Jill

1 hour ago, twangster said:

They have pulled the post from the website presumably to correct some errors.  

It what we saw remains it was any time at any venue but in Singapore they used the Deluxe Drink Package model where it was subject to the DX cap and anything over required the difference to be paid.  

“Pulled the post” = some intern is in trouble and my free drinks just went from 5 to 4. 

We’re now getting coverage on our local news. Floridians in general need to get behind this because the cruise industry is one reason we don’t have a state income tax. 
 

https://www.news4jax.com/news/florida/2021/03/26/gov-desantis-calls-on-cdc-to-lift-no-sail-order-on-cruise-ships/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=snd&utm_content=wjxt4&fbclid=IwAR1PfUI5kQb45z2DRVCUlQ2W9O8PZKOaL6L8gCcUca_m6DhiTeaZXnyh4dU

8 minutes ago, twangster said:

The new drink offers for Diamond and above are a game changer for some.

In the past I had what I called a hybrid drink package.  I'd buy a few drinks during the day then at Diamond happy hour I'd use those free drinks.  Between a few purchased drinks and happy hour I didn't always need or want a drink package.

Now with 5 or 6 anytime drinks that makes my old hybrid approach obsolete.

How many drinks per day does a person need? (other than Ron Hiller)   

Even if I want to push it and drink 8 drinks per day, all I have to do is buy a couple.  If I choose those wisely, like cheaper beers are purchased and save my coupons for mixed drinks or wine, I'm even further ahead.

This greatly complicates the DX buying strategy.

If you can combine a few of these single sentences and elaborate a bit more, you’ll have 6 paragraphs! It could be a short story on how to best use your free drinks! 

19 minutes ago, twangster said:

You get the SL and I get a paragraph or six.

 

Oh boy!  I always wanted a paragraph.

Wait is that up to 6 paragraphs? Wow that’s a deal! 

56 minutes ago, twangster said:

Looks more like a form letter meant for D+ and/or P.  Prior to the shutdown:

D have access to the Diamond Lounge

D+ have Concierge Club access listed as a perk but for some cruises with high numbers of D+ that was suspended.  This started in at least 2019, maybe prior.  

P have access to the Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen.  

Suite Lounge is not the same as Concierge Club.  

 

The problem with using Singapore policy and applying it to North America is that it makes a lot of assumptions.

Singapore doesn't have a large number of D+ or P.  There are some but not Florida like numbers relative to the rest of the program.

Giving 4 or 5 drinks to D+/P may not break the bank in Singapore like it could in North America.  Those weren't drinks from a happy hour menu but all bar drinks under $13 so you know every D+ or P would be searching for all drinks that cost $12.99 in North America.  (that applies to me too)

We know that 80% of Singapore guests have never cruised so the actual number of D+ or P on board Quantum is probably very low so the actual experiences of real D+/P on Quantum is pretty low right now, but there is a lot of extrapolation and assumptions being made.

Bottom line - We don't know what health protocols will be like here and we don't know what CAS perks will be changed here.

My approach will be to get on a frickin cruise and just enjoy being on a frickin cruise.  I'll be giving Royal a lot of leeway when it comes to CAS perks in 2021 and probably part of 2022.  

 

This is on the website now. I’m thinking they made some mistakes on the Diamond one. That was my main question about access to the other lounges and coastal kitchen. 
 

Agree with ready to get on board. I have higher hopes for October. That’ll be my 5th time rescheduling my Symphony. My others are now  2022. 

38 minutes ago, Matt said:

Agree.

The extra drink coupons are worth much more than old rules in Diamond Lounge.

Matt did I inspire your blog post?  

Agree on the drink vouchers. I probably won’t get the drink package as long as this stays in place. 

As @Mattreported earlier in his latest blog post, DeSantis and cruise line big wigs had a press conference today at PC. Here’s the Facebook link to the Governor’s post on the matter. Quickly scanning comments I didn’t see any reference to “Petri dish!” Lol There are almost 400 comments so there may be one but everything I read said OPEN THE PORTS! 

