monctonguy

I am sure something is going to change..on my most recent cruise, out of 3900 passengers, over 1300 were C&A members...granted around 800 of them were Gold Status which basically means no perks really...but you can see when about 30% of the customers are "rewards" members they are going to have to do something to make it harder to obtain higher levels.

I just did this...took less than 10 mins....so as long as everything is ok with your cruise getting to port, your fine!

Not crazy about buying points, but if they keep upping the levels.....you have to do what you have to do I guess. That being said, I haven't heard anything else about the "spending X amount of money on board" gets you more C&A points? I can't imagine they would change it so Diamond members aren't even allowed in the lounge anymore...seems harsh. At 1000 points for Pinnacle...that would be approx. 142 cruises it would take at 7 nights a cruise....that's just not even acceptable.

You have to know the prices.....I have a nice collection of fossil watches, so I know the prices pretty well here in Canada and the US. Their fossil "sale" is a joke...about double what I paid for the same watch at an outlet in Florida. Even from back home here in Canada paying full pop and with exchange it was hardly a deal. Buyer beware for all that stuff they list as "high end" on sale.......

I am headed there next week...first time there after many visit's to coco cay. I know Labadee is a lot bigger and more to do and see. Any links to a good up todate map? Do they give you one in the cruise compass?

I hope its an error.... My Brilliance cruise in Feb shows $58 and $70 so its increased. Kinda harder to tell for my other two cruises as it shows in CAD right now. If anything, they need to start offering it included or BOGO it or something to compete with Celebrity and NCL.... Or maybe they don't to if ppl are willing to pay RCI's high cruise prices AND then spend close to another $1000/cpl for a week long cruise on drinks... I wouldn't mind a slight increase if we see those "drink cards" come out or being able to buy the drink package for certain days.

I thought you could still sit outside at the windjammer on Brilliance? Pretty sure last Jan on my cruise you could anyways...

I do not believe so...on my cruise in April on Enchantment my travel partner had one in her checked luggage...never thought about it.....suitcase was held and she had to pick up the knife at the end of the cruise....

Congrats...I am sure it's gonna be a great time. I don't know if I could cancel 2 cruise for one cruise...but its a good one to do it for I guess if you have to! I would love to book as well, but can't commit yet. It's on my list of options for 2017 for sure though...hoping I can make the commitment soon!

You can get the drink package at ANY bar....just skip the long lines when you first get on the ship and head to the pool bar or wherever you want. It takes 30 seconds and your ready to drink. Take it from someone who has does this many times on different ships..lol. I did get mine in the terminal in Tampa the one time there as well, as there was no line up at the time I was passing by the table.

I had heard about this but never got to experience it. Too bad they are doing away with it...more disappointed about losing the location than the food it sounds like. Surprised a Radiance class ship would be making changes that limits seaviews as that is one of the things ppl enjoy about this class of ship! I am back on Brilliance in Feb, will have to enjoy sitting outside and having lunch as who knows if/when they will get rid of that in the future.

Hey Michel....we don't get to our hotel till about 10pm on Sat night....staying at the Ramada Fort Lauderdale....if you're anywhere around there we could try and meet up for a beer...my gf is from Edmundston and speaks French so we would have no problems chatting...haha Yeah Jerel...it was an amazing deal..anything under $600 CAD is good sad to say....I have come across a deal once or twice for just under $500 our of Halifax....but this was amazing....I was on the fence about cancelling my cruise if the flights weren't going to come down from almost $1000 originally.

wow....that's a lot of work....I mean a TA at any given time could have a thousand cruises booked. I can't imagine the work of checking everyone's booking for the next 2 years each time each cruise line comes out with a new promo or sale which is about every month.

Awesome...thanks! I get 2 free spins now in the casino.....:)

I always wait till I get on now, and I get a package every cruise.....(7 and counting) I don't see any advantage really to buying ahead. It goes on your credit card and they get to make that money off you months in advance. Once on board, you can use your OBC to purchase it if you have any. I have never seen the prices higher on board than before...and I have never paid more or less in taxes either on any cruises. I know that some cruises are trying out being able to buy the package for one day at a time..or buying a drink card at a reduced price so that maybe an advantage of waiting till getting on board to decide.

I am cruising on Monday and am platinum...will report back here what the difference was. I too will be close to emerald then as well.... But the big perks/savings etc come with diamond level...hoping to be there by next year.

I couldn't believe the deal I found for airfare out of Halifax for my cruise out of San Juan...it was about $330 return USD......amazing.....that's crazy to think about $165 each way in USD.....never seen that in 15 years of travels!! Glad I waited to book as previously flights were over $600 USD return and higher out of Moncton.

That's what I thought it's lower except for suite cat..... I don't use a TA And I am not sure they would check every booking every time a new deal comes out and call me if its a better deal? Wouldn't they have thousands of bookings to check every time a new promo comes out with a particular cruise company....I just check myself and call for the better deal if it is a better deal!

Not sure about price..but isnt this BOGO worse for the OBC...pretty sure the last one was 50% higher for Inside, Ocean and balcony bookings.....

They have already announced the "new" Bogo starting Jan 4th I thought I had read or seen somewhere.....was the same as the last one, and prob the one before that I am pretty sure.

Not sure if someone here has a list or a screenshot...I know if you look over on CC they will for sure. There isn't a lot you get with gold...off the top of my head...buy a drink, get one free....I think 25% off a bottle of wine.....bogo deal for Johnny Rockets if the ship has one...10% off RCI logo stuff at the shops on board. Some other 10% off stuff like picture packages, spa etc. I am missing a few things, but you get the idea...there really isn't a lot for gold status. I have done 7 cruises as a gold member and besides the "free pull in the casino" you get, I think I may have used 1 or 2 deals total over 7 cruises.

I would share the cost for sure with a group...but they must limit the amount of ppl per? I usually travel alone or with one other person, so still pricey split in two. I think when I checked Nellie's it was about $700 CAD..... I think my first visit to Labadee will be just exploring around...seems a lot bigger than Coco Cay!

Frozen Mojito.....its my tradition...first drink when I get on the ship, head to the pool bar or sky bar and enjoy!

I guess those that stay in suite's can afford those for a few hours. I could never justify it....that's about what I pay for most of my cruises..... Wow...I haven't been to Labadee yet(heading there on my next cruise) but that just seems insane to me..... But then I guess if your paying $5000 for a cruise..whats $500 for a hut for a few hours. Its like me paying $500 for my cruise, I wouldn't think $50 was bad for a hut....its all relative. Maybe if I win the lottery one day.....

Looks like they are doing some different things with Empress...early boarding/departure.....and "Sunday brunch" everyday with free bloody mary or mimosa......and sounds like its going to be an active and happening ship...or that's what they are trying to sell it as....I am defn intrigued even more now to book!