Don Pedro

And I even know who you are talking about... :)

 

Teri

Shhh! :cool:

On my last several cruises, the top cruiser was recognized and presented a bottle of champagne. A glass block was presented to the cruiser who had the highest block milestone. Other blocks were delivered to the cabins.

 

 

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This has also been my recent observation although different ships and loyalty ambassadors may handle it a bit differently.

There is no 6 month rule for cruise passengers, as you are not considered to have entered the country, you are considered in transit.

True for the Caribbean as Bob posted but may it not be true for some Asian or European countries.

If I saw someone with a name tag I would figure they were an employee. Wonder if people with those name tags ever get mistaken for staff?

The pinnacle pin is significantly different from the pins employees wear. However a few years ago, although uncommon, occasionally ships gave a few of their frequent cruisers a pin identically to what was worn by the ship staff. It did indeed cause some problems and eventually Miami sent out a memo stating that if you had one you were no longer permitted to wear it.

Not sure Pete, never seen one up close.;)

Good golly Bob if you don't know I don't know who would.

Gold colored rectangular name badge.

Really, I thought they were solid gold. Are you sure?

we are on the Harmony now and there is a person running around with her "pinnacle pin" very prominently displayed. I'm thinking that's interesting and I wonder exactly why it is being worn. Hoping that the staff will somehow treat them differently? that other passengers will be impressed? At the "top tier" recognition event earlier in the week the ship gave out the bubbly to the three passengers with the most points. this person ended up being in third place.

 

It really is unfortunate that folks feel the 'need' to berate others and I agree it has little to do with status which was inevitably PURCHASED and everything to do with self-esteem levels.

This thread started because of someone with anger management issues. A person who unfortunately announced their Crown & Anchor status in an attempt to influence a cruise line employee. A few posters, however, have turned this into reason to degrade pinnacle members.

While I guess your comment that Crown & Anchor status is ultimately a purchased commodity has some merit that doesn't change the fact that we all have the capacity to be buttholes. In the Crown & Anchor upper echelon there a pinnacles, painacles and pin pricks. Fortunately nearly all fall into the first category.

I, like you, cringe a little if I see pinnacle club members wearing their pins ashore or on their speedos, however wearing it aboard ship it is completely acceptable. Does it garner a little better treatment? Perhaps, but there are many other reasons it is worn.

First RCCL went to the trouble to individualize the pins of pinnacle club members and would not have done so if they expected it to end up in the bottom of a sock drawer. Next, although there are probably less than a thousand active pinnacles they do not all know each other. Nonetheless, they all have much in common and the pin allows members to introduce themselves to one other. And, finally, the crew likes pinnacle members to wear their pins. Many are not great remembering names but recognize the faces of passengers they have sailed with on numerous past occasions. The pin presents the name.

What about "nice shorts"?

 

 

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That would be fine if they are ankle length.:cool:

That rep should be fired.

The rep should be put in charge!

What, if anything, is replacing her in San Juan?

Hi Sybird, you might try asking this question at the rollcall thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2373674 or the Gulf Coast Departures thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=414 .

 

Would love to have you join our rollcall!

 

There are several companies that offer airport transfers to IAH or HOU.

 

 

HOU (Hobby) is much closer but only serves Southwest. To book on Southwest, you have to go to Southwest.com as they will not show up on the other airfare booking sites.

 

We drive to Galveston, so I don't have any recommendations for you re: transportation, but you will find a lot of info on those other threads.

 

Jan

Southwest is the major tenant of Hobby but American Airlines also has flights in and out of Hobby.

I would love to have Nadja come back to Galveston!!!

 

 

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Yes, Yes, Yes ~ Come home Nadja, come home!

So typically Royal Caribbean.:rolleyes:

Oh crap I just ordered a bunch of used tank tops on ebay.

RC doesn't say anything about a dark suit. Just a suit and tie, tuxedos...! A suit is formal as far as RC is concerned for their formal events and that's good enough for me. Referencing/comparing any other formal events else where doesn't apply here.

