AnyMajorCruiseDude

Ok. Just got a call to come fill out w9. They then gave me a letter confirming the prize and methods to submit either onboard or via email. All handled by casino. Apparently you have to claim the prize while in international waters per the terms and conditions of the prizes program. Very complex!!

We just won the free cruise on our sailing. Do you know how redemption works?

Fingers crossed! We are flying over/staying for a bit in Sydney tomorrow.

From our short cruises lately (2-5 days) the top 3 got a comped specialty dining. On two of them, when we were #1, we also got good champagne and Sabatini's breakfast.

What does this even mean?

You are correct in all regards. We have had a concierge contact on recent cruises on Crown, Emerald and Grand. These were in late 2023/early 2024. We were never charged for ordering DR food by phone. We also had suite only cocktail parties as you describe on all sailings. We were able to use our concierge contact for many things, just like the Concierge Lounge concierge on the newer ships (reservations, tenders, disembarkation, special requests, etc). We have 8 more bookings on the Grand and are looking forward to the extra help!

10 of our 15 upcoming bookings are on the Grand. Everyone likes different things.

Would much prefer sitting with you, Frank!

When our toilet didn't work, the responding plumber found two ducks in the pipes.

For sure. It is common for them to seat tables based on number of days, so we now ask to be seated at the lowest ranked table rather than where we might normally be seated. It seems to us that the people at the lower days table complain much less and everyone has a better experience.

Often, when we have sat with the captain, he will stay longer when no one is complaining about ridiculous things. They are quick to leave once the nonsense complaining starts, as are we.

Ok!

We always sit by ourselves, as far away from the crowd as possible. We seem to always attract numerous officers who stay the whole time.

Ours was 140 in January

Very true. We have passed several times on the invite when we know a lot of the other invitees and are familiar with their normal lecture circuits. That's why we try to frequent ships and itineraries that are not as appealing to the "super elites". One advantage of the cocktail parties is that we can choose our own seating and still enjoy talking with crew representatives.