LOS - TA - April 2-16, 2011 MIA-BCN - TRIP REPORT

[foxesden1]

really? what post? link please :) I feel like a star! LOL ROTHL

[marci22]

It was "Review: Explorer 9-night" by efields. I asked her about menus and she referred me here. I enjoyed reading the entire review!

[Agutaya]

Thanks for the great review. I really enjoyed it, especially the photos of the girls in their flamenco dresses. Lovely!

 

Mary

[tright]

Your pictures are wonderful!!! I really do apreciate the time you took to do this. I love reading reviews. Thanks

[podsnel]

Hi! i really, REALLY enjoyed your TR- I just started reading two days ago- I loved all the photos and your honesty when sharing all your experiences! You look so familiar to me- are you a DISer? :)

[jebl]

Thanks so much for your review and great photos. We are considering the Liberty TA for Oct '12.

 

Do you have the Cruise Compasses scanned somewhere that I could see them? I'm thinking webshots, snapfish, facebook etc.

 

Would love to see the activities for the sea days especially. Did a TA on the Eclipse last Oct and was actually bored on that sailing. Worst cruise of all 21 and I enjoyed my other Celeb cruises. Just not that one.

 

Thanks,

[oncruisecontrol]

Okay for those of you have made it this far, I would like to insert a comment. I am not a chef, I am not a paper chef. I am not a pastry chef. I do cook. I do decorate cakes. Two of my best friends are trained paper french chef, and one is a trained chines chef. I am a foodie, but I am very confidant in my palate. I like going and getting a burger as much as anyone else, I make 98% of our food from scratch, at home. We also by frozen ready made food. In short, I am a normal busy mom of the 2011. (Still not off my soap box yet.. ) stay with me.

 

So, food. I worked it out by day 5. RCCL like everyone else, is cutting costs, with a per diem of about $12.00 a day per pax, I do not know how they do it. I had a great talk with the head waiter around this time of the cruise - (it was on day three maybe.. ) about why I did not bother to order another meal to replace the one I did not eat. (My waiter and head waiter really did want to try and please me.. like every pax on board).

 

Its not that the kitchen can not make a good meal - lord knows they can, all the sauces are made in house and they are wonderful.. its that they are going on cheaper cuts of meat. Lesser fish fillets. They are cuttings costs where they can. The presentation is spot on with all the dishes. The seasoning is correct. The main dish sides (veggies/starch/what not) are always good. Its the main protein that seems to fall short. Or the dessert, sometimes the starter. Most of the time it is something that was not made in house. Or came out of a box. Because when Royal does something well in the kitchen... it is fantastic. When Royal does something.. shall we say, a little left to the mark, it seems to be because of the budget.

 

So what I am trying to say, is that I wish, with my whole heart, that I started to sail RCCL when it was in its hay day. I know, my first cruise was in 1984. I can tell you, one night in the dining room and it was like my life changed - it is what turned me into a foodie (and I was 15 at the time.. it was a Greek Liner ) It was the first time I tasted a true consume soup - the first time I had rare lamb (is there any other way to eat it?) the first time I had a perfect dessert..

 

(sorry all most done..)

 

Like many of you, I have been blessed to have a few meals, that I will remember my whole life. The first was on that cruise, so many years ago, and the last was the first night menu on Royal. (The starter and the dessert was what I am dreaming off.. its the memory taste, I kept wanting to get in the dining room every night.. ) ((let me also insert at this point, I NEVER had that even once on our Disney Cruise - the food, looked great, but was missing the flavor, it was about the :show: and not the taste.))

 

I know, in my heart of hearts if the kitchen of RCCL ever gets a good per diem back, there will be no stopping them.

 

 

I hear where you are coming from. At home, I cook everything from scratch with fresh, simple ingredients (fresh quality cheese, fresh herbs, whole grains, fresh organic veggies, extra virgin first cold-pressed olive oil, etc). We travel on mass-market cruiselines (Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, NCL), and I do not expect to get the kind of food I make for myself on any mass market ship considering the prices we pay for these cruises. We have never paid more than $100 per person, per day for any of our Caribbean cruises, no matter what line we were on. Given that, I'd say that the main diningroom food is about what is to be expected. Often, I wish the food were more to my liking, but I feel that I am getting what I've paid for.

