What's included?

[Wes1stTrip2016]

You hear the term "nickel & dime you", so I'm curious about what all is included in an RC fare (as I'm currently comparing the Oasis to the DCL Fantasy).

We would prepay tips.
No transfers (we are driving to port).

Are the kids clubs included?
Is there food 24/7?
Room service?
Are non alcoholic drinks included?
Are there any of the many restaurants included?
Is there a charge for the wave rider or rock climbing wall?

I understand excursions are extra. I'm mostly looking for what we would pay extra out of pocket on the ship.

Thanks!

 

[Frozen2014]

I was just on Allure in April and can answer most of your questions (sister ship to Oasis). I really didn't feel like Royal was nickle and diming us.

Kids Club - Yes it is included. It does have specific hours on sea days and closes at times (e.g. I think it closes for lunch) and after 10pm you need to pay (confirm time as we didnt' use this service). Our kids just stayed with us, but they have a kids compass with various activities. It looks great.

Room service is available and free most of the time (again, I think after a certain time it does cost but normally free).

You can get standard coffee, tea, ice tea, apple juice, water, some flavored water for free. Other drinks like specialty coffees, soda, bottled water, and of course alcoholic drinks cost extra.

Yes there are a ton of complimentary restaurants....MDR, Windjammer (buffet), Solarium Cafe (healthier buffet), Park Cafe (yummy sandwiches, salads), Cafe Promenade (smaller sandwiches and snacks), Johnny Rockets for breakfast (lunch has a small fee), Wipeout Cafe, Doghouse (hotdogs)

No charge for Flowrider, rock wall, zipline, ice skating, etc.

The Oasis class is amazing...a great variety of activities and shows are amazing (oasis has Cats which gets some complaints, but aqau show, ice skating, etc)

 

[RAD]

I've seen some comments about RCCL and pool towels, something along the lines of being charged if not returned, can some explain any policy difference between RCCL and DCL?

 

[Frozen2014]

I've seen some comments about RCCL and pool towels, something along the lines of being charged if not returned, can some explain any policy difference between RCCL and DCL?

On Royal, they provide pool towers but you need to sign them out . You can take these same towels off the ship at the ports.
But yes, you need to return them or they will charge you. (It's tracked on your sea pass)
We signed out many towels over the cruise and returned every one. Not an issue.

 

[DnA2010]

You hear the term "nickel & dime you", so I'm curious about what all is included in an RC fare (as I'm currently comparing the Oasis to the DCL Fantasy).

We would prepay tips.
No transfers (we are driving to port).

Are the kids clubs included? Yes (some people have mentioned they close over the early dinner hour, but we never noticed this as we ate dinner together)
Is there food 24/7? Yes
Room service? Included
Are non alcoholic drinks included? Water, coffee, milk, reg (no fresh squeezed) juice, ice tea, I think there was lemonade too- soda/pop is not- doesn't bother us as we don't drink it, and DH usually gets the drink package which includes pop/the cup for the fancy Coke machines
Are there any of the many restaurants included? Main Dining Room and Buffet, our fav quick food place was Park Cafe- it was great! Johnny Rockets breakfast also included.
Is there a charge for the wave rider or rock climbing wall? Nope- we had a blast on both, especially the flow rider- I thought it would be easy as I snowboard- nope!

I understand excursions are extra. I'm mostly looking for what we would pay extra out of pocket on the ship.

Thanks!

 

[RAD]

On Royal, they provide pool towers but you need to sign them out . You can take these same towels off the ship at the ports.
But yes, you need to return them or they will charge you. (It's tracked on your sea pass)
We signed out many towels over the cruise and returned every one. Not an issue.

OK, thanks. Just sounds like a little bit of a pain, stand in a line to get some towels and then another one to return them vs. just grab some from the cabinet and throw them in the bin when done. So did RCCL have a problem with people taking the towels home with them causing this policy?

 

[karmacats]

kids clubs included for kids over 3. after a certain time (i think 10 or 11 pm) there is a charge. i think it's $7/hour. for kids under 3, some ships have a nursery (i think oasis does) but you have to stay with your kid. they also offer in-room babysitting for a larger fee ($15 or $20/hour, i think).

there is food 24/7. promenade cafe is 24/7, sorrento's (pizza place) is open until 3 or 4 a.m.

room service is 24/7. from midnight - early a.m. (i think 5) there is a $4 or $5 flat fee delivery charge. other times, no delivery charge, though we do always tip whoever drops it off.

tap water, flavored water, iced tea, lemonade, milk, chocolate milk, regular hot tea and coffee are included, and powdered hot chocolate mix at the cafe promenade. juices in the a.m. also, though not fresh-squeezed. soda is not included, but you can get a soda package for $8/day, or just buy as you go (i think $3 each or so). upgraded coffee (like starbucks, frappucinos, etc) is not included, nor are virgin cocktails. these run about $5 each, or you can get a package called royal replenish that includes soda, virgin cocktails, fresh squeezed oj, frou frou coffee/tea/hot chocolate, and bottled water for $22/day.

