Just off the Allure

[sublarry]

Any compass scans? I was curious about the different trivias!

 

 

 

I will try to get some of them in later this week. At a hockey game tonight and of course Valentines date night tomorrow.

 

I did save them for scanning.

 

 

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[Sun Lover]

OK, you asked for it.

 

 

This is my own $.02 from what I experienced and a letter I sent to Executive HQ.

Letter to Michael Bayley and I have received a response that they will take action.

 

 

 

"We were recently on Freedom of the Seas from 6 Jan – 20 Jan 2018.

Very disappointed in Freedom’s management team as depicted below.

 

 

Disembarkation was a fiasco for consecutive cruisers. We were escorted off by Concierge to a holding tank in Terminal. CBP came through and cleared us for immigration. We then sat for over an hour while the next sailing’s guests were filling up the terminal all around us. We finally flagged down a ship’s officer who let us back on. We were forgotten. No information was passed from ship to terminal staff. (Normally, a representative from Guest Services stays with you and escorts you back on)

 

 

 

The consecutive cruisers “special lunch” fell way short. We sat for 45 minutes in the dining room while tables around us received lunch and we notified waiter supervisor (Monica Cabrera) twice that we had not yet been served. She did not know what to do and took NO ACTION – she should not be a supervisor. We finally left, disgusted, without being served and notified both Hotel Director Xavier Matthias (I personally met with him at the Promenade Cafe) and Guest Services (a hand written note for the Guest Services Manager). We tried to go to the Windjammer but the lines were out to the elevators and no one could get into the restaurant as all lines were long and only one side was opened. We went back to our rooms and made cup-of-soups. We received no feedback the entire cruise from management. Very sad.

 

 

In our cabin, (Junior Suite), we received no upgraded toiletries (we are Pinnacle). We received no hors d’oeuvres plates, cheese plates, and only one bottle of wine. We had no lunch with an officer as the request cards had that omitted with only backstage tours listed.

 

 

We have sailed on many other ships for 4-6 day cruises (this was a 6 day and the previous B2B was 8 days) and always received lunch with an officer, multiple bottles of wine, hors d’oeuvres, toiletries, etc. Even Empress with 5 night cruises has a fantastic lunch with the officers.

 

 

Continental breakfast in the lounges were extremely limited. While on Navigator a day prior to Freedom, the lounges had fancy pastries, smoothies, parfaits, large selection of cold cuts and just an overall better ambience than Freedom.

 

 

Someone in management is dropping the ball. But, then again, the better Hotel Directors do better things for their guests.

 

 

All in all – this was a very disappointing cruise specifically due to lack of management.

We even received questionnaires in the room the last night to write down if anyone in the rooms had experienced gastrointestinal problems, with their cabin number. They stated they wanted it for a count. How stupid do they think the passengers are?

 

 

The only saving grace was the bartenders in the Concierge Lounge (especially Monica) were fantastic and we had breakfast in Chops daily.

 

 

I would not want to travel on Freedom of the Seas again because management is substandard and needs a refresher course in how to manage crew, passengers, and venues.

 

 

Ironically, these were our first two cruises as Pinnacles."

 

 

I stand by what I experienced. The last time we were on Freedom was the inaugural in 2006. Things have changed.

 

 

 

The crew was great but management was substandard. I was a manager in my former life before retirement and there was an extreme lack of attention to detail. When I met with Xavier he had a "give a s%$t attitude" and took no action. Even Adrian, the Guest Services Manager, didn't respond to my note I passed to him. If someone came to me, as a manager, with the same issues I would have dropped everything and taken appropriate action. Lots of high rollers on the consecutive cruises.

 

 

 

I'm not whining - just putting to paper the facts that happened. For my money, and I spend a lot with Royal - over $75k last year alone, I wouldn't go on Freedom again until they change Hotel Directors and/or Guest Services managers. Perhaps even renaming it "Substandard of the Seas".:D

 

 

 

Many others we talked to on the Allure that just came off the Freedom had the same experience, so it wasn't just us.

