cruisejess

Did you go to into Walmart before quarantine was up?  I've alway loved reading about your travels, but goodness that's not right.

2 hours ago, J&M said:

Just heard 3 cases of coronavirus is in Baltimore, the Grandeur Port in Balt.  If we write and ask questions etc. to RC corporate as I have done we might get them to give us credit for future cruises ..keep this going and we might hear them update there terrible policy..we sail april 4..2020

Is the state notifying the other passengers from the cruise that returned 2/20?  Are they testing the crew?  Very scary.

7 minutes ago, Wheelhouse said:

 

It says so here

 

https://www.fox5dc.com/news/gov-larry-hogan-declares-state-of-emergency-in-maryland-after-3-positive-coronavirus-cases-confirmed

Thanks!  That is terrible.

38 minutes ago, Wheelhouse said:

No specific ship mentioned here but there are three COVID-19 cases in Maryland of people returning from a cruise ending on Feb 20.

 

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/three-montgomery-county-residents-have-states-first-cases-of-coronavirus/

How do you know this is cruise ship related?

41 minutes ago, mnocket said:

I've found an even better solution for dealing with Valentine's day......  my cruise next month crosses the international date line in such a way that there will be no Feb 14th 😈

Hahahahaha!  You better at least buy a card!

We had the best experience on Armonia in MYchoice dining June 3rd.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner just exceptional service.

It felt like the cruise dining room of 20 years ago.  Enjoy!

I have to admit that I am a little confused by the new point system. What if a first time cruiser gets 8000 points? Do I understand correctly that they would not be entitled to any of the casino promotions or benefits until next spring?

What happens to the points earned between 12/31/17 and 3/31/18? maybe some one posted the answer and I didn't see it. I have 2 cruises booked during that period. Thanks.

The Carnival Pride casino opens afte sailing under the bridge. The Grandeur of the Seas casino opens the next morning at 8AM.

Rather then speculate I wrote to the Maryland Gaming Commission. Here is the reply I received:

Thank you for contacting us with your question. Under state law, gambling on cruise ships is not regulated by Maryland Lottery and Gaming. The agency that has jurisdiction over gambling on cruise ships in the Chesapeake Bay is the Maryland Port Administration.

According to Transportation Article, § 6-209©(2), a permit for gaming on a passenger cruise ship issued by the Port Administration on state waters authorizes gambling only while the vessel is underway, is east of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, and is operating under an itinerary that either originates or terminates in a foreign port outside of the continental United States.

We appreciate your interest in this topic. Please let us know if you have any additional questions about lottery and casino gaming in the state, or contact the Port Administration if you have further questions about gambling on cruise ships.

Maryland Lottery and Gaming Communications

Perhaps Carnival applied for the permit, but Royal Caribbean didn't.

I just returned from the Pride on Sunday June 18, 2017. The casino was opened shortly after sailing from Baltimore. The casino on the Pride also opened just after sailing on our cruise in March from Baltimore. I have no reason to post incorrect information.

I was surprised by the casino policy on the Grandeur. It changed last fall sometime between September and November. When I say surprised I mean I was pretty cranky about it. Anyway, we sailed on the Pride in March and just got back from the Pride today. The casino is open about an hour after sailing from Baltimore and remains open the last night. I can't explain why Carnival is allowed to open but Royal is not. Both cruises on the Pride have been very nice and the casino has been generous with perks and "Bounce Back" offers. I am a long time Club Royal member but their new policy has made it difficult to play.

The casino on the Carnival Pride opens about an hour after sailing from Baltimore. Just sailed last month and was pleasantly surprised.

The casino was never crowded. I have friends currently on the Carnival Pride and the casino onboard was open by 6:30 the first night. We have been sailing out of Baltimore for years and the casino has always been open. It is very hard to earn points because most days the casino didn't open until around 7. On a nine night cruise there were two nonsmoking nights, so I didn't play then. We have cruised a lot this year and I probably have 28000 points, but with the new silly system I will be punished for my point total on this cruise.

Just home from nine nights on the Grandeur. Upon arrival there was a letter from the casino host in our stateroom welcoming me and stating that "to align with the rest of the fleet" the casino would not be open the first night at all. They would open the next morning at 7AM for slot play. The casino was closed at 5:30 on the last night. I found the situation unacceptable and I think they shop notify the Club Royal players that book that ship. The new policy has been in effect for the last two cruises.

On the Grandeur they have recently replaced the suite mattresses. They are really wonderful. Perhaps they have done the same on other ships.

On the Grandeur the filet has been replaced by a pretty sad NY strip steak. The quality is not nearly as good. This change occurred after the price to dine there went up!

On the Grandeur last week the hostess came over and put the VIP sticker on my card when the casino opened. I was immediately given free drinks and no surcharge for cash from the window. She said that the policy was new. I am a member of Club Royal and have been for a couple of years. Who know's what will change by the time I sail next month. Good Luck.

I can't believe that those are the changes they are going forward with! I have cruised four times this year and have gotten 20000 points all together. My next cruise in September is port intensive and I will not have as much time to play. I have three more long cruises scheduled between now and Feb. 2017. I have gotten Club Royal discounts on all of them. If the number from my September cruise mucks up the discounts I get I will happily move on to a different line.

The certificates can be applied to any cruise and stateroom. The "free cruise" amount can be issued for $500, $750, $1000 depending on play. I only know that in slot play 2400 points = $500, 3600 points = $750 and 4800 points= $1000. We have never been able to take the cruises offered, but have often used them to book 9 night cruises in Grand Suites. There is an expiration date. An additional Casino Royal discount is usually given. Good luck!

I was able to apply the certificate to a sailing in February 2017. I am still confused by the limbo program as I was an "old school" member of Club Royal. Truthfully I feel like I should have chosen NCL or Carnival for my play this year. We are sailing on Royal again in September, but I may cancel our December Anthem trip. I get no emails, so I feel like I am also missing out on additional promos and it is difficult to try to get them when on the phone with a Club rep.

I am sure we all wish they would get their act together and there was some consistency.

I have a quick question. I just returned from my fourth Royal cruise since January of this year. Collectedly I have around 20000 points for the year with two additional cruises planned. I received another certificate that I will be unable to use before it expires on January 1, 2017. So my question is, has anyone had any luck extending the discount? Also, would I be considered a high roller or just a middle of the road member? I have never used the certificates for a "free" cruise but have taken the money off and upgraded to Jr. Suites or Grand Suites. Thanks for your help!

Jess

We have been cruising since 1997, we have done every activity there is (more then once). I love watching the "Today" show and the "Chew" when we sail on Carnival. Wish Royal would add network TV programming! Btw, I spend plenty of money in the casino!

I have a quick question. Have you spent anytime in the casino? I was wondering if Traci is onboard as the host? Thanks!

The aft Jr. Suites on Decks 7 and 8 have extended balconies. The corner afts on 7 ( don't know about 8) have huge wrap around balconies and walk in closets. There is no noise from the lounge below.