celoplyr

1 hour ago, bigmoose7563 said:

Always the automatic response smdh. Maybe they should just stay in the warzone and watch the missiles flying by so no one is inconvenienced.  

Once in a lifetime cruise billed as going to ports that ended up cancelled... It sucks all the way around. I'm on this cruise in October, and I know it's a possibility, but I would be extremely bummed.  I'm taking my parents as a retirement trip, and I don't know if they will ever be able to go back. We are also paying a decent premium for this.

9 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

When it was that price, it made sense for many people.  At twice that price, nope.

I got that price this week! (low volume sailing)

On 5/2/2023 at 9:07 AM, Merion_Mom said:

It is up around $40 on most of my upcoming cruises.

 

It is 'sold out' on some of my upcoming cruises.

 

It is NOT for experienced cruisers.

 

On that "other social media site", there are lots and lots and lots of newbies.  They LOVE the idea of The Key.  They snap it up in droves.  When I gently try to list the benefits for them, they say YES YES YES, it's worth it to get all of those wonderful things!  They think that "priority check in", "priority seating" and "priority disembarkation" are worth $100+ beyond the cost of internet.  They are honestly ORGASMIC at the thought of getting all of these wonderful privileges.

We are all different.  I had internet that was $17/person/day and then the key was $21/person/day.  Yes, I could have bought a 4 person package for the internet and be slightly cheaper, but with my family, it's soooooo much easier if we have our own logins and then there's no argument when my uncle "accidentally" adds 17 devices and kicks me and my dad off in the middle of a work meeting. He can kick himself off!

And the chops lunch (maybe $20). Nothing else is important to us.

On 3/14/2023 at 4:48 AM, katpt said:

Are you talking about Chef's Table? The dinner with wine? RCI says in their letter about this mix-up that they don't have so sommeliers, which has been our experience. They do have a few waiters who really know wine.

oh God no, we are not foodie enough to enjoy a chef's table meal.  It was at lunch, and the guy running it said he just got some sort of sommelier license.  

Ok after way too much searching in my email it was called "Wines around the World" and was on the Radiance in Alaska in 2018.  It also cost 17.70... it'll never cost that price again!

1 hour ago, katpt said:

If you search on this website, under Celebrity Cruises, you will find multiple threads for Premier Pass. It WAS a Celebrity Cruises package. The threads date back to 2021, where the package was discontinued (probably because of the pandemic).

This thread 

, entry #3, lists the details of the Premier Pass, in 2021. It is the same as what was mistakenly listed on RC. 

Additionally, this webpage https://preview.aem.celebritycruises.com/int/things-to-do-onboard/onboard-packages/premier-pass, lists the Premier Pass on Celebrity. It is incomplete and doesn't work correctly. Perhaps because the IT people at RCG put it in the wrong website?

 

I, too, purchased the Premier Pass on RC this weekend ... on 4 cruises. We were VERY happy.

 

Although I don't like how this has played out, it is clear that it was a mistake. Celebrity DID HAVE a Premier Pass. Celebrity IS TRYING to bring it back. RC hasn't had one in the past, and probably won't in the future.

 

In fact, I'm not familiar with RC EVER having a wine pairing with a sommelier. I don't think they even have sommeliers. I have been to wine pairings on Celebrity. Although we were confused about the availability on RC, we were thrilled about the possiblity.

 

So, oops to the IT person/people who did this. I'm going to enjoy a bottle of Veuve Clicquot on my next RC cruise ... I'll just be paying for it. 🙂

FYI, I did a wine tasting with a sommelier on a RCL cruise in 2019.  Run by RCL. 

I've noticed some of the answers are just plain wrong (like I look them up afterwards).  Some times it's hard to understand the person (on our last cruise someone just stood next to the guy and translated, it was really that bad) and some people are jerks (joined a group, they wouldn't listen to me, and then would award themselves the points when my answer was right but they didn't write it down).

I think that could be fleetwide, but I really don't care since the prizes are meh anyways, I just enjoy challenging myself. I do wish they would hold it in bigger venues since there is NEVER enough seating.

I'm guessing flights. I think it was a short flight from BA to Iguazu falls and then you may only get to do one side (or they'll have an option to do an overnight to do both sides).  Iguzau is amazing (I've been to Niagara, Iguazu and Victoria, and Iguazu was the most impressive) but if you can only do one side, I liked the Brazil one better.  Logistics from BA would make that hard though, so they may do the Argentina side only- which was still awesome, but the shot of the Devil's throat that is on their website is the Brazil side.

2 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Never had an issue in getting a second guest added for just the taxes and fees.

I have, they repriced my whole cabin. I'd been monitoring the price and it was significantly less, and then *bam* new, inflated, close to end pricing.

1 hour ago, Newbieflorida said:

Thanks for the heads up! Booked for Wonder in 10 days. We have UDP, but I've run in to no dinner slots being available for Hibachi in the past, so I figured this at least guarantees us a slot.

 

I think I've seen on these boards people paying separately for Hibachi to guarantee they have a time, and then getting onboard and having them transfer the reservation to the UDP and getting an onboard credit for the ala carte purchase? Anyone have experience with this?

