DunkelBierJay

Crew ----> Crew bar Passengers ----> R Bar All ----> Bars at ports of call

So, you actually put shoes in these things? I always put other stuff in them.

If you used a travel agent ask them to make your case...if you went through RC, give them a call...if you are Crown & Anchor, try this number...800-526-9723. I understand RC's need to make changes like this, but if they promised one thing when you agreed to buy their product, they should deliver it, or at least give you OBC.

This is the crux of my biggest issue with pricing a cruise. Before I do a dummy booking, it took a while to get in the habit of adding taxes and port fees. At first, it was always a rude awakening when the published fares didn't represent the actual cost. So far, among my friends, I convinced one family to do a cruise. Now, after their cruise, they are hooked, but it took lots of info sessions to help them understand what is and is not included, and how to compare cabins, itineraries, ships, etc. There are so many factors, it's easy to forget things. If RC is trying to maintain a certain cost of goods percentage or to offset labor that could be directed elsewhere to maintain overall profitablility, they needed to make this change, but these things always tend to lead to customer dissatisfaction. It's a trade-off and a risk. I will watch with interest how this plays out once RC gets reviews back after this is put in place. I suspect that if upcharging hot foods in room service is standard within the industry, RC will be willing to take the PR lumps, and it's here to stay.

I meant good pizza is missing. It doesn't even come close to good Lou Malnottis, Genos or Giordanos...it's thin, it's cardboard, its bad, but for something to eat at 1 am, it does ok...but it's just not very good.

good pizza

I like to think of it as losing something they were already paying for... Still, I prefer this to the effect of higher fares. You'll find me in the MDR and sometimes the Windjammer for breakfast and lunch...and hopefully at a cookout on the pool deck...with an ice cold beer. And not to forget a mimosa or bloody mary with breakfast.

Your drinks at specialty restaurants are included in the drink package

I ordered room service once. That was all I needed to know that I wasn't going to do it again. There needs to be a huge quality improvement for people to use the service, I think. I wish this was designated for staff, because they will be the ones who lose additional tips.

I could not agree with this more...

I think you are comparing apples and oranges. It might be a good alternative to the cost of the drink package, and it also provides convenience and flexibility. You can't bring those items on board because it is RC's ship-board economy that they have a right to control. The question is whether or not people buy these options. Judging from the fact that they added two packages to the two that were already available, it looks like people are willing to pay. If you get rum and Cokes or something like that at a bar on the ship, you are saving a few bucks and time walking to/from the bar with this package.

That maiden voyage was really tempting to me for all of Jerel's reasons, but I considered the itinerary and the ship. I wouldn't want to leave the ship! I also wouldn't want to miss out on the ports of call. When we do a similar Western Med itinerary, I want to do it on a Radiance or Voyager Class and hot some of the things I haven't hit before in Italy for example.

I'm torn. I want to go to both. They both have great reviews in Trip Advisor. One has lots of activities and the other seems more sedate. My college age daughter and I are sailing to Cozumel in June, and I'm not sure what we'll both like. What has the best food and service? If you've done them both, what would you do again? Which beach is better? Is the snorkeling off the beach good at both places?

They have my money from right after Matt's scope the other night and MEI is taking it over once Brock gets back tomorrow....I'm skeered...taking my kids who are getting an OV with balcony and my wife and I are getting a CP balcony....that's a lot of money even though I've seen the price go up and staterooms get gobbled up. I will have to re-price it often to feel like I got a deal...

I am pretty certain I am driving from TN to Tampa for the June 3 Empress sailing. Has anyone run across any Tampa cruise port parking promo codes?

The point is to get your foot in the door with a deposit on a sailing, and of things change, just change the booking to another cruise or cancel.

We stayed at a hotel on Ocean drive on 2/16 after arriving at FLL. We took a Lyft, and it was about $40. Look for the www.cruisehabit.com post about this topic. Billy, the author gives discount codes at the end for Uber/Lyft. We took a cab back after the cruise and the total cost was almost $100. You can get Uber or Lyft on the baggage claim level between the terminals...I think the sign said commercial vehicles or something, and there was a large drop off/pick up area designated. If you have that many people, have either two people order the Uber/Lyft, or call for an UberXL, or Uber Black. It would still be cheaper than cabs or a SuperShuttle. When I priced Supershuttle for two, it was $72 one way if I recall correctly.

I brought my own and dumped it in whatever I was drinking after getting it. It is not ideal for mixing, but it doesn't create sanitation issues that way. I recommend getting a shaker bottle and mixing with water after dispensing into a ship provided cup while on your cruise and not fooling with the other complexities.

Surely there's a betting line in Vegas for all of this!

When I have booked on my own, I fastidiously checked pricing every week or so. Every month, I paid a little using my Southwest cc in My Cruises on the website until there was zero on final payment day. Using MEI, I essentially did the same thing, and had my agent make regular payments with my cc on file... As far as option for payment -- since you are in Europe -- if there is a customer service number to call, I would do that if you can't see your payment options in My Cruises on the website. They may need to turn it on for you so you can see it.

I cancelled a shore excursion to lessen the sting of spending more...I still spent more, though...

$38 is showing on the Nav GC as of now and is consistent with Cruise Habit Bill's tweet earlier this afternoon.

I don't know if any micro breweries have tap rooms nearby, but there's a World of Beer just off I-95 and south of the port in Melbourne...maybe 10-15 minutes away...they would have to have all the local brews

I'm "more-or-less" in the business, and what you will find is that distributors offer discounts to operators based on the amount of tonnage of a brand and have limited space on their trucks for multiple brands on their deliveries. It's always a balancing act. That's why I think RC might be better served putting micro-breweries on their ships for those hopheads who like that kind of thing. Me? I like many traditional European beers and almost any Mexican beer, so customers like me add to Royal's dilemma of satisfying the most amount of people possible while they maximize profits. If only people would wise up and quit drinking Bud and Miller Light!

Bothering with luggage on embarkation day is a complete hassle...you will hate it until you get into your room. I like to bring a small daypack with essentials, and after eating in the Windjammer, I like Boleros or R Bar on Freedom...I'm betting there will be plenty of space away from the flow of traffic and you can have your first drink or three while being amused at all the stressed out people running here and there...