Sarge

jupiter03, I went to their online page to submit my usual request but, the link wasn't working. Therefore, I emailed them all of the information they would need for the request, including a digital scan of my proof of stock ownership. A couple days went by with nothing received from them except their initial automated response to my email. I then tried the online link again, and it worked...so, I did the online submission because I didn't hear from them yet. A couple days later, I received confirmation that the onboard credit was issued. Shortly later, I received another email informing that my request was denied, because the onboard credit was already issued. Not sure which of my 2 requests did the trick but, both, were answered...and yes, the onboard credit is still there, a week after their last email. I started this process in December, about 30 days prior to my January 2024 cruise. Have a great cruise! Jupiter03 wrote: I emailed [email protected] on Dec 12 with all my info and got the automated response, but have not heard anything back yet. It's never taken this long before. Would it be a bad idea to resubmit using the link too? My cruise isn't for a few more months, so I suppose I should be more patient. Anybody else with recent results from requesting this?

Yes, the onboard credit benefit is still available for shareholders owning a minimum of 100 shares of RCL stock. The amount of onboard credit varies and is dependant on the length of your cruise. This onboard credit is per stateroom, not per person. You'll need to provide proof of current stock ownership which matches the same name on your Royal Caribbean reservation. This link, provides great information on this benefit: https://www.rclinvestor.com/contact-us/faqs/shareholder-benefit/ The direct online link to apply for this benefit that worked for me, is: https://rcg.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=TK5SyXhGJO4ECHrPeIW9eQ%3D%3D It usually takes about 2-4 days to receive a confirmation from them. Good luck!

I think you could be correct...I swear I saw CHOPS listed as FORMAL, while just on the ANTHEM...

Yes, I swear that CHOPS was shown as FORMAL, when we were just on the ANTHEM, but, I just looked it up online and online, it's shown as SMART CASUAL...They must have changed things and maybe it hasn't caught up with the onboard information yet?

While on the ANTHEM (01/02/2023-01/13/2023), I can swear that our research indicated FORMAL, for CHOPS, before our reservation was made...but, I just looked it up online and you are right...SMART CASUAL! SMART CASUAL would be a better fit or even just plain CASUAL based on what we witnessed in CHOPS.

Honestly, we too, don't need the room done 2 times daily...especially on a day when we spend a lot of time in the room...

We're currently nearing the end of our 11 day cruise on Anthem. For the 1st time, we dined at Chops Grill. I have to say that the meal we enjoyed at Chops Grill, was the best dinner we've ever had on any of our 21 cruises with Royal Caribbean. I was surprised to see that although the dress code is listed as formal, the majority of the people dining there were far from wearing formal wear. Lots of shorts, sneakers, logo-T-shirts, blue jeans, backward worn baseball caps, etc. We'll definitely dine at Chops Grill during future cruises!

I'm currently onboard the Anthem. Just checked my email to find a message indicating that someone tried to access my Royal Caribbean Blog account, a few days ago, while I was on the ship. The message was: "We have detected 3 failed log in attempts to your account from Seattle, Washington, 98108, United States." I'm no where near Seattle, Sailing from Bayonne, NJ, to the Caribbean and back. I just changed my password, just in case... Thought I'd share with everyone so you can remember to keep an eye on your accounts.

Thank you, everyone that responded and for your valuable information! I'm looking at the company web pages for what you all mentioned. I'll keep monitoring this blog for additional responses. I'm also considering an Annual policy, now, as we both are now retired and able to travel on more than one cruise per year. The annual policy makes a lot of sense... Thank you, all, again!

Travel Insurance Where do you experienced cruise experts get your travel insurance from...? I wouldn't cruise without it...especially nowadays... We've never had to use it but, have always had it since we started cruising many years ago and always bought the insurance Royal Caribbean offered because we assumed it was adequate because our travel agent recommended it. Lots has changed since our first few cruise... We eventually started booking our cruise directly with Royal Caribbean over the phone and continued their insurance. Then, we started booking our future cruise onboard whichever our current cruise ship was and continued their insurance. A few cruises ago, when we attempted to purchase the RCL insurance, onboard, as usual, we were told that although they continue to offer it, because we reside in New York State, they can not sell us their insurance...(something to do with NYS Insurance Law changes)...but, they told us to contact the company that provides their insurance and we could buy it from them...which we did. For our last cruise a few months ago, I did some online shopping & purchased a much better policy with better coverage for a lesser amount than usual. I purchased from them again for our upcoming cruise next month. The credit card I usually use, does offer some free travel insurance but, it's pretty limited, minimal & basic...I'd rather be better covered...just in case. Not sure if specific insurance company names are allowed to be mentioned in these RCL message boards but, if they are, I'd like to know where you experienced cruise experts get your travel insurance from...and if you can offer any advice about said insurance. Thanks!

I remember that the changes mentioned in this letter went into effect for our 1st cruise as Diamonds, years ago. Our 1st cruise as D+ was earlier this year...our 2nd will be in January, '23. Seems like whenever we advance to a new tier, benefits get reduced... Those rooms certainly are packed and I can understand why they need to reduce the amount of people. They do pretty much thin out just before dinner times...It's almost comical to watch all the folks leaving for dinner, many with a full drink in each hand on the way to their dinner... We're not big drinkers and many times, we don't use all our drink vouchers allotted to us but, the quality of the drinks seem a bit better in the rooms.

We've done this trip five times...four, as a 12 day and once as the 11 day...we do prefer the 12 day, though. We like this ship and we also like this port because we don't have to fly to get there.