BrianB

I’ll just apply the value to an existing booked cruise. As long as it’s not through NextCruise…which is getting harder to find because I book most through NextCruise. Saves lots of money up front with just the $100 deposits…and getting that back through OBC. Also, the summer restrictions don’t matter to me because I don’t cruise mid May through Mid September as NJ is beautiful in the summer. I know…first world problems.

I've found that filling out the actual form, then scanning and emailing it with a scanned copy of my current statement (just the page with RC on it) always works.

I printed the blank Shareholder Request Form and made copies so I always have it.

On the Anthem...it says 5:30 for early dining, but the doors open at 5:15. And there's always a line waiting to get in.

Passengers pay lots to go on excursions to beach clubs and ‘exclusive’ islands while in Nassau…and there are lots of follow up comments from these people about how disappointed many were with the experience.
Primarily wasting so much of the allotted time on waiting around for overly crowded transportation. And venues that lack some simple TLC to make them more attractive.
Also the expenses once they finally get there including chairs and umbrella rentals.
And mostly the annoyance of sketchy peddlers wandering some of the venues or beaches trying to hawk everything from trinkets to weed. 
Many posts are positive and note how they believe they got their money’s worth…but there really was nothing to compare.

Maybe more experienced and repeat cruisers will shy away from spending at another Royal attraction when PDCC is also on the itinerary…but I think there will be more than enough demand to make this new venue a huge moneymaking venture for the company. Having limited availability will virtually guarantee it. Not to mention that it’s going to be right across from where the ships dock. Perfect product placement!

….this.

If the particular cruise is heavy on families and a connecting room is in high demand, then the price will rise.

If the cruise is heavy on couples or singles who prefer not to have a connecting door to a stranger’s cabin…then the price will drop in order to tempt them into paying less.

Cruise lines as a business do not like unsold cabins. Bad for profit.

I book solo. Sometimes the solo cabins are much cheaper. But, if the demand rises because there are lots of solos on a particular cruise, then the price will rise.

This supply and demand phenomenon is a great illustration of the term ‘timing is everything’.

Century up. 

Depends on the price.

How much are we willing to pay for a family to access this new venue.
How will the price fluctuate based on the number of cruise passengers vying for entry on any given day. 
How many ships will be in port at the same time…and will that result in a system where Royal’s algorithms will cause pricing to trend higher in order to maximize profits. 
How far in advance will the Cruise Planner offer reservations.

I love the idea of a new, Royal-based venue in partnership with the local business community and residents. Maintaining Royal’s standards of customer service as they do on CocoCay, will make this a very attractive shore excursion. 

This will be my 35th time on the Anthem since 2015.

I love this ship! I live less than an hour from the port and cruise primarily from mid Sept through mid May.  The Anthem is perfect for sailing from the northeast during cold/chilly weather. So many climate controlled indoor venues to relax in while on the way to the warmer weather. She’s a wonderful ship!

I see that there may be a launch from the space center during our visit on Tuesday at 7:36pm. Hopefully it goes as scheduled. Seeing a launch from the ship is fantastic! Fingers crossed!

I booked as soon as I saw Odyssey coming in Nov 24. Good prices!

Obsessed? …or addicted? 
Of course not. I have a reason.

@Matt previously commented about a possible risk of frequent cruising. How it’s possible that cruising too often may take away some of the enjoyment of planning, and the anticipation that comes as the cruise date gets closer. Interesting hypothesis. Challenge accepted!

On 3/6/2023 at 1:32 PM, KevinK said:

Yup, he was great.. On Nov cruise. I was watching their practice during the day and watch all of their show.  Didn't get tired of it, it was great.  Even the harmony sister is different girls.  Hopefully, on this April, it will be the original cast from Nov.

@FionaMG  Just got off Sunday. Terry Lavalle was back as Spectra. He was spectacular as usual!

Terry was recently involved in an incident in Bayonne a few weeks ago. While on shore leave and shopping at Walmart, an individual set fire to a rack of clothing in an attempt to cause a distraction while he stole a flatscreen television. It didn’t work…he was apprehended and charged.
Anyway, Terry didn’t flee the fire…but instead ran to the burning rack of clothing and started pulling them off and stomping out the flames. He was recognized by the Bayonne fire department for his actions. He’s really a nice guy and an amazing person.

There’s usually availability when you board. 

Also, I’ve been on standby lines for shows plenty of times and have never been turned away. But, don’t plan to be on standby with a group and expect to be able to sit together. You get what’s left.

