rolloman

Should be interesting, Celebrity came out with Le Petite Chef...similar to this and it was a fun experience and worth the up charge.

Somewhat similar to what you are asking, on a recent Carnival cruise the Guest brought an air mattress and inflated it outside on their balcony. 

9 minutes ago, Tolkmit said:

 

Spinning? I said instead of a number of free drinks they would attach a dollar amount to it in my first post. I think it's pretty obvious that meant a dollar amount of free drinks instead of a number of free drinks; not just a general Royal giving you money, though apparently that wasn't clear to you. But I'm not sure why, when I subsequently spelled it out for you, you've kept arguing that it doesn't cost Royal much to give free drinks. It does, and I've explained the concept of lost potential revenue pretty clearly. I'm not sure, if you understand that alcohol is a huge source of revenue for Royal, why you think that giving it away instead of getting revenue from it wouldn't matter.

 

In essence you contradict yourself. You say free drinks are hurting the bottom line and then you proceed to point out the great windfall Royal generates from its alcohol revenue. Now why is that? Maybe free drinks spur on paid drinks? Let's say I normally don't drink but then I feel compelled to get my 4...so this causes me to eventually drink 6 resulting in a wash or possibly a win in revenue. The fact is, the program is working quite well. No one at Corporate has screamed the crown and anchor loyalty program is killing us. The only one screaming are the armchair loyalty program specialist on this board who are convinced they can build a better mouse trap. 

2 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

That’s good. My last few offers have been the one person free, pay for one person offers, which aren’t really offers in my book. Recently I have gotten more offers from Celebrity (only a few though), even though I haven’t gambled too much on Celebrity ships. 

I saw you mentioned before your offers are down...not sure what to make of it. I am sure there are variables associated with the offers. Maybe the fact I go on other comped cruises with Carnival factors in? Celebrity will soon sail out of PC so that will make it easier than going all the way to Fort Lauderdale/Miami.Looking forward to that!

29 minutes ago, Tolkmit said:

 

Who said Royal would allow a drink credit to be used for something else?

And it's not what I "want" to believe, it's information from Royal's quarterly earnings reports. Around a third of their income is onboard spending. Alcohol sales represent their biggest single non-casino earner.

Keep spinning...you clearly stated it is your belief they may soon provide a 50-60 dollar credit in lieu of free drinks. I said to that "believe what you want" no where did I dispute earnings report break downs. 

5 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Most of my cruises are not casino comps. Over the last year or so I have gotten significantly fewer casino offers and I wasn’t getting a lot to begin with. Plus with casino offers I am still paying for my cruises, I am just paying for them ahead of time by donating a lot of money to the casino. Fewer casino offers is consistent with what others post online on a daily basis. No one knows for certain, but the consensus is casino offers have decreased due to the increased demand in cruising. 

They have not decreased for me. If anything, I am getting more.

8 hours ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

Have you cruised lately? I cruise at least once a month and ships are packed. I have seen nothing to indicate people can’t afford to cruise. If RCI ever changes the tiers, it will be in the other direction (i.e. more days needed to reach Diamond, etc.). RCI already has too many Diamond members. Because of this they changed the name of the Diamond Lounge and on certain cruised perks are taken away from Diamonds on the ship. 

You fail to share the fact these once a month cruises are casino comped. So one reason the ships are packed is because of the re-vamped program you participate in. I bring this to your attention because it goes against your argument. 

25 minutes ago, Tolkmit said:

 

Royal literally gives people 6 14 dollar cocktails a day already. I'm not sure why you think they wouldn't give those people a 60 dollar credit for alcohol each day, when they currently give up to 84 dollars per day. By changing the way they calculate it, from comped drinks per day to comped drink charges per day, they come out ahead, which is why I expect they'll do it at some point.

