twangster

2 minutes ago, RBRSKI said:

So I know you were in a JS for this voyage, but did you happen to see inside a standard balcony stateroom? Did all stateroom get new carpet, drapes, and reupholstered furniture?  We are sailing on her for Christmas 2019.

Yes, all cabins were updated. 

I was on Adventure repositioning cruise 5/5/18 from San Juan to Bayonne.  Pictures of a standard balcony cabin in my live blog here:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/6297-adventure-5-nights-5518-repositioning-san-juan-to-bayonne/&do=findComment&comment=67883

Just now, JLMoran said:

I seem to recall that Anthem doesn't do the "over the side" move with NS on sea days, so if that's off the table then I'd probably go for a port day. Most likely our first day in Bermuda since we have the whole day and no time pressure; could grab the first one of the morning before it gets too hot, then head over to Horseshoe Bay beach and start our day of lounging around. Otherwise I'd try and get whatever is closest to sunset while in port, assuming we didn't have anything lined up at that time like a sunset catamaran cruise or the like.

Sunset or golden hour can be nice.  Keep in mind you can slip in some days when crowds are light.  I rode several times on my cruises but only once with a reservation. 

On one occasion they had to shut it down for winds but they accommodated me with another reservation. 

You are correct, no over the side, just a little left/right movement.

Just now, JLMoran said:

I've had CK visible in the Dining section of Cruise Planner for a long time now, but every time I attempt to make a reservation I'm told it's not available. I thought this was actually correct since I'm in a JS and those supposedly cannot book online, only after boarding. But if you're saying even JS guests can make reservations online then I'll keep trying every week or two. Maybe I just need to be inside a 90-day or 45-day window or something...

They come and go.  It seems you can make advance reservations on Anthem but not on Harmony, even in a GS. 

Standard website consistency.

Pretty sure they are going in now.  Indy just got them.  I took a picture of the wood floor exercise room in the spa they are consuming on Indy. 

Occasionally the Leafs come to Denver.  I can get decent seats for under $12. 

VGK is off to a roaring start, game one - won.

Bottom line - a guest is unhappy about NRDB becoming the only option on the website or at the NextCruise desk and uses the NextCruise presentation to vent his or her frustration.

They questioned the presenter, a member of the NextCruise team who is basically a travel agent, a policy question they know they can't answer.  In doing so they framed it incorrectly, suggesting there is no mention of the NRDB policy anywhere publicly which is false. 

The NextCruise travel agent correctly and appropriately responds "That is covered under the terms and conditions, which refers to the pricing structure and OBC." - which it is. 

The terms and conditions including NRDB is presented early in the process of booking a cruise on the website and having used NextCruise since NRDB became the standard I can verify they do disclose it during the NextCruise booking process.  On my NextCruise printed confirmation it is highlighted with a green highlighter that the NextCruise agent specifically pointed out including my ability to cancel within 30 days without penalty.  At no point was the NRDB policy hidden or kept from me and if I just had not listened and discovered it a week later I could still cancel without a fee.

Seems pretty reasonable to me. 

Perhaps the reporter was expecting the policy to be hung on the wall of each cabin as a poster?  Possibly handed out on a sheet a paper as your board the ship?  Played on the TV system right after the "Wash your hands" jingle?

I get people are upset that Royal is matching other cruise lines now and they have made NRDB the standard or default deposit for new bookings.  However sticking to the facts, it is anything but hidden or a secret. 

9 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

That and because their true blue fans are crazy devoted!!!!  Do you know how many games we have wasted money for at the Joe (before this year) to watch them lose???  Crazy waste of money.

Excuse me lulu-bot, hockey games are never a waste of money.

On Carnival I've only hit the 15 drink daily cap once.  it's not really an issue in my mind.  I do like that the higher per drink threshold on Carnival. 

1 hour ago, Beachbum said:

@Matt Totally agree.  You have to take that stuff with a grain of salt.  I also feel like how you are treating people is important.  I wonder if perceived rudeness is just a response to how they are acting towards the staff ie being inpatient and demanding. 

