twangster

To circle around for an update, today I received my $99 deposit back. No fighting it for it like the last time. While I hate missing the Seaside cruise in May over this, at least I got my deposit money back. In other news, my early January Meraviglia cruise has resulted in no points. Second time I've received no points for a Meraviglia cruise. I must have a note in my account to screw this customer around.

Crew 6 was postponed and moved to early morning on Feb. 27 (launchpad 39A) I'm still seeing a reference to a separate Starlink 6-1 launch early afternoon on Feb. 26 which was pushed from Feb. 23. (launchpad 40) https://www.rocketlaunch.live/?tag=series-spacex-starlink https://spaceflightnow.com/launch-schedule/ NET Feb. 26Falcon 9 • Starlink 6-1 Launch time: Approx. 1830 GMT (1:30 p.m. EST) Launch site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch another batch of Starlink internet satellites. This mission will be the first mission to launch a new larger Starlink spacecraft design known as “Starlink V2 Mini.” The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Delayed from Feb. 23. [Feb. 23] Feb. 27Falcon 9 • Crew 6 Launch time: 0645 GMT (1:45 a.m. EST) Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a Crew Dragon spacecraft on the program’s ninth flight with astronauts. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster will land on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen, Warren “Woody” Hoburg, UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev will launch on the Crew Dragon spacecraft to begin a six-month expedition on the International Space Station. The Crew Dragon will return to a splashdown at sea. Delayed from Feb. 19 and Feb. 26. [Feb. 23]

From Mariner in PCN. It was raining so not the best day for a launch or photography. A few seconds later it broke through the low hanging cloud layer and disappeared from view.

Icon 2 setting sail in 2025: https://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-release/1634/the-next-iconic-adventure-begins-with-royal-caribbeans-second-icon-class-ship/

Agreed. So instead of a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, it's a block in the hand is worth two on eBay.

I had a similar experience and ended up cancelling the cruise.

Still 3 day. There were several of us booked on this sailing. We all had price increases. One couple was able to get it adjusted back to the original fare. One guy is just going to pay the extra money. I cancelled when I saw them adjust my final payment due date to try to have the cruise cancelled on me when I didn't pay according to the new final payment due date.

If you are looking for a single floor Star Class then the Aqua Theater 2 bedroom suites may be your best bet. Just be aware they are a long way back there so not exactly friendly for a mobility challenge without a scooter.

If you have a hyphenated name that can cause some irregularities. CAS allows hyphens while Royal cruise booking names don't. They will sometimes use a space or sometimes make it one word.

It usually depends how many are on that sailing. Once a threshold is crossed they open a separate area as a Pinnacle lounge.

I am fairly certain they changed my final payment due date in response to requesting they put the cruise fare back to what it was originally. Had I not cancelled or paid in full yesterday, they would have cancelled the cruise today for non-payment. Could you imagine trying to untangle that mess? It's a 3 day cruise. Final payment is supposed to be at 75 days as my original invoice shows. The cruise was May 11.

After a week with no reply I looked yesterday and saw the price had not been adjusted back to the original booked fare. I did see some that final payment due date had been changed from 2/26 (75 days) to 2/11 (90 days). My original booking invoice states final payment due on 2/26. So I cancelled yesterday (2/10) so I can get my $99 deposit back. Not only did they increase the cruise fare of the confirmed booking they changed the final payment due date after I emailed them to correct the cruise fare.

Cruise planner purchase refunds are processed much faster than cruise deposit refunds. You may see them come in a variety of weird small amounts.

They are planning for two Icon class ships therefore the need to increase capacity. This is essentially about preparing the marketing foundation that capacity is 13k in 2023. They could make up whatever statement they want. Capacity is 16k. There... feel better? It's a made up number that is elastic and comes from a place where pseudo science meets the marketing department. Seriously if they state capacity is 20k what basis do any of us have to argue that number based on what science? The other thought about Waterpark of the Seas (Icon) jamming the PDCC waterpark is why would guests on Icon pay money for a waterpark at PDCC when they have been living on a waterpark since they embarked? Stay on the ship! I bet they are regretting previously stating a capacity.