I've done it, but it took a while to convince them to do the right thing. So is an hour of your vacation worth the $19/person (because it's a $10 up charge over the dining package).  I even had to print out the terms of the dining package on the website prior to going.  It was annoying to me because we were really excited, and booked it on Xmas eve in 2019- and mass ended up being at that exact time so we had to cancel. We all know what happened in 2020, finally got on in 2021 Xmas cruise, and they were like "uh no, this isn't part of the dining package because *everyone* would want it" and I was like "I know, because I want it, and I let you keep my money to have a reservation but now I'd like to use my package" and it took an hour at guest services to convince them to do the right thing ("but just for you, don't tell anyone").  YMMV, lol.

If I were you, I'd just go to playmakers for that cookie afterwards, and get 2 meals that night.

3 hours ago, moposh said:

I'm flying on the Explorer in April to the ABC Islands.  Have a great time!  I look forward to your review.

Try not to fly too high, you may clear the balcony railings.

I also found this today, and booked.  Super excited (I even had a 3 night dining package, but after they said once that it could be excluded at the whim of the staff, I'm glad to have a separate reservation).  It looks like it got confused with the typical Izumi price.

It's really not as exciting as you're thinking it is.  Bar moves from Central Park to the Guest Services area. It's simultaneously slow and fast. 5-10 minute experience MAX. Easily skippable.

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

I've found the private tours to be just as expensive as the RC-sponsored ones in Alaska

In fact, I've found that not only are they as expensive, sometimes the private tours are more expensive than really good sale days on RCL.  I booked one for $150/person that was going for $250 with the company itself.

5 hours ago, BuFFETS Time said:

I'm going to skip Northstar (not because of weight limit but just because it doesn't seem worth it for me). Anyone love doing it? 

I hate heights and loved the NorthStar in Alaska (especially over the port towns, you really got a great view).

18 hours ago, patattack said:

I did get double points for my Explorer cruise 11/26/2022.  My friend and I booked a Greece trip which we moved x 2 because of Covid.  I ended up cancelling it and got our deposit (I paid for both deposit at the time) back as we were still not ready to go this past May.   I wanted to go ahead and add her to the Explorer booking so I could use all of the FCC for the deposit.  She was a no show and I did get the double points and her taxes and port fees back to my card when I got home.  I will say I knew about the change in the points and did not expect to get double points.  

 

Pat

yeah I got double point on my Alaska cruise- although later I saw they applied it to a different cruise altogether. Maybe that's how some reps are doing it. 

I'm not extremely mad- I'm already diamond which was the important level to me- but the extra 16 points on my last cruise, 13 points on my next cruise and 7 points on the one after that... well they add up over time for me. And considering that the C&A ONLY EXISTS to make people want to stay with one cruise line, why wouldn't they try and keep people by doing something so very very minor.  The most I'll get from them is a free bag of laundry a cruise or two early and 150% solo supplement a couple cruises early.  Oh and an extra drink that I won't drink a day...

Plus, now I'm looking at Celebrity, since I can see how valued I am at RCL, and I'm kinda over it (especially since the explorer of the seas wasn't that great, compared to Oasis/Quantum class). I know it's all the same company but...

26 minutes ago, twangster said:

The bottom line is that before the policy was ambiguous.  It never clearly stated a solo in a no show scenario was guaranteed double points.  Through feedback and reported guest experiences it appeared to be commonplace.  I used it to vault myself from gold to platinum.  Woohoo! (my one time)

 

Just like the hack to have iMessage work for free on RoyalIQ ships was never a promised feature.  Yet it worked for years.  

 

Now they have stated a firm position on the scenario.  

 

At least now we know.

Looking at the FAQ that was posted (thank you to the person who did that!) It only talks about not getting points if cancelled within the 100% occupancy period, which is what I was also told... still confusing!

For instance, if I book now with a "paid single guest supplement" (which I've done before)... what would happen? 

Maybe I'll email that mbayley email to see if someone will put something in writing and I'll share it with the group.

FAQ:

Q    Do I get double cruise points if my sailing companion cancels and I sail as a single?
A    A booking must be created and sail as a single occupancy, with a paid single guest supplement to cruise fare, to receive the extra single sailor points. When one guest from a multiple-guest occupancy reservation cancels within 100% penalty, their cruise fare is held in penalty within the reservation. This allows the cancelled guest to potentially file a claim with their travel protection provider, if applicable. The booked cruise fare for the remaining guest(s) within the reservation remains the same and no single supplement is applied; therefore, the remaining guests receive Crown & Anchor Society points based on the initial occupancy booked within their reservation

4 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

So, according to this FAQ, the OP should not expect extra C&A points whether the second person on a booking is a no-show or a cancellation.

I guess that means the OP should only cancel the second guest when sure a friend won’t be coming, if at all.

yup, I was told that you get up to 30 days beforehand (like if you cancel at 31 days beforehand for the second guest you get the points, if you do it 29 days before hand you don't).

I'm like 90% sure that I'll be going alone, but it's that 10%... whereas before, you had until 3 days beforehand to change a name, and if they no showed at the pier you got the double points.