I agree with @twangster…check with guest services after embarkation closes to see if there are any no-shows.

Oh, and don’t ask me to change seats on an airplane because you didn’t book early enough to get seats together, or got a cheaper price by booking middle seats and now want me to give up my chosen seat because ‘my family needs me!’.
Been there, heard that. Don’t care.

Itineraries are planned very far in advance. Unpredicted wear and tear changes over time to the ships propulsion system or power plant may result in limitations having to be made to the ship speed limit before they can arrange repairs or upgrades.

Also, I have had itineraries cancelled because whales were spotted in the channel leading to a port, and the mandated decreased ship speed limit made it impossible to make it to the port in time to spend the day, and then make it back out to sea.

Or we had to cancel a stop because we diverted to another port to drop off a sick passenger, and didn’t have time to make it to our scheduled port.

Point is, these things happen. That’s why the cruise contract includes itineraries may be changed without notice. But, it seems to happen very infrequently.

That being said…since it happens to you so often (three out of the last four cruises) please let me know your future bookings so that I can avoid them. Or at least be prepared for possible changes.

I bring enough to get me through the first week and into the next. Then I usually send it out on day two. But, I only send out enough to get me through the rest of the second week. I always like doing my laundry when I get home…all of it. Even things laundered onboard but not used.

Sometimes I may send out some things near the end of week one. I may also include some button down shirts. Then, on day one of the second week, I’ll send them out for pressing.

Was in Nassau on the Anthem Wednesday.
No sign of construction, supplies or equipment…yet. 

A ship carries boats….ie; lifeboats.

On the Anthem….

Still twice a day.

I understand their computer systems won’t open for bookings until just before the sailing.

On my b2bs, If I need reservations for next week…including the beach club restaurant…I’ll go to the restaurant manager and he/she will usually make a note in their system to remind themselves. They’ll put me in as soon as reservations open. Then, on turnaround day, as soon as I sign in to the new week’s WiFi…I’ll see my specialty reservation on the app. If not, I’ll stop by just to make sure. 
When I’m in a suite, the concierge will compile a list for the suite guests after sending out the emails…and then forward those reservations to the restaurant managers/hosts for them to be entered as soon as the system opens.

On the pass…no.

On the card…yes.

I think that the higher level casino players are entitled to early embarkation so I guess their status should be on their pass. Maybe they figure it’s not really helpful to have the lower tiers printed on the pass……JMO.

On the Anthem….

Very rarely am I given a receipt to sign for my voucher drinks. But, when I do…I see the number of drinks remaining printed near the bottom of the receipt. It doesn’t stand out…sort of squeezed in with other printing. But, I do like that it indicates how many I have left after using the one I was just served. I sign it and it gets taken back. I don’t get a copy unless I ask for one. 

My TSA-approved locked checked bag never arrived to my room on embarkation day and my room steward found out it was being held by security because port screeners flagged it.

I went down to deck 2 and security showed me a sticker on my bag which said ‘Iron’. I don’t have an iron in my bag. They said they had to wait for me before they could re-scan it onboard in case it needed to be opened. They then scanned it using the onboard X-ray scanner and found………nothing. 
I offered to open the bag but they said it wasn’t necessary as the scanner showed nothing of interest.

Did port security open the bag and take the item, or did onboard security do it with you present? Was your bag locked? Curious………..

I’m old school. I use a notepad.

I list them by date, reservation #, ship, cabin #…then price and balance due. Makes it easy to check each day for price drops. 
I note any OBC due and Cruise Planner purchases.

I also list them on my calendar…my wall calendar (old school).

Of course, I list them in my phone, too. Both on notes and calendar. But, my working scratch sheet is my paper notepad.

@Pattycruise Just curious…where was your cabin located? I was also on the Feb 26 sailing and had no major issues at all. 
Except for the occasional drop off and reload on my phone during the day. At night I streamed HD movies on my iPad with no problem…no drop off. I was midship on deck 8 in a balcony. That’s where I am now…

Every morning I would sit outside Cafe Promenade with a coffee and a healthy snack…aka/donut…and go through my emails and surf. 
I know other people had problems with the WiFi, but I don’t know why I didn't. In fact, while in the theater waiting for WWRY, the person next to me kept losing the signal on his iPhone…and was amazed that my old Galaxy S8 Android had no problem. 

I’m just really curious why I don’t have the same problems so many others are having. Not knocking it! Just curious…

Right now on the Anthem…sea day…sitting in the Cafe Promenade.