Taxes went down $1.46. Base cruise fare before taxes went up $83.40. I called and they wouldn't do anything on the phone but told me to email. I emailed mscexistingreservations@msccruisesusa.com a few days ago. No response yet.

My photos are offline while I hunt for a new hosting provider.

The genie contacted me in advance and told me to book CT and Hibachi if I wanted them for a group dinner as they are more likely to fill up. Genie email: **************************************************************** I want to ensure that you have the full gastronomic experience you desire, so I would like to confirm your preferred dining time. Should your dining time conflict with any of the awesome shows that we have in store for you (show schedules are yet to be confirmed), I will tweak your dining time as required so as to allow you to have a leisurely dinner either before or after a show. While we always endeavor to fulfill all your requests, please understand that due to reduced seating capacity in our restaurants , last-minute requests may not always be possible. If I may kindly ask whether you are travelling with any family or friends, who may be joining you for dinner. I would highly recommend you to book Hibachi and Chef's Table online at https://www.royalcaribbean.com/booked if you are interested in sharing a table and meeting other guests because these are the only restaurants that we cannot confirm ahead of time due to its limited seating, the Hibachi table seats a maximum of 10 guests whereas Chef's Table seats a maximum of 16 guests. All reservations open up online prior to the remaining inventory being available on board a day before your sailing. We will process your refund once you are onboard. **Important**: Chef's Table has a charge of $25 per Star Class Guest and this is for the wine served at the Wine Pairing that is not included in the Beverage Package for Star Class Guests. The rest of the restaurants have a larger seating capacity hence I can confirm the reservations well in advance.

Except Hibachi and Chef's Table. They sell out and once on board the genie can't fix that so they advise Star guests to buy them at regular cruise planner rates and the genie refunds it on board.

When Quantum went to Asia they yanked the Broadway show (Mamma Mia!) well short of it's normal contract end. I recall during an entertainment tour backstage on another ship the black shirt talking about the process to get the set off the ship and ship it back to the US. Took a month. That's how Mamma Mia! ended up on Allure.

I'm curious if WWRY on Anthem will reach the end of the contract in 2025. Royal seems to be done with Broadway shows or in this case a West End show and paying all those license fees. That can also hamper deploying a ship if the production company that owns the rights to the show has a say in the region where Royal can offer the show. Anthem may have been captive to the greater NYC area and the UK because of WWRY. If they don't renew it then they are free to send her anywhere.

The same Michael Bayley who stated Icon would sail from the UK first?

Maybe they were confusing the old Empress Schooner Bar? It was full width.

Like they say for the trivia contests on a streaming radio channel I listen to... "You win pride, not prize!"

If you are a foodie you may find the food is mediocre on any mass market cruise line. It's hard to prepare 4,000 to 6,000 meals three times a day and be gourmet about it. Food is subjective but keep expectations real for mass market cruising in general. I have cruised a fair bit on many different lines but mostly one US mass market line. MSC is trying to break into the US market since they have historically had a bigger presence in Europe. IMO they still have to adapt a few things before they'll be able to become a serious player in the US cruise market. With that understanding I still book MSC and have more bookings on them right now compared to the other US centric lines where I have done a lot of cruising. This is primarily because they are less expensive as they try to lure cruisers away from the other US centric lines. That approach is working with me and I tolerate the differences knowing I'm saving a bunch. There are things to like and dislike about every cruise line. On one hand it's great to save money with a bargain fare but when booking or buying the cheapest anything in life you can't use that one experience to judge other options that cost more. Enjoy a bargain but keep an open mind.

Don't forget the visuals. At night with the curtains open everyone can see into the rear facing loft suites. On the side facing loft suites you can leave the curtains open and no one can see in, until you reach port and then only guests on the upper decks of tall ships have a chance to look in from across the pier. On a sea day it's great waking up to ocean views from the two story glass wall of a side facing loft suite.