LinRon3

Ah, love this topic and cudos to OP for making it to D+. We're getting there, but a long way to go for us, ha [only 120 points so far[. We're budget cruisers and only started cruising in late 2016. We do mostly balconies and a few interiors. We've only done two Celebrity Cruises and loved it; would do Celebrity much more if we could afford it. The latest was the Equinox last March and yes, as others have said here, you are ELITE status [even us Diamonds get that, so RCI really a great cruise company]. As Elites' we even attended a meet the officers champagne soiree and got to meet some top dogs of the ship [mano a mano chit chat kind of thing]. Very interesting and informative. Our bet is you'll love Celebrity; has a real 'premium' feel to it. Best of luck to you.

Yea, we've often wondered this too and how to find out how full a ship might be [even while cruising].The mock booking thing is iffy we think, because many TA's buy up 'blocks' of cabins and probably release them or sell them back if not filling up as departure date nears [not sure how it's done, but assume this]. So, a mock booking might show 'full' [nothing available] at a given moment, but [ if these 'blocks' released, cabins open up. Again, we just assume this; don't really know it [anyone who knows might post a better explanation]. The ONLY time we've learned anything 'official' about how full a ship is, we went to the Crown and Anchor concierge who gave us exact numbers [including numbers of diamonds, D+, and pinnacles]. But that was during the cruise. before a cruise, we do the mock booking to get a rough idea anyway. But we're still looking for where might one find any official info on this before a cruise. Might influence a royal up bid for example.

Ok, we find it's not always easy to use up all our 4 vouchers drinks between us [8 in all, my wife and I]. On our previous 2 cruises, if we hadn't used all our vouchers, we'd go to the Pub at the end of the day [usually around 9pm for us], and they'd provide us whatever number of beers to meet out our vouchers. Some nights, we'd get up to 4 beers to take back to our cabin fridge [we love sitting on our balcony sipping a cool brew]. Somehow, with this new receipt procedure, I kinda think bars won't be able to do this. ? So I guess my question here is how many voucher drinks might one be able to get at one time? Also, I'm often the gopher for my wife, getting 2 drinks to take back to our cabin, or somewhere else on the ship. So we end up with uneven remaining vouchers at the end of the day [say, me 0 and she still have 3 , that kind of thing]. We'll see how it goes on next cruise in 4 days. Oh, and we still appreciate this benefit Royal provides. Recently compared loyalty benefits between the lines, and we think this drink voucher benefit really makes RCI superior in value.

Yea, this stuff always gripes us. So many 'pronotional' things, then there's our TA who often provides 'benies' [like wine or OBC], then there's our shareholder OBC, then there's our C&A discounts, and then sometimes there's 'more' Crown and Anchor stuff [for example if on what they call an 'exceptional journey' cruise]...it all really keeps one totally confounded on what exactly one 'should' be getting. Some things cancel out other things, but other things are guaranteed, but always there's 30% off second guest, or kids sail free...or...ha...my head just blew up. All in fun though. We appreciate the heck out of our TA...and love Royal and Celebrity. We never feel 'cheated' or anything...just confused as all heck.

Yea, we've wondered how to answer this question on the surveys [as to did anyone approach us about giving a good score]? We appreciate the crew and staff on cruise ships; they do a magnificent job and are amazing at being able to make one feel special. One stops to consider the many many people they see and faces change so often...their hospitality always seems sincere, fresh, and vital. Truly amazing. So, when asked this question on the survey, by answering 'yes' [we were approached, and we usually are in the MDR, just to suggest how important these surveys are to them]...well, we wonder if by saying 'yes' is this somehow incriminating? Are they SUPPOSED to approach us on this? By saying 'no' however, does it suggest they are neglecting part of their job IF RCL requires them to approach us? We usually just say 'NO' [even if we were approached].

