The Scurvy Pirate

Thank you for the information as this was exactly what I was waiting for. The deluxe is now $43 plus 18% and the refreshment is $18 plus 18%. Just yesterday they were $46 and $26 plus 18% respectively. I am very grateful for the info. This is for the allure January 29, 2017 sailing.

Lucky you. I just called RCI and they said for my cruise (Explorer 10/17), even though its advertised as a sale, NONE of the prices are different than they have been for the last month. So, its not a sale at all, notwithstanding the HUGE banner at the top.

Just warning folks that don't follow pricing that it may in fact not be a sale at all. But, if you like the price, definitely buy now as who knows what RCI pricing will be tomorrow.

BEWARE! This appears to be a typical RCI sale. Yesterday, I purchased Voom for 30% off for $11.99 a day. Today, I can get the same package for 50% off. The price.....$11.99 a day. Same thing with the drink package. The posted price yesterday (and for the past several weeks), is the same as the 20% off price.

Just booked an 11 night South Pacific for 2017. Was wondering if anyone traveling on the Explorer had any updates on whether Explorer has "true" Voom (O3b network) or the watered down version?

They don't even let kids keep their parents loyalty status after they turn 18 (I don't think anyway)

Children keep parents status, but after they turn 21 (maybe) they only get to next level on their own merit. The reason I think it's 21 is our now 19 year old just got an e-mail congratulating him on diamond status after our cruise last month where me and my wife just earned diamond status. His points are only platinum. Also, even though over 18, I believe he can't book a cruise on his own until he is 21. Or maybe C&A made a mistake, which I don't want to bring to their attention....

I was on the Freedom 3 weeks ago. When I ordered a drink from the bar they ran my card, my picture would come up, and they printed a receipt showing $0.00 due. The only time they did not print a receipt was if I got a soda. Every other time they printed a receipt. The sticker on my card was irrelevant. My brother-in-law used his card so much that by day 4 the sticker had worn completely out and was illegible, yet he continued to get drinks. Early in the cruise there was a lady who had a sticker showing the drink package, but when they ran the card it said no drink package. The bartender "gave" her that one drink and told her that she needed to go to guest services to get it corrected. Otherwise they go by what's on the receipt and she would be charged from there out. So, if its a recent cruise on the Freedom, your buddy is probably a bad liar and thief. Hopefully, he is not in a position where moral character and integrity are needed.

Slightly off point, but similar, I believe that since both me and wife are diamonds, we each get the discount, but what about children who get our "status", do they get the discount as well? If they are emerald on their own, do they at least get the emerald discounts loaded to their sea pass card?

So what about those of us who had purchased the "Ultimate" package that included Starbucks, but now got "down graded" to Deluxe, without receiving some compensation for no longer having Starbucks?

Maybe this just applies to "new" purchases and not those of us that were transitioned from the old to the new package?

Concerning the tomahawk, you have to make a special request to see it. Its not on the menu. I forget the specific additional upcharge but thought it was $50-$75. I just happened to see the waitress showing a different table and then asked "what is that?"...

I will be on FOS in 9 days. Do you know if they are using the "new" menus or still using the "old" ones? Formal night still on night 2 and 5? Trying to anticipate when to go to the specialty restaurants.

I leave in 9 days on FOS. I just called and "cancelled" and then repurchased my Labadee excursions (jet ski, kayak, floating mat, etc.) and saved $60. I was able to keep all of my previously selected times, too. The only down side was that I had to pay for the "new" excursions today. They will process the refund of my "old" excursions in 3-5 business days. So, for a little while, I am paying twice until the refund hits. But, saved $60 on a 5 minute phone call. Well worth it to me.

Earlier this year on the Serenade I got the dry aged porterhouse. Like you, I said "heck, I'm on vacation...." as I had never had an aged steak before. If you have never had an "aged" steak, they have a particular flavor that is different than a "normal" steak. I personally would not order the aged steak again, as the filet is just so good (at least to me). As an aside, you must absolutely try the grilled black peppercorn bacon. If you are really hungry, you can pay an upcharge and get an extra 9 oz filet. They also have a steak called the tomohawk (I believe), that you need to at least ask about just to see how ridiculously big it is. Will be on the Freedom in 9 days and can't wait to go back to Chops.

