billdauterive

Another data point, I've received all of mine via email from the past several I've taken.  Latest was late June.  I'm both the primary reservation and cardholder on file so can't help with that question of which gets the email statement.

No idea about printouts because I've always just tossed them anytime I get them.

23 minutes ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

Wouldn't a stop in Victoria satisfy the PVSA?

No.  It's not a DISTANT foreign port (i.e. not North America) that's needed for one way sailings.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passenger_Vessel_Services_Act_of_1886

2 hours ago, Thom Cruise said:

The rich irony of people on a cruise ship that bellows noxious fumes all over them for hours being irate at the smell of cigarettes is charming. 

I'm guessing quite a few of you were wearing tribute ear patches this week. 

There's a lot of things that negatively impact my enjoyment of life, but I take them in my stride. 

 

38 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Despite having the correct C&A number on the reservation, they created a new one on my last cruise.  And since my wife has more points and I see her total in my account, I never would have known until doing a mock booking and the system not accepting my number.

I called RC and they found the duplicate and are merging the new into the old. Kind of annoying and I have no idea how that'd happen.

Yep.  They should merge the 2 and then inactivate one.  Just keep checking your past cruises to ensure you get the points eventually.  It took 2 times to finally get it resolved in my case.

I've always suggested Almaplena as an alternative.  Farther out than Maya Chan but about the same travel time since it uses the "highway" instead of the beach road.  Now I haven't been there since pre-covid so I don't know if the experience has changed much since then.  The price has gone up to $96/pp where it used to be the same as Maya Chan.  More private and secluded with less total people and more beach but the food and drink menu is smaller.  Also not nearly as good for kids.

https://www.almaplenabeachresort.com/beachclub/costamaya-beach_break.htm

If anyone has actually been there recently I would really love to here your experience.  This is always my backup plan if Maya Chan isn't available, but I haven't had to use it yet.

Noon arrival day of on an international departure?!?!  Absolute insanity!!!  And this is coming from someone who almost always flies in day of for every domestic departure and will book 10am flights for disembarkation. 

Personally I would do everything you can to convince them to change to at least the night before.  If they still won't, I wouldn't travel with them and arrive myself 1 to 2 days before.  Everything and I mean EVERYTHING has to go perfect for you to possibly make that cruise with that arrival.

And in your case looks like it's filled by the former college lineman who still lives at the frat house...

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

Guy who was supposed to be at CocoCay alone tomorrow but is now being joined by Allure.

Ah the dreaded middle seat tragedy.  Even though the middle seat next to you doesn't appear to be filled before your flight, someone will always be seating it in by the time the doors close...

Norwegian fjords was your FIRST cruise!?!?  That's amazing!  Just know for the future that Caribbean/Mediterranean cruising will be a VERY different experience if/when you take one.

23 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

I read that as they're open to doing it again, but it may not be any time soon and they may structure things a lot differently.

Exactly.  I was actually encouraged by it.  Personally I wouldn't be able to do it in the next few years but could be in a position to in 5+ years.  Plus just like a new ship class, they can learn from what works and what doesn't on the initial attempt to improve the next iteration of it.

On 7/11/2024 at 1:02 PM, TessFromFlorida said:

Personal question, I know... if you feel comfortable answering, what do you spend out of pocket- no credits, no perks- to reach Prime in just one cruise? I am trying, but I feel like I am just not very good at this whole gambling w slots thing. I equate this to trips to the grocery store for a week, so.....so far I am down 2 weeks groceries with 1 day left, ($360) and I am only at 400 points.... what am I doing wrong? Playing max bets on penny slots. 

Obviously the actual values will vary wildly based on pure luck, but will almost always will be under $1pp unless you're really unlucky (like me).
I don't play slots but the math is pretty simple.  Assuming an 80% avg rate of return (which is a really tight machine), $12500 played through will return $10000 which is a $2500 loss.  $2500 for 2500 points is $1/pp.

At an 85% avg rate of return (which I think some have speculated is the rate on the ships), $12500 played through will return $10625 which is a loss of $1875.  $1875 for 2500 points is $.75/pp.

RIght now you're at $.90/pp which would be a little unlucky for 85% avg rate of return or a little lucky for 80% avg rate of return but well within the expected deviation for the machines.  So in summary it seems like you are on the normal track for the cost to reach prime.  You just need to be willing to lose more in a shorter period of time to accomplish it in 1 cruise.
 

19 hours ago, CHart said:

My hand pay last week

Ok, you've convinced me to bankroll your slots play next time I'm on a cruise with you.  I was there for your hand pay on the last night in Oct so now I know it's not an isolated incident and just business as usual for you!

1 hour ago, SplashOfWater said:

Plus you get the vapers who don't consider it smoking so they do it anywhere, including their balcony.

