CelebrationFlCruiser

Yes, please

Wrong Picture....

Let's see, the last fire, happening months ago on the Freedom, is still being repaired and they did not cancel any cruise weeks. Just a guesstimate at $800 a stateroom X 2000 = $1,600,000 a week (a million, six a week). Would you dry dock it?

Seems like the new ice berg is fire-on-board. Maybe the cruise lines would be smart to get some fire experts on board to be in the engine rooms.

Here's another link: http://www.u.tv/News/2015/10/22/NI-mans-cruise-terror-as-fire-breaks-out-on-board-47462

"Royal Caribbean's Splendor of the Seas caught on fire this morning as the cruise ship was sailing in the Mediterranean near the Greek islands. “There’s thick acrid smoke all over the cabins," reported an Irish passenger according to UTV in London. “We can constantly smell smoke. Smoke here. Smoke everywhere. Everywhere on the ship we can smell smoke," added the passenger. A crew member contacted me after the engine room fire, saying that it was a "big fire" and the crew were summoned to their emergency stations for many hours. The ship is now heading toward Venice. There were no deaths and the cruise line claims that there were no injuries. However, a passenger commented that "many elderly and disabled passengers appeared to be struggling," He added “everything is smoke damaged. The smell of burning plastic and burning rubber was very thick on our floor so everything in our room is contaminated.†Royal Caribbean tweeted: "#SplendourOfTheSeas experienced a fire this morning in 1 of its engine rooms. Fire was contained & extinguished, all systems are functioning." Royal Caribbean experienced a large fire in July when the Freedom of the Seas erupted in flames as it approached Falmouth, Jamaica." J. Walker, Cruise Law http://www.cruiselawnews.com/2015/10/articles/fires-1/splendour-of-the-seas-catches-on-fire/

We also just got back from the FREEDOM of the SEAS. We love that ship and the crew. This seems to be the perfect size ship for us. We also noticed some unidentifiable smells just before docking in the lower deck areas. This was usually when we were at port. There are always some issues, but overall, this is a GREAT ship and crew. And, the Captain is understandable and seems truly interested in keeping the cruisers informed. One day we had to divert due to weather. The Captain was on the overhead explaining and came on the TV with maps and graphs to explain how he reached his decision to divert to another port. He, in my opinion is an excellent Captain. And almost the entire crew, with just a few exceptions, was excellent. It's a shame they are moving Freedom to Ft. Lauderdale. We like at Port Canaveral.

Went on the Freedom of the Seas on a B2B2B from September 13 through October 3rd, and I report that they are still working on the "very, very minimal" area that caught on fire. They still have temporary walls covering the affected area. One day on the cruise they had one of the walls down. The heat from the area was almost unbearable. The Diamond Club Lounge is still closed and has been relocated to a much smaller area. The whole area is still being repaired. From early in the morning until late at night you can hear men working. I feel sorry for those with rooms in the rear and are affected by the construction/renovation noise and constant banging. We ate at Johnny Rockets a couple of times, excellent food and entertainment I might say, and saw a bunch of workers going in and out of the work area. This has been quite a while since the actual fire. There are signs posted in the back of the ship outside and inside to in effect, please excuse the on-going work. When did the fire happen? There are now rumors that the Freedom is going into dry dock to complete the repairs, but that has not been confirmed.

Here's the latest for the Florida area. http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/gtwo.php?basin=atlc&fdays=2 11:00 AM AST Tue Sep 8 Location: 14.3°N 42.8°W Moving: W at 20 mph Min pressure: 1007 mb Max sustained: 35 mph Wind speed bursts up to: 58 mph (usually sustaining 1 minute) http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIAPWSAT2+shtml/081432.shtml _____________________________ Next is Hurricane: LINDA (Eastern Pacific area) http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCPEP5+shtml/081431.shtml obtained from the National Hurricane Center-Miami

"Quantum’s Most Important Innovation: Fast Curb-to-Cabin Check-in Perhaps Quantum’s most important innovation, smart check-in greatly reduces the time you spend in line on embarkation day. The new boarding procedure begins right in your own home. Simply hop online, fill out some details (passport information, birth date), and upload your own photo ID (take a picture with your webcam or upload a more formal portrait). Then, you print your documents and head for the port. When you arrive at the terminal, dozens of check-in agents are standing at the ready with tablets in hand. They scan your documents and passport and then direct you to the security line. Once you step through the metal detector, you’re on your way to your cabin. (The process took just eight minutes for me.) If you hand luggage over to the porter, it will be tagged with an RFID (radio-frequency identification) chip, which uses electromagnetic fields to wirelessly transmit data. In conjunction with an app on your smartphone, you can monitor the progress of your bags from check-in all the way to your cabin. Once you arrive at your cabin door, there will be an envelope that holds one key. Let yourself into your stateroom and you’ll find the next smart ship innovation waiting for you: Royal Caribbean’s WOWband wristbands." CN Traveler There's more; http://www.cntraveler.com/stories/2014-11-21/royal-caribbean-quantum-of-the-seas-smart-ship-technology

