Ret MP

Those of you that got the email offer, are you already booked on the Allure? I'd really like to see a double C&A deal again. Yes, I know that has nothing to do with BoA.

This is not to argue for or against having a TA. However, for the most part, almost ALL common questions can be answered by a simple check into Royal's, et al, website FAQ. I've used both TAs and Calling the cruise line direct for bookings. And to be honest, I've almost always felt better checking for myself, I've had both TAs and the "Phone Answerers" at the mother ship be wrong. The "Phone Answerers" far more often that the TAs though. And to be honest, I've only used the big box TAs because of the OBCs. If they don't offer generous OBCs, I book myself with a call to the cruise line. I'm really a firm believer in self-reliance, as much as possible. The above is not intended to be a stereo type of TAs or the "Phone Answerers". Some are very good. But, at least with the "Phone Answerers", they are wrong FAR to often.

I think this is kinda like asking if a Whopper is better than a Big Mac. Some will like one and others will like the other. It's an individual preference. I can only imagine that you have to try each for yourself before making up you mind. And keep in mind, chances are, if you enjoyed a MDR meal on the, for example, Anthem and cruise on her again in a year and didn't enjoy the meal, it's probably because the entire, or at least partially, culinary staff has changed. What I do wonder is, because X and Royal come from the same mother ship, do they exchange crews? Can a chef, for example, on one ship operated by Royal be transferred (contracted) to another ship operated by X? If so, the quality of the cooking capabilities are probably not an issue. It may just be the quality of the actual food if one is actually better than the other but has the same chef or the menu/recipes are different. But, who knows for sure. I would think, but am probably wrong, that the behind the scenes crew are interchangeable between X and Royal.

I too am a Royal Fan. However, I KNOW that relying on the "PHONE ANSWERERS" at the Mother Ship is precarious at best. That' s not to lay blame at the feet of the Guests/Customers. Just a well known fact! I would never rely on the answers of great importance that I get from the "PHONE ANSWERERS" I always go to their website FAQs and other OFFICIAL sources. For example: I take my drone with me on all my sailings, I take a copy of Royal's FAQ about drones (and it's good I do), and I make sure I check the websites of the countries I visit. But, at the end of the day, it is the Cruiser's responsibility to follow ALL rules/regulations/policies/laws.

Yep

All things being considered, the Caribbean is in the tropics. Nuff said!

Might I suggest: Regent Seven Seas Seabourn Ponant Crystal Cruises Silversea SeaDream Yacht Club Windstar Cruises Oceania Cruises

True!!!!!

And as stated, there were two actual check points for Entry/Boarding times. One at the entrance to the Terminal (#1), serpentine line which lasted for about ~15 - 20s minutes and one at the entrance to the hallway leading to the gangway/ship. Both used entry times and Suite/Status, oh and status includes ADA/special needs. That is all, carry on!

#1, Status, meaning Pinnacle.

Yep, at Canaveral on Oct 31, after the suites, and status folks entered the terminal, and about 5-10 minutes letting the first iteration of timed arrivals in, they just let everyone in, that's at the terminal entrance. However, once in the terminal, at the entry door to the boarding hallway, they stuck strictly to calling out the boarding times, not that the boarding times were accurate because we actually go on the ship long before our boarding time. But, we didn't buck the system, the system moved faster than they though and everybody got on early.

Yep, missed it. 🤣

So, I guess my Kilt with Tailed Tuxedo Jacket and 15 dozen military ribbons is just fine! ☺️ OR:

Let them eat cake!

To the OP, no matter what your wife uses, I hope she has a great time and people respect her disability and try to be accommodating to her (and all other special needs people).

Thanks, looks great! Can't wait to get there!

