ILCTCRUISER

3 hours ago, taglovestocruise said:

Truly unbelievable how many reps are at a total loss with accurate information.  I can see however the D Lounge becoming the D+ lounge.  We were on Quantum last month and the DL was packed every night, they opened the side doors and used the upper level of the Music Hall as overflow.  

For a long time (since the 4-5-6 voucher system was introduced) I’ve felt this is where it’s all headed.  The number crunchers certainly aren’t happy with using revenue-producing areas for DL/CL lounges or overflows, even if it’s just for a few hours each night.

14 minutes ago, Tatka said:

 

I honestly do not want Pinnacles to suffer .. and frankly I am not suffering at all.

 

Agree.  Many of them earned what they have.

We’re happy with what we get as D+

6 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

Que Sera Sera I guess.

Yes, John @John&LaLa, yes….

In my opinion,  RCCL suffers from an affliction called Weak Senior Management.  Over the years, so many decisions seem to be reactive in nature.  Not great visionaries there and I’ve sat in on webinars and “coffee talks” with a number of them.  RCCL management tends to assume a “follower” strategy.  It waits for the “others” to act and judges how the market responds before it makes a move.  Not a novel strategy, many companies in many industries assume it.  RCCL just doesn’t seem to have the people in place who can pull it off effectively.

BUT this decision to exclude D+ from the CL seems to be something that’s been in the works for some time.  Yes, that seems to contradict what I just stated.  I accept that.  This change in D+ benefits probably has been on the burner for quite a few years.  Call it:  Loyalty Program Goes Wild.  Loyalty programs are created to build and then maintain market share.  As some above have suggested, thresholds to gain D and D-Plus are really quite low.  RCCL used its loyalty program as a marketing tool and it’s turned around and bit it in the rear end.  TOO MANY D and D+ passengers.  Especially in regard to the lounges.  First step taken:  the current drink voucher program, which we prefer.   However, I think this recent change in D+ benefits suggests the voucher program didn’t quite do the job.  CLs are still being used to the point full-suite passengers have a hard time getting a seat…and, it follows, they complain.   Rightfully so.  

RCCL won’t ever share numbers but I’m confident that the Double Points program created a lot of D+.  These lounges can only accommodate so many people.

D+ members don’t worry.  Pinnacles will be next.

40 minutes ago, resetjet said:

 Its by far the worst show I have ever seen on a cruise ship.  Show gets an F.   

Agree 100%.  Worst production show I've ever seen.   We walked out about 15 minutes into the show.

14 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Stuff happens day to day, someone needs to be on site manager. Fairly decent sized department. 

 

I understand the need to be good at that aspect. Combination juggler/mediator/babysitter. Just don't get the cult status that some have

There is certainly a need for someone to manage the department and so much of that work is done behind the scenes.  On last Allure cruise, we saw the CD quite a bit…walking into Giovanni’s for a staff meeting, eating breakfast at Park Cafe.  I’m sure I’ve never watched a morning talk show.

46 minutes ago, LXA350 said:

Favorite: Curries, Asian dishes and there is something about the mashed potatoes of the WJ

 

Least Favorite: Fast food items such as burgers, hot dogs and overcooked meat and fish

Not sure what they do/add to mashed potatoes but, in all likelihood, they’re instant. Same with scrambled eggs.

Towel checkout.  Not sure why they continue with this.  I believe this policy all came about when towels were “branded” Royal Caribbean.  They ended up in suitcases going home.  But they dropped those towels and the towels as they are now can’t be seen as “trophies.”  Yes, some will still go MIA but are there that many lost that would justify the staff needed for towel stations.  Also, on Allure this past March, we went to hot tub one evening and there were towels for the taking available in the Solarium.   

10 minutes ago, johnjen said:

So I will still gain points on celebrity as I would on RCI....

The two programs exist independently.  Points earned on RCL apply to C&A;  those earned on X apply to Captain’s Club.  Diamonds on RCL receive the benefits of Elite when sailing on X.  Simply put,  points earned on an X cruise are not added to one’s C&A total.  

On 4/1/2022 at 7:18 AM, SRF said:

Yes.

 

Some people were saying you did not need a test to enter Alaska, but they were not noticing that the people saying they needed the test were coming from outside the US.

 

So then yes, two tests.  One test to enter the US.  And then one test to cruise, if you are in the US for more than a short period before your cruise starts.

Correct.  However, what surprises me—-well, maybe not a surprise—-is that it seems RCL isn’t providing the test at the pier.  They’re on a cruise tour which, as I see it, is similar to a B2B and RCL provides the test prior to the second cruise.  

5 hours ago, welshrich said:

Hi there, we are doing an Alaskan cruise with landtour through RCI in June.   I've read that I need to have a test before the landtour and then to bring an 'emed' test so I can test again before the cruise.   Being from the UK I've not heard of Emed, is this like the rapid lateral flow tests or the more intense PCR tests?

