ChipLondon

The only reason we eventually got to have a gold card through Pinnacle status was because we were treated special from our very first cruise and therefore kept coming back.:D

The color of your SeaPass Card nor your C&A level should make no difference in the service you receive. Everyone should be treated equally and special.:)

On last weeks Jewel sailings I was able to get the Crown & Anchor discount on the Premium Drink Package was available, although it was not widely advertised.

Hi Karen

I was also on the recent sailing and can confirm that the OP is correct

I spoke to the Revenue Manager who confirmed it as a new policy

I think it is stupid, because all I did was go to the machine immediately in front of the Cashier, put the slip in and then cash out.

Gave the new slip to the Cashier who gave me money.....Doh !!!!!!

I then told them that I was not prepared to give more of my money to such silly actions, and therefore would not be playing with my money, but would rather give it to staff as tips.:eek:

I would talk to the Casino Mgr. and to Guest Services, as well. Get the official word on where this new "policy" is coming from, and let them know your opinion. Good luck.

Err these options are available in the US, it is just that you would purchase the Cruise, On board Service Charge and Drinks Packages as seperate items when booking. Trust me as a person that views both websites UK cruisers get equally frustrated with our website. In the US you get various price reductions that are not shown on our site, Over 55s, Ex Military and Residents Discounts.

As a so called international company it is insulting that any potential military discounts are not offered to all that serve within the client base area. After all those that do often stand along side each other in battle.

Although the truth is that few things are ever free, sure Tips and Drinks might get included in packages, but they are not Free, just included in the price, which is upped to include the cost. It is Royals way of ensuring they get maximum spend per head from those cruising, and as a business I don't blame them for that.

However the down side is that such bookings cannot be discounted for those that do not drink, some people end up paying for a drinks package they would never use.

I prefer to have the more "a la carte" pricing, where I choose my own options :eek:

Wish Royal would offer these types of perks/options in North America......

And I am tired of anyone that thinks that their $1 is worth anymore than my $1. Sure Suites should get the additional space that they pay for, and with the new suite Class being introduced are entitled to their Genie, or other benefits that go with it.

But we all book according to the rules at the time of our bookings, with the knowledge of what we will get for our money. Those that cruise regularly know of the applicable loyalty scheme and the benefits attached to it.

That is why first time or regular cruisers in Suites get the benefits they do, and why very loyal cruisers get benefits for a different reason, but to resent D's and P's the benefits that they have earned over many years is just sad.

And yes I became Pinnacle the old fashioned way, with many nights at sea and without booking Suites, as I am happy in my little balcony cabin. But I do not resent your cruising experience, but am concerned about anybodies "better than you" attitude. If you are really tired of seeing us, please feel free to choose another cruise line, although you should be warned some of those also have non suite cruisers.

I hope that wherever you cruise you enjoy yourself, but somehow I think you might have issues wherever you cruise, unless you buy your own mega yacht. Even then you can't miss us poor people, as you will need staff. :eek:

I agree that those of us that pay premium prices to stay in suites should be rewarded more than those than rack up nights on interior cabins. I am tired of seeing diamond and pinnacles that have never spent a dime on premium cabins!

Many people have been asking for something like this for a long time. There is no encouragement to D or above to purchase the present Drink Packages as by doing so we give up our Happy Hour benefit. Good Move Royal, now role it out across the fleet quickly PLEASE !!!!

Until a week before Christmas

Does anyone know how long Captain Johnny will remain on Allure?

Tell us something we don't know, or have not been shouting about for years............................

Can some of you just show some respect for the people involved in the original purpose of this thread...........just saying :eek:

Thanks.

 

But that doesn't sound like a good place to sit.

Without doubt it is one of the BEST places to sit. Remember that the guy in the tech desk has the best view to ensure the lighting gives the best effects for the show, he also controls the sound balance and therefore I would always sit as close to that area as possible.:D

I know alot of people will be pleased it is Grease.....I am not one of them !!!

Why have an ultra Modern ship with such a dated show !!!!!

I would like to see matching status at all levels across Royal and Celebrity, and fully agree about discounts to drink packages, as many of us D or above no longer are enticed to purchase packages as we then give away our early evening drink benefit. I have been suggesting this for a few years now.

However just to stir the pot a bit, I also think that the C&A scheme needs to be reviewed completely. I think the Celebrity basis for gaining points is fairer to those that spend more on their cabin grade. But also feel as if the airline approach of removing points from those that do not remain loyal and do not cruise over say a 2 year time period, could be applied. This would help to keep the number of D and above under some control. After all it is a loyalty scheme and therefore should benefit those that continue to show loyalty to the brand, opposed to some that hit D and then dissapear to other cruise lines with the knowledge that their status is sucure :eek:

True :D

............. It is a lot better than NOT combining offer with the benefit.

Personally I wish they would cut all the so called promotional offers. We all know that they increase prices in order to off a BOGOHO or a 30% discount.

They know how much they want ( or hope to get ) Launch prices are generally lower to ensure they get the first set of cabins booked, then prices go up due to demand. ( everytime we search cruises that registers as potential demand ). Then if certain sailing are not on target the prices will drop.

