monctonguy

never a problem, and it does apply when they stay in the same cabin as that's always the way it worked for me.....I have done it a few times and the $25 OBC was on my booking when I checked in...... But I would much rather a free cruise perk.....where is the info and link to that?!

I have received the $25 OC a cpl times...never a free cruise. Please post the link here so we can all take advantage of it.

Some very cheap deals right now for Empress in August. Maybe lack of demand or bad reviews or just the season? Either way they are good prices right now.

Back on Enchantment for my 5th time...but this time out of Miami! January 30/2017!

Enchantment is a great ship..heading back on her for a 5th time in January. But she is an older class and style so I don't think you'll see those big shows ever come to her. As for more restaurants, I don't know. Even Majesty has a Johnny Rockets but not on EoS so I am not sure. That being said...there is something about these ships being kept the way they were through their history that I enjoy. I like having the choice of doing newer/modern/shows/big or doing the old school way.....lol

I often wondered if there was a option to "re-book" a different cruise let's say for sometime in 2017, and then you could call later to cancel that one to get your money back? What are the rules on changing/rebooking a cruise so many days out I wonder?

That is the most common one they run...the BOGO.....its usually about 90% of the "sales".....in-between they stick in the WOW sales and a few other promo's. However, they all end up being about the same cost, and even sometimes a sale is a higher price. Book what you want...and then just watch and if the price drops you can take advantage of it. To do it the other way is a huge risk that you will miss out on the cruise booking you want and/or spend more for it in the end!

they do ID to get in that club at night..but its for 18 and older so no problems....or at least that was the case in Jan.

now that last one is a great deal to say the least..... if I didn't have a cruise booked for end of Jan already that would be tempting...

Wish this was more common.....but then again if you have bought the drink package, no real point. So not a risk I would be willing to take.

Just remember.....you should be able to access your cabin around 1pm...but luggage may not show till 8pm as per their signage so keep that in mind when packing for the first day on the ship.

Lots of issues with this ship still apparently. On her 3rd cruise now(I think) and still issues with no AC on deck 5, frequent flooding in different areas of the ship. Service is slow often, some staff not happy with ship conditions for working/living on it.... While I realize that you can't believe everything you read and hear, it appears there are lots of issues ongoing. As well, for a ship that was advertised as more of a "party" ship, this appears to not be the case. So glad I didn't end up booking this as when it first opened up it sounded amazing!

The majority of my cruises have been 4 days out of Florida. You can get some great deals, and while they are usually the older and smaller ships its still a great time. I haven't done a 3 day as just not long enough for me with the flights involved and hotels etc. But if I was closer and airfare cheaper(if I didn't live in Canada) I would have no problem hopping on a 3 day cruise to tie me over between longer cruises!

the cruise I was looking at has just gone up over $100 this morning so no savings. I have been watching 3-4 for the late fall....ALL of them are higher now with the new sale. Even with the OBC, they are all more expensive.

They only have Redbull.,.....some of the ships will have some flavored ones if your lucky at some of the bars. its my go to drink..the blueberry redbull and grey goose.....so they would hold it just for me as they didn't have much on any cruise I was on....just made good friends with the bartender...haha

Big companies don't care. They will just write this off as a blip on the screen. It's too bad...RCI has some great ships and cruises....but their product is becoming very expensive and their service is going down. But as long as people book and pay......well.....

Wow...I have never seen such a mess and something handled so badly by a company in all my travels anywhere or with anyone. I cant imagine all the re-booking, cancellations, work arrangements, vacation schedules......just the tip of the iceberg. And to cancel on some bookings twice...and/or FIVE days before the cruise was scheduled to go......SMDH.

Current 5 day cruise on Empress runs about $400....... There would have to be ALOT of extras to justify that kinda cost... That being said..I can fly 2000 miles to Cuba....have a week in resort......all flights, meals and drinks included for around $500 USD or less.....

The cost carnival is charging is absurd.....not sure if this is because of demand or because they still have to sell it as some kinda "humanitarian" type trip to allow Americans to visit Cuba still as it is not completely open and free to visit yet. If Royal is going to charge similar prices....my advice will be to wait a few years before visiting...it's not worth that kinda cost imho. And I have been there many times so speaking from multiple first hand experiences.

I have booked both ways...and cancelled in one currency and rebooked with the difference currency. RCI doesn't keep the same rates as the official exchange rate. For example, to buy OBC is still 1.5.....whereas the official bank rate is around 1.32 as of Friday...... Sometimes its better to book in USD...sometimes CAD...

I can understand your concern......they haven't said much about it at all. Much like Majesty as well I find. The really seemed to promote dry dock of other ships like Liberty etc I would say maybe a large group booked or something last minute...but if the first 4 sailings suddenly booked up that doesn't seem plausible.... Hopefully it is just demand that filled it up...RCI certainly isn't hurting from empty sailings right now...we all know that.

There are already cruise lines that visit Cuba.....docking in Havana usually for an evening or two. On my last cruise, during the top tier event the Captain announced that RCI would start going to CUBA in 2017 using Empress of the Seas. As someone who has been to Cuba many many times and stayed all over.....I can tell you most ppl will be in for quite a shock when they visit compared to any other Caribbean country they have visited while cruising. It is very very poor with very little infrastructure. It is unique, but not up to most cruiser's standards I can assure you!

I pre-paid gratuity is NOT a tip according to the definition or the spirit of the gesture. I understand this is the norm now in the cruise industry....but really its just an extra fee added to the total cost. Just like many airlines and vacation package companies hide a lot in their "taxes and fees" portion of the fare. I can think of NO other industry or situation where I would be pre-tipping someone or a company before ever using their service or product.......it defeats the whole idea and premise of a tip.

Hmm...I think it was just a cry for help or attention. If they really wanted to jump..do it when the ship is at sea in the dark when no one would potentially see or be able to help you. Not when you are at a port docked with thousands of people around and rescue would be much easier if you did jump.

I have had 2 of my cruises end up staying overnight due to missing coco cay... I enjoyed the nightlife very much there....but to each their own.