otterden

35 minutes ago, MrFunInTheSun said:

Someone stole all the magnets on my room door during the night or early this morning. 

Now if they replaced them with Pineapples.... :)

looks like the pool was down for a few days, is that common?

On 11/6/2018 at 3:47 PM, 2Beeze said:

@otterden  And others - I am actually trying to clarify that now!  We have been told in Vegas that the pearl status given to the military was the same pearl status as any other person who obtained pearl – otherwise, what is the point, right? And the marketing material on the mgm site (linked by RCL) shows quite clearly pearl=platinum and then states that a RCL passenger needs to decide which program they will use on a sailing, RCL or MGM.  It was not confusing at all on that info page.

 

But, the customer service rep that I talk to yesterday at MGM said they thought that have been changed in some way (although the military program is pretty new and the info given above is very clearly still on the website (s). The rep seemed fairly confused by that.  Then I get an email from the same rep last night stating, in different terms, the the PEARL for military members and the PEARL for playing were not in essence the same. Hmmmm... them why not? If they mean it to be something offered to the military members and their families that is great, but if it’s for show and not real (if the pearl they give military members is a pseudo version and not worth the same benefits/discounts, then that would not be nearly as much a good thing as I see it). Is the point to pretend to offer something and then make it empty of value?

 

I am confused by this turn of events to be honest, the difference among the info on the site, what we were told, and the rep’s commentary. I wrote the MGM rep back asking her to confirm if the PEARL Status given to military was in fact an inferior product to that same status given to players... I am afraid the answer is yes.  Which in my view doesn’t say good things... and will be a huge disappointment. I really thought a company was finally putting some real benefit out there for those who are now serving and those who put it 20+ years of service rather than just another company paying it lip service. Maybe that was naive. I will let you know what I learn. 

 

Lynn

Lynn thanks for the update.  I'm heading to vegas in a few weeks, RCL rep recommended I use my pearl mlife card a bit to "show activity" so that it would actually make a difference...not really sure what that means.  I'm with you, seems like they're advertising something that they're really not giving.  We sail late December, how about you?

Curious if this helped you on your cruise.  We are active duty and got the Pearl M-life card last year while on a Vegas trip.  Tried to call and get it linked to our RCL reservation but he said it wasn't really of any value since we're not big gamblers?

Thanks so much for sharing your adventure, anxiously following along as we depart on Oasis for New Year's in just over 7 weeks.  Your level of sarcasm is pretty close to mine, wish we were cruising together!  Enjoy!

and they seem to include mushrooms (yuk) in everything.

Thanks for the review but this was by the most useful thing for me....massive food allergy to mushrooms, which will greatly complicate things for us :(

Respect the info... but dang it, our 2019 holiday cruise is at $60 pp/pd. Please don't tell me its only going to go up. Will be getting on the wagon (at least while on the ship) for that trip if that's the case.

Our NYE 20% off brought it down to $53 (now at 10% off for $56). I've been told NYE never goes below $53, but like you I'll continue to watch and hope for any drop!

We're on NYE cruise on Oasis...I got drink package for 20% off and now it's on sale for 10% off...I'd say buy now and if it drops you can cancel and reorder, but as stated above, everyone has told me not to expect ANY discounts for NYE as saps like us are willing to pay for it given the timeframe.

Enjoy your trip! only 128 days for us, 129 for you!

Trying to decide on the photo package and if we'll get enough opportunities for photos to justify it. Does anyone have a list of where RC sets up the official photo stations, how often they're available (eg only at night and/or formal nights?) and if it's feasible to get to all of them (eg are the lines so long you never get there?).

128 days and counting...

Thanks!

130 days! We’ll see you onboard!

Otter needs a vacation

An "emotional support dog" pooped yesterday at Guest Services. Emotionally dependent owner just walked away.

Not familiar with which ship, was it on the poop deck?

(Sorry, yes I have a boy who likes such jokes so I’m obliged to make them!)

Thanks for the review. We’re on same itinerary over New Years and have been toying with just staying on the boat at Nassau (similar disappointment during our last visit).

Just looked at current menu online

 

definitely different from last year

 

Look forward to trying it especially the pork belly

 

Hopefully as good as the one in Chops

 

 

 

The interesting part of the menu is the 3 photos above it

 

not sure about first one BUT

 

2nd one shows lamb chops and the 3rd shows scallops

 

2 of our favorite that arnt on the new menu shown:confused:

I saw the scallops too and got excited. Seems odd to picture them but not serve them?

Otter needs a vacation

With underwear or without like to Scots?

Challenge....accepted! (Now my wife is freaking out, she anticipated me wearing my formal uniform and I just told her I was swapping it for the kilt!)

Have been able to book NYE on Oasis ay the advertised prices. Not lowest I’ve seen for others though. Which cruise are you taking?

What is the exact date Grandeur will be in Boston and what are the exact port times? If the Red Sox are in post season play, you might not know until the last minute if there is a timing conflict. Tours are given hourly on a daily basis, but tours stop 3 hours before game time.

 

https://www.mlb.com/redsox/ballpark/tours

“...WHEN the Red Sox are in post season play...”

Sorry, Boston fan here. It’s in my blood! :)

Enjoy! Make sure you take the full tour, get inside the Green Monster and the Press box!

