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I have been to the DL every night on the current sailing of Navigator - I have yet to see a single tip being offered (500+ D and up on this sailing).

I feel for Kenneth, the best DL bartender on the Navigator. Never had to ask for drink, he just brought it to us. We tipped him $1 each drink and gave him a nice envelope on the last night. Almost everyone tipped per drink, except for one guy who obviously took advantage. No tips from him, just lots (and lots) of freebie drinks FOR him, served with a smile. We were on the 3/26/17 sailing.

Cindy, thank you so much for taking the time and effort to allow us to travel across the Atlantic with you! So far you have detailed your experience thoroughly. Good job! I was especially happy to hear about Norwegian...we are taking a transatlantic to Copenhagen next year and that is the airline on which we hope to return (non-stop!) to Miami. We'll be following along.....have a wonderful stay in Florida and Bon Voyage! :)

Poopouri

Yes, that Ulta purchase was a very needed HBA. Will never again leave home without it!

RCI has announced a fifth Oasis class ship (the Behemoth of the Seas?).

http://www.wheeliegoodcruises.com.au/tag/crystal-cruises/

Wonder what market she'll take on (Europe or Pacific based)?

That's a bad name.

I'll be taking my first cruise as a Diamond member this summer (Oasis in a JS, solo). I've already paid for VOOM, a drink package and port parking, so I probably wouldn't use small discounts if available for any of those items. I was surprised to get my choice of early traditional dining, since on my recent cruises I ended up in My Time even though I booked nearly a year ahead.

 

What will be different as a Diamond member? Is check in or debarkation much different from Emerald? Will I get a different color sign and sail card (and does it mean anything?) Will there be a list of diamond benefits in the cabin? Do I get more than the can of soda and snack I earned with Emerald? Any tips on how to enjoy being Diamond? I understand from these boards that 2/3 of the passengers are also likely to be Diamond LOL. For me, it will be a big deal :D.

 

And what do you do with your Diamond pin? After I took a picture of my Emerald pin and sent it to my kids (Nyah Nyah Nyah), I put in in a drawer. Did you feel motivated to try to reach the next level with RCL, or did you then start to explore other cruiselines? I have my first HAL cruise in 2 months and have tried Celebrity (1X), Carnival (7X), NCL (2X) and Princess (1X) over the last 20 years.

 

Thank you!

Love this post! We just completed our very first Diamond cruise on Navigator - 3/26/17-3/31/17 -- just home today! Wish I had asked this question before we left ;p I loved the lounge - that was the highlight of our trip. The delicious canapes! The free drinks! The wonderful window seat at My Time Dining!!! A tiny problem in Giovanni's Table lead to a free meal - something we didn't ask for or expect. Whoa, what a wonderful difference!!! Makes me want to book another cruise next week :) However, I have a question for the veterans: We tipped each server $1 per drink, whether it was in the Diamond Lounge or another bar that accepted our card. Was that sufficient? We also gave an envelope to the servers in the lounge on the last night. Are we doing the right thing?

True to form, we are a day late and a dollar short. When we were close to reaching Diamond status several years ago, the requirements changed and we spent another 5-6 years to climb the ladder. Finally we achieved Diamond on our last cruise in August. We won't have a chance to cruise again until next March, so I guess there won't be a lounge for us. Three drinks are enough -- and much appreciated -- but I was so looking forward to the ambience of sitting in a private lounge with RCCL loyalists. Oh well.....we are mere peons in the world of frequent cruisers.

A few screen grabs courtesy of http://www.portbermudawebcam.com of your approach with the Northstar up...

 

 

 

 

Nice picture! But suddenly I am reminded of Captain Sig's Northwestern with crab pots stacked high to the sky.

Holy Cow. :eek: Stay safe. We are all glued to your thread.

Yes, we're glued. Thank you for posting while under unpleasant conditions, 'cause we all want to know what's going on. Once you're feeling better we are looking forward to hearing that you're having the time of your lives, enjoying delicious food!!! You'll be hungry.

Thanks again for posting your experience! Hope the high seas don't last long and the remainder of your cruise is sunny and perfect.

Thank you for taking the time to post....I will be following along. Have a great trip!

looks like you will be sailing on schedule. Have a great time, guys! If anyone has internet service, please let us know how you're doing!