Just curious; not taking offense or anything. Do you or others here really think Americans [USA] and Canadians are demanding? And what cultural barriers are you referring to? Word I've gotten is we tend to tip heavier [even in places tipping is not expected]...though I do suppose there is the old 'ugly American' stereotype of being loud and boisterous and maybe a bit braggadocios [at least if one is from Texas and ha, do the French still hate us LOL]? All in good fun of course. But I have not heard tell that other cultures think we are demanding or have 'barriers'? If anything, seems we've bent over backwards to erase all barriers. But not sure what you mean. There's always a meathead or two in every grouping, large or small. We heard one guy, on our Jewel cruise recently, complain very vociferously about the wrong wine being served. Made a scene that made many quiet and uncomfortable in that area of the MDR. But he was just an AH...and they can be found in any culture methinks. Just curious as mentioned.

Question: Is there such a thing as a 'BAD' cruise [notwithstanding storms and tragedy and the like]. Point here, we do Carnival and MSC...and love them both. But we have loyalty benefits with Royal and why we 'usually' choose them 90% of the time. But for us....IT"S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. Cheaper ti is, the MORE cruises we can do. We find very little difference between the lines [though the ships themselves do make a difference]...maybe give Royal the edge for service and food [but all good, even MSC which has greatest value bang for the buck IOO]. We'd do Celebrity as much as possible if we could afford it [both retired on fixed income etc and hate to pull down savings if can help]. Point here, the way you explain, the Panorama would win hands down for us even though we're diamond with Royal.

Those look like stronger magnet hooks than we get. Kindly, could you tell us where you got them? Dollar tree mags a bit lacking, ha. Thnx.

Yea, we know. They should create another category of 'porthole', which IOO is quite a different experience from a real oceanview cabin. People's Royalup bidding would be quite different for a porthole methinks. Deck 2 can be fun though; up close and personal with the sea and all. Really, it's a different experience. Not bad...just different. IOO of course. Of course, would prefer it from a cove balcony though. But portholes sort of suck.

As far as the OP question, it's never added up for us. Maybe 1, maybe 2 days...but not every day of the cruise. Not even close. But as others have said here, you have to make your own assessment of course. Not to horn in on your thread, but me and wife had a discussion earlier about this that might apply. I've always thought if one passenger in a stateroom buys the deluxe drink package, then the other adult in the stateroom has to buy it also. My wife thinks she read somewhere [maybe here on CC?] that the second passenger in a stateroom only has to buy the 'classic beverage' package? That might cut the ultimate cost in half almost if true. Does anyone know if that is true or not? We still couldn't come close to making it cost beneficial, but curious nonetheless.

We got the email too. Suspicious of anything not solicited; just the world we live in now. So, anyone who's filled it out, what ports were mentioned and type of questions? Your spidey senses tell you....what [about this survey]? Legit or Indian scammers?

Yea, the deck plan [we're on sister ship Vision OS in Dec] shows the concierge and crown lounge in the same open area top deck. We're only diamond, but love to use the crown lounge. We assume there will be no problem using that Crown Lounge, but on the Mariner, the Diamond Lounge was 'overflowing' into their crown lounge area [separate rooms though]. Wonder if there will be an overflow on Vision, being these lounges look like their open to one another. Don't want to offend a D+ or Pinnacle.

We've used the left over punches on subsequent cruises...Harmony, Symphony, Mariner all did allow it. But one ship didn't; but darn it, we can't remember exactly which one, ha. Had to be either the Allure or Jewel though.

We don't think you'll have any problems with temps in December. We do most of our longer sailings to Caribbean Dec through, say, March. We do snorkeling all through, but March is perhaps when the water temps are lowest [maybe 76-78ish F or so is all depending how far south; mostly 80ish Grand Turk south]. December is good though.