Don't get me started on those folks...

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

It is always someone coming in, not playing the games, but wanting to smoke because it more convenient than going to the deck. 

Absolutely this!  I get so irritated when someone comes up behind me to watch the craps game while lighting up and no intention of playing!  There's only 1 craps table (minus Oasis and Icon class) and it's only open in the evening so it's not like I can move to a different table or try at some other time of day.

14 hours ago, twangster said:

Rumors are some earlier classes may get smoke free casino areas in upcoming dry docks.  Larger ships like Freedom class have the real estate for this.   It’s not clear if smaller ships will ever go this way.  

I really wish they would make the Radiance class smoke free.  It's so bad on just that class it travels well outside the confines of the casino.  I gamble a lot but I find it hard to for long periods on that class simply from the overwhelming smoke.

I know you're really just ranting about the absurdity of it but thought I'd give some info for others.
My experience with embarkation lunches is that the reservation times are very flexible.  I always book the first available slot (noon) even with all the unknowns with the actual boarding time and that I may not actually be on the ship until later.  I've been 30 mins late many times without issue and even an hour late once without issue.  Most of the time the specialty restaurant is nowhere near full so accommodating you when you arrive late shouldn't be an issue.

14 hours ago, CHart said:

I get 4.5% cash back on Royal.

Which card do you use to get that level of cash back?!  I may have to add a new card...

Once again, this is one of the most helpful services out there.  I would encourage everyone to use it as long as your flight is the same day after noon and is with a compatible airline.

I really wish other ports would start offering an option like it.  I wouldn't be as inclined to find the first flight out of town and would hang around longer if I didn't have baggage to lug around.

2 hours ago, CarolfromFL said:

Will their boarding pass system acknowledge pre-selected my seat assignment and if I have TSA Precheck?  

100% yes.  I just used the service last week and had both a selected seat and pre-check.

I'm a little confused.  Did you do a mock through the website?  If so I still see it breaking out the taxes/fees and stateroom at the final step.

Or are you talking about the invoice sent after a booking is made that has the breakdown of all the line items (and fuzzy casino math)?  If so then that wouldn't be just a mock booking, but it would be a big change if the rate isn't broken down any more.

On 6/28/2024 at 11:11 AM, Ampurp85 said:

Thank you, I actually ended up booking "Klondike Summit and Historic city tour". My brother has klondike rock climbing during a similar time, then we plan to get lunch downtown, so I will check out Skagway brewing company. 

You failed the test.  White Pass Railroad is the only correct answer for a first time visitor regardless of the price.

But your option isn't bad.  I would also recommend Klondike Brewing Company and Skagway Spirits Distillery if you like that type of thing.  Wandering around the shops in town is also an easy experience. 

There's also a few nice hikes around of varying level and length (once again if you like that type of thing).  There's one that starts by the airport that goes out to the point with a great view of the inlet and is a pretty easy mostly flat hike.

On 6/18/2024 at 1:12 PM, Diqui said:

I found this when I Googled, "Can I change an existing Casino Royale reservation?"

My boyfriend hit prime, and we used that status to book a 7-night cruise on Harmony out of Galveston in March 2025. We've paid taxes, port fees, and gratuities.

Last week, we got a "save the date" card from friends who are getting married in Paris in May 2025.

Does anyone know if it's possible to change that to a Mediterranean cruise before the wedding? We're thinking we could sail out of Barcelona or Rome/Civitavecchia, since we could get cheap airfare from either or decent train fare from Barcelona.

Thanks for any insights

In your specific case no, because the new cruise would be after the expiration date of the offer (prime annual offers expire March 31, 2025).

In general though you can change an offer as many times as you like, as long as the offer code it's booked under isn't expired.  Final payment date, guest changes, upgrades, onboard purchases, alignment of the stars, etc have no bearing on the ability to change.  The offer code expiration date is the only factor that matters.

The only machines I play onboard.

You can check the instant certificates sailing list at http://clubroyaleoffers.com/CertificateOfferCodeLookUp.asp and entering the proper code.  I always do this right before I sail to at least have a general idea of what point levels (if any) I want to work toward.
1200 & 1500 point lists work for a lot of people.  There's more Galveston options starting at the 2000 point level so breaking it up also may not work for your situation.  Also be aware that the lists change each month so a sailing that was offered on a current month's list may not be offered at the same level next month.

Here's the code format for instant certs:

Quick tip if you're still employed, check with your employer if they have special rental rates with any rental companies.   Mine has a fantastic fixed rate with Avis so I will usually default to a rental car when traveling in the US or Canada unless I see another excursion I think is more worthwhile or the city doesn't have a location within walking distance.