tinkertwo

26 minutes ago, actuarian said:

They cut back on perks because, if they raise prices too much, they will be undersold by the competition.  Therefore, whenever costs go up, perks seem to get cut. 

 

The one mainstream cruise-line that never seems to cut perks is Disney; they just let their  prices go up and up and up, because they seem to be able to fill their ships no matter how much they charge.  When my wife and I first started cruising in 2003, Disney cruises cost about 20% more than comparable rooms on comparable Royal Caribbean cruises.   Now, Disney cruises cost at least twice as much as comparable rooms on comparable Royal Caribbean cruises. 

 

But on Disney, there are still complementary first run movies all the time in a real movie theater AND in the staterooms, a late buffet at least one night per cruise and late night snacks on the other nights, chocolates on every pillow every night, hard copy documents sent out by mail with stick-on luggage tags, etc.  Those are the perks that the other mainstream cruise lines all offered 15 years ago. Moreover, the food in Disney's MDR and their buffet is actually better than it was 15 years ago while, on Royal Caribbean, you have to go to a specialty restaurant or be admitted to Coastal Kitchen in order to get food as good as the food was in the MDR 15 years ago.   

 

My wife and my last cruise was a 4-night cruise in a balcony room on Disney.  Our next (in 11 days) cruise will be a 5-night cruise in a Grand Suite on Royal Caribbean.  We paid less for our next cruise than for our last cruise.  You get what you pay for. 

I'm going to have to disagree with this, they have cut lots of perks.  One I can think of off the top of my head is they no longer allow you to bring on liquor and limit wine to 2 bottles.  They used to allow anything but that got cut.  They used to allow you to drop items off at guest services for signatures, that is gone.  There are definitely perks that have gone by the way over the years.  They cut out the booklet they used to send out, its now just a piece of cardboard with a bit of information on it.  They do still send out luggage tags....for now.  

As for the late night buffet, are you meaning the pirate buffet?  Not exactly extensive and very crowded.  I have not seen any other late night buffets since they did away with the chocolate dessert party.....another perk they got rid of.  Late night snacks are three or four hot buffet trays with a few finger foods and only in the bar district.  I have found much better late night snacks on the RCCL cruises I have taken and much more in variety.  They do still offer free room service though......again, for now.  

We to enjoy DCL, in fact we will be on the Fantasy in a few weeks, however I don't see they are doing any better in the perks department.  And your right, their prices are insane.  We can cruise for two weeks on RCCL for what we pay for one on DCL.  One of the reasons most of our cruises are now RCCL.  You don't get a whole lot more for the cost with DCL IMO, but that's another thread.  

ETA-I have never experienced a first run movie playing in our stateroom.  

3 minutes ago, CruiseLand said:

you get better response than me. I got nothing from them just $50 that they original offer.

What response did you get?  I'm wondering if your wording was the same as my original response.

I sent a PM through their FB page and let them know how I felt.  The response I got back was less than stellar.  They used my name but everything else about the response was canned, it was obvious they just pasted on what they were telling everyone.  There was nothing personal about it and it was clear they didn't bother to read what I had written.  I thanked them for replying but said that it was plain they hadn't taken the time to read my message and I felt unimportant to RCL, that their response was a sad try.  They responded to this with an apology and an offer for an extra $50, which I excepted.  

If anyone does go through FB messaging I would be interested to see what your response is, wondering if it will be the same as mine.  

1 minute ago, Thorben-Hendrik said:

Staff is part of the corporation - RCI guarantees the payment to the staff - if people remove - they will have to make it up! 👍😎

Well that's not true.

As for getting the $50 credit, here's what my email states.

Beginning January 2020, we've discontinued our DINE - DRINK - DISCOVER program. Instead, we'll add a $50 Onboard Credit to your booking by Friday, September 20th, 2019, to help make up for the discontinuation of this program. Your Onboard Credit is per stateroom and can only be used on your Central Park Balcony stateroom.

2 minutes ago, P.A. said:

 

 

I called customer relations and spoke with them and they said they would give me $50 more but that doesn't even cover one drink pkg let alone two, plus the Johnny Rockets!! I have already sent off an email to corporate so we'll see what response I get.

What number did you call?  

Does anyone know if they have Wifi right at the port in Costa Maya?  Looking to figure out where I can connect while there.  

TIA

1 minute ago, bouhunter said:

There is a BIG difference between smell and smoke...….

