Atlantix2000

On 2/24/2024 at 5:51 PM, andrewwilliamnewman said:

Thanks for the replies. 
I did not know it was possible for children to have their own room, the website doesn’t allow this so I’m unsure how this occurred. 
I will contact the resolutions team and hopefully they can help. 
The most annoying this is I have 10+ upcoming booking over the next 2 years, so only being Gold, I’ve missed out on $1000 savings in total for the upcoming booking where if I was the next tier up, I would have saved $100 per sailing. 
Will see what resolutions have to say. 
Thanks all! 

When you move up from Gold, yes you are eligible for discounts, but it's unlikely you will save any money on the cruises you have already booked.  In order to apply your new platinum discount, they would have to reprice the booking at the current rate and then apply your discount.  It's much more likely those cruises have increased by more than $100 since you booked them.  Sorry to say, but you will probably have to be happy with the extra on-board benefits of platinum.

1 hour ago, RCIfan1912 said:

A screen shot works? They accept that and scan that? Maybe dumb questions.

Honestly, even the bar code (in any form) is just a shortcut.  You don't have to do any form of check-in.  You can ignore the app.  All you have to do is show up at the terminal with the proper identification.  Yes, it will take longer look you up and get you on board than if they could scan a bar code.  And yes there's a risk your identification is somehow unacceptable which might have been caught if you did check-in.  But there's definitely still some old school travelers that have no interest in technology.

2 hours ago, pete24 said:

Traveling on Odyssey of the seas in a month and was assigned room 6656 listed as obstructed view balcony.  Was wondering if anyone has photos of views from this room to see what the obstructed view will be?  Or room similar 6650, 6652. 6654 or 6658 or opposite side 6250, 6252, 6254, 6256, 6258.'

thank you.

Youtube is full of room tour videos and Google image search will find plenty of options.  Just type in the ship name and various room numbers until you find what you need.

19 hours ago, Brendon said:

$10 Pass bet is single odds

$15 Pass bet allows Single odds on 4/10, $20 odds 5/9, $25 odds 6/8

$25 Pass bet allows Double odds on all numbers

$50 and up Pass bet allows 3x4x5x odds.

Good lord, I would need a calculator next to me if I were running that table!

5 hours ago, FOB said:

Thanks folks but I know which ports were tendered on that cruise as we took it last summer (as I said in my original post). 
I am trying to find out for the cruises I am due to take this year which are not on “standard” itineraries but are on trans pacific and trans Atlantic. 

Just go to Royal's website, and search for your cruise as if you were going to book it.  When you click "view itinerary" it will show the ports, what hours you are in port, and if it is tendered.  I just tried this by searching for all transpacific cruises and testing a few.  The info is there.

On 2/12/2024 at 9:28 AM, Thom Cruise said:

Unfortunately I'm from Mud Island (Britain) and I'm under 50 so unsurprisingly nothing good ever happens to us! 

I've found Club Royale to be completely pointless so far, even with Prime membership. 

You are probably booked under UK/European rules then (not sure if those are same/different) which are more restrictive due to better consumer protections laws.  That's good for you in some ways but bad in others.  I think lack of repricing is one of the bad side effects but I'm not certain.

One other consideration, once you book in a foreign currency/site, will that effect your choices in cruise planner for excursions/dining/etc?  Those may also need to be purchased in the foreign currency with different rules for repricing/cancellation.  Does Royal run the same type of cruise planner sales in other countries?  If those currencies fluctuate, will the excursions change prices in a way that negates the savings on the cruise itself?  Lots of fun questions!

They will honor your new Diamond status, but only if you speak up.  Normally, points take anywhere from a few days to a couple weeks after a cruise to post to your account.  So at the start of your second cruise, the ship's computer system won't know you are Diamond.  As Patty said, talk to the Loyalty Ambassador during the first cruise so they are aware you are crossing the point threshold.  They will update the ship's local computer system so you will be treated as Diamond even though the main corporate system won't show it yet.

8 hours ago, MarieFerrante said:

You better look on Google Maps to work on your transportation route!

Why?  Orlando Sanford International Airport is a bit NW of Orlando FL.  It's only 15 miles further than flying into MCO in Orlando itself.

8 hours ago, Minuet888 said:

We will obviously want breakfast but won't be able to do that in the airport.  I don't know how things are in other airports but in Southern CA airports the restaurants are all by the gates.  Once we get off the aircraft we will have to go get our bags and there is never any restaurants by baggage claim (and obviously won't be able to get back up by the gates.)

If we wanted to hang out in the airport what happens to our unclaimed bag at baggage claim?

I assume like most airports, you will disembark at a gate so the restaurants should be right there when you get off the plane.  Of course, the price will be higher for anything at the airport but if that's not a concern, just have breakfast in the gate area.  If you don't claim your luggage by the time they want to use your assigned baggage carousel for a different flight, airport staff will just move your luggage to a customer service area (usually somewhat centrally located in baggage claim).  You will need ID and your baggage claim tickets to claim luggage from there.  I actually had to do this in Las Vegas a couple weeks ago.  We weren't even that slow getting from the gate to the claim area but for some reason our flight was already off the carousel.

