WAAAYTOOO

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).

If testing is part of the new reality (and how can it not be ?), passengers will pay for it, one way or another. Even if there is not a direct charge, the cost will be passed on. In fairness, this is true for many other public industries...not just cruises.

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

Scott, have you looked into a L&S ? I'm not sure what month in 2021 this sailing is....but @twangster and I are both on the Ovation TP from Sydney - HNL....and will be booking the next leg to Seattle or Vancouver...wherever it ends up going - when those itins come out.

It took me a minute to get this one.??

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...

You have it right !

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.

Ugh. I think they have eased up on this requirement lately. Maybe you just had a stubborn CSR. ??

Congratulations in advance ! What a great milestone !

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.

Nope. I think your Seapass will be dark blue...can't remember. But only the full suites (and Pinnacle Club members) get gold cards.

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.

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.

Interesting. Where is the Silver CK ?

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.

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 !

Conversely, if they offer you a deal that seems “meh”, call back and ask another rep.

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”.

Huh ?? That completely sucks ! I guess the lesson here is....finalize the deal on the SPOT if it’s a good one. I’m so disappointing for you.

I would be very cautious of any kind of gift certificate. They have many restrictions and are difficult to use.

I've lived in Asia but never sailed in Asia. I will definitely be giving it a try some day.

I think the answer to this question is....no, JS are not eligible for service in the SL....but I think it is not uncommon for servers to get the drinks for their dining customers anyway. If you tried to go over and sit in the SL and drink all night, you could possibly have a problem, but getting a drink with dinner I don't think is that big a deal.

Holy cow !!! That is absolutely amazing ! Way to go !!!!!!!!! ?

If your Nov casino comp cruise gets cancelled, you can call Club Royale and see if they will allow you to move it. We had an August comp cruise cancelled, and we were able to move it to Feb 21. They totally price protected it...just like a L&S but not a year in advance...just 6 months in advance. I was very surprised and happy that they let us move it. They weren’t doing that for previous casino comps lost due to the cruise suspensions. Hopefully they will continue to allow suspended casino comps to be moved. PS....I hope you don’t have to find out. We have 2 casino comps in Nov, too. ??