Michael Vitale

We’re sailing the same week ? I think we are going to pass on our Maya Chan reservation and spend the day in port.

Heres the way I see the math,, my next sailing shows the deluxe package at $42 pp. Since the new policy is in effect that would make it $84 for my wife and I, for a total of $588. Now naturally, I WILL have some drinks. But here’s the point,, i obviously won’t spend anywhere near $588 or I WOULD get the package. If I were to spend $588 going a la carte they wouldn’t care. But by making the package $588, they’re causing me to spend perhaps $250 or $300

Yes, I was kinda wondering if RC played a big (most) part in the port beautification, like in Falmouth. As soon as I saw DI, my first thought was RC, but then after seeing other cruise lines docked I was t so sure. Falmouth is exclusively RC’s port.

Same here. Brock is my agent.

After hearing so many cruisers say they won’t be getting the deluxe package, I have to wonder if at some point RC will reach the point of diminishing returns, and price it more realistically.

I’ve never been to Costa Maya. Was watching some YouTube videos over the w/e and it looked like the port area is quite nice and reminded me of Falmouth. Pool, bars, restaurants, shopping, and of course Diamonds International. I saw ships other than RC docked so I assume the beautification wasn’t exclusively RC’s doing. Anyone know the story of the Costa Maya port ??

Yes, and yes. As soon as you board, head to a restaurant. Tell them what you want. 97.4 % of the time they’ll hook you up. They arent in the business of saying no. ?

I hope you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into ? Once you experience a cruise vacation, you’ll be hooked like the rest of us. You will start planning and anticipating (obsessing ?) over your NEXT cruise the second you arrive home and start unpacking. Welcome to the world of cruising. What took you so long ?? My 2 cents on this subject is to enjoy a day at Mr Sancho’s in Cozumel. It’s my fav beach day. For $55 it cannot be beat. Google Mr Sancho’s. Check out some YouTube videos. And don’t be hesitant to do an excursion outside of RC, as Mr Sancho’s is. Again, welcome to cruising !!!

I feel for you brother. What I don’t understand is, if a ship is full, and they always sail full or near full, how does a charter benefit them ? Do they charge MORE for a charter than a full ship ?? Surely RC can institute a policy whereby charters must be reserved within say 90 days of itinerary announcements.

I had a 12 pack of liters delivered on Jewel. It was $36. Worked out great

With all due respect, I cannot imagine having the final payment date so out of mind that I miss it. I certainly can’t imagine finding fault with RC because you missed your final payment. But then again, this IS 2018 where everything is someone else’s fault. Enjoy your cruise ?

we absolutely LOVED this place. no need to book an excursion. just jump in a cab to Magens Bay. Pay to get in, rent chairs & umbrella, and you're all set. theres a cash bar with very reasonable drink prices. $4.50 for Miller Lite !!!!

2019 begins 3-a-year for us. I cannot imagine waiting a whole year like we did when we first started cruising. ONCE a year ?

the "30% off" is in reference to ONBOARD prices. This is simply a gimmick that allows them to post the colorful, attractive 30% OFF banner. These prices haven't changed in months. No one in their right mind waits to get on board to book this stuff. And all they have to do is raise the "onboard price", and bingo, "30% off". Its all just a game. Deluxe is $42, and has been $42 for as long as I can remember.

I’ve been on 4 classes so far, and I’d agree, Oasis class (Harmony) was my least favorite. I also never saw/talked to my room attendant. Never connected with any crew members, from wait staff to bartenders, etc. I felt with 3500 crew and 6,000 guests it was WAY too big to have any intimacy at all. Never saw the same server twice. No pool in the solarium, hated that. My next 4 cruises are all on Liberty, my “home port” ship. Perfect size, my fav ship. ?

DMurphy, you seriously expect RC to alter policies based on your diamond status ??

Little French Key in Roatan. I’m seeing rave reviews. Anyone ever been ??

jti, you’re right. They’d rather have a higher percentage of first timers. They’re entitled to a lot less free stuff. Like Diamond drinks. They’re gonna be a lot less savvy in purchasing packages ahead of time and paying the full onboard price, etc. very disappointing.

Twang, you nailed it on the head, its a shell game. Its like the grocery chain Albertson's does with their meat sales. They advertise buy 1 get 3 free. Wow right ? Buy 1 get 3 free, who doesn't like the sound of that ??? Until you get there and realize that they've adjusted the pricing to show $16.95 lb !!!!! Pork chop package #1 is now like $22. But you get 3 "free" Its all just a game.

Twang, it seems obvious to me they're doing all these big colorful promo ads to attract eyeballs from FIRST TIME cruisers. Loyal C&A cruisers are reliable revenue for them. These offers are designed to make people who've never cruised jump. They really need to do a better job recognizing the difference in their markets, between C&A and first timers

Ok guys, allow me to rant a bit This week I booked a 7 night JS on Liberty for Sept 2019. With all the blinking lights of the WOW Sale and its $300 OBC, I jumped on it. Long story short, I looked at the confirmation details and low & behold, there it is,,, a $100 OBC. My first thought was what in the ever loving,,,,,, So, heres the explanation of this completely convoluted policy. My $100 C&A discount voids that WOW offer, as they are not combinable. So instead of getting the $300 OBC, I get the $100 C&A discount and a $100 OBC. My reward for being loyal to Royal, Emerald level C&A is a net loss of $100. Someone who has never cruised Royal before would've gotten the same fare discount, NOT gotten the C&A discount, but would've gotten $300 OBC. I understand the part about not being combinable. What I don't understand is why they automatically apply the C&A discount if it causes this issue. Surely someone somewhere has pointed this out to Bookings/Customer Relations ?? How can I not be offered the chance to decline the C&A discount and take the $300 ??? I called the next morning and was told "its too late, the WOW sale is over" Nice huh ? Very disappointed about this

Omg. I booked flights from DFW many months ago. $632 pp/rt ?

I’m also flying in next Friday. You sailing on Jewel or Adventure ?

Personally I don’t understand the controversy. Everyone knows the reason why they did this. They aren’t alone. Other cruise lines have the same policy. I used to buy a pkg for myself and not my wife. Now I can’t do that. It’s their ship and MY choice. So, now I don’t get any pkgs, go a la carte, and there’s NO WAY my bar tab will be anywhere near the cost of 2 pkgs.

Wow that’s an incredible deal. I never seem to get any deals when I fly. I always wind up paying top dollar ?