forkcreek

We had signed up for the Presidents cruise leaving Barcelona on 9/17. We then found that the cruise before it and the one after visited the same ports and were expensive. . Also, there were no transatlantic cruises we could match it up with. Considering the cost of the cruise/airfare/on board costs and offshore costs, all for a week, we cancelled. If you have never been to Barcelona and can stay there a few days before or after the cruise it MAY be more practical, Having been there several times before, it was not a good idea.

If you read what the OP was offered (changing back to the old deal with the JS) it is more than obvious that Resolutions was involved already, as only they could have offered that.

Thanks. However I was trained/educated never to assume. Since it was not so stated, my response was reasonable

Call RCCL and demand to speak with someone in "RESOLUTIONS."

With the change shown below cruisers are reporting that redeeming the Complimentary Cruise Certificate is now a simpler process and they are able to get a "free" 7 night cruise or apply the $2400 to a longer cruise or non-Caribbean itinerary.

 

From the RCI website.

 

PINNACLE COMPLIMENTARY CRUISE UPDATE

As of August 1st, 2016, your complimentary cruise certificate is valid for an up to 7-night Caribbean sailing in a balcony stateroom or $2,400 towards the purchase of a cruise at 700 or 1050 Cruise Points; or an up to 7-night Caribbean sailing in a junior suite or $3,200 towards the purchase of a cruise at 1,400 Cruise Points and above.

Be aware tho that if RCCL continues to apply their "special" cruise price to that booking, what you really get is much lower than the amount you expect.

I received it and at first thought it a joke. Careful reading led me to believe they want to now charge a fee for what we already get in booking a cruise. As PT Barnum is reputed to have said, "There is a sucker born every minute."

On our last "free cruise" we were allocated $2400 per cabin. When we compared the cost using our "free" versus booking normally, we really got about %50 of the $2400. Although happy to get even that much, would have preferred RCCL not using tactic.

At every "loyalty" level there are some people who consider themselves "entitled." Have seen our share of rude/crude/demanding cruisers. Some of the worst can be seen in the hallway berating a cabin steward for something beyond their control or a waiter in the MDR for a perceived imperfection.

For the last few years all cruise lines have been doing more and more with less personnel and cutting costs from all other sources. Not only is RCCL not immune to these situations but has adopted them dramatically. People who are infrequent cruisers may not yet see this but they will soon. Frequent "floaters" has seen a marked change in their cruise experience and most often not for the better. Although RCCL cruising still offers a good vacation, it often varies from ship to ship. As others have mentioned, food offerings and service have suffered in the MDR to the point that tables have numerous empties and the the Windjammer is very busy. The stateroom attendants have been given additional cabins to care for so RCCL can eliminate some people and this pressure is now evident. Where at one time RCCL offered well known and respected performers, they now use much cheaper and what some refer to as Las Vegas lounge acts including jugglers/magicians/comedians and singers. They are usually OK but not the level of satisfaction as before. Perhaps as significant is the fact that RCCL often does not enforce its own rules ( ie: chair hogs/unruly passengers especially groups of youth/and balcony smoking).

If anything this post points out that RCCL has shipboard rules that they seldom enforce.

They are no websites that list ALL available cabins. The best one that I have found and is most often recommended here is Royal's UK site that lists 50 cabins per category. I have found it to show more cabins that the sites with the blinking lights which I have found to show 35 cabins. At the other extreme is Royals US site that only shows 15 per category.

Thanks. I guess the one I use ( CC rules, I cant give ID) is wrong.

To sum up, Royal ships sail at 104% capacity

 

Never paid the prices you had listed

If you check many web sights where ALL available cabins are listed for each cruise, you will find many sailing well below capacity. As for prices, many of RCCL sales are really no savings and if you monitor prices on a particular sailing over a long period of time you will see them being very labile.

If someone does not pepay tips or removes automatic tips, then the crewmembers are "charged" the standard tip rate.

Having well over 1000 nights on RCCL and having contact with staff (both on and off duty) none has ever told me this,and even had it denied. So that I may confirm your statement, please tell me where I can find the basis. Thanks

We often cruised with my late cousin who needed a scooter to get around. One tip, try to avoid using the elevators during busy times.

All cruise lines have affinity/loyalty programs. I suggest you pick the line that most satisfies you and try to stick with it. The more you sail with that line, the better the "loyalty" benefits are.

If we have not somehow linked our two cruises, do we need to? Does RCI know somehow? We booked through a TA. TIA for any info.

