rt1092

You get another crystal block at 350. At 340 you get another amenity, also dinner with an officer. And if you sail solo you get 25% off when you pay the double fare.

As far as I know, you can still redeem Visa points for OBC with the current promotions. I expect Royal to declare that invalid any day.:rolleyes:

With the bogoho deal the companion fare on 7 nighter is almost worthless. Unless you want to trade in 75,000 points for a $300 fare. You have to look for senior or resident discounts. Then you can use them.

My MIL has an SB guarantee for our May crossing. I'm interested to see how these turn out. Please keep us posted

Again, if the pricing is funky on the website, the PP only needs call and talk to a rep. odds are high they can happily get that loyal cruiser the other pricing method. granted loyal cruisers and shareholders may not be able to combine any or all their offers on the same cruise, but they can surely get the price and OBC that the newbie gets, plus they will get all their on board loyalty rewards (and those are very valuable to me!). I'm not sure that somebody who won't pick up a phone when they have an issue to let the cruise line try to set things right.(instead posting the story later to an Internet board) is showing much determination or loyalty. and a rather weak IT department may be suboptimal business practice, but it is not disloyal to the PP.

I did call and at first they told me I couldn't use the $200 on board credit at all. That it was not meant for C&A members. Then when I insisted on talking to someone else they said it was one or the other. So my $150 balcony credit was worthless to me.

You are loyal to a product that is not loyal to you. Kinda of makes no sense when you look at it..

The 3 free drinks are not very good for me. I rarely drink much if at all before 8:30. and my wife doesn't drink.

The complimentary bottle of wine always gets dragged home to give to someone

I'm not fond of the chocolate covered strawberries.

Hardly ever in the concierge or diamond lounges. Or the welcome back parties

The only perks I really use are the balcony discount and the free internet minutes. And if they take that away I don't know if I'll continue to sail with them.

We really like the entertainment royal offers. But I've heard some of the other lines are just as good.

Does it still work if you put it on "airplane" mode? I don't want to have a wrong number or a robo call cost me a lot of money.

They are actually abusing their loyal cruiser.

I was just cruise surfing and looked up a 5 nighter next January. It gave me a price bogoho and included $200 on board credit. I signed in and looked at the same cruise to add my balcony discount $150. The onboard credit went away.

So even if they went straight to the casino and took cash ($210 for $200). A first time cruiser would get the better deal.

This is what I deserve with 30+ cruises?

A year ago I would not even have thought about it, but with a few more enhancements. We will go elsewhere. After I get my Crystal block on the Quantum. We have nothing booked.

Long walk, but nice and quiet.

I have heard from a reliable source. Zoltar is now in charge of Royal's IT division.

Thanks very much for this. My wife saw it on broadway. But I've never saw it. I'm looking forward to it.

Derick is good. Very entertaining. Gets the crowd involved.

In May of 2003 we were on the fist sailing from NYC of the Norwegian Dawn. They were starting their "free style dining". We didn't like it, It almost killed cruising for us. Luckily we took a chance on Royal the next year.

We will be on the Quantum in May. We will try what they have. Will be on Oasis next month glad it is traditional dining.

Lacked the WOW.

Boarding was by far the worst we have ever had (33 cruises with Royal) wait line went around the block, mother in law needed wheel chair we were told none available. We asked if she could sit somewhere inside while we waited on line. We were told no. This is how they treat D+ members. Once upstairs we had to wait an hour for a wheelchair to board. No list, just first jump up. We learned this the hard way no one told us or helped us.

The cruise was okay. Entertainment was good. Food and service in the main dining room was very good.

Had a problem with the bar staff in the theater. We are D+ so we get 3 drinks at no charge between 5 pm and 8 pm. I ordered a Miller Light at 7:15 pm and gave the waiter my sea pass card. He came back with a bill to sign. I told him we were diamond plus and it should be free. He said "no problem" he would take care of it. I didn't sign the bill. The next day I asked for a copy of my account and saw the charge. I disputed it and it was taken off. 2 days later I order a Coke. at 7 pm and he came back with a bill. Same story "sorry etc, he will take care of it" next day the charge was there. They are thieves. Once is a mistake, twice is on purpose.

The bar service in the casino was questionable also. I ordered a plain drink and they brought me top shelf. I just paid the charge and didn't leave my customary $1 extra tip. And didn't drink there anymore.

The bar staff in the Schooner bar was excellent no problems at all.

Disembarking was another nightmare. We were told to go to the dining room till our number was called called. Then to go to deck 4 for a wheel chair. We did as we were told and wound up the last people off the ship. They were calling our names to leave but we were waiting for a wheelchair.

The price was cheap and I guess we got what we paid for.

We had the same thing on the Nov 22 cruise.

By far the worst I've ever seen, Both embarking and debarking.

The Diamond and above vouchers were not valid in the theatre, dining room and specialty restaurants on my most recent sailings. Drinks can be walked in but not ordered in those areas.

 

While the terms and conditions of Diamond lounges and events do state that they are not to be carried out to other venues, this is not stated at this time for the three vouchers on the sea pass card.

