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DunkelBierJay

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Posts posted by DunkelBierJay

  1. 8 hours ago, bobroo said:

    Their underlying message to solo travelers is clear: We Don't Want You.

     

    Using @DunkelBierJay example: It is going to cost the solo traveler $724 per night ($706 + $18 daily gratuity) for balcony that goes to Nassau and Coco Cay and is out of Port Canaveral. Mariner is over 20 years old. 

    As a solo traveler,  I can get a lot more value for my buck on so many other vacation choices spending the same $2,888 budget over 4 days.

    .

     

    It's not a sailing I would ever book at that price...I did that itinerary plus Nassau last year as a solo for less than $1000 total. It's crazy how the pricing is even in non-peak months.

  2. I was curious about this, so I did a dummy booking for 2 travelers and for 1 traveler on Mariner on a 4 night sailing from Port Canaveral on April 4, 2024. Given the reports that Celebrity is charging extra for single travelers, I wondered if Royal may be starting to do the same. I share the observation that a single traveler does not consume as much complimentary food, and that is a cost savings for the company. If the food cost is $30 per person per day for the company, then they would theoretically save $120 on that sailing for one fewer guest. I don't really know how to apply a value on things like fewer people to take care of in a stateroom, less use of pool towels, etc.

    I did a 2 passenger booking in Microsoft Edge and a 1 passenger booking in Firefox in private (incognito) mode. This was necessary because if you allow for cookies, one of the bookings will bump the other. I made the booking of a spacious ocean view balcony on deck 6. The same cabin was available on the port side (cabin 6604) and starboard side (cabin 6304) directly opposite the other on the deck, so I am certain this is apples to apples. I didn't try to book the same exact cabin because I got kicked out when I used different tabs in the same browser. The two person booking was $2,919.16 and the one person booking was $2,816.08. The difference was in Taxes & Fees. Taxes on the two person booking was $206.16 and the one person was $103.08.

    I was not able to duplicate your results with my dummy bookings. I don't have a definitive reason for why my results were different than yours other than they are different sailings with different sets of conditions.

     

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  3. I recently resolved that I will book specialty dining on the last night of my cruises. I thought it was cool on my first couple of cruises, but I started thinking about the napkin waving implications even if I had not yet been hit with a missile. It doesn't get me to pay any more gratuities...A short word of thanks we'll miss you (yeah, sure) from the head waiter and executive chef is enough IMO.

  4. Items 1 and 2 are answered in replies to your post. I want to stress how important it will be to get off the ship as soon as you can to make that flight time...that is cutting it WAY too close. I would do self-assist and get to the debarkation point on board as early as 5:30 or 6:00 am whether the ship is alongside or not. The other thing I would consider is to change the flight to a later time if possible. The Key is pretty much worthless for what you are trying to do.

  5. The last time I got the Key, it was at $19.99 a day. I don't think it will ever get to that level again. I thought it was marginally worth it then when Voom was going for $13.99 a day. Now, Voom is probably bottoming out at $17.99 a day. You can book Chops lunch separately and share one Voom account for much less. The other perks are just, meh.

  6. On Oasis class, I have only stayed in CP balconies and like them. Given a port intensive itinerary, I would seriously consider staying with the inside for a lot of the reasons posted previously. I am usually up before sunrise walking around the open decks so I can catch sunrises and a coffee, so I get my Vit D. If I was inclined to order room service for breakfast, I would stay with the CP balcony, but since your alternative is a CP View...I would stay where I was and use the extra money for a couple of really nice lunches in port or specialty dining.

  7. 4 hours ago, instaGator said:

     If you your flight arrives late, then Tampa Airport has a Marriott (Tampa Airport Marriott) that is right in the terminal, and while not cheap, it is very convenient for a late arrival. 

     

    I've done this before as well...and there is nothing like walking into your hotel room within 20 minutes of getting off your flight. It is a little pricey, but it's fantastic if you fly in late.

  8. Hotels near the port can be pricey, but I think the best value by far is the Embassy Suites. It is right on the trolly line, so if you don't mind schlepping luggage up a couple steps, it's a fantastic way to get to any of the cruise terminals. I arrived during a Lightening game at the nearby arena before, and sometimes they make some streets one-way when that happens It can be confusing for the cab or uber/lyft driver getting to the door, but it's only a minor issue. Lots of great restaurants nearby. Highly recommend. I echo @need2cruz.

  9. Well, this is a hot topic because the drip drip drip is now a regular flow. I wrote a post earlier that may not have posted, so here is a summary:

    • It's definitely irritating in an environment where they are taking away services and perks while waiters still make the "give me a ten" pitch. I noticed the recent survey I completed didn't ask about it...I always lied and gave a 10 anyway if an 8 was warranted and I liked the waiter. No more...I won't go to the last night in the MDR any longer so I don't have to hear it...the song and dance is a little old too
    • I would like to see more choice or no choice
      • More choice -- let guests pick how much service they want in their rooms...example 2-5 night sailings can get 1X service, 6-9 night can get 2X service, etc...all in exchange for lower gratuities -- I say this knowing that it's wise for company employee eyes to make sure everything is cool in the staterooms
      • Less choice -- work it into the cruise fare and be done with it
    • RCI is posting record on board sales and this doesn't sit well
    • They may need to re-work the MDR concept or eliminate it entirely and just go for buffet plus more choice with specialty dining

    I share the sentiment of many with 🤬

    ...and to those who are ok with it's only another $28 for a 7 night cruise...ordinarily, I would be with you, but I am drawing the line here, not because I can't afford it, but because the company's timing with and positioning on this is so poor.

  10. Probably won't book scuba through Royal again. I've always felt either rushed or on an overcrowded dive boat. There was one dive in Cozumel where another person (beginner diver) on the excursion got sea sick and hurled over the boat while hugging my gear. I liked that a lot. 😐 Scuba at PDCC?...don't even bother. It's an awful shore dive.

    I've done third party a few times, and it's always better.

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