Vikings Are Back
Tom & Linda
Great time was had by all... especially at the little bar in Old San Juan
and on the Jolly Roger in Antigua.
More later.
--Tom
Tom & Linda
Viking Activities:
----------------
The Group went on the Jolly Roger in Antigua. We had a BLAST. A few had a
bit too much rum punch. We all jumped off the plank. Some even jumped off
the upper deck of the pirate ship (too high for me). Had some beach time as
well (they had a small boat that took us to shore).
We found a bar on Tonka St. in Old San Juan with lots of Salsa and Merengue
songs playing. Had Medalla's (a very nice local beer). The girl tending
bar even handed out stuff to play along with the music (rattles,
tambourines, sticks to "click", these steel "scratchee" thingees that make a
scratching sound. One of the highlights of the cruise for me.
In St. Maarten, we went to Pinel Island - a mini version of CocoCay. The
group loved it. Since the island allows topless bathing, some of the tops
came off - of course we have no proof... <VBG>
Several of the group did rock climbing. I took pics.
Did Trunk Bay in St. John. Great day for snorkeling. Calm with great
visibility.
The Ship:
---------
Felt more crowded than Voyager class. No great place for congregating like
the Royal Promenade. Buffet dining room very nice. Main dining room felt
much more crowded. Tables too close. Ceiling seemed rather low - like on
Princess ships.
The area with the pool tables is very nice. Almost like Princess'
Wheelhouse bar. Lots of dark woods.
Ship is divided port / starboard for smoking / non-smoking. Even up on
deck. Tables are clearly marked up on deck with the no-smoking ghost
busters signs.
Lounge chairs are the new nylon material design, not the plastic straps.
Chairs in the solarium pare padded. None of the other chairs are padded.
There are lounge chairs on the promenade.
The solarium DOES have a roof that opens. I've got pics and proof. It's
VERY congested though. Felt claustrophobic.
Most of the ship seemed to have good air flow (no second hand smoke).
Pool tables are very nice... but hard to get to - they're almost always in
use.
Full wrap around promenade (steps in the bow take you up to the chopper pad
area).
Overall ship - I prefer Voyager class and Millie class.
Food:
-----
OK... here's where it gets interesting (Charles will probably disagree).
Buffet Breakfast: A-
Omelet station. Salmon every day. No crepes or chocolate croissants. Had
waffles and French toast every day, but not a fresh made waffle station.
Lots of fruit. Much better buffet than on the older Majesty / Nordic era
ships.
Buffet and Seaview Cafe Lunch: A-/ B+ or so.
Loved the burgers, dogs, fries and onion rings at the Seaview Cafe on Deck
12 aft, starboard side. Never any wait. Also had Cuban sandwiches and
Ruben's there. The buffet had lots of variety. But I preferred the Seaview
Cafe most days.
Dining Room Dinner: Somewhere between D+ to C-
Most of the dining room food was embarrassing it was so bad IMO. Among the
worst were the Thai Shrimp (really BAD), lamb (very strong gamey tasting),
Salads (they just cut up all the lettuce regardless of how brown or wilted
it is). My chewing muscles are still recovering from the prime rib - it was
so tough. Desserts were uniformly "sucky".
Chops: A
I liked it better than Ocean Liners on Connie. Cheaper and food selection
was better. They'd bring multiple plates of veggies to your table (cream
spinach, mashed potatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, etc.). Caesar salad wasn't
fresh though. Had that old, wilted taste. Fillet mignon was exceptional.
Appetizers weren't as good as the goat cheese soufflé on Connie though.
Cabin:
------
My balcony cabin on deck 7 had a stupid ledge that extended out like 15 ft.
covering the lifeboats. You couldn't look down and see the water. All you
saw was the roof of the life boat area. I didn't like that at all.
Not the best location either (especially for a balcony cabin - which is top
money). Right above the piano player in the Schooner Bar. He was very loud
(quite obnoxious as well) until about 1:00 am. Then he shut down. But that
wasn't the problem for me. The bigger problem was that on 2 mornings, they
started music back up at 5:00 am in the schooner bar, and the drum beat went
straight through the ceiling up to the floor of my cabin - and right into my
pillow. A 5:30 visit to the Purser's Desk the second time it happened took
care of that for the remainder of the cruise.
