leisuretraveler223

You saved $2,600, or 44%? "97.3% of everything you read on the internet is made up" - Abraham Lincoln

They are basically operating as a crappy third party travel agent by booking flights. The potential minor savings is far outweighed by the limited options and inflexible itineraries. Just book your own flights and don't be hassled.

Hey, I love cruising too! But make no mistake, cruises are a really impressive and highly sophisticated system primarily focused on making money (shocker!). And literally everything, from the theme of events to the timing of comedy shows is all based on maximizing revenue. So, why isn't the Windjammer opened late? Say it with me: It won't make them more money!😆

Booking through Royal for flights is never a good move.

This adds a lot. You're right. Since you don't ever eat after dinner, maybe no one else should either.😎

Cruises are nothing but a highly sophisticated calculation of how to extract the most money out of the most people. The cruise lines have made billions of dollars by perfecting this calculus. If there was a profitable reason for it, the Windjammer would be open every night from 2am to 3am with midget strippers serving haggis and baby reindeer skewers. If it doesn't generate a further profit, they're not going to do it. And it takes a lot of hubris to believe you're just going to "think" of something their entire department of money extractors working full time year round haven't already thoroughly vetted.

I get that totally. But to think the venue sold out five nights (I believe they usually do two shows a night) in that short a time is something I've never seen before.

On an upcoming sailing of Symphony of The Seas. Waiting for show reservations to open up. I checked at 10pm on night and they still weren't open. Checked at 11 the next morning and they were open- and the comedy club was sold out. All five nights. I have to assume they are limiting the pre-booking and more reservations will become available later. I know it's a high demand show, but really???

Sailing on Symphony. Is there somewhere online to book Coastal Kitchen, or do I just have to wait until we board?

Any recent experience with only getting the beverage package for on guest in a stateroom? We have a drinker and a non-drinker sailing together. I know it says that both guests must purchase, but I'm wondering if anyone has had any varied experiences? Is it even worth calling and trying? Or is it always a hard no on exceptions?

Thank you!!!!

Yes, I'm aware. I was asking to see where it was likely to be to see if it was worth bringing the cigars. Waiting until I'm on board is a bit late.

Any suggestions? The beverage package for an upcoming trip had a price drop, so I canceled it and then went to rebook it. I click reserve and then it won't let me select our names as it still says "reserved" and under our names "limited to once per cruise". How long does it take to process and realize I no longer have it????

Thanks, sort of. I guess what I meant was does anyone know specifically where on Summit they allow cigar smoking? I have been on some ships where the only space was on a top deck so wind exposed that it wasn't worth it.

Long tome cruiser, but haven't been on Celebrity in probably 4 or 5 years. Doins Summit in Alaska next summer. Is cigar smoking permitted anywhere on the ship now?

I use a password manager app and extension with exceptionally secure passwords. That does autofill it. But nonsensically, every few weeks, it rejects my current unchanged password.

No trouble signing in right now. But about once every two weeks, it tells me my password is wrong. I use the forgot password link, answer the questions, then use the SAME password and it's all set. Two weeks later, it tells me the password is incorrect again. Their website is basically garbage.

Absolutely not. I am calling you out for your unnecessary judgmental nonsense. Your contribution served no purpose other than to make yourself somehow feel better. Really, there is absolutely no reason to lecture someone on how they choose to parent. Assuming you have actual insight just demonstrates your ignorance.

Really, just curb your parental judgement already. I find people that need to offer this sort of unsolicited commentary here are generally just overcompensating for the misery and failure in their own life.

I currently have three cruises booked: One Royal, one Celebrity and one NCL. All three booked through the same independent travel agent. I have OBC on all three from Amex.

It's not all BS. But stop kidding yourself. Royal is not losing money on comp cruises for gamblers. Might you get lucky and come out ahead for a period of time? Sure! That's what lures everyone to gambling. This is no different than a casino in Vegas. If you think that gamblers are "beating the house" on a regular or consistent basis, you're just plain wrong.

This. This is the winning statement. I like to gamble too. But there are far too many people that actually think they can do it and get a "deal". Enjoy!

They will sell you the beverage package at the suite bar. They'll sell it at any bar. They'll sell it in the MDR, at the pool, in the men's room, at your muster station. They are whoring that package out with complete desperation 24/7. You could be saying goodbye to grandma in the infirmary at 3am and there will be someone there willing to sell you the drink package.

There are a lot of people (like the OP) who will happily regale people with stories about all the things they've gained by gambling. They are gamblers. They don't talk about their losses. No one ever consistently "wins" either at the gambling or by gaining the comps. When people claim they do, they are lying. You are always better off paying for what you want than getting it as a comp. If you want to gamble and you don't mind losing, then it's cool. And yeah, you get some comps thrown your way, and occasionally you win. It's fun! Hell, I've been doing it in Vegas for 20 years. But I'm at least honest enough to admit I'm not actually ahead as a result. I would have been better off not gambling and just paying for anything I got. But it was fun. Anyone who tries to tell you otherwise is lying. And planning to "break even" with your play is BS.

Sailing on Symphony in February and just trying to remember the timing. When do they tend to open the entertainment for booking?