jticarruthers

On the flip side, we are within striking distance of Diamond Plus, but the impetus just isn’t there like it was a year ago.  
 
We like Royal Caribbean, but aren’t adverse to sticking our toes in other waters. We didn’t think this way a year ago. It’s hard to explain our thoughts and put forward one concrete reason for our change.  🤷‍♂️

Cool... now drop the Icon prices because it's not new anymore 😆

Brightline has had many incidents of people not understanding (or understanding all too well) how train track crossings work.
 

i thought about this for a bit because a certain demographic could certainly be appealing, however — what about those of us who are in higher stress environments (or low stress quite frankly); the service industry; or simply wish for a modicum of peace and quiet when vacationing?
this is not to say that entertainment on any level is bad — or that we don’t enjoy it! — but more so that it seems moves are being made to capitalize (again, nothing wrong with that!) and maximize less “chill” options and more “full on” experiences. 
and again, i will state: there is NOTHING wrong with that 💚
i am in my thirties and have been in customer service and parts of retail/food industry prior to kicking into tech. for me, a large part of what i look forward to is being able to unplug when i go on vacation and turn my brain off. 
can i still do this at PDCC? ABSOLUTELY. i don’t even need to pay extra money or go to the beach club if i prefer not to. i could stay on the ship, or my balcony and enjoy the weather. 
i think initially i was under the impression that adults only WOULD be more geared like an on land solarium situation — but more enforced age restriction with kids bc we all know kids are in the solarium 😂 while aboard. 
the fact that hideaway beach isn’t that way doesn’t mean i HATE it — just means it’s not for me.
my age excludes me from a 55+ cruise 😂 and i love people watching as others enjoy various forms of entertainment and activities, so i generally prefer a royal cruise to be my cruise of choice.  
however there is definitely a feeling that there is more emphasis on cramming in additional experiences — paid or included — on the newest ships and now, hideaway beach — to leverage a different kind of crowd. 
and again, this is not bad, or wrong, in ANY way. 
but i also don’t necessarily believe i’d be happier on a 55+ cruise 😂 even if i were of age for that haha

All I picture is the DJ playing a rotation of Pitbull, Gloria Estefan and Shakira over and over again.

We usually stay away from Oasis due to the loud music.  I did have to go there because I was told that was the only location to get a Coco Loco drink for my husband.  While waiting for the drinks I noticed 4 ladies getting very familiar with each other as a couple of guys watched.  I would love for RC to move the DJ to Hideaway to allow all of us non-party people to enjoy the pool area.  The bar area is the only spot with shade while in the pool so I would like to go there without the DJ.

The best spot in CoCo Cay....stay on the ship...its nearly deserted....and free.

The DJ aspect does make it feel a bit repetitive to Oasis Pool
 
Maybe they remove the DJ from there and then the Hideaway is the Virgin/Party area, Oasis is the Disney/Family area, South Beach is the quiet/relaxing area, etc
 
Obviously oversimplifying but will be interesting to see what folks are drawing the paid area vs included areas

IMO they got this backwards.  They should have made the adults-only venue the “upscale” theme and the all-age venue the “party” vibe.  Most families don’t want to pay big $$ for an upscale meal (which is really all you get for your money at the Beach Club) for the kids.

I fear "craft cocktails" just means full bar.

It is much easier for all so kudos for figuring it out, I have also used it with Carnival and MSC but oddly for as much as they embrace Tech not Disney.

I know only a limited subset of people are interested/enrolled but FYI just off Enchantment on Monday and we were informed that despite the global entry signs around the terminal, the line with a global entry symbol above it, etc. they no longer support/accept Global Entry.
Questioned it with several reps who all indicated that yes I might have used it before in Port of Miami and yes I might have used it before with Royal but no it was no longer an option.
Not a huge deal as the line was short and moving well but frustrating to spend $ on a program and see that it is getting less support instead of spreading.

I havent seen it as an option the last couple of times I went out of Miami (most recently April this year).
I think global entry kind of died away in most contexts.

