trburks

On 2/12/2023 at 11:17 AM, dbrucern said:

 

Yes, we are doing the freebie in Oct.  Some of the choices were amazing; such as a 22-day out of Australia.

I'm still baffled why there is such a large point jump between D+ and PC, with no formalized intermmediate level such as at 350.  Yes ... at 350 you start getting some extras, but if the issue is to slow down the number of new D+, then why not raise the D+ to 350 and keep the same benefits (such as CL access)?  At the same time, raising the points for D could also be done to slow down the numbers.  Simple push the implementation date out one year so anyone who is currently close to a new level can get it done (if desired).  Other cruise lines have done it this way when revamping loyalty programs.

2 hours ago, ccpalmtree said:

Well I haven't updated our history. We have traveled Celebrity and received a bump in regular status as they reciprocate, Royal does not. Got a little put off with Royal as they keep running specials with second guest 60% off and kids free. Though I don't mind the people, it just exceeds the buffet, restaurant, showroom, etc capacity. We literally could not find seating in the buffet area and they made constant requests for guest to please leave and make room. Not cool as we were a group of 70+ people.

 

We were rated on gamble on Celebrity and they sent us an offer. We are mainly table games, so more points. Don't know how or why, just took advantage! 

I agree that current cruise specials being advertised by Royal Caribbean and Celebrity are not actually specials.  For the Alaska cruise cancelled by Celebrity this August, the exact same cruise with the exact amenities next year in August is $600 more when compared to the price we paid for the cancelled cruise.

On 6/7/2020 at 8:41 AM, ccpalmtree said:

We have signed up with Celebrity for a free cruise in March 2021 thru Blue Chip Club (Casino). Our expenses are port charges and taxes at this point. We will incur gratuities, and ad ons, excursions, etc as well as our air travel to and from, hotels, etc. Our main concern is having trip delay, medical evac, etc. We have been on several cruises where we have seen people miss the ship, been evac off the ship, and had ambulances meet us at the port. Is there a policy available for this? Thank you for your time.

This is off topic, but I am confused on how you received a free cruise on Celebrity when your cruise history does not show any prior cruises on Celebrity.  You have been on Royal Caribbean, but their players club and Celebrity's player club are separate systems (e.g. point counts).  Please share the secret so I can join the party!    

We were on the Quantum 12/27/14 NYE sailing. Biggest complaint about dynamic dining is the lack of personalized service and the disappearance of assistant waiters. We commonly had to ask for drinks (such as ice tea at the beginning of meals or coffee with dessert) and bread. Waiters did not automatically ask if you wanted these items. Many waiters did not try to personally interact ... it was similar to being at a fast food restaurant. We had to go through the same ritual each night concerning the most simple special requests (such as a fruit plate for the kids).

Another problem is the inconsistency between menus posted on RCL's website and the menus you are actually given in each restaurant. If you select a restaurant based on a specific item you see on the online menu, then don't be surprised if you get to the restaurant and no longer find that item on the menu. This was especially true for American Icon. Also, RCL may do away with the entire menu for an evening and substitute it with what they call a "special menu" (this happened on NYE ... the same menu was used in every restaurant with no option to order off the usual menus).

I'm hoping these issues are fixed before our 2016 Anthem cruise. If not, we will be avoiding any future sailings with dynamic dining.

The old cabana #6 use to be an overlooked gem due to how shady it was. Noise from the pirate bar was never an issue. Now it is completely ruined by the new villa. The villa sits too close to the cabana and completely blocks off any view of the beach on that side. Very sad; especially since the construction of the 2-story villas was strictly profit motivated. They could have simply constructed more cabanas and not ruined the other cabana views.

From the Carnival website photos, it shows the new beach villas lined up on the beach to the left of the pirate ship bar. I believe that some of the cabanas (such as number 6 thru 9) are in that same location. As such, it seems those cabanas would be looking at the back of the 2-story villas. Am I seeing this correctly? If so, I would be very upset to pay $230 for a cabana having a blocked view.