aloha43

I apologize for using the term ultra rich.

I just mean that RCI is catering to the big bucks and leaving the lower guy behind.

Some people on here can sure come across as a bit mean.

I'm sorry I brought it up.....

Sorry I am not flaming you but I think the problem with the negativity is from you. Most of what you said is not true. Freedom is going into Dry dock it is not chartered for the whole month, The Oasis is open for booking all 5 dates in January. You would not be able to book The Navigator January 17 cruise because it leaves on January 18. The only one chartered is May 3 Freedom cruise To Maxwell and the seven seas an entertainment cruise. The prices are not double BTW. You can go to their web site and book if you like. But really you don't believe the Ultra Rich go on Royal Caribbean do you? Maybe get the facts straight before posting.

I said Freedom was cancelled all of Jan 2016...chartered Jan 25.

Oasis showed N/A the whole month of Jan 2016 just yesterday....now it is available.

And yes, May 3 Chartered as I said.

I was wrong when I said Navigator...I meant Liberty (I meant the 10th, we had b2b booked and the other was Jan 17). It was cancelled on us after booking it. We actually were in the middle of planning a family reunion on this one.....6 family members had already booked.

It's just frustration I was getting at.

I wish they would quit allowing bookings.....and then taking them away for charters.

Why the resentment of those who have more money than you? There is always someone with more than you and always those with MUCH less. I'm sure that some resent YOU for being able to cruise. To much of the world you and I are "" super rich".

Your comment is just not fair.

I commented because of the fear of losing the booking. The room I want. The airfare that needs to be changed. The hotels that need to be changed. Sometimes transportation to and from the hotels and ports. AND.... the fact that most people can't just change their vacation time any time they want.

My comments are because of the frustration of RCI allowing bookings and then taking them away when the almighty $$ gets involved.

It is not resentment....it is frustration.....

I was looking for cruise critic posters who are good at talking me down when I'm not sure of what is happening.....not being "put down" for my comments.

I do think it's a bit crap to allow charters after anyone has booked. They should book charter groups further out and not alter to a charter once it has been opened for bookings.

Thank you....that is exactly what I mean.

My point here is....

Should it be fair for the cruise line to allow us to book and then take it away because the rich...or "a group".... decide to charter it?

Eventually, people are going to get fed up with Royal Caribbean doing this and messing with their plans....

They are catering to the rich.....

OP -- Never thought I'd hear myself say this, but MatJ2000 is right, on this one. Has nothing to do with the 'ultra rich' -- just groups who have enough $$ and sheer numbers to charter an entire ship.

I would think if groups have enough $$ to charter the whole ship.....they are rich.

I'm not sure that I understand your comment on Oasis cancellations for Jan 2016. All Jan 2016 dates are available for booking. I'm interested because we are booked on the Jan 2 sailing. I just made the reservation a couple of weeks ago.

Yesterday.....before the website went down for maintenance, I was looking for that "back up" plan if needed and I checked Oasis.

It showed N/A on all Jan 2016 cruises on Oasis.

Don't worry....it is working for me now. :)

Yea....large groups of specialty types.

Richer than thou with lots of money, reserving the entire ship....and then selling out the rooms at double the price. Sounds like the rich to me.....at least some of them. I'm afraid this will become the norm....the 1% vs middle to lower class.

Freedom - All of January 2015, all 5 cruises cancelled.....Jan 25 chartered. May 3, 2015....chartered.

Navigator - Jan 17 cancelled....no idea why.

Oasis - All of January 2016, all 5 cruises cancelled.

What can I say.....the more talk about cancellations, the more I get worried about mine. I book really early to get the rooms that we want.

I'm a worry wart...:eek:

With all of the latest Freedom cancellations....is this the normal?

It kind of sounds like RCI is catering to the ultra rich and leaving the rest of us in the dust.

I have already had to re-book once and we are really afraid that we will lose out...:mad:

Well I heard theyre bringing the Monarch back to PC and moving Freedom to Pullman ... :eek::p

Where did you hear this?

Any answers on this question?

Just curious....

What specifically does the cabin attendant do for you?

Don't forget to shut off the coffee pot before you leave.

We were halfway to the airport (4 hour drive) when we worried that it wasn't shut off. :eek:

Take some tums with you. Heartburn from all of the pigging out is misery in the middle of the night when you wake up and don't have any. ;)

One of my sons was fine on Carnival Fantasy a few years ago.

Two years ago, on the Allure, he was VIOLENTLY sea sick...he swore he would never cruise again.

At this very moment, he is on a cruise. Why? Because had I known he was going to be soooooo seasick on our last cruise, I would have had him take Bonine.

 

It is over the counter. You start taking it the day BEFORE your cruise. (which he did).

 

They called me from Grand Turk yesterday and NO PROBLEMS at all. Get Bonine....just in case. :):):)

 

PS>>>>THE SHIP FEELS VERY SAFE...IT IS AMAZING

Yes, Bonine is the right thing, it works great. Just take it as a precautionary measure and you should be fine.

The bigger the ship the better, they are more stable than a high rise building.

OMHO........I'm afraid your story is not beneficial for someone who needs talking down on their nerves.....

Don't worry Leannhb....you will have a great time!!:D

 

So nice to cruise with a "0" on board bill:D

 

That's the plan...:)

How far in advance can I book excursions? When do they release them for booking?

Thanks for all of your ideas and support!

Cruise Critic is wonderful!:D

Don't they know ahead of time when it will be in drydock?

I can see a "maybe" knowing year in advance, but only 7 month notice for booked passengers?

Doesn't seem fair......

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with pre purchasing on board credit so dont let anyone tell you otherwise and dont listen to those who are snarky or smart alec about it. Its YOUR money, not theirs!

 

I do it for every cruise and it works like a charm. It shows up on your onboard account on day two of your cruise. You can charge up to 500.00 on a 7 night cruise before they ask you for any money and by that time your prepaid OBC should show up as a credit.

 

Call the Gifts and Gear # above and its as easy as can be. Its a totally different phone line than calling to book a cruise. The wait shouldnt be long at all.

Thank you....:)

Thanks for the ideas. I guess I'll just have to call each time......:(

Yes, its called a savings account. You can open one at your bank or try something online like CapitalOne360.

 

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I have savings and checking accounts. I just wanted to keep it separate and be able to see it build on my account. It is part of the anticipation.

We also have family members that would add to it....not to a savings account.

But no way to do it online? I really dislike waiting on hold....:p:D

Thank you so much for your WONDERFUL, funny review!

We have 615 days to go before we see Freedom, so your review definitely helps us get through the LONG wait!! :D