Luvcrusn

It wasn't a matter of not honoring the certificate. It was that by using the certificate we couldn't combine it with the better pricing (group) and benefits offered by our TA. It would have cost us more to get less if we used the certificate. They did after some arm twisting by my TA after 2 years refund the $$ paid for the certificate. So, no harm no foul, except it tied up some dollars for a while with no added benefit.

Doesn't matter to us since we never consume them.🤣

Yes, it was well before 2018. Ours was worthless since the added benefits combined with the reduced cost offered by our TA made it so. We now either ignore the Future Cruise department when on board, or book a specific cruise and transfer the booking to our TA for added benefits. Most often, we just pass it by.

Cheers, happy sails and smooth seas.

When we've asked for ours to be emptied, the steward usually puts everything from the fridge into the bag under the bed. I always wondered if they put the same uncooled stuff back into the fridge after we leave for the next unsuspecting passenger.

The last time we purchased one was many years ago. We book through a large online TA that offers way more OBC. Every time we tried using it, it wasn't combinable with their promos which were way better. After 2 years of repeatedly trying to use it (we were even willing to just have X apply the price paid for the certificate to our new booking with no added benefit) and being denied, our TA was able to get X to refund the price we paid for the certificate. We'll never again purchase this.

Disney is currently dealing with a drop in revenue due to aggressive pricing and dealing with the repercussions. I suspect that until the cruise lines see a similar revenue drop these negative changes will continue. As I said previously cost increases are something that we've unfortunately been accustomed to in all walks of life and are widely, albeit grudgingly accepted. However, when those increases are accompanied by a reduction in quality and quantity of the product, customers often do not accept them. This is a unique kind of retail experience since the product provider, by contract wording, is free to change the product offered after the purchase has been made.

You can go when you like but there might be a short wait depending on time you want to dine. You'll be given a pager. You can make a reservation when if you want to do that. Other times may open once you're on board. The app sometimes (read that many times) is not up to date before and sometimes on board as well. Also, I've often called Captains Club to make reservations. Their number is 800-760-0654. Don't press any menu options, just hold until you get a person.

The only things I've noted that have been added are extra charges for things that were once included in our cruise fare.

Considering the ever-widening fare difference between Verandah and Aqua, it would be nice to receive those extra amenities that were included when we booked them. While none of these little niceties alone account for much, little by little they are eliminating them and at the same time are cheapening the menu items offered and cutting down on the number of choices as well in Blu and the MDR. Our next cruise on X will most likely go forward since we have vacation plans both before and after the cruise, but looking ahead I question whether we will be booking X much. All of these little things added up to an enhanced experience that X offered to customers not provided by other mainstream lines. It looks like the new CEO is hurriedly bringing X down to the competition. We've been accused of being X cheerleaders in the past, but things change. Our last cruise on Equinox in December 2022 had quite a few noticeable and unpleasant surprises. While the crew was wonderful, there were quite a few noticeable changes. Afternoon tea selections in the afternoon...gone, OVC lunch selection not nearly as abundant as on previous sailings, dinner selection in OVC cut way back (almost looked like it was closed), menu items featuring much cheaper proteins evident each evening. Since then, cheesecake and chocolate cake were removed as everyday dessert options, shrimp cocktail has been reported to have been discontinued as an everyday option, (after the shrimp have gotten smaller and fewer), appetizers seemingly have been replaced with soups and salads only, tilapia shows up multiple times over the course of a week, much more chicken and turkey options. There's been another active thread here reporting chocolate chip cookies for sale for $2 + 20% gratuity! I would ask what next, but I don't think I want to know the answer.

I think there'd likely be a charge for him to do that, after all, they'd have to provide a name tag and ID. That would be at least $50 + 20% gratuity to hand it to him, not to mention the fee for the photograph.

We ask for ours to be emptied and use ours to keep bottled water and soda cans we get from our drink package chilled and handy in our cabin lol.

It will revert to PUP discussion with the next PUP opportunity, never fear. That's probably coming with the new CEO video.

Cruisedeckplans.com doesn't show anything and there's no red star that indicates noise issues.

However at the mall you've not had to pay $$$K to enter.

I never cared for LLP, but the new CEO has her beat in the outrageous department! She's only a few months into her reign. I can hardly wait to see what outrage is next. Our next booked cruise will likely be our last booking with X if all of these changes stay. Hiking prices and keeping the quality of the product is one thing. Hiking prices and then charging for every little thing is entirely another.😡

Please post your experience after your cruise. If the Dover Sole and the Lobster Murano are removed we'll likely cancel our specialty dining package.

We had that same scenario last year. I did my check in and chose a time and started his. When his passport arrived I was able to complete his check-in.

Some cruisers are positive that the current experience is less than what X has led them to expect on board and want to share that. It is fact to them and they are sharing that info. Those posts are no less valid than posts praising their time on board and are equally helpful to readers. I for one have been accused of cheerleading and whining. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Thanks @DaKahuna. Amazon will be making yet another appearance at our door.

I think they also keep some early times open for those who have purchased dining packages as well. We have purchased those and cannot make reservations until we board. We go to a specialty restaurant as soon as we board on embarkation day and haven't had an issue with getting the times we want.

Could not agree more! We've eliminated Tuscan from our to-do list permanently. We decided it's neither a true Italian, nor a true steakhouse restaurant and is more like a mid-level chain restaurant with very inflated pricing for the quality. On M- class we skip specialty dining altogether. The only time we dine in Tuscan is the elite breakfast occasionally for the quiet and the view.

Whichever it is, X tech is dropping the ball...as usual. Always loved our time aboard despite the IT or lack thereof.😜