robandana

There's a website that tracks historical cruise fares we can't mention here that actually does prove the stable, and somewhat lower average cruise fares over the last 3 years. Exception being suites and premium cabins.

 

It shows in a very easy to read graph, taking into account all ships within a cruise line.

 

Celebrity where I frequent forums, had a raise in fares in the 2012 season a marked drop in 2013 and 2014 has been about steady to 2013, with some periods lower even.

 

Royal's fares are markedly DOWN from 2011-2012 versus 2012-2014. In fact current moths average fares are actually the lowest the graph shows from its start date in Jan 2010.

Very interesting!

The day before leaving on our last cruise. We had booked an interior promenade, and I had been logging in frequently to compare prices and see if a paid upgrade was worthwhile. The day before the cruise, I logged in to double-check our booking information was correct and noticed that our stateroom suddenly was listing a balcony! It was too late to print out new docs so when we got to the port I had to explain the change to every porter and ticket agent...I kept expecting one of them to tell me I was wrong :p

 

The only interiors available at the end were guarantees, so I guess someone must have booked one last-minute and we were randomly selected as the room to vacate.

Nice upgrade...normally its interior to outside...

It's interesting to see what this thread has evolved in to. The answer was early on though. Black Diamond is a Travel Agency who frequently does group cruises.

Damn...I was hoping for the cheese company...;)

I login everyday...leaving in 2 weeks and there are still 12 JS, 1GS and a Loft available....fingers, legs even toes crossed.

I go in a make sure the auto upgrade is selected....:D Just in case....

Do you think someone tracks how many time we log in? :eek:

And for all the complaining about the MDR food sometimes, I'm sure we can all agree it beats the heck out of airplane food. :)

Big time!

The interesting thing is that the new builds are all financed against the pre-sales that RC has managed to generate.

Especially with the BOGOHO it has generated so many booking it has secured the financing of Oasis 3...

In the last 5 years RC stocks have increased 256% and Carnival in the same time period only 25%. I think RC is the rising star with the best ships and most loyal customer base...is that enough to get her out of debt?

Someone lends them the money...hopefully they know what their doing.

Great review, thanks and great pic's.

Both the Allure and Oasis TAs Eastbound are going from Fort Lauderdale to Malaga.

At a Captains Corner on Oasis it was mentioned that Oasis must go to Malaga.

Anyone know the reason why Malaga must be a port stop on the Eastbound TAs?

For Tapas.....of course!

You should sign up...we really are a fun bunch to cruise with....:D

All EU cruises have VAT added to everything you buy...they even add it to specialty dinning....and bar drinks....souvenirs....

On a T/A that leaves Spain for the first 4-5 days while your still in EU waters they charge it and once its away they stop....and going to the EU its tax free at the beginning but tax starts once we reach EU waters.

I could swear I read somewhere that they decided on a flat tax of 10% across the board as food and other things have different tax...but don't quote me on that.

Does anyone know if Royal keeps track of the old NCC...I ask because I am sure I have 1 but I cant for the life of me find it....I remember it had a number on it but not sure how to proceed...I bought 5 used 4 and seem to have lost 1....

Any ideas?

Thanks

Unfortunately as a society we in general are too blame for things loosing their luster....

Who would have ever guessed that a company selling things for $1 would ever make it....and just one of them has just become a $20 billion company....and that's just in North America....

We want more, we want it cheaper and we want it NOW!

This system just doesn't work....it has to give somewhere....

I paid more for my first cruise I did in 1998 then I am paying today....

Today I pay less and I get less....

Royal Caribbean in my opinion is still the best at this time! and that's why we keep sailing....

Park West got into some trouble with forgeries a few years back...but I guess enough time has passed that people have forgotten....:confused:

If you Google: park west gallery forgeries :eek:

Agree also. I can see why RCI wants to implement DD but they should also consider the preferences of many of their customers for Traditional Dining.

