tcneal

+1

I wish Royal would enforce the indoor mask rule on the Odyssey of the Seas which I just finished today.  People need to understand Masks will be part of everyone's life for a while.  It is no different than we stopped indoor smoking on flights and restaurants.   Smokers were complaining for a long time but everyone accepted now.

Hello Jess,
Not to hijack this great thread but I thought I could answer your question.  I just got off the Odyssey yesterday and the limits for Ultimate Holdem were mostly $5 during the day and $10 in the evenings.  Strangely, Blackjack was just the opposite most days the lowest was $15 and in the evenings you could find a $10 table.
Now back to the questions for Chris...

Hello Jess,
Not to hijack this great thread but I thought I could answer your question.  I just got off the Odyssey yesterday and the limits for Ultimate Holdem were mostly $5 during the day and $10 in the evenings.  Strangely, Blackjack was just the opposite most days the lowest was $15 and in the evenings you could find a $10 table.
Now back to the questions for Chris...

This is my fear for the cruise lines.  As I have said before, I don't think people will stay home.  I think people will decide to go and not to follow the rules.  Unfortunately, it will be another rule up to the workers to enforce.   As with other cases (chair hogs, babies in pools, smoking, etc.) it will not be enforced evenly.   Which, I don't blame the staff.  They are there to make sure everyone is having a good time, not to police.  If the cruise lines put a policy in place, I hope they invest in some sort of enforcement (and I have no clue what that would be) and not leave it to the waiters, bartenders, housekeeping, etc.
You are in the same area as me and I see the same thing.   When I go out to Home Depot or grocery stores, everyone has a mask on.  Dicks Sporting Goods was passing them out at the door.  And there are no issues.  But any social gathering, there is a big population of people who refuse to wear one.

This is my fear for the cruise lines.  As I have said before, I don't think people will stay home.  I think people will decide to go and not to follow the rules.  Unfortunately, it will be another rule up to the workers to enforce.   As with other cases (chair hogs, babies in pools, smoking, etc.) it will not be enforced evenly.   Which, I don't blame the staff.  They are there to make sure everyone is having a good time, not to police.  If the cruise lines put a policy in place, I hope they invest in some sort of enforcement (and I have no clue what that would be) and not leave it to the waiters, bartenders, housekeeping, etc.
You are in the same area as me and I see the same thing.   When I go out to Home Depot or grocery stores, everyone has a mask on.  Dicks Sporting Goods was passing them out at the door.  And there are no issues.  But any social gathering, there is a big population of people who refuse to wear one.

This could be an opportunity to test a ban on smoking.   If they're going to require masks, which they could in the Casino, how can you smoke?   I would welcome it but my guess is that they don't want to tick more people off.  

I like this.   One thing I have always been curious about is where they make the most money?    The $10 table that is packed or the $50 table with 1 or 2 people.   You could just count the money per seat but usually the people at the $10 tables are worst players, so the casino probably makes more money off of them.

I love ultimate texas hold'em but the money leaves your pocket a lot faster than blackjack.  I will have to try Pai Gow.

@NEbluebird The country was never shut down, it was partially opened. Not being able to do anything like in China for fear of jail or death, is shut down. I know of speakeasy's in my home town of Chicago. My mother works for a grocery chain, she has continued working her regular schedule.
That being said America as a whole won't get to zero cases because of peoples lack of empathy, narcissism, and autonomy. Some parts of the UK are getting down to single digits too, yet Georgia and Florida have seen their highest cases yet. I am glad things are reopening but loath the fact that people want to rush back to normal. This is a social disease with a ton of unknown variables. RCCI or any line cannot afford any negative press, all it takes is a possible case of Covid to set everything back.

Ignore the % off.  It is slight-of-hand.  Just look at the final price for comparisons.  Anything in the 40’s is a fair rate right now.  The DBP is ranging from $41-$49 PP/PD.  If you purchase and the price goes down, you can cancel and rebook at the lower rate.

I could see more tournaments that require registration and offer the ability to control the number of people at each  table.  Maybe less drop in play.  I would agree to a mask or might choose to wear a mask, but I generally go to the casino when it is less crowded.  I am not a big gambler but could see the value  of regular players wanting good playing conditions, hence more reservation-style play.  Just a thought...

This could be an opportunity to test a ban on smoking.   If they're going to require masks, which they could in the Casino, how can you smoke?   I would welcome it but my guess is that they don't want to tick more people off.  