I think all cruises should be priced at the ideal rate for the cruise line, and individual cruises then adjusted according to how sales are going, We all know that we are not really getting half off price on any promotion, as few of us would ever pay the so called base price for the first guest. :D JMHO

In the mean time I will look at what I am being asked to pay on the bottom line, decide if I consider it to be value for money, and book if it works for me.

Overall it must do as I keep coming back, and have many future cruises booked, even though I could take similar cruises with other cruise lines at a possible lower rate.

There are many comments about dropping standards on these pages, no cruise line can maintain standards and drop prices, personally I would prefer to pay a slightly higher rate for a better product. We should all get value for money, and that is why rates vary across cabin grades. Most of us started off with inside cabins and where possible move up into Balcony options. Although others choose to pay inside rates and have the ability to cruise more often.

We should all reflect on how lucky we are to be even able to consider a cruise, there are many others out there in small boats that would love to be able to complain about a cold burger in the Windjammer. Count your blessings folks, life is too short to complain about discounts that are only created to attract those that do not realise that no company gives anything away when they can avoid it.:eek:

Leave the kid alone, after all he is only pointing out a situation. In the same way that many others have done, when commenting about chair hogs being unfair, or the use of hands on buffet food. It may not be ideal, but it is not life changing.

If the family choose to not enjoy the many other positives found within cruising with Royal, then they will decide to cruise elsewhere.

I just wonder how long it would take to find other situations on other lines, before they run out of cruising options.

There is always a reason not to cruise, and I will continue to look for all of them in as many places and ships I can find ( That is of course until they find a reason not to allow me ) :eek:

Please post the pictures you took.

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"With the Mayor's Support"...................well that is unlikely to be in operation 2017 then, in fact it will be lucky if the project has started by then. :eek:

 

With the Mayor's support, it's expected to be in operation by 2017.

 

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Whilst I think many people will want to know , I really do not book cruises according to the shows on board. If I want to see a particular show, I will go and see it, although I accept that many do not have great theatre on their doorstep as we do in London, and others have in New York. Recent shows such as "Mama Mia" and "We will Rock You" have certainly upped the expectations of many, and yet "Cats" has had the opposite effect. :eek:

Of course everyone that gets the drink package are not "Lushes" in the same way as you are not living up to your Screen Name by making a mountain out of a casual comment. And yes we are all guilty of passing judgement on these pages the term "Cruise Critic" allows us to do so:D

The definition of Critic in various dictionaries is:

A critic is someone who communicates his or her opinions and assessments of various forms of people, art, literature, music, cinema, theater, fashion, architecture and food or drink :eek::D

Cb at sea.... Not everyone that gets the package is a lush.... You ARE passing judgement by saying it in a derogatory manner.

My recommendation is to actually cruise more often ( actually alot ) and then get the free internet benefit of being Pinnacle. Or wait until the new suite programme kicks in and book yourself a nice Suite :eek::D

Not too sure where you get the nightly $50 rate for the Unlimited Specialty Doing ( Dining ) from as that seems high to me. :eek:

So let's mathematically consider the Value versus the new price increases.

 

What is the cost to buy the following a-la-acarte?

 

Let's work from a 7 day crusie.

• Gratuities for 2 $15.95 x 2 x 7 = $223.30
  
• Ultimate bevdrage Package for 2 $55 x 2 x 7 = $770
  
• Gratuities included in Beverage Package: $770 x 18% = $138.60
  
• VOOM internet $157.50
  
• Thermal Spa Pass ??
  
• Unlimited specialty doing ; Assume $50 x 2 x 7 = $700
  

So I calculate $1989.40 without value for spa or the other little perks that rally don't count in adding true value. So let's just call it $1000 per person, $2000 for a canon on 7 nights.

 

What has been the increase in cabin pricing?

Of course they are, nothing is for nothing in this world. This is Royals way of offering an upgraded facility to those that are prepared to pay for it. They want to ensure that they achieve as much revenue as possible for their prime real estate.

Some will love it and enjoy the benefits that come at a cost, and some will feel as if they are paying extra for benefits they will not use ( Butler or Drink package ). For a long time many have complained that the extra cost of a suite does not offer similar facilities to those offered by other cruise lines. Well now those extras are available, and as such are costed accordingly, exactly the same as taking a first class flight. Get more and Pay more, whilst the rest of us still have the option to enjoy the cruise and general facilities of the ship, whilst paying as we go along for drinks or speciality dining.

I have seen the Suites that are at the top end, they are amazing and Yes expensive. Only time will tell if they continue to be sold out in advance as they have been in the past. :eek:

I was of the opinion that when we were looking at bookings for and after the summer of 2016 suite prices were extremely inflated, when compared to previous years suite cost.

They are not real candles, they are the switched on and off kind, all is calm :D

What's up with the candles :what:

I thought that was a no no. :eek:

I like the Boomerango slide planned for The Liberty :eek:

Whilst not wishing to be argumentative, I do not think this is correct. I have previously sailed with MSC and had a membership number. My Royal membership now gets me a Black status, and I have received my card to say so.

Correct, it's also exclusive to new people. So if you have ever sailed with MSC and earned points you are not able to use this to jump to a higher level because you already have points to your name and this promotion cannot be combined with it.