shaunap999

BE AWARE ASIA CRUISES... you will retain your status but as for cruise certificates gained on points whilst playing... look at this pic for the RCI cruises in Asia

Actually Pullmantur hasn’t been 100% owned by RCCL since 2016. Springwater Capital of Madrid now owns 51% with RCCL holding the rest.

Thanks for the correction, but technically I was right just missed of ‘49%’ ... Lucky Royal in that case.

I just got off Majesty and after several discussions with host am still confused. I had enough points for the inside cruise certificate and Prime status. But as I understand their program, even though I achieved enough points for Prime this period I will not be Prime until next point period. Seems incorrect or at least very strange.

I can also confirm that they no longer give a drinks on us sticker at 1000 points. You must get 2500 points.

 

 

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Yes you already have your status currently gained from last years period whether or not u were aware of that fact... and until 31/3/19 you are collecting points for your next years status. So from 01/04/19 and from that very day you can have your free prime cruise, and free drinks on every sailing, so that’s between 1/4/19 and 31/3/20 where you are also then earning points for the following year (1/4/20-31/3/21). Hope that makes sense!

Kathleen if you want info on the ship it is the same style as Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas, but of course since Pullmantur took it over they have modernised it a little (I believe) and will have added their own stamp on it, but it is for all intense and purposes an identical ship to Majesty. (ps Royal Caribbean own Pullmantur)

Try this link...

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/majesty-of-the-seas

How was it? I am looking at booking this cruise for next year, and there is just so little information available about the Monarch!

Kathleen if you want info on the ship it is the same style as Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas, but of course since Pullmantur took it over they have modernised it a little (I believe) and will have added their own stamp on it, but it is for all intense and purposes an identical ship to Majesty. (ps Royal Caribbean own Pullmantur)

Question....so the first dates are July 2016 through Dec. 2017. I made prime during that time period, but didn't know about it until this week......So I get the free interior THIS year (2018)? Or will I be able to get it next year prior to March 31st?

 

Sorry....I just can't quite get this all figured out yet.

 

Barb

Hi Barb

You have this now for any 8 night cruise that sails until March 31st 2019. simply ring Casino Royale and tell them you are a Prime / Signsture members and wish to book your feee cruise... Remember that the dates now are Aptil - March (which is same as a UK financial year!) so the free cruise must be taken in that time too.

They issued different ones via email and on the ships. Last time I called CR they affirmed it was from Jan 1, 2018 to March 31, 2019. If you ask the casino host, they tell you what you have attached. But for the most part the casino hosts are not to well informed about this program.

On the Serenade in early April. I was told by a casino host only the ships in Asia were participating in the program. I made him put it in writing. And after talking to CR and submitting what I had. They gave us an additional $300 OBC and an apology.

I'm not the only one on here that has the same information. July 31, 2016-Dec 31, 2017 for the current year. Jan 1, 2018 - March 31,2019 (for next year) April 1 - March 31 all following years.

They gave us 19 months for the rollout, Then 15 months for the second. After that it's 12 months.

Well I guess at the end of the day it doesn't matter now when the start date was, the only way going forward is to find your current balance and you know the cut off date and work toward that. Nothing more can be done. Must admit the 18/15/12 month thing kinda makes sense... almost too much sense for Royal!!!!

There is some controversy as to when this years points started. On their flyer it says earn points from Jan 1, 2018 till March 31, 2019. After that it goes from April 1 to March 31.

The first year (we are enjoying that now) went from June or July 2016 till Dec 31 2017.

We are now in the second points earning period. Casino Royale says it started Jan 1 2018. But a few casino hosts say it started April 1 2018. Either way we have enough to make prime (but we will not gamble enough to make signature) which works for us the only difference with signature is the balcony. We already get free internet. Both tiers get free drinks and cash in the casino at no extra charge.

We used one of last years on the Harmony in July (upgraded to a WS guarantee for another $600, got a GS). Have the other booked for March on the Oasis.

