xpcdoojk

Good to see you too, Eric.

I imagine that these packages are very profitable for RCI. We did a customer cruise 7 years ago, as we had around 600 people on the Splendour. We boarded around noon, I remember drinking with one couple at the pool bar around 1pm. Came back around the husband was still drinking and the wife doing some line dance thing. Before heading to supper the husband was still at the pool bar. Looking a little worn, the wife was no where to be seen. The next day, I saw the wife sitting in a pool chair. I ask where is Earl at today, I haven't seen him around the deck. She said he is still in bed because he over-indulged. I doubt he had a six pack the rest of the 5 day cruise.:eek:

jc

That seems weird. I hope this doesn't mean that they have a flowrider problem.... since that is the primary reason I booked the Oasis 2 weeks before your sailing.

:mad:

jc

I agree with you. Our last two cruises have been on Carnival and NCL who both let you order a bottle for your room. I really enjoy a couple of drinks on the balcony before dinner and then one before turning in. I guess I will keep hoping they change the policy before our Freedom cruise in May.

I don't want to be a wet blanket, but I think you should not expect this to happen. You need to find your own way to deal with the restrictions. If you buy the drink package, try to get a room close to an elevator close to a bar.:D

jc

Reading this thread reminds me of how nice it used to be in the good old days when you could pay a small premium in the gift shop and have a bottle in the room. Or the way you can be treated like a responsible adult on some other lines where you can pre buy a bottle or more of whatever you like to drink along with some basic fixers (tonic, coke, etc.).

I could never justify the drink packages, because outside of a cocktail before dinner, wine with dinner and maybe a nightcap after dinner I don't drink much on a cruise. Drinking and flowrider don't mix all that well...:D Plus the DW doesn't drink enough to hold up her end of the bargain.

jc

many thanks to all, really appreciate your feedback. I booked the 10 bottle package for our Christmas cruise on Grandeur, hope to try the Mer Soleil that everyone raves about.

I would not book the package for specific wines that appear on the list online. They may or may not be available on your actually sailing. The wines vary greatly from the home ports that a cruise departs from. Since the vendors in those ports probably provide what they have available.

I like a Cabernet or a good Pinot Noir. Unfortunately, many Pinot Noirs are awful. One cruise they showed the Argyle Pinot on the list. I was very happy to see a drinkable Pinot only to be disappointed when there was zero Argyle on the ship.

Good luck but don't set yourself up for unhappiness looking for a specific bottle of wine.

Just trying to keep your expectations in line with reality.

jc

Hope someone who is Diamond or above who are on this cruise will clarify the 3 drink issue and whether you could also use the Diamond/Concierge lounge to get drinks as before. In addition, it seems like there were still issues with overcrowding in the lounges...maybe they can explain....

One Diamond member on the Indy did. You can go to the bars order 3 drinks during the time, and then go to the Diamond lounge and get additional drinks there. The reason why it is crowded is because it is a transatlantic sailing, and there are probably a minimum of 700 and possibly well over a thousand Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle on board. This happens on these transatlantic sailings.

Many folks from the UK summer in the UK and winter in Florida, and these cruises are a great way to get from here to there.

jc

I drink wine with dinner. I have always ordered the wine and dine package at least since 2001 when I think it was introduced. The wines are nothing special, but they are slightly discounted from ordering off the menu. Sharing at the table is not a problem. It could be a problem if your group doesn't eat together because they always put a sticker on my card and never on my wife's. So, I can order wine, I am not sure she could without me being present.

jc

THe MTD tables for two are close together, but it is kind of nice, you can chat with your neighbors or not. Sort of a nice bridge from sitting with strangers in the MDR to sitting by yourself in the MDR.

We have done this the last 3 cruises.

jc

As far as do adults play in the arcade. Yes. When we travel with friends, we tend to play the car race arcade games when I am not on a ship with a flowrider. I am 54. You can also put money on your sea card by depositing 20 dollar bills in a machine. So, if the kiddies have access to your wallet....

jc

.....or to have more than three drinks...............