That's what I hear. I haven't been in one yet. I have been in the Suite's Lounge many times and thought it to be very Quuuiiiiiit

I think you hit the nail on the head there. Bias at work here. If people take the premise of everything I posted, they would conclude that I was just looking for "Documented Official Policy" by Royal. I never stated one way or another about the policy (other than in some of it, I totally agree with some of it), I just quoted it, Copied, and Pasted it. And then asked for more Documented Official Policy to back up what some are saying, and I also gave what I thought (a thought is not an argument) was the interpretation of some things. That's not to say that I disagree/am arguing with anyone about it, just looking for documented clarification. I just don't see the documentation. As someone says, Status and Benefit work hand in hand, I just don't see it (not that I disagree with it) in the policy. Why? Because the policy states in at least one section that Family and Friends are not authorized in the Diamond Lounge if they are not Diamond or above. Again, I'm not arguing, I'm looking for documented proof that backs up one side or the other. BUT, I'M NOT TAKING SIDES! I'm, again and again, just looking for Official Documentation that spells out the difference between Status and Benefit. I'll not go back and answer each post that was posted since last night. Because I think this sums up my quest and maybe some of the misunderstandings. For those of you who think you are talking about a wall, you are talking to a guy who has an open mind, at least about this, and was/is just looking, again, for documentation, not just, "because I said so". Having said all that, I spent some time, this morning, looking at the policy and looking at the part where it says, "Friends and Family" can't enter the Diamond Lounge, it could and probably should be interpreted as those friends and family members (family members not in the same household or otherwise authorized the award of the status) that haven't been awarded Diamond or above. My children that have not earned status but get it because of me or my wife will be awarded Diamond status strictly because of my or my wife's status, earned or not, and therefore authorized into the Diamond Lounge. But, friends that haven't earned Diamond status can't be brought into the lounge just because you/I are Diamond or above. I also thing that I could have worded many things differently and more clearly and in many cases, I rushed to post. That is my fault. BUT, I think many people are only reading portions or the first sentence or two of my posts. For example, did anybody read this in post #51: "(and I freely admit that my interpretation/logic could be totally wrong)"? BTW, I did emailed questions to Royal about this. It usually takes up to weeks for them to respond. I don't do Facebook so I'm not going there.

Damn, that's exactly what I said, "Okaaaaaaaay! What's interesting, it's not an exception in that case. It's according to policy". Post #64

$$$$$$$ can buy you a lot, even external youth!

And I will admit, that may be true in this case. I've spent most of the day reading semi technical documents. That's not to say that don't believe in what I've posted in here. I just may not have said them the exact way I would actually say them otherwise.

I just want to clarify this whole thing. It's turned into a mess. This thread started out with the question, "Diamond + sailing with new cruiser. Is she allowed access to Diamond Lounge on Liberty"? There were some that answered it with, basically, "Yes". Others said, "No'. And yet others said 'Yes or No" with qualifications. All I did was copy, paste and link to Royal's official FAQ that stated that, "Diamond Lounge is an exclusive benefit for only Diamond, Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club members and cannot be extended to include friends and family". See post #18, my first post in here. Then post #24 which cast doubt on the post #18. Then #50 where I asked for help in finding something more updated. And then that is where the horse race began. I agree with the policy. I don't want it change and I believe I said so many times. Some people many not like the links and/or words that I used or some sidenote thoughts I had but, I support the policy(ies) as written as they pertain to this issue. I don't think MOST of us who are Diamond or above would disagree with that.

In other words, a child may have the status or tier of Diamond but doesn't have the Benefit of entering the Diamond Lounge. And obviously, a friend or other family member that isn't at least Diamond can't enter the Diamond Lounge.

Okay, maybe you or someone can tell me exactly what I'm missing/not understanding/where I'm wrong. I am now and always have been willing to listen/read.

LOL, Really? First, you've only TOLD us, not provided actual official text. Second, I've posted links to every word that I posted and I put the words in quotation marks. I just didn't make anything up. The only thing I don't understand so far is your continued reference to you using actual facts, which are at this point only words, and not knowing where I get my blocks of text from. I'm referencing actual official links and words from Royal's official FAQ. Here it is again: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/crown-and-anchor-society-benefit-grid.pdf