jce2

Why board early?  Because once I start up that gang-way I know all the paper-shuffling and bureaucracy is behind me and i can truly start to unwind

Why board early?  Because once I start up that gang-way I know all the paper-shuffling and bureaucracy is behind me and i can truly start to unwind

Why board early?  Because once I start up that gang-way I know all the paper-shuffling and bureaucracy is behind me and i can truly start to unwind

Why board early?  Because once I start up that gang-way I know all the paper-shuffling and bureaucracy is behind me and i can truly start to unwind

Awesome!  I really hate dealing with phone calls.   But actually I checked my spreadsheet when I got home and it turns out this sale of Deluxe/voom at $56 is actually a dollar more than when I bought it on Black Friday
 

Awesome!  I really hate dealing with phone calls.   But actually I checked my spreadsheet when I got home and it turns out this sale of Deluxe/voom at $56 is actually a dollar more than when I bought it on Black Friday
 

Awesome!  I really hate dealing with phone calls.   But actually I checked my spreadsheet when I got home and it turns out this sale of Deluxe/voom at $56 is actually a dollar more than when I bought it on Black Friday
 

Yea, i am really not expecting one and that is fine, if I wasn't willing to pay the price i wouldn't have booked the cruise.  But I got Danette over at MEI tracking it for me just in case.  Only real disappointment/surprise was that the initial sale included NO OBC.  Still, I got exactly the room I wanted for the vacation of a lifetime so all is well.
As a point of reference.  I booked this April's Caribbean cruise last January and the price has steadily climbed ever since with no hope of sales......but that means I bought it for $1000 less than now so I kind of got a sale! ?

I literally booked by 2020 Alaska cruise 45 minutes BEFORE they were posted on-line.  will be interesting to see if anytime between now and March 2020 (when final payment is due) there is any sale that benefits me.
 

I would have transferred to Annette but apparently some guy named "Matt" is keeping her busy......    ?
 

Well you convinced me!  Transferred my Alaska 2020 cruise to Danette over at MEI last night. I normally like to do the leg work myself but with this cruise being so far out thought it might be easier to let a pro monitor the sales etc.

Well you convinced me!  Transferred my Alaska 2020 cruise to Danette over at MEI last night. I normally like to do the leg work myself but with this cruise being so far out thought it might be easier to let a pro monitor the sales etc.

And it's all disclosed up front and OPTIONAL.  Dont want it, dont bid!  No extra cost to you (or those who bid if they lose).  sorry, just seems like negativism for the sake of being negative to me.  I doubt I will ever take advantage of it but dont see any harm.  My kids on the other hand are hoping it comes thru for them.  They currently have an "oceanview" for our Alaska cruise (I have an aft balcony) and while they are aware of their lack of control, they have the attitude...any balcony anywhere on-board will beat their portal window.  They cant afford to just pay the thousands (literally) more that I paid so this might (though a long shot) work for them.  If not?  No foul!  they still have what they got
 

Twangster, if my son gets that e-mail and i can bid $400 to move him from a OV to a balcony I will write the check myself!!  Boy, would that cap off our Alaska trip!!
 

One of the advantages of RoyalUP is handling of last minute cancellations.  They can take bids for cabins even if cabin types aren't available and might never become available.  
Before RoyalUP if a Royal Suite cancelled at T-24 hours, that RS would likely be given to a Pinnacle upon check in.  Net revenue increase $0.
Now they have pre-established a line of succession.
 
We have a GS willing to pay $1,500 for an RS
We have a JS willing to pay $1,000 for an GS
We have a balcony willing to pay $800 for a JS
We have an OV willing to pay $400 for a balcony
We have an INT willing to pay $150 for an OV.
RS cancels at T-24 and the system automatically executes the line of succession.  Net revenue increase $1,500+$1,000+$800+$400+$150 = $3,850.  Ships sails with an empty INT cabin.  Big deal.  
Five happy cruising couples who 'scored' an upgrade.  Pinnacle will never know what they didn't get.  Royal makes more money, even if they give a percentage to the 3rd party.  Win-Win (Pinnacle loses but they'll never know that so neutral).
 
If Royal was smart with RoyalUp in place, they would modify the last minute cancelation penalties and offer an FCC for last minute cancellations.  $50 for OV, $100 for a balcony, $150 for a JS, $200 for a GS, etc.  
I did a no-show on Majesty when my daughter graduated AF BMT.  It all happened last minute and I was in 100% penalty.  I didn't notify Royal, I simply did a no show.  Maybe a last minute hurricane or mechanical issue would impact my sailing and I'd get a refund.  Why notify and cancel?  I'd get zero.   I got taxes back even as a no-show so there is no reward to notify Royal if you need to cancel within the 100% penalty period.
My cabin likely sailed empty.
Now with RoyalUP they should introduce a last minute FCC for close in cancellations.  I'd take that and the RoyalUP line of succession can kick in.  The $200 FCC would be offset by all the RoyalUp line of succession revenue upgrades.  