 

I certainly have noticed the cuts even compared to what was served in the diningrooms just 5 or 6 years ago. While I was not cruising back in 1984, I'm fairly certain that the cruise fare 27 yrs ago was much, much more than it is today, and that the ship was much, much smaller and thus having a berth on the ship was at a premium. Of course the food was better: there were less passengers who were paying a lot more[than people typically pay today].

 

I do not think that the per diem cruiselines pay for food per passenger is going to increase. It may, however, go down. And, if it does go down, the number of for-fee dining options may go up.......that is until or when/if the cruiseline see that this model is not profitable. Only then, may we see more quaility in the diningrooms...along with subtle fare increases. Just my opinion.

 

Anyway, your review is an interesting read. I do not often see photo reviews on the Royal Caribbean board. Nicely done.

[foxesden1]

Thanks so much for your review and great photos. We are considering the Liberty TA for Oct '12.

 

Do you have the Cruise Compasses scanned somewhere that I could see them? I'm thinking webshots, snapfish, facebook etc.

 

Would love to see the activities for the sea days especially. Did a TA on the Eclipse last Oct and was actually bored on that sailing. Worst cruise of all 21 and I enjoyed my other Celeb cruises. Just not that one.

 

Thanks,

 

 

I will, but my scanner is sitting beside me on the floor, waiting for my husband to hook it up.. :rolleyes:

[chels08]

whoops, me again! guess what I saw as we were pulling out of the port?

 

 

Is that the ship formally known as Sovereign of the Seas? SoS was my first cruise!

 

Your review was absolutely WONDERFUL! It was nice to see the LOS from a different angle, and to reminisce from my trip on her last summer. I loved seeing the food and ship pics, (great photography!) but more the food :). We even share some favorites in common!

 

Im glad your run-ins with that awful couple and the CA didn't put a complete damper on the cruise. (Reading about both made me a bit mad).

 

And Im sure you get this all the time but Miss Em is an absolute DOLL! She is just too cute for words! I hope she feels better from her ear infection quickly!!

 

Thanks again for the great review!

 

PS-How does breakfast in the MDR work? Do you just go in to your assigned table for dinner, or are you seated? Thanks for your help!

[foxesden1]

Breakfast and Lunch are open seating in the MDR. You can get a table just for your party, or a larger one if you like.

 

Yes, Miss Em is much better and thank you! :D

[foxesden1]

WOW 10,000 views.. Thanks so much!!!!! :D

[Pam]

I just found your report today, and avidly consumed every word and picture. My husband and I started out on RCCL, then switched to another line. He passed away last year, and I am contemplating taking my daughter and her family on a cruise; RCCL would be far more family-friendly than the more "grownup" line Hubs and I grew attached to. I know we wouldn't do a TA, but I love reading about them because there are more days involved.

 

Thank you for taking the time.

[cruisecriticmember]

Your daughter is very cute. Thanks for the review and all the food fotos. It became a game of match the foto to the menu item/ description but was fun!

[Rancher Dave]

Great review.

 

I will have to show DD the pictures of your daughter in the red dress....she will get a kick out of it. DD got a China fancy dress made specifically for her as we finished the cruise a couple weeks ago in Shanghai...same type of reaction from most who see her in it.

[liberiben]

My husband and I are thinking about doing this in 2014 if they are still doing this trans. for our 10yr. anniversary Just wondering if you happen to know how often/how much the Flowrider was open. Thanks! Really enjoyed the review.

[foxesden1]

My husband and I are thinking about doing this in 2014 if they are still doing this trans. for our 10yr. anniversary Just wondering if you happen to know how often/how much the Flowrider was open. Thanks! Really enjoyed the review.

 

Maybe we will be on the same ship as you! Thats when we are going to do our next crossing.

 

The hours I have in the cruise compass are as follows

 

IN PORT DAYS:

8am to 10am Stand up Surfing

3pm to 4pm Stand up Surfing

4pm to 7pm Boogie Boarding

 

SEADAYS:

8am to 9am Stand up Surfing

9am to 10am Boogie Boarding

10am to 11am Teen stand up surfing

4pm to 5pm stand up surfing

5pm to 7pm boogie boarding

 

also, on the TA everytime I went to look for my husband it was always the same -20 or so people. (most times i would say 10 or so guys and one or two girls) who were always at the FR. And all of them were wicked good. (some old guys (2) (ie older then me.. LOL so say 50/60? would TEAR up the place, they ROCKED! and you knew they have been surfing forever.. i really liked watching it.

