KAKcruiser

The only thing I notice different about the Club Orange breakfast card and the standard one is the free mimosas and fresh squeezed orange juice. They used to have the steak and eggs for free and the Smoothies and I thought I had noticed that somewhere as benefits.

On a non-Pinnacle class ship only Neptune Suite guests can eat in the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast. Club Orange members have priority seating in the dining room.

I wonder if it is 99 CO memberships or 99 CO cabins. That would make the difference between 99 or 198 people. Assuming there are approximately 50 suites, that would make 100 people. So, between 200 and 300 people. No wonder it can get crowded.

I don't think so. It's for onboard spending.

It was applied a week or two ago.

They have so many promotions that the reps can't keep track of them. Sometimes you just get lucky.

If they can't deliver on the promise of the specialty restaurant dinner, they should refund the value of that dinner.

If you want to really get confused, try getting a price reduction on a Club Orange fare. I had been told when we bought Club Orange with a VH category and upgraded to a V that we would still be listed as having purchased a VH. When the price went down on the VH category, the regular customer service reps kept telling me that I was wrong and the V price was now more. I couldn't convince them that it should be based on the VH rate until they agreed to connect me to a pricing specialist and then the matter was resolved in one minute.

That's happening already. Next fall the partial Panama Canal cruises will be 12 days with less ports than the current 10 and 11 day cruises. Also the Southern Caribbean cruises have gone from 10 days with 6 ports to 9 days with only 4 ports.

They are always released very late. My guess would be late Spring.

Do they ever make it without raisins?

I think you can only make lunch reservations for the Pinnacle after boarding.

You do not have to take the upgrade.

My understanding is that it is only refundable if you cancel the cruise. You can't just eliminate Club Orange after you pay for it. Does that make sense? I'm not sure.

This is very complicated but the problem is if you already have an existing reservation and want to upgrade your stateroom by buying Club Orange. To take advantage of the upgrade you first have to downgrade to the lowest category. In doing so, you will be refared at the current rate and current promotions. And, then you can be upgraded to the highest available category. This might not work if you currently have a better rate and better promotions.

Ask for a pricing specialist. Be insistent because the phone reps try to discourage this. But, it still might be complicated because you booked through a TA. Also, since the price and perks are probably different from when you booked, it might not be beneficial to you whereas it might not make a difference to someone who only booked a few days ago.

Many years ago there was a video arcade next to the Wajang Theatre on some of the old S class or R class ships.

You can only use the $1 promo with HIA. You used to be able to book these low deposits with advantage fares but not now.

Sometimes it's the principle of the thing. And, there is a certain satisfaction in getting things resolved. I would call the old credit card company.

You have to pay for Club Orange when you book it and then you can pick your stateroom. But, you do not have to pay in full for the cruise - only the deposit.

We did not get one in November on Nieuw Amsterdam.

Why do you want to argue about this? My opinion is that I don't want an accessible room. I have explained my reasons. You are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine. And yes, I have been in an accessible room with someone who needed it.

I have seen pictures of handicapped suites on some of the older ships. The bathrooms are set up for someone who needs them. If you don't need it, it is inconvenient to have a shower splashing all over. Also there is generally not as much furniture in the stateroom. And in some, the ramp to get to the verandah is harder to navigate if you don't need it. I am sure it would be wonderful for someone who needed a handicapped room but I personally would not like to be assigned there.

Cruises are also less expensive during the time period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Another reason not to take a guarantee is that there is one handicapped Neptune Suite which I would not like.