It’s like you’re not in a ship.
SINGAPORE — I truly was … King for a Day.
Actually it was more like King for a Week.
However you want to call it, taking a seven-day cruise on Royal Caribbean is totally and completely top notch and if you haven’t been on a cruise for a while (as this writer) you are in for something special.
Right from the get-go, the staff here in Singapore are completely professional.
My wife Cris Evert and I departed from their fixed based operation in Singapore and from the moment we checked in our luggage, the vacation began.
Bags were immediately tagged for our balcony suite that we booked on the cruise line’s website (Cris printed out the luggage tags) and we checked in online two days before departure.
You can do that now and so much more. Half the fun of Royal Caribbean was exploring the company’s fascinating website and taking the virtual tours of the ship weeks before departure so when we actually were on board, we knew every nook and cranny.
You do have the requisite safety and security drill before departure as no cruise line wants to experience another “Titanic” but since we were on a seven-day cruise from Singapore to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, it was doubtful that we would strike an iceberg anytime soon.
For those of you—just like this writer—who have not experienced cruising in a very long time, here are some helpful hints that Cris and I learned from this marvelous experience on board Royal Caribbean:
Book in Advance: As said, we booked our suite weeks in advance and got a great deal. Best that you check out the cruise line’s special Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/royalcaribbeanPH for the very latest offers … just for Filipinos.
The writer with his wife Cris Evert
Pre-Order Your Meals: If you are diabetic, lactose intolerant or just can’t handle your salt, you can pre-order your meals online. A nifty new function once your cruise is purchased.
Don’t Scrimp: It’s not like you will cruise every day–so put out the pesos, buddy, and fork over some cash for a class upgrade to a balcony suite. When you are lounging on your private cabaña as you watch the world sail by … you’ll be glad you did.
The House Is Stacked: If you think you will strike it rich at the onboard casino–guess again. The Royal Caribbean fleet of cruise ships were not built on good thoughts and they really can rack in your cash when the casino is open. Be careful not to wipe out your piggy bank on lucky Number 8. Be very careful!
Shopping Anyone?: When you are stuck on board during sailing days, there are plenty of shops in the center mall selling all manner of the latest fashions, watches and perfumes. We found the prices to be heavily inflated, but if your have a hankering, why not? Shop till you drop, I say!
When it comes to food, Royal Caribbean really puts on a great presentation. We dined at their fine restaurant every night and had our own private waiter at our command.
One night, the New York Steak was just a tad undercooked. Immediately, it was whisked away with a piping hot replacement exactly how I wanted it.
I had a private, behind-the-scene tour of the main kitchen that attends the dining hall as well as the varied food outlets and I can testify that it is immaculately clean. Not a speck of dirt or rubbish anywhere and it has to be when you are feeding more than 2,000 people each and every day. The pantry and frozen food compartments were equally clean with food containers of every size and shape clearly labeled. If the head chefs ran out of one specific item at one port of call, they will immediately call ahead to the next port to have it available.
Royal Caribbean is a well-oiled machine and everything is completely programmed. Perhaps a bit too programmed for some likings but efficient in its presentation. The evening gala musical performances have talented young artists from around the world.
The executive sous chef is Filipino and gave in to Cris’ pregnant request of Filipino food. He served sinigang na hipon and chicken-pork adobo.
If you want a quiet place to catch up with a novel or two, the ship’s small library comes well-equipped with dozens of paperbacks but don’t even bother trying to check up on your e-mail. When you can get an Internet connection, it is bloody expensive. Plus cruising is supposed to be a vacation so it’s best to turn off your brain.
Cris and I found our little hideaway in Johnny Rockets, a 1950’s hamburger joint at the top of the ship where handcrafted burgers, fries and hot dogs await (for an additional price, of course).
All in all, Royal Caribbean is a great “middle-of-the-road” cruise line that has weekly departures, nearly year-round from Singapore. It’s a short three-hour flight from Cebu and well worth your pesos to turn off your brain and relax for a week. Or two!
* Questions, comments or travel suggestions, write me at theruffolos@readingruffolos.com.