Ovation too.

So does Empress. I loved using it. I never feel clean using hand sanitizer. And I hate the added scent. I don't like to eat bread right after slopping it on my hands.

Wow, really? How is a cruise vacation work? We just got to Diamond on our last cruise - 81 enjoyable nights in regular balcony rooms away from the cold and snow. Our next cruises are not on RCI so I don't know if, or when, we will take advantage of the benefit but I will never say it was work or that I "earned" the benefit. We chose to spend our vacation time and money with RCI and any benefits conferred on us will just be icing on the cake.

You may call it whatever you wish, as can I. Several years ago Royal changed the C&A point system, as a result it has taken longer to get to here. For that reason I don't want cheaters to jeopardize our benefits. BTW, my post was not directed at you. Your past, present or future plans are not my concern.

I'm pretty sure you can only get one drink at a time so if you get a drink, give it away to a friend and go right back for another, it might not work. It's practices like this that would make the cruise line withdraw these perks and boy, have I and many others worked hard and spent a fortune to get them.

 

 

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What a great, diplomatic answer. As we just turned Diamond, I searched for info on Diamond Lounge and came upon this thread. We would be dismayed if our terrific new perk was discontinued because of cheaters. You are correct -- we worked hard to get here and want to enjoy the benefits! Cheers!!!

They were given notice days in advance for this delay and also receiving $20 per person on board credit.

 

They are working to fix the A/C in the Casino.

They sent an email on Tuesday, saying it was a "scheduled" maintenance. No one told us about the scheduled maintenance when we booked it less than a month ago. 4:10 pm........Just announced that boarding will begin shortly. Several police just entered the terminal to assist. Gonna be fun.

We had a daily Zumba class on our May '16 transatlantic on Navigator. Elise, our wonderful Aussie activity director lead the classes. She was terrific. Such a great way to start each day in the middle of the ocean!!!

My all-time favorite RCCL dish is Chicken and Mushroom Pappardelle. Pasta at its best! Served in MDR, not to be confused with another creamy pappardelle meal served in the Italian specialty restaurant. The one I love has a red sauce. Several years ago (2010) on a transatlantic, this was served for dinner one night, then again a week later as a lunch entrée. On our last TA in May it was served only once at lunch. But very day, early in the am, I went down to Deck 4 to check the menus, searching for it. If you see it, order it -- you will not be disappointed!

To preface, just got off Liberty in May, our centrum E1 cost us $1450 with our Diamond discount.

 

Pricing 2017 season, albeit middle of summer, the lowest summer price is:

$1,619.00 USD*

AVG $809.50 / PERSON USD*

 

+ Taxes, fees and port expenses $199.66 USD*

 

DEALS INCLUDED

 

EXCEPT....this is an inside!:eek: If we do the balcony again, it goes to 2800 and that's with their new deal plus Diamond discount and every other discount put in perameters.

 

RCCL is quickly pricing us right out of cruising!!! Dare I say we may be heading to Carni????? Looks like it. Or maybe now's the time to consider the Mexican rentals. What in blue thunder is going on!!!

If true, RCCL is gonna have a lovely time trying to fill those bazillion-dollar ships they're building. Good luck, fellas. And count me out -I am not going to pay for your dumb business decisions.

To the Schooner Bar if all else fails!!! I completely agree.

Oh! I forgot to mention that before breakfast we did some laps around deck 6. It is the walking track, and also the muster station deck. It goes all the way around. The sign posted said that one lap was equivalent to 1/4 mile.

 

 

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That was another question I had that you just answered. Thank you!!

Here's the schooner right now! We are watching tennis and watching Cuba slide by to port.

 

 

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Ahh. Looks positively lovely - thank you...we can't wait. Enjoy!

Thank you SO MUCH for the review and the pictures! We just booked the 8/6 cruise last night and I've been searching the Internet for interior pictures of the ship without much luck. I was especially happy to see your Schooner Lounge pic, as that's my favorite place to relax on most Royal ships! I will be tagging along with you all the way :)

Ain't THAT the truth!

Why so mean?

That was fun!!! Love, love, loved those toots, Westerdam:)

I'm curious, too, as I have friends on this cruise. Was hoping to see someone onboard post a "live from" thread.