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Royal Caribbean Portfolio App Review

Written by T.I. Cruiser on April 26, 2012 · Leave a Comment

Always the innovators when it comes to cruising, Royal Caribbean is constantly churning out new ideas to enhance the cruise experience. Some of their ideas turn out to be bona fide hits, while others just kind of piss people off. So when I got an email to try their new shopping app called “Portfolio”, I was eager to see which category it belongs in.

If you don’t know what the “Portfolio” app is, basically it’s a Smartphone app Royal Caribbean developed to help cruise/shopaholics prep prior to boarding the cruise ship. It’s got loads of information to help shoppers not only plan out purchases but also plan out their day. So, if you are someone who goes on a cruise to shop this may be an essential app for you. Personally, I’m not that big of a shopper so on the surface, I’m not the intended audience. However, even I can see the benefits of being able to pre-plan port shopping. After all more efficient shopping means more time exploring?

The idea behind the app is allowing passengers to be more informed shoppers prior to boarding the ship. By having advanced notification of the product available shoppers can read reviews, do comparison shopping and ultimately get the best deal.

How does Portfolio work?

Portfolio is a Smartphone app that you download through either the Android Market or the iPhone App Store. The version I am using is the Android version, although I would imagine functionality is identical to the IOS version. Once downloaded on your phone you can either use it to browse through various port shops or customize it for your specific itinerary.

Royal Picks: The first thing that catches your eye is the luxurious looking pieces of jewelry displayed across the top of the screen. These are called “Royal Picks” which are for the most part, absolutely stunning pieces of jewelry. Clicking on any of the pieces takes you to another screen with options to share your selection with friends (via Facebook and twitter), add to a personalized wish list or view a list of retailers that carry the item.

Browsing the Portfolio App

There is a yellow compass at the bottom of the screen with 5 different icons. By swiping across your screen you can choose between 5 different means of browsing. From there you would just “click” the highlighted option.
• Ports – A list of all the ports Royal Caribbean visits. Clicking on this option will take you to a screen that allows you to see all of the retailers in a particular port. It also gives you the option of seeing a map of the port with the locations of the stores already marked.
• Retailers – a list of all the retailers arranged in alphabetical order. Clicking on a specific retailer will take you to another screen that shows which ports have that retailer.
• Category – here you can narrow selections by category. The categories listed are Designer jewelry, Diamonds, Jewelry, Museums and Attractions, Restaurants and bars, Specialty stores and watches.
• Brands – A list of all the product brands available. Clicking on any of the brands takes you to another page where you can select another option to see specific products from that brand, view the retailers who carry the brand or add to your wish list.
• Search – Clicking search takes you to a screen that is basically a replica of the “Browsing” screen, but instead of using the odd compass graphic (which doesn’t work all that well) to navigate you can just click text, much better in my opinion.

Personalizing the Portfolio App

Here you can select your port and sail date to give your experience a bit more or a personalized feel. After you choose your ship and sail date it will take you to a screen that is identical to the screen from the browsing option, but this time it only shows ports, retailers or brands that are relevant to the cruise you will be taking.
For instance if you say you will be sailing on the Oasis of the Seas on May 12th it will only show you the options that exist in the ports of Cozumel, Falmouth and Labadee; which are the ports that sailing visits. Functionally speaking everything else works the exact same as it does when just browsing.

What are my thoughts on the Royal Caribbean Port App

I love the idea behind the app, but it does have some warts. On a cruise more so than other vacations time is of the essence, so being able to pre-plan something that I find tedious is a godsend. I also love the fact that it allows me to see what is available so that I can gather my own information, since I don’t really trust that the port shopping experts are anything more than paid shills.

Another thing I really do like is the Google maps integration into the Portfolio App. I understand there is a significant segment of cruisers who live to browse; I’m not one of them. When it comes to shopping I need laser targeted focus. The sooner I can acquire and engage my target, the sooner I can get on with the sightseeing. The idea of being able to plan out the most efficient route to the stores I need to visit is incredibly appealing. In those areas the Portfolio app shines.

