minnie00

I can’t tell if I actually get $200 balcony discount for Diamond when I price on website now.

are we only getting if there isn’t a sale? And when is there not a sale 🙄

in all my years of cruising...its insane. $3600 for a large balcony on Symphony, $4100 for an OV balcony guarantee on Oasis....🙄 these are early March prices and Feb isn't cheaper.  In the past...pre covid....we had paid those prices for GS...and JS. 

I am disheartened to see so many increases on all aspects of the cruise now. We cruised in March of this year for $1800 in a balcony on Allure out of Galveston....nothing close to those prices now. 

On 8/28/2023 at 8:23 PM, George C said:

I sailing on harmony in November in a grand suite for 5300 total including insurance and tips . That also includes WiFi , suite dining room , 3 hour happy hour, plus I get 5 free drinks daily since we are diamond plus. I did add UDP for another 250 each . Cheapest celebrity suite was way over 1k more each. 

wow great price for a GS

if anyone wants to send me a message on TA they use...I would be curious. thanks

2 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Often the diamond discount is less than the $650 off so there is nothing further if you are booking direct. That's why so many use a TA for group rates.

 

Everything is up. I'm just getting around to mentally accepting moving next year, which meant moving cruises and started that a couple months back. It is hard knowing some booked for half what I just booked at but took me a while to pull myself together. I've got quite a few if booked directly would cost what you see. I hate paying what I'm booking at, but other than not booking, it is what it is. Prices are doubling and even tripling. 

 

Maybe tell yourself you got some good deals after covid to balance things out. Losing customers at these nose bleed prices. Instead of FOMO, buying because of fear of missing out, buying for fear prices go higher.

so we are not getting the $200 off for Diamond? because of the current deal? I noticed the price doesn't change anymore once I put my account info in...that. stinks 

Oasis in Feb/March....$3400 for a balcony cabin 🙄 and that is not Spring break. just frustrated....and it seems like

our Diamond $200 doesn't help. :/

1 minute ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

Freedom or Voyager class are great! So is Quantum class!

I am researching Quantum class 😄

5 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Odyssey

I was just researching the Odyssey for a Caribbean cruise…how is the solarium?

We love oasis class…one big point is the newness of the ships, the older ships get revamped but don’t seem to get new cabin decor, carpet, etc.

we would enjoy trying some different itineraries that Oasis class don’t offer….but not sure which ship we would enjoy. We have sailed many times on Mariner but only Oasis class since 2011 or so….we would consider the Freedom class….or Mariner class….but not smaller.  Tendering sounds like a hassle too but for the right ship and ports….we would do. I would love to see Grand Cayman again. 
We only cruise about once a year so want it to be a good one 😎
 

so what is your favorite and why 😃thanks 

10 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

You are supposed to get a note in your cabin on the cruise during which you reach 140.

 

Since you didn't, call C&A. I didn't realize we had passed 140 til I got home (didn't get the note). They can mail it to you.

Ok thanks 😊 

7 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

$150 sailings 5 nights or less

$250 sailings 6-9 nights

$350 sailings 10+ night

 

deduct $25  for sailings that depart in less than 6 months 

Thank u !!

How do you get a block? We are at 170 pts so passed the mark a few cruises ago ????

We will be Diamond plus after our next cruise…do we get a bump in room discount ? Thanks 😊 

We flew into IAH and took Lyft to Galveston Island, we did an XL and I think it was $80 ish, we stayed at the Hilton Galveston Resort, ate dinner at Landrys Seafood next door, took hotel shuttle to port, all easy breezy. It takes an hour to get to the hotel from airport.

the new RCCL port was really nice but luggage drop off was a cluster….just dump your bag and go. 

home….ordered an XL…think we got a Black Xl…not sure but it was like double the price back to the airport. Pricey and a full hour ride back.

this was not our favorite port to sail out of given more choices….just a lot of costs and travel. 
just my 2 cents. Air was pricey too but the Allure cruise was $100’s cheaper than others at the time. Good luck and have fun 🤩 

On 7/26/2023 at 7:15 PM, A&L_Ont said:

A very positive thing, the shower curtain has not clung to us like in the days past. The pressure has been awesome and more than enough heat to melt a glacier. The cabin AC has been cool enough for us as well. Fridge barely keep up, but our ice bucket is always full. 
 

Another thing to note, we bring a part bottle of pump soap from home.  Just a preference. 
 

I bring foaming soap too...just so much easier 🙂

Just now, firefly333 said:

You can use your card and always gain entry. It will be open for snacks at 5 pm. 

 

Ok so we can hang but no drinks or anything till 5 ? Thx

Thanks 😊 

we go in a week ....going to use Lyft to the island from IAH. 

20 hours ago, roseoftx said:

Houston is looking to be warming up by then.  60s for low, low 80s for highs so that should make the whole cruise warmer than February. 

Yeah !

7 hours ago, SteelCityCruiser10 said:

If you have a suite the concierge can handle all of them for you.

Not this trip unfortunately 😛

8 hours ago, Toddcan said:

You'll see a courtesy booking in your calendar, but that's just a placeholder.  The very first thing we do when we board the ship is head to one of the specialty restaurants and make our bookings with the desk staff there - it's very straightforward, and they are quite helpful.  We plan our reservation time around the timing of the shows and shore excursions - and the restaurant staff has that information. 

 

Mind you - we are normally very early boarders, so the restaurant staff aren't yet too busy. If you board later, you might have a different experience.  

This is normally how we do it….last cruise in August on Symphony Hibachi was sold out out for whole week when we checked at the resautrant about noon on boarding day 😵 It’s no the end of the world just would be easier to book ahead 

As soon as we get to port? Or on the ship? Would this be easier to get reservations than waiting in line at a restaurant? 
just a thought since we have the UDP…

On 2/17/2023 at 3:48 PM, roseoftx said:

A lot depends on when you sail. This time of year, the weather is all over the place and is controlled by the jet stream. This year has seen more colder days over all.  When we left on the 5th it was on the 60s and while not swimming weather, it was very pleasant.  The next day it had started warming up and people were out and about on deck. On the 2nd sea day, people were hanging out by the pool and by the time we reached Roatan, it was in the 80s  It stayed nice until we left Cozumel for the way home and then for the last sea day we were in the 50s with 60 mile per hour winds.  Once you get to late March/April, Houston/Galveston area is going to be in the 70s and 80s and it will be a bit warmer as you go south but for this itinerary, will get into the high 80s.

We sail on March 5th ….so we will plan for the colder days. We live in Phoenix so are wimpy when it comes to cold lol

I am curious how the weather was during sailaway, the ports, and the return home. We haven't sailed in the Gulf before. thanks !

5 hours ago, ddled said:

Just a further update from this cruise. Out of 39 people in this group 11 have tested positive since we got back. All drove to and from the ship. Symptoms range from very mild to the worst they have felt in their life.Most of us did not wear masks, neither did 95% of people on board-workers or guests. All of us were vaccinated, some have had Covid previously. I guess you can either say we are careless for going, or this is the new normal and it's how life will be from now on. Take your pick. 

That is unfortunate….we got Covid after our Summer cruise. Boosted and all but we did fly . Just seems to be new normal now