Oceangoer2

28 minutes ago, mahdnc said:

 

I don't think it's you.  The roll out is not completely pushed out yet.  I remember when the current Cruise Planner "look" replaced the old Cruise Planner format, the roll out was not every sailing all at once.  

what does the new cruise planner format look like?  I see no change to mine.  I have noted that the US home page has been updated some time ago v the Canadian home page.

2 hours ago, jelayne said:

Discount is 15% for Elite plus and 25% for Zenith.

True. I shouldn't have taken it for granted the poster was Elite +.

6 minutes ago, marci22 said:

Does the Loyalty discount always apply to specialty dining or is it a periodic sale?

Should always be a loyalty discount of 15% according to posted R&Rs in the Loyalty Program.  In the past we had to reserve onboard to receive it, not available online or by calling, which I tried to do to no avail.  This removes a headache and the ability to reserve our favoured time instead of waiting to sail and finding our preferred time not available.

17 hours ago, jelayne said:

Just booked specialty dining with the Loyalty discount.

Also checked some wine tasting and the Loyalty discount carried through to paying.  So, at least for our cruises it is working now

Glad they made this change, now we can reserve pre cruise with our discount.🎉

Unfortunately I had to cancel my two dining reservations in order to rebook.  When I did so with Murano, it was only a few $$s reduced and I saw that to mean the difference in the Cdn. $.  I don't want to get into cancelling/rebooking/refunding....it's already a pain with one of these changes.  But if I wait, the discount may disappear.  A fools game we're playing with X right now.

6 hours ago, the penguins said:

3 plus passengers increasing passenger numbers to way over 100%

Wouldn't that be considered a safety issue re life boat capacity?

26 minutes ago, jelayne said:

I don’t think it’s a ploy.  There times discounts in the cruise planner that are the as some loyalty level discounts particularly during flash sale.  Sometimes flash sales have better discounts.  
We booked specialty dining last night and 1 reservation at Fine Cut was booked previously during flash sale at the same discount as our loyalty discount.  We booked 2 other reservations where the regular discount in the Planner was 8%, much lower than the loyalty discount.  

I’m glad to be able to book ahead with the discount and get the days and times we want. 

Some of my excursions quote 15%, others are 5% but both indicate "Elite + Loyalty Savings"?  Maybe pricing is not fully onboard with the provider?  Dining shows a 15% discount...I cancelled and rebooked;  the actual saving is minimal.  Seemed the Murano/Tuscan gratuity had increased?

25 minutes ago, rankdad said:

How do you check on the status of your move up bid?

Sign into the X website,

• access your cruise
• then.....manage your reservation
• at the top there will be a link to manage your trip
• then 'upgrade with move up' will be a choice

or.....use the email you received to confirm your move up bid to access the move up site page.  You'll see your bid will show Pending...most likely.  If greyed out and unable to modify, the bid is either under consideration or going to be refused.  Hope this helps.

59 minutes ago, Silent Penguin said:

On that occasion, yes.  The upgrade from classic to premium was also discounted.  I can't swear it was 40% but I think it was.  I remember it was worth looking at!  We didn't upgrade our drinks package but we did upgrade our wifi to premium. 

I wonder if this discount only applied to certain cruises?  Not offered for my cruise (to premium) in Nov.

36 minutes ago, C-Dragons said:

One does not have to be in a top suite, there are other reasons why certain people in the Retreat are payed a lot of attention. 

Maybe one reason might be they're just likeable???  😇

11 hours ago, hcat said:

Pls dont say it was AI   .I enjoyed the literary diversion but dislike AI or robots of any kind!

You would have to ask the author....if it's human....😉.  My reaction as well to robots in some circumstances.  Not hard at this point to know when it's artificially created but in the future.....?

11 hours ago, george_sf said:

 

D***a. "Fish" if you get my drift 😉

 

Glad she was helpful to you. She gets a 50% rating then! 

 

If that 'fish' is little known, I get it...otherwise not sure it's the same person.  First D (D***na) was as helpful as she could be, but 2nd D (Do*****e) went beyond and situation was resolved (a banking/credit issue and complex).  Can't imagine why your situation wasn't elevated in a way that would be satisfactory.  Try, try again maybe?  305-614-1343 might help if you haven't accessed it already.  BTW...fish/drift......good play on words.☺️

1 hour ago, NMTraveller said:

In orchards of dawn, where sun-kissed branches sway, Apples blush crimson, their secrets tucked away. They whisper tales of crisp mornings and dew-kissed skin, Of orchard dances, where the wind joins in.

