MisterFidgetpants

Hi - I am currently a Royal Caribbean Diamond member looking to book my first MSC cruise.

I am at the MSC page https://www.msccruisesusa.com/en-us/MSC-Voyagers-Club/Loyalty-Match-Program.aspx

When I click to fill out the form it asks me for the date on my card (I don't have a card from Royal caribbean) and it also asks me to upload proof of membership. I have no idea what to put for those area?

Is there a formal dinner night? We are going on the Fascination 12-19-15 and my husband does not want to dress up. If so what is acceptable?

 

Thanks!

they call it Elegant night now.

The only difference was no shorts allowed that night (but they allowed it in reality anyway). Some said on here no jeans either, but when I was onboard jeans were allowed (not on prohibited list).

Jeans and a polo will put him solidly midpack and is 100% acceptable. No need to get dressy if you don't want.

Do we have any information and timing for a drydock retrofit for the Empress? I would imagine she will need an extensive upgrade to be comparable to the current RCL ships

Mid Feb-March 2016

I would not be surprised if Card Room and Library becomes OV or Panoramic OV cabins.

It's entirely possible you could be bored because it depends what you like for entertainment. You'll have the casino and piano bar going pretty reliably, but other than that after the nightly show there isn't a whole lot going on around the ship. If you were running from entertainment to entertainment on oasis you can forget that here. It's a much more laid back experience. It can be relaxing which has its own benefits. try it and see; I just think a lot of people kind of mislead around here trying to play up the brand when the smaller ships definitely do not have the Wow or entertainment of the larger ships.

What's worse is that Majesty is not only smaller in size, but carries about the same number of guests as Enchantment. I'm going to miss the huge pool deck.

If you are flying in for the cruise why not just fly to Miami instead of Port Canaveral? Then you get the benefit of visiting Key West too on a ship you prefer.

Sectional Cutaways

http://www.khulsey.com/royal-caribbean-empress-of-the-seas.html

There are pricing sites that show price changes as well as track historical data. Interiors on your cruise were cheapest back in January/Feb of this year and pricing only went up, even going up in steps right up to sailing.

Oceanview rooms dipped below prices of interior rooms right around final payment time but then shot back up.

Bought one and have only used it a handful of times across multiple trips; just to get a family photo with a scenic background. used it one time last trip. never walk around with it sticking out. don't film shows or other stuff with it. If you use it sparingly and aware of your surroundings (not a crowded area) it's fine. The problem seems to be most people do walk around swinging like an angry golfer.

If they aren't selling those balcony cabins according to whatever internal formula or metrics they have, they might assign you a balcony cabin so they can "re-sell" your lower priced OV slot on the thinking that the lower priced categories has a larger pool of potential buyers. So, there IS a possibility of being upgraded out of an OV, but there's really no way to know.

You can be unassigned up until arriving at the pier basically and if you REALLY want a specific location or room category you could be disappointed.

I would not be concerned about not having an assignment yet at all.

Thanks for the information on this.

Am at a complete loss to understand why anyone would pay equivalent for this ship compared to much larger ships that call on identical ports. Hope to see Royal capitalize on small ship uniqueness and service and head to less visited islands. Royal is hardly under-served in the ports listed here.

Do expect as soon as Havana is a go that itineraries will change. Only about 100 days give or take until first scheduled sailing from Miami...when does it go on sale?!?

More interesting dishes, better ingredients, more complex presentations. Short of posting their provisioning receipts, what would satisfy you?

I really don't think asking people to quantify generic statements is too much.

From your posts you seem to have a much more behind the scenes look than many here. I will have to take you at your word since I have no idea how you know what you know.

More interesting = subjective

Better ingredients = objective

So you've got the right idea.

starting to get nervous about my cabin 4207 on the sky, after looking more closely at the deck plans, wondering if it will be noisy, as we are right under the shore excursions desk of deck 5. We aren't early risers. I am also noticing, is the panoramic elevator right outside out cabin door? Anyone at all familiar with this area?

Sure beats being underneath a bar, night club, or dining room. If you have to be under a public space that's probably one of the quieter ones.

Elevators are around vestibules, so won't be right at your door.

So really the only answer you are willing to accept is "there have been no benefits to cruisers under FDR so far" Let's make this easier - what types of things are you looking for that are "objective benefits" cruisers?

 

Your assertion is wrong. That is not the only answer I am willing to accept.

Okay, you asked a direct question - Objective means something that can be pointed at and measured. Like I said, anything that can be measured as new or greater than before is a benefit. If someone had so much as said "All staterooms come with upgraded toiletries" I'd have accepted that answer. If someone said 'The food is improved; they have gone from budgeting XYZ per day per guest to XYZ plus $3" I'd have accepted that answer.

New itineraries? Okay. I will accept that. That IS a benefit to those who want to see new places and remain with their preferred line.

No, there haven't been any widespread fare cuts since FDR took over - but why should there have been?

Didn't claim there should have been. If value for dollar remains or improves that is better than cutting values and cutting fares, IMO.

I think in the end - benefits are just as subjective as food. What some people might find a benefit others may not.

