The Fun Researcher

Just chiming in again. Even though I agree that there are issues with the current setup of reciprocation and grandfathering, I can say I have NEVER (that I know of) been impacted on my cruise by how many D, D+, or Pins are on any given cruise. It's been a total non issue and hasn't impacted us at all. I'm curious if that will change as we get Diamond in March and then start having access to the lounges and benefits.

This probably deserves it's own thread as we're diverting from the OP's original question but... Speaking of C&A members who "Inherited" their status through their parents, spouse, etc. but don't have enough point on their own to be D, or D+: Off the top of my head (haven't thought it through too much) Downsides: Crowded Diamond and Concierge Lounges. (this seems to have eased with the 4 or 5 anytime vouchers). Seems that Royal is already addressing Concierge lounges and removing access to D+. This might be a direct result of "too many" D+. (not sure if a lot of D+ are inherited or not) So many D and D+ on any given ship. I see this being probably the biggest downside. The cost to Royal for all the drink vouchers and other perks starts to add up to the point that it cuts into the bottom line. Does this make the program less attractive to Royal, or is the loyalty benefit outweigh the cost? Benefits: Those that didn't "earn" their points get to have very nice perks for life (Royal's benefit) These benefits keep cruisers more loyal to Royal, bringing in profit to Royal for each cruise taken. ...and hopefully these individuals eventually earning their status outright.

Yes, they do. Mocktails, soda, bottled water, etc...

OP, would you or your husband consider searching for a cheap three night cruise before April ? That would take care of your soon to be 18 year old son and get him Diamond. Although, I am guessing it would be too difficult to squeeze In before or after your March cruise

We have a similar situation where our youngest (now 15) will be Diamond when he turns 18 because we are turning Diamond this year. However, our two daughters are 21 and 18 already. All of the kids have 46 points on their own (and will get another 7 this year) so eventually all our will get there if they continue to cruise with us.

Pretty sure I had the same conversation with my wife and it went over just the same. 😂

Bummer. How far away is your cruise? Sales change regularly if you keep checking once in a awhile

Sure, buy the one that comes with Water, Coke or Diet coke 🙂 😁😉 I don't see just the cooler.

Thanks for posting this OP! I just grabbed a bud light bag and six pack for the same $43.99. Yes, good deal considering ship prices and the fact that you get a souvenir cooler as well.

I remembered to put the toilet seat down the other week. Does that count? I jest, I jest

Makes me chuckle. What I see with their acronym is V. I. F'ing P. Like "Don't mess with me, I'm VIF'ingP baby!" 🤣

Still there for our March Anthem cruise. Would NEVER consider purchasing this though. As stated earlier not nearly enough benefit to cost ratio

Yes

I think some parents think of a cruise as Mom and Dad's own little getaway despite bringing their kids along. They tend to let the kids "have their own fun". I have no judgement about that but it's just not how we cruise. We tend to do things together as a family, and our kids occasionally go do things on their own, which is happening much more now, but our kids are college and high school age. When they were younger (e.g. 7-13 yrs old) they rarely were running around the ship on their own. We're not helicopter parents by any means, but it's just not our family style. When my wife and I want "Mom and Dad's own little getaway" we found someone to watch the kids, and then we go with our other adult friends. Dan

One big assumption in this thread is that you are "stealing someone else's GTY cabin that was in a better position". How would you know that? How do you know that someone else wouldn't rather have had the cabin you were assigned with the original GTY. People choose locations on ships for ALL SORTS of reasons. Close to elevators. Mid lower ship for less motion. In the back to be closer to dining venues. Up top to be closer to pool deck. In the front so you have less vibration from the engines. etc... stop saying that you are stealing someone else's prime location. People choose spots all over the ship for various reasons.

Reminds me of our first cruise on the Oasis back in 2015. Same deal. Young children and adults up until extremely late like 2 AM and later. Same thing, Sorrento’s was swamped and the promenade was loud . I’m used to Freedom and Voyager class ships where the promenade actually calms down late in the evening, not a madhouse.

This conversation has gotten very specific 😂

Fred, it’s called research. This is not cheating. Just because a given party decides not to research their opportunities on a cruise doesn’t mean that those that do are cheating. I am guessing that most of those who book a guaranteed cabin are happy with just that, a guaranteed cabin. Anywhere on the ship in the category that they booked. So be it. Those that know that royal allows you to switch to other, albeit limited, cabinet locations within your category are not in the wrong. If it were so, Royal would not allow it. Plain and simple. Cheating. Pff, as if. We’ve never booked guaranteed cabins, but we’ve run into similar situation’s during our many Walt Disney World vacations where people think we are cheating for various reasons, but really it’s due to their ignorance and lack of research and planning.

Ok 😂

They are talking about vegetables in the MDR with dinner. So they should go to the Windjammer and carry vegetables with them into the MDR? How about you address the actual situation being discussed

I wish there was a thumbs down button(with regards to your post). If Royal Caribbean themselves allow this to happen, then that is the current policy, stated or not. Knowledge centers are historically wrong for big corporations. The data is not scoured and updated often enough to keep it relevant and fresh. They may not want to advertise the ability to change guaranteed rooms, but they do allow it

I'm just glad I have a cruise booked in March with a small group of 5 so I can prepare my extended family for the Alaskan cruise we have booked in July (with 16 family members spread among 6 balcony cabins). Hopefully we walk away from the Anthem in March feeling ok about the new menus, so I don' t need to be the bearer of bad news for our special (and dang expensive) July Alaskan cruise.

Yeah, we're on the Anthem in March with their stops at Port Canaveral, Nassau and Coco Cay nights 3,4,5 respectively which makes it easy to know the second "formal night" will be night 6. Wasn't sure if Anthem had other variable itineraries

Oh that would be so nice. I agree. We've always had the three kids connecting and yes it can be a real search at times to find rooms that work. We love having that open doorway. Makes the space feel so much larger and being able to share two full bathrooms is probably the biggest plus.

Most of the time you need to have the correct number of folks in a room for the connecting room to show up as bookable. For instance a connecting room that holds 3 or 4 persons won't show up if you are searching for two connecting cabin for 2 persons each. When the ship gets full enough sometimes the restrictions get lifted and you can book a 2 person in a 4 person room for instance. You probably knew all that, but as a family of 5, that has always booked connecting cabins (2 in one, 3 in the other) it gets tricky finding those room combinations. (and getting them to show up on the website as bookable) I do agree that I wouldn't book a connecting room if I could help it if it's just my wife and I sailing. Dan