You are correct. RC can define formal anyway that they desire. Whatever is formal in their own mind. Speedos and tank tops or whatever they want to call formal. Shame on me for referring to the general accepted definition of formal.

Let's get this straight, you pay several thousand for the cruise, including air, but you balk at a $25, each way, luggage fee?

I certainly understand your point but it could be a contributing reason, especially if you need pressing service.There are most likely several factors involved. Primarily that we are a more casual society - generally not taken to dress to the nines like in past times. Royal Caribbean has not had a formal night for as long as I can remember. A tuxedo is expected at formal affairs not a dark suit, as suggested by RCCL.

I agree. I prefer suites but I'll only pay the extra premium on Oasis class. On Freedom there isn't enough of a benefit. If there was a CK I'd booked the suite in a heartbeat.

 

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Even sans a costal kitchen I really like the suite lounge RCCL put on the Liberty and hope that expands to other ships. They could inexpensively take it a step further with better selection of food and alcohol. Why not treat suite guests and pinnacle members to better amenities than the diamond club?

I agree Pete, I've said a few times here that I cannot tell the difference in what people actually wear between a Casual and Smart Casual night.

How true. Its easy to tell the difference between a phone and a smart phone but casual and smart casual is an enigma.

Royal typically has Casual, Smart Casual, and Formal suggestions for dinner in the Main Dining Room.

Correct as usual Bob but Smart Casual has been effective ignored for about the last ten years. A few of us guys can still remember toting both a tux and a sport coat on cruises. Today many cruisers consider Smart Casual as acceptable for Formal.

As I understand it, the Costal Kitchen was created to enhance to "suite experience". Something they do need to address, on ships without a Costal Kitchen, is providing a better selection of food and alcohol in the concierge and suite lounges. Giving them exactly the same thing as the diamond lounge makes little sense.

Sure, how could RCCL pass up spending a ton of money on another venue to give away free food and booze?

Amazing! Never heard anyone indicate Nadja had any king of "attitude" except great. I really would like more information about that. I second Carolyn...we'd love to get her back to Galveston!! Sounds like there is no hope as she has indicated she is "permanent" concierge on NV.

Agree, Nadja is a great concierge and I would be delighted to have her back in Texas (where she belongs).

I am a Texan but admit that I am aggravated by the way my state tries to extract every possible penny from the cruise line and its passengers. They don't go to the same extreme with people flying into Texas from Jamaica, Mexico or other Caribbean destinations. The City of Galveston and the State of Texas reap tremendous benefits by having cruise ships stationed there. Hotels, bars, restaurants, taxis and other entities are all more profitable and generate more tax dollars for Galveston and the state.

I'll split the difference, I'm really consistent with myself. I've had 2 great experiences with Chops on Freedom, 2 ok ones on Allure and one terrible time on Oasis, all related to food quality.

I agree consistency between the ships does not exist but even at its best Chop's food and service does not compare with any of the great steak houses like Commander's Palace, Ruth Chris or Arnaud's. I'm not knocking Chop's just calling it for what it is. A run of the mill steakhouse. I often eat there but don't have high expectations.

Sabor is the only one I'm willing to give a try at this point in time. I'll be sure to ask for a discount when they pitch me. None of the others interest me. Chops has degraded to being a joke.

Once upon a time Chops was a decent value for the price - not anymore. On a recent cruise I expressed my thoughts, to a Chop's manager, that I felt that it was way over priced. He disagreed saying that for all the food you can order it is a great value. Two views, both right to some degree.

My feelings are that Chop's should be an upscale steak house. High quality food and service - a meal to savor and remember. His, and evidentially RCCL's, is a stuffing station, more akin to an all you can eat buffet with table service and over-priced wine.

I don't care about west coast sailing to Mexico but if the Maritime Service Act went away there could be some interesting sailings with USA itineraries.

Personally I would much rather see RCCL return to New Orleans. Much rather!