jewopaho

We've been sailing out of Galveston ever since Radiance ... and Captain James has always somehow managed to work his way to the helm of every ship. We'll be on Harmony in March, and look forward to renewing our friendship with this terrific commander.

We're fortunate to be D+, and take advantage of the BOGO perk ... supposedly for the first two nights only, but they've always made accommodations for us if we have a conflict with, for example, a show reservation. What we're doing now is booking reservations in advance using our OBC when checking in online, taking advantage of the discounted prices. Once aboard, we use the BOGO benefit, so all our dinners end up complimentary. It's also great for the waitstaff, since we tip very generously ... again using our OBC. Such a deal!!!

Also understand that the two lines do not offer perk-for-perk amenities. For example, we're D+ on Royal, Elite On Celebrity. Ironically, the C&A benefits are far greater than those with Captain's Club. We get two days of Internet service on Royal, only ninety minutes on Celebrity. The types of complimentary drinks are virtually unlimited (five per day) on RCI, but only basic cocktails are available on Celebrity ... and for just two hours daily. There's no free photo on X and no Diamond Club-type hangout, although Celebrity will now make a specific bar available for Captain's Club members, but only for a couple of days per cruise. If there are similar itineraries offered by both lines, we choose Royal every time, largely for the perks.

An absolutely incredible experience. In addition to the wondrous fjords, Norwegians and Danes are fabulous people. Just about everyone speaks English, and are anxious to ensure that you enjoy your visit. One caveat, though ... stay out of the bicycle lanes (they're pretty wide, since everyone owns a bike). Riders won't slow down or stop, but are adept at working around you. Congratulations on a terrific choice.

We were on the Celebrity Beyond out of FLL, and TNF was shown on ESPN2 along with the "traditonal" games. 

For the umpteenth time, this thread has demonstrated in spades that food is a highly personal matter. Multiply that by the number of ships in the fleet, and we must come to the conclusion that nothing here will change. We've cruised Royal/Celebrity dozens of times, and have had varying experiences. Our December Allure sailing was excellent in all respects, while the food on our February Beyond trip was disappointing. We're booked on the Harmony in March and the Edge in September. We plan to eat on both cruises.

We've never had an issue booking our two BOGO's, although we did have to move one to another night on a single occasion (we've used it at least a dozen times) ... not a big deal. One staff member told me that the number of full-price reservations precludes the BOGO's. Night two is generally the busiest, especially at Chops. Whatever ... it's worth it, no matter what. 

All bets (and perks) are generally off on holiday "specials". You've got a better shot talking to your Diamond Concierge than any F&B people or Guest Services personnel. Best of luck. Let us know how you fare.

Chops is now $65, and has been for a while. We're D+ and take advantage of the BOGO perk. Otherwise, we wouldn't dine there. $100pp is considerably overpriced (as is the "normal" upcharge).  So are all aspects of a holiday cruise, for that matter. But ye pays yer money and ye takes yers cherce, so enjoy! 

I remember the Tropicale as the laughing stock of cruise ships. Sailing from Tampa, media crews anxiously awaited its arrival to interview passengers, finding out what went wrong each time ... overflowing toilets, no a/c, closed facilities, etc. Carnival always responded by slapping a couple of band-aids on the problem and sending it out again, finally moving the ship to its Costa affiliate. It has had several iterations since then, currently the Ocean Dream ... remember it more as a nightmare. Surprised the thing is still afloat.     

Couldn't resist booking the Allure ... Jan. 30, 2022!  Our TA can't believe the number of advance reservations.  

It looks as if Brilliance will be doing several longer cruises ... but more days on an older, smaller ship doesn't make much sense to us.  Prices are no bargain either, so we'll book a b2b on Allure if we want a few more days away. 

Oh ... one more thing about cruising from Galveston: I have no idea why anyone would want to arrive early (i.e. before noon). You'll run into folks departing, the security and check-in lines are interminable, your stateroom won't be ready (meaning you'll be schlepping your carry-ons all over the ship), and believe me, they won't run out of food.  We have preferred boarding privileges, and still arrive around 2:00.  There are no crowds, and it may take all of fifteen minutes for the boarding process. Our accommodations are all set, so we drop off our stuff and head for the Windjammer.  There's never a problem finding a table, and we can relax until muster drill. Maybe it's just me, but ....

