leaveitallbehind

Can't confirm casino match, as I would think that would depend on partner programs with each cruise line. But I can confirm there is no individual loyalty program status match. However, within the RCL family (RCCL / Celebrity) there is loyalty program reciprocity of tier benefits at certain tier levels when sailing on each other.

Understand completely, but just want to point out that with a number of packages, RCCL and Celebrity in particular, there is nothing that would be not "in the package" as their packages are based on types and brands of alcohol, which typically can provide mixes for any type of cocktails, along with wines and beers. They are not based on a selection of included and excluded cocktails. This of course may vary by other cruise lines.

It doesn't work that way. Any cocktail that can be made from the brands included in the package would be included. There are no specific included cocktails and no specific restrictions. All cocktails mixed are based on the brands provided in the packages. And if a certain brand beverage is need for a cocktail you want is not part of the Classic package, it can be provided using the Premium package brands for an upcharge. Just look at the brands offered in the Classic package and connect them to the cocktails you normally drink. Obviously there is a greater variety and diversity of available alcohol brands in the Premium package, but there should be availability in the Classic for most anything you would want.

Here is a pdf of the current drink packages offered by Celebrity which shows at the top the value level of the beverages by package. Celebrity does not break it down further by individual drinks. The packages are based on the brands and associated value of the different alcohols included, with the Classic being more limited and primarily "well" brands and the Premium more extensive and primarily premium brands. Package prices will vary by sailing, sales offered, and purchase timing. Celebrity drink packages.pdf

Depending on cruise lines, unsold group (or blocked) staterooms held by TA's are generally released back to the cruise line's inventory about 120 days prior to sailing. But this can vary. Once back in inventory the cruise lines will release them for general bookings directly and through TA's. The stateroom fares at that time will be dependent on their algorithms in use measuring demand and sales trends.

I would think you could still hand additional gratuities in person to those for whom you wish to provide extra. They may be required to pool them as well, but at least they will know you thought extra of them to give it and will receive something from it.

Sorry for the duplicate information @sparks1093 - was typing as you posted. But it does reinforce the message!

@CruiserBruce has the right suggestion. But to add, most drink packages are relatively expensive IMO and you typically need to consume about 6-7 drinks per day per person to break even. And remember this will include port of call days when you most likely will be off the ship for the better part of the day. Most cruise lines require that all people over the age of 21 in the stateroom purchase it. Also keep in mind that most cruise lines wouldn't offer them if it wasn't attractively profitable to them.

There is no third party website that I am aware of that tracks the different cruise line's ships stateroom inventory. First of all, the cruise lines don't release that information publicly and show availability only on their websites and travel agent booking site. But even if they did, with the number of different cruise lines and ships and itineraries and sailing dates, the information would literally change hourly and would be IMO extremely difficult and undesirable for them to manage on behalf of that website. Besides, Travel Agent's booking volume and direct booking inquiries make that unnecessary. With all of the differentiation between cruise lines, I also don't think they would want to have all their information lumped into a large common pool of data with the other cruise lines where their distinctions could get blurred. They likely prefer to have you seek them out individually or through a TA recommendation where they can show their competitive advantages of booking through them. I think the only way to see inventory availability as others have mentioned is to talk with a TA or go to the different cruise line's websites and do mock itinerary searches.

IMO the elevator bank locations are very good and preferred due to the ease of getting to the different decks - in particular if it is near the main or mid ship bank, which also shortens the walk to the different venues. The staterooms are separated by a hallway from the elevator lobby and noise is not and issue. Up to you, but IMO a phone call to your TA to explore your options has no downside. You can choose to stay where you are or if there is an option to be closer together, make that choice. Either way enjoy your cruise.

I would still call your TA and ask. I would not go just by the website. They don't always release all available staterooms and there may still be some in inventory. Your TA will know best how to confirm. BTW, most ships sail full but since your sailing isn't until July it likely is not completely closed out yet.