Going on the Anthem in November. Could not complete on-line check in without submitting acceptable pictures of all those in the stateroom. Yes, you can, not submit a picture, and do your check in at the port, but that would delay your boarding. I'm not sure how that would work. We have always done on-line check in. You have to complete on-line check in to get your SetSail Pass. This pass must be presented to enter the building at the port. I would think this would be a huge inconvenience. This was mandatory to complete on-line check in for the Anthum for the November sailing. It would not let you complete until an acceptable picture was submitted for everyone in the stateroom. And yes, you can arrive when you want, but again, that will delay your boarding. Currently this is only for the QUANTUM CLASS ships, (ANTHEM OF THE SEAS, OVATION OF THE SEAS, and QUANTUM OF THE SEAS ) Hopefully this will roll out to the fleet. Two positive points are, I can get a much better picture myself and others than relying on those webcams they have at the ports at check-in. And, this is one less step Royal Caribbean has to supply while checking in at the port. Everything being said, this new procedure should speedup the boarding process.

“Royal Caribbean Godmothers bring good fortune to our ships and guests†Royal Caribbean Perhaps you could choose a Royal Caribbean Godmother’s name. Royal Caribbean has named the Godmother for its soon-to-launch cruise ship Anthem of the Seas. Emma, she is a travel agent. Emma could bring good fortune to you, you have certainly brought good fortune to her. Emma, the latest and greatest Royal Caribbean ship's Godmother. What ever you choose to name her, bless you for taking in a rescue dog. http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6281

â€Not a teen but not an adult eitherâ€, vaguely sounds familiar, almost like a song .......... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlV7RhT6zHs

FRED & GRACE are not hurricanes. Currently, just something to watch development and see.

There are 2 new disturbances that we need to keep an eye on, as reported by the National Hurricane Center, Miami FL. It is predicted that both will dissipate over the next few days, but we need to watch to see if they develop. It's better to be cautious. FRED a tropical depression and GRACE a tropical storm. NOAA: http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/ CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/05/us/tropical-storm-grace/index.html

We buy those Royal Caribbean cook books and re-create a special meal that we liked on board. Especially like the RC desert and special occasions cook book

What happens after the cruise? Cruise Post Partum How do you cope with post cruise memories? The loss? You deserve better, more. The breakfast menu left the evening before on your stateroom door, a knock on the door with your breakfast when you get up in the morning. Or, going to the main dining room/windjammer for a ready made breakfast every morning. Being served Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Food available all the time. The endless food, deserts, eating every 15 minutes. Find yourself going for an ice cream cone whenever you want. Ordering or getting 2 of something. No extra charge, already included. No need to carry cash, credit or all sorts of ID. Your cruise seapass is all you need. It’s your room key, your payment card, your access card. Every time you leave your stateroom, you come back and it is all fixed up again. You look for new things left in your room by your personal room steward. Don’t like something or want something, all you have to do is call your stateroom attendant. Bring it to their attention. There is a new schedule every day that you can follow or not. You can stay on the ship or get off at the ports. Order something special at dinner and it’s there for you every evening. They remembered, they call you by name. You are important. A professional photographer wanting to take your picture at every turn to remember your experiences. If you got a beverage package, endless drinks. All kinds of drinks, new drinks, specialty drinks, island drinks. No worries about driving home, finding your place, ect. No car worries. Where to park, is there enough gas in the tank, do I have enough time to get there, did I forget something. Just walk were ever your going, 5-15 minutes from anywhere in the ship. Hungry, walk through the windjammer, on your way. Endless parties and all you have to do is show up. Very little, to no planning. Just get yourself there, be included and have fun. Endless fun. And if it gets too much, just leave. Continual professional production shows available. No driving for hours, just walk there and sit down and enjoy. Want to sit next to the stage, sit next to the stage. Want to sit in the balcony, sit in the balcony. Where ever you want. If you want you can even be a part of some of the shows, or not. Totally your choice. Schedule yourself something to do every minute or, sit by the pool and do nothing, your choice. Get that massage, spend time at the spa. Consult with the experts on how to look and feel younger. Get a massage outside on a beach. Get wild. Visit great and exotic places daily. Have adventures, exploring new worlds and activities at every port. Experience things you would never do at home. Step out of your comfort zone or not. You are the captain of your vacation. There’s no one to tell you no you can’t do that because you don’t have the time, money, means. Just do it. It’s included. All inclusive. Food, Shows, Ports, Room, Drinks, FUN. Then reality sets in, sometimes the last day, sometimes at the airport making connections, sometimes the day you get home. Your going to be living on land again, in some real space with an actual separate bedroom and bathroom. Your glad your going home, but then again, you have to face what you left: work, relationships, commitments, deadlines, quotas, ect. You have to play catch up on the things that didn’t get done while you were gone. Put out fires at work, find out whos been doing what to whom….. What to do? Arrange your cruise pictures and relive your cruising experience. Next time take better pictures and include people and yourself in the pictures. Talk about the great time you had. Start planning your next cruise, and maybe even book it. Start saving again and start the process all over again. Counting your cruise points you earned and what is it going to take, to get to the next level. How many cruises? Trying to figure out if you want to try another cruise company, new destinations, new friends, new experiences. All the choices. Try to relive some of the experiences. Go to a show, plan an event, go to a restaurant with a buffet. Dream. Tell your therapist. What do you do in between cruises? What do you do to get over missing the cruise life?

