EDiamond22

you may have your stateroom and not even know it, if you have a smart phones pull up your barcode on your set sail pass on one from and using the other phone open the google app and there is a little square with a dot in the middle at the end of the search bar, this is for searching pictures but it will also read a bar-code, last 4 digits is your cabin number (i found out mine about 3 weeks before they actually updated it to my set sail pass using this method) there is a way to do it on the computer if need be i can explain aswell

21 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

A family vacation is a large decision for many people. I know we only cruise once every few years. So to have a poor experience with one cruise when it’s a small sample size leaves an especially bad taste in your mouth. If you cruise carnival 5 times and enjoyed it, and on the 6th cruise there is a. An issue and b. You think carnival handled it poorly; you will probably write it off as a ship, employee, bad luck issue. If it’s your first and only cruise on carnival, you are more likely to blame the cruise line and write them off. 

ive had a few businesses that I wrote off after having a terrible experience. But the one thing they have in common is that it was my first time using that businsss (or had used it very little before). These are major businesses that have loyal customers so I realize logically that most likely I could go back and have a perfectly fine experience. But, my vacation dollars are valuable and there are usually plenty of other good choices so why risk it?
 

I think most people also say that immediately after a cruise and chances are good that a few years later their feelings may be a bit less hurt and they may give it another chance.

this is why i have been hesitant to change, its a much bigger financial commitment than say giving a restaurant a second chance or trying a new one you don't know if you will like. I will in the future try another line but at this point i really don't see anyone else offering the things i like so ill wait to be tempted 😄

I fell what your saying in kind of a different perspective, my family swore of carnival after one bad experience years before my time and have been loyal to royal ever since, and in turn turned me into loyal to royal. that being said i've never had a bad experience so it keeps me from trying another line for the fear of having a bad experience 🤷‍♂️

This thread went all sorts of direction, just too throw something in there that i've noticed; I've been watching first time cruisers vlogs on YouTube recently and it seems almost %100 of them are showing up not expecting someone to be there to take the bag nor would did/would they have any idea that this is something people tip for. With the cruising industry booming right now these guys are probably seeing alot less tips due to new cruisers and could cause the frustration and the asking for the tip. (not saying its right just my two cents). It seems a common misconception with new cruisers is that what they paid is all set and done and aren't ready for the world of cash grabs that are about to come lol just another perspective.

Just found this and really enjoyed reading it, i do want to splurge and go star class in the near future. the cocktail parties and dinners in the room sound like a blast and right up our ally! Also going to follow this for any advice on proper tipping for the genie just in case i do make it happen soon 😆

original went A->C->B now a true ABC sailing 😄 

i board adventure on Jan 4th and just got an email that they are re arranging the ports to avoid over crowding (supposed to be 8 ships in curacao on the same day now we will be the only one) <--so ive heard anyway i havent confirmed.

very nice, i love watching cruise vlogs lol subscribed !

3 hours ago, LorraineP said:

Well to me it’s another sneaky way RCL is taking away what’s left of the concierge lounges that weren’t already turned into suite lounges from D+. 

could be, we mainly sail with a large group and most of the time not everyone is diamond so most sailings we don't attend the lounge. It actually becomes more convenient that the perks are being offered out side of the lounge, based off of my personal situation though. 
i guess we will just have to sail more and make D+, darn twist my arm  

An email i got today about my upcoming sailing on adventure, i know you can get your 3 free drinks anywhere but I don't believe i've ever seen the free specialty coffee loaded on the seapass. i get the DBP so really wont benefit me but i'm sure some will enjoy that very much! 

(feel free to merge this if there is a spot it fits in, i couldn't find a non ship specific thread) 

now thats the correct way to wake up, nice!

i enjoy labadee much more, seems like you got the right attitude anyway! enjoy 😄 

2 hours ago, Coralc said:

 

Unfortunately you do not receive double points if the upgrade to a suite is from a RoyalUp bid. One of the conditions is that you only receive the points from your original booking. ☹️

oh interesting good to know, thanks for the correction !

6 hours ago, Cruise a holic said:

A Jr. Suite is so much nicer and roomier then a regular balcony cabin-  I think it is a least 1 1/2 times the size.  It have a great closet- walk in, practically a room!  I actually think they use that closet in a Family suite, with a set of bunk beds.  You can also dine in the suite restaurant for dinner- So worth it. IMO  Enjoy

also to note, JS you earn double C&A points per night if you plan on sticking with royal 😄 @tomservo

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

He'd like the Seaplex on Odyssey.

 

Biker, who would probably take Odyssey over O class.

curious from someone who hasn't said it yet, what would be your favorite feature?

15 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

This is what makes CC interesting. Some people complain that there is nowhere to see the ocean on Oasis class ships and others who find tons of places to watch the ocean.🤔 Personally, I'm with you. I've never had trouble finding a view of the ocean when I want one.

right i didn't seem to struggle especially on sea days me and the GF enjoy laying out so we spent a good amount of time up on the top catching rays and watching waves, but hey if the majority doesn't like the neighborhood balconies that keeps the price lower for us that do, so im not complaining as long as everyone enjoys what they enjoy about their cruise 😄

1 hour ago, Grandma Petania said:

 

I hope you enjoy your CP balcony as much as my daughter and I have.  We have sailed Symphony, Harmony, Oasis and Allure on deck 10 overlooking Central Park.  I love looking out over the greenery, and people watching day and evening.  As for perks or onboard credit, I think you have to have booked by sometime in September 2019 (while the perks were still shown on the website) in order to qualify for the offer to keep the perks or choose $50 OBC.  Fortunately I already had ours booked for March and December 2020, so the $50 OBC will help with gratuities.

