HeWhoWaits

5 hours ago, Al Miller said:

If you like meat so thin that it can't sit on the warming trays for more than 2 minutes before being as dry as shoe leather,

Given that they already overcook the pork, are you sure it will take 2 minutes under the warmer?

On 10/6/2023 at 2:31 PM, WAAAYTOOO said:

Wow, that’s completely different than what they said a few months ago when they tried to cut out the crystal blocks altogether !

We were Due a block on Grandeur several months ago and they told us they were out of them and would mail ours to us.  We never have received it.  It’s kinda shi##y to make this kind of change and never tell anyone.

I sure hope you get your block, @Shari.

My wife is still waiting for one from Mariner in June 2022. She checked on it on both Freedom and Explorer in July 2022 and again on Freedom this June. In all three cases, the LA said the system showed it as out of stock or backlogged but that it would be coming. Clearly NOT holding our breath.

Big con - tan line. When we were at Disney World two summers ago and the band was the only way to access the parks and hotel room or to pay for stuff on the account, mine stayed in my pocket except when in specific use.

Disclaimer: I also haven't worn a watch for over 30 years. If you're accustomed to having something on your wrist, probably no big deal. For me, if the option exists to NOT wear something I won't wear it.

10 hours ago, Ryan79 said:

Many would say the food already is served free of any kind of seasoning or flavor! 

Salt is not a seasoning. It is used to cover up the true flavor of food.

7 minutes ago, Bean79 said:

But what happens when she turns 18? Does her status in C&A bump down to the amount of cruises she has been on?

She will keep the shared status, but she will only have points for the cruises she has completed toward further progress.

2 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

You can go to Walmart and get that same lobster tail or better for $6 or $7

FIFY

9 hours ago, JFCruise said:

@RCIfan1912 I'll leave it at this: It was not a pretty sight.

Similar to fat men in Speedos vs. competitive swimmers in Speedos?

14 hours ago, Greg R said:

Well I am certainly guilty of wearing what I guess you would call sweat pants to the Windjammer, they are nice Adidas brand tracksuit type. 

So what you're telling us is that you're overdressed for the Windjammer.

FTR - my nighttime attire would never be allowed in the MDR (or any other dining venue ,for that matter).

47 minutes ago, Dennis Blazey said:

Just listened to a webinar with Celebrity's brand President and AVP for brand loyalty in which they responded to questions raised by Captain Club members - with emphasis on upper tier members.  My wife and I are Diamond on RCCL and receive reciprocal Elite status on Celeb.  We have 3 Celeb sailings - 1 trans-atlantic, 1 canal and equator crossing from from Lauderdale to Chile, and 1 AK cruise on Celeb and numerous RC cruises (next departs 11/7 on Serenade).  So we are happy sailing either line.

A question raised by a number of persons was if there were any plans to integrate RCCL's loyalty programs into a single system across all 3 brands - RC, Celeb, and Silver.  Right now, while there is program tier reciprocity, each program "earns" separately.  That is to say points earned in Captain's Club (Celeb C&A equivalent) reside in CC and are not recognized/earned within C&A, and the reverse is true.  The question of program integration bubbles up often from RCCL loyalists who cruise a lot within the Line, but are brand agnostic.  These are cruisers that are more destination than ship driven - such as my wife and myself.  The answer given was a "qualified" no.  BUT, both did say that there studies/discussions to increase loyalty program cross-synergies that MAY be coming up soon.  What that means was left "undefined", but I might guess/speculate that there could be some parity and melding in the perks across the programs.  For example, on Celeb there is a nightly upper tier cocktail party with unlimited free drinks and light food.  That might be replaced with the voucher RCCL Diamond voucher program.  Or Celeb's 2 free laundry loads starting at the Elite level might move into C&A's Diamond package.

Thoughts?

If they merged the best of each program's perks into each other, that would be great. If they synchronized to the lesser perks of one vs. the other, there would be an uproar.

On 9/24/2023 at 2:53 PM, rjac said:

This past week I find that I have to log in every time I visit this board in order to post a comment. Has something changed, have I been a bad boy, have I pissed off someone in charge, did the $10,000.00 check I sent bounce? Just wondering.......

