WAAAYTOOO

I got a new comp casino offer in email today-the “summer sizzzle” offer. We chose the 4 night NAV. Sailing for 7-1. Normally we do not do flyaway cruises for less than 7 nights but b/c this one was over the 4th of July and only requires 1day of vacation, we decided to go for it. We will once again fly in the day of the cruise (Ill-advised) but it will add to the excitement or anxiety or both. The offer was for a balcony but we upgraded to a Grand Suite. I had been reading that the summer sizzle offer was complimentary for the first person and the second person got a casino rate. That always seemed unlikely to me as I have never heard of any casino offer being for just 1 person. I’m happy to report that it is not true. The summer sizzle is for 2 people just as all casino comp cruises have always been.

TMI ALERT ! ??

Thanks for the closer look at Star Class from down under.

Sky class is availabile only on Oasis and Quantom Class ship. With Sky Class you get complimentary Voom internet, all day access to Coastal Kitchen, complimentary luggage valet (where it’s available), access to either the Suites Lounge or Concierge lounge (depending on the ship), priority security line and ship check in, access to Concierge service. I’m sure I’m forgetting something. Obviously your stateroom will be larger and usually more centrally located. You will also get priority for seating at My Time Dining when you don’t have a reservation. You will get priority access for ship disembarkation and a special reserved seating are in the entertainment venues.

I've had the same experience as Twangster. If we deviated at all from the original route, I was asked to modify the route. As I recall, the driver (this was in Bayonne) said, "I'm new at this job and I don't want to lose it".

Dan and I are already talking about doing Azamara to Antarctica. We sailed with a lady on Grandeur a couple of years ago who sails Azamara regularly and she raved about the Antarctica itineraries. She told us about standing next to an Ambassador Penguin in the Falkland Islands and Dan has never forgotten that....

I LOVE that you went to the MDR. I regret that we did not when we were on our Anthem B2B. As you say, once you have memorized the menus, it's time to try something new. You had the guts to do it. Good for you. I am going to do it though, when we do our B2B on Anthem next year.

I agree, Matt. I think it's almost a kind of psychological thing. I do not mind walking down the Promenade at all....but walking the same distance down a narrow hallway is pure torture.

Can't wait !!

There is only 1 down side to using casino discounts or upgrading a casino offer....you must pay the FULL amount at the time that you book a free cruise (which is only taxes and port fees if you do not upgrade it) or upgrade a casino offer. So while you're getting a GREAT deal, you will have to cough up the full balance up front. I actually prefer to pay off my cruises on a monthly basis so putting out the full amount up front stings just a little bit...BUT it's paid in full and I don't have to worry about it again after that.

Are you at least a Prime tier level with Club Royale ? If you are, you are exempt from paying the 5% "convenience" fee and can get $$ on your Sea Pass card at the casino. I know nothing at all about the gift card(s) so I'm no help to you there. Sorry. If you are NOT a Prime or higher member of CR then (aside from the gift card idea, of which I have no information), I'm afraid cash or opening a line of credit with CR would be your only options. If you do not know whether or not you are a Prime tier level, call Club Royale and ask. 888-561-2234

I’ve noticed the same thing. I think they are pushing the UDP. 5 nights was perfect for us as Dan always wants the lamb shank. I haven’t seen a 5 night plan in a while.

I haven't heard of this before. That's pretty cool ! We are lucky. Our CBP location for GE is at Dulles Airport which is only a 20 min drive for us. I do feel for those people who do not an office nearby.

OH YIPPEEE ! I am so happy to be of help ! GOOD LUCK !

What a great question ! I am a big time Coke snob...and I have the answer !! LOL If you have the refreshment or soda package, you are technically only entitled to "fountain" drinks. If you have Deluxe Drinks Package, you are entitled to EITHER fountain drinks or canned drinks. This is one reason why we always get the DDP. I cannot stand fountain Cokes. In the past, before they started including canned Cokes in the DDP, I often requested canned Cokes even though they were not obliged to give me one. So sometimes I think they will give you a can if you ask for one. If they decline to give you a can I really don't think you have any recourse..but it never hurts to ask....and give them a $1 tip. ? Welcome to the Boards, BTW !

A couple of years ago we had an inside room on Deck 4 on Grandeur RIGHT BEHIND the R Bar. I thought for sure it would be noisy but it WASN'T at all. Other than being small it was a great room in a great location.

Wouldn't it be nice if something comes up that DOES top it !

WOW !! That sounds great ! have a GREAT cruise ! Talk to you when you get back !

..but didn't Twangster say that they wouldn't give him the shakes even if he DID pay the cover charge ? Maybe I read it wrong...

Even if your cruise is paid in full you can still take advantage of a price drop as LONG as the final payment date has not passed. If it is past final payment date, as Ashley said, upgrading is really your only option as you would have to pay a rebooking penalty which would almost certainly be more than any price difference.

Thanks, Matt. You are AWESOME !!

We are, too. In fact, I booked the Feb 2020 JUST so that everything WOULD be done but now I'm beginning to worry !

Freedom is the only one that is that low. The rest are $47, $49 and $52. UGH. I did buy the one for $49 but I'm not paying $52. That is for a 5 night on Brilliance right before our next Star Class on Oasis. I will just wait until we get on Oasis to drink anything !

This is SOOO smart. I never remember to do that !

You cannot combine a free cruise with a certificate of any kind. But you CAN upgrade your free cruise by simply paying the upgrade fee, which is very reasonable, as a rule. If you are both Prime, you can actually combine your annual "free" Prime cruises to upgrade from your free inside to an ocean view BUT combining your cruises in that way is very inefficient, IMO since they will only upgrade you 1 category. If, instead, you chose to use both of your free cruises on B2B cruises (or any 2 cruises even if they aren't B2B) then you get the full benefit of both cruises. We recently did that with our free casino cruises. I booked each of us a cruise on Anthem, for 2 consecutive weeks in Feb. So we basically got a free 16 day cruise. Well....it would have been free if I had not upgraded both of them to Star Class...You definitely get more benefit from taking both of the cruises individually than you do by combining them but you CAN combine them if you choose to do that. Keep in mind that your "free" cruise is based on the lowest category inside room on the ship....