JohnK6404

Enjoy your cruise!

I would definitely call the Crown & Anchor line (800-526-9723) and question them! I'm not sure if you were in a "solo" cabin or "normal" double-occupancy cabin. That may be the reason. Please let us know how you make out either way!

Not that I'm aware of.... the latest C&A guidelines for sailings 10/13/23 and onward per RC... As long as you paid the single pricing rate (booked cabin for one vs. two guests at double occupancy rate) you should get 2 points per night. Our friend had paid the double occupancy rate for a sailing last year... her husband could not make the cruise and she sailed solo, but only received one point per night since she had paid the double occupancy rate for her cabin. Doesn't make any sense to me, but who am I? Last page of document... Crown and Anchor Member Benefits (royalcaribbean.com)

It certainly won't be easy... you figure on a week-long sailing (assuming every night is sold out) only a max of 266 guests will be able to experience it for the entire sailing. Please report back on your experience!

We had 10:30-11:00 check-in too for our 10/29/23 Wonder sailing (PC).

I don't think it should be included, but at least they should get the same discount as those with the UDP at $130 pp. The number of Star Class guests is very limited compared to the folks with the UDP.

I'm sorry to tag on, but is it just me? Are they still holding back on specialty dining restaurants for Icon? Only 4 specialty restaurants listed in the Cruise Planner (Chops, Giovanni's, Izumi Sushi/Hibachi, and Hooked). We know no Mason Jar, 150 Central Park, or Wonderland on Icon, but I can't imagine there will be fewer choices. ... or are they just offering more casual (no reservation) choices similar to Playmakers, Portside BBQ, etc.

Yes, one seating daily at 6:00 PM for my 5/11/24 sailing.

It's ridiculous, but it appears so... no discount for Star Class guests, only for folks with the UDP. Star Class guests should at least get the UDP discounted price! We like the new concept, but that $200 cover price is a little crazy! It's more than twice the cost of Chef's Table! I mentioned it to Christine tonight and she yelled, "no way!"...

I'm going to wait and see for now...

I should set that up! LOL! I have it set for deposits/withdrawals on my other accounts, should set that up for my CC's!

A similar issue occurred a few years ago and the explanation sounds familiar. Apparently, the process is: (1) Royal submits charges to CC, (2) CC confirms either approved or declined, and finally (3) Royal electronically "collects" the funds from the CC. Chase claims I'm stuck in step 3 right now... Royal has not reached out to collect after Chase verified/approved the amount(s).

Not sure if they ever showed as pending transactions... I did not check for 2-3 days (when I checked to confirm the credit for the cancellation).

OK, here's my update... As mentioned previously, on the evening of 11/8 I cancelled one previously purchased CP item, rebooked it at the lower sale price, and purchased 5 other items. The credit from the cancellation hit my Chase VISA within a couple of days with 11/9 as the transaction date. None of the 6 purchases from that evening have posted or appeared as pending on my Chase VISA. I called Royal Caribbean via the Crown & Anchor number (800-526-9723) and got through immediately. The rep confirmed all 6 items were in "Approved" status in their system (vs. "Pending") and I should have absolutely nothing to worry about... They of course suggested I call Chase to find out why these charges have not posted to my account. I called Chase and they explained all 6 transactions are showing as "Approved" in their system (not declined), but have not posted because Royal has not "Collected" the funds electronically to date. Only after the funds are collected by Royal, and the transaction is fully completed, will the charges post to the credit card. I called back RC... the CS rep had no idea what I was referring to and just explained that everything is proper/approved in their system and I have nothing to worry about... So, Chase explained the posting "issue", but Royal CS apparently could not offer anything further. I'll just wait a few more days and call back if these funds are not collected by Royal.

My wife an I were briefly looking at the Oasis 8-night Southern Caribbean itinerary in early 2026 as we want to get back to Aruba, Curacao, etc., but we may also just change gears and wait for the FEB release to consider Symphony up here and take advantage of no airfare/hotel/food expenses (just parking). We'll see! Hmmm...

Same here... the credits for a cancelled cruise planner item that I repurchased on 11/8/23 posted the next day on my statement, but none of my purchases from 11/8/23 are showing on my credit card account. Always some "issue" around these BF/CM sales!

Ooooooo, she'll still be here?! We might have to book her before she leaves Bayonne!

No Symphony yet…

That’s one major change in the MDR we’ve also noticed since the restart. Prior to the shutdown, we always had a 3-person team in the MDR. The waiter, assistant waiter, and a floating beverage server. The last few sailings post-Covid shutdown, we relied on the assistant waiter to coordinate and deliver the drinks which always took waaay too long.

So sad, thoughts and prayers for the family. When we went to Blue Lagoon Island back in Oct 2021 for the dolphin encounter the waters were really rough as we approached!

So jealous! Getting "sick" of Giovanni's, LOL!

Inching even closer!

We did not ask at Hooked (was tempted!), but a couple of us did in 150 Central Park. The waiter explained that the Lobster Thermidor was not very filling. I couldn't decide, so he brought out that dish and the Veal Medallion dish I was eyeing! Not sure if having the UDP helped this time in any way, but I know they do the best they can go the extra mile. One thing we noticed in all of the specialty dining restaurants (not Playmakers) this time around was that all of the waiters effectively extended our DBP to the other couple we sailed and dined with! My wife and I had the DBP, but the other couple did not. The only exception... in one of the restaurants they had to pay for their first glass of wine.

Following this! Thanks for posting this, @happy cruisers 2! May I also ask, what is the difference (other than $39!) between the "Chacchoben Mayan Ruins" and the "Chacchoben Ruins Exclusive Drive" excursions? Both are 4 hours and by bus... Thanks!

Glad to hear you arrived safely! Have a great time with your sister! We'll all be following!