WAAAYTOOO

When it happens on a balcony it seems like it's usually someone screwing around, like trying to get to another balcony.

I noticed that even the 3-night packages have a discount, something that I've not seen in forever. I wish they had done that in time for my Symphony sailing back in February. 😕

So, Ben at RCI was great.  We got the lower rack rate ($836) for a move from inside to outside, and $150 in onboard credit.
I had this vague recollection of an onboard credit when we booked on Voyager OTS in August, but hadn't seen it anywhere in the paperwork.  Well, I guess it showed up, too, because we now have a total of $250 onboard!  FTW!

Others have already posted tibs and tabs about this but I don't think there's a thread devoted to it...at least, not that I know of.
There has been a CP "sale" going on for a couple of days.  It is "on again/off again" but it's back on today.
BUT - BE CAREFUL.  Some of the dining packages include gratuities in the "list price" and some do not so be careful cancelling something that you already have until you know for SURE that it's going to be a savings.
1.  It appears as though MOST of the packages - UDP and 3 night, already include the grats.  If the grats are included, it will say so below the advertised price.  If it says "Gratuities Included" then the final price will simply be the number of packages that you are purchasing, multiplied by the price of the package(s) you are purchasing.  If it says "pre-cruise savings", the grats are NOT included in that price so you will have to calculate the total price to see what the final $$ will be.
2.  It APPEARS as though the requirement to eat at least one meal on nights #1 or #2 is gone.  The CP no longer required me to choose a "first" meal time.  That's a good thing, IMO.  Hopefully you can now use your packages on any days/nights that you choose.
3.  It appears as though all of the individual restaurants still require you to calculate gratuities....IOW, the grats are not included in the posted price for individual restaurants.  Some of the individual restaurants that I checked were less $$ than when I first purchased and some were not.  Just be sure that you know what you'll be paying BEFORE you cancel anything and/or purchase at the "reduced" price.  It seems like the package prices include grats.
4.  I was not able to use any of my available OBC when I purchased/repurchased my specialty dining.  It gave me the option of using the OBC but the final price was never reduced by the amount of the OBC so I am HOPING that the OBC is still there.  This is uncertain to me at the moment.  Hopefully the OBC will reappear in a day or so.
5.  As far as I can tell, the ability to make pre-purchased dining reservations ahead of time has still not been implemented.  I was never prompted to make any specific reservations.
6.  Other items in the CP may also be on sale.  I have only looked at dining so I am unaware if other areas of the CP are similarly affected.
The prices are pretty good (considering the upward trend for specialty pricing) and I saved quite a bit of $$ by cancelling and repurchasing but it took me a while to figure out the secret code.

Thursday, day 7.  Due to call at St Kitts today but not arriving until 11 AM.  Nothing planned for today.
We have been blessed with beautiful weather and calm seas for this entire trip.  So fortunate !
Off to breakfast at Giovanni’s.  It’s one of my very favorite Pinn perks.  

Tonite dinner was Izumi.  There is no hibachi on EX so it’s always sushi only….which is fine with me.  I’m not a fan of the hibachi menu (or the “show”) anyway.  This was night #2 of our 3 night dining package.  Chops on night #9, the last night.
Insider tip:  if you see chopsticks nearby, this is probably NOT guacamole.

We went to the casino after dinner (who’s surprised) and it was a mixed bag.  Dan and I played some Dancing Drums (b/c the pigs were all occupied) and we lost a little bit.  Dan went and played some video poker and won while  I played some UTH and lost.  Ugh.  Back in the room now.
Tomorrow is St Kitts (again) and we have no plans to get off.  Today was another visit to Grenada and we just got off for a little while and browsed the terminal shops.  I bought Dan a couple of new Caribbean shirts which he DESPERATELY needed.  He’s been wearing the same sad ones we bought in Aruba probably 12 years ago !  Most of them are missing buttons and I’m a terrible wife who has never fixed them for him.  It’s easier just to buy some new shirts !  He now has 2 new ones…

Thanks, Greg. We really are having a blast.
Unfortunately we will just be on that 1, 4 nighter (8-15).  We usually try and snag a couple of add-ons (just like we’re doing now on EX) but so far it hasn’t happened with these IN cruises (June and Aug) but there’s still time !
 
It would be great to finally meet you guys.