If it makes any of you feel better. I am still waiting for any kind of “sale” on our cruise. I have been warned from fellow CC members not to expect any great prices on Symphony because it is a new ship. Our deluxe price has been holding at $60 a day since it appeared in the planner. I check it every couple of days. At this point $53 would appear to be a “sale” to me. I am holding out hope that I can grab it on the random day I may get a good price.

I tell my troops all the time "Hope is not a strategy!"....(yet I still log in every day hoping to see a better deal!)

Good luck!

It was the tone of the earlier response that surprised me a little. Just hope that guy doesn't wear a kilt on formal nights. Not a nice sight if the elevators have glass panes to the floor!

Until this...I hadn't even thought of bringing my kilt! Thanks for putting that idea in my head! :')

I would be shocked if you are able to find lower than $53, considering you're sailing through NYE.

 

Enjoy!

Yeah, it's my dream...I can make it as big as I want! It actually just gives me an excuse to keep checking in to see what's changed, I know better (originally chomped at the $56, was pleased to cancel and grab $53 before it went back up). The eternal optimist in me keeps saying "Labor Day...Veterans' Day...Black Friday..." but I know better.

Would normally not have booked a NYE sailing, but senior year makes it tougher to pull kid out of school. So, we'll party!

thanks!

Great review, and thanks for personalizing it with so many pictures! (and now I'm going to remind the family to tighten the draw string on their swimsuits!)

When is a sale not a sale?

 

 

When it is advertised by RCL....

Now THAT is laugh out loud funny! :')

Watched for months, got the deluxe drink for $53...advertised "on sale" as 20% off. Noticed the other day it's now at $56 and advertised "on sale" as 10% off...so I guess it's still a sale?

(and yes, I'm still watching, hoping for that elusive sub-$50 price!!)

Happy sailing, 142 days to go!

I can at least try to answer your questions based on my experience in the past with this pass (I haven't done it recently though, so things may have changed)

 

1 - I have never pre-booked it.... always just purchased the pass on the 1st day. I also noticed today when I was on my cruise planner (my cruise leaves in about 2.5 wks) this wasn't listed as an available option to book (but it was listed before... I don't know why it's gone or if it will return... but I've never had a problem purchasing onboard)

 

2 - Again, just speaking from my experience (assuming here that most ships that offer the pass have similar facilities) the pass gets you into the "special" thermal suite area of the spa. I say "special" because most ships have a sauna/steam room in the gym locker rooms that you can use for free. The "special" area on the ships I have been on had a dry sauna, 2 (or maybe three... can't recall) different "wet" steam rooms of various temperatures, some sort of special waterfall/rain shower (I never really figured out the appeal of this), and a couple of hot tile beds (which are amazing except when people decide to camp out on them (and fall asleep) for over an hour so that no one else can use them :mad:)

 

3 - Is it worth it? Well, I guess that's up to each person. My mom and I have always really enjoyed it and we plan to do it again on our next cruise. The one thing I would suggest taking into account though is how much time you will actually be able to use it. If you have a few sea days, then you will probably get your monies worth. But, if most of your time is in port, then it might not be worth it. The thermal suite is only open when the spa is open, so it might be beneficial for you to check the operating hours on your particular ship/itinerary.

 

Also, if you want to see what it all actually looks like before you purchase the pass, you can stop by the spa when you board and they will most likely be offering spa tours (which include showing you the thermal suite... you just have to ignore their hard-sell tactics during the tour)

 

Hope that helps!

Melissa

Thanks Melissa, much more helpful and insightful. Do you remember how much you paid onboard? Wondering how it compares to the $150 listed (even though it won't let me purchase). I hear you on the folks camping out, that could get annoying quickly. And appreciate the recommendation on researching hours. We're thinking of staying onboard in Nassau (did it on another cruise, not really interested in much there) as it would give us more time to explore the ship without the full crowd. But if it's closed, you may have just saved me a chunk of change.

Thanks again!

Hey all! Experienced cruiser here laughing at myself for what probably seems like an obvious question.

From an inexperienced cruiser, many thanks for this thread! Still learning how all this works on RCI, so appreciate the info (and lack of sarcastic responses from folks actually willing to help!). We've got a smaller group, only four of us, but all the info here has been helpful as we definitely want to dine with others and get to know more people.

What I think about the people who post replies like that cannot be posted on a public message board.

Thank you. I'm amazed at how some people feel the need to make themselves look better by flaming others on this board for simply asking a question. Being anonymous behind a keyboard must be nice, would love for these folks to find me on the cruise and tell me their opinions in person. I'd buy them a drink...

4) If I call RCI, will they give me the right answer?

Helpful response, thanks. exactly what these boards are setup for!

(yeah, sarcasm is indeed my super power as well)

Apologize in advance if this is a newbie question, but couldn't find an answer...

The cruise planner for our Dec trip shows the Thermal Suite Couples Week Pass for $150 for a couple, but when I try to add it to my cart it says "item not found". I've gone back and tried it a dozen times over the past few weeks to no avail.

So questions...

1) Is this just not able to be pre-booked (seems like the "sale" should be)?

2) Any insight into what it actually entails (how much time in the thermal spa? daily? etc)?

3) Is it worth it to those of you who have done it before?

thanks! 143 days and counting....