Hagar

Definitely a"rock solid" suggestion 

"Air2Sea" with the cruise line is a good option if you haven't already checked there. Add in premium seating while looking there too. Have found some hidden gems by looking at different pricing than what I, or a customer, initially reviewed while on that site.

PHEW, just wrapped up going through all of my customers bookings and yes the lion's share were not effected by the  frustrating "sale."

But having said that 7 bookings were drops of varying amounts (from $40 to over $400) so glad to do it for them ;>)

Travel agent rates are not the price you pay through an agent but they are heavily reduced rates that we as agents can get for ourselves occasionally. As a consumer you could get offered "travel agent friends and family" pricing which is an unadvertised promo from Royal that might be used to help fill a ship that isn't selling that well (agent can offer it just not use the pricing in advertising).

Hope that helps a bit, Rob

I thought Royal had mastered screwing up the dining reservations but no monopoly there. While on the Golden Princess to Hawaii, we had THE aft "owners suite" (think Royal suite).  Not only were we not sitting with our friends at second seating, they tried to throw us all in "anytime dining" blaming our travel agent (me). Just the way my wife said "he's the agent so try again" caused the tuxedo to stiffen and a quick correction ensued.

Royal didn't know how to respond when my DW asked for the person's head on a pike at the MDR entrance when they screwed up our 25 year anniversary "table for two" either 

Yet I still empathize every time I hear these dining room table issues. I know what the board looks like and I just don't see where rocket science is necessary to accommodate most of our requests.

There are many times I have seen "GTY" per specific category and it's usually when that category is close to being sold out.The company should not violate that with a downgrade. It has been my experience they usually don't but Royal loves to blame the infamous "glitch." I would expect it to be easily rectified to your satisfaction with a call from your agent.

There is a reason their BOGOHO is often referred to as BOGOHOAX 

Fortunately this is first ROYAL cruise so it was our honeymoon on "Viking Serenade" in September of '90 (car ferry conversion came later for her). Alaska was great and 29 years later still married....BUT she hates cruising and many folks refer to her as the "phantom wife" since I do cruise solo-not single ;>)

The "paid in full" has always been part of the policy.  I don't say that to defend Royal, just to remind us all that now that final is 90 days from sailing, it makes it even easier to be tripped up by this.

I have experienced this a few times (out of over 100 cruises though so not a huge deal). The two where no one knew what a Pinnacle was kinda surprised me and the last time was just last month in Bayonne. They didn't want me to sit with the suites, which is the correct answer, but Anthem boards quickly so just boarded with "Key" passengers. 

We did this on the first HM t/a which we thought was fantastic. If the daily rate for the 2 bedroom GS comes in at an acceptable rate for you compared to 2 connecting cabins, I vote go for it! Both bedrooms have real doors and of course the 2 bathrooms is a "must have." Having 24 hour lounge access and the cocktails is a nice cherry on top too. Beer, wine and cocktails do have brand limitations in the lounge but the concierge should have that list on your welcome aboard sheet as a reference on day one (if not there are usually some in the lounge as a reminder).

I left a middle manager speechless when I argued that they could skip doing one commercial of theirs to help fix their "IT" glitches ;>)

HM has eco friendly tubs and Hagar the Horrible did not fit very well ;>)

Zoiks Batman! THAT soitenly sounds like an excellent libation!!

Also which airport? EWR is a piece of cake on the weekends and is the one I always use for Anthem.

I think I had an interior cabin the size of that balcony 

I love this all of these except deck 6 (same level as that wide open space) and I think you truly lucked out. I have customers that "had" the same aversion until they were in one. How quickly most folks forget it was ever an issue. Hope that's what happens in your case too!

If I'm not ordering a "salty dog," I found out I like cosmos on Celebrity. So I order one in a conventional glass while on Royal (not insecure, just clumsy ;>)

My best customer HAD it until the Costco VISA made it's debut. 3% on travel is sweet but I know it's not a card that everyone has in their arsenal.

front of OV so here's my 2 pennies

It isn't just the amount of days until the cruise, I just received an email offer to upgrade my October 27 sailing. The ship shows sold out so best guess is that's what caused the early offer

Or the song of legend "Nearer, My God, to thee"

My halo is held in place by my horns ;>)

15 hours ago, twangster said:

It pays to be pinnacle

My largest overall $aving$ has been the solo travel discount that kicked in as D+. DW wanted to know " why you keep dragging me along on these cruises." So playing into the "how can I miss you if you don't go away" line, this has worked out well for both us

I know it's wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea but 29 year anniversary right around the corner!

I'm double Pinnacle (point count, not being snooty) and just had an overbook for the JW earlier this year. A special desk rep called to see if I was interested in doing the canal for free (only had to pay taxes/fees) later this year. ALL of my monies were refunded including air penalties so no complaints. It is the only time it's happened to me but was an interesting peek behind the curtain.

The lead guitarist (Joyce) is the cherry on top of an absolutely awesome performance! And I am not even a "Queen fan" ( where's Oingo Boingo when you need them ;>)