WAAAYTOOO

Actually, Prime is the second level. Choice is the lowest level with Signature and Masters being at the top.

100% concur with this recommendation if dining at Izumi Hibachi with all of the fam within a certain time range is important. Yes, you are laying out more money up front but this is really the only way to guarantee a reservation for everyone. Even Star Class are now advised to purchase their Hibachi (and Chef’s Table) reservations in advance of boarding to ensure a slot. Once you are onboard you can get a refund on the pre-purchased full price reservations (most likely they will give you onboard credit for those reservation refunds).

Mine too! Yesterday it definitely still said “Grand Suites and Higher”. While I would not be surprised to have BB covert to a public beach, I can already feel the disruption in the force that will be forthcoming from the Suites and Pinns if they do.

Excellent ! So glad to hear that SOME exemptions are being approved. Very good news, indeed

Make that 2 of us !!

No, I'm not sure. It was a joke, really. I'm sure you're right.

Big change. I just got a letter from Royal Caribbean inviting me to reserve a cabana at Labadee for a cruise on 12-18-22. In the past, the Barefoot Beach cabanas did not go on sale prior to boarding, therefore, Star Class guests had the first chance to reserve the cabanas - through the Genie. Now it appears as though those cabanas will be selling long before the Genie has a chance to reserve them for us. Also, the BB cabanas are now listed in the Cruise Planner so no more priority reserving for SC ! The prices are too high so I wouldn't be reserving a cabana anyway but now we will have to hustle and reserve early....no more waiting for the Genie to reserve for us !

YES ! This is so important. If you weren't going to gamble anyway, don't try and gamble your way to free drinks in the casino. It will not be worth your time. Only pursue this rating if you would be gambling anyway.

I’m one of the rogues who just ignored the closed doors and went on back to my room once I reboarded. Not sure I would do that these days but I sure used to do it !

1. Yes. You will just pay a $10 upcharge since you already have the UDP. 2. This will depend on onboard prices. As a general rule, you do realize a small savings by purchasing the individual meals on the Cruise Planner ahead of time. They have been known to offer discounts once onboard but I think that these are much more rare these days as it seems like the specialty restaurants (and hibachi, in particular) are pretty heavily booked. The biggest advantage to purchasing the hibachi now is that you will guarantee yourselves seats. As a matter of fact, I think if it were me, I would go ahead and purchase all 5 hibachi meals now and then arrange for a refund for the 2 of you once you get onboard. Getting reservations for 5 at the hibachi table could be a challenge once onboard. It will mean outlaying some cash up front, but if having the 5 of you dining at hibachi together at a time of YOUR choosing (not having to take whatever seats/times are left over), it will be worth it.

Having done large group cruises before, I can only say....better you than me ! I don't mean that seriously....but just beware that it is exactly like herding cats (to quote The @twangster). Good luck !

The story was that the eggshell toppers were not able to be adequately cleaned and were unsanitary. I guess that makes sense.

I had a very similar situation a few years back. For reasons that we never discovered, Dan had 7 points more than I did even though we have cruised together every time. I called C&A and the CSR hunted and calculated but could never figure it out. In the end he just gave me the 7 points so that we “matched” and that was the end of it. We have had the same # of points ever since. Hopefully it will be that easy for you.

Lobster night on a short cruise is very hit-or-miss. When we used to cruise on Grandeur out of Baltimore a lot, we almost always had lobster but some of the short Caribbeans often do not.

Joe, I can't imagine the disappointment. So sorry you are going through this...but better to find out before getting on a plane and crossing the pond. So disappointing.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Planner sales are smoke and mirrors. They raise the price just before something goes on sale and then reduce it back down to where it was to start with....or perhaps a bit higher. That's the way it always goes. Ignore the percentages off. They mean nothing. All that matters is the bottom line price...and be sure that you are comparing apples to apples and that if there is a gratuity (food packages come to mind) that you are comparing a new price that has charged grats the same way as the old price. IOW, if your dining package was purchased under the "old" Cruise Planner system, it already includes gratuities but if it is now using the "new" My Royal Cruise system, the grats are not included in the price that they quote but are added at checkout. Just be sure you know what you're comparing....

Welcome back, Joe ! Great to hear from you again.

OH NO ! So sorry to hear this. I know you must be devastated. So very sorry that the exemption was denied. That is such a crap shoot. I can give you a hint at what the suites are going for now. I'm assuming A1 for the 2 BR ATS. Royal Loft Suite - $11,880 PP. A1 2 BR ATS - $6,662,00 PP Now....realize that this is the absolute FULL PP price on these suites before ANY discounts. That is the way they are displayed in CruisingPower when the category is completely sold out. If you assume the standard 60% off the second passenger, assume no additional discounts (C&A, casino, etc.) and assume only 2 passengers per suite, the prices would be ballpark: RLS - $16,632 cruise fare only. A1 - $9,326.80 cruise fare only. Taxes and port fees have to be added to the cruise fare. Obviously, additional discounts will help and additional people per suite will add to the cost...but this gives you an idea of what they're retailing for now. That's actually not a terrible price on the A1. I've never priced a RLS so I have no idea what that generally goes for. Hopefully the vax protocols will go away SOON and you can all go and have a GREAT time.

No. You are good for the entire year and they will not know whether or not you go on a trip and frankly, they don't care. The only time they will know is if you file a claim. It's super easy and soooo much better than having individual trip policies, IMO.

They will be able to get full cash refunds if the vax requirements are still in effect and they are not vaccinated. That’s the good news. The bad news is they will most likely have to go forward with final payment until the vax protocols are released for the dates covering the cruise.

I don’t do Twitter or FB. Yay !

The most interesting part of this thread (for me) is realizing that I am not the only person on the planet who does not have a FB account ! I’m delighted to find so many people who do not do FB !

Yippee ! So glad they got it all sorted out for you.

You won't !