Lindsay

15 hours ago, Jason.H. said:

I got the same email (except mine said estimated upcharge will be $500  ). The fine print at the bottom said they will call once and if you don't answer you are marked off the list and they go to the next person. I clicked add to list because it's not set in stone. If they call and offer me the upgrade (even at a cheaper than stated price) I can still decline if its not in a location I am happy with. We are already in a midship, but slightly closer to front, oceanview balcony stateroom that we got for $1633 total for my wife and I on a 7 night Oasis cruise on Sept. 9, 2018 that we are very pleased with. 

I did read on cruise critic that when the junior suite upgrade is presented and you accept it you do NOT get double crown and anchor points. Which would be my only reason to consider paying more for the upgrade. The list of perks is pretty small for junior suites. Pretty much a slightly larger balcony room. We once had an oceanview balcony on independence of the seas that was on the hump so it had a larger balcony. They now sell that same room as a junior suite. I would not have paid extra for it. 

You are on a bigger ship that I will be on so that explains why yours is $500 and mine $250.  I hope I don't miss this call!  I often don't answer calls when they come from a weird # on my cell.  

I didn't realize that about the C&A points.  Oh well.  We are okay with the Junior Suite and know it doesn't come with the better Grand Suite and up perks.  But it would be nice to have a little more room.  

My fingers are crossed that we do get this upgrade!!!  Good luck to you too!!!!! 

After all of these years, I got the golden ticket!  Well, not really but you should've seen the happy dance I did when I received the email from Royal asking if I wanted to be on the wait list for a Junior Suite!!!!  There was a small fee for the upgrade ($250).  So, I said clicked the "ADD TO WAIT LIST" button.  The message said something like - You are now on the wait list.  If this becomes available, we will call you.   

Now what?

Will they call me 5 days before the cruise to tell me I've got the upgrade?  Will I get an email?  What if I miss the call?  Please let me know your experience with this.  I am curious. 

Thanks!!!  

12 hours ago, twangster said:

Years ago my dad was fastidious about doing this with all of our cameras and lenses (long before cell phones, laptops and tablets).

Now I don't bother and I carry a significant amount of electronics with me.  Of course I could eventually produce receipts and display ownership before leaving, but in pure technical terms your mother is correct.   

Can she most likely travel and be okay?  Probably.  However if a newbie customs office sticking to the books greets you upon your return, you might have a problem without talking with customs before leaving.  Having said that, I don't know what proof they will demand that the piece was originally declared and imported legally 30 years ago. 

Wouldn't that be a kick in the pants?  Show up with all the right intentions and have them seize it because she can't prove she imported it properly 30 years ago.  I'd call them first and ask a bunch of questions, or visit without the piece (or leave it in the car).

Thanks for the info! 

My Mom and I are going on a cruise out of Galveston in September.  We live in Houston.  30 years ago, she bought a black coral pendant from a jeweler that is still there in Cozumel (she checked).  She wants to take it with us and have it repaired. 

She is telling me that she is planning on going to the customs office at the airport to register the piece to take it out of the country so she can return with it.  Is this correct?  I told her that she probably doesn't have to do all this. 

Can y'all help?

Thank you, 
Lindsay 

I wouldn't wear a pin if I was Pinnacle but that's just me.  Seems tacky. 

On 5/24/2018 at 3:12 PM, twangster said:

I've seen plenty of annoying non-Pinnacle suite guests in the lounge.

I swear if I ever make it to Pinnacle I'm not going to wear the badge but do things to annoy the entitled Pinnacles.  When they complain I'll whip out my SeaPass card like a trump card

How do you even know who is Pinnacle or Diamond and who is just a suite-dweller?  Do they Pinnacle/Diamond people where signs?  LOL

On 5/24/2018 at 2:46 PM, twangster said:

That is over the top.  I would have refused to move out of principle.

Me too!  

On 5/24/2018 at 11:15 AM, tonyfsu21 said:

I think any Suite level above JS should enjoy exclusive perks that are separate from what the Pinnacle folks receive. One is based on Ststus and the other is based on spending more money to have a more exclusive experience. It’s great that you have achieved Pinnacle but if you didn’t book a suite for a particular cruise then you shouldn’t have business in the Suite Lounge. Just my opinion. 

I agree!

On 5/24/2018 at 10:27 AM, tonyfsu21 said:

I’m certain this will not be a popular opinion on this forum but I’m gonna say it. I think the Suite Lounge should be reserved for suite guests who pay a premium for something special. I think people with RC Pinnacle Status should stick to the Diamond Lounge. It would be less crowded and offer a more special experience for those of us who pay. You could make the case that they got to Pinnacle by spending money, however, it’s not difficult for a person of means & time to cruise in inside cabins to obtain status. If I’m going to pay larger sums of money for a suite then I want an experience. Sorry Pinnacle folks. 

