Summary of "recent" changes on RCI

I see this coming. Almost everything I have predicted seems to be coming true.

A mid term step, a la Celebrity Captain's Club (based on cabin booked), is more likely.

OK - so just a couple of observations, and questions, since I'm sailing in 60(ish) days.....

1 - regarding a corkage fee for the dining room. When I took a cruise last October, there was no fee, and everyone in our party brought a bottle of wine on board with them. When did it change that there is now a corkage fee?

According to this link - there is no fee. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2416505&highlight=room+service+fee

2 - regarding room service.... from the RCI website today - the $7.95 charge is only on the "American Breakfast" - and not everything. Which is ok, because we usually only get a couple of pitchers of coffee and tea in the morning, and then head up to breakfast. I would be very disappointed to be charged for that.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/Room_Service_Menu_2017.pdf

I am "loyal to Royal" and I'm still not 100% sure of the non-refundable deposits, and don't want to jinx myself as I have never had to move a cruise - RCI has cancelled on me - but not me on them.

Happy Cruising!

OK - so just a couple of observations, and questions, since I'm sailing in 60(ish) days.....

 

1 - regarding a corkage fee for the dining room. When I took a cruise last October, there was no fee, and everyone in our party brought a bottle of wine on board with them. When did it change that there is now a corkage fee?

According to this link - there is no fee. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2416505&highlight=room+service+fee

 

 

2 - regarding room service.... from the RCI website today - the $7.95 charge is only on the "American Breakfast" - and not everything. Which is ok, because we usually only get a couple of pitchers of coffee and tea in the morning, and then head up to breakfast. I would be very disappointed to be charged for that.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/Room_Service_Menu_2017.pdf

 

I am "loyal to Royal" and I'm still not 100% sure of the non-refundable deposits, and don't want to jinx myself as I have never had to move a cruise - RCI has cancelled on me - but not me on them.

 

Happy Cruising!

Sorry, the corkage fee returned earlier this year, I believe the beginning of June. This FAQ is up-to-date:

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/charge-corkage-fee

And as for the room service menu, see the bottom right of the second page. It says, "Room Service Menu has a service fee of $7.95 per room delivery." It's only the continental breakfast that is complimentary; the service charge applies to anything else from the room service menu.

A mid term step, a la Celebrity Captain's Club (based on cabin booked), is more likely.

Willing to take small steps first. The SL/CK is a nice perk.

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OK - so just a couple of observations, and questions, since I'm sailing in 60(ish) days.....

 

1 - regarding a corkage fee for the dining room. When I took a cruise last October, there was no fee, and everyone in our party brought a bottle of wine on board with them. When did it change that there is now a corkage fee?

According to this link - there is no fee. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2416505&highlight=room+service+fee

 

 

2 - regarding room service.... from the RCI website today - the $7.95 charge is only on the "American Breakfast" - and not everything. Which is ok, because we usually only get a couple of pitchers of coffee and tea in the morning, and then head up to breakfast. I would be very disappointed to be charged for that.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/en_US/pdf/Room_Service_Menu_2017.pdf

 

I am "loyal to Royal" and I'm still not 100% sure of the non-refundable deposits, and don't want to jinx myself as I have never had to move a cruise - RCI has cancelled on me - but not me on them.

 

Happy Cruising!

The corkage fee was announced in May I believe, but does not seem to be followed all the time.

The Room Service menu is still supposed to be free for continental breakfast, which is what you got in the past it seems.

and that "new" menu just celebrated it's one year anniversary:)

lol:d

Ah yes, a little confusion. For "Room Service" there is a $7.95 per room delivery.... which is on page 2 of the menu. But for the breakfast menu, it is still free unless you are getting the "American" breakfast side. :confused:

Truly a bummer about the corkage fee. Being able to bring the wine onboard, and use it for dinner helped save a few $$.... we always bring a corkscrew, so we'll just have to make sure we open the bottles in the room first. :D

As you see from my signature, I usually only cruise once a year - and in an interior cabin - because I have to save my $$ to cruise... took me 10 years to get Diamond - and reading the boards, it is distressing that people want to make it based on $$ spent - just "buying" your level - when some of us diligently are loyal in order to get the recognition. :(

Yikes! Follow-up question on the corkage fee....... if you bring your own "twist-off" wine (no cork!) to the dining room - will you still be charged? It's not like the servers are doing anything - you'll twist it off yourself. Or should you just snag some wine glasses and bring filled glasses with you to the dining room?

