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BrianB

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  1. Like
    BrianB reacted to SplashOfWater in Cococay Beach Club Cabana Accessibility   
    The entrance into the beach club is paved and the beach cabanas and overwater cabanas on the left (as facing the ocean) have paved access. Not sure about the right side as I didn't walk over there. 
    You can get an accessible tram on the pier as you exit the ship. It has a ramp to take a scooter. If they drop you at the entrance to the beach club you should be good. 
  2. Haha
    BrianB got a reaction from SemperMom in RC makes changes to some suite cabin perks   
    I’ve been hearing that they are strongly considering amending the Suite Designation Policy to the following…
    ‘Any cabin will become a suite with all of the benefits associated with the highest suite level on any ship if that specific cabin is occupied by any passenger who’s first name begins with ‘B’…and ends with ‘N’…and has three letters in between, the last two of which must be vowels.’
    Figure if I repeat this enough, it will take off!🤞🤞🤞🤞
  3. Like
    BrianB got a reaction from RCIfan1912 in Upgrading without Royal Up   
    Sometimes it’s better to check the price for the upgrade and choosing the cabin you want versus putting in a bid. As the prices fluctuate, you may spot a deal that fits your price point even if it’s a bit over what you intended to bid.
    If you really want the upgrade…the benefit of choosing a cabin and locking it in is better than waiting to see if a bid is accepted and getting assigned a random, available cabin…even if it is less expensive. 
    If you want to gamble and take a chance…bid.
  4. Like
    BrianB reacted to MaryCS62 in Cococay Beach Club Cabana Accessibility   
    coco cay has pavements all over the place - it's very easy to get around for wheelchairs and scooters - the only issue would be the beach itself, and I don't know where the cabanas are located precisely. I have a scooter, and plan to get to the beach club early enough to claim a lounger by the pool, and not on the beach itself. I've seen youtube videos of the beach club, but don't remember the cabanas.
  5. Like
    BrianB got a reaction from ImOnlyHereForTheInk in Beat The Clock Sale   
    Congratulations! But, keep checking!
    I check my pending cruises virtually every day. It amazes me sometimes how a price can suddenly drop out of the blue…with no advertised sale or promotion…and then pop back up the next day. Even when there are very few remaining cabins in the same category.
    Strange and mysterious are the ways of the Royal Algorithm…🤔
  6. Like
    BrianB reacted to Pooch in Suitcase recommendations   
    I dunno guys.  I have a cheapo brand called Travelers Choice.  My kids have Samsonite soft sided.  We’ve used them 3-4 times a year for a dozen years.  The Samsonite is starting to look pretty sad & might get replaced this year.  The rest are Timex watches, they take a licking and keep on ticking.  Show no signs of dying any time soon.
  7. Like
    BrianB reacted to OCSC Mike in Beat The Clock Sale   
    +1
    I've been booking almost nothing but group rates very early so I hadn't been checking for price drops the past couple years but family decided to join us on a cruise we already had booked for next March so I've been checking for their cabins since I'm kinda the point person for plans, sales, etc. In the past two months since they booked (two different cabin types and it's a B2B so really four things to check), I've had my TA re-price each of their cabins at least half a dozen times. Sometimes it might only be $25-50, sometimes more, but all these drops have added up to a decent total... and the cruise is still nine months away.
  8. Like
    BrianB got a reaction from PhillyLady in Suitcase recommendations   
    @Traveling Mike I second the motion for Delsey. I purchased mine in 2014. Big, black cloth bag with four very durable spinner wheels…expandable handle, and the little lifting cable that shows the red line indicating over fifty pounds. I also have a smaller carry on with an attached strap that allows me to slide it over the big bag’s extended handle and move them easily with one hand. On smooth surfaces it takes very little effort as it glides along while standing upright on the four wheels…I can even let go for a moment and it will still roll.
    Sometimes when I arrive at Port Liberty in Bayonne, the line of cars waiting to get to the terminal is so long that I get out and walk quite a ways with the bags. This is mostly over bumpy, uneven roadway, but the wheels handle it without a problem. I’ve done this many times.
    I like the soft side bag because I can open the expansion zipper and make it even larger. Then when empty, it’s soft enough to fit under the cabin bed.
    I added my own branding…gray duct tape ‘T’s on all six sides so I can spot it from a distance. Also discourages others from accidentally taking it.
  9. Like
    BrianB got a reaction from The Fox in Suitcase recommendations   
    @Traveling Mike I second the motion for Delsey. I purchased mine in 2014. Big, black cloth bag with four very durable spinner wheels…expandable handle, and the little lifting cable that shows the red line indicating over fifty pounds. I also have a smaller carry on with an attached strap that allows me to slide it over the big bag’s extended handle and move them easily with one hand. On smooth surfaces it takes very little effort as it glides along while standing upright on the four wheels…I can even let go for a moment and it will still roll.
