Goodtime Cruizin

Read it again.

 

"Cruises are a good lifestyle for alcoholics" and I stand by that. I did not say that all who go cruising are alcoholics, as that is clearly not the case. The normalisation of high levels of alcohol consumption and the option of an almost unlimited supply for a single fee must be attractive to alcoholics. The excuse can be "I am just getting the value out of my package" etc.

 

Maybe my comments have hit a raw nerve with some.

A few questions.

1. Define 'drunk'

2. Define 'normalisation'

3. Define 'high level'

4. Have you personally purchased and used an alcohol bev pkg on a RCL 7 day cruise?

5. Specifically, who told you that "I am just getting the value out of my package."

How is it out of line?

Please be careful when taking the stairs, don't trip & fall.

Cruises are a good lifestyle for alcoholics and the Packages suit them well.

 

 

Personally I have a problem with the fact that the packages encourage you to drink every day and at quite a high level to justify the prices.

 

 

We decided to just take the two bottles of wine and buy drinks if we wanted them. We never actually wanted any at the inflated prices, so the account was empty. Did not miss it at all. If the prices were reasonable we may have had the occasional drink. Did meet quite a few people who could not survive without drinking. Lots of drunks in the lifts sharing their boozy breath with all around. The amount of alcohol abuse is what puts me off going on another cruise.

Then that's your problem. Either learn to take the stairs or as you say, stop cruising. Your post is out of line.

Agree with getting drinks at the MDR. I've taken to establishing myself at the very beginning. Introduce myself, tell the bartender we want serviced often and when doing this, I make sure that the Waiter hears the conversation. It's worked every cruise!

Also while some are discussing the costs of drinks elsewhere besides a Cruise Ship, I'd like to point out that our local Chilis serves up a Presidential Margarita for $10.50. I'm willing to think that your local Chilis is doing the same +/- .50

I drink more on a ship than I ever do at home and I'm on a ship only while vacationing. So I budget accordingly and enjoy the time & money spent.

Big Ships, Rapid Expansion, and a new virus to deal with... I see future price decreases coming our way.

I've booked on other lines and have observed huge price dips after final payment date. Have been able to upgrade to higher cabin categories a few times.

 

Find myself looking at a sailing out of SJU on Adventure wherein:

 

*final payment date is a few weeks away

Then it looks like you've settled on a price that you feel is good to go.

 

*the rate is comparable to the same time period's CCL sailing (imo Adventure has better itinerary and certainly a nicer looking ship!):) but it is nothing stellar.

 

*I currently see 25 cabins in category I'm most interesting in booking, other categories have even more open.

 

Chances are if there are this many rooms available, a drop in price is more than likely. If you're good with the price you have locked in and are looking for an upgrade on price drops I suggest that you keep the current reservation.

 

 

*will be using points for airfare that I can easily book now and cancel without penalty if things don't work out

 

Wondering if anyone here has waited it out and obtained a great deal or if RCCL doesn't tend to follow suit of price drops after final booking.

 

Also, in the event of a price drop after final payment date, does RCCL permit moving up to another cabin?

 

Yes, RCCL will move you up upon request. If the price of a better category of cabins drops to your reserved price you can move up. It it doesn't drop completely to your reserved price but close, you can even 'buy' up into a different category for the difference.

 

Had also occured to me that SJU might have a different sort of booking/pricing dynamic with locals waiting for a great deal since they have more flexibility as to transportation.

 

Thanks:)

Based on the info of 25 cabins and more available in other categories, I think you'll see some drops.

That's how I feel about it. It is something very real that pregnant women (and those trying) should be concerned about, but the rest of the population isn't going to be dying from it, aside from a small percentage that would have issues no matter what they contracted.

Dying? Who the hell as reported a death from it the US? I haven't heard any. This isn't fear mongering. It's informing the traveling public. It's an outbreak of illness that is new to the US population. As with all other warnings that each of us receive, it is to be measured to one's lifestyle accordingly.

Who wants to get on a cruise ship, go inland a bit, get a mosquito bite, and get sick for a week of flu like symptoms? Not me. And so while I'm not an alarmist, I'm glad that the Zika virus has been reported. At least I can take precautions and make decisions that are in my best interests.

Don't turn a blind eye to the media. I suspect that EVERY media outlet of any type will NOT make money and/or lose money by reporting about the Zika virus. To believe otherwise is pure silliness!

not true, most bartenders, if you have the package, will give you double instead of a single mixed or straight drink (Captain & coke, etc) if you just ask and it will still be covered by the package. Have done it many times.

 

You can't pick up 2 drinks at once, but if you want a double drink, they don't give a hoot....especially if you are tipping.

I've only ordered doubles a couple of times. Both with the same bartender at the Schooner on Liberty. Each time she served me doubles. She actually began to recognize me and would ask, "Double, Mr. Kerry?" Im' sure she was working the tip, which she earned from me. ;) But like I said, I'm usually not a doubles drinker so I did not order from another bar etc. But the time I did, I was served doubles!

What if you just booked it and had a great time making memories?

Did you see this recent CC news article that talks about additional benefits

 

In other Royal Caribbean news, the line will offer free food and drink to passengers who book Central Park and Boardwalk view cabins on all three Oasis-class ships (Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas). Starting November 2016, cruisers with views of Central Park will enjoy lunch for two at Jamie's Italian on Harmony of the Seas or Giovanni's Table on Oasis and Allure of the Seas, a free bottle of wine upon arrival and special perks in the Casino Royale. Passengers in Boardwalk-view cabins will receive lunch or dinner for four at Johnny Rockets, a soda beverage package for two and a private session on the ships' 38-foot tall rock climbing wall

If this is correct, it sounds as if RCCL is extended perks in an effort to fill these rooms.

