Oceangoer2

This is the topic of this thread ..... effective Aug. 14th butlers for SS will be replaced by a Retreat Team. If you go back to the first post and read through, you'll find a 'host' (sorry) of information.

Yes...we had the option to change flights. The connecting flight to our small home city that worked for us was cancelled; the next and only flight was 8 hrs layover so no choice off the top. Thinking about the options next day, we cancelled the connection and will drive to/from the originating airport. for a direct flight..2 hr drive but simple solution. No charge. Lost our great seats though....🥲..When we rebooked into the first leg flight we cancelled, someone was johnny on the spot waiting for 'good seats' to come open.

shshshsh! next step they'll cut the Sky Suites in half for double the $$s and call them luxury.

AB-SOL-UTE-LY!!! So many companies offer this now and it's a pleasure to do business with them. The calls almost always come back within the specified time frame.

My understanding of 'titles' is...a Host does just that....meets, greets, soothes, etc. The Butler would attend to certain needs, while being quietly unnoticeable . At least according to my grandmothers experience. Times change and a Host/Butler seems to be all things now but absolutely to be respected.

Thanks to all for your responses. Looked into all the helpful suggestions; finally we decided to stop trying to fill the time and found a way to work it out by eliminating the connection which was causing the problem (after the airline changed our original flights to one which left the big gap). We're going to drive home after our departure flight instead of waiting for the connector. So thanks again for all your suggestions...much appreciated. 👍

Luggage being an issue, I suppose the best option is the X Everglade excursion which will take our luggage on a bus and to the airport after the trip. Then perhaps the lounge idea mentioned by another poster.

Did you like the Everglades Tour? Says it's 4 hrs so 12:30 finish which leaves lots of time for airport arrival. Where did the tour drop you off. Thanks for responding.

I started there and posted here on X as well in case not many frequent that board.

Thanks for the link...will look into it. I was hoping for an excursion to pass the time but not many to be found unless I'm looking in all the wrong places...😕

Sounds good. Maybe do the hotel day pass.

I wish! There isn't one in FLL.

What do you do in FLL when cruise ends at 8:30am and plane departure is 4:30pm? I know X offers some but are there other choices? Thanks for your help.

What do you do in FLL when cruise ends at 8:30am and plane departure is 4:30pm? I know X offers some but are there other choices? Thanks for your help.

We only saw our butler everyday in the aisle saying good morning as we passed, so we did know who he was. I suppose if we wanted anything he wouldn't have been far away. He was, however, quite well tipped for ? on our last day. So a butler is wasted on us. The Retreat Team concept sounds about right. Two personable and helpful Retreat Concierge were very attentive, suggesting cruise info to help make our time more enjoyable.

Denying Luminae to SS class is all supposition...this thread is taking on a life of its own and away from original OP's topic. 😕 However, not unusual in CC land...😘

I expect the next change will be no dining privileges in Luminae for SS passengers.

Well worded......Apt description......☺️

Sad but true.

mon français est mauvais....so your English is way ahead of my French...🙃

Re the Canadian website...go to the very bottom (in black) of X homepage and you can indicate your 'country'. I've never been redirected to the American web. Perhaps your profile isn't indicating Canada as your home country?

Last week I checked our '24 cruise for pricing...it had come down almost $400....good sale! This week it had come down another $200, but X had removed the OBC. No savings or 'sale' there. If you book your cruise now and it comes down a few weeks (or months) from now, X will honour the new pricing. Be careful you're not losing any OBC to save just a few $$s.

This is an older start to the thread so you may have had your fill of comments...but...I'm told by confirmed O cruisers that the Penthouse suites on O Riviera/Marina are comparable in size to Sky Suites on X except the cabins and balconies are somewhat smaller, but O has a walk in closet Don't know about Vista cabins size etc.

What makes the cost double? Are you in a different class of cabin than on X? I've priced O's Marina/Riviera Concierge A1 verandah with X and cost didn't seem to be very different...once air is included. Probably adding in gratuities and beverage package adds considerably?

I think GP reported on her last night that the sign had been removed.