Service:
-------
Waiter and Cabin Steward - rather good. Maitre d' was a total waste. I
still have his tip voucher. I put the tips on my account, but never gave
him his. He never bothered to come see how we were, how the food was, etc.
And that went on the comment card as well.
Cleanliness:
-----------
Exceptional for an RCI ship. Top marks. They're even re-varnishing the
railings where they're warn. Excellent.
Crew:
-----
Heard lots of complaints about many of the crew being rather rude to
passengers. But I didn't experience it.
I'll think of more later.
--Tom
"Tom & Linda" <tkan...@optonline.net> wrote in message
news:eQ5vd.3582$t83....@fe10.lga...
galred60
Navigator OTS same week. Jewel looked nice. I had the best time on my
first Voyager class ship. So good in fact rebooked again while on board
for the same week next year and same itinerary. Outstanding service on
this ship in all areas.
Gordon
Fred
> Some brief Thoughts...
>
> In St. Maarten, we went to Pinel Island - a mini version of CocoCay. The
> group loved it. Since the island allows topless bathing, some of the tops
> came off - of course we have no proof... <VBG>
>
This has always been one of the hidden secrets on St. Maarten. Pinel Island
has great snorkeling and an awesome beach. Of course seeing topless beauties
is the only down side. ;)
KPJEG
time .
Ken G.......>
Chrissy Cruiser
> In St. Maarten, we went to Pinel Island - a mini version of CocoCay. The
> group loved it. Since the island allows topless bathing, some of the tops
> came off - of course we have no proof... <VBG>
>
> Several of the group did rock climbing. I took pics.
Poor choice of subjects.
Chrissy Cruiser
> The solarium DOES have a roof that opens. I've got pics and proof. It's
> VERY congested though. Felt claustrophobic.
Tom, this is why I asked if the thing opened or not. I didn't feel
claustrophobic but I did think it would be more enjoyable to let out some
of the humidity. On our trip, it was populated with seniors one who told me
they wanted out of the sun (but by a pool). Maybe they don't understand UV
light 'cause I don't think it was filtered although it was a lot cooler.
Benjamin Smith
Glad to hear you guys are back and had an enjoyable time together.
Anxious to read more from you and read more from Charles.
Ben S.
Charles
<tkan...@optonline.net> wrote:
> Food:
> -----
> OK... here's where it gets interesting (Charles will probably disagree).
A few comments.
I pretty much agree with what Tom posted about the ship and ports. The
ship did not wow me like some ships have. While I generally like this
size ship I would have to say within Royal Caribbean the Voyager class
are the ships to book. I think Jewel does have a more crowded feeling
than other ships that size I have been on. There was some interesting
art work. The library was small and poorly stocked. They have this
large room that is usually empty for the Crown and Anchor Sociaty, that
would be a better library space.The show lounge was very good but the
shows and entertainement were only average. None of the musicicans who
played in different venues seemed very good. There were only a few hot
tubs and they were small. The pool deck was nice though. At least
everything in the public areas was in good taste and made for a
relaxing atmosphere. You could find places to relax, unlike the
Carnival ship I cruised on in October. Also the second hand smoke was
not a problem for me, even in the casino.
My only disagreement about what Tom posted about the food is that I
don't think the dinners were so bad as to be embarrassing. Judging food
is subjective and depends on what is ordered too. I did not think the
food was very good. I just would not say it was all bad. I would say it
was mixed, depending on what was ordered. I thought the Thai shrimp
were very bad too, and had it replaced with the steak which turned out
to be very good. One of our tablemates really liked the Thai shrimp so
it is a matter of opinion. Same with the lamb, I agree with Tom it was
too strong tasting. I only could take a few bites. But two tablesmates
thought it was very good. And other tablemates who ordered the pork
chop said it was very good. So you could get good food and also if
something was not to your liking something better could be found on the
menu. That said I think that RCI should be ashamed to come in last
comparatively to the other mass market lines I have been on in the last
year and a half. I rate it behind Princess, Celebrity and Carnival, all
of which I cruised on since October 2003.