 

 The March cruise on Symphony is a treat from my son and son-in-law to celebrate my 80th birthday.  (The treat includes my daughter, who is my usual cruising partner.). They will be flying in from California for their first time on an Oasis class ship.  I’m really looking forward to spending the time with them, and sharing my love of these great ships.  They chose an ocean balcony, but I arranged for them to be across the hall a few doors away from our CP balcony cabin.

 

 

that's awesome, sounds like you'll have a wonderful time. the way i see it there is a ton of places you can just sit and watch the ocean if that's what you were looking for. i really enjoyed sitting on the BW balcony watching the divers practice, kids play on the BW and the general hustle and bustle. looking forward to a different version of that  with the CP. not to mention Oasis class is the only class you even get this option so why not take try something new! 🙂 
Happy floating 

3 hours ago, Tee & Chilli said:

How do you search only the Royal Caribbean board? When I enter key words lots of other cruise info returns in the search.

while in the royal boards, click the searchbox, this drop down should come up. type what you want to search then check the "this Forum" bubble and it will only search the royal board 

looking forward to this, pictures are awesome so far.
Enjoy your cruise 😄 

I haven't sailed Quantum class but have been looking into Odyssey now that it will be sailing out of FLL, it seems to be a middle ground between oasis and freedom classes aprox 1k more pax than freedom and 1k less than Oasis, here's some list of "highlights" listed for the two classes;

Oasis HIGHLIGHTS: Neighborhoods AquaTheater 3D Movies Broadway Musicals The Perfect StormSM Ultimate AbyssSM Zip Line Boardwalk® Central Park® 2 FlowRider® Surf Simulators Carousel Ice-Skating Rink Outdoor Movie Screen Laser Tag

Quantum HIGHLIGHTS: North Star® RipCord® by iFLY® Seaplex® FlowRider® Surf Simulator Two70® Virtual BalconySM Staterooms 3D Movies Loft Suites Music Hall Broadway Musicals Outdoor Movie Screen

both offer some really unique stuff and still in my opinion set above the freedom and below classes. but quantum does not have the neighborhoods (boardwalk/Central Park) so if those are deal breakers then Oasis is still for you; as too your other favs, the Shows are the big highlight on Odyssey so im sure you would enjoy those alot, also it will have a track. as too the pool i just dont know either way.
im making a booking now for Jan of 2021 and was going back and forth with allure and odyssey and decided on allure, i have sailed Oasis class but not since any have been AMPED and allure will be done by this sailing so thats what i decided on. i will definitely try quantum class in the future though.  

also just from a business standpoint, i'm sure royal gets a lot more money from the new/first time cruisers than any of us lol
We check prices after booking and reprice, we know to watch the prices on drinks and dinning packages, we book 3rd party excursions, avoid upcharge things on board (spa packages, art, some shops stuff) i know there is exceptions to this but i truly believe most diamond level members and above know how to make their royal dollar stretch a little further unlike the new cruiser. 
also they would have to look at how many D,D+,pin, suite, key, people they have..too many and that "priority" line might just end up longer than general admission lol  
i enjoy my few perks (only D right now) but it wouldn't make or break my vacation. I enjoy royal ships and itineraries and thats what brings me back.

On 11/27/2019 at 3:27 PM, oddly excitered said:

Thanks, You are exactly right, I was peeling apples to make pies and I realized my mistake. sometimes the head spins so much in trying to figure out royals math I lose all common sense!

this is more than understandable lmao i.e. 20% off yesterday is cheaper than todays 50% off. gotta love it

2 hours ago, MrFunInTheSun said:

The new Portside BBQ is definitely one of my new favorites. We had a nice long talk several times during this cruise with the main person who opened Portside BBQ on Lady Oasis. 
 

Reviews from these first two sailings are very key and important to if one will added to Lady Allure during her nip, tuck and new lipstick next year. If they are not good, Lady Allure will not get one. Based on our experience I can only see Portside BBQ receiving nothing but excellent reviews.

i hope so, im booking Lady Allure for after the Amp and highly looking forward to the portside BBQ 😄 thanks for the info

i got the best price on my bev package 3 days after blackfriday and cyber monday (went up those days).
just keep an eye on it only takes a minute to check everyday 😄 

1 hour ago, Biker19 said:

Your cabin may be listed in the barcode of the SetSail pass. If you use the RCI app on an iPhone and save the SetSail pass to your wallet, the last 4 digits under the barcode will be your cabin. If not on iPhone, you might be able to use a barcode app to decipher the barcode and get your cabin number.

another way is to just use google, there is an icon where you can search a picture..if you are on mobile just screen shot your set sail and drop it in goolge and it will read you the number, if on desktop or laptop you can do the same thing or pull up google on your phone, image search and it will read it (just giving a few more options)