Oranges, bold and vivacious, burst forth with zest, Their laughter echoing through citrus-scented quests. They roll down hills, chasing sunbeams with glee, A vibrant tango of sweetness and mystery.

Asparagus, the quiet poet of the soil, Emerges from earth, its green tendrils uncoil. It weaves verses of spring, of renewal and grace, A verdant ode to life’s tender embrace.

Now, behold the Cadillac Escalade, regal and grand, Its chrome curves cutting through landscapes like a command. Leather-clad seats cradle dreams of open roads, As the engine hums stories only nightfall knows.

Yet not far behind, the Kia Sportage humbly strides, A nimble companion on life’s winding rides. Compact and spirited, it navigates with ease, Through city streets and forest glades, under moonlit trees.

And there, on the horizon, a tranquil reverie, A river cruise unfolds—a voyage to set hearts free. The water’s gentle lullaby cradles weary souls, As landscapes unfurl, painting tales on ancient scrolls.

So let us raise our glasses, a toast to this blend, Of fruits, cars, and rivers—their harmonies transcend. For life’s symphony plays on, a sweet, savory tune, Where apples meet Cadillacs, and asparagus meets the moon.

I think you overused AI? I'm pretty sure you're the poster who 'composed' a poem for me one day in the not too distant past.  One all about an ocean goer (and factored in a few other descriptions that made little sense, but I did get the 'references'...😉).

6 hours ago, george_sf said:

The CEC Exec (I'll call her "D") was on the phone with us for like 3 minutes.

Could that be D***a or D******e?  Both were very helpful to me. 

11 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

Yes.

 

In the Celebrity case they would have given the car to the VIP or whomever had spent the most in the casino...

 

Except the State DA would have ruled that they must give a comparable car to HCAT for the agreed upon price.

 

The US laws are different from maritime laws.  Not that they should be.

 

Now customer service is yet another issue as are business practices.

I've grown accustomed to the 'law' being stretched to accommodate those with the $$s to delay the outcome and now a 'deal' isn't a 'deal' if one has clout with the corporation so that they cancel the 'deal'.  Some posters think we should just accept and move on. This 'deal' should have been sweetened at the get go...none of this reporting should have been necessary.  The original cancellation call should have been placed by one in authority with an offer which included the amenities they lost as well as being made whole and perhaps some OBC.  The cost to X is minimal and would drop into the Customer Service slush fund.  I now wonder how many times this happens.  Not all 'move up' bidders are on CC.

6 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Sorry, you cannot go back and edit old posts. You have *maybe* 2 minutes to edit one before it is locked.

 

 

 

After the time limit, you can 'quote' your original note and add EDIT before the new statement.

On 3/13/2024 at 9:36 PM, BookBikeBeyond123 said:

One more question… the 12 day and the 9 day cruise basically have the same price… do you recommend to book the longer cruise for better value? Will 12 day be too long of a stay? We usually do 7 day cruises before… not sure if we have the endurance for a 12 day cruise lol

12 day cruise would cost more than a 9 day.  We've always preferred the longer cruise but if you're unsure, maybe best to try a 9 day first. 

1 hour ago, tropiclvrs said:

Also, I'm curious if Ascent has a sail away party one day for Retreat guests?  If so, typically what day is this and where is the location?

Some Retreat guests do get invites during the cruise.  No particular days for sail away... spaced out over the duration.  Location is usually on the helipad;  we've had a sail away get-together on the Retreat sundeck on S class.

On 3/12/2024 at 12:15 PM, hcat said:

Off topic story:

 

Some years ago we cruised on Royal C. to the .Mex Riviera  .One stop was Acapulco where there had been ongoing gang wars.

 

A few days before we stopped there, a tourist was shot and killed in the crossfire in the port area..  Our Captain sent a long letter about port safety etc,  but left the choice of getting off to indiv cruisers.

 

We went ahead with our Royal C excursion to a beach resort.

(beautiful property  with water views, sumptuos lunch ,  very upscale,  great  service)   Felt like the rich and famoymys for the day!

 

BUT,   our tour was escorted by a Security Van ( the "gun car"),  and we passed through double  armed security check points to get there.  The beach itself was off limits... rough water..and had soldiers along the perimeter with guns and bullet belts.

