Ocean Cay--what's included?

[1kaper]

1 hour ago, hiccups said:

She's entitled to her opinion, and I appreciate her sharing it with us--she prefers Celebrity, but says if we want MSC, Yacht Club is the way to go.

I look up the cruises we're interested in, get a price online and then check with her to see what she can offer in terms of price and OBC or other amenities.  I don't just book blindly on her word.

 

Can travel agents get better deals?

[psmarkle]

1 hour ago, 1kaper said:

 

Can travel agents get better deals?

I am searching for a travel agent that can beat the 10% onboard credit of a certain "big box" travel agency we've successfully used before. That 10% obc pays our gratuities + some casino $$ 🙂 Met an agent on Royal last year who led me to believe their "big agency" could match or beat any offer we found, but, alas, she ended coming back with only $100 obc and she said she was thrilled her agency "gave that much to us!"  I had been clear from the beginning I was looking for better than 10% obc, so we ended up cancelling her hold on the cabin we want and will be calling the "online big box" agency tomorrow to book thru the Casino Dept + get our 10% obc. 

 

If y'all know of an agent that can top 10% obc, pls dm me as we are in the market for an agent.

[rkacruiser]

4 hours ago, hiccups said:

I wondered if anyone has YC cabin recommendations on Meraviglia?  We're looking at the regular deluxe suites.  Thanks!

 

That is what I booked on Deck 15, Starboard side.  No complaints about location or the suite.  (It did take me several days before I found where the in-room safe was hidden.)  

 

19 hours ago, no1talks said:

Access to the Aurea "Thermal Suite" is included, should a YCer wish to stroll over to the spa. (We didn't go. Hopefully next time.)

 

I took the tour and was impressed, but, I did not use it nor use the spa services.

 

19 hours ago, no1talks said:

The maître d' respectfully declined, but we were surprised when every one of our dinners began with an amuse-bouche and included a shrimp cocktail course.

 

It seems to me that the Maitre d' tried to fulfill your request as well as it is possible during the 21st Century.  The days of "fine dining" that used to exist on the Cunard Queens in First Class and in their Verandah Grills are unlikely to return.

I remember domestic First Class dining service on our airlines in the 1970's.  Course by course, a trolley was used to serve the passenger from the trolley, the entree (if needed to be carved) would be carved as you watched.  On a United flight from LAX to ORD, a Leg of Lamb was one of the items.  The last serving was at the end of the roast.  The Flight Attendant wanted to return to the Galley and get a new piece.  (I declined and was very satisfied with what I was served.)  

 

19 hours ago, no1talks said:

I suppose, for example, if one's YC cabin had a bathtub, one would be rebuffed upon asking the butler to draw a bath. (As I understand it, this is a task one cruise line in particular offers, keeping scented oils and bath beads on hand.)

 

If offered, that would be an amenity in which I would have no interest.  

[rkacruiser]

5 hours ago, hiccups said:

I wondered if anyone has YC cabin recommendations on Meraviglia?  We're looking at the regular deluxe suites.  Thanks!

 

That is what I booked on Deck 15, Starboard side.  No complaints about location or the suite.  (It did take me several days before I found where the in-room safe was hidden.)  

 

19 hours ago, no1talks said:

Access to the Aurea "Thermal Suite" is included, should a YCer wish to stroll over to the spa. (We didn't go. Hopefully next time.)

 

I took the tour and was impressed, but, I did not use it nor use the spa services.

 

19 hours ago, no1talks said:

The maître d' respectfully declined, but we were surprised when every one of our dinners began with an amuse-bouche and included a shrimp cocktail course.

 

It seems to me that the Maitre d' tried to fulfill your request as well as it is possible during the 21st Century.  The days of "fine dining" that used to exist on the Cunard Queens in First Class and in their Verandah Grills are unlikely to return.

I remember domestic First Class dining service on our airlines in the 1970's.  Course by course, a trolley was used to serve the passenger from the trolley, the entree (if needed to be carved) would be carved as you watched.  On a United flight from LAX to ORD, a Leg of Lamb was one of the items.  The last serving was at the end of the roast.  The Flight Attendant wanted to return to the Galley and get a new piece.  (I declined and was very satisfied with what I was served.)  

 

19 hours ago, no1talks said:

I suppose, for example, if one's YC cabin had a bathtub, one would be rebuffed upon asking the butler to draw a bath. (As I understand it, this is a task one cruise line in particular offers, keeping scented oils and bath beads on hand.)

 

If offered, that would be an amenity in which I would have no interest.  

[no1talks]

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

(It did take me several days before I found where the in-room safe was hidden.)

Those are, in actuality, the safest kind of safes.

 

Stay safe, my friends.

[hiccups]

5 hours ago, 1kaper said:

 

Can travel agents get better deals?

On some cruise lines, TAs can book a block of rooms and get a discounted rate that they pass along to their clients.  I've booked a couple that way.  Even if the TA doesn't offer a rate lower than what I can get booking directly, though, we still use a TA for the OBC.  Usually we don't use the OBC and then it's refunded to our credit card.

[Homosassa]

On 5/29/2022 at 11:50 PM, no1talks said:

@rkacruiserwe availed ourselves of all these amenities as well. (So much dropped-off chocolate!) I should add, however, only one of the tea services was the posh, loose-leaf preparation. Also worth mentioning to others: Access to the Aurea "Thermal Suite" is included, should a YCer wish to stroll over to the spa. (We didn't go. Hopefully next time.)

We were denied one request, however. on embarkation day, I asked the maître d' if we might have the YC chef prepare and old-school multicourse dinner for my wife and I on the actual formal night. (I say "actual" because every night is formal night for me. 😊) It would have been Chef's choice for individual small courses; I just requested number and type. The maître d' respectfully declined, but we were surprised when every one of our dinners began with an amuse-bouche and included a shrimp cocktail course.

So, clearly there are limits to what accommodations can be made for YC guests. I suppose, for example, if one's YC cabin had a bathtub, one would be rebuffed upon asking the butler to draw a bath. (As I understand it, this is a task one cruise line in particular offers, keeping scented oils and bath beads on hand.)

I really do suspect the added expense of other lines' ship-within-a-ship experiences would be examples of the law of diminishing returns. Pay increased fares of 40%, 70%, even more, but do not receive a commensurate ROI.

There's no need to look elsewhere anytime soon.

Your posts are the best satire I have read in a while.  

 

At least I hope they are satire....

[no1talks]

6 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

Your posts are the best satire I have read in a while.  

 

At least I hope they are satire....

If I were on a butler-equipped cruise and having a bath drawn was an option, I'd only accept if I could smoke a cigar. Then, the bubble bath becomes muy macho.

 

[dexddd]

21 hours ago, hiccups said:

Not related to Ocean Cay, but rather than making another post, I wondered if anyone has YC cabin recommendations on Meraviglia?  We're looking at the regular deluxe suites.  Thanks!

Generally starboard side as that is how ship docks at OC.

[rkacruiser]

6 hours ago, dexddd said:

Generally starboard side as that is how ship docks at OC.

 

That's where my suite was and I was glad that it was.  

[phissy]

On 5/31/2022 at 9:33 AM, dexddd said:

Generally starboard side as that is how ship docks at OC.

🤫 Shhhh!  We are still trying to keep this a  “secret”. 😉

[dexddd]

8 hours ago, phissy said:

🤫 Shhhh!  We are still trying to keep this a  “secret”. 😉

Whoops.  Then I meant book port side.