tons of included restaurants, as noted above by others.

no charge for most actvities - flowrider, rock wall, zip line, carousel, mini golf, ice skating, etc. you can purchase private time/lessons on the flowrider if you want.

the only real on-board purchasing difference i've seen between disney and royal is the lack of free soda. pretty much everything else you get charged for on royal, you'd also get charged for on disney - spa, bingo, excursions, tips, etc. royal also has a casino which of course charges.

re the towels, it's to stop the chair hogs from placing a towel on a chair at 7 a.m. and never coming back for it. if they have to return it, they will come back and get their towel! the no return fee is $25, and trust me, the scratchy cheapo towel is not worth that! fwiw, i've never seen a line at the towel cabinets, but if you're concerned, just get a bunch at the beginning of the cruise and keep them in your room, or if you'll need them for an excursion just get them the day before. randomly, if you're in a suite your steward can get them for you and they won't be "checked out" so you don't have to worry about charges.

 

[Frozen2014]

OK, thanks. Just sounds like a little bit of a pain, stand in a line to get some towels and then another one to return them vs. just grab some from the cabinet and throw them in the bin when done. So did RCCL have a problem with people taking the towels home with them causing this policy?

It's not a big deal really as it took no longer than 30 seconds. I was just more nervous that someone would swipe our towel and we'd have to pay the fee (never happened). And if you have an early morning excursion, then just sign it out the night before. Pretty easy. I'm guessing people were taking towels, losing them offshore so they put the policy in place? (Or, I just read the previous post and the chair hog explanation makes total sense)

For those with kids, you can also rent life jackets in the same way...but only for ship usage.

A few other optional extras...cupcake decorating class, character breakfast, and I've seen other workshops but don't remember offhand. But you only pay for them if you attend... As above, I didn't feel Royal adds extra charges and overall, our cruise was a ton less than Disney...and an amazing cruise. Our kids...6 and 10 also loved it.

 

[Scoobypop]

Don't let the "nickel and dime" police from the DCL boards scare you off other cruise lines. You've already gotten your answers above. I'll just add, the people who mostly complain about feeling "nickel and dimed" on Royal and NCL are talking about the "free" soda that DCL includes, which other lines don't. As stated above, tons of free dining options and free activities. JUST like on DCL, if you CHOOSE to have specialty up charge restaurants, then you'll pay extra just like you would palo or Remy. Same with alcohol, bingo, and such. If the free soda is a big deal, I would pay the $8 a day soda package, it is only $56 for the whole cruise, and they are freestyle Coke machines, so literally dozens and dozens of soda options, and they are in various locations, unlike DCL where it is only on the top deck. The $56 extra is still a huge savings over the inflated DCL prices and the free soda. Don't get me wrong, I love DCL, 15 DCL cruises under my belt, but I get real tired of the die hard DCL defenders shouting about nickel and diming on other lines, when I haven't had that experience at all.

 

[eskimoinparadise]

Towels are no big deal. When we initially get on board, we get four towels. When we head back to the cabin at the end of each day we simply replace them (throw them in the bin, tell the attendant four towels, and he hands you four new ones - no swiping involved). Takes all of 30 seconds. Fresh towels every morning with no hassles. On the last day we drop them off when we go to the cabin, and that takes all of a minute.

 

[bumbershoot]

Not all ships have freestyle machines, FYI.

 

[Scoobypop]

Not all ships have freestyle machines, FYI.

Good point, but definitely on the Oasis they do-I know that was the ship the OP was looking at.

 

[Wes1stTrip2016]

Don't let the "nickel and dime" police from the DCL boards scare you off other cruise lines. You've already gotten your answers above. I'll just add, the people who mostly complain about feeling "nickel and dimed" on Royal and NCL are talking about the "free" soda that DCL includes, which other lines don't. As stated above, tons of free dining options and free activities. JUST like on DCL, if you CHOOSE to have specialty up charge restaurants, then you'll pay extra just like you would palo or Remy. Same with alcohol, bingo, and such. If the free soda is a big deal, I would pay the $8 a day soda package, it is only $56 for the whole cruise, and they are freestyle Coke machines, so literally dozens and dozens of soda options, and they are in various locations, unlike DCL where it is only on the top deck. The $56 extra is still a huge savings over the inflated DCL prices and the free soda. Don't get me wrong, I love DCL, 15 DCL cruises under my belt, but I get real tired of the die hard DCL defenders shouting about nickel and diming on other lines, when I haven't had that experience at all.

We don't drink soda anyways!