Goodtime Cruizin

It was still 30% off an inflated price. The only reason you think that one was an "actual" sale is that you were happy with the price you got. But it was no different from other sales in that some sailings and cabins went down in price, while others were about the same or went up.

I disagree somewhat. There is no doubt that most of the pricing is marked up to cover the difference in the offering of half off the second person. But if one can purchase a cruise fare during a BOGO promotion and while doing so at the lowest fare offered for the itinerary, one can score pretty good. This isn't easy, but can be done.

On another note, RCI offered the BOGO50 on selected cruises. This promotion offered half off the 2nd person and also half off the 2nd premium and ultimate beverage pkg. Meaning... you had to purchase one bev pkg to get the 2nd bev pkg at half off. This was/is an excellent way to increase sells in bev pkgs. When you looked at the selected cruises that this was offered, all of the itineraries had 5 night port stops within 7 days. I suspect that it was determined that due to 5 ports in 7 days there was a noticeable decrease in beg pkgs purchased since most were off the ship so often. We booked a cruise on the Adventure the first week BOGO50 was offered. We ended up booking at the lowest price for this cruise and recieved two preimum pkgs for $600. Not bad. If you booked this same cruise today, it would cost us a lot more. Timing is everything w/ a BOGO promotion.

IMO, BOGO promotions are very effective to a consumer when you can book a cruise at the introduction of a said itinerary. Most simply do not know how to research and/or find the price history of a said cruise. Because of this, it's a very, very effective sales promotion. I think it will be around for quite awhile longer with different twists etc. But bottom-line, if one is happy with their price received, good for them! and Happy Cruising!

In the future, just know that in the 'smoking' section of the casino, the machines always pay out more. :D

Day 3. Oasis of the Seas. 1/9/16.

 

$79 + 18% gratuity

There seems to be a lot of marketing research happening w/ regards to prices for these one day drink packages and different days they are applied. Different ships offering one day packages on different days, all with different pricing. I sense an increase in the Premium & Ultimate Drink Packages coming soon.

This particular daily package appears a bit high considering the Premium & Ultimate packages are priced at $49/day plus 18% gratuity both offering unlimited drinks vs just the ten drinks mentioned above.

I'm not here to flame. By looking at the date you booked the cruise, it appears that you purchased the cruise during the original BOGO sale. In which case if you did, the prices dropped considerably for this sale. Those who purchased early received some great pricing. (I booked three cruises) But as time went along, the prices slowly eased back up and then some.

I'm not upset and/or bothered by the increases... yet as we still have one more cruise left on the original BOGOHO sales pricing. Having said this, we are concerned about prices going forward when booking more cruises. We're waiting for the 2017 iteneraries. With the release of the 2017 sail dates, the pricing will need to drop considerably or we'll end up either doing a land vacation or use a differnet cruise line.

The only mistake was reading too many reviews....stop it!

This.

It can indeed change your perspective. Having said this, you can find one night stays in Galveston like you can find two night stays in FTL. The fog is seasonal. We're sailing on Liberty in less than 5 weeks. We're driving/parking right across the port.

Start booking your rooms now if you can.

I fear I may have made a huge mistake in booking a family cruise out of Galveston on the Liberty. The more I read about how difficult it is to get from airport to port, distance, fog delays, two night minimums at hotels, the more I am beginning to panic. We are a year out and could potentially change reservations to something out of FL on Freedom. I was looking forward to a freshly revamped ship with water slides and wanted to try a different ship. But so many bad reports about Galveston. Anyone have good reviews-tricks to make it easier with a family of four flying in?

When is your sail date?

I am not the part of any problem. Nor is it my problem if others tip or not. I will continue and be happy with my current practice when it comes to tipping. I will not be forced and I will not tip for poor service.

