New "crown lounge" rule

[island lady]

6 minutes ago, doghog said:

Sounds all inclusive. Is the daily gratuity also included? 

 

No...does not go that far.   I think they still realize tipping is optional.   

[doghog]

5 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Sorry my friend...I did not.   Actually we have so many other cruises booked now with other lines (mostly Viking)...I guess I just gave it up.  

I wish you would, especially after being a Loyal Royal for 20 + years. But understand your decision. 

[Starry Eyes]

11 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

LOL...they do promote what "they are not" indeed.   No children, no casino, no belly flop mentality, no art auctions, no "nickle and dime" sales promos, no umbrella drinks, no charge for specialty restaurants (including Chef's table) no charge for WIFI.   Of course you pay a bit extra up front..but wow....nice to relax again. 😉   Oh...and the laundry service...OMG!  Best I have ever seen.  

“A bit extra upfront”

Do you mean a bit extra upfront compared to Royal’s current full suite prices?  If do, that would be a lot more upfront to those accustomed to Royal’s cheapest cabins.

[Rackham]

25 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

“A bit extra upfront”

Do you mean a bit extra upfront compared to Royal’s current full suite prices?  If do, that would be a lot more upfront to those accustomed to Royal’s cheapest cabins.

 

Yeah. This comparison never made much sense to me since the products are at completely different price points.

 

For comparison. Two itineraries with similar ports of call from the same port of embarkation and debarkation:

 

Royal Caribbean, 8-night Southern Caribbean ($681-$1743 pp; starting at ~$85/day/pp, port fees and taxes are extra): https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/itinerary/8-night-southern-caribbean-from-san-juan-on-rhapsody/RH08SJU-4064789089?sail-date=2025-04-13¤cy=USD&country=USA#step=0 

 

Viking, 11 Day West Indies Explorer ($3,599-$12,999 pp; starting at ~$327/day/pp, port fees and taxes are included):  https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/caribbean-americas/west-indies-explorer/index.html

 

Viking isn't "nickel and diming" because it's already covered in their cruise fare. 

[c-leg5]

1 hour ago, PompeySailor said:

Deck 5 is MTD

Deck 4 is traditional 

As far as I am aware 

 

For clarity, photo was taken on Deck 4 and other photo from App was for Deck 4 - so as not to confuse 😉

I saw the photo that was why i asked. I wondered if it was a hangover. 
 

MTD was so much better when they had dedicated servers and tables.

Edited October 22, 2023 by c-leg5

[island lady]

Have either of you ever heard of the saying "there is no such thing as a free lunch"?    You are going to get what you pay for.  (Though I think RCI is taking it to the max to pay for the mega ships now).  

 

Case in point:  I am leaving on Wonder a week from now in a GS cabin for a B2B.  Paid 7 Grand for first week over a year ago, and just shy of 8 K for the second week. 

 

Was thinking of booking for same cabin, same time next year.  Now that same cabin is 11K to 12K.  Umm..no thanks.   

 

Sure Viking is more expensive, but I like the more relaxing atmosphere.  But then again...ARE they more expensive now.  ? 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 22, 2023 by island lady

[island lady]

15 minutes ago, Rackham said:

 

Yeah. This comparison never made much sense to me since the products are at completely different price points.

 

For comparison. Two itineraries with similar ports of call from the same port of embarkation and debarkation:

 

Royal Caribbean, 8-night Southern Caribbean ($681-$1743 pp; starting at ~$85/day/pp, port fees and taxes are extra): https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/itinerary/8-night-southern-caribbean-from-san-juan-on-rhapsody/RH08SJU-4064789089?sail-date=2025-04-13¤cy=USD&country=USA#step=0 

 

Viking, 11 Day West Indies Explorer ($3,599-$12,999 pp; starting at ~$327/day/pp, port fees and taxes are included):  https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/caribbean-americas/west-indies-explorer/index.html

 

Viking isn't "nickel and diming" because it's already covered in their cruise fare. 

 

You do realize you are comparing an 8 night versus an 11 night right?  And tired old RCI Rhapsody?  Wow.  Add in the extras you would have to pay for compared to the "included" on Viking.  

 

The point is...If I want to save money...I will stay home.  If I want to really enjoy a relaxing ship with no worries about the nickel and diming game...

 

So...McDonalds for dinner as a fancy night out?  😄   

[Starry Eyes]

2 hours ago, island lady said:

Have either of you ever heard of the saying "there is no such thing as a free lunch"?    You are going to get what you pay for.  (Though I think RCI is taking it to the max to pay for the mega ships now).  

 

Case in point:  I am leaving on Wonder a week from now in a GS cabin for a B2B.  Paid 7 Grand for first week over a year ago, and just shy of 8 K for the second week. 

 

Was thinking of booking for same cabin, same time next year.  Now that same cabin is 11K to 12K.  Umm..no thanks.   

 

Sure Viking is more expensive, but I like the more relaxing atmosphere.  But then again...ARE they more expensive now.  ? 

 

 

 

 

 

Relax.  I merely asked your point of comparison when you said Viking cost a bit more up front.   Clearly you were comparing Viking to your GS on Royal Caribbean.  Obviously the vast majority of Royal Caribbean’s passengers sail in lesser accommodations, so they perceive a greater price gap between the two companies.  For most of us, Viking is more expensive now.  And it is a different style that suits some people better than others right now.  I’m glad you are enjoying it.

 

[nelblu]

13 hours ago, island lady said:

 

LOL...they do promote what "they are not" indeed.   No children, no casino, no belly flop mentality, no art auctions, no "nickle and dime" sales promos, no umbrella drinks, no charge for specialty restaurants (including Chef's table) no charge for WIFI.   Of course you pay a bit extra up front..but wow....nice to relax again. 😉   Oh...and the laundry service...OMG!  Best I have ever seen.  

