chfenton

Website on laptop 

I was just looking at the host/data sheet on the club royal offers website and I noticed that the 2 newest Oasis ships (Wonder and Utopia) list 31 tables and 358-377 slots which seems significantly different than Allure, Symphony and Harmony which all list 434 slots and 31 tables (Allure and Symphony).  Curious if anyone knows what changed?  Did the square footage change or is it more just a layout issue so they had to sacrifice 50 to 75 slots? Or do people think the data is incorrect?  I would think if anything they would want to add more slots given the house advantage.

1 minute ago, Babblespeak said:

Sorry this will be long, but I’m trying to be thorough for you.  There will be a sheet of QR codes at the casino host desk and cashier windows to scan for certificates they will reward for different point levels achieved during that cruise.  They change on each cruise.  Some are money discounts, some are free cruises.  If you accumulate 2500 points across all cruises you take between April 1 of the current year and March 31 of the following year, you will get a separate Prime certificate in mid April of the following year.  That one is valid on most cruises up through 7 days with certain exceptions (ship less than 1 year old, around US holidays, etc.) as described elsewhere in this thread.  As soon as you hit 2500 points during the April-March casino year, you get Prime.  See the casino host and he/she will put a sticker on your sign and sail card.  That gets you free drinks in the casino from that point onward THROUGH March 31st of the next casino year.  So if you earned it today, September 19, 2024, it would be good for free drinks on all cruises you take through March 31, 2026.  Supposedly you’re supposed to be playing in the casino for the drinks, but they don’t really monitor for that.  They know you’ll drop some money here and there.  If you sail with a significant other, play on one card until they get Prime, then play on the other card.  If you both get Prime, you get 2 cruises or can combine the Prime certificates to upgrade from an interior room in your free cruise.  You can also pay to upgrade from an interior room on your Prime cert to a balcony or whatever when you call to book.  Sometimes it’s only $200 or so extra to move to a balcony.  Good luck!

Just to add on to the last thought. Taking my prime cruise on Synchrony and the upgrade from the free interior to Guaranteed balcony was only $26 per person for a 7 night cruise!

THis past summer on Harmony in gulf of mexico and down to Honduras had no issues with youtube tv so assume it thought I was in the US.

Agree with everyone that the Shoreside Genie is not being effective in communicating with both passengers and assigned Onboard Genies.  Our onboard initially reached out 30 and 12 days for our two star class cruises this year and the 30 was likely before they started the shoreside Genie program. 

But my experience mirrors those who say with very rare exception (like securing special inventory) for shows and dining especially--whatever you want you will get from your onboard Genie.

Just to expand further, Genie can arrange for any meal from any specialty restaurant.  They advise the entire party to eat from the same restaurant to avoid food temperature/delivery issues if ordering from all around the ship.  Also you can invite others to your balcony dinner as well, but they would pay the upgrade price if they don't have the Star class benefits included.

On 9/12/2024 at 8:41 PM, RobInMN said:

We've only done Star class once. Fall '23 on Allure out of Galveston. We got the initial "survey" 3-4 weeks out, and then we got an email from our Genie about a week out. All interaction was with our actual Genie (Jay, he was so awesome!). We were never contacted by a Shoreside Genie, nor was there any mention of trying to. Out Genie had very detailed directions of exactly what to do on arrival, which mentioned where to meet the shoreside Genie. Once she confirmed who we were and gave our bags to a dedicated porter, she just escorted us right up to the suite lounge flying through security and bypassing any line. Jay then met us there in like 5-10 minutes.

In our one and only experience, the SSG was really nothing more than a crew of special guest services people dedicated to getting Start class from the curb to the lounge where the met their actual Genie.

I suppose different ports, and maybe different ships can have different experiences

I think the OP is referring to a different type of shoreside Genie which I believe is new.  This is one that reaches out before hand to handle various requests like your onboard would do.  The ones that meet you once you arrive at curise terminal are referred to as the Pier Genies (or at least that is what our onboard called them).

Shoreside Genie is slow to respond.  Not sure of the benefit as we have always been able to arrange everything through the on-board Genie who typically reaches out at least 10 days before your cruise. To this point, one request I had to shoreside was mis handled but as soon as I told Onboard Genie about it through email it was fixed---so why bother with the shoreside?

3 hours ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

As you know from several previous threads in recent weeks, this has been happening for several years. It's just now recently you're noticing it because you're actually looking for it, so you think it's something new.

 

 

Again, this has been happening for years. This is totally normal and has been occurring on most of the sailings I have booked after final payment date, and for less money than the original deployment offering. 

 

edit: predominantly for the lower priced cabins such as interior and OV.

Anecdotally I know, but in my experience it seems to me that a few years ago, the Royal Loft Suite would not be awarded to a Royal Up bid almost 6 weeks before sailing- awarding the highest priced suite on the ship that far out has only occurred recently in my experience but again, of course, not enough data points to be statistically significant.

48 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Yes if you booked a cabin that is double occupancy, not if you booked a solo cabin which isnt what ken is posting about.

 

To me this is more evidence that the crazy price hikes we were seeing ran into a wall and now there are last minute deals. Before the only way to get good deals was to book ahead, those days seem to be mostly gone. There are last minute deals again. I've seen some good deals, even on suites, those prices are coming down. 

I agree with the theory that pricing was getting crazy and they need to find ways to sell cabins.  I know its just one data point, but we had booked on Wonder a ~$8K sky class suite and at the time of our initial booking the Royal Loft suite was well over $30K for the week.  Given its a fall week when most kids are in school - it appears to me someone at corporate or more likely the computer algorithm realized they weren't going to sell it at that price or anything close and we were awarded it in the Royal up bid program for less than half the original cost more than a month before sailing.