It strikes me as odd that you claim that you immediately remove all gratuities once you board the ship in anticipation of bad service. If you have cruised as often as your signature states, which I do not doubt, and you've had problems in the past w/ poor service often enough to develop this type of reponse to tipping, then it may be a situation that you expect way more than possible and/or even deserve. No one is forcing you to tip anyone. One can always remove the gratuities if they felt they received bad service. But removing upfront indicates to me that you just don't want to tip.

Tipping is and has been always about quality service. If I don't receive it, I deal with it then, but not upfront. But each to their own.

My best to you on all of your future cruises!

My 2 cents

 

1. Dress code/suggestion... I feel it should be up to the passenger as to what they would like to wear (including shorts if the want to). What difference do clothes make?? To me, none at all!

 

2. Tipping... I resent it whenever anybody has the nerve to tell me when and how much I need to tip. I am totally against auto tipping and remove it immediately upon boarding. It is up to me to determine whom and how much I will tip based on service provided! No!, that doesn't mean I'm cheap and don't tip, but I will adjust my tips according to service provided, which is my right and everyone else's too! It is not my fault that the cruise lines refuse to pay fair wages to their employees but I am not responsible to make up for that. Tipping is and always has been an option... based on service provided.

Well resent it all you want, but you've supported the cruiseline industry by sailing on over 25 cruises so yes you indeed are part of the problem not the solution when it comes to tipping. The auto tipping is in play because there are too many people that would walk away from tipping at all.

Wowza.

There are a couple of questions that come to mind.

1. Did you feel comfortable?

2. Did you enjoy yourself?

Nothing else really matters.

I'm thinking the games will be on at the pool and the sports bar. Indy had the regular season games playing this past Oct. Sunday & Monday nights too.

Again...whatever....I think my long cruising history sailing the globe as well as being a trusted cruise critic member who tells it like it is (going back to when this board was AOL) speaks for itself. Also reading comprehension failure on your part...I made no suggestion(s) for you. I spoke of how "I" proceed. Have fun in Roatan....I would say be safe but it seems you have it all figured out. God forbid one of our cruise critic members go there in the near future and get hurt or ripped off by throwing caution to the wind after reading

posts like yours and a few others promoting the island as a safe environment.

Trusted cruise critic member? LOL... God forbid anyone that listens to you with your condescending, demeaning commentary. You financially support (67 RCL cruises) a cruise line that takes people to Roatan. Then complain that people go enjoy themselves.

Lighten up Francis & Fear the Reaper.

For me it was...not so much for the dead NCL crew member.

Fear the Reaper.

I knew it was just a matter of time before some one pulled the nugget quoted off the shelf. Again...Honduras rated number one murder capital of the world for multiple years and by a lot......

 

Some of you guys are hilarious....my tour bus driver told me this and I read on the Honduras tourism website it was safe. Meanwhile, thefts left and right, warnings from the state department, armed guards in full gear with AK47 buzzing around in the open.

 

First hand experience I was with a tour at a scenic overlook and out of the weeds comes some character offering to be my tour guide, I was like, umm, no, my tour guide is right over there. He would not go away and suddenly up the hill comes two armed soldiers on dirt bikes and just as quick the guy takes off back into the weeds....

 

While I agree, the times I have been there, some areas are beautiful and interesting. However, I have a rule of thumb, I do not put myself in a position which has a high rate of failure. For instance, on the lighter side, I do not take my kids to Chucky Cheese on a Saturday....nothing good can become of that.... and more specifically leaving the port gates in Roatan puts you in a high rate failure position, google it........

Suddenly is a good response time.

Found this on the RCL website under Premium Pkg, Overview, then learn More. This is one of many FAQ listed;

Q: Are gratuities included in the all-inclusive beverage packages purchase price?

image: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/s.gif

A: A service charge of 18% is already included in the purchase price when you purchase your beverage package pre cruise.

Interesting note.... it states pre-cruise.

The Premium & Ultimate Drink Packages come with Sleep by Number mattresses. ;)

We are doing a Halloween on the Grandeur this year.