 

Tia.

Did this come to you from RCL or another source?  If another source, I'd verify with RCL.

13 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Better laundry, I'm hoping

Agree.  For that matter, it should be better laundry.  Graphic for world cruise shows Wash and Fold and I believe Vicki or it may have been Abundance said there was a limit on how many wash and fold each week.

1 hour ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Tips, internet, drinks, laundry

 

No one gets speciality dining

 

Full trip gets the Wonder Excursions, Business Class Air, and pre cruise hotel with bon voyage gala

During the Vicki coffee talk, there was mention that those who can drive to embark/disembark can get pricing without airfare.  I think it was a $1500 reduction.

Time will tell:  We depart on a cruise 2/13.  Since it departs BEFORE 2/15, will we need to wear masks for the duration of this cruise or will the mask requirement be lifted on 2/15?  Hmmm....

32 minutes ago, BonnieJB said:

I have heard about Mario for years but have no idea what he looks like so I don't know if I've ever seen him.  Any photo?

2 minutes ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Lots of other options down here as well, I'm just happy with the process at our Walgreens 

We have sites like those around here.  But Walgreens is a 5-10 minute drive.  Last time we tested (unfortunately it was for Serenade B2B this past January—-Cancelled about two hours after we arrived in Tampa for overnight) we walked back into the house and got results a few minutes later.

8 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Here's a tip.

 

I'm staying up tonight to make our covid test appointments for this coming Friday. Appointments will be non existent at Walgreens in the morning. Booking window opens at midnight.

Scheduling at Walgreens (Far west Chicago suburbs) started to loosen up recently.  Was up early today to book for Friday:  headed to SJU for an Explorer B2B.  I looked further and found that there were available slots today.  A few weeks ago that would not be the case.  And, also, thanks, John, for the Odyssey review.

@John&LaLa  Is that Karen with Lara and the Captain?  

13 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Lots of little alleys with art, this is just past the Effy store

 

Selfie time. Felt funny wearing my SpaceX hat😉🤣

 

Little restraunts seemed busy.

 

Everyone I spoke with wanted to know how many passengers on the ship

 

Couldn't talk Laura into buying this. Meow

 

MIZ....

 

 

Last September

1 hour ago, LATTELOVE said:

Nice! 

Who did you used for the test?

Thank you.

Walgreen’s.  Walgreen’s changed rapid tests near us.  At one time they did the rapid antigen, now it’s the rapid PCR.

8 minutes ago, LATTELOVE said:

I know, Royal Caribbean's website says 2 days in advance.  That's what got me

nervous with CVS PCR test, It says it could take up to 3 days for results back.

But we found a local clinic that can do it with  the 24 hours results back, I would have

to wait 4 days before the cruise to book the appointment.  Fingers crossed for this one.

You want the Abbot IDNow test.  It’s a rapid PCR test.  Last time we took it we had the results about 15 minutes later.

In the past, the rule was often relaxed if there were a very large number of D, D+ and P on board.  A large number.  I was told they relaxed the rule because they risked not being able to accommodate everyone Day 1 and 2.

1 hour ago, BlueCattleDog said:

“As of February 2nd, vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to present a negative test. Unvaccinated travelers entering on domestic flights will still be required to show negative test results from the last two days or take one within 48 hours of arrival and must quarantine while awaiting results." https://www.discoverpuertorico.com/

This is why I’m uncertain.  Discover Puerto Rico is a tourism board.  Notes Feb 2 change.  www.travelsafe.pr.gov is a PR Dept of Health site.  No mention about change to testing requirement.

Yes, call but make sure you have your record of dates you made payments and the amounts.  I took a refund for an Anthem sailing last September.  I got a refund but it didn't match what I knew I had paid. When I called I was at one time told that there was no longer any money left in the booking to be refunded.  The rep knew the cruise fare as well as the payments I made.  I was dumbfounded by the response.  It was, after all, a matter of addition and subtraction.  I needed to escalate the matter.  In the end I was made whole.  I was told that the balance that still needed to be refunded had been "coded" incorrectly, which goes along with @pcurmention of how fares are often broken up and deposited into different buckets (accounts).  I can understand why RCCL wants to segregate taxes/fees and pre-cruise purchases.  

There are reports that the entry testing requirement for Puerto Rico will change 2Feb.  Vaccinated travelers will no longer need to show proof when arriving.  Still need negative test result to board ship.  https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2022/01/28/travel-restrictions-puerto-rico-covid/9257694002/  This is a USAToday article.  Has anyone seen an official statement?  I've checked.  There's a reference to the change at the Discover Puerto Rico site but not sure that's an official statement from a PR governmental agency.  TIA.