3 hours ago, Magoody said:

Maybe it is a graphic error like you said. You would think that there is an option for 7182 to be closed off from 7184. 

I am 100% confident that's a graphic error (possibly something to do with the image being a composite of several layers where one layer didn't adjust properly after being zoomed).  The reason I say this is look further down your image to room 7192 - 7202.  You can see the faint lines between the rooms and the lines of the balconies don't match up at all.  I guarantee the ship isn't built that way.

7 minutes ago, Minuet888 said:

Just thought it would be easier to use while at the water slides or something instead of trying to hold onto a card.

Maybe it's just how you are phrasing it that strikes me as odd, but neither the band or the card are used in any way while on the water slides.  Both are only used for opening your cabin door and paying for things.  Both can get wet so they are safe to carry on the slide, but you can also just leave them on your lounge chair with the rest of your belongings.  In my opinion, the only situation where the band is notably better than the card is when your hands are full while walking up to your cabin door.  Then the band can get the door unlocked as long as you can lean on the handle to get the door open.  Beyond that, it's a toss up.

11 hours ago, Minuet888 said:

I am confused now.  One person says the wow bands can be used with drink packages and then someone says they can’t.  

The point is they aren't as convenient as they sound.  If you have to take the band off to pay for a drink, they aren't really a better option, just a different option.

1 hour ago, Lucky said:

I checked what you said, and to your point, the subcategories are not the same. However, you still cannot convince me that it makes sense to charge less for 4 people than 2 people.

It totally depends on supply and demand.  If there are a lot of 4 person cabins available but the 2 person cabins are almost sold out, then the 2 person cabins will rise in price.  That's just how dynamic pricing works.  They could easily sell out the entire ship with a single set price per person, but they'd rather sell out with the maximum possible profit.  They also don't want to sell out too early because some people book very last minute and they can charge pretty much whatever they want for those because you either have to pay or not go (and someone will pay).

There's plenty of threads here with more in depth analysis.  Yes, it sometimes produces weird results like the "you pick your cabin" being cheaper than a "we'll pick your cabin" (also known as Guarantee bookings or GTY) when there's only a small number of GTYs left on the ship.  Nobody has to like it, but Royal is currently enjoying great success financially so it's clearly working.

35 minutes ago, Lucky said:

Alright, I'm looking at an Icon sailing for November 30, 2024. I'm already booked, however my parents were also considering going but were flabbergasted at the price and said no way. Please tell me if I'm doing something wrong because this just isn't making sense to me.

Here's the scenario:

This sailing is part of a kids sail free promotion. I can book an ocean view with large balcony for 2 adults and 2 kids for $7125.96.

However, just booking the same ocean view with large balcony for only 2 adults is $9444.48.

There's no way this is right, is there? Can someone explain the phenomenon that is happening?

Are you sure you're booking the EXACT SAME cabin in this comparison?  It's highly unlikely that you are.  Cabins for 2 and cabins for 4 are generally different sub-categories.  And yes, those sub-categories will have different pricing due to different levels of demand.  The proper comparison is a cabin for 4 (2 adults with 2 kids) vs a cabin for 4 (4 adults).  Then, even if you have managed to get Royal's website to let you book a cabin that sleeps 4 people for only 2 people, of course it will be more expensive on a per person basis.  If Royal lets you leave beds empty, then they are giving up the extra revenue those missing passengers might have spent on board.  To make up the difference, they would have to charge more for that cabin.

On 1/16/2024 at 2:34 AM, FionaMG said:

You can't do it yourself. That's a real bugbear of mine. You have to completely cancel and rebook, which also means you will have to pay for the new booking immediately while your refund for the original booking can take several days or more to reach your account.

Also, you can't even see what alternative days/times are available until after you cancel, so you may find that there is no availability and, to cap it all off, someone else may snap up the times you've just released in the meantime.

However, I believe you can call Royal and do the switch over the phone or if you're using a travel agent they may be able to help.

Yes, financially your credit card will temporarily have both bookings but that's only a problem if you card is going to cycle before the refund comes through.  Most of the time there's no real effect on your money.

If you always do all your booking using the same person's account, you are correct you can't see available times until after you cancel.  But you aren't required to name everyone on a reservation so use that to your advantage.  Use your travel partner's account to check available times and book the new reservation, then cancel your reservation.

On Royal's website, if you search for all sailings on Navigator, you'll see there's a 4 night cruise on Feb 12, 2024, then nothing until April 12, 2024.  That suggests she's in dry dock for almost 2 months but is back in service a month before your cruise.

10 hours ago, Amy0198 said:

Hi guys,

Cruise newbie here. Sorry if this question is obvious but..

I booked a Balcony gty room (no room selection) however received a 'change of stateroom email' today and we've been moved to a different room,  a balcony room on deck 7 with 50% obstructed views on the Ovation of the Seas. Is this normal to happen? is it there no guarantee your view will be obstructed when you book a balcony room? Im a bit disheartened but if its what they can do i guess it is what it is.  

