KJL53

16 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

Celebrity often has better rates for solo travellers than Royal and they have single edge veranda rooms on Edge class ships. Look e.g. into Ascent in June 2025.

I have never seen a less expensive price on Celebrity for a solo than using my single supplement on Royal.

I would love to try Celebrity. 

It's only about REVENUE

15 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

Because if they don’t they will get hundreds of million dollar and euro fines.

All shipping and airline have to reduce carbon emissions.

I think it’s 50% by 2035 and 100% by 2050 .Some countries are bringing in restrictions earlier.

Hapag-Lloyd ,which is something to do with Royal Caribbean is facing a 100 million euro fine for breaching carbon emissions for last year.

6 hours ago, Chiliburn said:

I think you will find one of the reasons is to reduce emissions.
Short hops and more port days are going to be around until they find another fuel that’s carbon neutral.

It's all about revenue. 

New cruisers that want to get away and spend LOTS of money.

Drink packages 

Wifi 

Excursions 

Specialty dining

They also figure kids are free

Win Win

On 9/14/2023 at 1:57 PM, triplem67 said:

@fstuff1  Ooooh! You're on Solstice!🙂 I'm going to have some questions for you about the North Queensland stops on your itinerary.  They are the same as Celebrity Edge next year.  

 

I'm really sorry but my honest opinion is even on a Saturday, I'm not sure it's doable if your "arrival" time is 8am.  I'll explain why below.  

 

The things working against you is check-in and boarding for Miramar is 8:45am for 9am departure. The walk off the Ship along the gangway to the front of the cruise terminal, is approximately a 300 metre walk. Then you have to grab a taxi or rideshare. Once you're in the car, on a Saturday morning the travel time estimate is 28 to 35 minutes from the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal to the Southbank location of Miramar's Wharf. And then you also have to factor a short-ish walk down to the departure wharf from your drop off point.  That's an awful lot to do in less than an hour.  😐 

 

My recommendation for the easiest way to do Lone Pine yourself, is book a driver and have them waiting to pick you up and take you direct to Lone Pine then pick you up when you want to go back to the ship. That's what one group is doing on my Celebrity Edge cruise. I have a family friend who is an Uber Driver and he is booked to do exactly this.

 

Another group from my Cruise has booked a shuttle bus service that I found. The company is a local private transport provider in my area and I put their details up in my Roll Call. So far one mini bus of 11 passengers is fully booked and they are selling a second one. I can put in contact with either of those options if you'd like.  Once you have transport arranged, then you just have to buy your entry ticket online.  

 

As for $25 for a Koala photo... Sure if you like. I do the Animal Encounters at Australia Zoo and what I like about those experiences is you get to go behind the scenes and learn more about the animal's care. Also, funds raised go towards conservation work. So I think it's good to do those kinds of encounters.

 

I hope that information helps. I feel really bad because the Miramar Cruise is a fabulous way to go to Lone Pine and back. It's just these bloody Cruise ship timings don't make it easy for people to organise their own plans.

Does your family friend still dtive??

I need a ride for 3 people on March 11th to pick us up at the cruise port and take us to Lone Pine and the Pick us up. Can thst be arranged?

8 minutes ago, fac429 said:

 

I think the key to Ensenada is knowing where to go.  I'm not saying it's a world class port.  But we've gone ziplining and ATV riding a few miles south of the dock at Las Canadas Campamento and had a great time.  I've heard the wine country nearby is pretty cool.  And if you don't feel like venturing too far away the Dona Engracia tequila shop/museum is pretty cool (and cheap!).  So you don't have to just walk down the main drag and be hassled by street vendors while making your way to the insanity at Papas & Beer.

ENSENADA  is really not that bad.

If you like wine, they are some pretty good  wineries. I've taken an excellent excursion from the ship. Just across from the port is the bar where supposedly the Margaritta was invented.

On Sundays there are 2 local Flee markets. 

ENSENADA is safe to walk around unlike Nassau. And if you don't want to get off  the ship you do have the wonderful Navigator entertain you. Don't count out ENSENADA 

1 minute ago, KJL53 said:

There are still a lot of people in the LA area as well  as Arizona and Nevada that don't want to fly that would to have a big ship to try close by.

Really looking forward to the week of February 19th to find out the schedule for Los Angeles. 

7 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

I think you got the mail in the head. 
The demand just doesn’t exist for a ship that size from Los Angeles/Long Beach. 

There are still a lot of people in the LA area as well  as Arizona and Nevada that don't want to fly that would to have a big ship to try close by.

I'm also thinking  it will be Anthem. 

But then the question will be, will they keep 2 ships in Los Angeles?

Not sure if the market here could handle it.

Right now the 3 and 4 night cruises are doing very well on Navigator.

There's talk of a Quantum Class ship coming to Los Angeles in 2025 and just wondering if you think it will be Anthem or Ovation? Anthem will be going into dry dock so it would be able to get the power needed for the Los Angeles port. What are your thoughts?

