Do they still give tours of the bridge?

[Pumbaamd]

Galley tours are usually just for D+ / suite guests.

R&D

[dzboss1]

 

Hope this helps from the Oasis cruise we just got off of Saturday. We are Diamond plus, but the invite does say Diamond members.The interesting thing is that only 6 of us showed for it. It lasted about 20 minutes.

[FR8]

Yup, they still do em.......my wife (right) and a friend in the Captains Chairs, Explorer of the Seas April 2010

 

[soccermomof4]

Just off the Enchantment on Sat. ---- we were in a balcony (1st cruise, so not diamond). My husband always says it doesn't hurt to ask -- so he did. He and my son were given invitations to the bridge and really enjoyed it!!!:D

[chloemonkey]

It was offered to all of our group this July on the Mariner but the invitation came through our concierge so I believe it was for suite guests..We skipped it having been on other bridge tours.....we were also invited to do galley tour and "behind the scenes" entertainment tour.

 

And on NCL the Garden Villa guests usually get invited for a private one! That is if your concierge likes you! This one was truly worth it as the captain just told us to hang out as long as we liked and seemed to really enjoy hosting us.

 

So probably only suite and D+ and again probably depends on the captain. But the "not since 911" thing is NOT true.

[Debde]

Just off the Enchantment on Sat. ---- we were in a balcony (1st cruise, so not diamond). My husband always says it doesn't hurt to ask -- so he did. He and my son were given invitations to the bridge and really enjoyed it!!!:D

 

And there you have it.........If it is something you would realy like-no matter how many times you have cruised, just ask!!

 

I believe pleasing newbie cruisers is just as important as prior guests at times!

[stompy]

Nope! Not since 911...

 

Sorry

Earl

 

Well my cruise was in April and they did...

 

here's a picture I took of the pilot:

 

[thriftycruiser]

SilentBob007 wrote on his blog:My review: Majesty of the Seas (Sept 19-22, 2008)

 

 

"As was also expected, I was disappointed in most of the desserts offered … if it was a cake, brownie or cookie, it was usually decent, but other desserts (like tarts, key lime pie, and tiramisu) were what has to me become typical on RCCL - quality topping with a gel-base that is wobbly, mostly tasteless, and has an odd texture."

 

Do still find this to be true?

[BND]

We were in a GS on Explorer in March and we got a bridge tour. The concierge asked if we wanted to and we said yes. Everyone on our tour was in a GS or above. They did ask us to stay out of view of the bridge viewing area that Explorer has because they get lots of requests that they have to say no to when others see people on the bridge. They are pretty big on security. You can take photos, no video. They also use the metal detecting wand on everyone and check all bags/purses before they take everyone on the tour. Security is taken very seriously.

[dep]

MOS bridge tour 12/09 . Got invite sent to cabin D+.

[Ivanova]

Nope! Not since 911...

 

Sorry

Earl

 

Not so. Just did one in May. Had friends on a sailing a couple weeks ago and they were told no bridge tours, but the following sailing (same ship) we had other friends that were able to get on a bridge tour.

 

It varies from one sailing to the next, and is solely at the Captain's discretion.

 

Typically I advise going to guest relations on the day you board and asking. There is never any harm in asking.....

[marci22]

We asked the concierge for a bridge tour as suite guests and he was very apologetic because he said that the current captain did not like to do them. He said other captains had no problem with it.

[stretch44]

We asked the concierge for a bridge tour as suite guests and he was very apologetic because he said that the current captain did not like to do them. He said other captains had no problem with it.

 

 

You probably had the same problem we did. First tour for D/D+ was full and the captain did not want to have another tour. It's a shame that after spending so much on a suite they are not able to provide a tour. But RCCL has designated this as a D/D+ perk so that's the way it is.

 

So basically it depends on what captain you have and how full the tours are that dictates whether anyone else gets a tour.

[negc]

You probably had the same problem we did. First tour for D/D+ was full and the captain did not want to have another tour. It's a shame that after spending so much on a suite they are not able to provide a tour. But RCCL has designated this as a D/D+ perk so that's the way it is.

 

So basically it depends on what captain you have and how full the tours are that dictates whether anyone else gets a tour.

 

I don't doubt that whether or not bridge tours are offered may be a decision left to each captain, but aside from the reported remark of a single concierge, I still have seen no convincing evidence that Diamond+ members get preference over suite guests when it comes to who is able to get the tour when it is offered.

[wingatesl]

I don't doubt that whether or not bridge tours are offered may be a decision left to each captain, but aside from the reported remark of a single concierge, I still have seen no convincing evidence that Diamond+ members get preference over suite guests when it comes to who is able to get the tour when it is offered.

My inlaws were in a suite and go the invite as well. I am pretty sure the offer is out there for D/D+ and suite guests, but I know for a FACT that it is consistently offered to the D and above.

[critterchick]

Hello on our last cruise this past February we where told by our cruise director that since 911, tours are no longer permitted. Mind if I ask when and what ship did you have your last tour on? I hope on our next cruises if we follow your instruction we could tour the bridge as well.

 

Happy Sailing

Earl

 

I hate it when they lie like that. We were on Monarch one time and when the Captain came around at the P/D reception somebody at our table asked about a bridge tour. She replied that it wasn't allowed since 911. I think she could tell from the looks on all our faces that we knew it was a lie. I guess she didn't recall that DH and I had been on the bridge with her earlier in the year.:rolleyes:

 

The bottom line is that it never hurts to ask - all they can say is no. I would ask the Concierge (if you have privileges), the Loyalty Ambassador and as a last resort leave a note for the Captain at Guest Services.

