Hi All
It has been awhile. Last cruise was in March. Booked with my RWAS host and went onboard on 13 Sept. Here writing about changes onboard, as compared to cruises in March.
1) Embarkation is different. Go up the escalator. Seems that it does not really ease any long queue or to check-in any faster. Dont see purpose of the new queue system.
2) Now, can eat unlimited times in all 4 inclusive restaurants. Used to be only 3 restaurants and now it is 4. And it is unlimited times in any of the 4 restaurants. Nice good change.
3) Also the 24 hrs snack corner. Pretty good food, with the finger food like sotong balls, fillets, fries, pizza, samosa and bread/buns, coffee and tea.
4) Sonio show. Two acts have been changed. One act has the performers changed but same type of acrobatics, and the other is changed a whole new act with the aerial rings. Overall, still very enjoyable though watched multiple times.
5) Also enjoyable performances by the Sonio casts and China casts when they perform at the 360 Bar.
6) Drinks package is now $95 for this 3D2N cruise. And they hv changed the house red wine to Shiraz from an Australian brand. Not as sweet from previous wine from Spain. Red wine is decently good. And can get the drinks from all the bars, compared last time with restriction to a handful of bars.
7) Food at DD 7 and 8 has improved. Still not top notch, but good for a full tasting meal. The breakfast chinese set at DD8 is good, with good porridge, noodles, dim sum.
8) Lido buffet. Definitely enjoyed the muslim halal section and the indian vegetarian. To all readers, my personal opinion is Indian Vegetarian score is 8.5/10, Halal food 8/10, and International buffet 6.5/10.
9) Bought the spa package of 3 sessions at 50% discount at the Crystal Life Asian Spa. The offer is applicable till Friday 2359 hrs. To me, it is a new discovery. Very good spa treatment! Best deal ever. Was told to come about 30mins earlier to enjoy the spa amenities. It is really good. Good lockers, comfortable robes, clean, many nicely folded towels everywhere, big shower room, jacuzzi pool, sauna and steam room.
And the spa treatment lounge, so big and nice!! Many big comfortable lounge chairs for foot reflexology. Good massage rooms that are separated by the curtain drape type. And the therapist are all very good!
After treatment, can continue to use the amenities which I utilised fully.
After treatment, u will be served a hot drink, and also invited to help yourself to the cut fruits. One funny thing, there are 5 slot machines in this lounge!!! Haha.
After the first treatment and got myself orientated, I arrived almost 1hr before treatment session to use the amenities, and also use them for an hour after treatment. Total time spent at the spa is 3.5 to 4 hours. Best value. Oh yes, the tax onboard is high, it is at 18%.
10) Played at the slots. Machines had been kind. A winning trip. Got 27 TP. Was given $50 e-bonus on the spot which I can use. And was told that my next trip, i wld hv a free cabin and $300 bonus. Staff told me that I can play to 30 TP to get $100 ebonus straightaway, but I am happy with my small win, and also played enough, so stopped.
Just to pen down my trip 13 to 15 sept.
And I will continue my next post where I went onboard 20 to 22 sept.