I havent seen it as an option the last couple of times I went out of Miami (most recently April this year).
I think global entry kind of died away in most contexts.

I havent seen it as an option the last couple of times I went out of Miami (most recently April this year).
I think global entry kind of died away in most contexts.

I called in to the C&A hotline as we were having issues with communication and some other items and the representative (got a US based person) was very nice and she went over all the items listed on her screen. Some of these were not listed on any forms we have seen and one of the items was a check box for free upgrade if eligible or available. I was shocked and she said we did not have that checked but she would do that for us. We have had two instances since sailing after the pandemic where we were given an upgrade. One for a birthday cruise (be sure to mention a special occasion when you talk to them) and one where the Casino bookings were full but due to the wife's status there we were given the next level up balcony to get on the cruise. Not much of an upgrade but appreciated it none the less. Have not had one like @WAAAYTOOO but fingers crossed maybe someday we might get surprised.

Perhaps there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm booked on a Celebrity cruise that stops at PDCC in June 2024.  This weekend, Celebrity is having a cruise planner sale.  Thrill Water Park Cabanas are under $1000.  Still too high for me, but significantly lower than the new normal.

While I do see value in the offerings at PDCC, I don't see enough value to justify the current prices.  If others do, then more power to them! Go for it!
I will get off the ship in PDCC as it is still a fairly new experience for me.  Not really a beach person, but it's hard to find a nicer, cleaner, easier beach than PDCC.
A few more visits though, and I'll be right there with you on this one.

Add us to the "no thanks" for PDCC.  I am not a beach or pool person.  I see no value in getting off the ship at all unless I can go to the Beach Club and with prices at the current levels, -0- chance I will go. Dan enjoys snorkeling but there really isn't anywhere on PDCC worth the effort.
We have been staying on the ship at PDCC and I don't see that changing.

I’d have no concerns cruising on a nuke.  
 

Glad they are doing well in their post-COVID bounceback (both as a cruiser and a stockholder) but I think its disingenuous to claim the record highs are due to demand.
It is due to record high pricing that so far has not impacted demand but likely will if/when the economy starts to move back to a more normal vibe (people not getting regular stimulus checks, paying their student loans, etc.)
As a regular cruiser who never expected to want or be able to cruise as regularly as I do the price is starting to cause me to rethink some of my options, hopefully (as a stockholder) I am wrong and the good times keep rolling but I have a hard time seeing that.

Glad they are doing well in their post-COVID bounceback (both as a cruiser and a stockholder) but I think its disingenuous to claim the record highs are due to demand.
It is due to record high pricing that so far has not impacted demand but likely will if/when the economy starts to move back to a more normal vibe (people not getting regular stimulus checks, paying their student loans, etc.)
As a regular cruiser who never expected to want or be able to cruise as regularly as I do the price is starting to cause me to rethink some of my options, hopefully (as a stockholder) I am wrong and the good times keep rolling but I have a hard time seeing that.

Glad they are doing well in their post-COVID bounceback (both as a cruiser and a stockholder) but I think its disingenuous to claim the record highs are due to demand.
It is due to record high pricing that so far has not impacted demand but likely will if/when the economy starts to move back to a more normal vibe (people not getting regular stimulus checks, paying their student loans, etc.)
As a regular cruiser who never expected to want or be able to cruise as regularly as I do the price is starting to cause me to rethink some of my options, hopefully (as a stockholder) I am wrong and the good times keep rolling but I have a hard time seeing that.

Royal Caribbean wants to raise cruise prices even higher | Royal Caribbean Blog
I'm saddened and disappointed with this article. I don't believe it's about the debt anymore. I love cruising, and I currently have 2 cruises that I booked this past February. If I were to book these 2 cruises today 7/27/23 (promenade view cabins), the one in 2024 would be over $400 more and the one in 2025 would be over $1000 more. I know the prices can fluctuate, but I would not book either one of those cruises at today's prices. I would have liked to book an Oasis class ship for later on in 2025 when they become available later on this year, but I also have some land-based vacation ideas on the back burner. After reading this article it looks like those will be moved to the front burner.

Yep