D+ first time back since 2018 - what will I notice that is different?

[MattInFLL]

Note - not looking for food reviews or service decline comments 🙂. This is about the “process” of cruising and how things work.

 

In 2018 I moved to a city that really had no RCI cruise options, and then there was that pandemic thing.  But now I am moving back to FL and doing a big birthday on a 3 day Freedom in June.  I’ve done 54 cruises so I know my way around, but just wondering if there have been any changes in certain areas.

 

First - Freedom itself - it’s been revitalized - what does that mean?  I was last on her in 2014.

 

2. Embarkation - last I cruised, they were trying hard to go to streamlined e-check in - have they succeeded?  Or still the long line ups? (Leaving out of Miami).  And can you still generally get on the ship before noon if you get to the terminal early?

 

3.  If I can ask without starting a fight - what’s the deal with lounge access now, or is it all about drink coupons on your seapass?  (I am D+ and I get the Deluxe drink package anyway, so not a big deal - but I always liked the lounge).

 

4. Speaking of a seapass - are we still being issued cards?  Or have they gone to bands or something else?  Maybe the onboard app has become more useful?

 

5. On these 3 day cruises, are they still doing an outdoor deck party at least one night?

 

6. Coco Cay Beach Club Day Pass - any thoughts on it?  (What they are charging for cabana’s is absolutely insane.)

 

7. Where has the continual formal night argument ended up?  I am going to assume it remains - dress up if you want to, but they’re not really turning anyone away from the restaurant (unless it’s a bikini or speedo and nothing else, I suppose).  (And let’s not argue about it here if we can avoid it - just wondering the state of things).

 

8.  What is the night life centered around now?  I remember that most of the Voyager and Freedom class were losing their nightclubs (the Crypt?) during refurbs, and switching to other venues?

 

9. What are the late night eating options these days?  Still just Sorrento’s and the little sandwich place on the Promenade?

 

10. Do they still print a daily cruise planner - or has it gone completely digital?

 

Thanks for indulging me!

 

 

 

 

[pharmdawg]

interested to hear the answers also. Going again in 2024 but haven't cruised since 2018

[BirdTravels]

Not much has changed...

 

1. refirbed the ship. You just rebuild the interiors to look new and fresh. Get the latest branded venues onboard. Lipstick on a pig.

 

2. You do more online during check-in to minimize the stuff that has to be done at the port. Do-it-yourself is not easier, but shifts the responsibility to the guests. 

 

3. The drink vouchers are new. Keeps the crowds out of the Diamond Lounge since there is no free booze there. The "food" is still buffet left overs. 

 

4. Cards left on your stateroom door. Everyone has to have their set sail pass on their phone or printed. Again, minimize staffing requirements at check-in

 

6. Coco Beach club at $150-$300 per day and over water cabanas at $2K are both a waste of money. 

 

7. Formal nights are a joke. You see very very very few people in true formal attire. And they are sitting next to people in shorts and polo shirts in the MDR. 

 

8. Nightlife is picking up again. For the first year after restart, there were very few people out after 10 pm. It was pretty sad. 

 

9. Same. Sorentos and Cafe Promenade. 

 

10. We have still got hardcopy cruise planners each day. Right after restart, they were trying to do all electronic, but they weren't able to get all of the advertisements in the electronic version, so paper quickly came back. 

 

Here's a 2021 live post from the Freedom, in particular

 

[Traveling Library]

3 hours ago, MattInFLL said:

Note - not looking for food reviews or service decline comments 🙂. This is about the “process” of cruising and how things work.

 

In 2018 I moved to a city that really had no RCI cruise options, and then there was that pandemic thing.  But now I am moving back to FL and doing a big birthday on a 3 day Freedom in June.  I’ve done 54 cruises so I know my way around, but just wondering if there have been any changes in certain areas.

 

First - Freedom itself - it’s been revitalized - what does that mean?  I was last on her in 2014.

 

2. Embarkation - last I cruised, they were trying hard to go to streamlined e-check in - have they succeeded?  Or still the long line ups? (Leaving out of Miami).  And can you still generally get on the ship before noon if you get to the terminal early?

 

3.  If I can ask without starting a fight - what’s the deal with lounge access now, or is it all about drink coupons on your seapass?  (I am D+ and I get the Deluxe drink package anyway, so not a big deal - but I always liked the lounge).

 

4. Speaking of a seapass - are we still being issued cards?  Or have they gone to bands or something else?  Maybe the onboard app has become more useful?

 

5. On these 3 day cruises, are they still doing an outdoor deck party at least one night?

 

6. Coco Cay Beach Club Day Pass - any thoughts on it?  (What they are charging for cabana’s is absolutely insane.)

 

7. Where has the continual formal night argument ended up?  I am going to assume it remains - dress up if you want to, but they’re not really turning anyone away from the restaurant (unless it’s a bikini or speedo and nothing else, I suppose).  (And let’s not argue about it here if we can avoid it - just wondering the state of things).

 

8.  What is the night life centered around now?  I remember that most of the Voyager and Freedom class were losing their nightclubs (the Crypt?) during refurbs, and switching to other venues?