I can tell you this can be a really quick process when the stars align. I was fortunate enough to be 3rd in line to disembark at Port Canaveral earlier this year.  They were a little late to actually open the doors on my cruise --but scanned my card at 7:40am and was in my car in the garage at 7:46.  Couldn't ask for much better.

Don't you also get access to coastal kitchen if space available for dinners if you are in a junior suite?  This might add to the value for some.

I just yesterday read an article on a blog (can't remember where exactly) that said same--it also went on to say that it was only an experiment on a couple of ships--I believe ones like Wonder that initially were for the Asian market and had space available.

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

And you are probably right, those gold suite cards might get more attention. 

Nevermind the purple Star class cards either.

Just wanted to add another datapoint.. our bid was accepted 33 days out from sailing.  It was an upgrade bid from a sky class to star class suite, so I'm guessing Royal's data experts know that at this late a date the odds of them selling a suite that costs in excess of 5 figures for  September sailing go down? 

Anyways, we are beyond thrilled and keep in mind if you do bid and get a star class the bid price is offset by the fact that you no longer need a beverage package, gratuities, specialty dining or internet purchases as those are all included with star class (as well as starbucks).  This can add up to a lot of money for a family of four.

On 8/12/2024 at 6:51 AM, bucfan2 said:

The above statement is simply not true. 

 

1) One only needs to play out half (put $100 in machine, play $50, cash out if desired).   The amount you cash out after playing thru 1/2 is irrelevant (could be $50 if you lost every pull, could be $5k if one was beyond 'lucky').

 

2) If you don't play 1/2, some RC ships will lock you out for 3 days, so don't.

 

3) Lock out, if applicable, is for 3 days.  If remainder of cruise is less than 3 day, than your statement about 'rest of cruise' is correct.

 

4) If locked out, simply converse w/ the casino host.  They will either direct you to guest services to reinstate permission for charges, or they will get it resolved for you.

My experience is exactly as bucfan2 has described in point 1 above.  On Harmony recently, I cashed out  $500 of on board credit via at least 10 downloads of $100 to slot machine, then would play at least $50 and cash out whatever the remaining balance was.  Did this over first 5 days of cruise, no lockouts, no issues.

8 hours ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

You can remove just before you leave the ship or on the last night after dinner - just call GS from your cabin phone!

I was just going to say the same...if someone is concerned the staff may "find out" and lower their level of service..why not just let auto gratuities post until day before leaving then have them  removed and if you are so inclined tip in cash to those you want.

13 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

As long as you're on the island by 10am, it's relatively easy to find a spot, no matter how many passengers are in port.

Agree with this, on Allure with Liberty also docked this past Feb, I went to Hideaway and pretty much had the beach to myself at 9:15

Just now, not-enough-cruising said:

You are taking the child OUT OF THE COUNTRY it matters not if it’s on a ship, train or an airplane 

Respectfully, you are just plain wrong and it appears nothing I can say or quote will change your mind but for others looking at this thread in the future- it does in fact matter- you can take your child on a US closed loop cruise without consent of non-traveling parent-which was the question as posed by the OP.  In other words, under the law of the US, a closed loop cruise is treated no different than if you live in New York and take your child to Hawaii - no docs needed from non-traveling parent.

3 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

One last time; this has NOTHING to do with a closed loop cruise. 
 

There are laws about transporting a minor over international borders without the knowledge of BOTH custodial parents. 
 

good night 

But it has everything to do with the OP's question that I thought was the purpose of this thread. Again agree completely with you for traveling internationally and entering other countries, but for a closed loop US cruise (which per the OP is Miami based Explorer in January 2025) no documentation from non-traveling parent is required.

1 minute ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Re entry isn't the problem, leaving the country in the first place can be the issue. Disagree all you want, but the information is out there.

Please point me to that information that says for closed loop US cruise you need a notarized letter from non -traveling  parent.  My experience is  completely opposite and further per Cruise Critic website  "Most cruise lines do not require a child travel consent form if a child is traveling with only one parent. However, if parent and child do not share a last name, many lines do require you to bring your child's passport and birth certificate as legal proof that you're related. Some cruise lines, such as Princess and Holland America, require children cruising with only one parent to provide a passport in order to cruise, even on closed-loop, round trip U.S. sailings where a birth certificate is otherwise acceptable travel documentation.:

1 minute ago, not-enough-cruising said:

It is absolutely considered international travel

That may be, but again I disagree that any thing is needed from a non traveling parent upon entry back to the country of citizenship.

16 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

There are actually laws surrounding a parent from crossing international borders without consent from an absent parent. 
A closed loop cruise is international travel as far as this is concerned. 

Are we sure a closed loop cruise from child's country of citizenship is considered international and therefore requires a notarized document from non-travelling parent? My experience like others above with is that I never needed anything to document consent when traveling  on a US closed loop cruise with US passports.  Now,  I have been asked several times when traveling by air out of the country but again-on the return the one time out of probably 20 when asked, I simply asked if there was a law preventing minors from returning to their country of citizenship--at which point I was told no and admitted in with my minor children and no documents presented.

1 hour ago, TheBeardedCruiser said:

Unsolicited advice: Pay attention at the muster drill. The information that they are telling you could literally save your life, in the case of an emergency. Especially pay attention to where your muster station is located. Practice going there once or twice, from your stateroom. It could save your life!

I've always been curious how often this happens -- are there any statistics published about how often passengers have been called to muster stations over the years?

1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

That should not be an issue as that is usually refundable OBC.

I think you are absolutely right as when I reviewed my bill near end of cruise I did notice that it was listed as refundable, oh well no harm - worked out fine for me with the jackpot in any event.