Should be that simple, but hasn't been for us. Wife and I are always linked to the stateroom account [one credit card]...and for some reason only shows one of us for 'total' purchases including voucher drinks [which show zero cost]. This was both on Mariner and Symphony recently. One of never knew exactly how many vouchers were left [me on the Symphony] unless one kept a personal ledger or something. We could count up the total between us [say 6 of 8]...but weren't sure who had those last 2 [just an example]. Just a word here [to the thread]...WE ARE QUITE HAPPY with this voucher program [thank you RCL]. We hope there's not too much complaint or confusion, cuz' I'm thinking to myself, IF I'm management, I'm probably questioning already if this program is really worth the headaches? It's a big beneift for us...a big reason we always consider RCL first and foremost and usually go with RCL [as budget cruisers]. A BIG consideration for us for sure. Just a comment again to the thread in general, while I was commenting on tracking from the stateroom tv [or app]. HA...we can finally post to cruise critic again. YAHOO!!! Talk about headaches, ha [deleting all them cookies or whatever]? Proably deleted my bank account too [we're not techies; don't even know what a cookie is from apple pie]. Thanks for the migraine Cruise Critic. LOL

Yea, it's funny. We have felt crowding on some of the smaller ships, but the mega ships not so much. We just got off the Symphony with 6000+ passengers and we always found a place [well, the pool deck can be locked out if not early like always; but solarium always had lounges]. One thing, you need to make show reservations first thing once onboard. We've never been locked out of main shows [ice, aqua, or production]...but we have had to settle for a second or third showing [and usually can book only once per show per cruise depending]. Aqua shows seem more susceptible to cancelations [due to seas or weather], so book them as early as possible in case they have to postpone to another day [just our strategy anyway]. As far as embarkation, all has gone smooth for us for the Allure, Harmony, and Symphony. But fair warning: the Port of Miami can be atrocious [why we try to book other ports if possible]. getting off the Symphony a few weeks ago was the worst we've EVER experienced. We had a congo line all the way up Promenade, through hallway, back out onto deck 5, then twisting back through hallway to finally debark check out on other side of deck 5. But that's just to get out into the chaos of cabs, shuttles, ubers, cars everywhere...everyone literally fighting one another for space to pick people up. Terminal A [the RCI terminal] at least has shade. I think there at least 5 other ships in port that day which contributed to the chaos. But in defense of the Mega ships, probably more about Port of Miami than the Symphony [although, the congo line was very curious, ha].

Yea, we had one of these balconies on the Serenade and Jewel. Nice and roomy balconies, but we always wondered why RCI chose to cut off the partitions like in your photo? WInd dynamics or something? Can't see any real passenger benefit except possibly for families across from one another? So why? These 'open' balconies are only in the forward section of the ship if we remember. BTW, the so called obstructed view is not a real issue for us anyway. It's a 'wing'-like covering over the tender boats and just 'below' the balcony. Still plenty of sea to see straight out and over the 'wing'. We enjoyed the roominess of these balconies though a little less private.

We just got off the same cruise. We didn't do specialty dining, but we always feel 'privileged' to doing any cruising at all. We ate at the MDR most nights, and the food was amazing to us [but remember, we're old folks from the farm used to stale bread and hot dogs for dinner]. WOW...we are BLESSED indeed to be on the SYMPHONY!!! We could be in Ukraine fighting for our lives!!! Anyway, the ice shows and production crews were...how can I say...we had TEARS in our eye they were so good...especially FLIGHT and 1977 [and even ISkate 2.0]. This was our third mega ship and two voyager class...and the ICE and PRODUCTION crews were best ever [Hairspray...uh..not so by me, but I don't like being preached at]. Overall, SYMPHONY is a great ship, a great crew, and superlative in a lot of ways [Harmony beats them in some ways...like Park Cafe in Cent. Park]. IT"S ALL GOOD..if you're a cruzer'. But we understand, there is comparative realization. We'd put the Symphony at least on PAR with the HARMONY...mabye just simidge above the ALLURE. But heck, what do we know? We're just from 'down on the farm'.

we're back off the Symphony. Wow...several of their performances were super super. Their ice skaters were phenomenal. The stage production crew fantastic. Please don't miss their production show 'FLIGHT'. OR the ICE show, 1977 [the Iskate2.0 show is exceptional also]. If you go on the Symphony reserve these shows immediately so you won't be locked out. This was our third mega ship, along with two voyager class ships...and we've yet to see a 'bad' show of course, but...we thought these shows were exceptional on the Symphony. Standing ovation quality whole audience quality.