According to the FAQ announcing the new program it appeared that the Deluxe was $55, irrespective of the ship.

FAQs_Beverage_Package_Relaunch.pdf

I was going to post something similar. After years of bringing an extra underwater camera, I took my old smart phone and put it in a dry bag.

 

Actually, I found a particular cheap one they sell on ebay that has multiple closures then rolls up and snaps. I only paid $1.36 for it. It's like this one:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pink-Waterproof-Dry-Bag-Case-Cover-Pouch-Swimming-For-iPhone-Cell-Phone-Camera-/311553223205?hash=item488a04ea25

 

The key is, test it first with a paper towel to make sure the dry bag doesn't leak.

 

This is a cheap option but it works well.

I have the same one, but in white. I paid around $8.00 on amazon. Definitely test it first to make sure you know how to seal it. I had to take off my otter protective case as only the phone will fit in the bag.

We used it when we did a SNUBA expedition, down to around 25 feet or so, and worked like a charm. No issues with pressure, buttons or water leakage. Shot some really cool videos...

Get an underwater "dry bag" for your cell phone. Costs about $8.00 on Amazon. I have one for my iphone 6 and works great. Same great pictures and video as on land. Just make sure you add a couple of "floating keychains" to it so that if you drop it, it doesn't sink to the bottom.

The Boardwalk Doghouse (near the carousel) has different types of buns/rolls in the drawers behind the server, but you have to ask for them. The sausage dog with grilled onions on the cheese roll was out of this world good.

Since we're on the topic of beverages... I'll butt in and ask a question.

We might be taking our first cruise with Royal net summer, we usually cruise Carnival? For those of you familiar, with both lines, is beverage prices comparable?

When we went on the Fantasy last year the premium package prices were comparable to Royal, but Royal doesn't have the 15 drink limit. Buy as you go prices were pretty much the same, less than a $1.00 difference.

We signed up once for the Travel Pass. As explained to me, you pay a flat rate of $10/day per country in many countries ($2/day in Mexico) and it lets you use your current cell phone/data plan for no additional charges. Also, they don't "charge" you unless you use the service (make sure you turn off cell service if you don't want to be charged, though) So, if you go to 3 different countries, its only $30. Also, if you get the Voom package, you can turn off the cell service and simply use wi-fi to send texts, etc. while on the ship. We found it a lot easier/cheaper than trying to go through some of the other international and "ship" plans. Also, you don't have to call to sign up for each subsequent cruise, it simply stays "active", but since we don't otherwise leave the country except for cruises, there are no additional charges. Although be careful, as I had read one ship got close enough to the Bahamas that someone got dinged for a $10 charge even when they were just passing by the islands.

It does make it true for some though.

 

OP, I am with you. Never going yo do a package. Our bar bill was about $40 for two of us on our last 8 day cruise. The diamond drinks are plenty for us...

So, but for your 3 free diamond drinks a day, you would agree that the drink package may make sense for someone who drinks 3.5-4.0 drinks a day, where it only takes 4.2 to break even, and it includes the water and soda packages.

Like others have said, its nice to not worry about ordering drinks knowing that if you don't like a particular drink you can send it back. One purpose of a vacation is to try new things, including food, drinks, destinations and excursions....

Anyone on Freedom lately to see if Izumi Express is going to replace the free sushi at Jade?

Get the grilled black pepper bacon...you won't regret it.

We always stay at the Hampton Inn. They have a program where you can pay a little extra to get a 40% off the parking garage at the terminal. Ultimately saves about $30 off of parking. Most hotels have similar programs or shuttle service, which is good if you are driving up the day before. But if you only live two hours away it would be cheaper to not pay for a hotel and just pay for parking at the port. Very easy. For departure, literally takes 10 minutes from the time you get off the ship to be out on the road.

Plus 18% gratuity and any additional tip.

If you are booked with a balcony, but then upgraded to a junior suite, do you then get double crown and anchor points?

I noticed that there seemed to be "tabs" for diamond, diamond plus and pinnacle. Are there different brands offered for the different levels? For example, a diamond plus gets Crown Royal added to the "free drinks" list where its not on the diamond list?