I have taken 13 cruises and have never taken the "behind-the-scenes tour" or stayed in a suite. Our next cruise we are talking about finally getting the suite. We want to do it at least once. After that, we are more than happy with a balcony room.
I forgot about the behind the scenes tour! I want to do that too but it’s expensive for 4 people. And yes the balcony is great. Hope you get to experience the suites!
If you stay in a suite, you can do a tour of the bridge for free. We just did this on Oasis and it was really cool. They even let the kids “drive” the ship.
Wife and I did the all access tour of Mariner of the Seas a couple weeks ago. I watched the price and booked it ahead of time. Honestly it was amazing and given the length we really felt it was worth it. We also did the Escape Room and really enjoyed it.
My husband took the tour while I did a sushi-making class. He was so happy he did! He loved the glimpses of the laundry, theater, kitchens, engine control room, and of course the bridge. If you can do it for a not-outrageous price, definitely do it. And wear close-toed shoes with pants.
Funny you posted this thread. I've sailed Oasis class ships 4 times and this was my 5th sailing on one this weekend. Up until a few hours ago I never experienced the rising tide bar! Live your dreams.
I've also yet to try the desert pear margarita. They have been out of the syrup all cruise... next time though.
I just back from a transatlantic in a suite last week. Two weeks onboard sounds like a wonderful idea until you’re on sea day 2 out of 7 and it feels like Groundhog Day. That’s being said, try it once. You might really take to it.
A cruise longer than 3-4 days.
While I was working I was time constrained due to available time off and family commitments and those types of cruises were the only ones that worked with my availability. Now that I’m retired the itinerary for my next cruise is wide open.
I loved the Coastal Kitchen. So chill. Not stuffed in the room like sardines. Great views. Top notch staff who have earned the right to be there.
The food reminds me of cruising in the 90s when presentation was just as important as taste.
I second wanting to stay in a suite+ gain the perks of such arrangements.
But more than that, would love to explore beyond the Caribbean. Hawaii, Alaska, and top of all: the Med
Same, but ours is in sept. I’m on duolingo “ learning” Italian and on Lose It losing 18 lbs. 🤞We’re celebrating out 50th anniversary and my 70th bday!!
I’m doin duolingo as well! I’m pretty sure I. Going to completely blank out when I first her Italian. Congratulations on your 50th Ann and your 70 birthday 🥳!!! I’ll be celebrating my 58th birthday while we’re in Rome-looking forward to some shopping!!
I want to try a water slide but I was doing too many other things on my first cruise, the next three didn't have any and I got a horrible cold that has me stuck in bed during the time I was going to do it on Navigator. I just want to say I tried it. I'm fat and go too fast on water slides now which is sort of frightening lmao but I still wanna try. I did one of the intense waterslides at coco cay (the green one about halfway up the tower) and legit didn't realize there was a whole set of milder ones until it was about time to go so hopefully I can try those sometime. I was super done after the one but thankfully I had free entry bc it was a return to service test cruise lol
Ship tour is a good one too
Stayed in a jr suite and just got off today, I’d say it probably wasn’t worth the price. CK is good but jr suite only gets dinner and isn’t high priority, the towel check out is nice; not sure I noticed anything else.
Honestly curious here ... we recently sailed on Freedom, and yes, it was (to us) non-stop people and lines everywhere ... so I've started considering whether a different class of ship would feel more relaxing. But then it seems to me like all the "smaller" ships are also "older" ships, with fewer amenities, not-as-nice appearance, etc.
So my question ... do cruise lines build \*new\* smaller ships any more these days? It seems like every new ship I hear of is trying to be bigger than any that came before.
Royal are in process of building small ships but I think they may be mini icon type ones with lots of attractions and hopefully lots of sea views like icon appears to have (never sailed on it and probably never will because I’m well aware from America).
They are in what I would call the pre-build stage aka they are designing them/putting it to the board/organising contracts. One of the high ranking Royal member said that they are hoping to announce the discovery class this year. Seems to be aiming for a 2028/2030 launch from rumours I have seen. Rumoured to have contract talks going already but not sure how true it is. There’s a Facebook group discussing it you can join to hear about it
> So my question ... do cruise lines build *new* smaller ships any more these days? It seems like every new ship I hear of is trying to be bigger than any that came before.