 

 

 

Allure, on the other hand, is superb. The crew, Officer's, Concierges, and especially the Coastal Kitchen staff just go that extra mile to ensure you have a wonderful experience for the short time you are with them. Chef Stellbrink (Der Schnitzel Meister) made some really good schnitzel and also a wonderful seafood buffet lunch on the sea days.

 

 

We had similar great experiences like the Allure on Brilliance, Jewel, Navigator, Empress, and Adventure to name a few. Great Hotel Directors and Officer's.

 

 

 

Again, these are mine and my wife's personal experiences and yours may vary.

 

 

Ahhhhhh, less than two weeks to our 3rd annual 60's cruise, which is the MOST FUN of any cruise we've ever taken. www.flowerpowercruise.com - check out the lineup.

 

 

 

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

How did you contact Michael Bayley? Did you write and mail a letter or send an email? Can you tell me how to contact him?

[dagunny]

How did you contact Michael Bayley? Did you write and mail a letter or send an email? Can you tell me how to contact him?

 

I did both. His email is mbayley@rccl.com and his executive assistant is Tamika Thompson at tthompson@rccl.com

 

I used the 1050 Caribbean Way address.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami, FL 33132-2096

[Sun Lover]

Thanks for the info. We just had a pretty bad experience on Oasis and I want to contact him.

[lawyerboy5555]

Did you have to put the Sea Pass card in the slot on the door to open it? Or, did you just have to waive it in front of some reader on the door?

[vistapat]

If you have a Suite or Pinnacle the Concierge will guide you, off bypassing everyone, at the time you want - just ask. If not, take all your junk with you, be the first walk-off and stage at 06:00 at the gangway portal, and roll off. We used to do that prior to making Pinnacle or having a Suite. You'll get the first cabs to the airport. That's what I would do.

This will be our first time using the services of a concierge for disembarkation. When we landed in FLL in December off of Serenade, the line for customs was over an hour long, and the Mobile Passport app was not working. Does the concierge escort you to the front of the customs line, or merely to the front of the line for disembarking the ship? Trying to nail down what flight we can hope to make without too much stress. Also, does the concierge escort you if you are doing self-disembark, or only if checking your luggage?

 

Thanks, Pat

[dagunny]

This will be our first time using the services of a concierge for disembarkation. When we landed in FLL in December off of Serenade, the line for customs was over an hour long, and the Mobile Passport app was not working. Does the concierge escort you to the front of the customs line, or merely to the front of the line for disembarking the ship? Trying to nail down what flight we can hope to make without too much stress. Also, does the concierge escort you if you are doing self-disembark, or only if checking your luggage?

 

Thanks, Pat

 

They take groups down, in our case, at 07:30, 08:30, and 09:30. Dexter took us through to luggage. If you had baggage that you left in the hall at night to be taken off, he splits those off to get luggage. Roll-offs go directly down a separate lane to the front and are next to go to the customs agent. Those getting luggage join the roll-offs once they get their junk.

 

You get what you pay for.

[vistapat]

Thanks so much for your reply. Yeah - you do get what you pay for. In this case, sounds like we'll be able to book an earlier and less expensive flight than we were afraid we would have to. Thanks again,

 

Pat

[sublarry]

Did you have to put the Sea Pass card in the slot on the door to open it? Or, did you just have to waive it in front of some reader on the door?

 

 

 

They have a key waiting for you on the door. After you get you key you can throw the paper seapass away.

 

 

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[dagunny]

Did you have to put the Sea Pass card in the slot on the door to open it? Or, did you just have to waive it in front of some reader on the door?

 

Allure still uses the slot.

 

Harmony uses the electronic pass.

 

 

Maybe Symphony will use a musical tone ;p

[spangnash]

We are sailing out next week (Feb 25th) for the same exact itinerary... it will be myself, my husband, my 3 little boys, and my mother-in-law. Everyone is wondering what kind of clothes to pack... if we plan on shorts & tank tops the entire time (with some cardigans for chilly dinners/shows), will we be ok? Or should we bring some warmer clothing along... does it get chilly on the sea days? I'm sure my boys will want to pretty much live in the pools. (We swim in Lake Michigan in the summer in Wisconsin, so... they don't exactly need it to be HOT, but I hope it will be warm enough for me to want to be in the water with them!)