 

It's also nearly irrelevant what Royal's costs are for buying alcohol. What matters to any business is the loss of potential revenue. If you buy stuff for forty cents, then sell it to someone for 40 dollars one day; and the next day just let them have it for free; your bottom line the second day is still forty dollars worse. Nearly a third of Royal's income is onboard spending, and a significant portion of that is alcohol sales. Royal is 100% concerned about the inflation of higher tiers of the loyalty program, because it represents an ever increasing loss in potential revenue. If they think they can claw some of that back without an excessive negative backlash, the question is not if they will do so, the question is just when and how they will do so.

Believe what you want. Giving away drinks which is of minor consequence to the bottom line versus an onboard credit which could be used for something of higher consequence is ludicrous. Even if the credit was used for drinks that basically is a lesson in futility. Keep in mind, all cruise lines are giving away drinks in some shape or form. 

7 hours ago, Tolkmit said:

 

How so? Are you saying they'll find it funny to do this, or they'll laugh at the idea?The dollar amounts are about what I would expect them to pull. The cheapest beers are 7.50. Plus 18% automatic gratuity pushes them close to 9 dollars. Diamond currently gets 4 free drinks. So if you buy the cheapest beer, you get 4.5 free instead of 4. But anything other than that, you get less than current and Royal comes out ahead. And that's the immediate effect, it gets even better for them in a year or two when they raise drink prices without raising rewards.

Royal is not going to give anyone 50-60 dollars a day. Secondly as I earlier described, the cost per beer is a few cents compared to the $8.00 they charge you. You cannot base your discussion on full retail price. Lastly, the only ones complaining about too many Diamonds are people on this message board. Changes in the past have been made because of the popularity of the program, such as over crowding in the lounge. They fixed it with drinks everywhere. The next step will be to get rid of the lounge altogether and turn it into a revenue generating space. 

2 hours ago, Tolkmit said:

 

m. For instance, instead of a number of free drinks each day, they'll attach a dollar amount, like 40, 50, or 60 dollars free per day depending on tier. And they'll add in a few policy changes at that point, like children not inheriting as high of a tier from their parents, etc. And I'm guessing they will do it soon, while they are sailing mostly full so they can afford the short term hit.

They are going to get a good laugh at Corporate with this one...

32 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

But a high mark up none the less.

Exactly...the actual cost they pay for the ingredients versus what they sell them for equates to a massive money maker for the cruise line. For simplicity, a single can of beer costs them under .50 cents yet they sell them for 8+ bucks. I drink beer, I get 5 drinks a day for D+...so for under $2.50 a cruise day they get my loyalty. Trust me, they are not moved by that figure. Keep buying those drink packages people so I continue to get my 5 drinks a day...

So funny how some of you think the free drinks for D and up is some kind of a financial killer. The mark up on those drinks they sell onboard are incredible. Especially when you factor in the drink package.  It is also humorous to hear...the ships are selling out... in reality, they may be sailing at or near capacity, however they have not been sold at full asking fare. The fact is, the loyalty program has been a huge success for Royal and by no stretch of the imagination is it considered a hinderance. 

The old laundry perk...it is not as rosy as some here want you to believe. First off, if you use the wrong bag, you will be charged on your sign and sail account. There is a special bag for the "free" laundry and it is small. Good luck stuffing as much as you can into it without tearing. Secondly, when and if all your clothes come back, each item will have an obnoxious sticker placed near the label. It is not hard to peel off but when you get home, often you will forget about it. However, you will be reminded the next time you wear the item. It is not a good look for you to be digging into your underwear to ease the chaffing while you are perusing the local Walmart. Lastly, the items come back folded into a Rubics cube shape. Good luck ironing that out.  Me personally, I gave up on that perk a long time ago.... not worth the hassle. 

1 hour ago, not-enough-cruising said:

It all depends what you are looking for 

Better beach with sugar sand and not a rocky bottom, friendlier vendors, more food options, better snorkeling and boating options, tons of shopping and you don't have to worry about being shown on CNN with a bag over your head. However, while there is a flowrider and swim up bar, there is no makeshift roller coaster. By the way, did you apply for the open Secretary of Tourism job in Haiti yet? 