Thanks

If it is a balcony cabin, then yes it's a valid outcome for a balcony GTY.  Having an obstructed view doesn't change whether it is a balcony cabin.  But it does make it less likely that those who paid to pick their room would choose it.  The GTY bookings save money but get the leftovers.

Changing staterooms is a separate consideration.  Yes it's also possible.  Sometimes a cabin becomes unavailable (maintenance issue or a few other reasons) so you get moved.  That can happen whether you are a GTY or a normal booking.  As others mentioned, it's always possible to call and change cabins if there are any available in your specific category.

10 hours ago, FionaMG said:

This was confirmed months ago and guests whose cruises were cancelled were given the option of reinstating them if they wanted.

Wow really?  That news didn't hit this thread, did I miss it in another thread on the site?  Seems like some of those affected above would have commented here.

That would depend on what drink you are adding the floater to.  Not all drinks are $14 (though it's probably the cost for most blender drinks where floaters are common).  That's just the per drink limit of the package.  Without a package, the total cost would be drink cost plus shot cost.  With a package, for drinks less than $14, you would just pay the shot cost and for drinks over $14, you would pay the overage plus the shot cost.  That's my understanding.

1 hour ago, Mel78 said:

Ok I have a cruise coming up and do not have a passport. The last name on my birth certificate and license are different, I got married in 2003. I have my marriage certificate from NC but it doesnt have my son on it (it says son not required on it) OR I have an old ID from when I lived in FL that has my maiden name that matches my birth certificate on it. Will they accept the marriage certificate or is it better for me to try to change my last name on the cruise reservation if thats even possible?

Not sure what you mean by "my son" in this context.  I'm not aware that children or social security numbers (SSNs) are listed on marriage licenses (and that's the only 2 ways I can think of to interpret what you've said.)  Either way, the marriage license/certificate is an acceptable document to connect your different last names.  Your old ID from FL is not useful at all.  There's plenty of threads here from others who have used traveled after marriage.  Just use the search bar at the top if you want more details.

2 hours ago, Timmy333 said:

Sky Suite guest. VERY Upset.

Included drinks are available to us from 11am to 11pm in the suite LOUNGE but NOT sitting on the suite sun deck next door. WHAT? I paid almost $12,000 for 2 people and a 2 year old and you make me walk - wet - to the lounge to get a glass of wine or charge me $15 at the pool bar that’s only 100 feet away? 

This is a TERRIBLE idea for Sky Level guests. Ugggg…what happened to common sense?

I feel like I’ve been bait and switched. This is a TERRIBLE idea for Sky Level guests.…

Tim

While I see your point, that's not at all an example of bait and switch.  Royal advertises that you get free drinks in the lounge.  You got free drinks in the lounge.  Believing or assuming you should also get free drinks anywhere else is on you.

The beverage packages are good no matter where you are on the ship (bar or restaurant) so yes you can get glasses of wine with dinner (up to the current $ limit, and pay the difference if over the limit).

5 hours ago, miket25 said:

Who in their right mind would book a cruise to Israel for 2024 or even 2025. Months away? Are you kidding? 

The shame of it is,  the cruise line should admit the destinations are more important than the cruise ship itself.  Swapping out Greek Islands for Jerusalem and Alexandria isn't a consolation. 

Celebrity, cancel the cruise, waive penalty,  open up sister cruise line options,  and keep your customers happy.  OR, keep the $200 penalty, piss off your customer and get a black eye for short term greed!!

Again. I booked the cruise for the destinations and on our Feb 2025 cruise it was a major selling point.  

Celebrity... do the right thing.  10+ Celebrity cruises already.  Many more to go. 

You do realize that I wrote "months ago", months ago?  I believe the cruises in question still haven't started.  The ships are still scheduled to be in the Mediterranean and that is unlikely to change for early 2024 cruises.  They won't sail to Israel but the possibility of changing ports is part of the cruise contract that every passenger signed.  For a 2025 cruise, there's simply no reason for any cruise line to change their schedule yet.  There may be no active war there in 2025 and the cruise will go on as scheduled.  At this point, only you can decide if you are willing to wait and see or pay to change.

On 12/31/2023 at 1:17 PM, J L said:

Hello, 

This is our 2nd cruise, but we didn't eat in the main dining room the first cruise.  I'm still a little fuzzy on the My time Dining and I think I'm still overthinking it.  The only times left are later  eating times for reservations.  If I'm understanding correctly, even if we make a reservation for a certain time, we can still show up at any time during the dining hours to eat, just may have to wait a bit?  Or am I not understanding correctly?

The best way to think of My Time Dining is that it works like any normal land based restaurant.  You can walk in and put your name on the wait list or you can make a reservation.  But in either case, the wait is somewhat unpredictable because other diners sometimes stay longer than expected.  Like any restaurant the closer you want to eat to the most popular times, the harder it is to get exactly what you want.  What time is most popular on a cruise ship is also somewhat unpredictable depending on whether it's a port or sea day and whether there are activities and shows at the same time.