[dagunny]

We are sailing out next week (Feb 25th) for the same exact itinerary... it will be myself, my husband, my 3 little boys, and my mother-in-law. Everyone is wondering what kind of clothes to pack... if we plan on shorts & tank tops the entire time (with some cardigans for chilly dinners/shows), will we be ok? Or should we bring some warmer clothing along... does it get chilly on the sea days? I'm sure my boys will want to pretty much live in the pools. (We swim in Lake Michigan in the summer in Wisconsin, so... they don't exactly need it to be HOT, but I hope it will be warm enough for me to want to be in the water with them!)

 

We both take shorts, cool 18 slacks and cool 18 or Izod short sleeve golf shirts does dinner for me, wife takes super lightweight dresses, skirts, and tops. She may take a light wrap for the ice show, but that's it. No jackets, ties, or formal wear. It's the Caribbean and it will be hot - 75-80's+ F.

Down here socks are formal wear.

 

Labadee water temperature is about 80 degrees F.

 

https://seatemperature.info/labadee-water-temperature.html

 

We live in South Florida and 60 degrees is cold. :D

[brb2]

How do you order a drink when you first board with the paper sea pass?

[Clarea]

How do you order a drink when you first board with the paper sea pass?

They scan the barcode on your SetSail pass.

[carolitis]

Someone mentioned hard to get around deck 6. All or cabins are are on six . I like to know what I am getting into as I will be on a scooter.

[Ocean Boy]

Someone mentioned hard to get around deck 6. All or cabins are are on six . I like to know what I am getting into as I will be on a scooter.

There is nothing hard about deck 6 at all. Don't worry about it.

[sublarry]

There is nothing hard about deck 6 at all. Don't worry about it.

 

 

 

It is not hard. There are just some shops you can only get to from one side or the other. No “sidewalk” between photo shop and Schooners piano bar for instance.

 

 

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[Ocean Boy]

It is not hard. There are just some shops you can only get to from one side or the other. No “sidewalk” between photo shop and Schooners piano bar for instance.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

They are on opposite sides of the ship. What kind of sidewalk are you looking for? At the entrance / exit of the Schooner Bar you can walk directly across to the photo shop.

 

It is true that the Royal Promenade, Boardwalk, and Central Park do make it not possible to cross from one side of the ship to the other where ever you might have the desire to do so.

Edited February 20, 2018 by Ocean Boy

[FLACRUISER99]

OK, you asked for it.

 

 

This is my own $.02 from what I experienced and a letter I sent to Executive HQ.

Letter to Michael Bayley and I have received a response that they will take action.

 

 

 

"We were recently on Freedom of the Seas from 6 Jan – 20 Jan 2018.

Very disappointed in Freedom’s management team as depicted below.

 

 

Disembarkation was a fiasco for consecutive cruisers. We were escorted off by Concierge to a holding tank in Terminal. CBP came through and cleared us for immigration. We then sat for over an hour while the next sailing’s guests were filling up the terminal all around us. We finally flagged down a ship’s officer who let us back on. We were forgotten. No information was passed from ship to terminal staff. (Normally, a representative from Guest Services stays with you and escorts you back on)

 

 

 

The consecutive cruisers “special lunch” fell way short. We sat for 45 minutes in the dining room while tables around us received lunch and we notified waiter supervisor (Monica Cabrera) twice that we had not yet been served. She did not know what to do and took NO ACTION – she should not be a supervisor. We finally left, disgusted, without being served and notified both Hotel Director Xavier Matthias (I personally met with him at the Promenade Cafe) and Guest Services (a hand written note for the Guest Services Manager). We tried to go to the Windjammer but the lines were out to the elevators and no one could get into the restaurant as all lines were long and only one side was opened. We went back to our rooms and made cup-of-soups. We received no feedback the entire cruise from management. Very sad.