Others have already posted tibs and tabs about this but I don't think there's a thread devoted to it...at least, not that I know of.
There has been a CP "sale" going on for a couple of days.  It is "on again/off again" but it's back on today.
BUT - BE CAREFUL.  Some of the dining packages include gratuities in the "list price" and some do not so be careful cancelling something that you already have until you know for SURE that it's going to be a savings.
1.  It appears as though MOST of the packages - UDP and 3 night, already include the grats.  If the grats are included, it will say so below the advertised price.  If it says "Gratuities Included" then the final price will simply be the number of packages that you are purchasing, multiplied by the price of the package(s) you are purchasing.  If it says "pre-cruise savings", the grats are NOT included in that price so you will have to calculate the total price to see what the final $$ will be.
2.  It APPEARS as though the requirement to eat at least one meal on nights #1 or #2 is gone.  The CP no longer required me to choose a "first" meal time.  That's a good thing, IMO.  Hopefully you can now use your packages on any days/nights that you choose.
3.  It appears as though all of the individual restaurants still require you to calculate gratuities....IOW, the grats are not included in the posted price for individual restaurants.  Some of the individual restaurants that I checked were less $$ than when I first purchased and some were not.  Just be sure that you know what you'll be paying BEFORE you cancel anything and/or purchase at the "reduced" price.  It seems like the package prices include grats.
4.  I was not able to use any of my available OBC when I purchased/repurchased my specialty dining.  It gave me the option of using the OBC but the final price was never reduced by the amount of the OBC so I am HOPING that the OBC is still there.  This is uncertain to me at the moment.  Hopefully the OBC will reappear in a day or so.
5.  As far as I can tell, the ability to make pre-purchased dining reservations ahead of time has still not been implemented.  I was never prompted to make any specific reservations.
6.  Other items in the CP may also be on sale.  I have only looked at dining so I am unaware if other areas of the CP are similarly affected.
The prices are pretty good (considering the upward trend for specialty pricing) and I saved quite a bit of $$ by cancelling and repurchasing but it took me a while to figure out the secret code.

My mistake ... balconies aren't sold out ... they're just $5600!

So, I didn't screen shot the watchlist (I was too busy booking a room at the new prices,) but outside GTY cabins were listed at $836pp with $150 onboard credit.  I have an inside GTY at $845 with no onboard credit.  Gratuities increased by 2 bucks pp/pd after Jan 1, which isn't a big deal.  I'm on the phone with RCI right now trying to get them to match the deals.  My cost will increase by $38, but I'll move across the hall and have a buck fifty to spend onboard.  Overall, it's a win.
Strangely, when next updated my watchlist, balcs and suites were sold out, and inside/outside cabins were $3000 & $3200!
You know I want my deal on hold!
More to follow ....

I am doing my first Alaskan cruise this Sept on Quantum. I too normally cruise regular. We are in Interior VB and have excursions planned for 3/4 ports. So, I am looking forward to this blog. 

Ok, with our flight to Miami less than 24 hours away, I'm happy to report that Kelli is completely packed, and I.....am not.  But don't worry I have plenty of time to have things squared away before the car services arrives to take us to the airport in the morning 😉. 
One interesting thing of note that I'm not sure I've seen mentioned before.  It seems that Hard Rock Hotel has teamed up with Club Royal.

Sounds fun and exciting 🙂 
And we just found out that both Phoenix and DSB will play on this sailing!  We love live music, so this is a real treat!

 
We are also checked in for our flight and ready to go in the morning!  The plane we are taking starts the day in Houston then makes a quick turn in New Orleans and then back for our flight at noon.
The excitement is building!
Tic Toc

We had an accessible room on 14 (14295) - I wasn't a fan...the zip line came right over head of our room and the teen area was right above just to the left of the room (when sitting on the balcony) where there were always teens standing and looking over the railing throughout the day.
I'd avoid deck 14 and even 13 to some extent closer to the base of the U.  

We use our card for all everyday purchases and then redeem the points for on board credit for our cruises. I have never used the points for an actual cruise. 

I did notice that but I don’t know why you’re so confused 🤔 OBVIOUSLY it means only kids are allowed to eat on Nights 2 & 3!!🤓 However, breakfast and lunch menus are there so we better eat real good then🤣🤣

So I was at my door when security showed up at the room across the hall from me. I heard security say someone reported them for smoking on the balcony so they monitored them with video and caught them doing it and have video evidence. They then asked if they could come in. I obviously wasn't privy to the rest of the conversation but I haven't seen them since.
So what is the penalty for something like this? Just curious.

True.  The one and only time we had some OBC left it was from the credit card and it was returned to the CC. 

Symphony seems like a popular choice.  I also chose Symphony for Dec 1-8, upgraded to a gty balcony.
I actually tried to sneak in an 8 day on Oasis for the same week but 3 different reps weren't having it.  I'll usually try something 3 times with different reps (like upgrade prices) before I go to plan B.

The people (not all) in the WJ are often a special breed. I will never forget that kid sucking that sausage and putting it back, the mom seeing but not telling the staff. 

On this episode of Windjammer guests behaving badly...

I watched a lady just stand there at the wall next to the condiment pumps and eat her dessert..and then she just left and walked off.
This was after I watched another guest taste test stuff as she put it on her plate..just full on picking it off her plate with her hands. 🤢
 

This is why my range bag is only a range bag and nothing else.

Thanks, was able to cancel my Sake & Sushi lunch and rebook ; saved a couple of $$ , but that's money in my pocket not Royals'.🤣

I also had a problem trying to use my OBC to purchase airport shuttle tixs on the website. Tried it on the app and it worked. so maybe a glitch on the website??

I've noticed the pricing plateau as well the past several months.  I think we may have finally hit the ceiling on dining (and beverage) package pricing.  Now if only internet and shore excursion pricing would finally top out too...