several times now and love it. We prefer this cruise over the Eastern itinerary because you stand the chance of missing Coco Cay if you hit bad weather ! If possible , a cabana at Labadee is worth the investment .

It's been our experience that you still have to walk to the podium at the entrance to MTD and the girl will ask you your stateroom number, and I show our gold card as I tell her the room. She already knows you are in a suite because she is looking it up on the computer. We have never had to wait to get in after our initial check in ! But as far as a separate line for suite guests, we have never seen one .

Did you miss it ? Or are you planning on missing it ?

We are booked on Liberty of the Seas next month for the 5 night to Bermuda. We have done this itinerary before but have never been on a Freedom class ship. I have cruised RCI exclusively for the past 30 years and have always enjoyed myself. Last 2 cruises were on Oasis and Allure. Maybe I am feeling a let down after this class of ship. I don't think it is because we have been to Bermuda before. We always find something new to see each time we go.

 

Has anyone else felt this way after cruising Oasis or Quantum class ship?

We are complete opposites ! We usually cruise Freedom and feel anxiety when we cruise Allure ! Freedom has everything on it we look for including less passengers than Allure . It just loses its splendor when you have to watch a board to see where you can eat without fighting a crowd, or just showing up at a show on a whim without having to have mad reservations 9 months ago. We love both classes of ships, but will take Freedom any day over Allure !

We enjoy the MDR; plenty of people berate the MDR experience and do the specialty restaurants or WJ. Some like the WJ for its ultra casualness (personally I like to change into nicer clothes for dinner). The only specialty restaurant we go to is Izumi, for the Japanese food, which has always been good. I see no reason to go to a steak house or Italian restaurant on the ship when many of those types of foods can be found on the MDR menu and you are already paying for that. I have never had a bad meal in the MDR -- if I did not like something, I asked for something else and always got it.

 

Got a great chuckle when you described the 'grazers hell bent on claiming the last scoop of smashed tater'.

Agree with everything ! Much more relaxing to put on your nice duds and have some else take care of you. Like you, we have always had good meals in MDR, and if you don't care for something, they have lotsa something else !

As long as Southwest Airlines flies only into Fort Lauderdale and not into Miami, I and a lot of other people will not be happy about sailing out of Miami.

 

I have sailed out of Miami quite a few times, and it is very inconvenient and much more expensive.

Couldn't agree more ! Flights for us to Miami are horrendous and very expensive compared to FLL or MCO. Cruising out of Miami just doesn't work for us .

What brought you back (??) to the MDR, may I ask? We personally always have enjoyed the MDR and only go to Izumi, for one dinner, as a specialty restaurant if it is on a ship.

The best answer I can give you is we got tired of carting a tray of food around a crowded room, looking for a table and trying to stay out of the way of the grazers hell bent on claiming the last scoop of smashed taters ! We found it much more relaxing just showing up at MDR and having excellent service ! We enjoy the food there and have never had bad service !

Yes we do both formal nights. We used to skip the MDR and just go to WJ but now we enjoy the MDR and hardly ever go to WJ.

Hello. Does any body know if you can cancel with RCI and get refund or credit once you have paid in full? My father has passed away suddenly & travel insurance do not cover as our trip isn't until next month. I just feel i can not leave home that soon. Any help would be greatly appreciated :)

So sorry for your loss ! Our prayers are with your family! My Dad passed away last year the day before we were to leave for our Freedom cruise. I called Royal that day to notify them, and they transferred some of the money to a new cruise ( port fees, shore excursion ....etc ) . But I went ahead and book the next available sail date that had rooms available , which happened to be two months later. Also we had insurance on the cruise which we received a short time later. I know its hard, and I know what your going thru, but we did that cruise in honor of my Dad. I would call Royal after things calm down and see what they tell you your options are !

Thanks folks. Just booked OS 1334, anyone familiar with that area ? Again, thanks Gerry P.S. Now just read a CC piece about flushing toilets above 1334. aarrgg. 1648 is available but next to the hot tub of Royal Suite 1640 next door.

We are in 1340 on our next cruise. We enjoy the starboard side for a better view coming into ports. 1334 is the front part of the hump which will give you great views, but it is under the woman's bathroom, so it is possible to get some noise. There was a review on this room a long time ago dealing with the flushing noise , and the poster wasn't bothered by the occasional noise. We have also been in 1350 and found we had no forward view at all due to being on the backside of the hump. Either way you could have noise, from the hot tub, or a flushing toilet. Bring ear plugs and have a great cruise !

What time was your flight?

My thoughts too. I wonder if was an early flight ? I believe they won't do LV if you have a flight before 11 also.

You will get an email from the concierge the week before your cruise telling you what's available.

We love the Freedom. In a few weeks, we will be on her for the 6th time. Somewhere on the main boards is a post named Everything Freedom, with over a thousand responses. That may help with any questions.

What kinds of things do people request from concierge? First timer, here. Cabanas? Coastal Kitchen Reservations? My time reservations? Shows??

 

Thanks,

Chelsea

To answer all your questions....yes ! Your concierge will take care of all these type reservations. On our last Allure cruise, I emailed the concierge from our hotel in FLL after we arrived and she responded later that day with confirmation of all our requests !

Stressful.......extremely ! Doable......hopefully ! Would we ever do it......Never ! Good luck, and please let us know how you make out !