 

Early in our cruising days we would pack different outfits (hats, clothes, shoes and accessories) for each of the expected "theme" Nights.

 

Italian, French, Caribbean, 50's, Western, Hawaiian, etc, and whatever.

 

With the luggage restrictions nowdays, did you notice any costumes that appeared to be packing friendly?

 

Would love some suggestions. :)

 

Also, Halloween is our sailing date. Maybe go as tired, red eye flyers!

This past Halloween on the Indy, the costumes were pretty elaborate & amazing. You could see just about any & everything. I would suggest using youtube. Search for Halloween costumes on Royal Caribbean. From there, get ship specific.

Getting ready to take my first cruise with Royal and these drink prices like this have me wondering if this will be my only one :(

Don't let this thread intimidate you. The Premium Drink Pkg has NOT gone up in awhile. They are still $49/day plus 18% gratuity. The percent of gratuity went up less than a year ago. The daily rate remained the same at $49/day.

Enjoy your cruise!

Up Up and away......

 

If RCI was to bring in a BOGO or a drink card or a daily drink package I wouldn't mind a slight increase..

 

$1000 now for a cpl to drink on a week long cruise...

 

that's the only WOW I get from RCI these days...

2 premium pkgs for a 7 day cruise is a bit over $800.

Going in Feb for the first time. We slected the Little French Key for the excursion (no ship). Looks like a blast and trip advisor gave it a great rating. Looking forward to it!

We were on the Indy this past Halloween and it was really a great time. RCL went all out as the ship was all decorated from the promenade to the Windjammer. Halloween was on Sat night, the last night of the cruise so we were concerned that not many would dress in costume, but wow were we wrong. The costime parade lasted just under 1 hr as there was a huge amount that were dressed up. We were really impressed. If you plan a cruise, do take costumes!

From what I understand, as the ships are retired, they are parked at the Island of the Seas and renamed and used for each loyalty class.

Pinnacle of the Seas

Diamond+ of the Seas

Diamond of the Seas

*Platinum of the Seas

*Based on the continued strength of the loyalty program, expected arrival is Jan 2019

Here's what I've learned. The Indy's Dog & Badger Pub has the BEST Bloody Marys on the ship. They even list them on the drink menu. I've had them at the Windjammer's Bar (name escapes me), the pool deck, & the Cafe Promenade, but hands down the Pub served up the best. I think the key is to go to a certain bar each time you wish to start your day w/ a BM and get to know your bartender and 'teach' them the way you enjoy a BM. They'll get used to seeing you each day and soon enough they'll serve it up the way you wish. But I do agree that RCL's BM mix is pretty lame and takes some 'fixings' to make it better.

Personally, my recipe calls for Zing Zang, Tito's Vodka, Worchestershire, Hot Sauce, Olives, a couple of sliced jalepenos, a Celery stick and a Beef Stick... yep, toss in a beef stick. I even bring a dozen or so beef sticks w/ me on the cruise.

It seems if you purchase online it's $57.00 per day total (includes gratuity) for the premium package.

If you purchase onboard it's $57.00 per day plus gratuity.

Got it. Thanks for clearing that up. We've always bought on-line and we'll do it again as well. Prices and/or the marketing program may very well change as they are experimenting w/ different pricing/days etc for the drink coupons.

I'm very disappointed in being charged another 18% gratuity because I chose to use my OBC instead of purchasing it ahead of time.

I guess I'm confused. How is it another 18% grautity? Wouldn't it be the only gratuity paid?

You can still budget and manage your money without giving it to the cruise line in advance. Just put the same money away periodically and then either buy OBC for the cruise, or pay it after the cruise.

 

The psychological part is not the budgeting and managing, it's the part about giving the money to the cruise line rather than keeping it yourself.

This is true, but I attempt to take advantage and maximize points offered from my CC. Then what points I can for flight & hotel. It doesn't work every time though.