    Sometimes when I arrive at Port Liberty in Bayonne, the line of cars waiting to get to the terminal is so long that I get out and walk quite a ways with the bags. This is mostly over bumpy, uneven roadway, but the wheels handle it without a problem. I’ve done this many times.
    I like the soft side bag because I can open the expansion zipper and make it even larger. Then when empty, it’s soft enough to fit under the cabin bed.
    I added my own branding…gray duct tape ‘T’s on all six sides so I can spot it from a distance. Also discourages others from accidentally taking it.
  10. Like
    BrianB got a reaction from WAAAYTOOO in Beat The Clock Sale   
    Congratulations! But, keep checking!
    I check my pending cruises virtually every day. It amazes me sometimes how a price can suddenly drop out of the blue…with no advertised sale or promotion…and then pop back up the next day. Even when there are very few remaining cabins in the same category.
    Strange and mysterious are the ways of the Royal Algorithm…🤔
  11. Like
    BrianB got a reaction from OCSC Mike in Beat The Clock Sale   
    Congratulations! But, keep checking!
    I check my pending cruises virtually every day. It amazes me sometimes how a price can suddenly drop out of the blue…with no advertised sale or promotion…and then pop back up the next day. Even when there are very few remaining cabins in the same category.
    Strange and mysterious are the ways of the Royal Algorithm…🤔
  12. Like
    BrianB reacted to Vincent in Beat The Clock Sale   
    I didn't think there was anyway the price could go down on our New Years cruise, but repriced our GLS at a $200 savings! Already had a great price so made my Fathers day even more special 🙂
  13. Like
    BrianB reacted to WAAAYTOOO in Bahamas Beach Club   
    They have been hedging their bet lately with the timeline for the Bahamas Beach Club opening.  There was a travel agent email that went out not long ago (of course, I no longer have it...) that mentioned "Coming in 2026".  I have been watching carefully to see if anything pops up on the website/Cruise Planner but nothing, so far.  They will not start selling any admissions to the Club until they know for sure when it will open but once they know THAT, they're going to be pushing it HARD....so you will know once they know....
  14. Like
    BrianB reacted to Matt in Getting Into Room Early?   
    What you should do instead is work with the wedding department coordinator to handle such requests.  They might be able to get a private room somewhere, like a conference room.
  15. Like
    BrianB got a reaction from AshleyDillo in Coco Cay Land side Cabana ??   
    @AshleyDillo Thanks!
  16. Like
    BrianB reacted to WAAAYTOOO in 45% off Dining Packages   
    That's only $31.22 PP/PD (including gratuities !!) and that will include at LEAST 2 meals per day for most of your cruise.  That's going to be somewhere around $15 per meal or less.  I think that's an excellent price.
    Having said that, this is going to be a LOT of food.  If you think you can hang for 11 days and nights eating CONSTANTLY (and you're not @OCSC Mike or @Ampurp85's brother) then I say GO FOR IT !!!
    I can't help but notice that the photo of the 5 night package features a Seafood Tower, which is no longer a "thing".  Kinda sketchy advertising, but we are all smarter than they think we are !!  
  17. Thanks
    BrianB reacted to AshleyDillo in Coco Cay Land side Cabana ??   
    I have always let them know when checking in that there will be more people coming. Then you tell your other guests to give your name at the check-in podium.
  18. Like
    BrianB got a reaction from RestingBird in Celebrity Solo Penalty? Could Royal Caribbean do the same?   
    I primarily cruise solo.
    It’s a business reality that less passengers means less onboard revenue. Everything from drink/dining packages, shops, excursions, casino, onboard activities…etc.
    Many solo cruisers are repeat customers who may not spend as much simply because they have already experienced many of the ‘for a fee’ activities and excursions. I don’t need to visit the shops for souvenirs or logo items because I already have them. I don’t treat myself to the Spa or purchase art. I do frequent the casino and play enough to earn certificates that I can apply to future cruises.  Also, I have enough Club Royale points to give me free drinks in the casino. Plus, I also have enough C&A points to enjoy enough free drinks all day so I never have to purchase any. I occasionally eat at specialty restaurants, but I’m paying for just me.
    During the restart, we solos were part of the successful come back. I started cruising again as soon as possible. I went through the health policies and protocols…I got vaccinated, and boosted, went and got tested before every cruise, wore my mask everywhere onboard, maintained my vaccine record card and possessed my negative test document. I did everything knowing there was a health risk…and a risk of being quarantined…but I really enjoy cruising and couldn’t wait to get back onboard.