Hmmmm link won’t post. 
 

Link to Gov website instead. He’s got balls! Wants $250 million to rebuild industry 

https://www.flgov.com/2021/03/26/governor-ron-desantis-highlights-floridas-vital-cruise-industry-calls-on-cdc-to-rescind-no-sail-order/?fbclid=IwAR1g76_tfI2DfO7iipowgVFwYE7NrnToQWBdH-i-Eq3kv_eUkrPYn93FRCs

Was perusing some RC Facebook groups and someone posted the changes to Diamond Plus, so I thought I’d check Diamond. I don’t ever remember having access to the suite lounge or being able to make reservations at coastal kitchen. I did see where the Singapore sailings were loading 4 drinks on your card, but this says 5. Also since when could Diamond access Concierge Club? 

Did RC get a new intern? Can this possibly be right? 

Pressing pause on a few diamond member benefits

We’re thrilled to have you onboard again, and we want to make sure your vacation is full of great moments and memories. As part of our new safety protocols, we need to temporarily suspend a few of your Crown & Anchor® member benefits, such as, the private departure lounge, exclusive top tier event, chef’s choice gift/amenity, entertainment and behind-the-scenes tours, personalized gift/amenity, and Concierge Club access. These suspensions are temporary and the result of adhering to social distance and other health protocols. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this causes. We’ll continue to keep you updated and look forward to reinstating these benefits when possible.

• Priority check-in

• Private departure lounge

• Top-tier events

• Entertainment and behind-the-scenes tours

Your favorites, with a twist

Many of your favorite Crown & Anchor® Society member benefits are still available, though we’ve made a few modifications to align with our healthy return to service protocols, here’s what’s changing:

Diamond Lounge

Lounges will continue to operate, though at a reduced capacity to allow for distancing. But members will now enjoy more drink vouchers – 5 for your tier – cheers! Use them any time at any venue.

Meal with an officer

Getting your chance to mingle with the officers onboard and experience a great meal is still on the itinerary. Now you’ll enjoy a lunch hosted in the Main Dining Room where you’ll be greeted by officers from your sailing.

Suite Lounge and Coastal Kitchen access

You can still access the Suite Lounge on Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships,but you’ll need a dining reservation at Coastal Kitchen to get in — this allow us to reduce the number of members in the lounge at a time. Each member will also receive $25 to spend on specialty dining during their cruise. 

Learn more at our healthy sail center

I’m in Florida as well and in addition to Rubio and Scott, my Rep is John Rutherford who replaced DeSantis when he left the house. 
 

I’ll do my part and encourage my friends to write/call/tweet as well. Even if they aren’t cruisers. This is a callous infringement on private business. Enough is enough. 

Happy to see this. 

https://thepointsguy.com/news/american-countess-cruise-boarding-process/?fbclid=IwAR3vCxjJcX72kj-krkDbB0YAoUbU6evsSs_s9Nbh36dVvdYoWaI3lumLgg0

14 minutes ago, Flopper said:

I think it's interesting that they have been tight lipped about masking on these cruises. With that and in Richard Fain's video that was posted yesterday where he went out of his way to mention that he an unmasked, vaccinated person could be with his unmasked unvaccinated grand daughter. These cruises are 80 days away, look how far we've come the last 80. I think there's a chance!

 

Not only that but social distance has been shortened to 3 feet! That alone should be enough to waive masks on the pool deck, which has been my personal deal breaker. 

I say go for it! Of course living in Florida I’d rather not have to fly to the port but I’ll do it if need be. 
 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24616-global-ports-plays-key-role-in-caribbean-restart.html?fbclid=IwAR24YqQeE7wCB6cvUZv_U6sBwqUaFk8AxcBFKhIL2TW_CyS4yHckBYhsIHs

Now I’m worried about my FCC’s. And my OBC. I’ll bother Sharla at the end of the week lol. Not calling right now!

