USFFrank

But it says it'll be the biggest one yet!! They don't just throw words like that around!! lol....

I've been checking drinks and internet packages since June for a cruise I'm taking in January. Whether it says 20%, 30% or 40% off, no matter what the percentage off says the packages always end up costing the exact same amount. It's that Royal Caribbean math, a sale is never really a sale. 
Kate

After our poor experience on the Carnival Mardi Gras last month, my wife and I have talked several times about what we didn't like.  I think the biggest overall disappointment is the evolution that has come not just to Carnival, but all of mainstream cruising.  We don't want an "app" we have to schedule everything we do.  In fact, other than touching base with the people at home once or twice during the week, we want to put our phones in the safe and leave them there.  We don't want "My Time Dining".  We much prefer the same table with the same waiter and assistant, a paper menu in a nice folder, at the same time each night.
We like a daily ship newspaper and schedule on our bed each night and announcements delivered by the Captain at noon each day.
We are forced to live our lives on our phones and laptops.  Vacation is a way for us to get away from technology.
Several years ago, we had to come to grips with the idea of automatic gratuities.  We didn't like it at first because some passengers took advantage of the workers by poorly tipping or not tipping at all.  We adapted and now see that is better.  We still be sure to bring a few extra 20s on board for those we recognize for good service.
To us, this new way of cruising is not better.  We will, in all likelihood, become "former" cruisers rather than adapt.  There are lots of land based vacations out there.
Technology does not make the cruise line better able to serve its current customers.  It allows the cruise line to jam more people onto the ship and "serve" them with less staff.  Sad to us.
As an additional rant, who in their right mind builds a new cruise ship without a Shuffleboard Court and an unusable walking/jogging track but with a roller coaster at sea that can't be used most days?  Carnival, that's who.  The others are sure to follow.
Anyone agree?  Or are we just spoiled Americans?
 

There are "sales" every 2 to 3 weeks. Black Friday often offers some good deals on cruise planner items but not always and not always the best ones. It's very important that you check prices at least every couple of days so that you're aware of how much they're selling for in the run-up to the sale.
And when I say prices, I mean the bottom line, not however much % discount they're offering because they manipulate those figures so that most of the time you're not getting the deal you thought you were getting.

Maybe it's a ghost tour? 👻

Look for more options to spend money and less options to save. This process will start with the flagship Icon of the seas which will standardize Mr Liberty’s vision. 

I don’t think long term success should be a concern considering the record number of people willing to pay these prices. I hate to say it but RC doesn’t care about loyalty or the legacy cruisers. The market caters to the new money cruisers and the families willing to spend exponentially more then the legacy cruisers complaining about the MDR or the $2 increase in gratuities. The new cruisers will buy the drink packages, pay for the overwater cabanas and spend tons of money in the casino. The gameplan is laid out and it’s pretty black & white. 

Psycho’s updated Pool Sign 😂😂😂

Breakfast and Lunch are potentially pushing the "don't reserve chairs for more than 30 minutes." Gone to bingo means you've reserved a chair that you're not using any time soon.

and here is the full rundown: 

@Neesa @SweetPea I think it’s just who you ask. I asked the suite concierge on LB and she provided it to me with no issues at all. Here is the breakdown, soon to be void as of November 11th. This is for suites:
 

Instead of charging for pizza they increased the gratuities 🤣

Seems like Mr. Liberty is tone deaf and I worry about the long term success of Royal with him at the helm. Why would you release this after just coming out with the news of record profits and making $1B last quarter. I totally get that they lost a crap ton of money during the stupid shutdown and have loans and stuff to pay back. But seriously, maybe do this like 2 months from now instead right after telling everyone how you are swimming in profits and are now going to find a way to take more of their money. 

Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:
It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too I would like to see more choice or no choice More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining I share the sentiment of many with 🤬
...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

Just wait until Liberty starts charging for the “premium” deck chairs (yes, the same deck chairs will be premium). The people will be in an uproar if they are this upset about a paltry $2 increase in daily gratuities! Coming to a theatre near you in Q1 2024 says a birdie I know from the crown palace in Miami. 

I agree with those that have expressed disappointment with the changes.  Increasing gratuities is fine (a sign of the times) but when reducing services at the same time it's a recipe for disaster.
Now that former CFO is in charge, expect more of this ......
RCL reported Net Income for the third quarter of $1.0 billion compared to Net Income of $33.0 million or $0.13 per share for the same period in the prior year.

Even more of a reason now just to include this in the cruise fare instead of a daily room charge.
 
Heck they could have just rolled the increase right into the cruise fare and no one would notice.

Psycho just made this one 😂😂😂

Now if this person has gone this far to create a special "this is my chair sign" for just 1 cruise, one would think they would also have the courtesy of making additional smaller plaques with the time of day (I'll be nice and say in 15 minute increments) on them (be sure to say either AM or PM). Those could be attached to the bottom of the sign. Left chair at 9:45 AM for example.
Yea I know, that would be asking too much.

Now if this person has gone this far to create a special "this is my chair sign" for just 1 cruise, one would think they would also have the courtesy of making additional smaller plaques with the time of day (I'll be nice and say in 15 minute increments) on them (be sure to say either AM or PM). Those could be attached to the bottom of the sign. Left chair at 9:45 AM for example.
Yea I know, that would be asking too much.

If this is so important to them then why don't they just take the dam chair back to their cabins. When they want to go out on deck they could simply plop it down wherever they want to. If it's in the same place they got it from just move back any unoccupied chairs that were moved in order to fill in the space made when they initially took the chair😉

Now if this person has gone this far to create a special "this is my chair sign" for just 1 cruise, one would think they would also have the courtesy of making additional smaller plaques with the time of day (I'll be nice and say in 15 minute increments) on them (be sure to say either AM or PM). Those could be attached to the bottom of the sign. Left chair at 9:45 AM for example.
Yea I know, that would be asking too much.

Now if this person has gone this far to create a special "this is my chair sign" for just 1 cruise, one would think they would also have the courtesy of making additional smaller plaques with the time of day (I'll be nice and say in 15 minute increments) on them (be sure to say either AM or PM). Those could be attached to the bottom of the sign. Left chair at 9:45 AM for example.
Yea I know, that would be asking too much.

Meanwhile....at Celebrity......pouring gas on your own flames.

Would be funny if it had to be removed due to breach of copyright! 
 
100% correct 
Some people talk about kids having no manners! Blame the parents for not bringing them up correctly then behave like spoilt brats themselves when things are not to their liking.