When people can't point to much objectively perhaps it may mean there isn't much benefit to GUESTS at this point, and only to shareholders. One would hope that the benefit to shareholders would turn right back into improvements for guests. We shall see. I don't see an overwhelming amount of evidence in an increase in benefits. I am willing to wait longer to see.

What benefit do you want? To me as long as I feel the fare I am paying and for what I am getting is fair to me then I don't need any benefits. It's nice to get perks along the way but I am not looking for extras to be added on and don't require a company to give me handouts. But if they want to give them I am more willing to accept them.

if the best you have is FDR hasn't damaged the brand, and label that as a benefit, why participate in the thread?

Heck, someone could have said every room gets new soap or bathrobes and I'd have counted that as a benefit.

Still waiting for someone to post an improvement FDR has brought. That is what I am looking for, and what I will be looking for onboard compared to cruises before FDR was CEO. Am I receiving proper value, had FDR brought improvements for guests or only shareholders? Since no one here has the capability to give a straight answer I will find out myself.

Cleaned up the hallways? riiiiiiiiight. Almost detached my eye rolling at that one today!

My husband got an email offer to upsell from our balcony room on deck 11 to a haven room on deck 10 (forward) for $500 per person. He pulled the trigger and did it. Was this the right decision? Will we love it? We've only done balcony, outside, and inside rooms before. Will we love it too much that we won't want to go back? :D ;)

For the extra $1000 did you keep whatever perks you already had?

Were you able to obtain all 4 perks for booking in Haven?

If you paid $1000 to upgrade to Haven but lost all of your booking promos then I'd say it was a bad deal. If you kept your promos or got more added on I'd say it was a good deal.

Doesn't hurt

Sure, doesn't hurt. But hardly what I'd call a benefit. Not by any stretch of the imagination.

BTW - I like NCL's food too. But when people claim FDR has "improved" the food they never state what has been improved. We both know taste is subjective. Is there anything objective people and point at?

I don't think I was ever quoted five times in one post before. I am happy to continue discussing here just thought it had run its course. The other threads do get ugly which is why they'd get closed, which is to bad in any circumstance, although I understand why.

It makes it easier to read and address specific points. You said Carnival pushes back and I was asking you to explain what that meant. You've been on far more cruises than me and have more knowledge.

No, but that is my point, what benefits one person isn't going to be benemfit everyone and everyone looks for things that benefits them.

In other words, you either will not or are not capable to list a benefit to guests, in your experience, since FDR became CEO.

I guess you didn't read some of the posts on this thread. Some mentioned changes that were a benefit to them. Just because you don't consider them a benefit, doesn't mean others don't.

I have been reading along just fine and I'll thank you to keep your snark in check.

You said you were just off a cruise this week. What benefits did you notice that could be attributed to FDR that were not present on cruises before he was CEO?

This thread is full of a lot of spin with people talking about how businesses are ran, or could be run, and how, maybe, to some, the new CEO has not hurt the brand image. None of those are exactly ringing endorsements of new benefits from where I sit.

You are right, a benefit doesn't have to benefit EVERYONE to be a benefit, it simply must be an upgrade or addition to the way things were previously done. Some may have no use for that or may not notice it, but it does not mean it isn't a benefit. And a benefit doesn't have to be a perk or freebie; it can be something that would otherwise reduce cost and / or enhance value for the same, or even higher, pricing.

What did you experience first hand in regards to enhanced value for your money spent?

I think he has done nothing to hurt the brand IMO.

Does that count as a benefit to the guest?

You are right, they shouldn't lower their prices even though that would be the only change that would please the most. As far as every other change, some will like, some will dislike and some won't care, but you will never find a consensus that one benefits all.

I'm still waiting to hear about any benefits FDR has brought to guests on NCL.

Shareholders, yes. Paying guests, ??

Hey lmaxwell/cool cruiser...You post caught my eye.....we are D+ with RC and were given our NCL cruise courtesy of Caesars Entertainment for our gambling. I have to say that my excitement was a little dampened by everything I have read...however' date=' we are flexible people and shall have a good time no matter what the scenario. I was hoping you could help me out....we are there for 4 days...I plan on having dinner at The Crossings one night, The MDR, one nite.....what other venue (for no additional charge) would you recommend??? any small cafes, bistros etc? Also, anything else for a 1st time NCL cruiser...you seem to have an open mind.......thx for all!![/quote']

I'm not the person you asked, but I''ve been on so thought I'd chime in

The Sky does not have a huge choice for dining.

 

Complimentary choices include Longboards Sports Bar, the two MDR's (Crossings is an MDR, and so is Palace. identical except for decor), and the buffet. I like Longboards and you can make a dinner there if you like.

 

For pay:

Sushi a la carte in Plantation Club.

Cagneys = steak

Le bistro = french

la cucina = italian

Water Taxi for sure

watertaxi.com

. Although the person in charge of Canaletto keeps things moving there, the position also has overall responsibility for the Lido area. Often you will see that Canaletto person working the room both day and evening.

 

Jim

That is good information to know as well.