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WAAAYTOOO

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Posts posted by WAAAYTOOO

  3. Posted · Report reply

    3 hours ago, MrB said:

    I see little or no incentive for the operators to keep up high levels of service once the entire boat is purchased. Yes, they do have all-inclusive monthly fees, but the incentives would be at best to keep it barely better than acceptable. A regular cruise line has to earn every cruiser's trust and $$$ every time a ship embarks. Not so here. They got you, because you already bought into this. Literally.

    Thanks for bringing up this point. I hadn’t even thought about it.  It’s an excellent thought point.

    One of the things that I thought about is the very fast depreciation that with this type of investment.  These vessels have a definite life span and the value of your “property” will begin to depreciate on day 1.  Unlike real property, the value of the investment will go down as the ship ages.  For someone who doesn’t care about their investment (for whom money means nothing), it would be an interesting possibility but if you don’t like seeing your investment depreciate rapidly, probably not a good investment.

    USCG Teacher and JLMoran reacted to this

  6. Posted · Report reply

    6 minutes ago, ScooterScott22 said:

    2021 or 2022?

    We start off on Ovation on March 30, 2022 with an 11 night New Zealand cruise and return to Sydney on April 10 for a 16 night TP to Honolulu.  We will also be booking the Honolulu-Seattle (or Vancouver....wherever it’s going) once that itin comes out.  Dan and I are planning on staying on for the first Alaska Cruise....so, 4 legs in all (2 of which have yet to be booked).

    SpeedNoodles reacted to this

  8. Posted · Report reply

    20 minutes ago, SteveinSC said:

    Ill take a test to get on board...sure.....

    https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2020/08/10/royal-caribbean-cruises-likely-have-covid-19-testing-upon-return/3302471001/

    But what happens when people get false negatives?????? 

     

    ...or worse than that...when they get false positives !

    Neesa, Baked Alaska and SteveinSC reacted to this

  11. Posted · Report reply

    Resurrecting an older thread.

    I checked Cruise Planner prices this morning on all of my cruises (at least, the ones for which CP prices are posted).  Even since yesterday, prices seem to be waaay up.  They were up to "normal" prices yesterday, but took a big jump today - at least the ones that affect me.

    Example:  April 11, 2021 Liberty price for DBP+1 Voom S&S - I purchased for $54 PP/PD last week.  Yesterday it was up to its "average price" (can't remember exactly, but up from $54).  Today that combo is going for $71 PP/PD.

    The UPD prices don't seem to be as impacted...but the drinks and internet are.  So glad I purchased most of mine already.  The only ones I have not yet purchased are those for which the prices have not yet been published (2022) or for which the drink package has never been reduced (notably, October 3,10 Allure).

    It is my hypothesis that once Royal believes sailings will commence, Cruise Planner (and onboard prices) will go up and remain there.  Perhaps there will be a pretend sale for Black Friday/Cyber Monday (although not much materialized this past year) but I don't believe it will be a real savings (based on current/recent prices).  I think we will soon be saying bye-bye to the $40-something and even $50-something drink package prices.  I'm usually wrong...so there's that...

    ehw51 and SpeedNoodles reacted to this

  12. Posted · Report reply

    10 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

    My 'story' is pretty much the same...used CWC to cancel April 13, 2020...then Royal cancelled it.  I didn't even bother trying to get a refund since I knew what I agreed to when I cancelled was set in stone.  I did try to get my travel insurance $ back but got nowhere with that! 😞   Rebooked to April 19, 2021...just recently used the FCC to pay (only had to payout a little new money since I upgraded from 4 Spacious Balconies to 4 JS) . 

    So, I believe if this one gets cancelled I will still only receive FCC for what I paid in FCC and any NEW monies paid toward the cruise fare would probably get refunded.  After reading so much material on all this my understanding is the original form of reimbursement stays with me until I use it or lose it.  Any newly paid money begins a new round of refund offers should this sailing be cancelled by them. 

    You have it right !

    PPPJJ-GCVAB reacted to this

  13. Posted · Report reply

    4 hours ago, Ian T said:

    I have a question that has no doubt been asked a number of times already so I apologise...

    Are the taxes and fees the only element that cannot be covered by the FCC or do the pre-paid gratuities also fall into this bucket (the comments above suggest they do)?

    The reason I ask is I have a FCC in GBP that more than covers my only remaining future booking in this currency (the rest are booked in USD following my conversion to team MEI) so I will end up forfeiting the balance. If pre-paid gratuities can be included then I "only" stand to lose about USD100, but if they cannot I am better off foregoing the extra 25% and converting the FCC to a refund, then paying for the future booking in the usual way.

    Thanks! 

    It is my understanding that the FCC can ONLY cover cruise fare, so that would make me think that pre-paid gratuities would not be eligible for an FCC.  