MM, I feel like Alice the Wonderland. Didn't John report that you can have three drinks using the vouchers in any bar, and then go to the DL or CL and get additional drinks?

Off with their heads.... said the Red Queen.

So, not being able to have more than three drinks is a reason to be upset. Being able to have 3 in general bars (a new addition aka perk) for free, and then being able to cram into an overloaded DL and get another drink doesn't sound like the end of the world.... unless the reason for being upset is not about the free drinks.

Enlighten me O great one for I am surely confused.

jc

This sounds like a win win to me. Go to any bar for 1, 2 or 3 drinks and mix in the lounges too during happy hour.

 

I wonder where or why it's not working on the Indy.:confused:

Agreed.

So, I am now switching from my cynical mode to my analytical mode. Because there are probably a lot of Diamonds and above on board, the overflow rooms that became the functional equivalent to the DL on transatlantics are probably not being employed in the way they were in the past, so these diamonds are wanting to be in one of those bars where they are treated like diamonds not just any old bar on the ship.

I don't get this, but I have seen it in the past, and it doesn't surprise me.

Many (definitely not most) people go to the diamond lounge because they are special and want to be seen there holding court. I just like a free drink. So, I don't have a problem going to any bar, but if the reason to go is not to get a free drink, but to have the need to be special resolved.... :D

jc <----- maybe I should just remain cynical

Sorry, not sure how to post a link to the entire thread, I was op and title was Bye Bye Indy. This reply was from someone who I believe is on Indy now.

 

jc, normal drinks in DL & CL with no showing of seapass but have to show card in other bars. So it isn't a maximum of 3 drinks if you make use of the lounges.

Not working as well as it could do, we have heard that they will be reviewing it and making some changes after the trial.

 

John.

Thanks, Nelly and MM. I lost sight of that thread, as it faded back down the list. I should have known that John, being the veteran trooper he is would do the difficult task assigned and report back with accuracy and clarity. I apologize to him, and encourage him to keep the recognizance up to verify that it doesn't change mid cruise.

So back to my take away. What the heck are people on the Indy now complaining about, and why are people here still theorizing how RCI is still trying to figure out how to screw over the diamonds.

O wait, this is CC, nevermind.....:D:D:rolleyes:

jc

Ok. I must have missed that, MM.

That being the case what the heck were complaining about on the Indy? Are people crazy?

jc:confused:

Bottom line question is:

 

If you have used all 3 of your drink coupons say at 6:30pm on that day in a bar, can you then go to the D or D+ lounge and get a few more drinks during happy hour gratis?

As far as I can tell, we still don't know this from this single trial cruise. We know a lot of hyperbole, and we know a lot of people's opinions about lots of other matters, but the facts of this simple question do not seem to have been answered, despite 300 + posts...

just sayin'

jc

Welcome to Cruise Critic! :)

That post was over 2 and 1/2 years in the making.... :D

Things that make you go hmmm...

jc

John, you are spending too much time drinking too many drinks in too many bars, and you are not reporting back to us from the Indy about the real situation of this test.

jc

Missouri??? WINE?????? :eek:

Actually back in the 1880s Missouri was the largest by volume producer of wine in the USA. The first American Viticultural Area (AVA) is Augusta, Missouri. A lovely little town about 30 minutes west of St Louis on the Missouri River.

jc

Champagne is wine. Sparkling wine. As a matter of fact, 99% (I made that up! ;)) of what passengers will carry on board IS sparkling wine and NOT Champagne.

 

Anything labeled champagne should be from Champagne, France, and is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée. Most countries signed the treaty that makes this so.

 

Naturally, the U.S. refused to sign the treaty, and it is legal to call sparkling wine made in the U.S. champagne, although it is not. :)

I believe Champagne has to come from two places within the champagne district Epernay and Reims. There is a lot of French sparkling wine that looks and tastes like Champagne but isn't.

Most American producers have a relationship with French producers (and Argentinian, and Chilean, etc,) and will almost never call their product champagne, although they may refer to the method of Champagne.

jc

I've read thought this thread and wondered why no one has pointed out the high-lighted words.

