pinkrosesdeb

We love the Freedom but know cruising is very hit or miss. We are diamond plus so obviously we are pretty loyal. However, we have had several cruises that were definitely not a “WOW”. Food is definitely declining across the board and I feel it’s the way they “herd” us to alternatives. Having said all that, we are booked on Harmony in April because I have heard almost exacting reports from most other comparable lines. We still love the ships and are comfortable on them so we pick and choose how to enhance our own trips. Sad but true, cruising is NOT what it used to be but dollar for dollar we still find it to be a good value for time away to relax. Start reading other cruise line boards and see if you can find a better fit. People are always willing to help, happy sailing and I hope you find your “home”

I think prices are less in September because it is the height of hurricane season. Sometimes you just need to be flexible if weather does become an issue. Congratulations on the great price

There is also a water package that I think can be booked instead.

Thanks so much. I have learned that answers on here are more reliable than speaking to the cruise line

We are in a crown loft for the first time in April. For previous suite guests, would you suggest using coastal kitchen or dining package more? Also, does the 4 night pkg include any of the restaurants at lunch?

We are diamond plus and always buy the package. We got a bogo on this cruise so it worked out very well. I am not a huge drinker but on vacation a Bloody Mary at breakfast is a treat. During our hours by the pool, it is fun to try new things. I don’t end up denying myself some fun because I am trying to “pinch pennies” like we do the majority of the time at home. We agree that we are just going to give ourselves that time to splurge a little and enjoy every minute....and we are 67 & 70! Life is too short!! 🍹😎🎉

They were pretty clear with us on Brilliance that if we are using Diamond plus bogo that we should ONLY do it once onboard! Both ways I did it beforehand caused seemingly endless problems for them, finally gave up on trying to fix it on Brilliance so they got an extra $35 from us, never again!

Our problem was no matter how we pulled the shower curtain the water was still able to go under it and all over the floor. Had to put bathmat and another towel at outside edge

We had a great time on our 1/11 cruise. The crew for the most part were so much fun! They were not great at fixing a billing issue, talked to 5 different people and it never got fixed, did not take any more time out of our vacation trying. Vacation just needs to be fun and life is too short!

If they are not big drinkers then pay as they go could work. Have you considered adding some obc to their account or a gift card so they can choose?

When you board go see the maitre’d and ask for help. If your parents are already assigned a table they should be able to accommodate your request. Also, on a more positive note there is already a chance that you are assigned to the same table and it just isn’t showing in your reservation. We had a similar incident and it was fixed right away. Enjoy your cruise

Royal always has the friends of Bill W meetings onboard so it’s a little puzzling not to understand the alcoholic dynamic. My husband would love to “have” to buy it🙄

Seriously though he hasn’t had alcohol in 43 years!

8 days til Brilliance

:)Maybe you missed the double post

Kids under 18 in the household achieve same status as parents.

Kids under 18 in the household achieve same status as parents.

I always like to have everything paid for pre cruise too but RCI doesn’t seem to want diamond plus to do that with our discount

One cruiser,thanks for the info. I guess we will see what happens with my daughter. We did a short cruise on Brilliance so she would get her block on Harmony because as I stated at the top I of thread I was confused on the qualifiers. Now, I hope they don’t give her hers on Brilliance. I have never been really concerned about the gifts everything is so appreciated AND I get to cruise 🍹🎉

I guess this could be “good” news for me since I am trying to lose weight for a reunion! Might keep me from overeating. I do hate the shower curtains though this is our first cruise on BR not in a suite

Ours was left on our bed and was a pleasant surprise but would have been fun at the top tier! We are actually at 265 points right now and only have 1 block. I really didn’t even realize how it worked until now.

Your two posts are contradictory.

Where do you see a contradiction? We got our block on Allure and assumed it was for diamond plus because that was our first cruise at that level AND our first block. We were at 179 points. We are now at 236 points and nothing since then!

So what is the gift for diamond plus because we never got anything else

We got a crystal block of Allure when we hit diamond plus and are now at 236 and that is our only block

Do you get your block on the cruise you make Diamond Plus or on the following cruise? I honestly cannot remember. We will be on Harmony when she hits it and she really wants that block.

We received our first block when we made diamond plus and nothing since then