So, I'm assuming you are ready to move on from Royal with such dissatisfactions.😜

[vacationlover_mn]

On 10/15/2023 at 2:44 PM, h20skibum said:

I don't think I have been in the D (excuse me, the Crown) Lounge for anything except a morning latte, since they went to the voucher system. 

 

Those deck 4 lounges do not hold the same appeal as those larger venues with a view.

Just curious- is the Diamond lounge open for latte’s super early, like the suite lounge?  Like 4/5am?

[Ocean Boy]

25 minutes ago, vacationlover_mn said:

Just curious- is the Diamond lounge open for latte’s super early, like the suite lounge?  Like 4/5am?

It varies by ship. For example, on Odyssey the machine was always available. On Allure it was roped off until 7AM. Even though it was set up they would not let you near it until 7.

[island lady]

1 hour ago, nelblu said:

So, I'm assuming you are ready to move on from Royal with such dissatisfactions.😜

 

Yes, I am.  Just take a look at my signature of booked cruises...it used to be all 100% RCI for the last 20 years.  What do you see now.  😉  

[Tulsacoker]

On 10/15/2023 at 10:36 AM, OCSC Mike said:

 

I do, lol. As long as they don't take away my morning cappuccinos, I can live without the snacks until I'm D+.

 

This seems to be from an Oasis/Quantum class ship since it references Deck 4. Guess I'll find out if Allure has implemented it in 10 days.

Was not restricted to D+ on Allure during those times... 

[OCSC Mike]

4 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

Was not restricted to D+ on Allure during those times... 

 

It seems to vary by sailing based on top tier numbers... maybe. Not sure we fully know yet.

 

I'll find out soon enough.

[nelblu]

38 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Yes, I am.  Just take a look at my signature of booked cruises...it used to be all 100% RCI for the last 20 years.  What do you see now.  😉  

Does that mean that you will be missing from this board and active on the Viking board with the rest of the elites.😉

[island lady]

5 minutes ago, nelblu said:

Does that mean that you will be missing from this board and active on the Viking board with the rest of the elites.😉

 

LOL...I still have previously booked cruises with RCI to take yet.  I always book pretty far in advance.  But I am indeed spending a lot more time on the Viking boards now.  😉 

 

Not to mention I have prepaid ($$) already for the first and last quarter of the world cruise on Serenade.  Guess I will be on RCI boards a bit longer.  😄 

[Tulsacoker]

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

It varies by ship. For example, on Odyssey the machine was always available. On Allure it was roped off until 7AM. Even though it was set up they would not let you near it until 7.

interesting.... we went to the machine around 6:30 am and got our Latte's ... particularly since the Suite Machine was down most of the cruise 

[Tulsacoker]

35 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

It seems to vary by sailing based on top tier numbers... maybe. Not sure we fully know yet.

 

I'll find out soon enough.

could be ... there were only 40 P's and 300 ish D+ on our October 15th cruise 

[Ocean Boy]

2 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

interesting.... we went to the machine around 6:30 am and got our Latte's ... particularly since the Suite Machine was down most of the cruise 

It could also depend on who is running the lounge on any particular week I guess.

[Tulsacoker]

12 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

LOL...I still have previously booked cruises with RCI to take yet.  I always book pretty far in advance.  But I am indeed spending a lot more time on the Viking boards now.  😉 

 

Not to mention I have prepaid ($$) already for the first and last quarter of the world cruise on Serenade.  Guess I will be on RCI boards a bit longer.  😄 

This was the first cruise my wife and I have taken that we didn't visit the Next cruise... going on celebrity in April and now going to try Viking in 25'  

[island lady]

1 minute ago, Tulsacoker said:

This was the first cruise my wife and I have taken that we didn't visit the Next cruise... going on celebrity in April and now going to try Viking in 25'  

 

Me too.  Finally trying Celebrity end of next year, and have 4 longer Viking cruises booked in 2025.  Waiting for their Asia bookings to come out for 2026.  Plus have odd ball American Cruise line for B2B doing the Columbia and Snake rivers for next year.  

[Tulsacoker]

2 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

It could also depend on who is running the lounge on any particular week I guess.

You are right.. the guy was setting up the breakfast pastries very early also.

[OCSC Mike]

2 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

could be ... there were only 40 P's and 300 ish D+ on our October 15th cruise 

 

There are Pinnacles in my roll call saying they heard there are supposed to be 41 on my cruise so maybe that bodes well. Who knows?

 

They're using some super secret Pinnacle math formula to figure out if they'll have CK/SL access. That's above my pay grade. I just like having some snacks in the CL before dinner, lol.

 

I'm not even sure what's considered a low or high number at this point. In the summer, when we normally cruise b/c my wife is a teacher, there were single digit Pinnacles and < 500 total D, D+, P... for multiple Wonder sailings (including ours in June).

[Starry Eyes]

26 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Yes, I am.  Just take a look at my signature of booked cruises...it used to be all 100% RCI for the last 20 years.  What do you see now.  😉  

OK I looked at your signature.  I note a substantial increase in the number of Royal Caribbean cruises per year (roughly 4-6 per year in 2011-2019; about 10-13 per year in 2022-2023).  

[Tulsacoker]

2 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

 

There are Pinnacles in my roll call saying they heard there are supposed to be 41 on my cruise so maybe that bodes well. Who knows?

I thought ours was small.... might have something to do with everyone having to disembark....so no B2B as it makes it way to PC