I called BOFA, the bank that holds my Royal Caribbean Visa, and I told them everything, faxed them my Cruise Planner cancellations, and they have put a 90 day payment hold on those purchases. She was incredious that Royal could charge me twice for the same excursion, but not refund me for at least the first one that I had cancelled (to rebooked for lower price). Then Lift and Shift happened, and now I am owed for the rebooked excursion. I told her there were a lot of uslike that.  I said that Royal could all of a sudden finally get their act together and we'd see the refunds. She said if that's the case, let them know and to cancel the disputes. Fair enough.

Not to argue with you but I got to Vegas in June 4th the day they opened I am currently still here and will be for another week.. So here is the deal each casino has different rules. All Caesars owned properties require you to wear a mask while playing table games. Any MGM hotels including Bellagio do not require masks because they put up the plastic plexiglass instead.. Also they have been constantly cleaning the chips offering people sanitizer and social distancing tables and slots. So I don’t know what your friends are talking about lol because trust me I hate the mask but if I want to play at Flamingo I gotta wear it. And let me say this also if people start to crowd the table the pit bosses come over and say step back 6 feet so crowding.. But I do agree if Vegas can open cruises can open. I feel safe in Vegas and I would feel safe on a cruise!

Great prices.  The best I have seen in years.   I had an OTW Cabana booked for our upcoming cruise for $649.   It just dropped to $383 and I rebooked.   I was debating if it was worth it at 649.   IMO, definitely worth it at $383.

Great prices.  The best I have seen in years.   I had an OTW Cabana booked for our upcoming cruise for $649.   It just dropped to $383 and I rebooked.   I was debating if it was worth it at 649.   IMO, definitely worth it at $383.

Hi all,
I would like to get opinions on sailing in suites that do not have Royal Suite class benefits (Oasis and Quantum class)?  I'm curious about mainly Voyager and Freedom class ships.   I know all of the differences and what's listed on the website, like no Coastal Kitchen or pool deck layout .   I want to get any personal observations if you feel some things were lacking.   Do you feel the service was any different?  Older layout in the rooms?  We are looking at the Explorer and very bummed that it will not be Amplified, so we might make a change to Oasis, but really want to keep the S. Carib. itinerary.   So, if the suite experience is not a lot worse, we might be keep the Explorer.   But, I'm torn.   We usually sail for the ship and not the ports, so the ship is important to us.  But we really want to hit the ABCs this time.
Anything you can share would be appreciated.

Hi all,
I would like to get opinions on sailing in suites that do not have Royal Suite class benefits (Oasis and Quantum class)?  I'm curious about mainly Voyager and Freedom class ships.   I know all of the differences and what's listed on the website, like no Coastal Kitchen or pool deck layout .   I want to get any personal observations if you feel some things were lacking.   Do you feel the service was any different?  Older layout in the rooms?  We are looking at the Explorer and very bummed that it will not be Amplified, so we might make a change to Oasis, but really want to keep the S. Carib. itinerary.   So, if the suite experience is not a lot worse, we might be keep the Explorer.   But, I'm torn.   We usually sail for the ship and not the ports, so the ship is important to us.  But we really want to hit the ABCs this time.
Anything you can share would be appreciated.

Now I wish those Coco Cay Cabana prices would drop.  They are still $1800 and above.   I wonder if they ever get purchases at that level?

Yes, you can cancel your package purchase and rebook at the lower price up until a day or 2 prior to sailing.
The entire purchase price will be refunded and you will completely repurchase an entire new package.  This same rule also applies to excursions purchased through the Cruise Planner.
It’s only fair to mention that Cruise Planner refunds are currently running a bit tardy with all of the COVID-related cancellations. It’s taking longer to get your money back from cancelled purchases than it normally does.

I have the read the article 3 times and there isn't anything in there that says Disney announced they are not reopening.   The title says "may not" and "Wall Street analyst says".  I'm not finding this a credible article.   If someone finds an announcement from Disney, can you please post?

I have the read the article 3 times and there isn't anything in there that says Disney announced they are not reopening.   The title says "may not" and "Wall Street analyst says".  I'm not finding this a credible article.   If someone finds an announcement from Disney, can you please post?

I have the read the article 3 times and there isn't anything in there that says Disney announced they are not reopening.   The title says "may not" and "Wall Street analyst says".  I'm not finding this a credible article.   If someone finds an announcement from Disney, can you please post?

My March 14th cruise as cancelled the day before we were to sail.  I have received my 125% FCC but have yet to receive any refund for port fees, taxes, gratuities or cruise planner purchases.  I only received my cruise planner confirmation on April 14th but still have not received the actual refund.  There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason as to timing at this point - I'm just hoping for a credit within 30 business days of April 14th at this point.  Unfortunately, RCL has been non responsive to email communications.  ?  I'm not a diamond cruiser but just made platinum so we definitely are loyal to RCL but the lack of communication has been very disappointing.