The lunch buffet was sufficient but then again the buffets on Princess,
Celebrity and the Carnival ships I have been on were better with the
Carnival lunch buffet being several times better than all the rest.
Breakfast buffet was fine but I would still rate the others breakfast
buffets to be better. One plus is the had smoked salmon every day. The
omelet station ingredients for omelets were somewhat limited, and they
did have peppers which I consider an essential ingredient.
Chops was pretty good food and service but they were out of the dessert
I wanted, the Mud Pie. They should have had that.
I thought the service crew was pretty good, the waiter and my cabin
steward were very good. The service staff in the buffet was also very
good. Same with the bar staff. I did get a general feeling that their
managers were poor.
The cruise director and cruise director staff I would rate as poor.
Pretty much among the worst I recall encountering.
The passengers tended to be older than I have encountered on any other
RCI cruise. That included a large unpleasant, rude, contingent of
NY/Florida residents who I had previously encountered on Celebrity
during December.
Cruising with the Viking group was great. That was what made it a very
enjoyable and fun sailing for me.
--
Charles
Charles
wrote:
> This has always been one of the hidden secrets on St. Maarten. Pinel Island
> has great snorkeling and an awesome beach. Of course seeing topless beauties
> is the only down side. ;)
The reef has been badly damaged so I would say the snorkeling is no
longer that great. I am sure it was great snorkeling a few years ago, I
could see evidence of that, but not now, I would rate it as only fair.
Still it is a great beach anyway and worth going to for that reason.
Another positive is that is not crowded. There are beach chairs and
umbrellas available for rent and food and drink is available. The only
negative is that you have to take a ferry there and back which eats up
time, it only runs every hour. Also if you like waves, they are not
there like on Orient Beach.
--
Charles
Tom & Linda
"Charles" <fo...@his.com.remove.invalid> wrote in message
news:131220041744305118%fo...@his.com.remove.invalid...
I agree. Being with the group makes it especially enjoyable. Great fun.
We even got Charles to get right into the hat festivities. Kerry (r.t.c.
lurker and one of the Viking group leaders) even got Charles (and John N.)
their own Viking hats.
Next year we're back on Voyager class (which most people in the group seem
to prefer)... Mariner OTS out of Port Canaveral.
--Tom
Tom & Linda
"Benjamin Smith" <be...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:Uvmvd.2714$2J2....@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...
We missed you guys so much that we did a toast to you one night in Karaoke.
Ben, I'd have given almost anything to see you on the pirate ship with us...
--Tom
ArleneL
have finally met Charles, Tom and Kerry, "up close and personal."
We unfortunately didn't fare as well as the others, inasmuch as we had a
disinterested, slow as a snail waiter. We also had cabin stewards (two of
them) who couldn't get their act together. Had to call at midnight to have
our room serviced (no towels, etc.) three times. Since this was our 44th
cruise, I imagine we've been pretty lucky up until now.
For me the omelet station in the Windjammer was perfect. I got a plain omelet
and added my own swiss cheese to it afterwards. Strange? Not to those who
know me.
As for rudeness, yes..........lots of nasty people. However Charles, I
wouldn't classify them as only Floridians. There were two men who almost came
to a fist fight (they were from New Jersey) and another guy who trampled me
trying to get to the desserts. He was from "Bama.
Food overall; good for me. My repertoire is very small. Just give me chicken
and broccoli; makes me happy.
Arlene
Charles
<arlen...@prodigy.net> wrote:
> We unfortunately didn't fare as well as the others, inasmuch as we had a
> disinterested, slow as a snail waiter. We also had cabin stewards (two of
> them) who couldn't get their act together. Had to call at midnight to have
> our room serviced (no towels, etc.) three times. Since this was our 44th
> cruise, I imagine we've been pretty lucky up until now.
I heard other reports of problems with waiters and cabin stewards. Just
did not experience them personally. However it did seem that this
paticular ship is managed poorly from some things I observed. And the
staff seemed uptight and I witnessed supervisors yelling at staff--in
front of passengers a couple of times.
--
Charles
Susette405
and Welcome back! I ahve to say that meeting Charles and JOhn ( a friend of
toms) and sailing with Tom again was wonderful. When I got home I actually
missed the 3 of them!