As soon as they open the bookings I'll book one for second or third week in July 2019.

I just came across this from my last cruise.

The points you are earning now till March 31, 2019, are for next year (there is some controversy as to the start date, Jan 1, 2018 or April 1, 2018).

 

Points earned from April 1 2019 will be for the following year. Both my wife and I have enough points to stay prime members. Don't gamble enough to make Signature. So we will just accept inside cabins and maybe upgrade. (they do not allow C&A balcony discounts when upgrading)

Hi, there is no controversy over the date it renews on April 1st each year. When you want your free cruise that you have your eye on, simply call Casino Royale and ask them. Also you could combine both your cruises for a balcony room as another option. And don’t forget u both have free drinks at the casino bar when it’s open.

Some good information for you... my in laws are both Signature members and as such geh a free (up to 8 days, or it is nights?) balcony comp cruise. I was able to combine both (e)vouchers for a JS on a 5 night sailing. In fact I tried it and they were sold out with only OV available but my amazing agent managed to wait for a JS to appear and grabbed it... all they paid was the taxes.

The Bullet train to Tianjin leaves from Beijing South station. There is no bullet train from the airport. You can catch the airport express metro that links in with the Beijing Metro that in turn links at Beijing South station to the Bullet trains.

 

 

 

Yujiapu is close enough to the port to just get a cab there on the morning. I have never stayed in the area so cant offer much advice. Sorry

Thanks much appreciated!

We have just returned from the second of two short cruises on Ovation of the Seas from Tianjin (port for Beijing) to Japan. I thought it may be helpful to share our personal observations so others can make an informed decision on whether this is a cruise for them.

 

 

Firstly most of the passengers are locals who have booked the cruise with a group from a travel agent. TA's provide them with a total package that includes tours at each port. I even observed a few groups behind the infamous tour flag getting a tour of the ship. Many will also try to dine, attend shows etc with the members of their group. I met a few people from the USA and Europe who all told me that the excursions they had booked through the cruise line were cancelled due to insufficient numbers.

 

This wasn't a problem for us as we generally do our own thing in each port. The three ports we visited, Fukuoka, Kumamoto ( its not actually Kumamoto itself but a nice local port town. Kumamoto is an hour or so away) and Kitakyushu were all accessible by free shuttle or local bus and had a variety of castles, temples, shopping and particularly food to pass the day with minimal cost or hassle.

 

 

Secondly local manners are somewhat different than our established ones. Elevators can be a bit of a scrum and as a result I spent a little bit of time performing charades showing how to let people out first before getting in. Most locals were great and nodded appreciation and understanding of the concept.

 

Thirdly the Windjammer is a battle zone but I must say most people tried to line up at each station. I have spent a lot of time in China and so I knew what to expect. Plates are piled high with general food, fruit and desert all mixed together. People tend to like to pick specific pieces of fruit, food etc. from the serving dishes. Tables were left in a very messy state and the staff have to work very hard to keep on top of things. The food is generally ,and rightly so, catered to local tastes. We even had a giant wok of Chicken Feet one night. Fruit was very good. Dragon fruit (white and red flesh), passionfruit, rambutan, lychees, small mangoes a plenty.

 

The menus in the MDR's are a little different as well but more in line with cruises in other parts of the world. Big lines at the MDR's start about 30 mins before early seating. A semi form of Dynamic Dining is in place in China. Each restaurant has a different menu from each other which does not change throughout the cruise. There are also three different entrees added each night (the same three in each restaurant). Food was reasonable but nowhere near as good as the local food you can eat in almost very restaurant in China.

 

There is a specialty hot pot restaurant in the Solarium bistro and Wonderland is an upscale Chinese style restaurant.

 

The production shows on board were very good as were the specialty entertainers in the theatre. Funny Bones an Aussie based comedy duo went down exceptionally well with the locals. Pixels in 270 lounge is a great show. Theatre fills up early again with big lines prior to the doors opening.

