Shari

Update. We received or crystal block today.  It was less than 3 weeks. Instead of the 4-6 weeks.  

37 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Looks like they reverted this back to the old way.

I have been mock booking daily to check on upcoming cruises and it has changed every day back and forth. I am wondering why.

We use Allianz.  Reputable and not too expensive.  Annual with them is cheaper than one cruise with Royal.  Also Allianz is what we always booked through the airlines when we did just one flight.

We have been on cruises where ports were missed due to hurricanes, where one of the azipods failed as ship was trying to outrun a storm, and various other stormy issues.  So my only gripe is that they kick me off at the end of the cruise when I am not ready to leave.

They do not open your luggage.  We had an incident in 2021 with inexperienced inspectors on the 2nd cruise out of Galveston where they called my husband to security to open the bag so they could inspect what they thought was not allowed.  It turned out to be our magnets that they mistook as revolver speed loaders when they xrayed the bag.  It is one of our funny stories to tell though it was kind of scary since they took my husband off of the ship to port security area.

I received this email from Celebrity yesterday.  It appears to be another step towards integrating the benefits of the 2 cruise lines.  They are starting a lounge equal to the Crown Lounge.

"I have heard from many of our loyal Captain’s Club members, such as yourself, that one of the program’s most gratifying aspects is the opportunity to be part of a community of like-minded travelers with whom you can share your experiences on board. I love that so many of you are eager to connect over your shared passion for travel and cruising.

I am excited to announce that starting in January 2024, we will designate an existing lounge space for our Elite, Elite Plus, and Zenith members to get together on board during the daily Elite Cocktail hour.

The lounge space will be available twice per cruise on sailings between 5 nights and 7 nights, and three times per cruise on sailings 8 nights or longer, from 5pm to 7pm. Your concierge team will inform you in your welcome letter of the specific days and locations where you can gather on board. Additionally, drinks will still be available at bars and lounges throughout the ship daily by presenting your Seapass card if you prefer not to use the designated lounge space.

This gathering, in addition to our Captain’s Club Welcome Party, Senior Officer Party, Music & Mixology event, and more, provides our members with several opportunities to meet up, and we could not be more excited. Thank you for your loyalty, and I hope to meet you on board soon. "

26 minutes ago, Jayalekznder said:

Hey everyone!!! I have a cruise reserved for the 18th of August 2024 on Freedom of the Seas. Up until yesterday my reservation showed my stateroom number, deck number and muster station number but his morning I can only see the stateroom number, the deck number and muster station numbers have disappeared. I wonder is this due to intermittent glitches with the app?

I had issues yesterday on my Android so I went to Google Play and upgraded the app on my phone then it worked.  So check for an update.

I also booked our b2b greek isles cruise on Voyager for next September at Giovanni's for the same 13.99 each.

Just booked Jamie's lunch for 13.99 each on our upcoming Navigator of the Seas in November.  Was available on day 2, 6, and 7.  

We had to surrender our passports when we were on a transpacific and approaching the French Polynesian Islands per their government.  After we finished our port stops there we all were given a time to pick them up again.  So Carnival doing this may have something to do with the itinerary.

There is an active group on Facebook for this cruise.  You will need to request entry to view posts.  Looking forward to this cruise!  Navigator of the Seas November 27th, 2023 | Facebook

We usually get cookies.  However, on our last cruise we didn't get anything.  We could have addressed this on the ship but we were ok with it.  We did get our water though.

I saw that this morning.  I both like and dislike it.  I liked it way back when you could search on cabin type then the date rather than the date and cabin type.  We won't book anything less than a balcony and it was convenient to search balcony rather than date as our schedules are flexible.

We have done the Alaska cruise tour 2 times and just the cruise 1 time.  We loved it both times.  This year we did the train tour and in 2016 we did the bus tour.  We absolutely love riding on the train.  The only thing I would say is that the hotel rooms are not the best in Talkeetna and Denali.  Both are on the older side and very "camp" like.  The hotels in Anchorage, Alyeska, and Fairbanks were very nice.  There is no food provided on the tour part so be aware that you will have to purchase food at restaurants.  We love Alaska and will probably do it again sometime in the future.  If you have any specific questions just ask.

If someone knows who we can call or email about the change in the access to the "Crown" Lounge please let us all know so we can let Royal know how upset we are that they lied to us.

From a member in a FB group that is on Wonder of the Seas.  This is NOT right!  A very bad image for RCL now.

Safe travels to you and your troupe.

You will need 100 shares.

Update:  I just received a call from C&A and they will be mailing me my block in 4 to 6 weeks.  Now to wait to see if it actually arrives.  If not I will stop by the C&A desk on my cruise in late November.

Not on my Navigator or Voyager cruises. So must be only with the newer ships.

6 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

How many of the posters on the original thread still post on here I wonder 

Just checked profiles and only Matt.

They are going to call me back in 24 to 48 hours to let me know if they will make an exception to their NEW policy of NOT mailing the crystal blocks to your home.  This policy is because all ships are equipped with the ability to give you your block.  So their policy of up to 12 months is moot if they will not mail it to you if you do not receive it on the ship.

I was not offered my crystal block for reaching 140 when I was on Radiance of the Seas in August.  I am currently on the phone with C&A and they are telling me that I am entitled to the block but that they are no longer mailing them to your home.  I am waiting for the supervisor to get back to me.  Will keep you all posted.

Diamond Lounge is now showing as Crown Lounge on deck plans on Royal website.  I was just looking at Navigator of the Seas and it is now Crown Lounge.

The Lavazza pods they provide are a little strong for me since I drink my coffee black so I just run the machine twice and get a full cup rather than the espresso cup and it works out much better.  I also do not care for what they provide so I researched Lavazza pods and bring my own.