Ogilthorpe

From my experience, yes. When you book onboard using NextCruise, you have choice of an additional discount or an onboard credit. The amount of that discount is based on length of the cruise you are booking and the room category. I believe you also enjoy a reduced deposit in some cases. The price before the additional discount is aligned with the current promotions. I always choose the onboard credit since it persists even if you reprice later. You also have the option to transfer the booking to your travel agent. Finally, a recent update to the program gives you the flexibility to change your reservation without penalty for a period of time after booking (30 or 60 days ..cant recall which)

I have held that same sentiment in the past, but always wait until the final day in case an unexpected repricing opportunity arises.

At some point last year there was an IT glitch (I know, shocking ?) . I logged in to discover that they now believed us to be D+. My info was correct, but I suddenly had an impressive previous cruise list that went on for decades. I called, but they could not resolve it, and issued a new C&A #. Some time later, that number became invalid and my old one was correct again. They explained it was a database merge/restore issue. Perhaps it was not completely resolved.

The suite reserved area in the theater is on the balcony level, front rows in the center. For 270, I believe it is similar but can't confirm... we arrived too late for suite seating to be in effect. It involved the Schooner bar and losing track of time ?????

I checked an old Concierge letter from a year ago (yes, I keep those things for reference ?) and found the same verbiage. With that said, although we had reservations, I can't confirm that they checked beyond looking at our cards and directing us to the reserved area.

The cabanas near the northstar must be new. The Anthem has a suite deck accessible by stairs near the elevators on deck 15 via a door opened by your seapass card. It seems underutilized. There is no bar like there is on the Oasis class ships, that could be a factor. The cabana option may be a way to bridge that gap

Yes, that is what I have done in the past in just that situation. Also, if you prebook on the cruise planner there is an option to add people from another reservation and you can pay at that time.

I noticed that also. I went so far as to check recent Cruise Compasses ... just in case ? Perhaps they are attempting to take a stealthy approach to CK filet night ?

You are correct that the email is only a nice reminder. For me, neither the tags nor the edocs are available on the site. Everything else is there. Another IT mystery ?

When I inquired, I was first told that they had attempted but failed to send them so they verified my email address and said they would try again. Later in the call, I was told that there was no issue, it can be as late as a week before sailing. The inconsistency is real!

Could we assume that the $18 Drink package intern was reassigned to issuing luggage tags on day 49?? ??

It appears that I am good company! I will remain optimistic and assume this is result of a pending royalup! ?

In the past, I have expected cruise documents to be available on day 49 prior to the cruise (a part of our pre-cruise "ritual" is to print luggage tags at that point ...hoping to have to reprint after a successful Royalup!). We have an upcoming B2B for which the docs were not available at day 49 for the 3/8 Oasis sailing. Today was day 49 for the second week of the B2B and the documents arrived as anticipated. I checked with RCI but received ambiguous answers. Has anyone experienced this before? Does the first week of a B2B create a unique situation? Is my sample set too limited? Do I simply need to wait and book more cruises? ?

From my experience, the price shown includes the discount. The actual price is the best comparison, the name/percentage of the discount rarely coincides with the price in dollars which seems to vary with time, sailing, etc. Also, note that an additional 18% gratuity will be added at the time of purchase.

In addition to what has been mentioned, we add those items that cannot be replaced (glasses, contacts, etc) and valuables we wouldn't check (cash, jewelry, etc)

I have not had experience with a price adjustment after final payment, but it is an intriguing question since the final payment date has not passed. As an alternative if they won't adjust since you have paid: you may be able to upgrade your cabin for the same amount you have already paid. I have done that in the past when the price dropped and there was availability... at a better price than Royalup.

From experience, albeit limited, the minimum bid for Royalup as well as the room upgrades offered for bid seem more driven by your booked room category than sail date. For example, on different ships at different times of the year, I found the royalup offer from grand suite to be virtually identical among the sailings.

and now stating the cameras’ presence was not disclosed to them at boarding is that their new defense? "No fair! Nobody told us we were going to be caught in a lie"?

There were reports of RCI having itineraries with multiple stops at Cococay. I wonder if they are planning an itinerary modification. Or ... it could be the IT interns again. Either way I'm going to check for an $18 drink package right now! ??

Prediction: not long after the trial concludes, this will be on Dateline.

Note that if you used any onboard credit for your original purchase, it will be available immediately to reuse for your repurchase.

Perhaps I am taking too much of an old school approach, but I have always gotten good results calling them.

Yes, full bar service is available at your table in the dining rooms and the Deluxe Beverage package applies.

We are on the 8th and the 15th. A B2B2B seems like a great idea! Don't wait too long to book. The 15th is filling up fast (not that I obsessively check frequently to see what may be available.. ??)

I wonder if on the days that have multiple ships scheduled, RCI is planning to have some of those docked for their new evening/night schedule.