I think we will find that Royal Caribbean is actually trying to diversify, the basic concept of cruising and ship layout will be the same but depending what ship you book, this will allow you to try different options.

I am sure this will not go fleet wide as there are too many people that prefer the old ways of cruising but there are also many that prefer the new styles.

Why would a billon dollar company like Royal put all there eggs in one basket...they will have many baskets and attract more customers, it makes business sense.

In fact I think the specialty restaurants should be different on each ship and every few years they should change them around...that way the next time you sail you can be surprised by a whole slew of new restaurants...and this will make you want to try them out...

I like the current system but its nice to see the company is constantly innovation and trying to WOW us! I mean who ever thought anyone would make a ship that can carry more than 8000 people....

Cant wait until November so we can start reading peoples impressions on the New Quantum!

Have a look here http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/2cd33063#/2cd33063/1

This is the full 2014/15 Royal Caribbean brochure.

Hope its helpful.

I think the cabins on all the VISION Class are very similar if not exactly the same...

Here a video after her revitalization.

What cabin number are you looking for?

The O3B satellites are not as high as the geosynchronous satellites in use now, but they don't follow the ship. The antennas on the ship follow the satellite.

I think you'll see that this new system actually does follow the ship. I have attached an image.

18 days and counting for our Oasis T/A....:D

The new system uses supply and demand...its all computerized so prices will vary depending on how each category is selling. I have seen prices change up and down for the same cabin in one day...

I have been noticing last min. (within 30 days) deals are quite aggressive, some August/September sailings at under $400 and even Oasis at under $500 for a week! :eek:

Happy hunting for deals!

I have just found the FAQ's for Quantum of the Seas and you will be pleased to know that there is indeed a Royal Promenade on Quantum and presumably Anthem. See third question after clicking the link

 

http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Quantum/Quantum_FAQs.pdf

Thanks for the info, I had a look at the ships plans/layout and did not see it so it will be interesting to sail her and see what they have done.

All the best.

Since approximately November 2013 solo cruisers also get a bonus point.

 

For example

 

Solo in a balcony or lower category = 1 pt per night + 1 bonus point for solo per night

 

Solo in a JS or higher category = 2 pt per night + 1 bonus point for solo per night.

 

So since November he has been racking up 3 points per night if staying in a JS, which I understand he mostly stays in that category room.

 

By my math he COULD have accumulated an additional 1176 points since May 26 2013 if he sailed every night in a JS.

 

If he sailed every night since May 26 2013 in a regular cabin he would have only added 731 points, so not quite 5000.

 

It seems there is probably a mix of regular cabins, JS's, and a few weeks off the ship here and there.

 

That is a LOT of cruising. Does he has to muster each time?

He doesn't always sail alone. ;)

Congrats Mario!

Although the concept is not new it may be what the majority want but there is no way they will do it fleet wide.

Just like not every ship has not been converted to the Oasis Class..no mater how successful they have been. They will add things to make the experience more like the newer ships but the reason so many still book the older ships is because they like how things are on those ships...different.

I feel I am not comfortable without a promenade so the new Quantum Class really does not appeal to me but I will try it and it's new form of dinning but most likely end up back on Voyager and Freedom Class which are my favorite so far.

I also see no way they would change anything without proper testing on the first 2 ships offering this new dinning system.

So I think we will have traditional dinning for a few years yet.

Just my 2 cents.

They didn't in May on the Independence TA. Their explanation was pretty much what you said. :)

Oh no......:(

Once on the FOS a Pinnacle was really talking down to me and actually, in my opinion, trying to make us feel bad. She said in a rather huffy tone that tonight we will be dining with the Captain ( Hotel Director ). I got a kick out of saying to her at dinner that night " so nice to se you again ":)

I love it when that happens! :cool:

I was reading about the new service form O3P and it seems the satellites which are closer actually follow the ship to make the connection more reliable and faster....but looking at the coverage map they do not offer coverage in the mid Atlantic...

I wonder if they will be able to even offer this service during our crossing?

Can't wait to see the speed improvements.