I've yet to experience rude or bad crew on any RCI cruise.  I've often wondered how people come to this conclusion.  An unrealistic expectation?  Not really sure.

Periscope notifications works because it's a specific app for this function.  

FB Messenger is a separate app with a unique notification sound that is distinct and different than the FB app.

FB Live is contained within the FB app so you are dependent on the FB app notification framework which is the issue.  If FB Live was a separate app I think the problem would be solved.

10 minutes ago, mworkman said:

The gist is that You won't have a seat due to the seats available being take by all those who aren't in a suite.

Given the number of Pinnacle on most cruises, that isn't really a concern.

Yes, works normally like at home.  Same with any US Virgin Islands if those are also on your itinerary (St Thomas for example).

8 minutes ago, princevaliantus said:

Wow!! A simple answer would have suffice, such as "maybe the staffer was in training and didn't currently have all the info", but, circumventing seems to be a safe play. OK. Next topic. 

My advice, if you want the best price, book early and keep it refundable just in case you need to change/cancel your reservation. This way, you will get the flexibility without the Royal "CHECKMATE"! 

Simple answer - NRDB is the standard default deposit.  Why explain the default? 

2 minutes ago, jurrjurr said:

TML are one of the most profitable teams in the NHL.  As long as the suits own the seats at ACC, there is no hurry for them to win the Cup.   

Agreed.  A long standing tradition from the days of Maple Leaf Gardens and the Ballard family. 

Why put money into something that sells out every game?

15 minutes ago, princevaliantus said:

OK twangster.. I believe you have and are totally missing the point as :

a) no one was blind sided as the presentation was completed when the question of the deposit program was presented.

b) what is the issue of explaining the deposit program to everyone present rather than individually ? 

c) the answer to "B" above is that RCCL is trying to get you to that Next Cruise desk and pitch you a gimick. 

The issue on hand is why "tell half a story and keep the plot a secret", unless there is a motive?

The media has no knowledge of this, yet, and there is no difference between the media and posting on this blog. Same destinations taking different avenues (media, fb, blogs, twitter, etc.). 

By the way, before anyone asks, I was present when all this occurred. I'm currently on the sailing!! Woohoo!!

Experienced and long term cruisers have long enjoyed using refundable deposits as a means to book something, even something they knew they probably would never sail, to obtain NextCruise OBC they could retain after changing a booking a number of times and sailing years later.  That wasn't the intention of the NextCruise or refundable deposits program and it created instability in the ability to sell out a ship inventory of cabins. 

Royal had to respond and close the loop hole that people were abusing and they have done so by putting NRDB (Non Refundable Deposits) first and foremost across everything they do.  From the website to NextCruise, NRDB is king.

In doing so they aligned themselves with other cruise lines.

At the same time Royal now has dozens of marketing or sales campaigns where as in the past they never did.  Now there is new sale event every few weeks. 

Quite honestly in my opinion NextCruise has become obsolete.  You can do better taking advantage of the weekly sale events and book a cruise without having to wait to be on board to visit NextCruise.

Some people are bitter they've lost the perceived benefit that NextCruise used to be and the loop hole to abuse the refundable deposit has been closed. 

Aggressively attacking a presenter then storming out mid-way is immature and boorish.  If you don't like something, vote with your wallet and go book with that other cruise line that offers the loop hole.  Oh wait, you can't because it doesn't exist.  So instead of behaving like a mature adult, become a drama queen and interrupt a presentation like a little child. 

I don't like it either.  I'd love to be able to abuse the system to my benefit.  i can't though, they closed the loop hole.

Having said all this, the NRDB is explained during the booking process at the NextCruise desk.   So what if they don't have a slide in the powerpoint deck that calls out and explains NRDB in detail?  It is not a technical presentation explaining all of the terms and conditions of a booking.

This post is FAKE NEWS!

2 minutes ago, mworkman said:

@twangster You've got me confused , which isn't hard to do. Your stating that the NextCruise rep lays out the booking process and @princevaliantus is saying that it's the NextCruise was presenting a briefing and failed to do so and was called out for not disclosing this info....did I miss something?