1 hour ago, Seville2Cabo said:

Thank you.  We plan on staying a few days

We loved Copenhagen ... fabulous people, everyone speaks English, lots to see and do (by all means, do the Hop-On, Hop-Off). But be prepared for sticker shock; it's one of the world's most expensive cities ... we refer to it as The Home Of The $40 Hamburger (and that's pretty accurate). You can spend a fortune at Tivoli alone ... but what the hell, you're on vacation. Enjoy!

Living just 45 minutes from the port, we cruise out of Galveston at least three or four times per year. We've "graduated" from Vision- to Radiance- to Voyager- to Freedom-class ships, and the Allure seems the next logical step. I've gone over this entire thread, and understand people's frustration. But I see things from a slightly different perspective.

As to the flights, my only suggestion is to find one to Hobby. As much as complaints over IAH are noted, HIA is the only alternative. Transportation to and from the cruise terminal is readily available. Addressing the infrastructure, we found it best to continue on I-45 South, past the Cruise Terminal exit to the end of the freeway. This becomes Broadway. Continue to 34th St., turn left to the end, and pull into Falstaff Cruise Parking (you can book in advance online at a discount). It's a huge indoor facility, and the nice, newer shuttle will take you to the port in five minutes. There will likely be improvements along the way, but this option is a no-brainer for us. Now the itinerary ... very few choices to begin with, now even fewer due to the size of Allure. Newer cruisers will love the ports (the entire cruise is a dream-come-true for just about all of them). We veterans are long past the excitement of the Caribbean, have visited the places at least a dozen times (we could likely apply for citizenship in Mexico), and rarely leave the comfort of the ship ... and now with the Allure, we can explore this new generation of vacationing (it's undergoing a $165 million makeover before coming to Galveston), especially on port days, when most of the passengers are ashore. We're really looking forward to it, and will book a cruise when aboard the Ovation out of Australia in February. We're certain to make new friends in the Diamond Club, and enjoy all those D+ perks Royal offers. We're thrilled at all the new possibilities.    

I agree ... but saturating the market could backlash. Adding yet another ship would require luring more than 3000 or so passengers each week ... and given the capacities of Oasis- and Voyager-class ships, it would be a tall order. This is a huge jump forward for Royal (including that $100 million investment in the port and the $165 million renovation of Allure) ... comparative baby steps in the overall scheme of things, but nevertheless a considerable commitment to the Galveston market. 

On 12/27/2019 at 9:10 AM, longhorn2004 said:

Am I reading this right? After a four day cruise to Cozy ( that will be an awesome first time cruise experience), the Allure will be on a Roatan, Costa Maya, and Cozy nominal route?

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/?country=USA&departureCode_GAL=true&shipCode_AL=true

 

No way Royal is abandoning the seven Jamaica, and Grand Cayman route. So will there be three Royal ships at Galveston?

From what I gather, Adventure will be doing the 4-and 5-night cruises, with Enchantment winding up in San Juan, so there will be only two ships, but with considerably larger passenger counts. I don't think they'd mess with Galveston, since it's currently RC's fourth most active port (the other three are in Florida). 

1 hour ago, The_Big_M said:

They have their own booking system. As they mostly serve the local market,  there isn't the volume for it to be worthwhile for foreign agents to use it. Hence, overseas TAs aren't registered to it.

 

The advice above is correct - foreigners can readily book if they go through either of those. It will be easier to use an online travel agent though as you don't have to worry about opening times, and international call costs and the length of time to make the booking.

Gotcha ... many thanks.

1 hour ago, DDG 41 said:

2 Easiest options would be:

Ring them(P&O Australia)

or

Use an Aussie Online Travel Agent.

They won't be through P&O it would be through P&O Australia they are two separate companies 

Thanks for the tip. I'm aware that the two P&O's are separate entities, which is why the US travel agency can't book the latter, for some reason.  Many thanks again ... cheers!

2 hours ago, akcruz said:

 

If people didn't try to sneak drinks to others or sneak their friends in, or sneak into the lounge themselves this would not be an issue at all.  

