twangster

Here is a typical example of the onboard offers for platinum: Platinum.PDF Like most loyalty programs the benefits get better at each level. Personally I think Royal's Crown and Anchor Society is superior to other cruise lines but that is for my needs and likes/dislikes. I was 3 cruises short of platinum on Carnival which is earned around the same point that Diamond is on Royal. For the entire time from zero to that point the only real benefit of Carnival's VIFP program was one bottle of water in the cabin and eventually a drink coupon that could only be used on the last night after 6pm but not in the MDR. Once you do reach platinum on Carnival the biggest benefit is priority boarding. Contrast that to Diamond which is earned with roughly the same amount of cruising on Royal and you get priority boarding, nightly happy hour drinks, meaningful on board offers and much more. Like many loyalty programs, loyalty is rewarded - that's kind of the point. It is provided in incremental steps, getting better and better at each level. Like airline loyalty programs if you fly one trip on United, the next on American, the next on Delta and another on Southwest you aren't really displaying loyalty to any of them and while each appreciates your business, it doesn't get you very far in the respective loyalty programs. Cruising is much the same way in terms of each cruise line's loyalty program. Only you can decide if the perks of each program is worth a long term strategy to remain loyal to any particular one.

Believe it or not, I see all of these little maintenance issues on the website in a positive light. I knew a guy who did a lot of work on their old databases a few years ago, before I even started cruising Royal. Like most US airlines it's a pretty complex environment with legacy baggage. Royal is making baby steps towards a better place - I honestly believe that. It can't happen overnight or in just one maintenance window, it will take time. Just wait...

Agree. The BOGO2 used to be $30 so I'd buy it when offered. Since it went to $40 I haven't bought it again. I managed to get the 4 dinner package for Symphony @ $100 and a few months ago saw it disappear all together and the 3 dinner package was $100. Now the 3 dinner package is back down to $85 but 4 still isn't offered. I suspect they have an automated script that adjust prices based on sales trends on a cruise by cruise basis. Same with drink packages.

It's all still a lot cheaper than going to Atlantis in Nassau which I've never considered to be worth half of what that resort charges for it. The existing inflatable slide at CocoCay isn't free, the small existing water park in the ocean isn't free and sold in 1 hour blocks. The snorkeling today isn't free. I have yet to find a zip line anywhere that's free. If you don't want to participate in the existing or new optional activities, just go to the beach like we've always been able to.

On the bright side I wonder if this may be related to upgrading the ships hotel/billing/portfolio system to make it compatible with all the new tech features they have promised for the fleet such as mobile check in. That's got to be a complex and huge undertaking to modernize each ship's software and servers to a common platform and version capable of moving forward with new tech.

Never hurts to ask.

As someone who flys to cruise this would be pretty inconvenient if you are not local. Typical hotel check out time is 11am. That works with a normal embarkation. Having to kill 4-6 hours with luggage and no place to go is a pain.

My first proper cruise was on the Radisson Diamond, the first and only SWATH cruise ship in the world. At 18,500 tons and 350 passengers it seemed pretty big to me! We brought our own beer and wine boarding in San Juan. Our cooler tipped over going through the X-Ray machine covering the belt in ice cold water. Security didn't say a word. Lilly Tomlin was the comedian. She is now a gambling ship in China (Hong Kong) now and you can see here on the Apple TV screen saver: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCdiGmNlp1I and at night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU2LQmFgSAE Going back farther to the late 80's I was on the Disko, a cargo ship converted to a passenger ship. At 2,100 tons she was small. Passengers bunks were in the former cargo holds at the very front. We cruised down Sonderstom Fjord in Greenland which was breath taking. A lot of my friends drank and drank (I didn't have that much). Once we hit the North Atlantic having left the narrow fjord where it was smooth, the open North Atlantic was rough. Very rough. It was so rough that my head was lifted of my pillow and was thrown back down into the bed as we rode over every wave. I couldn't sleep all night. I was very glad I had limited my consumption. My friends not so much and the combination of alcohol and sea sickness made them all turn very pale. http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=838706 First Royal Caribbean cruise was on the Oasis of the Seas. Prior to Oasis I had sailed Carnival, Disney and NCL. Since Oasis I've been Loyal2Royal.

Great photos. How much post do you do on your photos? Is the noise level of the night shots straight out of the camera or have you tweaked noise levels?

New solo policy. All cabins are now solo. Just kidding ?

Booked 3 more! Or should I say Jacki at MEI Travel will convert three holds into bookings whenever the RCI system is back up from its overnight maintenance. With these three new bookings I've sailed or am scheduled to sail (with a booking) on every ship in the current fleet. I'll deal with Spectrum once her schedule becomes available. Might have to save up for a suite on that ship to experience the rumored suite only areas. All of my bookings involve a travel agent.

Just drink 3 Kraken Lavaflows, then 50° will seem warm!

I'm due to visit on the September 17th Mariner sailing. No communication yet but I have long suspected we'll be tendering.

Interesting they show distinct departure times on day 1, like it will spend the night at sea and dock again in the morning. When I've overnight-ed in other ports, no departure time is listed on the 1st day in port. I guess they don't want guests roaming around in the dark.

Website was supposed to be back up by 9am ET. Maintenance has been extended to 12pm ET. I'm expecting great things Royal Caribbean!

I usually give it 24 hours. Sometimes I can add them right away but many times I just do it the day after.

I noted on Adventure last month, like on Freedom class, there are loungers as Matt illustrated above that are roped of for "Gold Card" (GS Suites and above). I'm assuming Mariner does as well. Not exactly a suite sun deck like on OA/QU class but it's something.

True to their word, Royal has refunded my $450 deposit Things that make you go... hmmmm

With a 300mm zoom lens on my (real) camera, this is the view from my port balcony during a normal sail away

It does. Just be aware that Manhattan and the Statute of Liberty will be in the distance, not up close. Starboard will have no views in that direction based on a normal sail away. If the Port Authority authorizes a harbor tour at sail away, port side will have awesome view of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.

Is the ship the destination or are the ports the destination? Which is more important? I get the feeling the ship is holding you back from choosing the Greek cruise. As you have noted the smaller ship is required to get into some of those ports. Last year I sailed on Allure in May then my next ship was Grandeur. Mega to small. I loved Grandeur. It's a wonderful ship. It's only considered a small ship by Royal Caribbean standards. By the measure used by all other cruises lines, having ~2,000 guests is not a small ship. The Greek Islands are on my bucket list and I'd have no hesitation sailing Vision class ships so I know what I'd do, but this is your vacation. Follow your gut.

Hello, my is Twangster, and I've booked cruises today.

Yes, like buying a drink at a bar, 18% gratuity is added to a massage. Tipping extra, like at a bar, is at your discretion.

Nice! Great way to celebrate Diamondness!

I work with Jacki York from MEI Travel. In fact I'm about to email her with a dilemma I've created for myself on a different direct booking. Sorry Jacki ?