However, like I said the app does have some warts. The interface is cute but clunky, which is no good to me. Although it will appeal to some, I want something that works well first and looks good second; in this instance the reverse is true. At times trying to get the compass to spin correctly can really try your patience. If it were up to me the compass thing would be scrapped. It’s a novelty but it doesn’t work very well and can become frustrating.

Also, some of the options are kind of pointless. I think a simpler graphical representation of the options would work better, sometimes less is more. I would also like it if there was some way to actually “search” for a brand or retailer. For browsing it’s okay to be able to sift through a list but there are so many options I think it would be more effective if you could type in the first few letters of what you are looking for to get search results. I want to be able to type “Tag Heuer” when searching I shouldn’t have to click and scroll a bunch of times to get the desired result. Admittedly some users may prefer to click and scroll but those who like to type and search shouldn’t be ignored.

The interface can also be buggy as to when it decides to stop working. A couple of times the app got stuck at a “please wait, retrieving search items” screen. Sometimes it would fix itself but other times I would let it idle for 5 minutes or so before I would be forced to close it and re-open. An app that freezes is something I would expect from a small company but you would think an outfit the size of Royal Caribbean would have had better testing and quality control.

Pluses and Minuses of the Royal Caribbean Portfolio App

Pluses

Loads of information, an info-junkies dream
Google Maps integration is a potential timesaver
Wish list is great as is the sharing function

Cons

Clunky interface should be redesigned
Sometimes it freezes
Not the most efficient search functionality

In the end what you have here is a “try hard” app that is more good than bad, but far from great. The app is free so if you are a shopper or just curious its worth the download, but don’t expect anything earth-shattering. Hopefully this is just a 1.0 version and not something that will be abandoned as it does have potential, it just needs some refinement.

The Apple Ipad on Royal Caribbean Cruise Ships

Written by T.I. Cruiser on November 30, 2011 · Leave a Comment

Always present on the cutting edge of cruise vacations sits Royal Caribbean. Say what you want about some of their borderline archaic policies, when it comes to bringing the “new-ness” to the seven seas there is not another cruise line that brings it home better than Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean’s newest announcement is just another example of Royal Caribbean’s cruise innovation.

Recently Royal Caribbean announced a plan that puts an iPad in every cabin of the Splendour of the Seas early next year. Royal Caribbean (the cruise industries second largest cruise line) also stated their intentions of adding the Apple iPad to the cabins of more than a quarter of their fleet within the next two years. The other ships receiving the Apple treatment are the Legend of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas and Vision of the Seas.

Anyone who has used the Apple iPad knows that it is an amazing device, capable of all sorts of wonderful things. Recently it seems like more and more people are starting to realize that apps aren’t just for Angry Birds. Through the use of customized applications companies are finally starting to really unlock the power of tablet computers.

Apple iPads that Royal Caribbean installs in passenger cabins will be set-up as a sort of high-tech cruise director. Through the use of the iPad passengers will be able to view listings of the activities and events taking place throughout the day allowing them to set an (personalized sort of) itinerary. Cruise passengers will also be able to use the iPad to surf the internet, order room service, watch movies and monitor their onboard accounts.

Also note that passenger use of the iPad won’t be confined to the cabins, you will be able to carry them around the ship. While I’m not sure why anyone would want to carry an iPad around a cruise ship but if you are so inclined you are able. Now, I think the iPad is great and can really shine in the capacity in which it will be meant to be utilized, but it does raise some concerns.

When I think of the iPad I can’t help but have visions of passengers with their heads down playing around on the iPad during dinner. I can see passengers showing up for the Vegas style shows and paying more attention to their iPads than the performers. In other words I think there is a pretty decent chance that bringing the iPad to a cruise ship will also bring a little too much of the “real world” to the cruise ship.

In the real world, teen’s text at the dinner table, electronic devices serve as baby-sitters and generally speaking there is a lot less family interaction in the “real world” than what you get on your typical family cruise. I just hope the introduction of real world electronic devices doesn’t detract from the family time that has always been a staple of family cruise vacations.

