NutsAboutGolf

We're just not there with full electric yet as the cost/mass/weight equation doesn't make sense...The next evolution will most likely be all new ships: LNG, much much much cleaner cradle to grave as cruise ship can last for fifty years even if the original owner sell it Shore power, which is a bit of a wildcard because it obviously won't work in a tender port, very few ports have it at the moment, if a port does have shore power it may not be installed on all berths and for most ports, they'd charge the ship for the power so if the rate is too high, ships won't take advantage of it Bonus, solar panels on ships are a bit tricky for cruise ships as the cruise lines feel covering the say the whole top deck with panels isn't attractive to most. Additionally in order to receive descent power output, the panels have to face the sun at a certain angle so ideally you'd want the panels on a swiveling/rotating mount which many wouldn't find attractive

You do understand there is indeed electrical all over the ship?

I recently learned the X and RCI do not have an independent board, the parent company RGC has the board that the Execs of X, RCI (and possibly SilverSea) report to

Appreciate that, I'll follow your lead, awaiting for you to start an intelligent conversation

I feel bad for anyone anywhere that loses their job. In this specific instance, that cruise lines are reducing cabin attendant jobs, I'm not anymore concerned for them than anyone else globally. Cruise ship crew know their job isn't exactly a stable lifelong career. CCL, NCL and RCL a few years before the pandemic all added self-serving alcoholic drink kiosks or robot servers, surely that eliminated at least a couple of bartender jobs. We're probably only a few years away to having the option to place your dinner order right in the phone app and when that happens the amount of waitstaff will most likely over time progressively start to eliminate waitstaff jobs

There are differences including there are a lot more shows options on RCI yet X seems to be following RCL on the fees. I mentioned the lobster as an example of X following RCI in cost cutting

Please quote me the day NCL/CCL/RCL stops serving complimentary steak for any reason (shortages, tight supply, USDA issues, Chinese demand, etc) and I'll buy you a beer...Cheers!

If X is struggling with the cost of providing prime rib to passengers, they're in bigger financial trouble than anyone thought Also, on the cattle supply comment, you'll have no problem going to the supermarket and finding their refrigerated cases full of beef

A bit of satire...On the E-Class they removed nearly all balconies to give us the fuel saving IVs which coincidently aren't found on ANY of their suites. Additionally, if you book one of their more expensive SV aft balconies you get the privilege of waking up to a layer of soot covering everything if the wind is blowing correctly

It seems X does follow RCI's lead when it comes to cost savings but does not follow cost increases RCI started charging for additional lobster tails, claimed they were even LISTENING to customer feedback about the additional fee..."Listening" isn't the same as taking action as I'm sure there wasn't many who said "LOVED the new fee, so happy you started charging, keep up the good work, I booked 3 more sailings in suites because of this!!!". RCI at least changed from the spiny lobster to the more expensive Maine lobster but despite X charging the EXACT same fee, they kept the cheaper spiny lobster Someone on here claimed to have insider info that X will be simular to RCI's MDR rotating menu which has a theme night every night but no longer has the fixed timeless classics. Pure speculation if it's happen; I personally don't think that's a cost cutting measure but it's another example of X following RCI's lead

There was just another thread on this...It's absolutely inevitable X will go down to one cleaning for at Insides-Balconies, perhaps also CC/AQ...In another words, it's not a question of if, it's when

Not sure if there's been any 2023 changes to this but if you booked AI/have the classic drink package, you pay the prorated per night amount if you upgrade to the premium drink package. So what one could do is keep the classic package until the last couple of night Additionally, you can put a sealed bottle of scotch/alcohol in your luggage and per the rules, they'll confiscate it but they'll deliver it on the last night

Not on the Millie for the upcoming sailing, checked all days

Some have reported you can still ask for it even though its off the menu

Valid, however in most cases when a hotel increases its category, both the point amount and cash price increase. Like anything else, you have to research

Before you even consider transferring points, you should research the exact flight, hotel, cruise, etc, you want, then transfer the points and immediately book the award travel because fares can change at any time International flights, including first/business...Generally speaking you can get the best UR and (AMEX) MR point redemptions for international business/first class redemptions international airline when there's a transfer bonus available (none at this moment). The next best use of specifically UR points is Hyatt points. Marriott Bonvoy still charges you resort fees on award travel, Hilton and Hyatt does NOT. Here's an example for those going on the Millie out of San Juan and want to book a hotel the night before Most point value websites UR points at $.017-$.02 per point, we'll go with $.02/point to keep it simple. To transfer UR points to Hyatt points it does so at 1:1, so 15000 points at $.02 is $300 in value or what you can book the hotel for. Compared to paying cash at $523 this is already a great redemption but it gets even better because that $523 doesn't include fees including resort and taxes, once added the all in price is $673; but you're getting the room for $300 in points

I believe it took about 10 days yet I did it well over a year ago…This year MGM Rewards automatically gave me gold and I’m not sure why but am guessing because of X

Thanks and that's more in line of what I originally thought. Total BS although I HOPE it's just too new that most reps haven't seen it before and do not know how to book it

The Blu cheese souffle which is an app so somewhat small, order one extra for the table. The Filet was outstanding and offered twice. Extra lobster, remember there's no extra charge for additional lobster tails

Got it, I meant I HAVEN'T seen the offers wording. IMO it's defiantly ambiguous but not as bad as I originally thought...They should add "fare" to the very end

Not on this sailing however there are reports that they're bringing back (if they haven't already) many stations

perhaps call back and you’ll get another rep? I have seen the offer but it could just be that it’s the reps first time

Technically you can bring as many bottle as you want as you get the excess back on the last night

Depends on the both the business and the feedback

Today's Motto: It's FAR better to cruise and complain than it is to not cruise at all