Ret MP

Really? Did you actually read it?

I was once involved in a heated discussion (I know, hard to believe) in this forum or maybe it was one of the other cruise social media sites about Johnny Rockets. I am/was a defender of the venue. I, kinda still am. But, another thread in here has several people listing Johnny's as one of the top overrated venues in RCCL. I've only been to one Johnny Rockets since the restart and the Johnny's we've been to pre-pandemic were all on Oasis Class Ships, Oasis, Symphony, and I don't remember about the Allure. All of those were great. We really liked the Johnny Rockets that we visited, pre-pandemic. HOWEVER, the Johnny Rocket's on the Independence this past October/November was far less than I expected. The place looked old, worn-out, perception of unclean, and just not inviting. The burgers were lacking something, they seemed bland, not sure what was wrong with them, maybe lack of seasoning. I'm not ready to criticize Johnny Rocket's as a whole but it definitely needs some attention on the Independence. Some say that they believe that Guys on Rustbucket Cruise Lines is much better. I disagree, not because of the taste/quality of Guys. Only because it isn't a sit-down/full service venue, the fix'ins bar is gross (not very well maintained, non-Guys people (often drunks) walking by and grabbing stuff with their hands, etc.), the lack of seating far too often, and no beverage service (you have to go to another venue (like the BlueIguana Bar) for a drink of any kind and by the time you get back, the burger is cold). So, I'm looking forward to returning to Oasis Class ships with a Johnny Rocket's and a better experience, I HOPE! BTW, I totally agree 100% that Coco Cay is way overrated. Especially if you are a 71 year old. There is nothing I can do on Coco Cay that I can't do on the ship and I can do it without the crowds. That's not to say that it isn't great for young families and active adults. But, for old folks like me, it's a wasted part of the itinerary. I'm only saying that I'll look for itineraries, in the future, that don't include Coco Cay, unless we have any/all of our grandkids with us. I'm not suggesting that Coco Cay be removed from RCCL's options, it's just not for us.

Not consciously. I've been using it for decades in certain situations and in the Army I used it when I was done with my meeting with my squad/section/secretary/whatever. I guess that it's my way of showing unquestionable finality.

That is all

That's good to hear.

Yes, I find this policy/FAQ to be very poorly written. Maybe on purpose. As you said, it is open for interpretation. Not necessarily for the benefit of the customer.

I'm confused because that's not what the policy/FAQ says. The policy/FAQ says that you must find a better price within 48 hours of making your booking to do the price guarantee. That means to me the if I book and pay my deposit for a booking right now, 4:30 PM on Tuesday, after 4:30 PM on Thursday, the pricing guarantee is no longer valid. However, some say that you can get the price guarantee any time and others say it has to be outside of the final payment date, and some say that you can only do it within the final payment date. This is my problem struggling with the wording of the policy/FAQ and what some are saying. That's all. Again, not an argument, just seeking verifiable clarification. For example, I have a booking that I've paid the deposit on several months ago and it sails in January 2024, over a year away. It is well past the 48 hours since I made the booking and paid the deposit. So, no matter how hard we research for a better price, we can't do the price guarantee because it is beyond 48 hours since I booked and paid the deposit, according to the policy/FAQ. Right or wrong? If I'm wrong, I'd like to see it in writing or explain how I'm reading this wrong. This is Royal's words, not mine: "Spot a better price on your booked cruise? Our Best Price Guarantee lets you take advantage of a better price within 48 hours from the time you booked— just give us a call or use our online form. You’ll receive the difference as a non-refundable onboard credit inside final payment or rate adjustment outside final payment". The "inside" and "outside" payment date mentioned is only explaining how you get the difference of the rates. If you booked and paid the deposit inside the final payment date AND found a better price within the 48 hours after booking and paying the deposit, you get an OBC for the difference. If you book and paid the deposit outside the deposit date, your final payment will be adjusted to the lower amount, if booked you found the better price with the 48 hours of booking paying the deposit. That's how I read the policy/FAQ.

Not sure. All I can find in the FAQ only talks about being able to bring water, wine, and such, ON BOARDING day. Nothing about bring something from Ports of Call. Not about sodas, anyway. I don't bring anything back on board with me that is considered food/perishable. So, I have no experience with you question. However, I really don't think there would be a problem bring a can or bottle of coke on board.

