runner2013

No, his friend isn't lying, he's not that type of person. that's just not his personality. Plus, there are 2 other couples also going with him and his girlfriend, so I would think it's rather hard to dupe everyone. 🤣

Hello all, Thought I'd check back in and let you know what the status of DH 's friends cruise situation is. Hubby was able to get some more info out of him. DH asked if he originally used a travel agent for his booking. The friend said Princess called him, said they noticed he was Gold tier and ask if he was interested in booking another cruise. (For those who haven't read all the way back, the friend has only been on one Princess cruise) The friend told DH Princess said he has something like 1600 cruise points. (not possible, but the friend may have misunderstood this) Princess rep said he only had to pay 65% before sailing and pays the rest in installments. (he's doing $500. monthly) Princess gave him $800 obc with his initial booking. May or may not be accurate, it is a 23/24 day trip?. Princess has supposedly changed the itinerary because of what is happening in the Red Sea, and because of this, they are giving him $300 more OBC. They are also giving him a choice of 15% off a future cruise OR 15% off the remaining balance off what he owes for this cruise. (again, i'm still stuck on the fact I've never heard of you not having a cruise paid in full before you sail so I can't wrap my head around this. If I'm wrong someone please set me straight) The friend booked the flights through Princess with EZ air. Supposedly they are giving him 2 complimentary nights hotel stay in Italy. (no idea why?) I originally thought the friend said they were leaving from Rome and ending in Fort Lauderdale, and he was picking up the cruise on April 2nd of this year. I also thought he said it was on the Island Princess. When I go look for trips now, I can't find anything even remotely close to resembling that. So once again, DH and I are totally baffled with everything that the friend is telling him. DH is going skiing with the friend this Thursday, he is going to ask if the friend has actually logged into the Princess planner and checked out all of his info, made dining reservations, etc. We'll see what happens.

Hello All, DH and I just reached Diamond and are looking forward to booking our first cruise at that level. We've had 2 different TA's we've gone with in the past and never used Royal directly for our past bookings. Now that we're Diamond is it better to book with Royal directly to make sure we get any/all eligible discounts, or can we just stay with our 'regular' TA's? Is there much of a difference one way or the other? Any advice appreciated. Thanks

I was in the same situation. I needed 6 points to reach Diamond. DH is a skier and was given a bucket list opportunity to ski out went in March. Since I have a lot more points than him, (when we met, he had never cruised and I was platinum at that point), we decided I'd make the supreme sacrifice and do a solo cruise for 3 days to get the points we needed.🤣 Now we're both diamond and getting ready to book our first trip with the status. It took me a long time to reach diamond. Work and life and the cost of cruising always seemed to get in the way. But I knew it would happen eventually. If you have to wait a few more months before you reach diamond, so be it, it will make it all the sweeter when you finally do.

My hubs just texted me. He went into our accounts individually and took out the Loyalty number then put it back in. That did it. We both now show Elite in the app and on the website. Problem solved. Thanks for the help everybody😊

I understand that. but if my status on X says I'm still Select, how will the crew and ship know I should be getting the elite perks?

HI all, Have a question about reaching Elite status on X after becoming Diamond on Royal. DH were Emerald status on Royal last year, we took our first X cruise over Christmas and were given the reciprocal status of Select which was great. We've been on Royal since then and have now reached Diamond level status. I was looking at cruises for us on X again, and noticed my account still says my status is Select and not Elite. We were under the impression when we reached Diamond on Royal we would also move up on X and become Elite status level. (at least as far as the perks go. We know our actual point value is much lower since we've only sailed on X once.) Are we wrong in our thinking? or is it we just need to call X and let them know to adjust it? Any help greatly appreciated. TIA

If you read my original post. I specifically said I picked the highest priced cabin , during a Christmas sailing to see what they were charging. You are correct there are much cheaper cabins available in different categories, but just because I pointed out what something costs doesn't mean I'm complaining. Simply stating a fact of what I found on several different search engines related to pricing. You may not know anyone who is paying those elaborate prices, but it's a big world out there, people may absolutely be paying ridiculous prices if they so chose. As I said, more power to them, if they're blessed enough to have the money to spend, they should by all means use it how they wish.