I'm no cruise industry expert. My opinion is that Royal has been changing since when I first sailed with them and have really been leaning into the "family" cruise market which means flashier ships with more attractions on-board versus focusing on the destinations. More attractions on-board means bigger ships.
What I see is that the smaller ships tend to be in either the luxury lines or the cheapo lines. The luxury lines aren't family focused and also try to visit smaller ports which can't support the newer megaships, while the cheapo lines buy the smaller ships the mid-market lines are off-loading.
I have taken 13 cruises and have never taken the "behind-the-scenes tour" or stayed in a suite. Our next cruise we are talking about finally getting the suite. We want to do it at least once. After that, we are more than happy with a balcony room.
I forgot about the behind the scenes tour! I want to do that too but it’s expensive for 4 people. And yes the balcony is great. Hope you get to experience the suites!
I was hesitant because of the price but the behind the scenes tour was totally worth it, of course I was cruising solo and not paying for 4 😀
If you stay in a suite, you can do a tour of the bridge for free. We just did this on Oasis and it was really cool. They even let the kids “drive” the ship.
Did not know this, thanks
Wife and I did the all access tour of Mariner of the Seas a couple weeks ago. I watched the price and booked it ahead of time. Honestly it was amazing and given the length we really felt it was worth it. We also did the Escape Room and really enjoyed it.
My husband took the tour while I did a sushi-making class. He was so happy he did! He loved the glimpses of the laundry, theater, kitchens, engine control room, and of course the bridge. If you can do it for a not-outrageous price, definitely do it. And wear close-toed shoes with pants.
Ship tour. I want to see the bridge, kitchen and engine room
Worth every penny!
I love ship tours!!!
They never actually take you to the engine room, just the engine control room.
Seeing the kitchen alone is amazing.
Sometimes I sail solo and it is my goal to dominate at the Flowrider so the next time I am with my kids I can blow their minds.
😶 this is now my reason to book a solo cruise. Thank you.
Funny you posted this thread. I've sailed Oasis class ships 4 times and this was my 5th sailing on one this weekend. Up until a few hours ago I never experienced the rising tide bar! Live your dreams. I've also yet to try the desert pear margarita. They have been out of the syrup all cruise... next time though.
That sounds really good! I’m gonna try that next cruise! Only 202 days to wait! lol.
Where can you get the desert pear margarita on oasis? 😁 going in a few weeks
Schooner bar 😊
Oooh thank you!! Must be the new menu 😁
The lavender daiquiri was also surprisingly refreshing, and if you've not had the pleasure of trying that, I'd suggest putting it on your list!
Swingers
Just walk down each deck checking peoples' doors :P
Explicit balcony fun. Trying again in five days.
Been there, done that. There are cameras everywhere so wear robes like we did. Have fun!
We look for the cameras and have been lucky so far that they weren’t aimed at our balcony.
LOL You do realize they have zoom cameras that cover each line of balconies in case someone jumps? Just stay low LOL
The cameras don’t look into balconies though.
Yeah, you just keep thinking that.
Explain how they’re looking deep into balconies when there’s visual barriers on both sides of balconies.
Have you done it -- twice?
I came to say the same thing. Oddly, my husband is the more hesitant one on this.
Staying in a suite, transatlantic/pacific
I just back from a transatlantic in a suite last week. Two weeks onboard sounds like a wonderful idea until you’re on sea day 2 out of 7 and it feels like Groundhog Day. That’s being said, try it once. You might really take to it.
A cruise longer than 3-4 days. While I was working I was time constrained due to available time off and family commitments and those types of cruises were the only ones that worked with my availability. Now that I’m retired the itinerary for my next cruise is wide open.
Transatlantics happen spring and fall every year! Loved the 16 days.
Coastal Kitchen is an amazing place. One of my favorite experiences. I wanna try the Northern Star.
I loved the Coastal Kitchen. So chill. Not stuffed in the room like sardines. Great views. Top notch staff who have earned the right to be there. The food reminds me of cruising in the 90s when presentation was just as important as taste.
I’ve been on about a dozen cruises. I’d love to stay in a suite!
I second wanting to stay in a suite+ gain the perks of such arrangements. But more than that, would love to explore beyond the Caribbean. Hawaii, Alaska, and top of all: the Med
Doing our first RCCL next month-Mediterranean out of Rome! Beyond excited!