So I talked with guest services and they said they'd call the police in Ft Lauderdale if I couldn't settle it by the end of the cruise.

 

I have an emergency American Express at home that I left specifically for my friend. He is pet sitting my cats and it is there in case they needed to go to the vet. I turned my phone on and had my friend send a picture of the card. They won't take a number of a card, they said the only way is to swipe it.

 

I can't have a friend or family member deposit that much money. I am sick and this is ruining my trip real quick.

1. Have someone bring you the card when you dock.

2. Call AMEX now. They can help you.

3. That's BS about 'needing' to swipe your CC. Hell they took my reservation over the phone w/ a CC#.

4. For someone that doesn't do cards, you do cards. You should have left cash to the sitter and tied your seapass to the AMEX.

These are only available in hump cabins.

Under rated post.

I am well aware of the email. Also you should be aware that there is no information given out much more than 3 weeks from the cruise date so how does it help with planning?

You would be incorrect in your statement regarding 3 weeks out. I know first hand. I'm not sure how far out they will respond but bottom-line I do know you have at a minimum (6) choices you can make.

1. Change cruises.

2. Change Cruise lines

3. Go on the cruise and watch him again.

4. Go on the cruise and not watch him.

5. Email RCCL to determine what they say and then make a decision.

and finally....

6. Sign on to CC and complain

None of us are excluded from making choices when selecting a cruise and what to do when on the cruise.

So ask yourself, "Is the entertainment on my cruise a deal breaker?" Only you can place your value on this question.

BTW, I caught his act on the Liberty. He's OK in my books. He's also on my next cruise. After doing #5, I'm choosing #4.

It's sort of like 'call ahead seating'. Those with reservations will have priority seating, those that do not are filled as quickly as possible. If you plan to dine between 6 & 7:30pm I suggest a reservation as this 'prime time' and it can get a bit hectic. But it is not an absolute need to make a reservation.

Where! No one knows what acts will be on any specific ship months in advance

 

That's what I want, variety!

 

If you are the expert researcher then you should have no problem letting me know the headliner for Adventure on Sept 10th, 2016

Just ask....

web_reservations@rccl.com

Please accept my apologies for being so ______. (fill in the blank)

Sorry I came off wrong saying I was D+. I could have been on only a few cruises and still be disappointed. He's been a repeat far too many times. Royal needs to find new people.

Some want new menus, I want new talant

Speaking of disappointment, as D+, you should know that you can find out in advance what talent is where. Variety is the spice of life but I'm disappointed that you posted this.

Find a new ship/cruise line or learn to research.

I agree that from a distance the ship does look different. But who are we kidding? We all want to be ON the ship, not watching sail away. We're all on the inside of the ship when we're sailing and I personally can't wait to see the images of the slide and other changes from standing in, on, and around the ship. That's where we all will be!

I've read a publication posted on CC that stated VOOM was to be added but we've decided to wait to board the ship to confirm this before we purchase wifi.

Feb 14th for us. The 2nd sail date. We're really excited about the changes and happy that they added Sabor as well.

Heading to Galveston from West Virginia via Pittsburgh in July 2016. Have always gone out of San Juan so there is a little bit of "unknowingness" with this port.

 

:)

If at all possible, I suggest that you fly into Houston Hobby vs IAH. Hobby is south of the city and much easier to arrive to Galveston as IAH is well north of Houston.

I will note that if you order coffee from room service, it's delivered in a pretty small carafe. Think two small cups. So for the two of us, we always order two carafes. And we tell them only two cups, but they always deliver four cups anyway. So we deal w/ it. :D

Yep as stated this would be Maho Beach. the bar next door is Sunset Bar & Grill. You can sit at the bar or a few tables outside of it. Or if you just want to beach it, it's very doable. If you decide just to use the beach you can find some beer for $1.75 ea at a little grocery (has an Asian name) about three or business' down from Sunset. They have snacks too.

KLM is the big jets to look for. Occasionally they are a tad late. So be prepared to check their website for arrival times if you find wi-fi. Also, be forwarned the bathrooms are/were port-a-cans and they were pretty pathetic. But overall, Maho Beach is a great time.

Enjoy.

It may be that UK prices work this way but care to explain your method?

 

Sent from my SM-G928F using Tapatalk

I book when the itineraries are released. It might be as far out as 18 to 20 months out. The prices increase, not decrease. My theory is that RCL grew tired of adjusting everyone's cruise fares down, so they now start low and continue to increase until right before sail date. Based on inventory per type of cabin, they'll decrease the cabin prices at or near 30 days from cruise date to fill remaining cabins. So far, in my past three cruises, there has never been a price dropped after final due date that was lower than the first price offered on the release date. Zilch. Nada.

In between the itinerary release date and final due date is the fodder you discuss. BOGOHO, BOGO, BOGO50, and so on. When one can catch a good BOGO promotion at the same time an itinerary release date is offered then one can score pretty good.

Its a CON.

 

Jacked up prices.

 

You pay serious premium to choose a stateroom early.

 

3 months out the prices collapse and last minute even worse.

Strongly disagree. My last three cruises prove you to be incorrect in this assessment.

But each have their own strategy I like mine much better than yours.

I agree. Elevator 'noise' IMO is a 'myth'. We've never experienced noise from being at or near the elevators. I'd be more careful of booking a cabin near the room attendant' stations. This is where a tremendous amount of activities take place and there is no wall that separates them from the hallways. Unfortunately, I've never seen a diagram or map that indicates these areas.