Walt Disney World Parks have been using smart bracelets for quite a while now and they work great. You use them to check in, enter your room, pay for things, ect. I understand that the new boarding procedures will, in the future, include some form of the smart bracelets. With a Disney vacation, I can attest that this makes things much, much, easier, and enhances the cash less vacation. And yes, you don't have to do anything different yet (ie: show up without a picture, no seapass, ect.) but it will delay the boarding process, as it is another step that you didn't do that they will now have to provide. Can't wait until this is rolled out to the fleet.

My point exactly, Mat. Thank you. Why should we have to be telling them we hit a new level, or have achieved an award. This is something they should be on top of, tracking it. And making a big deal about it, on board, in our faces. We shouldn't have to go to someone to tell them "Oh by the way, I am now at a different level, could you please......", they should know this and be telling us. Then the excuses come, "you don't get anything until your next cruise, we have run out of pins (or awards) on ship, it will take weeks to get what you earned, we have to wait until it shows up on your statement and that could take weeks then we'll mail it to you and that could take weeks more". This is not a WOW thing when it comes to Royal Caribbean. This is important to the Loyals why is it not, priority one?

Get ready for more changes. In Nov we are going on the Anthem and they have a whole set of new things when you check in. The main new thing is you have to supply a good (RC acceptable) head shot of yourself and all those cruising. And Crown and Anchor Loyals can not just arrive when they want. You are given specific times to board. It states that it will delay your boarding if you arrive at a different time. It appears check in (arrival) will look more like check out (departure). It will be done in small groups. Priority is given to wedding parties and I assume wheel chair cruisers. I didn't notice any priority for Crown and Anchor or Suite cruisers. We'll see how this plays out. This appears to be more of a security thing or maybe just tightening up the boarding process. There were more things but the above seemed the major ones. It's getting harder to check in. This looks like they will be rolling this new boarding procedure to the fleet.

Just got off the Jewel on the 28th and this evening of the 3rd the points were posted to our account. 6 days to post. Royal Caribbean is getting much better about this but, 6 days, really? What if you are doing a Back To Back and in there somewhere you reach another level? All transactions on our side to them takes seconds.

I think there needs to be a new category of cruisers. Those that have cruised for 10 years or more. The Decade + Cruisers. They could have 5, 10,15,20, & 25 years of cruising with Royal Caribbean. Create pins, levels, perks, benefits, Ha. They are already creating a "separate but equal" tiered system with the Suite cruisers and the Crown and Anchor cruisers. Why not mix it up and have a longevity with the company tiered system too. Then, let's not forget the big whale spenders while on the ship. That could be another tiered system. The Money Tiered system. They could assign points to that. Oh wait, they are testing that market as we speak, aren't they. This could get confusing, if it already isn't, and they could lose people because they just can't decide which tiered system is bigger and better and then opt for a simple cruise company that doesn't tier every cruiser into categories. By creating more tiered systems, you devalue each and every tiered systems. There is no such thing as separate but equal. Sorry for the long post and thanks for reading it.

I feel your pain, Shocked. Same thing happened to us and I am sure a lot of loyal cruisers. We had just got to Diamond and the rules got changed, and now, we are now going Diamond +, and the rules are again about to change. We find ourselves chasing points. Get ready for the next changes coming Jan 2016. I have a feeling that we as the loyalty group will again be disappointed. I keep hearing that Royal Caribbean has put a lot of money, time, and planning into the new Suite Deals that will also be rolled out Jan 2016. They already have a brochure out with the new categories of staterooms and new perks and benefits. Already the New Suite Concierge Lounges look and feel like more than the Diamond Lounges (if they have both on board). It is a fine line they walk. You do not want to get the "Loyals" so upset that they jump to another cruise lines, and you want to sell the ultra suites and offer all sorts of perks and benefits. Most people just cruise once a year, the Loyals cruise much more than that. You do not want to slight the Loyals just to try to get more of the one time a year cruisers. Or do you? It's hard to bargain when you have no leverage. The ships are over capacity. Most are leaving the docks at over 100% full. We just checked on an upcoming cruise in 4 weeks and it is already sold out.

It's spending $450 per adult in the stateroom. I would assume that if only one adult was in the stateroom only $450 would need to be spent to get the extra 3 pts. per adult. Call Crown & Anchor to get specifics. Keep in mind this is only a Pilot Program on the Freedom Of The Seas for September 2015 and only for Crown and Anchor members. I think all of the dates for Sept 2015 for the Freedom are currently sold out. If this is going to be rolled out to the fleet will be determined at a later date or not.

This offer is only to adult, Crown and Anchor members, this is not for 1st time cruisers or casual non C&A people . "Offer applies to Freedom of the Seas Sept. 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2015 sailings. Gold status and higher Crown & Anchor members over the age of 18 will receive an additional three cruise points per sailing when each member in the stateroom makes $450 USD or more in purchases"