notscb

I took them up on the same deal and got it- usually the 10% is if you book using the app (but i've also seen via the website). I was able to get the 10% and don't see this as a dishonest business practice- usually if it didn't work it's something to do with your internet browser or the cookies from the website.

You've got a point. The noise level must not have been truly insufferable or excessive if OP was willing to accept what amounts to fun money vs getting a good nights rest.

Looks like your trip is off to a great start! Thanks for sharing!

I was just curious as to which areas you, personally, found enjoyable and quiet to share for the benefit of others.

This sounds a bit cryptic- care to share where you find these spots for those of us who read that line in the review and did a double take about booking an oasis class?

The Pride is (or just was) in dry dock getting updates and some refurb done, so despite being an older ship it should still be a nice experience. I loved that itinerary when we went in December out of Galveston. If the port and timing work best for you, I'd certainly recommend it (depending on what kind of vacationers you are and what you're hoping to do at those ports as well).

100%. I just did Los Angeles airport to Long Beach and it was difficult. S drivers popped up in my app and went (cancelled) before someone finally accepted it, and I gave a generous tip afterward knowing that most folks didn't want to do the drive. I'm noticing that a lot of rideshare drivers are just cancelling if they don't want to be bothered (which is really better for all involved), but it might add a bit of a wait to your experience.

The key is also versatility, IMHO. Alaska, for example, will never see an Oasis class ship for example, which makes those ships less competitive overall in terms of itineraries and positioning.

Right, but you've already said this example and I've already said I disagree. I doubt a corporate meteorologist making such a high salary was merely just a figurehead for public safety (your alarm with no batteries) vs. actually, you know, doing work and contributing to the safety of the operation, thus, the "example" you provide wasn't an example, but a mere restating of your point in a different way which we obviously disagree on.

It'd be easier to say you disagree with me than to keep this conversation going. This line is proof. *deleted

My original post said "helps protect their billion dollar assets". So does the weather man not help protect their assets? Most folks on this thread seem to think that the corporate weatherman brings zero value to the safety of the operation, which I obviously disagree with.

Let me introduce you to cruising in general. Any activity or space onboard is designed with increasing the ships overall capacity to make money for the cruise line. They wouldn't do the veterans (or other) recognition events if there weren't a way to capitalize on it. edit: not to say that it's right, but that's just the reality of cruising.

I honestly hate the Orlando airport, too. If you hit it at the wrong time of year, you get Disney crowds on school holiday and it's a nightmare.

The original post was "Royal has started to drain their swamp of useless positions & waste." It seems like you missed what I said when I said "oh, they fired their CEO?"

...Because he probably gets cruise benefits as a perk of working for a cruise line?

I'll fix this for you: "one of the fundamental ways that RCL's lawyers protect the company is ensuring that the entire operation is built in such a way that limits any sort of liability to the company. " FTFY. If guest safety is a byproduct of their work, then so be it, but it's not their primary focus or reason for employment. For what it's worth, i'm not confused. My use of that phrasing was directed at a particular poster as they were not clear in their view and contradicted themselves several times within their own post and replies. Thanks for checking in 🙂

We flew into HOU (Hobby) and also used Galveston Express. We had a great experience, and like I mentioned, the highway in/out is one highway and is pretty straightforward. Enjoy downtown galveston, they have some of the best seafood i've had in a while and some really fun shopping/stores.

Will do, thanks 🙂

To each their own. the original comment i replied to was about the ease of getting to Galveston, which, in my experience, was very simple with plenty of private shuttle options. Uber and Lyft also exist there...

I know that- i was in a discussion with another member of this board who was being very confusing in their point about saving cost vs improving safety. The reality is, having an in house weather guy is one more tool in the captains toolbox when it comes to decision making. You can't say that cutting this person won't have an impact on safety. Ooof. Hard pass. RCL's lawyers are 100% looking out for the liability interests of the company and have very, very little interest in the actual safety of the passengers.

The poster had mentioned skipping out on cruising from Galveston because it seems harder. In my experience, it's just as easy as anywhere else I've cruised out of, even if it's a little bit longer of a car ride. I think they should consider Galveston, especially with the newer ships going there, and wanted to convey how simple it really is.

I'm saying that MCO and port Canaveral are similar distances with the same amount of options as Galveston, and that Galveston is extremely easy to get in and out of. Not to mention how much of a mess MCO often is due to Disney traffic. MIA and FLL are unique to their respective ports, as the cities are all on the ocean anyway.

I can't speak to the one you book with carnival, because we used a third party. What i'm saying is that getting to the pier from either airport is relatively easy. Both require transportation of some sort, whatever you choose. It's a relatively short ride down a highway, like I said. The pier itself (Carnival's berth, at least), is right next to the main downtown Galveston island shopping area. We walked from our airbnb up to it- it was simple. (see google maps link)

We came in a day early and had a pre-booked shuttle that was much, much cheaper than any rental car would have been $100/RT/2 people. I just googled and found an enterprise on Galveston Island as well, so that's definitely an option. I'm a bit confused on what you're really asking I guess.

So now I'm confused. I read your responses to my post and your responses to others and I'm confused. I think you're trying to say that if a third party could do it better, then RCL should just use a third party and cut the position. The decision, in this case, is purely administrative cost saving and efficiency. I'd argue that this decision being made ultimately has a higher impact on safety than you may argue, but you can't ignore the added layer of safety of having a live, trained, educated person interpreting these forecasts and making decisions.