And it's all disclosed up front and OPTIONAL.  Dont want it, dont bid!  No extra cost to you (or those who bid if they lose).  sorry, just seems like negativism for the sake of being negative to me.  I doubt I will ever take advantage of it but dont see any harm.  My kids on the other hand are hoping it comes thru for them.  They currently have an "oceanview" for our Alaska cruise (I have an aft balcony) and while they are aware of their lack of control, they have the attitude...any balcony anywhere on-board will beat their portal window.  They cant afford to just pay the thousands (literally) more that I paid so this might (though a long shot) work for them.  If not?  No foul!  they still have what they got
 

With 591 days until the trip, my wife and I spent the entire evening last night looking at details of Anchorage....so yeah, we are kind of excited.  Already figured out where we want to stay and where we want dinner!  Already have  a rough idea what we want for excursions and knowing that they can fill fast I have bookmarked several tour companies and will monitor for when 2020 dates become available.  Only thing I havent decided is if we ever want to try 2 excursions in one day....

RC site doesn't show it yet but i was able to call and book it this morning.  I called and got a very helpful RC rep.  He said he wouldn't expect 2020 to be out until Dec-Mar.  I told him I had heard RC had announced "week of November 5".  He checked and Yes! He was almost as excited as i to announce he could book it.  I don't know the full rotation but i can tell you June 19-26, 2020 is the standard south-bound route.  I did wind up paying a bit more than 2019 rates (to be expected) but got exactly what i wanted including the aft corner on deck 8.  Alaska here i come!!

RC site doesn't show it yet but i was able to call and book it this morning.  I called and got a very helpful RC rep.  He said he wouldn't expect 2020 to be out until Dec-Mar.  I told him I had heard RC had announced "week of November 5".  He checked and Yes! He was almost as excited as i to announce he could book it.  I don't know the full rotation but i can tell you June 19-26, 2020 is the standard south-bound route.  I did wind up paying a bit more than 2019 rates (to be expected) but got exactly what i wanted including the aft corner on deck 8.  Alaska here i come!!

RC site doesn't show it yet but i was able to call and book it this morning.  I called and got a very helpful RC rep.  He said he wouldn't expect 2020 to be out until Dec-Mar.  I told him I had heard RC had announced "week of November 5".  He checked and Yes! He was almost as excited as i to announce he could book it.  I don't know the full rotation but i can tell you June 19-26, 2020 is the standard south-bound route.  I did wind up paying a bit more than 2019 rates (to be expected) but got exactly what i wanted including the aft corner on deck 8.  Alaska here i come!!

2020 is up!!  Doesn't show on the web site but I called and got everything I wanted!!!   June 19 is southbound
 

RC site doesn't show it yet but i was able to call and book it this morning.  I called and got a very helpful RC rep.  He said he wouldn't expect 2020 to be out until Dec-Mar.  I told him I had heard RC had announced "week of November 5".  He checked and Yes! He was almost as excited as i to announce he could book it.  I don't know the full rotation but i can tell you June 19-26, 2020 is the standard south-bound route.  I did wind up paying a bit more than 2019 rates (to be expected) but got exactly what i wanted including the aft corner on deck 8.  Alaska here i come!!

RC site doesn't show it yet but i was able to call and book it this morning.  I called and got a very helpful RC rep.  He said he wouldn't expect 2020 to be out until Dec-Mar.  I told him I had heard RC had announced "week of November 5".  He checked and Yes! He was almost as excited as i to announce he could book it.  I don't know the full rotation but i can tell you June 19-26, 2020 is the standard south-bound route.  I did wind up paying a bit more than 2019 rates (to be expected) but got exactly what i wanted including the aft corner on deck 8.  Alaska here i come!!

RC site doesn't show it yet but i was able to call and book it this morning.  I called and got a very helpful RC rep.  He said he wouldn't expect 2020 to be out until Dec-Mar.  I told him I had heard RC had announced "week of November 5".  He checked and Yes! He was almost as excited as i to announce he could book it.  I don't know the full rotation but i can tell you June 19-26, 2020 is the standard south-bound route.  I did wind up paying a bit more than 2019 rates (to be expected) but got exactly what i wanted including the aft corner on deck 8.  Alaska here i come!!

Hey, I've only checked 8 times so far (today.....) It's not like I am impatient!