Sorry for the multiple questions! Obviously very important to some of us who like to bring their own wine on the ship!

Yikes! Follow-up question on the corkage fee....... if you bring your own "twist-off" wine (no cork!) to the dining room - will you still be charged? It's not like the servers are doing anything - you'll twist it off yourself. Or should you just snag some wine glasses and bring filled glasses with you to the dining room?

 

Sorry for the multiple questions! Obviously very important to some of us who like to bring their own wine on the ship!

Yes, you could still be charged. It's not the opening of the bottle (even though it's called corkage), it's bringing the bottle for consumption in a public venue.

 

As you see from my signature, I usually only cruise once a year - and in an interior cabin - because I have to save my $$ to cruise... took me 10 years to get Diamond - and reading the boards, it is distressing that people want to make it based on $$ spent - just "buying" your level - when some of us diligently are loyal in order to get the recognition. :(

Yes, understand your feelings and they are well deserved.

From a business prospective, I believe Royal benefits more from those cruisers willing to spend money today. I still think they should continue to reward their long time cruisers. I married into Diamond and only took me a year and half to make Diamond on my own points. Pts for $ should accelerate status levels.

Those that spend the most money with Royal should be rewarded at a higher rate than those that do not. Don't forget the money we spend on all things Royal (Specialty Dinning, Chefs Table, Casino, Drink Packages, Galley tour and brunch, all access tours, cabanas, Royal Excursions, Park West Art and so on. ) I see this coming. Almost everything I have predicted seems to be coming true.

 

If you were Royal, who would you think they should perk up. Those spending it now or those who have spent far less in the past.

 

 

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I beg to differ with your logic as those in suites have already spent more money than non suites before they even set foot on the ship. I'd also be willing to bet that if true numbers were to come out, suites end up spending more than others on-board to begin with; so they would end up with even more points. However, on a different note...since your predictions are coming true how about letting me in on the winning Powerball numbers.

The voyager and freedom class ships have also been (or soon will be) changed. (Maybe other ships also...I don't know.) The inside "dungeon" nightclub on deck 3 & 4 forward are being changed into cabins and a new specialty restaurant. The outside area on deck 12 forward (where part of the running track was) is being converted to cabins. Cloud 9 and card room in the viking crown (deck 14) is being converted to yet another specialty restaurant. More cabins are being added on deck 2 forward in the old conference room area. The diamond breakfast MDR area on deck 3 was converted to cabins. Most of the photo shop area has been converted to cabins -- you now look up your photo on a computer. Basically this means more passengers and less public space. The main issue for us is elevators -- more people trying to use them. My wife has M.S. and uses a motorized scooter, so the stairs are not an option for her. Oh well -- I guess it keeps the prices down. We are paying less than we paid 10 years ago. Still, one reason we like RCI is the ratio of passengers to ship's tonnage. I hope RCI doesn't get as bad as Carnival on this.

I beg to differ with your logic as those in suites have already spent more money than non suites before they even set foot on the ship. I'd also be willing to bet that if true numbers were to come out, suites end up spending more than others on-board to begin with; so they would end up with even more points. However, on a different note...since your predictions are coming true how about letting me in on the winning Powerball numbers.

Sorry, not going to pass on my 10 quick picks for the power ball. I didn't even look at the numbers,

I really don't understand your post.... it's almost like you agree but don't agree. Let me give you worse case scenario ....

Cruisers A book the least expensive cabin, doesn't utilize any specialty dinning, chefs table, galley and brunch, bridge tours, all access tours, cabanas on Royals islands, play in the casinos, drink packages, Royals Excursions, and never participates in Park West.