 

We felt secure there, and coming and  going but grabbed a few gifts at Port and hurried back to our ship..

 

At this point in our lives we are not looking for adventure tourism..just a nice cruise!

 

Prayers for Haiti!

Seems these 'armed' situations aren't new to the Caribbean and other areas.  Many, many years ago we were 'protected' by Venezuelan police at the port but allowed to enter the country after proving through 3 pieces of ID that we were who we said we were.  Then in Jamaica our resort was surrounded by heavy wire and guards with strong advice to not leave the property.  Arriving at Miami airport from Canada after 9/11, we were literally faced with heavily armed police (bigggg policemen with biggg guns) as we approached a gate at security;  I was 'searched' verrry carefully (and embarrassingly so) but they let DH through.....I must have looked suspicious in my tight black jeans and black tee...haha.  This is now the world we live in and adjusted to.  Having said that, I personally would not leave the ship at Labadee.  It's too close to trouble (130 miles) to the capital and I think the escapees would find us vulnerable despite there being guards at the perimeter.

21 hours ago, Mr. Click said:

Check out Albergo dela Senato.  Very nice hotel right on the Pantheon Square so it is easy walking distance to most of the other sites other than the Vatican.  We have stayed there in the past and loved it. Great staff, good included breakfast.  Rome Cabs (romecabs.com) is great for getting from the port to the city. They are always on time, always smiling and waiting. Check out your roll call and  make your own group for that transit, it saves money and time.

The hotel will also connect you with a Rome tour and driver..reasonable pricing....Rome In Limo.

59 minutes ago, FRMPEI said:

 

I agree with your grandson it is just Hockey.  But, Colour Labour Harbour is the correct way to spell. I would intentionally spell "Labour" our way when I would send financial reports to our US head office. Even as I type this auto correct putting the red squiggle under my words.

 

Regards 

Kevin Reid

 

I'm Canadian, but I have to disagree with saying 'labour' is the  'correct' way to spell the word...it's not correct for the US.  I use 'ou' instead of the 'o' when sending any note or post to Americans as it's MY way to spell and I don't have to change because it's going to the US despite auto correct.

On 3/12/2024 at 6:42 PM, NutsAboutGolf said:

With Air Canada, except for business class, if you book with their "basic" or "standard" ECONOMY fare class, they do not offer free seat selection

If you book Air Canada Economy COMFORT, it includes free seat selection.  However you still have to pay for your flight through FBC before they'll issue a confirmed seat which FBC can do for you.  I always look at the seats available on AC for the flight I'm booking so that I can ask for that particular seat(s) to be confirmed.

1 hour ago, Alakegirl said:

No Jim here🤔😳😀

Jim had another 'poor spelling' thread going.

Most here could fall into the 'poor grammar/spelling/punctuation' scenario (including Moi...😉).  We tend to dash off responses and expect that the very intelligent CC postrs here know want we mean, read between the lines, and fargive us our trespasses...etc....😇.

1 hour ago, avp1234 said:

We got back yesterday and he’s at his drs office now. Just want to make sure no ecoli or something worse. I know things like this doesn’t worry some people, but it does us. When black sewage and chemicals actually goes in your face and eyes. 
 

He woke up this morning sick. Idk if it’s covid, strep, flu or what. Their testing him for that first. What a trip 
 

 

So sorry.....hope there isn't more than a potential flu or cold.  EDIT:  just read it's Covid.  I wonder if it's a leap to consider it came from the toilet residue?  You were absolutely right to pursue this with medical and GS.  Did you inform land executive offices?

Thank you for keeping us informed...your privacy is important and not necessary to share with us.

5 minutes ago, Laurab23 said:

In Bayonne, suite boarding is nothing very special. I do get a special roped off area but chairs are very close together. There is some food and drink for you but no little tables near the chairs to put anything on. They open up the ropes and walk all of you to the doors to board and then you are on your own until you get to your room. We were in the penthouse on Summit and thought we would get a personal escort but nope. The penthouse was on my bucket list and once we boarded everything was amazing but knowing it would be my only time doing the penthouse I was kinda let down that there was no escort to my room. 

 

Laura

Depending on the port, there was a time that 'suite passengers' were escorted to their room or deck, but I think that stopped when the suite area was established; some areas are better than others depending on the ships berth at the port.