I never said anyone was forcing me to go. Just that I feel the pricing is ridiculous. I"m not always the mindset of bigger is better. We don't have children and have no interest in rock walls or water slides(did those when we were younger and enjoyed it but have moved on to other interests). I can see why Royal is making such large ships, all for the family dollar which is good business. But, as you said, I don't need to be part of the circus atmosphere on board.🤣

I guess it goes to show if there wasn't a demand for 'bigger and better' Royal wouldn't have built something so large. I just hope they keep some of their 'smaller sized' ships around for a while. I'd hate to see them all go to make room for just more and more larger ones.

You are right about that.

Ok, So, I thought I'd have a laugh and see what price range Royal was asking for Icon during the Xmas Holiday this year. I picked the most expensive cabin showing available, the Icon Loft, category IL. Per person before taxes or gratuities it starts at $38,522.00. After taxes (and they threw in the gratuities-oh boy) it came out to $77, 421.00 all total for two people. 🤣 Now, I'm a Royal fan, DH and I just reached Diamond and are looking forward to the perks that come with it but come on!! If we were in that tax bracket where we could actually afford that price for a week's vacation, we wouldn't be spending it on a mass market cruise line. We'd be renting a place on a private island and chartering a yacht for a week. Even a category v4 interior cabin is going for over $10,600.00. That's just silly to me. I realize this year because she's new, people will pay top dollar for a chance to be on her, but once the novelty wears off does Royal actually believe there's that much of a client base with pockets deep enough to afford those prices? No shade on anyone who's financially blessed enough to be able to do this, if you have it, spend it right, more power to you, but it just seems too outrageous for me. What do you all think. Am I in the minority or majority?

Thanks for the info. I always thought it was like any other port stop with excursions on the island. Good to know it's more of a Coco Cay type day.

Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to try that.

Hi Everyone, I originally planned on posting my question in the ports section but Labadee isn't even listed so I thought I'd try my luck here. Are there no excursions available for Labadee at all? No matter what search venue I use, or what time of year I try it's coming up as none found? If none are offered what would you do all day while docked/tendered? Any insight appreciated. TIA

"that is correct. I had my pass scanned by the woman standing at the rope area and then went directly to the sitting down area. No pictures or talking to anyone at the big long desk area.

The gate agent scanned my seapass card and I was on my way. That's pretty much all the express pass did for me. So, basically not a huge time saver.

So, several other people on the FB page for this sailing have also been changed to the express lane. My guess,, Royal must be trying out something new to see if it helps with the anticipated congestion thats going to happen when Icon begins her passenger sailings.

Yes, its that shade of purple

Hi all. Sailing on Freedom tomorrow. Just did my health questionnaire like I'm supposed to. I'm Emerald so my set sail pass was green. After completing the questionnaire, my ssp turned to purple and says I now have Express Boarding. Follow the signs at the port for Express. Never happened before. Ill take it for sure but am curious if its just a random thing or maybe something else?. I think I read Icon is supposed to be in port with us, maybe Royal is trying something new to get as many folks on board Freedom as possible??

I assume its 24 hours straight from the time you first log in as opposed it being broken up into 'blocks' of time. eg: 5 hrs, then another 7 later on, etc.

Hi all, Husband and I will be diamond after this upcoming sailing. The benefits for internet say 1 free day for 1 device only. Does that mean 1 device per cabin for 2 people or 1 device per person for 2 people? TIA P.

We are not going on the cruise. DH has casually tried to point his buddy in the right direction and/or ask him questions to get him thinking about things but so far it isn't working. We're taking more of a stand back approach at this point. DH hasn't been asked for his advice/opinion and isn't going to force it on anybody.

I asked DH if his buddy has gone into the personalizer and checked all his info. He doesn't know if he has. He's torn between jumping in and getting involved and staying out of things because his friend hasn't asked for his input/advice. There are 2 other couples going and one would think everyone would be talking with each other to make sure things are moving along. etc, dinner or shores excursions and such. I guess time will tell. I will be sure to come back here and let you all know what happens.

As far as the payment plan I can understand that, but what cruise line as ever said you only need to pay 80% before the trip and then the rest when its over?? That's what baffles me