 

A simple response of my wife got us seats while I got drinks was all he was most likely looking for.  I would prefer the question to be asked, nicely of course, and have benefits remain.  Too many people looking for exceptions and/or bragging about getting them any more.

That's the point ... he wasn't.  If anything, he was authoritarian in his attitude.  He should have known better, given that the place was packed, and the lounge had been roped off as a "private event," so cards were checked before we could even enter.  I'm considering this an anomaly.  Hopefully he or his successor will do better next time.   

It's gone down to  ... $34.95 (at least as of April 7th).  

For the first time since earning Diamond privileges long ago (we're now D+) I was questioned by the concierge as to why I was carrying two drinks from the DC to the adjoining Olive or Twist Lounge (Liberty of the Seas). Of course, the club was packed to overflowing, and my wife had found us a couple of seats in the lounge (also filled beyond capacity). My response was civil, although my thoughts were hardly so. The concierge replied that only one drink per member was permitted out of the DC, to which I requested that he find me two seats in the club, so there would be no question as to who the "prohibited" drink was for. I then simply walked away. The following morning, I spoke to the concierge, and in no uncertain terms (firm but fair)  let him know that his inference that I might be smuggling a drink to a non-Diamond member was unacceptable. He understood, but stated that he was bound by Royal's edict (now to be more strictly enforced), and that he also had to randomly check SeaPass cards of those in the DC at Happy Hour, lest an intruder find a way in. We've met some wonderful folks in the DC, and have maintained friendships with several of them. We'd hate to avoid the place, but we cannot tolerate such treatment by an individual whose reason for being aboard is to take exceptional care of us. "I'm only doing my job" is no excuse.    

I contacted the only TA that books P&O cruises in the US, and was advised that any sailings on ships with "Pacific" in its name (i.e. P&O Australia) must be reserved through P&O directly.  I've been unable to find out how to get this done ... if it's at all possible.  Any information from CC members will be appreciated.  Thanks ...

1 minute ago, Sizzlechest said:

Never rely on a company's loyalty. I've sailed the most with NCL until I got sick of their shenanigans.  I'm trying RCL this and next year. After that, who knows? The Key at $19.99 was worth it considering I was planning to get the VOOM Internet package anyway.

 

It's an odd situation. They like loyal customers, but they also take them for granted because they figure people generally don't change when they're set in their ways. Better to concentrate on getting new customers.

Just been advised that the price has been raised to $37.99 ... yikes!!

We recently returned from our twelfth cruise out of Galveston, our last one before this being in December. During the interim, Royal instituted another cha-ching producer known as The Key. For a pretty steep price ($25/pp per day ... and all members of the party must enroll) passengers receive a bunch of perks (some of which are only otherwise available to suite guests), and must join in advance of the cruise (it's not available on ship). By itself it doesn't affect us, but when we arrived at the terminal, our preferred boarding (which we earned by paying tens of thousands to become D+) had been eliminated by a line designated exclusively for The Key. Royal has taketh away yet another perk. Instead of whizzing through security and boarding, it took close to an hour to finally get our Sea Passes. During our wait, absolutely nobody came through that dedicated Key line. The attendant, rather than coming over to assist with the crowd, just stood there, staring at her phone. 

No, we're not picking up our toys and going elsewhere, since Carnival is the only other option out of Galveston (for adults anyway, at least chronologically), and living less than an hour from the port, not having to fly to cruise is a big deal. With so many Diamond and D+ members, Royal is in effect a victim of its own success (witness the Diamond Club on Liberty). But by diluting the benefits to its loyal passengers in favor of another revenue stream (which apparently has few takers at this point), while (in case you haven't noticed) raising cruise fares and eliminating every incentive (save for a reduced deposit) to book on board ... oh well.  Just a couple of observations ... time to go and look for our next cruise.      

On 1/25/2019 at 7:10 PM, Arubamoose said:

DH and I are both D+.....do we get 2 days of internet EACH?  Or are the coupons per cabin?

Upcoming Serenade cruise is our first D+.

Yes ... two days each.  Also 2 BOGO meals in specialty restaurants on the first two nights (excluding Izumi, which is ala carte).