 

 

In our cabin, (Junior Suite), we received no upgraded toiletries (we are Pinnacle). We received no hors d’oeuvres plates, cheese plates, and only one bottle of wine. We had no lunch with an officer as the request cards had that omitted with only backstage tours listed.

 

 

We have sailed on many other ships for 4-6 day cruises (this was a 6 day and the previous B2B was 8 days) and always received lunch with an officer, multiple bottles of wine, hors d’oeuvres, toiletries, etc. Even Empress with 5 night cruises has a fantastic lunch with the officers.

 

 

Continental breakfast in the lounges were extremely limited. While on Navigator a day prior to Freedom, the lounges had fancy pastries, smoothies, parfaits, large selection of cold cuts and just an overall better ambience than Freedom.

 

 

Someone in management is dropping the ball. But, then again, the better Hotel Directors do better things for their guests.

 

 

All in all – this was a very disappointing cruise specifically due to lack of management.

We even received questionnaires in the room the last night to write down if anyone in the rooms had experienced gastrointestinal problems, with their cabin number. They stated they wanted it for a count. How stupid do they think the passengers are?

 

 

The only saving grace was the bartenders in the Concierge Lounge (especially Monica) were fantastic and we had breakfast in Chops daily.

 

 

I would not want to travel on Freedom of the Seas again because management is substandard and needs a refresher course in how to manage crew, passengers, and venues.

 

 

Ironically, these were our first two cruises as Pinnacles."

 

 

I stand by what I experienced. The last time we were on Freedom was the inaugural in 2006. Things have changed.

 

 

 

The crew was great but management was substandard. I was a manager in my former life before retirement and there was an extreme lack of attention to detail. When I met with Xavier he had a "give a s%$t attitude" and took no action. Even Adrian, the Guest Services Manager, didn't respond to my note I passed to him. If someone came to me, as a manager, with the same issues I would have dropped everything and taken appropriate action. Lots of high rollers on the consecutive cruises.

 

 

 

I'm not whining - just putting to paper the facts that happened. For my money, and I spend a lot with Royal - over $75k last year alone, I wouldn't go on Freedom again until they change Hotel Directors and/or Guest Services managers. Perhaps even renaming it "Substandard of the Seas".:D

 

 

 

Many others we talked to on the Allure that just came off the Freedom had the same experience, so it wasn't just us.

 

 

 

Allure, on the other hand, is superb. The crew, Officer's, Concierges, and especially the Coastal Kitchen staff just go that extra mile to ensure you have a wonderful experience for the short time you are with them. Chef Stellbrink (Der Schnitzel Meister) made some really good schnitzel and also a wonderful seafood buffet lunch on the sea days.

 

 

We had similar great experiences like the Allure on Brilliance, Jewel, Navigator, Empress, and Adventure to name a few. Great Hotel Directors and Officer's.

 

 

 

Again, these are mine and my wife's personal experiences and yours may vary.

 

 

Ahhhhhh, less than two weeks to our 3rd annual 60's cruise, which is the MOST FUN of any cruise we've ever taken. www.flowerpowercruise.com - check out the lineup.

 

 

 

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How true as I was on the 01/06/18 and though it was great.

[WillTravelForFood]

Yes, they have one on the door and one inside for the other guest.

 

They also leave all of your “tree mail” on the door as well.

 

 

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Is this something new Royal is doing?

[Clarea]

Is this something new Royal is doing?

It's been the way they have distributed SeaPass cards for all new ships since Quantum.

[WillTravelForFood]

It's been the way they have distributed SeaPass cards for all new ships since Quantum.

 

 

Hmmm we went on Allure last May and got our cards at the terminal.

[ROXY GIRL]

What type cabin did you have.

Were the beds comfortable.

How was the aqua show.

Hope to go on Allure sept.

Thanks Larry

[Clarea]

Hmmm we went on Allure last May and got our cards at the terminal.

Allure is older than Quantum.

[WillTravelForFood]

Allure is older than Quantum.

 

 

I guess my real question is, is this something new they implemented on Allure? This wasn't how we received our cards last time and I am trying to get an idea of what to expect in May.

 

Thanks again! Sorry my phrasing wasn't clear before.