Once again, I'm not trying to be argumentative, not one bit. But, coming from a career in the legal system (the enforcement side) words mean things. This kinda reminds me of when I first started out in LE going through school and an instructor stated something about a law that was exactly opposite of what was written in the statute/law. The answer: Don't trust statutes/laws as written in the legal libraries and so on, research "Case Law". "Case Law" is what matters. If "Case Law" turned a law around 180 degrees, the law is the "Case Law", not what is written in the legal books that don't cite "Case Law" although the statute/law is the basis for the "Case Law". I feel that there is something like that going on here. Royal has a public policy/FAQ that states one thing, without qualifications/disclaimers but something else is being applied. I'm just wondering why. Nothing more, nothing less. Enquiring minds, at least mine, want to know.

Good point. I don't know the answer to that. The cruise I was talking about was just after things started to let up from the COVID debacle and there were a lot of other issues that dealt with shortages of this, that, the other thing, staff/crew, things broken and repair parts not available, and venues closed or limited hours of operation. This was actually the second revenue producing cruise after COVID on the Ovation out of Seattle. As much as I've cruised in my life time, this was the only cruise that had soooooo many issues. I, believe it or not, am not a complainer. If I do complain, it's usually low key and between me and the person providing the service with only a few exceptions.

I don't know. I can't/won't debate that with you. But, that's not what the public/FAQ states. I'm just suspect as to the behind the scenes/none public policy and their motives.

I can't say for sure about Bayonne. But, in May of this year, post-pandemic, the Star Class banner, luggage drop-off, and Genie meeting point was as expected in Seattle. I hope someone can answer your question directly about Bayonne. Enjoy!

In your situation, I'd go ahead and just take a chance and use the BC & DL. That's going against my usual advice of always having a Passport with you, all the time, while traveling in foreign countries. You are between a rock and a hard place. Just remember, if you don't have a Passport, you can't fly home without one, emergency or not. Can you get clearance, eventually? Yes. But, in an actual life, death, limb emergency, for you or a family member, every minute counts.

When I book a cabin using the Royal Caribbean phone answerers (which is about 50% of the time) we never hang up until the phone answerer sends us an invoice through email, it's never been a problem and they are more than willing to do so. Then we go through it together and I ask what all the codes on the invoice are. If the answers aren't acceptable to me, I ask to speak to a supervisor or manager. However, trying to make a long story short and to answer your question directly, YES, we've received OBCs/FCC for mistakes and/or services not rendered. Last May we took an Alaska cruise out of Seattle (big mistake) on the Ovation. We were Star Class. On day two, our Genie came down with a injured ankle (I actually believe he had COVID), then the day after that our next Genie came down with an injured knee or ankle (again, I believe it was COVID). So, for the remainder of the cruise we had to share the last remaining Genie with all the other Star Class cabins and it was her first cruise as a full fledged Genie. She did well though. There was a myriad of other issues. We brought it up, several of the issues, to our cabin steward and within a few hours we got a call from the Customer Service Manager and had a meeting set up with her. We made it perfectly clear that we weren't looking for any benefit other than advising her of what went on. She apologized and said that she was going to send something to our cabin as a token of their apology, I actually thought it was going to be a fruit basked or something like that. We told her that we didn't want it as that wasn't the reason for expressing our concerns. However, on the last full day of the cruise we got a letter that was very nicely written and it included a 5% Future Cruise Credit. That was significant as we paid a lot of money for that Star cruise, that 5% paid for all but about $100.00 of our last Balcony cruise on the Independence a few weeks ago.

Going with a suite is obviously going to give you more square feet of living space, especially if you get a 2 bedroom suite. But, as you said, it does come with a significant upcharge. We cruised on the Independence of the Seas a couple/few weeks ago. We got the "Spacious" Ocean View Balcony. I'm not sure what was meant by "Spacious". Yes, on paper the square footage is a little larger. But, it isn't visually noticeable. There is what looks like a curtain in the advertising pictures that separates the living room from the bedroom but don't let that fool you, the curtain is only about 3 feet long and there isn't a track to pull it across the room, anyway. So, there is no privacy between the living room and the bedroom. Having said all that, I think 4 people in a cabin capable of sleeping 4, especially if 2 are young, isn't much of a problem. We've done it and it was just fine. Just be cautious if you have a grandson like mine. Man that kid can stink up a room , fast and often.