Agree with @smokeybandit. If these were GTY bookings, you and your party could be assigned any stateroom anywhere on the ship within the sub-categories covered by the GTY. However as long as there is availability of other staterooms withing the assigned sub-category you can request to have your stateroom(s) moved to another location at no charge. The only issue here is that you were assigned different subcategories, which may complicate things. I would talk with your TA to see what options exist for you. As long as available staterooms remain, they likely could reassign the higher sub-category stateroom to the lower one and get them closer together. Possibly visa versa since they were issued under the same GTY fare. The staterooms are essentially the same, with the sub-category difference based primarily on location. Call your TA and have the conversation - don't relay solely on email or text.

Just add to the comments already made, with the thread title's use of the word "refurbishment", moving forward I highly doubt any Vision class ship will enter a true refurbishment in terms of adding new venues, staterooms, or other major changes. Based on their age, as long as these ships remain in service with RCCL, I would guess only those general cosmetic upgrades that would accompany future regularly scheduled required maintenance drydocks will take place.

Can't argue the point but that's a whole other discussion. Other than those with staterooms dedicated to solo travelers or specific solo fares (which can be attractive), the cruise lines have historically based their stateroom fares on double occupancy, with solo fares being that, or close to that, less the second port fees and taxes. Not defending the practice but it is a long running argument that unfortunately IMO likely is not going to change anytime soon.

Along with doing all the legwork, assisting with the planning, and managing the booking details, a TA will also have access to group based and other special pricing not available on the website or for direct bookings. They are strong partners with the cruise lines and there is a lot of good reasons why 75% of all bookings are made through them.

They will have a variety of entertainment staff productions in the main theater just as every other RCCL ship does that does not have a Broadway based show, which is most of them as there are currently only five ships that do have one. And I agree with @OCSC Mike in that all the entertainment offered on the other Oasis class ships will be available and likely much more than you can do in a 4 night cruise. Don't worry, your SIL and DIL well be well entertained. I would suggest looking at the RCCL website at the Utopia page to see all that is offered on board.

We went the week just after Andrew. They were using the POM pier as a staging area for the relief supply helicopters. Very mixed emotions - excited and happy for our first cruise watching from the ship as the helicopters were taking off to help those who lost everything. And you must have followed our footprints to the deserted beach.....

I hear you - our first visit to CocoCay was in 1992. And I well remember the snorkel shack! (Wasn't too much else there then). Much more like a deserted island than today's waterpark.

I'd rather be a week early than a day late!

They are also going to be primarily featuring newer Oasis class ships with all they offer for the short 3 & 4 night Bahamas cruises out of PCN. Along with the strong market, newer + bigger = higher fares. And I'm pretty sure some of their bottom line reasons still have to do with recovering the billions lost during the covid shutdown. While the market allows and we will pay it, they will get it.

If only one person of a double occupancy stateroom checks in to the cruise, they will refund the port fees and taxes for the second person to the credit card that was used to pay for the cruise fare. But there will be no refund of the base cruise fare paid for the second person.

If those prices are accurate then I don't see the value in the package either. I've also noticed on one of our upcoming cruises that the package savings were only nominal to the on board prices so we didn't move on it either. These things are always subject to change and I would continue to check from time to time to see if the packages improve. But in your case it certainly doesn't offer any advantage now.

Common practice among TA's and a good one IMO. They always want to process final payment early in case there is a system or credit card issue to have ample time to be resolved without jeopardizing your cruise. We have also gotten into the same practice on the occasion when we don't use a TA and typically process final payment a couple of days ahead of the due date on our own.

A ship's casino operations while in port are regulated by Bermuda. For a ship to open its casino while in port in Bermuda it has to have a passenger capacity of more than 2,000 passengers and must pay a license fee to the Bermuda government and be docked overnight. Ships must arrive no later than 6:00 PM and cannot depart before 6:00 AM. The casino would then be allowed to be open from 9:00 PM to 5:00 AM each night it is in port. Your ship will acknowledge through the daily Compass or other method if the casino will be open.

To add, our experience has been that it is best just to call CC and ask them to compare the current planner pricing with that of the CC discount based on our tier level and have them apply the best price to facilitate the purchase. It is simple and sure in terms of what works best for you and they then email a confirmation while on the phone of the purchase. As a side note, recent CC pricing on a single device wifi package has been very attractive resulting in us buying two single packages, one for my wife and one for me, and the total price was lower than a single two device package.