The presentation is series of powerpoint slides they step through. 

Do they have a slide with 96 point font in bold stating "NextCruise booking are non-refundable"?  - NO.

It's intended to be a general information session with the goal of informing people that they exist and to highlight different types of cruises available.  .  New or inexperienced cruisers don't know there is such a thing as the NextCruise desk. 

Is it a sales pitch?  Yes!  That is the goal - get people to visit the NextCruise desk.

I do not believe it is designed to be a technical session explaining the intricacies of every detail in the terms and conditions.  

Just now, Hutcherl said:

I used to book with Next Cruise.  Not anymore.  I was given false information, by the manager,  regarding obc and transferring to a TA.  I absolutely believe he knew it too.  Just wanted to close a deal.  So,  I’m not at all shocked at the response from the Next Cruise staffer.  

I don't use NextCruise anymore either for a number of reasons including they will say anything to obtain a booking.  However they've never misled me about NRDB (non-nonrefundable deposits).

You know it's getting real when eDocs are ready!

Blind siding someone giving a presentation compared to conducting a proper media interview are two different things.  No wonder you can't believe anything the media says.

If you book through NextCruise they explain during the booking process what the terms and conditions are, including that you have 30 days to change your mind penalty free. 

I still make refundable booking through a travel agent.  This is an option not available on certain other cruise lines who only offer non-refundable. 

If you seek to find a conspiracy you will. 

All ships follow international guidelines but they vary depending on a number of factors including age of the ship and size.  SOLAS or Safety of Life At Sea is the international standard all cruise ships use.  Muster process and location of life jackets is governed and approved by SOLAS and checked during routine periodic inspections by the US Coast Guard.

Just now, JenC said:

Either sea day or 1st port day. We have an excursion 2nd port day. There are 3 of us. How do I make the booking? You are a rock star for all of your help!!!!!

You can continue to check the cruise planner to see if reservations become available.  If not it will say something like "Check onboard".  Once on board the box office staff can make them for you.

The box office staff are often cast from the entertainment shows.  They do the box office thing on day one as a side job to make a few extra bucks and to help out.  

When you board there will be a circular staircase right there.  Head down the stairs and Boleros is right there.  You may see a line forming depending what time you board.  If in doubt just ask where the box office staff are set up.

Just now, JenC said:

Thank you!!!!!

In December I did a B2B and spent 19 nights on Anthem.  Then in January I did another 9 nights.  My live blogs from those cruises are here:

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/5068-anthem-112517-712-b2b/

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/5387-anthem-11919-9-night-bahamas/

Just now, JLMoran said:

Thanks for this time range, @Lovetocruise2002! I've been checking pretty much weekly for a while now, and still nothing with 137 days to go. Guess I better start checking daily now! 

Do the reservations for Northstar and iFly show up under "Excursions" or "Entertainment & Activities"? I actually saw a new excursion for PADI re-certification pop up on our first sea day in the Excursions section, and I don't recall ever seeing excursions for sea days before now.

Entertainment and Activities. 

Put some though into NorthStar timing.  Do you want a sea day or a port day?

If you can't make any reservations ahead of time head to Boleros as soon as you board (down one deck in the Promenade).  There you will find they have set up temporary "Box Office" stations to make last minute reservations.  They hold a certain number of time slots for this purpose but do it as soon as you board because reservations are not limitless. 

I wouldn't think it necessary to reprint your set sail pass.  Simply tell any bartender you have the drink package when you hand it to them. 

10 hours ago, Kurtp13 said:

Sp I have a followup question, On Allure the life jackets were not in my room.   Are they still in the room on the other classes

10 hours ago, KathyC said:

We had them in our room on Adventure last week, but they have more than enough on the decks with the lifeboats so you really don't need them in your cabins anymore.  I do not remember seeing them in our room on Harmony last year...unless they were under the bed?

On Allure you likely won't find life jackets in your cabin.  I think the idea is that in an emergency they think people may head directly to the muster station so that is where they hand out life jackets.