We check the app constantly, but not until one is on the ship do they usually post show schedules [someone else here said check the app]. And even then, we've known delays on scheduling. Checking the app before one boards just gets a 'getting ready' or some such. But thanks anyway [to who suggested this]. You ask a good question though; one we'd also love to know about if anyone has any specific, or even general info [for the Symphony]. Last we heard, the broadway show is Hairspray. But there was some old info about a show called FLIGHT? Does anyone know if that is still being shown on Symphony? Someone on board now or recently might have a schedule to offer some info from. Thanks again from all of us going on the Symphony [wish cruise lines [ie RCI] offered more info on such things 'before one's cruise'].

I guess we give up. There is simply something about us that RCI does not like. We applied twice through snail mail with downloaded application and our august statement, then once with September statement, and now through the online link given on this thread [that has up to 10 cruise entries??!!]. NO CIGAR. I read others here applying ahead for cruises months in advance?! What's up with that since the instructions 'suggest' about 21 days in advance of one's cruise and how does one 'prove' they still own the shares? So, we've followed precisely the instructs...as we have found them anyway. It just has to be something about us personally? Well, that ridiculous of course as we're all swallowed up in 'miles and piles' of datafiles. 10 cruises in advance??!! Really?!!

Just a question, what is the most OBC that people have received? Is there some limitation? We always apply for our shareholder benefits, but we have not gotten any credit for it on a couple of occasions. Like now, as we are on the Symphony Oct. 15 and have applied now 3 times via snail mail [like we always do]. We figured they might not like our August statement [to mail apply 21 days prior etc], so now we've applied using our Sept. Statements [both my wife and I own shares in seperate accounts]. But since sent in 1st of month, only a couple of weeks until cruise [possibly not enough time as they recommend that 21 days]. But we already has $100 OBC but not sure why [sometime our T.Agency provides and other perks but we never seem to be notified exactly why]. I think the fine print says the shareholder benefit MIGHT not be combinable with certain 'other' discounts or credits...but nothing ever explains exactly why one way or another. All we can is keep applying we suppose. We don't want to seem greedy either, but if the benefit exists and we qualify [and we can't see why we wouldn't]...well, seems almost on a whim whether or not we receive the benefit [someone having a bad day or something and our application gets thrown in the trash or something]? There must be SOME reason...right? Why can't they inform us one way or another and why?

We actually did that 3 hour...uh...bus ride to Berlin [from Warnemunde in June and actually 3.5 hours ONE WAY]. We had a great day too and the bus ride wasn't that bad. But we had a great guide and just a bucket list tour of the city, and then some free time on our own. I only mention this as we've wondered if people porting at Canaveral [say cruising from Cape Liberty or somewhere up north] could have enough time to visit Orlando theme parks? It's a shorter drive than we had to Berlin [about 1.5 hours vs 3.5 hours to Berlin]...but then, there's the lines at the theme parks to contend with. We supposed it could be done, but would probably be impractical for most; and who wants just an hour or two at Disney, ha...or Universal or Seaworld. It was just a curiosity we had since Cape Canaveral is listed as 'Orlando' on port itineraries and a 'real' stop from northern ports. I'd opt for a nice airboat ride along the swamp canals, or maybe time at the Space Museum which would seem a lot more doable. Just curious.

Just curious. We haven't cruised the Oasis yet but seems we don't hear a lot of compliments about CATS? What is it that people might not like about this show [realizing it's all a matter of personal taste of course]. As mentioned, just curious.

Yea, we liked the music too [ABBA just likeable music]. The storyline, like you, not so much; it sort of celebrated...well, let's just say we are very traditional [as to family]. But the actors were great. I know, I know...we're prudes; what can I say, LOL.