  16. Posted · Report reply

    17 minutes ago, joshgates said:
    • Staffing up of a(or multiple) ship

    I think this is the one that will actually mean something.  Of course, Royal will never announce that they are recruiting/manning ships, but we will know...there are plenty of people out in the etherworld that have connections and will hear when Royal starts to hire.  That is when we will know things are moving.

    Presently, they are still trying to get staff OFF the ship and back home so it doesn't seem like things are turning the corner yet.  ...but I am sure we will hear about it once Royal, or any of the other lines, start hiring.

    SteveinSC, ehw51, Jill and 4 others reacted to this

  18. Posted · Report reply

    1 minute ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

    Got it...thanks for this info.  So I am going to assume my April 2021 cruise will happen and start socking away some "play" money now.  I assume it doesn't matter whether it's table games or slots, right?  

    Actually, your fastest way to Club Royale royalty is slots.  You get more bang for your buck with slots than you do with table games.  Even though both Dan and I hate slots, we established our membership in Club Royale (back when you had to "qualify"...many years ago) by playing the video blackjack machines (which no longer exist) on Allure.  I'm pretty sure that's the last dime I ever put into a Royal Caribbean slot machine.  Unless you are making very very large wagers ($100 plus per hand), the table games will probably not get you where you want to be, quickly.  If you are on a 3 or 4 night NAV cruise, I think you would find it very difficult to qualify for Prime level without putting a good bit of money (and probably lots of hours) through the slot machines.  The good news is, qualifying points are cumulative, so even if you do not make Prime on your first cruise, your points will follow you to your next cruise and continue to build until you reach 2400 points (I think that's still what it takes...) to make Prime level.  Once you make Prime, you're good-to-go...you will get 1 free casino comp cruise per program year (which runs from 1 April of one year through 31 March of the following year), free drinks in the casino and waiver of the 5% "convenience fee" when getting money on your Seapass card at the casino.  Unfortunately, you are required (these days) to requalify every year, so when 1 April rolls around, your points are wiped out and you have to start all over again.  I liked the old system better...when you were "in" for life.

    SpeedNoodles, Ogilthorpe and PPPJJ-GCVAB reacted to this

  19. Posted · Report reply

    4 minutes ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

    When discussing 'suite perks' does that include Junior Suites (on Navigator in particular) or only the suites above that category?  Curious because I have my family booked in 4 junior suites for our April 2021 sailing while some of our other family members are in Spacious Balcony rooms.  Thanks for any info you can provide 🙂 

    Most of the suites benefits do not apply to JS on NAV.  You will get priority going through security and for boarding and of course, you get double C&A points, but that's about it.  I think Matt's post (above) includes all of the information you would need.  

    Those in your party that are in balcony rooms will not be able to get the priority security/boarding so you will have to go through without them or stay with them in the non-priority line.

    For what it's worth, I think the extra cabin space, the double C&A points and the reduced price (compared to full suites) make the JS a great deal.  We (suite snobs extraordinaire) are currently booked in JS 6 out of 17 bookings - nearly half.

    Jax and dawnelda reacted to this

  21. Posted · Report reply

    18 minutes ago, AGSLC5 said:

    I have found one of the "Oregon" reps that I really like. I said to her I wish I could always deal with you. She said take my email address and anytime you need me email me and that way I can call you and get you booked.. So if you find a rep you really like try that and see if they will give you their email address.. 

    I’m surprised that she gave you her email address.  That’s pretty rare.  You’re lucky. Hopefully she will hang around. The good ones have a way of disappearing, unfortunately.

    AGSLC5 and Ogilthorpe reacted to this

  22. Posted · Report reply

    I agree that the CR reps are usually more competent than the “regulars”...but you get a stinker every once in a while.

    So...since we’re on the subject of casino comps, does anyone know whether or not we will be getting a new Prime annual comp on 4-1-21 ?  I asked this question over on CC and got definitive answers - both “yes” and “no”.

    I know that our current comp cruises are good through 3-31-22 but I don’t know if we will get new comps next year or not.  I sure hope we do.  I need them !

    p cusack and Ogilthorpe reacted to this

  24. Posted · Report reply

    I have never sailed on Mariner, but I’m sure it’s very similar to other ships in that class.

    I like the GS.  Plenty of room and all of the suites perks. I actually prefer the GS without the TV half-wall.  They have a sense of greater space.  Nice, big bathroom.  No bidet though 😢😢

    Re: embarkation lunch, unless you have the UDP there is no complimentary specialty lunch (or dinner, for that matter).  There is a suites’ breakfast (probably in Chops) which is really nice.

    Internet is not complementary on that class.  There is a suites’ lounge with happy hour drinks.  It will not have drinks all day like the SL on Oasis class.  Your gold card will get you into the SL during the day and there will be a specialty coffee machine in there unless it is removed due to hygiene concerns....which seems highly likely to me.  I’m sure that will make the Concierges very happy.  The coffee Machine is the bane of their existences.  They are always needing “attention”.

    Ogilthorpe and Neesa reacted to this
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