[Lovincruisin1321]

How do you know what category you are? I'm on Deck 9, Superior w/balcony.

 

Our cruise sails on our anniversary. I would love to arrange this for my husband as a surprise. Do I have to wait or can I find out who the captain is ahead of time?

[Pumbaamd]

My inlaws were in a suite and go the invite as well. I am pretty sure the offer is out there for D/D+ and suite guests, but I know for a FACT that it is consistently offered to the D and above.

When we were Diamond, we were never offered the Bridge tour. Since making D+ two years ago, we have always been invited. No guarantee for Diamond. Our tours have usually been D+ and suite only.

Rick and Deirdra

[staceyvols]

I'll be honest, didn't read all the answers to this question, so this may have been said already. In April, we were on a Carnival cruise. They do something called the "Behind the Fun Tour". It is a 3 hour tour of the crew areas, except sleeping quarters but their mess areas, real kitchen tours (not the pretty free one), behind the entertainment areas, and the big finale was going on the bridge while out at sea, meeting the captain, seeing it all in action. It cost $99 per person but it was worth every penny. We also got a few pictures taken which were included, a picture on the bridge with the captain and in the front of the ship with the bell, backpacks, hats, etc. Carnival only takes so many per cruise but well woth it!

[wingatesl]

When we were Diamond, we were never offered the Bridge tour. Since making D+ two years ago, we have always been invited. No guarantee for Diamond. Our tours have usually been D+ and suite only.

Rick and Deirdra

To use that as your example would be to say that it is not possible that it could have changed in 2 years. They even post on their website that it is available. All of the tours are on an "as available basis". There is no guarantee for anybody.

[John Henry on CC]

How do you know what category you are? I'm on Deck 9, Superior w/balcony.

 

Our cruise sails on our anniversary. I would love to arrange this for my husband as a surprise. Do I have to wait or can I find out who the captain is ahead of time?

"Category" refers to level in the Crown & Anchor Society, Royal Caribbean's loyalty program.

 

The levels are Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Diamond Plus.

 

Further details are available on RC's website: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedout.do;jsessionid=0000W-YU6MRF_OvLPaisrc-Fybf:12hbiocak?cS=NAVBAR

[rubrrick]

I hate it when they lie like that. We were on Monarch one time and when the Captain came around at the P/D reception somebody at our table asked about a bridge tour. She replied that it wasn't allowed since 911. I think she could tell from the looks on all our faces that we knew it was a lie. I guess she didn't recall that DH and I had been on the bridge with her earlier in the year.:rolleyes:

 

The bottom line is that it never hurts to ask - all they can say is no. I would ask the Concierge (if you have privileges), the Loyalty Ambassador and as a last resort leave a note for the Captain at Guest Services.

 

 

Thanks critterchick for your comment. It's a fact that we were NEVER invited on HER bridge!

 

Interesting that when she was the Staff Captain, we were there with Captain Sullivan, and well as you. Actually, I think I have pictures of your DH, you, my DW and Captain Sullivan all together, both on the bridge, and bridge wing.

 

There was one other captain that denied us the privilege of being on the bridge....and for the life of me, I cannot remember his name. It was on the Jewel, and we were doing a Best of Norway.....and Thor (Captain Thorolvsen) was coming aboard in a very small port to take command.

 

At the time, little did we know that the captain had resigned, and left the logs, as well as some other things in a mess. He had docked the ship, and was packed and off before Thor had arrived.

 

I guess that the best way.......if someone is truly interested in seeing a bridge, while the ship is underway (green only) is to ask.......guest services, the concierge, if you have access, or the Loyalty Ambassador.

 

And you are so right.......they still give them.:)

 

Rick

[Pumbaamd]

To use that as your example would be to say that it is not possible that it could have changed in 2 years. They even post on their website that it is available. All of the tours are on an "as available basis". There is no guarantee for anybody.

Let's not let Diamond members get their hopes up for a Bridge tour.

Anything can change in two years, from ice cream to ice shows. Posting on their site that it is 'available' means very little. Heck, winning $100,000 in the casino is 'available'.

We've done maybe 8 or 9 cruises in the last two years with RCCL. Again, on most of our Bridge (and Back Stage, Galley tours), we saw and talked with almost exclusivelly Suite and D+ guests. It would be nice to sea more Diamond members there, but they just were not in attendance. It's RCCL's call.

Wingatesl . . . what sailing do you have coming up next? What was your last trip? Any long range plans? Whatever you have next, have a great time!!!

R&D

[marci22]

You probably had the same problem we did. First tour for D/D+ was full and the captain did not want to have another tour. It's a shame that after spending so much on a suite they are not able to provide a tour. But RCCL has designated this as a D/D+ perk so that's the way it is.

 

So basically it depends on what captain you have and how full the tours are that dictates whether anyone else gets a tour.

 

The concierge made it sound like this captain did no bridge tours at all, and that it was just his personal preference.

 

He mentioned that other captains have no problem allowing the tours and that it helps him because it makes the passengers happy.

 

I did include on my written survey that I was disappointed as a suite passenger that it was not offered (DH really wanted to go :( )

[FLACRUISER99]

The concierge made it sound like this captain did no bridge tours at all, and that it was just his personal preference.

 

He mentioned that other captains have no problem allowing the tours and that it helps him because it makes the passengers happy.

 

I did include on my written survey that I was disappointed as a suite passenger that it was not offered (DH really wanted to go :( )

Please remember folks that the Captain is in command of the ship, not your status. (Suite D+ etc)