Lovetocruise2002

I could not agree with you more. Every time I have gone on a cruise other than RC I feel like I am missing something too. And it's small things like the ease of the drink package, having unlimited VOOM, the ease of embarkation, etc. Great summary too! I enjoyed reading it.

Ok...I just finally had time today to read through all of this now...still a bit confused....so for example if I go and sail X this summer (I'm Emerald right now) I will receive the select benefits on X but will I collect any cruise points with X for that sailing?? And then let's say I don't cruise X until 2 years later. I'll be diamond by that point. So then will I receive elite benefits when sailing X again or am I still at select because they already recognize me once?

Yes. Loved every Oasis class ship! And no, GS is not star class lol. What is Star Class? It will bring out the "cruise snob" in you @Boston Babe and she'll never go away! Basically, it's everything that Sky Class gets and more. Pretty much everything, drinks, VOOM, specialty dining is included and it all comes with a Genie who is your personal butler/concierge for the week. And for me it's a dream at this point cause there is no way hubby is going for it! I even read him the article that @Matt had a link to from travel weekly. Still no luck. If you go on Allure, you'll still love the GS. Can't go wrong with Sky class benefits.

Ah, @rjac, do tell, it's just starting to get interesting...lol

Well then....Oh my....I don't understand some people....

Great question! I've always wondered that too but have never gotten far enough into booking X to know the answer.

I'm pretty gulliable but is this a true story?? ?

That's a pretty good deal! It's almost double that for a JS on Symphony right now during high season!

I still think it wouldn't hurt to call. It would be like @JLMoran said, when they re-price they basically cancel and re-book it. I booked my next cruise under NRD and I've re-priced it several times already. The last time a few weeks ago I save over $500 and got an OBC from it. The OBC came along with a promo they were having.

Why don't you try to re-price it? Worse case scenario is they just say no...

Not all passengers are from the US and some people just like to shop ? I fall under both of those but even I think $54 is crazy! I don't have that excursion in my cruise planner anyway.

Worth a call to check. In October, I booked a cruise with KSF and free gratuities and then both those offers ended at the end of October. In November, I noticed the price dropped a bit and I called back knowing I might be giving up the KSF and gratuities because that promo was done and I likely already had the best price. Well, turns out they re-priced it and let me keep all offers. Saved over $500!

Lots last year! I got VOOM for $7.99/day, drink packages, excursions, they all went on sale. Fingers crossed for a few days because there are a few things I have my eyes on.

On Harmony in August and on the Allure last summer my husband always went around the 3:30pm-4pm time. It was pretty quick then. At 9am is was usually quite empty. We would watch sometimes while eating breakfast.

While booking my cruises last week I tried to fish around for some info about this. Both RC agents and my TA seem to think that the deals would mainly revolve around OBC or instant savings. Not sure how accurate this is at all.

Chaotic is nothing until you have seen Disney....they board you one family at a time. It is meant to be personalized but it is so drawn out! So basically you check in at the pier and get a boarding number. Then you have to wait till they call your boarding number and as you proceed on board they call you one family at a time to welcome you. So as you set foot on the ship there's crew there and they say "Welcome _____ family!" and of course you pose for a pic. Seems like a cool idea but when there literally hundreds of people in the terminal it's long.....Royal's system is way better.

Hmmm....another point I can use for my case for Star Class when trying to convince hubby lol.

Would definitely appreciate any feedback good or bad. Especially how it compares to RC. My parents and a group of my friends are all going in March as well (but not together lol) so looking forward to getting some feedback from them as well. Problem is that none of them are seasoned RC cruisers.

Argh! Don't tell me things like this! It will lead me into more trouble (aka wanting to book it) ? I do know about the status match. That's why I'm trying to hold out on cruising celebrity until I reach diamond. My Indy cruise should finally get me there. Thanks @twangster!

The GS vs. CLS I can justify in my head because one is two levels, 2 bathrooms, better view but the two suites on Celebrity seems not worth it, especially if I'm not taking kids.

@rjaceverytime my husband uses the flow rider it is on a port day. Not really much wait time. But like @twangster said, check the cruise compass for times because they do reduce the hours. On sea days it is quite busy. Lots of kids and spectators.

@tiny260...my next year off work (when I can cruise whenever) that's what I am going to do! The Genie is on my cruise bucket list!

I don't think so. I've been on several classes of RC ships and they are all two twins pushed together. The only annoying this is that you feel the crack in between but it's still way better than a queen size!

Yes for sure. Most of the times only JS show up when I choose refundable. But I usually choose non-refundable and it still happens so who knows. Not that I can afford or justify Star class anyway, I just like looking....but isn't that how all problems start...

It's basically two twins pushed together.