Monday Mailbag: April 11, 2011 Edition

Written by T.I. Cruiser on April 11, 2011 · Leave a Comment

This edition of the Monday Mailbag touches on three questions sent in by readers. The first has to deal with cold weather on a Mediterranean cruise. The second, dealing packing for a Caribbean cruise that sails out of New York in the dead of winter. The third question is in regards to Royal Caribbean’s policy on bringing non-alcoholic beverages on board their ships. Hopefully this will help some of you who have had or may have the same questions as these.

I was looking to book a cruise to the Mediterranean but want to avoid any possible cold weather. Which months are the winter months in the Mediterranean or is there a specific Mediterranean cruise itinerary I should choose if I was looking to book a fall Mediterranean cruise?

First let me say that in most places where Mediterranean cruises travel it never gets truly cold. The Mediterranean cruise season is typically from April through October although some cruise lines do sail year round. During that time period temperatures are very comfortable and no where near cold. While it can get down to the 50′s in northern areas like Istanbul, this is still a far cry from what most of us would call “cold”.

Personally I feel when you are choosing a specific Mediterranean cruise itinerary, you shouldn’t let the weather dictate which Mediterranean cruise itinerary you decided to book. If there are particular ports you want to see let that decide which Mediterranean cruise itinerary you select. Different regions have different feels and its probably not something you will get to do every year so don’t settle. You never know when you will get another chance.

I have never been on a cold weather cruise but this winter we are booked on a New York cruise on the Caribbean Princess heading down to the Caribbean. How should I pack for the trip?

Well, sailing out of New York in the winter time can be tricky. I’m assuming it will take you about 2 days until you hit your first port of call, meaning the ship will be cold for at least the first day sailing and the last day coming back.

My guess would be you will be dressed in winter wear when you board the ship, which is good. The outerwear you have will come in handy on the first and last days if you want to spend any time out on the Lido Deck. The second day will probably be more touch and go since you will be much further south. At that point in time it doesn’t matter that you started out on a New York cruise since it will be tracking more like any other Caribbean cruise by then. And of course on the way back home the day you would be worried about would be the last day at sea.

My advice would be to bring a couple of layers that you can pack on and shed off as temperature dictates. However, I wouldn’t go overboard (no pun intended) on the amount of cold weather cruise gear you bring as most of your time will be spent in temperatures 60 degrees and above. Personally the only modifications I would make to my normal packing list would be maybe a fleece pullover, sweatshirt, pair of gloves and a pair of jeans.

We are taking a family cruise on a Royal Caribbean ship in late June. It will be myself, my husband and our 3 kids in two cabins. I didn’t want to buy the soda card for all of our children and was hoping we could bring our own on board the ship. I know some cruise lines allow you to bring a certain amount of non-alcoholic beverages on board is Royal Caribbean one of them?

First of all congratulations on your family cruise. Cruising is definitely one of the best ways to build those memories that will last long after everyone is grown and gone their separate ways. I wish my family was able to take those types of vacations when I was younger. Now… on to your question.

While I do know what you mean with some cruise lines allowing you to bring on board a case of pop (I refuse to say soda), to the best of my knowledge Royal Caribbean is not one of those cruise lines. Here is the policy straight from the horses mouth:

Royal Caribbean Policy regarding bringing beverages on board

Onboard Policies

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Q:
Can I bring liquor or non-alcoholic beverages (from home or from a port) on board?

A:
Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on board for consumption or any other use. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased in ports-of-call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned.

Security may inspect containers (water bottles, soda bottles, mouthwash, luggage etc.) and will dispose of containers holding alcohol. Guests who violate any alcohol policies, (over consume, provide alcohol to people under age 21, demonstrate irresponsible behavior, or attempt to conceal alcoholic items at security and or luggage check points or any other time), may be disembarked or not allowed to board, at their own expense, in accordance with our Guest Conduct Policy. Guests who are under the permitted drinking age will not have alcohol returned to them.

Please Note: All guests must comply with TSA guidelines for transporting liquids.

So unfortunately the children will either have to make due with the free beverages Royal Caribbean provides on board their ship or you will have to fork out the 4 dollars per day (per child) the fountain drink package will cost. Its not the ideal situation but there is no reason to allow something like this to tarnish a perfectly good family getaway. I’m sure the kids will be able to survive for a week on water, iced tea and lemonade; especially since unlimited ice cream makes for a great distraction.