Cruise Raider

Just of note, and you may still want to take a break from being online, but the Starlink (I think that’s what it’s called) is so much faster now.

They had reserved seating for suite guests when I was on the Discovery in April. I know because we accidentally sat in those seats and we asked if we were in a full suite. We did have the premier package so we moved to the proper seating area after apologizing for my mistake. No need to get all upset … we just moved. anyway, it may have been a trial period but there were a whole section of seats saved, making me believe it was for the premier package guests.

Ok .. here’s the right one .. I think! Onboard Offer Voyage List .pdf

Im so sorry .. you are right. I posted it without really thinking it through. Let me see if I can find the other file.

We would not have traded it for any other cabin short of the full suite next door.

Aha .. here is the current list. it is good through cruises booked through the end of August. Solo Supplement_Voyage List May 25.pdf

I will try to add it for you …

Good to know. We’ve been in very noisy rooms before .. now take a white noise machine to block out those types of noises but when it shakes the room, that certainly won’t help.

It is more commonplace for the early show to be more crowded. Now that ships seem to be operating at full capacity, it will probably become more difficult to find seats. That’s why the reserved seating is so attractive. We haven’t had any issues on the Royal Class, except for in Princess Live. The Grand class ships have always been really crowded in the theater, though. I remember running into standing room only for many of the shows.

That is super creepy! What the heck?

Not all people use the app and there would likely be more confusion if they were expected to do so and no seat was open when they showed up. At the beginning of the restart, people were expected to ‘reserve’ rather than bookmark the event they wanted to attend. This quickly went by the wayside as passengers were irate about not being able to get into the theater without a reservation. Of course, capacity in any venue was very limited at that time.

They hold as many seats as for those that purchase the premier package. It’s easy because they are just blue covers that go over the seat back. I’ve seen where they also have held seats for full suite passengers. The seat back covers are the same color, just with the writing on them being a bit different.

I’m in full agreement with you. We had B737 on the Majestic and were offered a mini suite. Now way! I think the premium deluxe balconies offer the exact sized cabin we live for 2 people. Plus that aft facing view is phenomenal. I’d turn it down every time for a mini suite with small balcony.

It was crowded there but now, you can’t get a full suite with the special. And yes, paying for them on the spot definitely seemed like a deterrent. For us, it was like Christmas in July! 😆

That’s correct, it’s not a hard and fast rule. There was a special onboard earlier this year that was in effect for a couple of months. We snagged a Hawaii cruise our neighbors really wanted us to go on for half off! That applied to every cruise before the end of May with the exception of most Alaska cruises. There is now another special happening for a select number of cruises (not just any cruise) through the end of August. Again, only if you buy them onboard. The cruises we booked were through next April. The key is, you have to pay for them on the spot. But, for the prices savings, we are all in! There’s still one more we are considering for next spring and may look into it while we are onboard again next month.

Actually, there was a list of cruises that were half off but only if booked and paid for while onboard. We found six more that were of interest to us and so booked them.

I’ve noticed the lack of crowds, as well. That’s one reason I’ve loved it so much. plus, I like the small plates but just one of them, never two, plus and appetizer and dessert. The chicken sandwich in there is oh so good … but again, it’s almost too much food. If I could split it with a friend, all the better. That way I could try one of the other small plates. I’ve also seen that at least on one of their ships, they’ve replaced the Slaty Dog Grill with OMalleys Irish pub. They seem to also have small plates al a carte in that venue as well. $18 isn’t going to break the bank by any means but if you only want one small plate, $6 is a much better incentive to go get a meal with relatively bo wait.

I don’t know what for profit company doesn’t utilize any opportunity they can to bring in some extra revenue. I just see no reason anybody should get upset over this. You get what you pay for … it’s not a novel idea.

This question was asked at one of our meet and greets earlier this month .. The answer was yes, they are looking into adding a concierge to the Grand class ships. No details were provided but we were instructed to stay tuned.

I have no problem with the current policies, especially since those seats are released within 10 minutes of show time. Passengers have paid for that privilege and for $80 a day, anyone is able purchase the premier package if they choose to do so. Would these same people be mad if they tried to get into the sanctuary because all the pool chairs were taken?

Probably not, unless some passengers in a higher level cabin cancel. They may start giving out move over offers.

Well said! Life is so full of personal risks We recently took that risk of traveling with our birth certificates and Real ID, as our furthest foreign port was Ensenada. Thankfully, we didn’t have any problems. I would also be comfortable with a call to Vancouver or Victoria. We recently got our passport renewals but was probably going to take the risk by going to Prince Rupert next month if we didn’t get our new passports in time.

We have noticed they are getting better about posting the menus ahead of time on the app. There might be another way to see this but we look under the dinner reservation we’ve made on the app and then go to view menu. It shows breakfast (lunch if on a sea day) and the dinner menu.

I am so happy to see al a carte pricing at the Salty Dog now. It was just too much food otherwise. They always wondered why we didn’t order any dessert.

I actually make my pizzas with whole wheat flour and now and I actually prefer it. You are right, it’s all in what we get accustomed to.