We have had several b2b cruises, the last in Sept on Allure. Having had a failure and knowing others who have had them, on the 2nd or 3rd night of the first cruise we go to guest services and verify the ship is aware we are staying on. We have found mistakes happen. NEVER Assume

Heard an awful lot this hurricane from Weather Channel about the deforestation and that Haiti is the poorest country in the northern hemisphere.

 

I plan to dig into why they are not succeeding when there are so many countries and organizations that can assist bringing them to a better place on a grand scale.

For decades Haiti has been ruled by political leaders who get rich thru graft and corruption.Little happens without a liberal supply of "green grease." Despite this, until Jan 1990 the people were able to eke out a

poor but adequate existence. For instance, until then they were able to feed themselves. The earthquake of Jan 1990 destroyed most of the sparse infrastructure and food production plummeted. Despite many charities collecting money ( including the Clinton Foundation) and boasting about the distribution success, in truth there is very little to substantiate those claims. In addition, the population went from approx 7mil/100k in 1990 to approx 10mil/800k in2016. The result is that Haiti as a Nation is poverty stricken mess and events such as the recent Hurricane only make it worse. There is little evidence the situation will ever improve.

Izumi hibachi is not an ala carte restaurant so I'm assuming it would work yes.

Having been on over 100 RCCL cruises we have learned that in many areas including restaurants, the only consistency is inconsistency. Not only is this true between ships, but we have been on back to backs where a change in executive staff evoked changes. We enjoy Sabor and on many ships it is a price fixed dining option yet on our recent Back to Back on Allure it was ala carte and they refused to even consider the BOGO . We spoke with others onboard with us who said that on prior Allure sailings, the BOGO was applied. My advice, when on the ship go to the restaurant and speak with the manager.

Can I use my Diamond + BOGO specialty restaurant coupon at Izumi Hibachi on Allure?

BOGO restaurant coupons cannot be used for ala carte restaurant purchases

Although the RCCL IT (WEB) site has undergone some changes over the last year or so, it is simply not really always user friendly and suffers with occasional glitches. We simply call C&A, book with them and have them send us a copy of the booking data.

On two prior cruises we went to a Park West auction and won a "FREE" painting. There was a catch;however, in order to get it we had to pay an exorbitant amount for framing and shipping. We no longer go to those sales events. If you like what they are selling and do not care about the cost, Park West is for you. If you believe in Caveat Emptor ( let the buyer be aware) go on the web and check out your prospective purchase.

Just remember that each time RCCL takes something away or raises prices, they announce that it is to enhance your cruising experience.

Yes on every ship that has the Cafe

We have learned that at best, the RCCL web site is not user friendly and if used can at times cause aggravation. If we have to make a reservation ( after researching on TA sites) or make a change, we call RCCL and get a printout confirmation/

We have our cruising records going back 10 years and we have averaged about 100 cruise nights per year on RCCL alone.. While each year prices have increased, during the last two they have increased dramatically. That being the case, only a fool would not try to get the most for their vacation budget and it is these fools that business counts on to increase their profits. Royal enjoys and caters to a loyal and frequent cruiser because it is still profitable even at "bargain prices."[/QUOTE]

 

Prices are going up and in the last two years prices have increased DRAMATICALLY.

 

Royal caters to a loyal cruiser because it is still profitable at bargain prices.

 

These two statement are inconsistent. Is Royal Caribbean offering bargain prices or is Royal Caribbean increasing its prices to the point that it is the price leader? It cannot be doing both.

 

In general Royal Caribbean is more expensive than Carnival or NCL. I will leave it to each individual to determine if Royal Caribbean's premium prices:

 

1) Reflect the level of service provided, and

2) Whether that service is worth the price increase over Carnival and NCL.

When the Company has trouble filling a ship, they offer bargain prices. ALL cruise lines do this. Smart cruisers, watch for those real bargains and the others pay the high price. In pricing the only consistency is inconsistency. By the way, other cruise lines than Carnival and NCL are cheaper than RCCL and we are not foolish enough to shop around. There are; however, are people who put other than price as their most important criteria.

I gather that getting bargains is a hobby for you - just don't be surprised if RCI no longer wants to support that hobby.:cool:

We have our cruising records going back 10 years and we have averaged about 100 cruise nights per year on RCCL alone.. While each year prices have increased, during the last two they have increased dramatically. That being the case, only a fool would not try to get the most for their vacation budget and it is these fools that business counts on to increase their profits. Royal enjoys and caters to a loyal and frequent cruiser because it is still profitable even at "bargain prices."