 

9. What are the late night eating options these days?  Still just Sorrento’s and the little sandwich place on the Promenade?

 

10. Do they still print a daily cruise planner - or has it gone completely digital?

 

Thanks for indulging me!

 

 

 

 

These are our recent experiences on the Enchantment and the Vision. 
 

 

Embarkation: when you check in you are offered time slots in 1/2 hour increments. I think the earliest is 11AM. In Baltimore and Ft Lauderdale they had separate lines for each time slot. If you came too early (say you arrived at 11AM but your time slot was 12:30 you had to wait in line). Don’t know what happens in Miami. 
Lounge: D+ gets 5 drinks per day on the card which can be used anywhere including the Diamond Lounge. Lounge has continental breakfast and pre dinner treats. The coffee machine is open breakfast to 8 PM. 
Sea Pass: still a physical card

Formal nights are now called “Dress to Impress”. Most people slightly amped up their wardrobe. A handful of Tuxes and 1 kilt.

Daily Compass. Print available but using the Royal app was just as handy. 
 

Have fun!

[LeeW]

Biggest thing is new D+ drinks.  With five each per day we don't even bring bottles of wine onboard any more.  We can barely justify getting the soda package. Plus we somehow got Prime in casino, so we get unlimited drinks there if we want them.

[Candleonwater]

Thanks for getting this question out there! We haven't cruised since 2018, and haven't been on Freedom since 2011.  So, I figured there would be some changes. I think my biggest concern is going out of Miami. We haven't done that since 2006, and IIRC, it was a miserable experience.

 

Are the 5 drinks only available during happy hour?

 

Question about DD's boyfriend's status.  She is D+, he has never sailed before. RCL said he gets her status (they live together - so they link it via relationship status?), but not her points. The not getting her points makes sense, but what does getting her status mean? Does he have access to the lounge with us? I noticed his set sail pass doesn't have any type of status indicated on it. Does he get the 5 drinks?

[Biker19]

14 minutes ago, Candleonwater said:

Are the 5 drinks only available during happy hour?

 

Question about DD's boyfriend's status.  She is D+, he has never sailed before. RCL said he gets her status (they live together - so they link it via relationship status?), but not her points. The not getting her points makes sense, but what does getting her status mean? Does he have access to the lounge with us? I noticed his set sail pass doesn't have any type of status indicated on it. Does he get the 5 drinks?

The five drinks are available 24/7 at all venues except the bionic bar and sometime the rising tide bar.

The boyfriend should get all the D+ perks - ensure that is confirmed by calling C&A before the sailing.

[MattInFLL]

OK, so truly not much has changed other than the 5 drinks on the card for D+ and no more drinks in the lounge.  That I think is a shame - it was always such a nice social thing (at least in the past). I am really surprised they have not upped their game for a more seamless experience that doesn't require the set sail pass, and finally doing away with paper cruise planners and putting things on an app.

 

By the way, are the drinks on the card still limited to a select few types of liquor, beer and wine?

 

Thanks for the comments, all.  

[Tlbecker1]

3 minutes ago, MattInFLL said:

OK, so truly not much has changed other than the 5 drinks on the card for D+ and no more drinks in the lounge.  That I think is a shame - it was always such a nice social thing (at least in the past). I am really surprised they have not upped their game for a more seamless experience that doesn't require the set sail pass, and finally doing away with paper cruise planners and putting things on an app.

 

By the way, are the drinks on the card still limited to a select few types of liquor, beer and wine?

 

Thanks for the comments, all.  

You can enjoy all 5 of your drinks in the diamond lounge.  Any drink under $14, which includes any drink that I have ever enjoyed.

[Coralc]

1 hour ago, MattInFLL said:

OK, so truly not much has changed other than the 5 drinks on the card for D+ and no more drinks in the lounge.  That I think is a shame - it was always such a nice social thing (at least in the past). I am really surprised they have not upped their game for a more seamless experience that doesn't require the set sail pass, and finally doing away with paper cruise planners and putting things on an app.

 

By the way, are the drinks on the card still limited to a select few types of liquor, beer and wine?

 

Thanks for the comments, all.  

Well, you will surely enjoy e-muster. 😃 It knocks the socks off of the previous muster drills. Watch the life jacket demonstration video and listen to the horn on your phone in your Uber or at the hotel. Then check in at your muster station when you board, and you're done! 

Edited March 23, 2023 by Coralc

[MattInFLL]

2 hours ago, Tlbecker1 said:

You can enjoy all 5 of your drinks in the diamond lounge.  Any drink under $14, which includes any drink that I have ever enjoyed.

Good to know - that is an improvement and I am sure changes the calculus for D+'s on whether to buy the drinks package.  (Although, admittedly I probably still will because there are lots of other things I get during the day.)

Edited March 23, 2023 by MattInFLL

[MattInFLL]

1 hour ago, Coralc said:

Well, you will surely enjoy e-muster. 😃 It knocks the socks off of the previous muster drills. Watch the life jacket demonstration video and listen to the horn on your phone in your Uber or at the hotel. Then check in at your muster station when you board, and you're done! 

