lovetotravel06

I have had a fair amount of experience over time with RCI and who to call for this, that, etc.

LATELY, I can't find anyone who acts like the have a single clue! C&A, Club Royal, Customer Service, etc etc.

I know I'm not being specific about the calls here but in general...WOW (in a bad way WOW).. Multiple "simple" calls regarding various things have resulted in even more frustration. I swear, RCI is pushing me to go with a TA, something I shouldn't have to do at all but I'm getting fed up! lol

Is it just me?!?!

I'd "guess" all bets are off on perks for GS (and other perks for that matter) for this charter. 70,000 tons of Metal "Worlds biggest heavy metal cruise"! If I were to guess (and that's all it would be) I wouldn't be surprised if some venues like CL, etc might be closed. Who knows!? Keep us posted.

Uh-oh.

 

There will probably be a few issues during that sailing, at least initially. Not caused by a partial charter on the 5th, but by the full-ship charter on the 1st. I'll be exiting the ship when the OP is boarding.

 

There will be a large crane on the dock offloading stage construction gear in the morning. I'd expect that the "main" pool deck and the deck above will be closed off for safety until they are finished hauling supplies up and over the side of the ship. It's a ticklish operation involving the largest open-air stage structure at sea, so it may take a large part of the morning.

 

Also, the two main pools will likely not be open until later on the first day, as they are drained and decked over for the pool-deck stage and audience area. Even then, they might not be able to refill the pools until the ship clears the 12-mile limit.

 

Some venues will have to be switched back to their normal configurations. The top floor of the MDR is one example; during the charter it serves as the merchandise area for 60 performing bands.

 

The ship's crew will probably be...tired. The charter on Feb. 1st is already at full upper/lower berth capacity and it's one of the biggest-drinking cruises in the world even without drink packages being offered. But, the crew says we're a lot less demanding and less "entitled" than a normal cruise's passengers, and we're much more diverse (only 20% of the pax will be from the US, 80% will be from the rest of the world). Just expect that the bartenders and service staff might be a little more worn out than usual. :)

Uh-oh indeed!

That sounds like that could get pretty interesting all the way around. The 2-1-18 70,000 Tons of Metal cruise "The worlds biggest heavy metal cruise" with 60 bands and equipment, set ups, configurations, etc.? That would be a BIG undertaking getting all that off and setting up the ship for the 2-5 cruise quickly.

I read somewhere the 2-5 cruise (following the metal cruise) will have a group of 1000ish (Apostolics at Sea). Maybe the staff (bartenders, etc) will get rested up a little after the "70,000 tons" cruise! ;)

It amazes me how they can do all the things that need done with such a short turn around time between cruises. Will certainly be even more turn around work to do on this one!

I posted something similar to this yesterday. Might be of interest to you Shell4624. I'll keep an eye on your thread too..

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2588271

That is awful....I thought that some couples may practice their responses together, especially if they were on the prior cruise, but to be told what to say is just not right. The spontaneous answers are the funniest! But now I’m finding out they aren’t spontaneous after all!

That's not the case on RCI in our experiences. Participated once and have cruised with a couple who got picked to play on another cruise as well. No being told what to say or help from the crew at all. Totally spontaneous and funny in our opinion. So continue to enjoy it! :)

That said, there is some "cheating" once in awhile. People that have "practiced" as you mentioned and some that you can see talking on stage thinking nobody notices.

All in all, still fun and 95% legit spontaneity in our opinions.

Back on topic, still trying to narrow down my top 5 and post my top 2! :)

This should be quite the thread! I'm trying to narrow mine list down to my top 5 and then declare a winner! lol

There really is no such thing as a partial charter. There are always groups aboard, tho...sometimes many smaller groups, or 1 or 2 larger groups. They really should have no effect on your vacation.

1000 is a fairly large group. I was just curious. I wouldn't think it would effect ones vacation either (or much) but after I saw those 2 particular cruises being slower to sell out with better pricing it got me curious.

1000 people in a group seemed to concern several in the 2-5-18 Indy roll call thread for what it's worth. The 2-10 sailing didn't mention anything of the sort but I was surprised at the pricing and availability it had too..(compared to other similar dates, itens, etc).... Thanks much for taking the time to reply btw), I thought it was a somewhat legit question. lol I'd not heard of "partial charters" either. Made that up on my own!

if there is such a thing.

Noticed a couple Indy cruises coming up in Feb (5th and 10th in particular) that seemed slowish filling/getting full and was curious. 10th being the most noticeable to me. I know the noro situation may have had some effect but wouldn't think that far out (watched these cruises going back several weeks) would make much difference.

