M_BA

we are diamond so we enjoy a $225.00 balcony discount as a perk. Now Royal is offering a $100.00 OBC on a 7 nights cruise. When I called so they apply it to our cruise I was told I can't combine the 2 and I'm better off keeping the balcony discount. This is not the first time this happen and I know that this is the rule but I fell it is wrong. If they give a perk for diamond that should have nothing to do with any thing else. We did LOVE the on board perks being diamond but it is disappointing not to be able to get the OBC.

Many of their promotions have exclusions listed at the bottom. If you book while on-ship you'll be able to acquire the Diamond balcony discount along with the Nextcruise OBC offering.

I always order a couple of 12 packs from the Fun Shops and have them delivered to the room. $9.00 well spent.

Compared to carrying a case on-board, it's an inexpensive amenity for many.

Unless you're addicted to bottled water, why not just bring a refillable water bottle? Although there are some that will debate the issue, the ship's water is perfectly fine to drink.

For us, its convenience while in our room. My spouse and I will each drink 1-2 bottles in the evening/early morning time. We usually also will carry 1-2 off ship while shopping in port.

Great review! Did you get all the pictures you took with your friend's device?

No bottles just cans. You can purchase a 12 pack of water for $4.50 through the Funshops.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

This is one of those 'hidden' gems, getting bottled water for $.037/bottle, delivered to your room. I think Carnival realizes that what you don't spend on water you will spend elsewhere on ship.

When I have pre-paid alcoholic drinks, I hand the server my ship card with a dollar bill folded underneath. This results in not having to sign a receipt many times. The servers get to know you, and remember your generosity often with exceptional service thereafter.

Hi,

We'll be on Triumph for the 2nd time (first time was out of Galveston) out of New Orleans next month. We know Cozumel quite well and have considered taking a ferry to Playa de Carmen for the day. Is la quinta avenida on the mainland a mirror image of avenue Rafael Melgar in Cozumel?

Thank you all for the replies. I submitted it about 11 hours ago and haven't heard back yet. I'll call early AM Friday if I still haven't heard back.

Has anyone has positive results filling out the Price Protection form? I booked a cruise last night and it is $20/pp less expensive this morning. I Called CCL and they directed me to fill out this form within 48 hours of booking. I chose the OBC credit for the difference.

With the Cheers package you are allowed a maximum of fifteen drinks per day. It's against the rules to share a package. I'm relatively sure that all adults in a cabin must purchase the package.

Correct, it is up to 15 drinks per 24 hour period per purchase. All adults 21+ in a room must purchase Cheers if one wants to.

Since my wife has only 1-2 drinks per cruise, I opt to pay as we go rather than buy two Cheers packages.

What caught my eye was that while gross passenger revenue was down from 2015, both gross and net onboard revenue was up. So, amenities like Internet, specialty dining and beverages are helping to increase net onboard revenue.

Royal Caribbean Cruises reported a huge boost in net earnings (U.S. GAAP) for 2016 at approximately $1.3 billion, or $5.93, per share on revenues of $8.5 billion. compared to net income of $665.8 million for 2015, or $3.03 per share, on revenues of $8.3 billion.

The 2016 result was largely driven by an increase in passengers carried, increased onboard spending and cost savings.

Lower cruise operating expenses and lower fuel costs helped boost earnings. And the company’s share buy-back program contributed $0.09 per share.

While Royal Caribbean posted an impressive earnings increase year-over-year, the size of the increase was partially due last year’s write-down of Pullmantur which pushed earnings down by about $411.3 million. Without the write-down the earnings increase would have been in the range of $206.3 million instead of more than $617 million.

Gross revenue per passenger day for 2016 was $211.09 compared to $215.43 last year. Gross ticket revenue per passenger day this year was $152.78 and gross onboard and other revenue was $58.31, compared to $157.28 and $58.15, respectively, last year.

Net results were up, however, with net revenue per passenger day coming in at $165.29 this year, up from $164.71 the previous year. While net ticket revenue per passenger cruise day was down at $119.24 last year, from $120.92 in 2015. net onboard revenue was up at $46.05 from $43.79 the year before.

Royal Caribbean carried 5,754,747 passengers in 2016 for a total of 40,250,557 passenger cruise days in 2016, up from 5,401,899 passengers and 38,523,060 passenger cruise days in 2015.

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/16293-royal-caribbean-2016-earnings-increase-driven-by-capacity-onboard-spend-and-cost-savings.html

thanks!!!!!

You are welcome. When I made a request in 2016, I received an immediate request received e-mail. Four days later I received a personalized confirmation e-mail that the topper will be in the room and on the bed.

special_needs@rccl.com 3/14/16

 

to me

Hello,

Thank you for contacting us with this information. We have gone ahead and made the appropriate notations in the reservation. We will place a mattress topper on embarkation day.

Best regards,

Access Staff

Tracy

Enjoying the review so far. Thanks!

 

Who did you email (address) about the mattress topper?

You can e-mail:

special_needs@rccl.com

I like the option of bands rather than the traditional SeaPass card, especially for children. Here's to hoping that more ships are equipped in 2017!

Looking forward to your review. Glad to see you made the best of a rocky start before boarding.

You can get a medical refrigerator by requesting it from special_needs@rccl.com.

Thank you for the information, Bob!

I hope we don't run into a cabin with a turned off refrigerator/cooler. we use them for my wife's insulin. The less pleasing alternative is a bucket filled with ice.

To wear, or not wear, flip flops in the MDR...

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2457671

:D:o:p

What are the dining options for formal nights if you don't want to go "formal"?

 

We are used to NCL freestyle cruising so we haven't had formal night for the last 5 cruises, we are cruising out of Galveston this summer and NCL isn't an option.

 

 

We don't mind not eating in the main dining room those nights, but can we go to specialty dining or is it buffet only on formal nights if you aren't in a suit or cocktail dress?

 

 

Thanks!!

Formal night attire only is not enforced like it was 15-20 years ago on RCCl and most other lines. You'll be fine in slacks and a collar shirt. There will still be some in t-shirts and shorts that are usually not turned away, either.

Tuxedos and formal gowns are more of the exception rather than the rule. We still like to dress up, but what others wear is their choice. Dress to your comfort level and enjoy your cruise on Liberty!

Error-ed out twice, but finally was able to purchase one drink package for 20% off for November '17 on Vision of the Seas. :D

Contact RCL dining at: rcldining@rccl.com

They should be able to tell you what choices you have on this cruise.

A sirloin is available every night. IIRC, there is a tenderloin offered two separate nights, but I don't recall if it was on a formal night.

If your ships has a Chops, you can order a Chops filet for about $17 in the MDR. It's on par with a filet from Ruth's Chris steakhouse and Morton's steakhouse.

I've had no problem bringing on-board small quantity beverages (water, soda, beer) from a port. It's never been more than a six pack that I've carried back on-board, larger quantities may get it seized until the last night of the cruise.

As Liberty of the Seas backed into the pier dock, I took a seven minute video of the ship docking alongside Allure of the Seas:

The pier extension for the larger RCCL ships is fascinating. The larger RCCL ships back into the pier, and the mooring extensions allow the ship to be secured to the pier extension.

The jail/brig/security room would be 'different' though I wouldn't recommend it! :D

For us, a Promenade room would be 'different'. The panoramic rooms offer a floor to ceiling view; family panoramic rooms (1863, 1854, 1814 & 1804) are a wedge shape.