Ditto @twangster. I normally book what I want directly with RC then transfer to my TA (Sharla at MEI). 
 

Agree with others it’s time to change TA’s. 

About time! Take DeSantis and Senator Scott with you! Time to open up a can of whoop ass on the CDC! 
 

https://www.cruisehive.com/miami-dade-mayor-requests-meeting-with-cdc-on-resuming-cruises/48373?fbclid=IwAR3H9SWxzzke2fT_FWEF71jTLTfZ3Tq8oWLKJOeS7BllZEWImQYCzJoqVPg

What’s the largest RC ship that can go through the canal? Can Navigator do it or is she too big? 

Guess I’ll be the dissenter lol. 3 nights was enough for me. We are big Oasis class fans and after 3 nights on Mariner, we felt like we’d done it all. 
 

I’d consider Mariner to Bermuda though, just not for 13 nights. 
 

What are the itineraries? That would influence my decision. 
 

Our 3 night Nassau/CocoCay left little to be desired. We live 2 hours from PC, so it was a quick, fun weekend getaway. 

1 hour ago, DublinFC said:

well, OK then.  Yay for LA?  Could be a better announcement like a new ship going there like Carnival did with Panorama.  I was hoping for test cruises so the ships can get sailing again.

Pretty sure Navigator wasn’t the “real” news that was originally hyped. It couldn’t possibly be the “news we’ve all been waiting for” so I guess we sit and wait until either Bayley or Fain spill the beans. 

Just get the drink package and forget your worries. 
 

Seriously I can relate. It’s just been a cluster and I feel sorry for what I’ve asked my TA (Sharla at MEI) to do to keep my sailings. 
 

Hope you find a solution. Sometimes the drink package IS the solution. 

Here’s the actual quote. 

The announcement has been put on hold. I just saw the message on one of my Royal Caribbean TA boards.

57 minutes ago, steverk said:

That's not what we want hear! Where did you hear this?

It was in a Royal travel agent Facebook group. 

I just read the announcement has been cancelled. Seriously

29 minutes ago, twangster said:

Didn't say they were the same company.  Both agreed to respect the CLIA shutdown when they have ships that could have been sailing this entire time.  

That ship with a capacity of 450 is subject to the CSO regardless how many board her.   The CDC is using "capacity to carry" not the actual number of souls on board.  

Perhaps your HD friend can eloborate how they escaped the CSO.  Maybe the big 3 could borrow some of that. 

Sorry misunderstood your post. I’m pretty sure they’re sailing at 1/2 capacity. He invited us to come sail in April but we’re not able to at that time. 

8 minutes ago, twangster said:

American Cruise Lines has some ships that are small enough that the CDC orders don't apply although the American Queen isn't one of those ship that is small enough to escape the CSO.  So far they have aligned themselves with CLIA but that isn't a requirement.   

As far as test cruises, keep in mind the CSO was put together on very short notice.  It included a lot of checkpoints aimed to give the CDC a lot of different ways to kill cruises.  With the risk lowering not everything in the CSO will be needed. 

American Queen Steamboat is a different line than American Cruise Line. 
 

A friend of mine is the Hotel Director on American Countess and apparently they are starting next week. That one holds 450 but won’t sail at that capacity 
 

American Cruise Lines just had a ship leave Amelia Island (FL) a few days ago. 

I’m wondering if test cruises will not be required in lieu of everyone being required to be vaccinated. I mean what’s the purpose of test cruises if everyone is vaccinated? 
 

American Cruise Line just started and American Queen starting next week. American Queen won’t require vaccinations until July 1. 
 

Now that Virgin is requiring vaccines for everyone I just wonder if the rest will band together and do the same. 
 

edited to add: whatever the news it hasn’t leaked to Wall Street yet. Stock currently down $3