Cruiser B books full Suites, and participates in most of the above. Continues to cruise and book.

Who would you say should deserves more points towards status?

Thank gawd, its about time!!!!!!!!!

 

Smitty

Except they both sound the same now with all their DJT hatred.

Just enlighten me why it is bad for me when I can get a discount on a cruise because I´m ready to commit into taking the cruise by agreeing to a non-refundable deposit?:confused: In almost 25 years of cruising I´ve never cancelled a cruise I had booked. It´s all about options.

Obviously a stock holder call.

Not an official change, but on Adventure last Feb, I saw a couple staff members being really diligent about chair hogs, timing people who leave stuff on chairs with sticky notes. Also, a staff member saw me looking for a chair in solarium on a sea day and found me a chair that went past it's time. Like I said, not an official change but I saw it done consistently and I've not seen that done before on other sailings

Also I have heard reports that the mini fridge is no longer stocked???

The most disappointing change for me is if the beverage package requirement for all people in stateroom over 21 goes fleetwide and applies even when you prebook. My husband doesn't drink out of personal preference so it was nice to only have to buy the one. I can see why they need to do this, but it will not be a positive for me, unless the price per day goes waaaay down. Not saying it will make me not sail Royal Caribbean, but it certainly weighs heavy in my decisions when NCL offers it for a low gratuity price, Celebrity offers it for free on some categories, as well as Princess, and MSC has affordable options as well.

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... Also I have heard reports that the mini fridge is no longer stocked??? ...

This is correct, and I believe they have also decided to discontinue leaving the extra cost bottled water in the staterooms..

The most disappointing change for me is if the beverage package requirement for all people in stateroom over 21 goes fleetwide and applies even when you prebook.

As was mentioned in the thread that discussed that potential change, even the flimsiest excuse will get you out of that requirement if you call to get the package..

As was mentioned in the thread that discussed that potential change, even the flimsiest excuse will get you out of that requirement if you call to get the package..

Wow, good to know, thanks! Threads like these are useful for new info all in one place!

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Wow, good to know, thanks! Threads like these are useful for new info all in one place!

 

 

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I am sure there are many ways to get out of it. Religious reason or medical reason should be enough, and no way they would ask what the medical condition would be.

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More likely you will get the 3 drinks, but no longer have access to the diamond lounge. Some see the vouchers as a step toward relieving DL crowding by eventually upping the entry requirement to D+. I have no specific knowledge here, but it seems RCI is edging in that direction, which on some sailings would not be a bad thing as the DL can be chaos.

Do we no longer have access to DL? I enjoy a pre dinner drink, but also like the munchies because I prefer not to drink without a little food in my stomach. I recall it being 2 drinks each evening-so now it's 3? I also would get a bloody mary with breakfast, so I guess that would equal 3 for the day. Are there time restrictions on when you can have the drinks? In the past it was only at cocktail hour.

Thank you

Do we no longer have access to DL? I enjoy a pre dinner drink, but also like the munchies because I prefer not to drink without a little food in my stomach. I recall it being 2 drinks each evening-so now it's 3? I also would get a bloody mary with breakfast, so I guess that would equal 3 for the day. Are there time restrictions on when you can have the drinks? In the past it was only at cocktail hour.

 

Thank you

Diamond and above level C&A members still have access to the DL, including munchies and unlimited drinks. In addition, you can use your 3 nightly drink vouchers at any bar, during the same time period that the DL is serving free drinks.

This is correct, and I believe they have also decided to discontinue leaving the extra cost bottled water in the staterooms..

I find it interesting they are doing this...they must have been getting TONS of complaints! But it would be a loss of revenue for them...maybe they weren't making enough off of it to matter though... I am ALL for this change, as I always ask my room steward to take it out!

I find it interesting they are doing this...they must have been getting TONS of complaints! ...

There were always a good number of posts here on CC about being mistakenly charged for water.

Someone posted FNDR changed on Oasis- if you want to dine at Chops or 150 you have to pay 50% of the full price?

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