 

The Exclusive Nightly Diamond Event is a benefit for only Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club member and cannot be extended to include friends and family due to limited space. The event will take place approximately between the hours of 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm in a dedicated lounge and will feature complimentary wine, champagne (sparkling wine), fountain drinks, and a 'happy hour' discount of 25% off beer and drinks with liquor. Drinks will need to be consumed within the venue during the hours of the event and cannot be removed from the venue. On ships where a Diamond Lounge is available there will be no Nightly Special Diamond Event or complimentary Specialty coffees available in the dining room.

Drink vouchers have been pre-loaded onto your SeaPass card to enable you to enjoy the flexibility of up to three complimentary beverages each night at almost every bar throughout the ship. You can still enjoy the exclusive experience of the Diamond Lounge and the Concierge Lounge (for Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members), plus all of the other options available to you!

* 3 drink vouchers per day will be applied to each eligible Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members corresponding SeaPass card. Drink vouchers are not accumulative throughout the cruise. Drinks may not be redeemed in the dining room, specialty restaurants or Windjammer Café. Pleaser refer to the Crown and Anchor menu provided at the applicable venues for available selections.

The only place you can not order drinks from the vouchers are room service, restaurants, and the martini bars (if the ships have them)

I went to guest services twice to confirm this and get the charges removed.

I thought the nightly vouchers were NOT good in the theater? maybe that is why the issue? Always seemed odd to exclude certain venues

The vouchers are not accepted in the dining room or specialty restaurants. I believe they are accepted everywhere else.

Hi everyone,

 

My husband and I are getting ready to take our first cruise on Freedom of the Seas, May 24th 2015 and we are beyond excited!! I am curious on how to carry money aboard the ship and was told by my travel agent to use our credit card and only are credit card. Our travel agent stated that the cruise won't take cash, unless you are at the casino. Is this true!? I must use credit card and can't use cash to pay for any gift shop items or alcoholic beverages too?

 

Thank you!!

 

Any experienced cruisers have any tips or must sees as well? Would love all the help. Thank you.

 

Hope

Your room key is your Sea Pass card. Everything except gambling will be charged to it. You can leave a credit card account to secure the charges to your sea pass card or you can pay cash up front.

For tips on cruising just surf or search on here. You will find a wealth of knowledge.

Lacked the WOW.

Boarding was by far the worst we have ever had (33 cruises with Royal) wait line went around the block, mother in law needed wheel chair we were told none available. We asked if she could sit somewhere inside while we waited on line. We were told no. This is how they treat D+ members. Once upstairs we had to wait an hour for a wheelchair to board. No list, just first jump up. We learned this the hard way no one told us or helped us.

The cruise was okay. Entertainment was good. Food and service in the main dining room was very good.

Had a problem with the bar staff in the theater. We are D+ so we get 3 drinks at no charge between 5 pm and 8 pm. I ordered a Miller Light at 7:15 pm and gave the waiter my sea pass card. He came back with a bill to sign. I told him we were diamond plus and it should be free. He said "no problem" he would take care of it. I didn't sign the bill. The next day I asked for a copy of my account and saw the charge. I disputed it and it was taken off. 2 days later I order a Coke. at 7 pm and he came back with a bill. Same story "sorry etc, he will take care of it" next day the charge was there. They are thieves. Once is a mistake, twice is on purpose.

The bar service in the casino was questionable also. I ordered a plain drink and they brought me top shelf. I just paid the charge and didn't leave my customary $1 extra tip. And didn't drink there anymore.

The bar staff in the Schooner bar was excellent no problems at all.

Disembarking was another nightmare. We were told to go to the dining room till our number was called called. Then to go to deck 4 for a wheel chair. We did as we were told and wound up the last people off the ship. They were calling our names to leave but we were waiting for a wheelchair.

The price was cheap and I guess we got what we paid for.

Why would you think that?:confused:

Experience. Been there done that.

I think you will need to post a different credit card for each sea pass.

Can any of you tell me what difference the cost of the ship makes?

If the OP typed "close to a billion" Would you have accepted the review with open arms?

I'm defending the OP. They stated what their opinion was.

We were on the Allure (not the maiden voyage) And didn't enjoy it at all. Posted on here. And was attacked viciously by quite a few posters.

We are loyal royals, but don't have to like or praise everything they do.

I looked at reviews of the Oasis tried it and had a wonderful time.

Going on the Quantum next May hope the bugs are worked out by then. Not a big fan of the dynamic dining (I think). Hated it on ncl. But if needed the windjammer will suffice.

It is probably due to the fact if the northstar got stuck in the up position. The ship could not leave the harbor.

All ships must be capable of going to sea on short notice. In case of an emergency such as a hurricane (ships can not remain in port in a hurricane).

Very few ports allow gambling in port. I only know of 2 and that is only at night.

Thanks. I booked a guarantee studio inside May 2 TA for my MIL the price was very good. And all she really cares about is "is it close to the elevator" All those Combo cabins seems to be booked. Hoping they give her an upgrade.

Anyone have a review and or some photos?