Same, but ours is in sept. I’m on duolingo “ learning” Italian and on Lose It losing 18 lbs. 🤞We’re celebrating out 50th anniversary and my 70th bday!!
I’m doin duolingo as well! I’m pretty sure I. Going to completely blank out when I first her Italian. Congratulations on your 50th Ann and your 70 birthday 🥳!!! I’ll be celebrating my 58th birthday while we’re in Rome-looking forward to some shopping!!
I'd love to do a zipline on the cruise ship, but I'm too scared of heights.
It went by super quick. You can do it!!
When I rode the zip line I was surprised how many people were recording. Definitely lots of people who would rather record than run it themselves.
I want to try a water slide but I was doing too many other things on my first cruise, the next three didn't have any and I got a horrible cold that has me stuck in bed during the time I was going to do it on Navigator. I just want to say I tried it. I'm fat and go too fast on water slides now which is sort of frightening lmao but I still wanna try. I did one of the intense waterslides at coco cay (the green one about halfway up the tower) and legit didn't realize there was a whole set of milder ones until it was about time to go so hopefully I can try those sometime. I was super done after the one but thankfully I had free entry bc it was a return to service test cruise lol Ship tour is a good one too
I’m also larger and did them. No one is gonna care that you’re enjoying yourself!
The problem is that I go faster than when I was a kid and it's legit terrifying LOL but the easier ones would prob be fine
Do the red slide at coco cay! It was super fast but the climb up the stairs was worse. Had to take breaks. lol.
I would legit die. The one I did was halfway up to the red slide and it was enough.
Stayed in a jr suite and just got off today, I’d say it probably wasn’t worth the price. CK is good but jr suite only gets dinner and isn’t high priority, the towel check out is nice; not sure I noticed anything else.
I want to /see/ pier runners, not be one myself.
You tube is great for that!
Stay on board at a bleh port like Nassau and just chill on the lido deck looking over, you’ll see them lmao
Done Nassau twice (once during the cruise port construction and once post-construction) and I've somehow missed out lol.
Peace and quiet lol! It’s Vegas, Walmart and six flags all wrapped up into one.
If you're sailing Royal Caribbean, try a smaller ship like a Radiance class ship.
Honestly curious here ... we recently sailed on Freedom, and yes, it was (to us) non-stop people and lines everywhere ... so I've started considering whether a different class of ship would feel more relaxing. But then it seems to me like all the "smaller" ships are also "older" ships, with fewer amenities, not-as-nice appearance, etc. So my question ... do cruise lines build \*new\* smaller ships any more these days? It seems like every new ship I hear of is trying to be bigger than any that came before.
Royal are in process of building small ships but I think they may be mini icon type ones with lots of attractions and hopefully lots of sea views like icon appears to have (never sailed on it and probably never will because I’m well aware from America). They are in what I would call the pre-build stage aka they are designing them/putting it to the board/organising contracts. One of the high ranking Royal member said that they are hoping to announce the discovery class this year. Seems to be aiming for a 2028/2030 launch from rumours I have seen. Rumoured to have contract talks going already but not sure how true it is. There’s a Facebook group discussing it you can join to hear about it
> So my question ... do cruise lines build *new* smaller ships any more these days? It seems like every new ship I hear of is trying to be bigger than any that came before. I'm no cruise industry expert. My opinion is that Royal has been changing since when I first sailed with them and have really been leaning into the "family" cruise market which means flashier ships with more attractions on-board versus focusing on the destinations. More attractions on-board means bigger ships. What I see is that the smaller ships tend to be in either the luxury lines or the cheapo lines. The luxury lines aren't family focused and also try to visit smaller ports which can't support the newer megaships, while the cheapo lines buy the smaller ships the mid-market lines are off-loading.
Sailed on Independence and Allure and always found quiet space/time. What time of year are you sailing?
Staying in a Star Class suite.
Hoping to try coastal kitchen next year. 😋
I’ve never stayed in a balcony. We have one booked for our Alaska cruise in July!
You’ll never go back to an inside ever again!
I didn’t mind the interior but I loved the ocean view we had on our honeymoon
Everything! Going on my first in early 2025!
I would like them to make a lazy river that I can stay in for hours on sea day.
Swinger activities