B&S

On 2/14/2023 at 3:10 PM, melmar02 said:

Usually the last page of the survey is open to text entry. I include the details of standout crew in that section and also use it as a "suggestion box".

LOL!  We just got off the Radiance and had a LOT of (not so positive) comments to provide but the survey was there when we got home, then gone the next day.  

On 4/6/2023 at 10:02 AM, WAAAYTOOO said:

The truth is, I probably wouldn't even worry about contacting them ahead of time.  My recent experience is that they have pretty much abandoned the "group seating" concept as a default arrangement.  Yes, you can still request group seating but I think they have realized that most people really don't enjoy sitting with strangers and prefer private (or what they try and pass as private) dining.

If you just go to the MDR on boarding day, you can pretty much request your table.  It's kind of important to go to the MDR on the first night so that you can "claim" your table.  If you are doing MTD it's certainly not a guarantee that you will get that same table every night (especially if you miss a night or 2 due to specialty dining or for whatever reason) but they really do an excellent job of trying to accommodate your individual requests.  I have been amazed at how consistently they have put us either in the exact same table we request on the first night OR at least put us with the same servers.

Best of luck !!  Don't worry.  You WILL get a table for 2 if you ask for that.  Where that table is located is a bit more of a toss-up unless you go and scout the dining room yourself and pick out a nice table for yourself !

Depends on the ship.  We just got off the Radiance of the Seas in Galveston and almost all were "shared" tables.

Disgusting!  For all of us seniors who have worked all our lives to make Diamond and above, it's sad to see kids make it to Pinacle at tht age.

Recently saw the cruise price hikes...ouch!  We've been LOYAL Royal cruisers, switching from Carnival, for 15 years now.  I read how Jason Liberty is raving about the price increases and saying he's getting no backlash from passengers.  Is this really true?  We're Diamond+ and Prime, but it looks like we're being priced out of future cruises.  Does anyone else feel this way?  Also, what are the "WatchList" icons when looking at cruise fares?

On 12/17/2022 at 5:28 PM, Pattycruise said:

Table play has points calculated by $ amount per hand, # of hands played and time at the table.  They punch you into the table when you sit, and they pause you if you sit out a hand or leave for the bathroom etc.   if you are going to attempt the  tables go to the Learn to play sessions onboard -usually night 1 and maybe day 2. (Depends on the itinerary) also learn the payouts, not all dealers are good with them and it’s typically not in your favor.     If you can sit for an hour on $100 that’s great!  You can then go to the host and ask how many table points you have and try to generalize your points earned for that table time and in the future if you continue to play the same $ amount per hand and similar #’s of people sitting at the table then your points should be similar per hour.  If you were playing with 2 people at the table and now there are 7 people at the table you’re playing fewer hands per hour. 
 

Slots. For every $5 played you earn - point.  Some machines you can set the $amount(or cents) . A 1 penny machine at max bet may be $1.20 per hand.  If you change the value played to 2 cents and play max bet it would be $2.40 per hand (this is just an example.  The cheapest hand on 1 cent may be 20 credits (20 cents).

then you have 88 cent machines that can multiply to 1.76, 2.64 , up to 8.88 per hand or on another line you might have 22 cents etc.  

if you are going to play a machine and look for a jackpot you would need to understand if you need to play a certain amount to be eligible for the big payout. A machine that comes to mind is Quickhits…play $1.50 per spin to be eligible for top win. 
I’ve sat at machines and asked the person next to me “what do I need to know? “-this is if their machine is identical to mine.  Most want to share their knowledge.

my last cruise a guy was playing $35 per spin on video poker.  Idk how much he played but he hit for $96k.  I’m sure he’s a high roller,  his wife mentioned he hit for $80k in another casino.  Video poker only earns 1pt for every $10 played.

I’ve sat at machines and my $100 got me  barely any points.  You need to have the machine payout to keep playing on THEIR money, not just you putting in $.

I’ve never heard of prime earning 2 free cruises, maybe that’s a thing of the past? Also my explanation for the free annual cruise for Prime is of course subject to change when April comes around.

 

Since when can a 12 year old be to prime status?  You have to be at least 18 years old.

On 11/28/2022 at 11:54 AM, jbrinkm said:

We had a chocolate fountain on Allure in April. My kids LOVED it (the adults too). It was right outside WJ in the foyer on the last sea day.