2 hours ago, alfaeric said:

Wouldn't it be easier to just book a solo cabin?  How would having a canceled roommate be helpful?  You are going to pay the full fare with that short of a cancelation, right?

I don't want a solo cabin, I want the connecting cabin that I have booked (on one cruise) or the balcony cabin I have booked on the ship with no solo cabins. I was wondering if, for some bizarre reason, there was a way to only pay a 125% fee if cancelled at 85 days (rather than the double of paying for two people, or the 200% of a single penalty), or if there was a time of the year that no solo supplement was offered, etc....

Basically, as it's a change on RCL's part, now I have to learn how to maneuver that system that they put in place.

17 minutes ago, pcur said:

 

Let me make sure, in all fairness to you, I understand your question.  You want to know the appropriate time to cancel your fake second person in your cabin, so you can get the lowest price for sailing as a solo, which you wanted to do all along.  BUT, your fake second person in the cabin is your maybe, but really not, "date"?

 

If I have all that correct in my head, I have two further comments:

 

1.  No way will I assist you in gaming the system.

2.  You sound very much like my 6 year old Granddaughter when I ask her a question she would like to scoot out of answering.  She says, "Well, not that, but actually yes". (She is the Princess of Ambivalence") 

I plan on paying the double fare (or as I call it "the price of a room").  Which, should be either 2 people or the single supplement.  I do not want a GTY cabin, but the cabin I already booked. I also do not want a solo balcony.

Unless there's a way to cancel at 25% penalty, where I pay my fare and then 25% of the other fare only.  Be odd to me, but hey, why not ask?

As for my bf, he exists but doesn't want to cruise. However, I got burned in the past for having a solo cabin, and then a former bf did want to come (I had to reprice with 2 people in the cabin at a higher fare).  With booking cruises 2 years ahead of time, who knows if the same bf will exist. 

People book a ghost person all the time, and they pay the same fare as if they had booked solo, but RCL used to give the solo points and now doesn't. I'm absolutely not trying to game the system, the RCL rep I talked to said I have until 30 days beforehand to cancel the second person and get the points. I'm trying to work WITHIN the system, in the most advantageous way possible. And I know that multiple people here book solo all the time, figured they may know more than me.

On 12/22/2022 at 5:54 PM, Tolkmit said:

They do offer UDP on transatlantics. But they do have a cap, and will stop selling them once it is reached. Prices will vary, based on how many they've sold so far. Lowest price I saw for our 13 night transatlantic on Odyssey was listed price of 254; totaling 300 once they added gratuity. I also saw it listed for much higher later on. We were B2B with the cruise prior, so first onboard for the transatlantic. We went straight to Chops, and made reservations for every single dinner and all 8 sea day lunches. (You can make reservations at Chops for any of the specialty restaurants.) Would 100% do it again. I would recommend going straight to make reservations when you board; we were able to make them in person before the app allowed us to.

I read this that you made a Chops reservation every single dinner and every single lunch and was like "that's dedication, especially with all the other good venues, 21 Chops in a row"

Since RCL has made it where you now have to book a solo cabin to get solo sailing points (grumble grumble grumble, they can claim it's always been there, but it was given by the computer as late as Dec last year), my trick to have a second no show person is gone- which I did on the off chance I ever wanted to take a date on a cruise.

So, when is the best time to cancel the second person, so that it's cheapest for me? I have 2 cruises booked right now.  Should I cancel now, when prices are still almost what I paid? Should I cancel during a penalty phase- like do I get back 75% of their fare, so it's only 125% of a single fare? Any thoughts?

Yes, I'm mad I lost 14 nights, but at least I made diamond already, so it could be worse.

On 12/22/2022 at 6:08 AM, kruzerci said:

It is definitely not the quality class you would expect at home. Maybe acceptable for somebody who doesn’t have any fitness experience or expectations lol. 

I purchased them specifically to try out different styles of fitness, and for the first time.  For many of us, the first class- where you don't know how to set up, and what is going to happen, etc- is very intimidating.  This was PERFECT for that.  

It's probably too late, but I just bought the class pass and used it on the Explorer.  3 classes for $39, each class was $20, and they had yoga, spin and pilates (and maybe another, but I didn't go) for the classes.  Each one was offered a couple of times on the cruise.

Just now, ajtaylor29 said:

i board January 14th so i'll be no help! I suggest if you search you can find youtube videos of the cabins which might help you with the plug situation. Also, for instructions on streaming on the tv. I haven't tried that (not enough time spent in the cabin!) but i know it was available on the Symphony. I'm sure you have to have the WIFI package....

You would help, I screwed up.  I cruise in OCTOBER 2023... Why I typed December, I have no idea! 

ok, may I ask a favor? We are sailing on Odyssey in December, and my parents (god love them) have some very unusual requirements on what they like.  Could someone let me know the outlet situation?  Is there one by the bed?  How many US? How many European (and does anyone know if that changes if the ship leaves from Europe?)?

Also, the tv situation?  How can you break into streaming your own information on it.  We did it successfully on the quantum but couldn't on the explorer and it made them irritable all week...

Thanks guys!