 

They have trivia etc but not as much and as there are very few "western" guests the two I went to were empty. There were a few on offer which were probably catered to all passengers (flags of the world & cities) but I did not attend as I was doing other things.

 

Ripcord and North Star are a pay activity in China but are complimentary elsewhere. Flow rider is still complimentary. At the start of the cruise there are very short lines. Day one I was alone for about an hour till a few locals found their way there. By the last day the lines are long as they want to get the photo on there. I was surprised at how many had a go including quite a few people who appeared around 70 years old. The fashions on the flowrider were a show in them selves. I witness one guy who wanted to ride with his socks on lol.

 

For anyone who is D or above in Crown & Anchor the big plus is that you get treated like royalty. There were very D or above members on board and you are looked after so well by the 4 "Golden Concierges". The best service I have ever experienced. Lovely local ladies who escort you to venues, organise your dinners, escort you around the lines at ports etc. Cant speak highly enough of this service. The Concierge lounge is called the Golden Room and is also for suite guests. Very quiet but a wonderful relaxing venue with great views from the stern. You also get to attend the welcome back party which is combined with the suite cocktail part. Attended by most of the high ranking officers and the captain. Great drinks served and a top notch selection of food.

 

Bars are always almost empty so getting a drink will not be a problem lol.

 

Staff were great under very trying conditions.

 

Overall I loved the experience and if you are a little (maybe a lot) tolerant it is an experience unlike no other cruise. If you expect the same as a local or USA cruise and like things orderly, planned and quiet then unless you want to want to dine every night in a specialty restaurant and hide away in the Golden Room it might not be a wise choice.

 

 

One last thing. Tianjin Cruise terminal is quite a distance from anywhere. It is a modern terminal and is best accessed by transfer or taxi. For the more adventurous catch a bullet train from Beijing to either Tianjin main station (run every 15 minutes and take 35 minutes for the 150 klm trip) or even better to either Binhai or Yujiapu which are closer to the port and probably about a 60-70 YUAN taxi ride from port. If catching a bullet train to Tianjin main station then transfer to metro line 9 and catch metro to Donghai Road metro station (last stop. 9 yuan takes about and hour for the 60klm trip) then a half hour cab ride @ 60 yuan to port.

 

Feel free to ask any specific questions.

Your info is amazing, thanks!! One question about the train... is the bullet train from PEK airport or downtown Beijing? I see that Yujiapu is almost at the crusie port, is that right? (I booked the Holiday Inn there close by)... thanks

I have done over 30 cruises with Royal and am sick to the back teeth with their menus, and now just booked NCL for Feb because I speak to so many people who in Royal have travelled NCL... the reason a lot of people stay loyal to Riyal is their rewards programme is second to none and no one else comes close to matching it. That's said I am excited to try the Escape, but then I follow it with Royals Harmony...

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Lots of Royals ships do Jamaica and Dominica, more commonly on a TA. As for Tortola I just booked NCL Escape 18/2/17 that is going to Tortola (where I have never been before)...

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What a thing to say! Im loyal to those who are loyal to me, friends, god, partner, cruise line, business associate, its about us as people and why you do what you do, along with what or who influences your human decisions!

Probably time to wrap up this thread now before it goes totally bonkers! I think the author has gained from it all they need. An understanding of LOYALTY from honourable worldwide cruisers

Although we have no kids, they are great if you travel with or without them. Their loyalty awards are just great and not quite matched when you ask others about their loyalty rewards. Aim for diamond, only 80 nights, £200 ($300) discount on most balcony rooms. Free bar every night and diamond lounge where its a great opportunity to meet new people and return cruisers. I have spoken to many RCCL guests who hae travelled with others and most happy to stay with RCCL... They give good value for money and schemes like future cruise vouchers give free on board credits up to $200 at NO COST to you!