Also good to know - that is actually a profound change.  I'm sure everyone loves that.  I just saw where NCL tried to revert to regular musters and there was a revolt and so they scrapped that idea.  I figured RCL was just keeping to musters in restaurants and lounges.

[Candleonwater]

Not D+ really, but what's the current rule on bringing water onboard? We are boarding in Miami, and I'm very specific about the type of bottled water I drink (I drink 3+ liters a day). Ours is a short cruise, will I get busted if I throw a couple sealed water bottles in my checked bag?

[island lady]

Did not see anyone post this yet, or I missed it.  

 

In the last few months, it was made official that D+ are permanently kicked out of the CL (on ships that still have them).  And Pinnacles only have access if the non-suite Pinnies are under a ship's individual threshold number.  

 

Indeed you have to use your vouchers in the DL....or simply use them at any lounge around the ship.  That is what we do.  I only use the CL/DL/SL for coffee in the morning.  

[island lady]

1 hour ago, Candleonwater said:

Not D+ really, but what's the current rule on bringing water onboard? We are boarding in Miami, and I'm very specific about the type of bottled water I drink (I drink 3+ liters a day). Ours is a short cruise, will I get busted if I throw a couple sealed water bottles in my checked bag?

 

12 bottles of 17 oz. bottles allowed to be carried on (in carry on bag).   

[nolimits]

D+ plus drinks are shareable not like drink package 

If you buy 4 drink packages and 2 of your 4 are lighter drinkers and can survive on 10 drinks each you might not want all 4 packages 

[Candleonwater]

22 hours ago, island lady said:

 

12 bottles of 17 oz. bottles allowed to be carried on (in carry on bag).   

Thanks. I didn't realize I can pre-order water before I board, and that they are liter bottles. Easier than trying to have 3 of us each carry on our allotted amount of smaller bottles, I think?

[island lady]

1 hour ago, Candleonwater said:

Thanks. I didn't realize I can pre-order water before I board, and that they are liter bottles. Easier than trying to have 3 of us each carry on our allotted amount of smaller bottles, I think?

 

I started preordering cases of water to be delivered ahead of time, using the OBC I always seem to collect.  Has been working really well, especially for the cruises I have to fly to.  🙂 

[island lady]

1 hour ago, Candleonwater said:

Thanks. I didn't realize I can pre-order water before I board, and that they are liter bottles. Easier than trying to have 3 of us each carry on our allotted amount of smaller bottles, I think?

 

I order the smaller size 17 ounce water bottles.   Easier to toss into a carry back into port.  

[gail-s]

Thanks for asking this question!  We did 2 cruises with RCI and 3 with Norwegian, then we bought a boat and have enjoyed that instead since 2015.  We booked our next cruise on a whim for our 50th b-days based solely on nostalgia - same ship/room we had for our honeymoon different location.  Since I wasn't cruising I stayed away from the boards so I have no idea how RCI does anything anymore.  

[firefly333]

On 3/14/2023 at 7:00 AM, Candleonwater said:

Thanks for getting this question out there! We haven't cruised since 2018, and haven't been on Freedom since 2011.  So, I figured there would be some changes. I think my biggest concern is going out of Miami. We haven't done that since 2006, and IIRC, it was a miserable experience.

 

Are the 5 drinks only available during happy hour?

 

Question about DD's boyfriend's status.  She is D+, he has never sailed before. RCL said he gets her status (they live together - so they link it via relationship status?), but not her points. The not getting her points makes sense, but what does getting her status mean? Does he have access to the lounge with us? I noticed his set sail pass doesn't have any type of status indicated on it. Does he get the 5 drinks?

So you are D+? Diamond only get 4 drinks a day. 

 

If your daughter called in and linked to her bf, then they always show the higher of the 2 of them status when he logs in but his pts are unchanged. He should be able to get I to the diamond lounge if they are linked together status. 

[dogsambam]

NO MORE PRIORITY BOARDING FOR DIAMOND AND DIAMOND PLUS!!!!!

Edited March 24, 2023 by dogsambam

[Candleonwater]

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

So you are D+? Diamond only get 4 drinks a day. 

 

If your daughter called in and linked to her bf, then they always show the higher of the 2 of them status when he logs in but his pts are unchanged. He should be able to get I to the diamond lounge if they are linked together status. 

Yes, D+, and after many phone calls to RCL, his boarding pass finally shows D+. We just have our fingers crossed that he likes cruising.

[Candleonwater]

4 hours ago, island lady said:

 

I order the smaller size 17 ounce water bottles.   Easier to toss into a carry back into port.  

Order from RCL? Only option I see is 1L bottles. Going to order, just have to decide if 24 is too many.

[island lady]

14 minutes ago, Candleonwater said:

Order from RCL? Only option I see is 1L bottles. Going to order, just have to decide if 24 is too many.

 

When I preorder online under "plan my cruise"....it gives me the option of 12 or 24.  I am assuming the 12 is the larger bottles, the 24 is the smaller ones.  Though that may have changed.  I have always received the smaller bottles.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 24, 2023 by island lady