 

DH tried to sign up for a group lesson, but there were never enough people (6).

 

T

[foxesden1]

Also today is the day I am going to get my scanner hooked up! so I will start to upload documents as soon as I get that done.

 

;)

[liberiben]

Maybe we will be on the same ship as you! Thats when we are going to do our next crossing.

 

The hours I have in the cruise compass are as follows

 

IN PORT DAYS:

8am to 10am Stand up Surfing

3pm to 4pm Stand up Surfing

4pm to 7pm Boogie Boarding

 

SEADAYS:

8am to 9am Stand up Surfing

9am to 10am Boogie Boarding

10am to 11am Teen stand up surfing

4pm to 5pm stand up surfing

5pm to 7pm boogie boarding

 

also, on the TA everytime I went to look for my husband it was always the same -20 or so people. (most times i would say 10 or so guys and one or two girls) who were always at the FR. And all of them were wicked good. (some old guys (2) (ie older then me.. LOL so say 50/60? would TEAR up the place, they ROCKED! and you knew they have been surfing forever.. i really liked watching it.

 

DH tried to sign up for a group lesson, but there were never enough people (6).

 

T

Thanks!!! That is so odd that there is so little stand up, too bad. We hope to do this one, but we have a 3.5 year old who will be a 6.5 year old by then, who we will need to find care for for 2 weeks. At least she will be in school by then so the Grandparents won't have to watch her quite as much.

[WMCMRBILL]

WAHOO! It was the CC slot pull!

 

Some of the gang..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hey David & Taylor, Thanks for the review!!! I feel like I'm back on the cruise with you. The picture of me doesn't look half bad, you can't tell how hungover I was.:eek: You know, those long nights at the casino bar with Bill, Peter and David !!!! Keep the Review going, I'm loving it!!:)

[foxesden1]

LOL not sure you want me to go into detail about our trip to France? or just hurry up and get those Cruise Compasses posted????

 

I am just about to clear off my desk to make space for the scanner.

 

Taylor

[foxesden1]

Thanks!!! That is so odd that there is so little stand up, too bad. We hope to do this one, but we have a 3.5 year old who will be a 6.5 year old by then, who we will need to find care for for 2 weeks. At least she will be in school by then so the Grandparents won't have to watch her quite as much.

 

 

LOL we just took our daughter with us! LOL she was 5.5 at the time and LOVED IT! But it was also her march break. We get all of April off. So great for TA cruises!

[foxesden1]

Hi! i really, REALLY enjoyed your TR- I just started reading two days ago- I loved all the photos and your honesty when sharing all your experiences! You look so familiar to me- are you a DISer? :)

 

 

Same name, and yes. But I have not been on Disboards in years. Might have seen my post, I have also posted on the family boards.

[LeanneandBill]

Love your review - not quite finished reading , but am now wondering after reading of your terrible service from your CA - do you think it is a mistake to prepay tips? We will be going on our 1st cruise in Dec. I told our travel agent I wanted to prepay for simplicity's sake, but now I'm wondering of that is a bad idea. . .

[foxesden1]

Love your review - not quite finished reading , but am now wondering after reading of your terrible service from your CA - do you think it is a mistake to prepay tips? We will be going on our 1st cruise in Dec. I told our travel agent I wanted to prepay for simplicity's sake, but now I'm wondering of that is a bad idea. . .

 

 

I think its hit or miss. But I will never pre pay or have tips added to our account. Cash in hand is the way we are going to go. But that is just MPO.

[B'moreTraveler]

Foxesden1,

 

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! You have made me smile, you have made me laugh (Emma in the candy store in her Flaminco dress), and I am sure that I have gained at least 10 pounds from all your great pictures of the food and menus! My mouth is still watering! :rolleyes:

 

I just found your post this morning and have spent all afternoon reading it. It's almost like I am traveling with you across the ocean.

 

My first cruise on RCCL is in just 74 days, and i am so looking forward to it. Your comments and pictures have provided a sneak peak of the fun and good food I will experience.

 

Thanks again for sharing all the details (good and bad) and all the pictures. Excellent job!

 

Marty