I think the system has started limiting the number of ENC users at one time and you're the unlucky one getting booted. 

If your daughter is under 18, lives with you, and you have her account associated with yours/your husband's she will have diamond status. If not, no.

1 hour ago, baltodave said:

Here's my guess of what happened:

The itinerary is slightly changing but some knuckelhead entered PM instead of AM triggering the emails.  What I don't understand is why I got 12 emails!

You received 12 because 11 others didn't receive THEIR notifications?

Since you already had a Mediterranean cruise, Norway is the obvious choice. Expand your horizons.

Taking our first Celebrity cruise on Reflection on February 11, 2024.

A group of friends picked the cruise and invited us to join them so we're crossing over to the X-side. We'll have Elite status as reciprocity for our D+ on Royal.

2 hours ago, Carlos A. said:

Just a reminder, any rate below 10 is considered a bad rate for corporate. Even 9. So...

Because corporate is part of the "everybody gets a trophy" culture. If a "10" is acceptable and a "9" is a failure, just make it a series of "yes/no" questions.

"Was the food perfect? Yes or No?" and "Was the itinerary perfect? Yes or No?" would very quickly become "Was the food acceptable? Yes or No?" and "Was the itinerary okay? Yes or No?" because they wouldn't like the answers about perfection.

20 hours ago, TXcruzer said:

one and done drive by post

Funny that all the information they said they didn't get is mentioned EVERY time bingo is played.

On 9/16/2023 at 7:17 PM, gavvy said:

My last waiter ..who was quite bad asked me twice to rate him out of 10..and then waited for the answer. It was awkward I tol him he was a 10 just so he would buzz off. Didn't stop him asking again though.

I find the survey prompt and the almost begging for a 10 to be uncomfortable and it shows how much pressure they are under to get top marks.

 

Originally I was going to give him a low score reflective of his service but then I felt bad so ended up giving him a 10. I don't want to be part of the reason he looses his job, but at the same time I shouldn't have felt guilty about filling in a standard feedback form.

If any crew specifically ask for a "10" we ABSOLUTELY report the individual(s) by name at the question about whether any crew requested a high score, even if they DESERVE a high score (btw - nobody gets a "10" from us unless they are extraordinary - perfect scores are reserved for the exceptional). If a crew member says something like "I hope you'll give me a high score on the survey," that's not reported because it's just a reminder of the importance of the survey rather than begging for a particular score.

11 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

But you can't get the PIZZA!

 

For $61.99 that better be some amazing pizza!

6 hours ago, togo said:

But are the drinks really compatible?  As a diamond, you get 4 per day, but on celebrity you only would get happy hour from 5 to 7?  Is that correct?

 

The Celebrity Elite benefit is similar to the Royal Diamond benefit prior to the introduction of anytime vouchers. Limited menu at any bar during limited hours(which originated as limited menu in the DL during those same hours).

4 hours ago, Xaa said:

They can order a diamond drink and give it to you. 

As such, if they each use all four of their vouchers on your behalf you certainly shouldn't need the DBP beyond those 8 drinks per day. 

2 hours ago, DJsMrs said:

Staff will go crazy for your little one...  we could barely get him back when our meals were done - at first I struggled (nervous first-time mum), but most are missing family at home and are so happy to have a munchkin on board they love holding the littles and showing them off to other crew

This factor makes it very easy to go to Windjammer without extra help at breakfast.

I would certainly consider it depending on schedule flexibility on my end. If you're really locked in on Alaska, maybe not. If you're happy with other itineraries, then you may well get more than one cruise out of the FCC (or at least a longer single trip).

3 minutes ago, JasonOasis said:

Don't judge me but I do take full advantage of the deluxe beverage package

I would only judge if you failed to take full advantage, and then only in a pitying you sort of way.

12 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Muster

Shows/Restaurants if that's your thing

Get a drink

Register at Adventure Ocean if that's your thing

Get a drink

By then rooms will be open

You missed "get a drink" between muster and shows/restaurants (not to mention before muster).