Matt 8,250 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Once we got onboard we booked our specialty dining. We have the ultimate dining package, and got reservations for everything we wanted at the time we wanted. There were a few specialty dining waiters waiting right as we boarded, so they took our reservations nice and easy. Our first stop was the Solarium Bar to enjoy some embarkation day drinks! Always book your drink packages before the cruise. We paid $49 versus the $70 10 mom2mybugs, cruiselife, ellcee and 7 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,250 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 1 hour ago, KLA said: 9:41 AM.... so, bets on whether or not @Matt is already at the port? I wanted to leave about an hour before my wife was willing to even consider it. When we arrived and boarding had begun I gave her my “told you so” face 8 JennyB, coneyraven, cruiselife and 5 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
marti314 474 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Severe fog looks to be rolling in...... Just disregard the perfectly blue skies at the end of the animation loop....🙂 10 Guy Gadwa, JLMoran, Mike P and 7 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 2,503 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, Matt said: Always book your drink packages before the cruise. We paid $49 versus the $70 Should have quizzed them. Is the Diamond Plus discount still offered? If so, how the does the Diamond Plus discount play into the pricing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,250 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, CGTLH said: Should have quizzed them. Is the Diamond Plus discount still offered? If so, how the does the Diamond Plus discount play into the pricing? The bartender isnt totally positive but thinks you would. In that case it might be a decent deal. He said the bogo deal is essentialy $25 off $70 for each person. Plus D+ discount would potentially be good deal. Already prebooked so cant test it out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twangster 19,442 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 1 minute ago, Matt said: I wanted to leave about an hour before my wife was willing to even consider it. When we arrived and boarding had begun I gave her my “told you so” face In my experience a man enjoying a "told you so" moment is short lived. Recommend generous drink package utilization in hopes it purges her memory. 2 8 1 cruiselife, coneyraven, ellcee and 8 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twangster 19,442 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, CGTLH said: If so, how the does the Diamond Plus discount play into the pricing? Something tells me that fine print at the bottom includes "not combinable with other discounts or promotions". 1 Baked Alaska reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 2,503 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, twangster said: Something tells me that fine print at the bottom includes "not combinable with other discounts or promotions". Nope, the standard package policy terms. Can't share, everyone of drinking age must buy, get x% off bottles of wine... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,250 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, twangster said: Something tells me that fine print at the bottom includes "not combinable with other discounts or promotions". I really wish I could test out to see price. The bartender here thought about it and thinks he could do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twangster 19,442 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, Matt said: I really wish I could test out to see price. The bartender here thought about it and thinks he could do it. C&A tells me you can cancel a cruise planner DX once on board and buy it again on board. That was their advice when sailing with my Gold son so he wouldn't have to pay full on board price but I could get my D+ discount on board. 1 Matt reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 2,503 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, Matt said: I really wish I could test out to see price. The bartender here thought about it and thinks he could do it. Demand to speak with the Beverage Manager or FBM right this instance! /sarcasm 1 Matt reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,250 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, twangster said: C&A tells me you can cancel a cruise planner DX once on board and buy it again on board. That was their advice when sailing with my Gold son so he wouldn't have to pay full on board price but I could get my D+ discount on board. Interesting. Doubt I will pursue it just because of all the hurdles required at this point. But if you can stack the discount then it would be a money saver. Regardless, this is the first time I’ve ever seen this bogo offer onboard. Not sure I’d ever recommend rolling the dice on waiting. Not to mention ability to pre purchase and break up cruise cost, which I value. 1 JennyB reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CGTLH 2,503 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, twangster said: C&A tells me you can cancel a cruise planner DX once on board and buy it again on board. That was their advice when sailing with my Gold son so he wouldn't have to pay full on board price but I could get my D+ discount on board. Fun thing about all this variable pricing. In @Matt case the discount with D+ would have been $49. Same and what he paid online. If Royal would be upfront and state a standard fleet wide price it would be helpful. Then this new bogo day one offer really changes the math and adds a new set of variables. 1 Matt reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
twangster 19,442 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Just now, CGTLH said: Then this new bogo day one offer really changes the math and adds a new set of variables. And possibly only offered if DX sales are below a threshold on a particular sailing so unpredictable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,250 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Scientific proof the weather is absolutely perfect today in Tampa 13 ellcee, JennyB, lauraodonnell86 and 10 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,250 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 I had heard with Ultimate Dining Package some people had been able to eat at a specialty restaurant for lunch. I figured it was worth the try to see if they would seat us. Sure enough, they looked us up and happily seated us for lunch. Keep in mind that if you are cruising soon, you can and should ask politely but be prepared for the answer to be no. The rules clearly state lunch with UDP is for sea days only This is the first Royal Caribbean cruise ever I have ever been on that I have not eaten embarkation day lunch in the Windjammer. 4 10 Guy Gadwa, JLMoran, Lovetocruise2002 and 11 others reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,250 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 10 minutes ago, twangster said: And possibly only offered if DX sales are below a threshold on a particular sailing so unpredictable. I think you’re right. Based on this, I’d be shocked if drink card didn’t show up Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,250 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Thermal spa price is cheaper than I recall 1 Baked Alaska reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedNoodles 1,955 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 21 minutes ago, Matt said: Thermal spa price is cheaper than I recall Nice!! I love the Thermal Spa! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jaymac Radio 938 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Hey @Matt Can You Please Check And See Who Is The Resident DJ On This Sailing. Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JLMoran 4,998 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 37 minutes ago, Matt said: Thermal spa price is cheaper than I recall That is a heck of a lot cheaper than what I paid for the two of us on Anthem! Not quite half, but pretty darn close! Did you grab it for that price? 1 betatke1480 reacted to this Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ThyriC 321 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 Looking forward to watching your sail away on the webcams and if you choose to share! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedNoodles 1,955 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 3 minutes ago, JLMoran said: That is a heck of a lot cheaper than what I paid for the two of us on Anthem! Not quite half, but pretty darn close! Did you grab it for that price? Yeah, it’s $155 for my June Ovation sailing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,250 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 8 minutes ago, JLMoran said: That is a heck of a lot cheaper than what I paid for the two of us on Anthem! Not quite half, but pretty darn close! Did you grab it for that price? I offered for my wife but while she likes the concept, she’s always concerned with it being too busy. That and she booked a 90 minute treatment. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt 8,250 Report post Posted February 14, 2019 9 minutes ago, ThyriC said: Looking forward to watching your sail away on the webcams and if you choose to share! Yes! Will be live on Facebook probably around 4 or 4:30 eastern. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