Just got off the Allure on a back-to-back.  Unfortunately, no chocolate fountain.  Nice Thanksgiving dinner however.

12 minutes ago, asquared17 said:

when you reach your first 140 points, they are supposed to reward you with a crystal block of the ship you were on when you earned it! i know they have been delayed, so many folks have had to call crown and anchor to get it shipped to them or visit the loyalty desk while on board.

and then you get them every certain amount of points after that!

Thanks!  We're both at 148 so maybe we'll get them on the Allure.  At least we'll talk to the C&A representative.

On 9/22/2022 at 8:09 PM, asquared17 said:

ahahahaha this is me another few cruises and should be D+ by 2024 caribbean only too.

i am excited to hopefully receive my crystal block on odyssey in december (i'm 3 points shy right now) and hope they will have them aboard.

What is the crystal block?  We make Diamond+ in March on the Radiance...doing a b-to-b so will get it the following week, we hope!

On 9/4/2022 at 11:56 AM, LCWind said:

I have around 3500 points and have consistently achieved Prime.  In the first half of this year, I get 1 if not 2 offers a month.  BUT I have not been getting any offers the last 3 months.  Any idea why that might be? Any suggestions on what I should do? Thanks in advance and have a great Labor Day weekend!

We haven't been getting offers either and just achieved Prime for all of next year.  I spoke with the casino host and was told they would send an email but nothing yet.

So much for the Solarium being "adults only"

Hate that they've lifted the non-smoking in the casino  I guess Royal doesn't care about it's traveler's health!

1 hour ago, Va4fam said:

With all apologies to anyone that enjoys smoking, count me in for the permanent banning of smoking in all indoor areas of the ship, including casino.

 

Totally agree with you!  I wish RCL would read some of the "no smoking" comments they get and do something about it.  If Celebrity revenue isn't hurt by non-smoking casinos, then it shouldn't hurt RCL either.

Does anyone know the link to the Royal Up program to see where things stand?  Thanks!

Ordered from Optum 2-pack $69.99, free shipping

Order placed 1/10/22

Order delivered 1/13/22

Production date 12-08-21

Expiration date 11-20-22

On 12/21/2021 at 5:32 AM, castle25 said:

hopefully smoking will be banned forever all over the ship

and on all ships!

Wonderful new...make it happen on all the ships and PERMANENTLY!

We usually look at InsureMyTrip.com...many different policies to offer.

Do you have to order a 2-pack per person or does one pack work for both people?  I understand there's a chance that Zoom will lose connection...does that happen often in personal experience?

11 hours ago, AHollyS said:

Is there a plastic sleeve anyone is using? Some think the card can go in and out, but is still super slim. I have seen the "plague pass" carriers, but they are bulkier than I'm looking for. Ideally it would be paper clipped into my passport.

Amazon has quite a few sleeve choices.

Does it even work?  I uploaded my pictures and the got the "green" checkmark, but nothing shows.  Is this the way it's supposed to work?

45 days out...tried the app and computer with no luck after getting the email to check in.

3 hours ago, Shari said:

Gotta love Royal IT.  I just got an email to check in.  I go to my phone and click on the app and no check in available.  I call up my email on the phone and click on the link which takes me to the app and no check in available.  Sign out of the app and sign back in and no check in available.  Go back to my computer and sign into my account on the computer and NO CHECK IN AVAILABLE.  Sign out and then go back to my email on my computer and click the link and you guessed it no check in available.  I think someone at Royal jumped the gun and sent out emails when check in was still unavailable.

The same thing happened to us.  We had cancelled a cruise we were already checked in for, then booked another one 45 days out.  Now we're getting the "check in" email but no check in available.  I sent them an email questioning what is going on...we'll see if I hear anything back.  Very frustrating!!!

3 bookings and no such email...booked through Casino Royale

Hobby is most convenient.  We stay in Kemah every cruise (about 45 minutes from the port).  Good priced hotels, good food and entertainment if you want it.

We're driving from Texas to Port Canaveral...any ideas on where we might get the PCR/antigen test along the way (Mississippi)?  Does anyone know if the self-tests available at CVS, Sam's Club, etc are a viable option?  These are fast and you can buy them before you leave home and do them yourself along the way.