Tom dared me to ask Charles to dance and again ( as he dared me to ask BenS to
dance too ahha) GOt Charles to dance without a hitch! Charles is a great person
a little quiet but once we got him in a roll it was alot of fun! TOM is the
best snorkler hahah HE took us to pinel island and yes 6 of us woman went
topless and have no regrets what fun! the Jolly Roger OH BOY For the first
time in my life I can say that RUM did me in I do not remember some of the
things I was told I did and people have pics to prove it, I went backto the
ship somehow and took a cold shower BUT i made it to the dining room * who felt
like eatting) and did not Hug the porcelain God so I am proud of me, there were
empty seats at the dining room that night! many dinners going to the room!
151 rum kicks your butt!
that was fun!
I agree the food was mediocre the food in the windjammer was better and the
service we had in dining room was poor a letter to WIliams, Fain and Hanrahan
was sent today. BAD BAD headwaiter... the staff just was not up to par. the 2
production shows were good the rest Forget. the Disco has a great DJ sounds
like Wolfman jack, Femke a greaat Bartender there. SHip was pretty and well
kept but should be as it is new, our room steward was wonderful and I gave him
the Tip that was going to be given to waiter who did not deserve it. so the
steward got it!
We bought a horse in horse race and WON! $525!!
i do ont want to leve out of Ft Lauderdale anymore! PHEW tooo many OLD OLD
people that were RUDE. Seems they emptied out Boynton BeaCh and Pembrook Pines
these people seemed to relocate from NY and thought the world owed them
someething. Oh one guy yelled at me for hitting the button waiting for a
elevator I never TOUCHEd the button his belly was over hanging the EYE and the
Door would not close, I siad suck th belly in and you will close the door, He
was so rude he siad WHO you yelling at. I SAID YOU. I do not get like that but
i had enough of these old people and their rudeness no wonder the people that
work on there were uptight!
We are going on th Mariner in December, 72 signed up so far, and I think going
from there should be better and the VOyager class are such a good fit for a
group.
Thanks to all who lurk and participate on here for coming and for enjoying each
others company, We would love to have Ben S this year COME ON BEN should I call
CLAUDINE??
WE did sing Karoke Ben!
Sue
Susette
Join us on our Annual Group Cruise 04Dec05 Mariner of the Seas!
Check out our website: www.cruiseoutlets.com
Benjamin Smith
, We would love to have Ben S this year COME ON BEN should I call
> CLAUDINE??
> WE did sing Karoke Ben!
Please call. Always great to communicate with you and we haven't seen
you for a long time.
Did anyone do a Karaoke solo?
Ben
Susette405
record! But Hey I danced with Charles and Tom!
Susette405
>Sue, you're a hoot! 'Loved reading your comments (especially about Ft
>Lauderdale and the guy with the belly) <smile>
>
Karen I am glad you were giggling! hey when life throws you lemons make
lemonade! The guys belly got on my last nerve when i was accused of pushing a
Button and I was not even near a button! They thought they owned every last
stinking elevator! I would wait for my own! hahaha then they wouldlean on the
buttons in the elevator and push them all then yell when the elevator would
stop at every floor and no one be there! whats up with the rudeness!
I like voyager class I am back to that class it suits me more!
Tom & Linda
"Karen Segboer" <karens...@cupcaked.com> wrote in message
news:41ce856c...@news.optonline.com...
> suset...@aol.comnojunk (Susette405) wrote:
>
>>I like voyager class I am back to that class it suits me more!
>
> day about the Radiance in Alaska. I'm still curious about that class
> of RCI ship.
>
To me... it's basically not much more than a tweaked Grandeur OTS... which
in itself is basically an upgraded Majesty OTS.
To me, Grandeur is Majesty with an atrium pool. And Radiance is Grandeur
with pool tables.
Radiance class may be a bit different, but there is nothing functionally new
or exciting about them like you find on Voyager class. With the central
promenade, the whole cruise experience (particularly with a group) changes.
It becomes a meeting place... there are always a Viking or 2 that you run
into in the promenade. Voyager works differently than other ships. Cruise
dynamics change with the promenade.