I don't think I argued that did I?  All I'm saying is the smell will still be there.  Didn't say anything about there NOT being a difference.  

For anyone else reading my comment, all I'm saying is the smell will still be there till it is renovated.  I'm not saying it shouldn't be banned or its bad it's being banned or any of the other things you think I might be saying.  Just that it will still smell.  Am I wrong????

3 minutes ago, HicksRA said:

There may still be some stench but there won’t be smoke to breathe. 

No argument here.  

You can ban smoking in the casinos but it is still going to permeate from every pour of the place until they replace everything.  It is in the carpets, in the very chairs you sit on.  Heck, its in the slots.  Your still going to get the same smell, for sure not as heavy, but still there.  

How much is bottled water if you want a case?  How many in the case?

47 minutes ago, Iamcruzin said:

No Hatter on Anthem.

That's to bad, he was amazing.  They should all have one.  Having said that, ours was the original, right into the roll and so much fun to interact with.   I recently saw a video of another one and he didn't look quite as good but I only saw a small bit of him.  

I booked it but my husband was very dismissive and didn't want to go.  I dragged him screaming and yelling but once we got there he fell in love with the place.  He is a basic eater and he even enjoyed the food.  When we left he asked to be booked there again (we were on a B2B) so I booked us for the following week as well.  If I can get him to go and like it I would think anyone who goes would like it.  You do have to have an open mind, which normally he doesn't have, but I'm so glad we went.  

ETA--this was on the Symphony and there was a Mad Hatter so that could be part of why he enjoyed it so much.  The Hatter was fun to interact with.  Not sure if the Anthem has a Hatter yet. 

I'm looking for information on this cabin as it is open for our B2B sailing we have coming up.  It looks like there is a big empty space beside it and while I know its not just an empty space, can anyone tell me what it is?  Service area for crew?  Is it a noisy cabin because of this space?  Will we hear doors slamming throughout the night?  I've searched for reviews online but don't see any so that might be a good thing.  

I don't want to book it and then find its a noisy area/cabin.  TIA for any information you can give.  

Here's an article I recently read about the subject.  Some interesting thoughts.

https://themonstersamongus.com/2016/03/23/pigs-in-the-bahamas-exploited-for-tourists/

Not trying to change anyones mind but it is a eye opener.  Especially the part where they get aggressive and bit, that's not in any of the brochures.  

Do they provide a map of the island before you get off the ship?  I'm sure its pretty easy to navigate but it would be good to have an idea of where we want to go before we leave the ship.  

People pay to swim with t he dolphins.  I don't get that either, tons of cruelty there, but it's still popular.  Go figure.  

I'm not actually looking for a cabana but one of the four poster beach beds that some islands have.  Does CocoCay  have them?  If so anyone know how much they are priced at?  Would like to get something to get out of the sun with but don't really need or want to spend so much on a Cabana.  Its only two of us and we don't hang around to long.  

TIA.

What are the food options on the island that you have to pay for?  That seems odd that they would have an upcharge on dinning.  I want to be prepared though.   

Does Wonderland still have the Hatter there?  He was on the Symphony of the Seas last November when we were there but he told us that Royal wasn't sure if they would keep the position.  He also told us he might be moving to the Harmony.  Just wondering if anyone has seen him.  The character certainly made our meal more enjoyable.  

Thanks everyone for your thoughts.  I bit the bullet after weighing pros and cons and booked Symphony with a non refundable deposit.  That makes it less likely I will try and second guess myself.  

Everyone's comments are truly appreciated.  Again, thanks!

4 minutes ago, matj2000 said:

It was horrible...

I agree.  I thought it was no better than a Red Lobster but from what I have read most don't agree.  

Yeah, I know they are practically the same ship but they are different, which is why I'm wondering which one people would choose and why.  I'm fence sitting here.  

I'm having a really hard time trying to decide which to book.  We have sailed on the Oasis and the Symphony and are now considering the Harmony.  We loved the Symphony's solarium with the pool, as tiny as it was, but since the Harmony will save us $700 we are considering it as well.  

For those that have sailed both what are your thoughts?  Which would be your first choice to sail again?  Pros and cons are more than welcome.  

TIA

Thank you everyone.  I didn't realize she was that young.  I must remember google is my friend.  😉

When was the last refurb on Harmony?  Is it due for one soon?  I'm trying to decide on a sailing and Harmony is our first choice this time but not if it is needing lots of TLC.