50 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

My story is based on actual experience on my February 2023 Radiance of the Sea cruise.

 

The ship was loaded with Pinnacles who wore C+A earrings, tee shirts and other status  announcing items.

 

We started to ask them if they have traveled other lines. Most firmly shook their heads and said things  such as: "We are loyal to Royal," "We are very happy with Royal," "There is no need for us to try anything else," etc.

 

Interestingly enough, further conversation with them found anyone we talked to had only started cruising with Royal Caribbean  after 2000 (when the target market demographic changed and on board experience started its downhill slide to be a competitor for Carnival Cruise Line).

 

So my "stereotype" story  is based on an  experience on a very recent cruise.

 

Just an FYI, our first Royal Caribbean  Cruise  was backed in 1985 and was one of our go to lines (also HAL and Sitmar in that time period).

 

As the on board experience went down from its former standards  in the early aughts we stayed with Sitmar, (now known as Celebrity and owned by Royal Caribbean)  and other lines that offered the same level of on board experience.

 

The recent RCL cruise was the result of us deciding to join my sister who had a FCC to use up because of a high school reunion cruised that was a Covid cancellation.

 

It met our expectations of what a Royal Caribbean cruise has become.

 

 

Sitmar became Princess

I have  this problem ALL the time when trying to book a solo GTY on board. The agent must send the reservation to resolutions to have a double reservation converted to a solo reservation. 

I am assuming this person has over 340 pts and is entitled to a single supplement discount. 

Some agents will just say the the solo guarantees are sold out. Insist the reservation is sent to resolutions. 

Good luck, don't back down. 

Vision

Quarantine for 5 days then released. No testing, just released. Food delivered to room.

No markings on the door. No hazmat outfits for food delivery. Passengers staid in their own room.

45 minutes ago, emeraldcity said:

I've been watching pricing on January cruises for Anthem. And the situation hasn't changed in months. When I run a mock booking for a given cabin with 2 people in it, the final price is nearly $200 less than if I back up and run the numbers again for one guest. I'm getting $2551 for a solo and $2375 for a couple in a balcony. I was prepared to pay for double occupancy plus one charge for taxes and port fees ... but that's not what's coming back.

Call Royal and ask for Resolutions. They will override and give you the single guarantee. 

1 hour ago, Ashland said:

I booked  Jan 17, 2022 the only 7 nighter for January.

Nothing on the website yet but I called and booked directly with RCI just over an hour ago.

Call back...bookings are open !!

I tried but the agent I spoke with checked with her supervisor and said no way. I'm  trying to book for November 

1 hour ago, Ashland said:

Thanks...I was able to book (I called back)....no discounts yet in system but they said to keep checking back.

What date were you able to book?

I've  called  but they say nothing  is in the system  yet. 

One of the problems with that ship were the low ceilings in the dining room.

Oak park 

4 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

It was a simpler time but the service was stupendous and was a completely different experience. There were no amusement park venues. 

Where in T.O. I'm your neighbor. 

Viking Serenade 

21 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

I fondly remember sailing on RCL out of San Pedro on 4 night cruises to Catalina on a converted car ferry back 40 years ago. Can't remember the name of the ship --------------------anyone?

1 hour ago, psupa said:

I would like some information from a D+ cruiser. I will be sailing solo in the future and wonder if you have to book through Royal to get the 150% price and also what other perks are there for sailing solo

You must have 340 points to get discount of 150%

Use your 3 drinks on your seapass in another lounge.

Royal still has the best loyalty program out there. You will get nothing if you cruise

Princess, Carnival or NCL. Princess top level gives 1 set up of small drink bottles

in your room when you board. It is not refilled.

Everything changes, we all feel the pinch in one way or another.

On 11/22/2018 at 9:34 AM, lake show cruiser said:

Hi, we are sailing on the Symphony of the Seas in March. Any chance of making a 10:35 southwest flight from Port Miami. We do have global entry and TSA precheck.  

TIA 

I just got off Symphony a few weeks ago and did self assist. I had a 9:20am flight in Miami. I had no problem. Get a taxi as soon as you get off the ship and be sure to be as close to first in line off the ship. Happy sailing................

13 hours ago, atb said:

We will earn the points during our next cruise to turn pinnacle.

On our last cruise, the C&A ambassador said they would touch base with us on the first few days of this next cruise, to coordinate the presentation of the block, and all that good stuff.

But I read on another thread, that now it does not happen during the cruise you turn pinnacle, but on the cruise after.

Recent experience - just curious.  Looking forward to the internet perk.

Sorry to say but rules say you are recognized on the cruise you earn 700 but do not receive any of the benefits until your next cruise. You might get lucky and be on a ship where the LA does not follow the rules. Good luck and congratulations.

Thanks Carol................

All ships have a few to several people each sailing that comes down with Noro.

Close quarters and not washing properly. Usually someone brings it on the ship.