I completely agree with you!!!!!!

Okay, every RC cruise we've been on we have gotten the primo drink package.  I plan to get it again when I cruise with my Mom in September.  Also, every time we cruise I order a 12 pack of the Evian water for my room.  

I've been reading different places that my drink package INCLUDES bottled water!?!?!?  What kind?  What size?  So, I can just walk up to any bar and say bottled water please?  Also, I've been paying for specialty coffee drinks on all my cruises.  My package includes that too? 

Royal doesn't get real specific on their "details" for the package so please enlighten me.  If I've been wasting money all these years I want to know so I don't repeat the same mistakes on future cruises!  

Thank you so much in advance for the comments. 

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Oh no...you better stop.  You might get red flagged too lol!  Then whose going to keep checking for us until the 6th??

I'm still calling every day.  Actually, it's now time for my afternoon call.  Stay tuned...

Called again this morning.  I think they are on to me now.  No savings today!  But I am going to call again later this afternoon.  LOL!

13 hours ago, Doc Cherie said:

We repriced yesterday and, with 2 kids (both 12), I saved almost $1200!! No joke! SO happy!!! 

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  That's so awesome!  YAY!

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Wow!  Wonder what is up with that?  According to my price tracking online there was no difference in price between yesterday and today but when I called I was rather surprised.

Here's the plan @Lindsay, you call again tomorrow and let us know what happens.  I can't call again tomorrow because I already sounded quite crazy today!  I'm probably red flagged!

I will call tomorrow for sure and let you know!!!

1 hour ago, CruiseLife72 said:

Just received an email from our TA stating we saved $448 plus we got an extra $25 OBC by applying the current promotions.

Congrats!!! That’s great!!!!!

4 hours ago, Lindsay said:

Awesome!!!

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I just called again today and I just saved an additional $82 and kept my OBC!  So yesterday I saved $47 and received $125 OBC; today I save an additional $82 and kept my OBC!  It might be worth calling every single day until the promo ends on 5/6/18 just to see what the savings will be!!!!!!  YAY! 

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

OMG...What a difference a day makes!  Or maybe it's my crazy persistence and not letting things rest... After reading @Lindsay's post, I was not satisfied and decided to call back again and get a few things clarified.  To make a long, frustrating story short, I just saved an additional $500 compared to the $30 from yesterday!

That's SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO great!!!!!!!!!  Maybe I should call back too?!?!?!?!  Congrats!  What a great feeling. 

1 hour ago, HeWhoWaits said:

$172 to the good for 10 minutes of effort - well done. That's a little over $1000 an hour which is good money for any of us that aren't professional athletes.

Awesome!!!

Public Service Announcement!

You may want to check out the new Promotion Royal is running at the moment.  I called and saved only $47.00 (but hey it's something) AND also gained $125 of On Board Credit.  Was worth 10 minutes to call!

If you call and save, post here how much you saved.  I'm curious!

P.S. Promo is until 5/6/18!

Just now, Matt said:

I've been in a few solo cabins.  Noticeably less space, but perfect for someone who is using their room for showers and sleep.

What ships?

Hey y'all, I was telling my Mom about the room for one person.  What ships is this offered on?

Thanks!

17 hours ago, tiny260 said:

Attached list from another web site

CRUISIN_CruiseMusicPlaylist.pdf

This is awesome!  Thanks for sharing!!!

On 4/23/2018 at 3:18 PM, tiny260 said:

Chrome and going Incognito.

Okay, kinda off topic but I use Chrome.  What is this Incognito thing on Chrome??

On 4/20/2018 at 6:11 AM, 41m33 said:

On our last sailing on Anthem we were in a Jr suite and all guests were given a free WOW band. On our upcoming sailing we are in a Boardwalk balcony. Were the WOW bands a suite perk? Can we purchase WOW bands? I found them very convenient for onboard purchasing!

What's a WOW band?????

So...I am 137 days out from the cruise with my Mom.  We are going out of Galveston and the ports are Cozumel, Roatan, and Costa Maya.  I've been playing the usual "get ready for cruise" music around the house which is a mixture of Jimmy Buffet, Bob and Ziggy Marley, Magic, Inner Circle, etc.  In joking around fashion, my husband tells me I am listening to the wrong music for the area we are cruising to.  Reminding me that we aren't going to the Caribbean where there is reggae, rasta, steel drum band, and Margaritaville-type music.   Duh!  Like I didn't already know this.  But I quipped back to my hubs of 19 years that I don't care, I listen to what I want and it makes me happy.  

However, this morning driving to work, it got me thinking.  What IS the type of music for the area I am going to?  Guitar music?