To me, Voyager is a major "jump". Kind of like when you switched from DOS
to Windows. The promenade makes it work differently, and significantly
better. But there's no "jump" with Radiance class. There isn't anything
that much more unique or splendid about it. Unlike their cousin Millennium
class ships which are very spacious with high passenger space ratios (same
hull and same size) Radiance class feels crowded in many areas. The Aquaspa
on Connie felt very "inviting". But the atrium on Jewel felt rather
claustrophobic. There was way too much jammed in there, and the decorations
were way too much for me. All walking paths in the atrium were interrupted
by something (seeming intentionally). It seems you always have to walk
around something all over the ship. Like they put a large table with a
statue right in your path as you walk through the atrium pool area... but
what's the point? To make you have to circle around it? It's like they put
it there to be annoying.
To me Voyager was WOW. Different. Unique.
Jewel, while a very pretty ship, was basically Ho-Hum. It was very nice,
but it didn't knock my socks off. There wasn't anything unique and
different about it.
--Tom
Susette405
>day about the Radiance in Alaska. I'm still curious about that class
>of RCI ship.
Radiance class is nice very nice, easy to get around on, I think I liked the
Serenade even better then the Jewel I can not tell you why that is as they are
almost identical. I think it was the crew .. Its a lovely elegant ship, for a
couple its wonderful,. for a group I prefer Voyager class
Chrissy Cruiser
> Jewel, while a very pretty ship, was basically Ho-Hum.
The day that I Ho-Hum the Radiance class ships, I out of cruising.
You're spoiled dead rotten.
Chrissy Cruiser
> Interesting comment! I'm off to watch something I TiVo'ed the other
> day about the Radiance in Alaska. I'm still curious about that class
> of RCI ship.
>
> Karens
You ought to be. We went VOTS/EOTS to BOTS and really liked the
differences.
Btw, watching BBC regarding Brit vacationers on the 7Seas Radisson.
Becca
> for a group I prefer Voyager class
Susie, I like the Voyager class ships much better than the Radiance
class ships. I like the ice shows, plus the Solarium is much better on
the Voyager class ships.
Becca <-----cruising on the Explorer in only 3 weeks...
MOAGC http://www.motherofallgroupcruises.com/
Miracle in May http://www.cruisemaster.com/miracle.htm
Canada - New England http://www.cruisemaster.com/carnivalFall.htm
Caribbean Princess http://www.cruisemaster.com/caribprin.htm
Tom & Linda
"Becca" <be...@hal-pc.org> wrote in message
news:10s9bkh...@corp.supernews.com...
> Susette405 wrote:
>
>> for a group I prefer Voyager class
>
> Susie, I like the Voyager class ships much better than the Radiance class
> ships. I like the ice shows, plus the Solarium is much better on the
> Voyager class ships.
>
The solarium pool on Navigator (Voyager class) had no cover. That seems
rather stupid. One of the major design flaws of Voyager class IMO.
--Tom
Susette405
the one on Jewel opened? I never saw it opened
Susette405
>
>
I would too I like R7Seas, nice ships.
KPJEG
Ken G
Tom & Linda
(maybe to keep in the chlorine smell).
--Tom
"Susette405" <suset...@aol.comnojunk> wrote in message
news:20041219010257...@mb-m15.aol.com...
Charles
<tkan...@optonline.net> wrote:
> It was open the first afternoon when we boarded. After that they closed it
> (maybe to keep in the chlorine smell).
I saw it open a few times. It was usually opened when the ship was at
ports. They kept it closed when at sea.
--
Charles
Charles
<kp...@aol.com> wrote:
> Long live the Viking group anf there HAT"S
I have a few hat pictures that I just put up on my picture album page.
After the group gets a chance to look at them I might post the link
here.
--
Charles
Chrissy Cruiser
>>ing BBC regarding Brit vacationers on the 7Seas Radisson.
>>
>>I wonder if that repeats? I'd like to see that.
>>
>
> I would too I like R7Seas, nice ships.
It was knock dead gorgeous. One of the couples (family) had or got to use
an aft wraparound. Unbelievable.
Susette405
>It was open the first afternoon when we boarded. After that they closed it
>(maybe to keep in the chlorine smell).
hahaha to chlorinate the old people!