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Transatlantic/Repositioning cruises


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I am considering doing one of these, strictly for the price/points to get me to Diamond level. Just wondering for those that have done these, what kind of crowd I can expect on this boat.

 

Due to the long duration, I am guessing its a much older crowd...retired, long time cruises or do many others take advantage of this type of pricing?

 

Do the number of sea days get to you day after day with really no change in the scenery?

 

Any advice, tips or ideas would be appreciated!

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Yes, you guessed right. As a rule, the TA cruises have an older and more senior (LOOOOOTS of Diamond Plus and Pinnacle members) cruisers. They (retired)are the only ones (as a rule) who can take this much time off. I believe the TA I was on there were exactly 6 children on the entire cruise. If you want a cruise free of children this is the one for you !

 

Personally, I prefer sea days to port days so this kind of cruise is ideal for me. I spend most of my time in the casino so I don't care about changes of scenery...but I suspect that those who long for activities and ports, on a cruise, may well find 6 or 7 consecutive days at sea to be boring.

 

This is also a cruise where you can get an inside cabin and not have to worry about missing a lot of interesting scenery. There isn't any. Water is water....and there's LOTS of water on a TA.

 

If you're looking for a cruise to save money, accumulate cruise points, be free of children and have LOTS of days at sea, this is definitely the right option. I can't wait for the October TA on the Harmony. WOOHOO !!

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Yeah...I kinda figured that...perhaps I will look at doing a B2B..that will get me my 28 points going solo and reduce air cost, but at the same time allow me visit many more ports and enjoy a more lively cruise I am sure.

 

However, with some of the pricing I see for those repositioning cruises...its tempting.

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Looking forward to making Diamond myself this Thanksgiving.

 

Not sure that there is anything about it that would make me pay extra to take a cruise I didn't want to take just to get to Diamond, but the perks are nice.

 

Three free drinks a night for the wife and I should basically eliminate our bar bill from future cruises  to start with :)

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I would love to do a TA, but my wife isn't a fan of sea days which is obviously a problem unless I sail alone or just with my son. Personally, I'd want the sea days up front rather than at the end as I found that on our Northern Europe cruise, which was port intensive, the port days at the end weren't as enjoyable as we were focused on the cruise ending. The sea days between ports, though, were relaxing and gave us the opportunity to recharge.

 

If I were doing a pre or post cruise extension, then it wouldn't matter to me.

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I am going to get to Diamond one way or another. Its the airfare that kills from here. SO if I can find a way to do a longer cruise, great price AND double points, its a win win.

 

I know at Diamond level is when the real perks start to kick in...things like the Diamond lounge, some free drinks each day as well as drinks at the lounge,  discounts on balcony rooms and suites, plus some smaller perks and nice touches from what I have heard and read.

 

After my Feb cruise, I should be exactly 28 points from Diamond..so a 14 day solo cruise gets me there....OR I can take 4 more 1 week cruises with friends to get there......which is a lot more cost.

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Montocguy, I would definitely recommend you just do the longer cruise...especially with airfare being the big cost for you (I have the same problem !)

 

It sounds like your goal is to reach Diamond. If that is really the goal, and you are rather ambiguous about the means of getting there, I think the single, longer cruise is the way to go.

 

Not only are the longer cruise more FUN, but the TAs (or repositionings) are very affordable on a per-day basis.

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Three free drinks a night for the wife and I should basically eliminate our bar bill from future cruises  to start with :)

We will hit Diamond too after our next 7 night cruise and I agree, the free drinks will make a big difference.

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It is funny (particular) that there are those chasing points to get to the next tier instead of going on the best cruise, for the ports, for the best dollar, and benefits. This is exactly what a loyalty program wants from it's cruisers. Constantly checking your points and perks. The 3 drinks per night worth more than ? Consider all the monies and time to get to Diamond (or any level). It defies logic.

 

I do the same thing too. I chase points.

 

Then they change the rules and it either takes more points (when I am close) or they take away the perk.

 

Now after Jan 1, everyone is saying it's changing again. Ha. Hurry up and wait then no cigar.

 

I remember when Royal Caribbean only gave you 1 point per cruise and Diamond was the highest tier.

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I wouldn't say I am chasing points. I have yet to take a cruise that I wasn't planning to take  or pay to upgrade to a suite for extra points.

 

However, the points did mean that unless I saw something that I really wanted to try my default go to was RCI when I would consider booking a vacation/cruise.

 

Oddly now that I am close to Diamond I no longer feel as strongly about RCI as either my default cruiseline or my default vacation, I don't regret getting to Diamond since all my vacations were good ones that I would have taken anyway, but it isn't giving me any thrills of anticipation outside of the three free drinks since the rest of the perks don't seem all that great.

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I think Royal Caribbean needs to separate, even more,  their tiered systems and not intermingle them with the same or like benefits. this is getting confusing and multi-layered confusing. they need to pick one and go for it.

 

The Crown and Anchor members tier (takes years and lots and lots of money to reach the upper levels),

The Suite tier system (just pay your money and the system of perks opens up),

and now it seems a new method is being tested,

Buy your points (again, this is a costly method to climb the loyalty tier system)

 

On the face, it looks like the biggest back for your buck (and much less money in the long run) is the Suite tiered system.

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I would also add I'm not chasing points.  If I was, I'd have booked something else in the interim to get me to diamond.  I absolutely pay attention to the points because I want to be aware if/when there are opportunities to improve my cruise experience. But I'm not booking 14 night solo cabin in suites just so I can rack up the points (although I suppose I would if I could....).

 

I've always viewed the benefits as simply something additional on the side.  It's not why I book a cruise or even book with RC.  It's just an added bonus.  Case in point, the discount coupons I get.  I probably use 1-2 per cruise.  The internet package discount and a BOGO beer. I usually forget about the rest.

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I am not chasing points per se....BUT, to be able to save myself the money from not booking 3 flights(saves about $2000 for me), plus this 1 cruise is less than half the price what I normally pay per cruise and get a long cruise in for a cheap deal...PLUS bounce me to diamond....makes sense.

 

I haven't booked any of my  previous 9 cruises based on points...just deals and vacation times....

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On the topic of chasing points, I will say that RCI was extremely generous to me when I was approaching Diamond status. I guess I WAS chasing points. I had booked all of the cruises that would give me Diamond status when they announced that they were moving from a per-cruise to a per-night basis and at the same time, adding new levels. Needless to say, I was NOT happy when I found out that they had moved the goal post on me...but I called the Loyalty desk and explained that I had already booked all of the cruises to attain Diamond status and they "grandfathered" me and allowed me to move to Diamond level when I completed that last cruise. Points-wise, I was still short but segment-wise, under the "old" system, I had made it...and they honored their promise and made us Diamond anyway.

 

It was maybe the one and only time that I felt like they really valued my loyalty. Since then....not so much.

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I will weigh in on this one when I return from my first Transatlantic Cruise in 3 weeks.   I leave Wednesday Sept. 3 and am curious as to how 16 days will affect my love for cruising.  I have booked back to back before but this will be the litmus test to determine if I will book the 24 day Transpacific Cruise in April 2017.    Only 450 more points to Pinnacle Level.   LOL,  never going to make it.  :unsure:

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