10 minutes ago, Havin'fun said:

Adventure 4/12 sailing just changed from Labadee to Grand Turk. 

I have always liked Labadee but Grand Turk is a new  port for me so this was a decent trade off.

Grand Turk is an upgrade.

6 minutes ago, Harrisonkid said:

I'm sure Royal has to Up Pay to stop at Grand Turk to Carnival or to Someone!! ..wonder if they will upcharge us passengers if it exceeds what Labadee would have cost ?

No...there will be no charge...only a refund if applicable. 

16 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

By April, they may be stopping at Labadee again, the current cessation of service is only for 7 days

You might want to run for office within the Haitian government. I hear there are some openings. Maybe Secretary of Tourism?

On 3/15/2024 at 5:43 PM, DennysDad said:

Ok, not to keep this thread going coz it's a dead horse. But....

 

If the ships make last minute port changes, how do the port fees/taxes work? Just wondering how, if, and when folks will get hit with the possibility of this on the daily right now at sea.

You paid what you paid. If the port is cancelled, you will get an onboard credit of a couple dollars.

Yes, it is a nice clean safe beach with beautiful water. They have a nice shopping area with the typical stores. Effy, DI, Pirana Joe etc. A super large pool, with a flow rider, swim up bar. Food is good at the Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville restaurant. I am pretty sure you won't be disappointed. 

3 hours ago, time4u2go said:

How do you know this? 

 

Why is that important? There is no need for me to divulge personal information.  Regardless of my knowledge on the subject...you have been here for a while, the signs are everywhere, for instance, how about news articles that point directly to posts or comments stated on this board? It does not happen by accident. As a matter of fact, I was reading a member quote in a news outlet article yesterday on this very topic.

18 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

 

There is nothing in Labadie that these guys are interested in.

 

Decades and decades of cruises stopping in Labadie, and not one single incident, Port au Prince is always on fire or experiencing some other type of sh**show.

Once again, your post is not factually correct. There have been incidents at this port. Everyone is focusing on the gangs attacking the port area. In reality, Labadee has solid structures, food and is a major step up compared to living conditions currently experienced by everyday residents. Therefore, there is a chance residents make seek refuge away from the violence and try to settle in the facility. By the way, as I mentioned over the weekend, and met with laughter, the US Marines did arrive and set up security as well as airlift the embassy staff. 

20 hours ago, time4u2go said:

Have you considered sending your thoughts to RC instead of posting them here?  It sounds like your concerns and questions are directed at RC. It's highly unlikely they will do anything as a result of you posting your thoughts here.

 

I have mentioned this to you before. This is a forum to discuss all things cruising. The OP is on topic with this post. Secondly, Royal Caribbean, similar to other Corporations, has staff who monitor social media. I assure you hot topics like this one are being read and discussed internally. This is not an assumption on my part.

I posted a link over the weekend (which got taken down) about the US considering sending Marines into Haiti. A couple of posters took exception and well guess what, we sent Marines in to evacuate the Embassy and add security yesterday. I won't be surprised if sometime in the near future and out of an abundance of caution some RCCL traffic gets rerouted.

1 hour ago, not-enough-cruising said:

They didn’t surround a ship; good lord. 
A couple dozen fishing boats moored in the channel so a ship could not approach; this was a PEACEFUL protest against the Haitian government and fuel prices. Royal did not dock that one day 
 

I agree not to position yourself in a position with a high rate of failure. Currently the failure rate at Labadee is 0%

You are all in on this topic...makes one wonder why? It seems it is in your best interest to tout Labadee as the safest place on earth. Are you compensated by Royal Caribbean for posting positive views on this topic? Here is the latest news...Violence is battering Haiti's fragile economy and causing food and water shortages (yahoo.com)

1 hour ago, hurricane0226 said:

will be on her in 9 days, hope she is ready to go.

I was on during Thanksgiving, and I sailing again on the voyage when you get back. If you can, let us know your perception of the ship once you board.