barbeyg

I know you are absolutely correct, @chengkp75. I would just miss the quick and easy muster that it is now. I’m one of those who like being able to get the important tasks done early, but will adapt when/if required. I would especially miss the Cruise Director announcements getting snarkier and snarkier (as the afternoon passes) with the dimwits that don’t show for the easy peasy e-muster. 🙄 j/k

When the releases come out, they typically are released same day.

I see you moved from NJ. Welcome to TN, one of the friendliest places we've ever lived. We live over near the Smokies, have been here for 17 years now. Can't imagine living anywhere else now. 🙂 We are excitedly awaiting the TAs, this will be our first post early-retirement cruise.

I don't. But unless RCI is scheduling a drydock for any of those ships prior to the Europe schedule (that precludes a TA), there has to be a TA to have European cruises.🙂

Well, I guess no surprises on the TAs and the European cruises. That said, we are probably going to do the TA on RCI, and consider other lines for the European cruise to follow the TA. Thanks to all for stalking the website for info! 😀

Newport is a very cool town to visit. We spent 2 days there as we travelled through NE by car, and will return there.

Sorry to hear that. It’s a nice place for a day visit, but there are other beautiful places in NE. Time to venture to other areas. 🙂

Yes, you can change restaurants when you board. You can either go by one of the restaurants and book most, if not all, when you board. You can also use the app, but your mileage may vary. I find there is more flexibility going to one of the restaurants and booking all with one of them rather than using the app. They will have people standing by to take reservations. If reservations are available, you can visit Wonderland more than once. I suggest having a list ready, and be flexible about which nights. They will do their best to accommodate all, and if you can be a bit flexible with times, you should be satisfied. The UDP is a bargain price, and doesn’t allow booking in advance, because of the price we pay for that in comparison to someone who pays full price for reservations in advance.

Except for Icon. They have to pay that one off. 😁

Just went to look and some spring 2024 is already there for some ships. I see transpacific and lots of others in April. Guess these were already there?

I think this is their way of telling us no one proofed the flyer. 🤣

Hmmm. Here’s hoping the spring TA comes out with Europe! Sure hope they have ice breakers for those “winter” AK cruises! 😂

We are waiting for 2024 TAs. So looking forward to booking our first post-retirement cruise! ☺️

I worried about that before our first Oasis class cruise. I was wrong to worry. I loved the variety of the ships, and the Oasis class has never felt crowded for us.

A build thread. Hopefully, the booking thread will migrate elsewhere now that the initial excitement has passed, so everyone can all enjoy the build here. ☺️

You can either buy OBC, or book a fully refundable cruise with the $1k, then transfer reservation/deposit to the one you want later. Do not get a refund whatever you do. AMEX will claw back the points. They aren’t lenient like some other CC companies. My points for this offer posted within 48 hours. 🙂

I had to laugh out loud at that comment. When I saw these rules, I told hubby that prob 25-30% of the cruisers will do that. 😂 And before anyone gets bent, we wouldn’t do that if taking a longer cruise. But the truth of what will be done by some gave me a chuckle.

Yeah, I’m not happy about the spend needed on the Platinum either to bring a guest into the Centurion starting next year. Like you, that’s my splurge card, and I love the bennies, but it doesn’t offer the points I want, except for flights. I told Ken I would get him an AU card when I’m offered 20k or 30k points to add him. 😂 He didn’t think that was funny for some reason.

I could have written your post for the most part, other than I pay the cruise off the day before due date, just in case something comes up that distracts me. And like you, I want to make money off my spending. 👍🏼

My bonus points have already posted. 🙂

My Gold card had it, but my travel card (Platinum) did not. Sometimes no reasoning to who or which card gets the offer. What is funny is that on my drive to work today I was thinking that I had seen offers for Carnival, HAL, and NCL, and how nice it would be to see an offer for RCI or Celebrity. 😂 I was stoked. Check for a couple of days, Greg. Sometimes mine show up a day after others. Crossing my fingers for you. I prefer the points offers because this accountant can squeeze a point and usually find airfare that is 2-3 cents value per point (takes a lot of searching, but worth it!), so for me, this is like $500-$750 value. Love my points!

Dynamic pricing at it's finest. Glad you got your booking in first! 😄

This. 😀

Just came here to post this! Love the offer!! Going to pay on my next cruise now. 😀

Great review as always, John. Thanks a bunch! Helped get me thru some 12 hour workdays, living vicariously through y'alls trip. 😀