PRebecca Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 I was just reminded today to be sure to use or schedule remaining PTO... it's like it is meant to be!! We're within 3 or so hours of 4 ports, sign me up. Good luck to the sweepstakers! PPPJJ-GCVAB and SpeedNoodles 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 So the only test cruises left on the schedule are Mariner and Oasis. 1,125 winners. I won’t be fully vaccinated by Mariner and I’m not paying to fly from Fla to NY/NJ for oasis…so I guess I won’t bother. p.s. I was trying to time my vaccination so I’d get a full year coverage from October to October (4 cruises) but damn Delta got me to go sooner but not soon enough to get on a Florida test cruise. Not meant to be. Good luck y’all! PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dswallow Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 1 hour ago, PG Cruiser said: This is not a race, right? Does it matter who submits entries first? No particular first-come first-served going on here; just a 24-hour window in which to register the up to 12 entries permitted for each person. HBCcruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 41 minutes ago, PRebecca said: I was just reminded today to be sure to use or schedule remaining PTO... it's like it is meant to be!! We're within 3 or so hours of 4 ports, sign me up. Good luck to the sweepstakers! In my circles that is what we call a “sign” PRebecca, WAAAYTOOO and PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianB Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 I know it’s for the person picked and a guest. Double occupancy. Just wondering if there’s nobody available to take time off…can I sail solo? I promise I’ll eat and drink twice as much! SpeedNoodles 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Do we get C&A points for this sailing? ... Asking for a friend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RWDW1204 Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Got ours today. But we just did Freedom July 23-26, so wife says she can wait until November for our next one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 11 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said: Do we get C&A points for this sailing? ... Asking for a friend Apparently you do not Pattycruise 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 1 hour ago, PRebecca said: I was just reminded today to be sure to use or schedule remaining PTO... it's like it is meant to be!! Even the Royal FB Page is talking to you… PRebecca and WAAAYTOOO 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Thank God for Auto-Fill WAAAYTOOO, SpeedNoodles and PPPJJ-GCVAB 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dswallow Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Well, I think we've found yet another thoughtless, stupid questionnaire design that's going to result in a lot of people wasting a lot of time and effort sorting out the volunteers. The very least they should've had a way to select the test cruises one wanted to be considered for. So now they'll randomly pick people for particular sailings and have to endure lots of rejections and then continue repeating the process till they get the number of volunteers they need for each. BrianB, PPPJJ-GCVAB, Pattycruise and 1 other 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanabell13 Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 58 minutes ago, dswallow said: Well, I think we've found yet another thoughtless, stupid questionnaire design that's going to result in a lot of people wasting a lot of time and effort sorting out the volunteers. The very least they should've had a way to select the test cruises one wanted to be considered for. So now they'll randomly pick people for particular sailings and have to endure lots of rejections and then continue repeating the process till they get the number of volunteers they need for each. Then, you have to wonder if this process will be repeated for the rest of the ships. Pretty labor intensive! PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 It's only 1100 winners, so 2 test cruises? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee23 Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Wouldn't it be for up to 2200 passengers? I think they had three options listed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 24 minutes ago, LizzyBee23 said: Wouldn't it be for up to 2200 passengers? I think they had three options listed. The T&C they posted on facebook said there were 1125 grand prizes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruisingOz Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 We received an email this morning from Royal to register for a chance to secure a test cruise. Funny thing is, when I initally filled in the form, I did put my country as AUS (Australia) so would think they may have filtered out all non US citizens as we do not qualify. They are teasing us poor Aussie, stuck in lock down in fortress Oz. WAAAYTOOO and PPPJJ-GCVAB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizzyBee23 Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 25 minutes ago, smokeybandit said: The T&C they posted on facebook said there were 1125 grand prizes. I think each prize is for two passengers, though... Or said in the parlance of this blog: 1 prize=1 berth Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBCcruiser Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Three cruises: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisellama Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Done PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBCcruiser Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 The link to the official rules. I would not like to be selected as a “Designated Guest”! https://www.royalcaribbean.com/terms-and-conditions/volunteers-of-the-seas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PRebecca Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 I made sure DH understood what the deal was and signed us up I would only be able to make it to one of the three sailings and I don't have much hope of actually being chosen but it's exciting to Hope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Ugh looking at the invite that’s open today. im away for the first cruise 2nd one ends the morning of my freshman daughter college move in 3rd is Texas-no interest to go for a 4 day ugh PPPJJ-GCVAB 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 The most interesting thing is Liberty has a test sail date WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeWhoWaits Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Sadly the "extra" entries to the lottery don't give any improved odds for advanced C&A status. EVERYONE can get 12 entries. Pinnacle can enter once and get credit for all 12. Diamond (my current level) get 8 entries for the initial effort and I just completed the "form" 4 additional times to get to the 12. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 9 minutes ago, Matt said: The most interesting thing is Liberty has a test sail date That what I saw too. Good to see. