Fox Forlenza

Thank you for that information @SpeedNoodles!! I will definitely be looking at MEI for our next trip since I’m way past the 30 days

So, I am new to all of this. I’ve been handling my bookings myself. What is the benefit to a TA? Also, would moving something I already booked to a TA for a cruise in May benefit me at all?

With people jumping at the chance to cruise again with less Covid protocols I am torn on how the masses would respond.

In my view, adding it on might be bad “PR”, but I think all the cruise lines would do it at once to lessen that impact. People will cruise regardless now. If it costs a little bit more, then it does. For one, I’m not liking the idea of possibly paying $100 more per person or so, but if that’s what I have to pay I understand.

Costs on everything are going up and there’s not a way to avoid them. These companies can only sustain so much before it becomes a losing proposition to operate as if the costs haven’t doubled.

Congrats!!

Have you checked your spam folder?  If they aren't there perhaps you can pull the information off of the website from the cruise planner.  You can also have them resend it out by calling customer service.

You will be a "full member" when the system decides.  It's an algorithm based on your post quantity, how other's "react" to your posts, etc.  So it's just time.  It will happen. 

I've thought about it, but then I look at my 2 boys (cats) and say, "Nope!  I'd rather live with them."

I feel bad for those leaving on longer trips before the 15th as they will have to follow the old protocols throughout the entire voyage.  But I am glad to see we are moving in this direction.  Looking forward to maybe a mask-free trip in May.  That would be amazing!

21 minutes ago, WAYNO said:

I do the pre-paid gratuities thing.  In addition, I still tip in cash, over and above this, as I do not know who receives  a portion of the pre-paid gratuities, or how much they receive.  I tip very well my food servers, my drink servers, my cabin attendant, and anybody that provides a service.

Look, I work in the service industry part-time, so I know how it is, and I am a firm believer in tipping.  But have you totaled up the prepaid gratuities for all the add-ons? OMG!  This next cruise alone we are at over $500 in gratuities before stepping on board.  Now, if someone goes above and beyond I always throw a little something extra, but that money starts to add up quick.

5 minutes ago, cruisinghawg said:

I guess you missed perhaps my poor attempt at humor.

I did, I apologize 

2 hours ago, CruisingNewb said:

So if I miss the first window to purchase the UDP, and it has gone up by $10, will it continue to go up if I miss this next window?

I have already unloaded a ton of money and don't quite have the funds to reserve the UDP yet.

It changes about every 3-5 days on average.  Once one "sale" ends, a new one will begin.  Often I have noticed it's the same/similar sale just worded differently.

But as SpeedNoodles pointed out, it can and does sell out.

Here is an example of the horrible "Royal Math".  Today's price's for Allure in May for UDP:

$210.99 / per adult

$79.99 / per child

I paid about $25 for one day access on the Independence in November to log in to check on my cats while I was gone.  I go a bit psycho.

9 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Is there any change to UK cruises since that government is going away from any mask mandates?

That is a very interesting question.  Although the mandate nationally is over, I think businesses can still require so I'd be curious to see how that shakes out!

2 hours ago, James31194 said:

I don’t have the money to buy the drinks package again right now so if I wait to get the drinks package on board will I have to pay the cost of the package on the first day or can I add it to my stateroom account and pay the balance at the end of the cruise which by then I would’ve been paid again? 

If it went down and you want it at that rate, I'd find someone who could maybe loan you the money in the interim.  Once you get onboard the costs can skyrocket to more than you paid when you bought it originally and had refunded, it likely won't be the rate you saw in the cruise planner especially if they are running a "sale".

At that point you may want to consider buying everything a la carte.

4 minutes ago, RWDW1204 said:

You can keep track by checking your folio account charges on your tv. It doesn't specify what you drank but where your charges were.

The app is also great for that.  It updates almost instantaneously.

We all have our price points.  Especially us.   We aren't exactly well off, so we pay attention to costs at every opportunity.  I will visit cruise planner almost every day and compare costs and reprice when I can.  I still haven't been able to beat the price I got on Black Friday, though.  I got the refreshment package, two excursions for both of us, internet, and a spa treatment for the same price the refreshment package was originally going for pre-sale.  Couldn't believe it!

I am so sorry to hear about that!  Hopefully there are no symptoms or mild symptoms!  Speedy recovery, and hope you find a cruise that's even better than the one you planned!

@twangsterThank you for the tips on this!  I have just found a way to convince the SO I need to take a cruise alone.

Can't smell it.  Ventilation is very good.  We were on in November and smoking was allowed in the casinos, we didn't notice and the SO is very sensitive to the smell of smoke.

45 minutes ago, Plumlee2028 said:

That's the one I am on. 

Fantastic!  We cannot wait!  Keep in touch, perhaps we will run into each other.

5 minutes ago, jeffmw said:

I did some very rough math to see how much of a difference this even makes, and it's exactly what you'd think.

I absolutely love that you did the math.

16 minutes ago, Jill said:

What in the world is going on? Royal really needs to address this issue. This link takes you to Allure transatlantic in April however you can’t book it. 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/itinerary/14-night-transatlantic-from-barcelona-on-allure/AL14FLL-2025876327?sail-date=2022-04-24&currency=USD&fbclid=IwAR357El0NRx-ZLbgqWk10wH4CZ_NcWAP5VC4jghUPr0lkUQ48JpBKlQ0rII

Well, that's odd considering Allure is going to be in Fort Lauderdale doing regular sailings in Apr and May.  To do a transatlantic like that at that time of year is highly suspect.  Also, Allure is leaving on Apr 30 (6 days after the TA cruise starts) from Fort Lauderdale.  So not even sure how you got that link.

What some people fail to calculate into their beverage packages is the DBP contains alcohol PLUS all the items in the lower tiers (sodas, coffees, water, fresh-squeezed juices, milkshakes etc.).  So when you are calculating if it is worth it, don't forget about those numbers as well.  You don't have to drink x # of drinks per day to get your value if you are also factoring in the other items you get.  And take advantage of it.  I would never naturally order the "fresh squeezed orange juice", but I do on the cruise.

5 minutes ago, Plumlee2028 said:

Im doing that on Allure in May.  Excited for it. 

Which sailing?  We are Allure May 14

I called C&A just now to link my SO and I.  They only thing they asked me was "Do you live together?"