 

(I apologize for re-posting the announcement for those who find it boring.)

 

"You asked – we listened! Often we hear great ideas from our Crown & Anchor Society members that we are able to bring into action. During your upcoming transatlantic voyage onboard the Independence of the Seas®, you will be part of a pilot test to enhance the Loyalty experience onboard. We understand at times the Diamond lounge can be crowded, so we are excited to introduce a new option for you aboard the Independence of the Seas: A nightly happy hour from 5:00 - 8:00pm to be enjoyed at almost every venue throughout the ship!*

How? Free drink vouchers will be pre-loaded onto your SeaPass® card to enable you to enjoy the flexibility of up to three complimentary beverages at almost every bar throughout the ship. You can still sit back and relax while enjoying all of the amenities in the Diamond Lounge, plus all of the other options available to you! We look forward to hearing your feedback about this new experience and wish you a wonderful cruise holiday. Happy sailing! "

 

My takeaway is that it's a pilot test, it's an option, and you can still enjoy the diamond lounge. No conjecture, no reading between the lines, no forecasting doom and gloom. I tend to deal with doom and gloom as it comes, and not before.

 

Thanks for listening, I just needed to point this out. I hope I'm not repeating a post I missed, I believe I read them all.

Completely agree with your assessment. Having read the post several times.

That said, people on board will let us know the "facts" soon. If not already.

jc

True Liz

We will know the facts for this one cruise before the weekend is up. Since it is a pilot (test) we may not know anything beyond that. For those posting to this thread who have never been on a TA from the UK all I can say is you really have no idea how many Diamonds and above can be on a cruise ship for two weeks.

jc

The only thing for sure is the Indy sails tomorrow on the TA and we should have some real reports about what happened on this particular TA cruise. Not that it implies that will happen on future sailings. Something about test....:D

jc

We are on her tomorrow for the TA, we will make sure she crosses the pond safely:):D

John I expect a full report on the status of the drinks in the diamond lounge and drinks in the bars. So, I expect you to order 3 drinks at a bar and then going to the Diamond lounge, and getting a 4th drink.

I can not wait to know something instead of hearing opinions.:D

Happy sailing, and remember you taking one for the team. :D

jc

Snort!!!!:d

jc

How can anyone believe that the company will give the current 3 hour unlimited amount of a variety of drinks AND THEN give vouchers for three MORE drinks, most anywhere, anytime, for any drink one wants? How much do folks expect?

 

While I have no reliable source, I will go out on a limb and say that the vouchers will be in lieu of the lounge, for limited bars, for limited drinks ( likely the same menu as the CL/DL) and for the same hours as the lounge cocktails.

 

M

I don't believe anyone said the voucher or the credit on your sea pass card would be available anytime. I am guessing that they will only be available during the 5 to 8 time and only in bars and not the MDR or WJ, etc.

I don't know anything, and all of what I think I know I know from reading this thread. That is the problem with a thread like this. Once person has a thought and after posting a thought then we argue with the thought. It may be true it may not, we don't know the difference and yet we fight like heck over these things. That is what is most amusing to me.

As far as surety.... I am not using the word in the technical sense. But yes the gist is that people who do not know the true situation say things as if they are in fact a guarantee to happen.

At this point it is all speculation and unless Adam G himself comes here and tells me what is specifically going to happen, I remain, skeptical of any expert who says with certainty what is going to happen. Odds are that some hotel manager on one of the RCI ships will interpret his directions wrong. Such is the nature of human beings. That said, I am less skeptical about what some posters post than others....

John good to hear you are doing ok. I will be in your neck of the woods in January.

jc

Totally agree jc, that's why I was curious!!!, although on our TA thread for the Indy, Bart, a pinnicle member has just posted "Just off phone to RCCL and they assured him that nothing changes as far as the CL/DL lounges are concerned:), drinks as normal:D, Still, as I said, will find out in 2 days time.

By the way how are you doing these days?

jc