As I said..2-5 cruise wasn't as noticeable with "slow sales, plenty of availability" as the 2-10 cruise. Anyway, went and read roll calls and there apparently there IS a semi charter (for lack of a better term) of 1000ish religiously affiliated. Don't have a problem with the group but wondered if it might make for some different situations on board with such a large group. Didn't notice anything on the 10th roll call.

Questions... Is there something big going on with those particular cruises that others have heard about? Seemed the 2-10 cruise was even lower priced and had plenty of availability as opposed to the 5th! lol Similar cruises around same time frame and itenararies seems full as could be and pretty pricey in comparison. Thought it was odd. Sorry for the ramble and have an awesome day! ::)

It will take an extra sixty seconds at pier checkin to give them your CC. [emoji4]

 

 

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Thanks again MM...

Which number did you hit after the greeting? The one that said that you are already booked?

 

Don't do that one. Do the one that says "Want to book a new cruise?" They are there. Once you get a person, you can ask for help with your reservation.

 

:)

Finally got through. Got held up at the CC part of the expense account..Finally got "through" but no CC...Says "Cash" for payment type now, lol... Not the case, assume easy set up with the CC once we get there. So much for spur of the moment! lol (and thanks!)

Trying to resolve a problem with online check in...All #'s I have are saying "closed"?! C&A member for quite awhile.. Help?

Thanks!

HOT! Some tropical storms headed N.E., nothing that should be a problem.

Thanks E Queen! That's kind of the answer I was looking for! lol HOT I get! Was just curious if anything was out there brewing and might affect Iten. Much appreciated! :)

http://www.weather.gov/

lol, yeah, I'm aware of how to search weather sites...LITERALLY last sec and figured this might provide a quicker answer....on hold with Royal and Delta right now! :)

Sorry, last minute idea here..Haven't had time to check on the weather! Is all good for a "peaceful" iten from a weather standpoint?

MANY thanks in advance!

Nope and yep on the casino...

Hi all, I am looking to hear some feedback on the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale Beach. I used the name your own price tool, and was assigned Sonesta. It looks wonderful, but this is not a name I am familiar with. Would love to hear from people who have stayed here. TIA

Hey there, Sonesta was formerly B Ocean. Stayed there a few times a couple years ago (via Hotwire btw :))..

Not a bad place at all. Right across from the beach. BIG picture windows. Nice views (corner rooms are nice). Great little pizza place just around the corner. Area is a little "different" but we had no probs! Hope this helps!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g34227-d1911613-Reviews-Sonesta_Fort_Lauderdale_Beach-Fort_Lauderdale_Broward_County_Florida.html#REVIEWS

I've seen stream numbers over 20Mbs.

Wow, I'd heard the VOOM thing was good but that's awesome (especially for what we've dealt with over the years at sea, lol)!

May just go with stream anyway, in the grand scheme of things, it's not much more than "Surf" eh?!

SURF on Oasis is enough for most of your needs. You'll have up to 4 MBs down speed - virtually all apps and uses will work with that. The only thing STREAM will get you is to speed up the download of a big file.

So STREAM is just faster then I take it right? I didn't know if they might put a cap (1gb or something) on Surf and unlimited on the other. If Surf is 4mb (up to) down that will work for me. How fast is STREAM btw?

Thanks!

Sorry, new to a ship with Voom. Curious what the difference in these two are (besides price)...

(and yes, I searched a little, lol)

Thanks!

I really like deck 6 on Oasis. Boardwalk is on the same deck, it is only one flight of stairs down to the Royal Promenade, and only two flights up to Boardwalk. As mentioned, you will be able to look straight down at the water from this cabin but even if not, unless you are standing at the rail and looking down the view out to seas is fine. I hardly see that as a reason to choose deck 10.

Thanks OB....sounds like 6 is the way to go. Port/Star being the only concern now and me thinks maybe that's negligible?

No, that area of deck 6 is in the middle of the several cabins wide opening in front of the last 3 lifeboats so the view is not blocked.

 

OP, I replied to a thread about cabin 6662 and posted some pictures that might interest you at http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=50433258&postcount=14. 6266 is almost the same location but on the port side. Great location.

 

~ Judy

Thanks much for the info! Anyone else have opinions?

Thanks!

Seriously? Not one reply?

Pros, cons? Voyager class and Freedom class D's here. O is new!

Thanks much in advance!! :)

As far as I'm concerned, the best perk for Diamond and above C&A members is the evening cocktail hours. 3 1/2 hours of drinks every evening of your cruise in the Diamond lounge, plus 3 drink vouchers loaded on your sea pass card.

Would agree that's one that stands out which is why I said "in some instances". That said; if one purchased several devices on Voom, a couple drink packages, etc. Diamond status doesn't mean diddly on my upcoming cruise.

I was thinking (always a problem, lol) that if anyone could get say 30% off of a package, perhaps a Diamond, etc might have an additional % off that I was unaware of.

Clear as can be now right?! :)