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 9 minutes ago, HeWhoWaits said: Sadly the "extra" entries to the lottery don't give any improved odds for advanced C&A status. EVERYONE can get 12 entries. Pinnacle can enter once and get credit for all 12. Diamond (my current level) get 8 entries for the initial effort and I just completed the "form" 4 additional times to get to the 12. Correct, but most people don't read all the rules and/or don't take time to do that. Basically, being in C&A saves you some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 Being Emerald, I had to keep track of the seven additional entries I filled out PPPJJ-GCVAB, AshleyDillo, twangster and 1 other 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koepper Posted August 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 3 hours ago, PG Cruiser said: Being Emerald, I had to keep track of the seven additional entries I filled out OK maybe I am missing something...... Emerald C&A member gets 5 additional entries for each submission of the sweepstakes form (i.e., 1 submission + 5 additional = 6 entries). So @PG Cruisershould only have to enter 2 times to get to 12 since each entry gets 5 additional entries (2 submissions + 10 additional entries). I want to make sure I submitted the form the correct number of times. I probably will not get picked but I still can dream of a nice 6 day Oasis cruise from NJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Koepper Posted August 6, 2021 Author Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 14 minutes ago, Koepper said: OK maybe I am missing something...... Never mind, I think I figured it out..... You only get the C&A additional entries one time. Not every time you enter the sweepstakes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HBCcruiser Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 I wouldn't sweat it. The rules state the following: "LIMIT TWELVE (12) ENTRIES PER PERSON, REGARDLESS OF METHOD OF ENTRY. ADDITIONAL ENTRIES MAY BE DISQUALIFIED." https://www.royalcaribbean.com/terms-and-conditions/volunteers-of-the-seas My assumption is that they will only count the correct number of entries per person anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 If you don’t apply for this round of test cruises are you out of the game to potentially be contacted for future test cruises? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 The mechanics of this sweepstakes only reward C&A members with convenience, not more chances of winning. It would have been better if only one entry is allowed and then C&A members get additional chances to win according to their level. But then again, RCG might not really want to reward their loyal customers that much. HBCcruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 39 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said: The mechanics of this sweepstakes only reward C&A members with convenience, not more chances of winning. You are correct, and I think that has to do with U.S. laws concerning sweepstakes, of which this is technically one. Remember the old "no purchase necessary to win" statement? Same basic idea. Otherwise I think it falls into a different category (raffle?) and there are different rules. HBCcruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 @Matt, weren’t you in a test cruise last July? Are you making a blog post about it or did they make you sign an NDA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hince57 Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 1 hour ago, PG Cruiser said: @Matt, weren’t you in a test cruise last July? Are you making a blog post about it or did they make you sign an NDA? https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-413-freedom-of-the-seas-cruise-review this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PG Cruiser Posted August 6, 2021 Report Share Posted August 6, 2021 1 hour ago, Hince57 said: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-413-freedom-of-the-seas-cruise-review this? I didn't know @Mattwas on the Freedom test cruise. I was thinking about the one on Allure. Hince57 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianB Posted August 7, 2021 Report Share Posted August 7, 2021 On 8/6/2021 at 12:15 AM, dswallow said: Well, I think we've found yet another thoughtless, stupid questionnaire design that's going to result in a lot of people wasting a lot of time and effort sorting out the volunteers. The very least they should've had a way to select the test cruises one wanted to be considered for. So now they'll randomly pick people for particular sailings and have to endure lots of rejections and then continue repeating the process till they get the number of volunteers they need for each. I agree. It would have been better if each sailing had a check off box next to it so we could choose. That would eliminate a lot of time waiting for the chosen to respond yea or nay due to dates and location. I’m a go for Oasis from NJ if I am lucky enough to get picked, but I would probably have to decline the others. Just sayin’…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 7, 2021 Report Share Posted August 7, 2021 18 hours ago, PG Cruiser said: @Matt, weren’t you in a test cruise last July? Are you making a blog post about it or did they make you sign an NDA? Nope, I was on the first revenue sailing of Freedom. Not the test cruise. I did, however, go on the Allure test cruise in July. No NDA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FManke Posted August 7, 2021 Report Share Posted August 7, 2021 19 hours ago, Matt said: You are correct, and I think that has to do with U.S. laws concerning sweepstakes, of which this is technically one. Like the Publishers Clearing House or Irish Sweepstakes. Happy Cruising! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr martini Posted August 7, 2021 Report Share Posted August 7, 2021 @Matt is correct here - it takes me back to the old law school days but there is a distinct difference between a sweepstakes and a raffle but regardless, there's always a lot of legal work that goes into any big company doing a giveaway of any kind. I signed up, there was a lot of boilerplate, running anything nationwide runs into a lot of issues with varying state regulation but I thought this was a good idea, as I did when we discussed the initial volunteering a while back. Gives Royal a lot of free advertising across social media, the travel industry outlets give them various write ups, and the all important actual word of mouth. Gives RC more data on potential customers, we get excited about cruising even more and some of us will even get to go. Makes sense to me. Like others have said the last minute nature of the travel/airfare etc was probably keeping a lot of folks out of the individual invites, this way folks get three options depending on their schedule and where they live - win/win in my book. Like everything else the last year and a half, learning as we go.... JeffB, Baked Alaska, Snotarni and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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