If we don't get the Deluxe Beverage Package (the adult beverage package), we get the Refreshment Package (the none adult beverage package). The Refreshment Package is a lot more than just Coke (Sodas): Fountain soda and refills at any venue Coca-Cola Freestyle beverages* Coca-Cola souvenir cup Non-alcoholic cocktails (mocktails) Still and sparkling water Premium coffees and teas Fresh-squeezed juices The "Sparkling Water" is worth it for me alone. I drink a lot of it. If you are a big time coffee drinker, that's probably well worth it alone, as well. I just wouldn't sail without a package of some kind. As much as I like the Freestyle soda machines (which on my last cruise (Independence), seemed to be down most of the time), or I should say, the mix and match ability, I hate carrying around that huge tumbler. So, I usually don't have it with me when in the Promenade. I do take it to the WJ though. Bottom line for us, we think it is well worth it as you will probably never see us without some kind of drink in our hands.

Yes, of course. Sometimes, my answers are for those that don't have the sense of humor we have. BTW, I know that my sense of humor can be very dry.

I got out of the Army after my first enlistment in 1972. In 1976 I enlisted again (Yes, that is an enlistment, not reenlistment). I went from E-4 down to E-2 with my first assignment being at Ft. Meade, MD. Had a wife and a baby, never took any type of public assistance other than the apartment complex we liked in in Glenn Burnie offered reduced rates for military and they paid the utilities. I'm sure they were subsidized by the state or Feds or both. I was young and didn't care. I just knew my family had a new, clean, and secure roof over their heads. Back then you didn't qualify for post housing unless you were an E-4 with 4 or more years of active service. My point? We, my wife and I felt rich. We did things every weekend (Smithsonian, Kings Dominion, Hershey Park, pot lucks with other Privates, you name it) with the baby. We pack our own meals and just go somewhere for the day on days off. Seemed that the more money I made, the more I was worried about money and the less I had. Now that we are empty nesters (for a couple decades now), we treat ourselves to a Star Class cruise every now and then and when we get withdrawals, lay on the floor in the fetal position flopping around like fish, we book a Balcony. So, as much as I dislike a lot of things that are going on with the cruise industry and I'm very vocal about it, it is still something we love to do and it will take a few more Nickel and Dimes to turn us away from cruising, RCCL in particular. I really love RCCLs Oasis Class and Quantum Class ships and the crews. I'm good for now.

We have the richest poor people in the world. https://veteran.com/snap-benefits/

Nope, my wife is disabled and has SS. We live well below our means and save up for Star Class. It takes about 2 years to do so. But, we sometimes take a cruise, Ocean View Balcony or Boardwalk Balcony between the Star Class cruises. BTW, I've retire 2 more time after the Army.

RCCL IT and management! Need I say more? Seems to me that any "MASS" mailing, snail mail or email, would have to be approved by upper management before being mailed/sent out.

True because "most" cruise ship employees aren't U.S citizens or reside in the U.S. Edited IN: To be clear: I'm talking about Social Security and Medicare. Income tax is for American owned companies doing business aboad.

I can not and will not say that what I'm about to throw out there is factual on RCCL. But, we took a behind the scenes tour on Rustbucket Cruise Lines and we were told that the stage crew, except for the very specialized entertainment staff, were regular crew member that volunteer to work extra and earn extra money. This was pre-COVID and again, not RCCL. I've taken the tour on RCCL but that never came up.

And unique, too. You've got to get them when the become available because you won't see them again , right.

We've been through this on at least a couple other threads. I agree that repricing can be done, prior to the final payment date. And, I'm just asking a question here, not saying anybody is right or wrong. But, what does this mean? I'm really curious, not argumentative: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/best-price-guarantee-policy Spot a better price on your booked cruise? Our Best Price Guarantee lets you take advantage of a better price within 48 hours from the time you booked— just give us a call or use our online form. You’ll receive the difference as a non-refundable onboard credit inside final payment or rate adjustment outside final payment.