    But now…cruising is back completely! Bookings are at an all-time high. Ships are running at or above full occupancy. Demand has allowed the company to continually raise prices over and over. They raise prices on bookings and activities and people keep paying.
    They now recognize that one fly in the ointment is solo cruisers taking up space. Space that could be available for doubles or family units. More occupants means more revenue. But if the ship is full…there must be potential revenue sources being turned away.
    So the bean counters figure they can make up some of the difference by raising prices for solos. Nothing huge…just enough to offset some of the potential loss. I don’t have to like it but…it is what it is.
    Nothing personal…just business.
  19. Thanks
    BrianB got a reaction from PPPJJ-GCVAB in North Star?   
    On the Odyssey now….free on port days.
    Not free while at sea as it is described as ‘Extended Experience’. The ride is longer and extends over the sides of the ship. The free ride only goes up and slides a bit left and right then comes back down.
  20. Like
    BrianB got a reaction from PPPJJ-GCVAB in Zip ties   
    Also on Odyssey now…one chair has one zip tie, the other chair has none. The ‘Do Not Lie Flat’ labels are still affixed. Last week’s chairs had no zip ties.
    I guess the zip tie flurry may have been on the advice of some corporate legal eagle as a response to an injury-causing chair incident. Shows they took immediate and decisive action. Although it seems like a strange, knee jerk reaction to me.
    But by not following through with re-inspecting and re-zipping chairs, wouldn’t that be even more damning if the same injury-causing incident happens again?
    Tough trying to figure some of these things out…🤔
  21. Like
    BrianB got a reaction from WAAAYTOOO in Zip ties   
    Also on Odyssey now…one chair has one zip tie, the other chair has none. The ‘Do Not Lie Flat’ labels are still affixed. Last week’s chairs had no zip ties.
    I guess the zip tie flurry may have been on the advice of some corporate legal eagle as a response to an injury-causing chair incident. Shows they took immediate and decisive action. Although it seems like a strange, knee jerk reaction to me.
    But by not following through with re-inspecting and re-zipping chairs, wouldn’t that be even more damning if the same injury-causing incident happens again?
    Tough trying to figure some of these things out…🤔
  22. Like
    BrianB reacted to Atlantix2000 in Royal points question quirk   
    The rule is 1 pt/night is standard.  Then +1 pt/night for being in a suite and +1 pt/night for being solo.
    You don't get the other person's points, you use that formula.
  23. Like
    BrianB got a reaction from RCIfan1912 in Royal points question quirk   
    Solo in a suite gives you three points per night.
  24. Thanks
    BrianB got a reaction from PhillyLady in Celebrity Solo Penalty? Could Royal Caribbean do the same?   
    I primarily cruise solo.
    It’s a business reality that less passengers means less onboard revenue. Everything from drink/dining packages, shops, excursions, casino, onboard activities…etc.
    Many solo cruisers are repeat customers who may not spend as much simply because they have already experienced many of the ‘for a fee’ activities and excursions. I don’t need to visit the shops for souvenirs or logo items because I already have them. I don’t treat myself to the Spa or purchase art. I do frequent the casino and play enough to earn certificates that I can apply to future cruises.  Also, I have enough Club Royale points to give me free drinks in the casino. Plus, I also have enough C&A points to enjoy enough free drinks all day so I never have to purchase any. I occasionally eat at specialty restaurants, but I’m paying for just me.
    During the restart, we solos were part of the successful come back. I started cruising again as soon as possible. I went through the health policies and protocols…I got vaccinated, and boosted, went and got tested before every cruise, wore my mask everywhere onboard, maintained my vaccine record card and possessed my negative test document. I did everything knowing there was a health risk…and a risk of being quarantined…but I really enjoy cruising and couldn’t wait to get back onboard.
    But now…cruising is back completely! Bookings are at an all-time high. Ships are running at or above full occupancy. Demand has allowed the company to continually raise prices over and over. They raise prices on bookings and activities and people keep paying.
    They now recognize that one fly in the ointment is solo cruisers taking up space. Space that could be available for doubles or family units. More occupants means more revenue. But if the ship is full…there must be potential revenue sources being turned away.
    So the bean counters figure they can make up some of the difference by raising prices for solos. Nothing huge…just enough to offset some of the potential loss. I don’t have to like it but…it is what it is.
    Nothing personal…just business.
  25. Like
    BrianB reacted to smokeybandit in I experienced a previously unseen portion of the Royal crew the other day..   
    I was once taught that once a bag is used as a shooting bag, it never gets used for any other purpose again.  While not necessarily for bullets, but for powder residue that scanners might pick up on. But still, I took that to heart.
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