SadmanCruiser

I think they shorted you Pete. You're each supposed to get your D+ gifts if you are in separate staterooms.

I did think that Bob. Below is what I was quoted regarding gift selection. Copied from website:

Let us know how you prefer to be welcomed aboard. Select your preferences for special gifts you are eligible for on your upcoming cruise by completing this online form. Based on the number of completed cruise points, you may be eligible for more than one gift/amenity during your stay, please select a preference for all that applies below.

For Gift Amenities:

• One gift amenity per household. The selection by the primary person in your Crown & Anchor Society membership is considered the top gift selection.
  

So even though we were technically in separate rooms, it was one gift amenity per household.

Pete

I agree.

My wife and I have both booked singles (connecting) on an upcoming cruise in Nov. We get 2 of everything and double points. Booking 2 cabins was quite a bit cheaper than a JS or above.

The wife and I booked in separate rooms on the Harmony crossing late last year and we were told the D+ wine benefits are one per couple, not per stateroom. I received bottle of wine for D+, second and third bottles as we had 550 points - Wife got nothing!

Pete

We've had non refundable deposits in the U.K. all the time we've cruised - welcome to our world!

Too many people booking suites early and cancelling late is the problem meaning Royal have to offer cheap deals late on.

I was on the Vision three weeks ago and am currently on the Rhapsody.

Balcony on the Vision, ocean view on Rhapsody.

I have not tried HDMI slot but have TV shows on USB drive and have had no problem watching them.

Both ships have Samsung flat screens.

Pete.

I am currently on the Rhapsody. When I arrived in my cabin there was a flyer offering upgrade from select package for $10 per day plus gratuity.

Pete.

I also prepay. If the stateroom attendant goes the extra mile I give him a couple of dollars a day extra.

Same with dining room. Service has been paid for but if they look after me I will tip them a little extra.

Pete.

Sorry, yes I am on the Rhapsody. Also got balcony price, over £10,000

Priced the three longer cruises on board the Rhapsody.

£7000 for a promenade room seems a bit pricey for a repositioning cruise.

There are some very good CS reps in Guatemala!

I recently booked the Navigator Transatlantic for April 2018 and also booked the Med sailing for May 2018. I did call on the U.K. D+ Freephone number.

Spoke to a lovely lady called Sasha who was very pleasant and booked exactly what I asked for quickly and efficiently. The only issue was the 150% solo supplement which she had to ask for help with.

I then had a change of mind and decided I would like to do the 9 night Caribbean before the crossing. Again rang the D+ number and asked if it was possible to change sail dates. I expected to lose the deposit on the Med cruise, or at least have to pay some fee to change but no, my cruise was swapped, again the rep had to get the 150% solo approved, and the fee to change was waived.

Both calls were handled professionally by reps who knew what they were doing which is a definite improvement from previous experience.

Well done Royal - perhaps they have listened to the complaints and improved training for their staff in Guatemala.

Pete

Brilliant! Made my afternoon.

We did the transfer after the Harmony in November 2016 and it was still $30 per person

Pete

Don't waste a voucher taking a drink to dinner. Just take one from the lounge, they don't care much anymore.

That does depend on the ship. On the Vision November 2016 they were very strict

I think I will sneak another cruise in :D

Might try to upgrade to a JS on one of our U.S. bookings or leave the wife at home for the double points ;), it really is a shame that we cannot do the same on U.K. bookings.

But since the

 

Just a final thought. If you've never cruised solo before as I hadn't, you may be dreading it or be feeling apprehensive. Let me tell you that my solo was one of my best cruises ever and would certainly do another one if needed.

 

Hope that helps!

It does help, thank you. I have done 10 solo cruises now, but thanks for the advice.

It's amazing how quick the points add up going solo! I did 7+16 nights on the Vision November 2016 with the 16 nights being in a really good price in a JS so 14 points then 48 points.

Pete

Thank you.

I will be boarding the Rhapsody for the crossing in late April. Booked, and paid in full, for 2 passengers but the wife cannot make it so I will go solo.

I have tried to change the reservation to solo but that would mean a re-price at current solo rates which would cost substantially more than I paid. I would also lose some OBC and the select drinks package included.

Royals advice is to 'no show' the wife at check in.

Does anyone have any experience of 'no showing' one guest and did you receive single or double points?

Thanks

Pete

I'd sneak one in. That TA is going to be top heavy with pinnacle

 

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I guessed it would be as there were over 200 Pinnacles on the Harmony crossing last year. The lines for the Diamond lounge were horrible!

Thank you. It looks like trying to sneak another cruise in somewhere,

Already got Vision, Rhapsody, Independence and a B2B on the Navigator - hard life!

Pete

Thank you. Might just have to book another cruise before the Symphony.

Pete

If all goes to plan, we will get to 700 points on the Symphony Transatlantic in 2018

We will start the Symphony cruise with 692 points.

My question is: Will we have access to Coastal Kitchen form the start of the cruise, the day we reach 700 or will it be on the next cruise?

Also, will we get a gold card at the start of the Symphony cruise?

Pete

Hi. We are doing a transatlantic next month and was wondering whether we would be able to use VPN to access our UK Sky Go subscription, in order to stream a soccer game (extremely important one to our 14 year old son!)

 

Anyone had any experience of using VPN on board or specifically a transatlantic (and which one, not too pricey). Obviously we will have to shell out for VOOM internet.

 

Thanks in advance.

I used the free version of 'tunnel bear' on the Vision last year. Watched the last grand prix of the season on Virgin TV. It did stall a couple of times but was pretty good overall.

Voom on a Transatlantic may be a problem. It is decent for the first few and last few days but not good for the bit in the middle when you are far from land.

Which ship are you on?

Pete

Hi

 

I am boarding Navigator at the end of the month. I am just about to book a Grand Suite on Allure for May 2018 - I am planning on booking with a US TA however booking perks arent great at the moment ($100 OBC) my question is if I wait and book onboard can I then as a UK resident transfer my booking to a US TA or will that get blocked as it will have been considered a U.K booking which I have made - Anyone have any first hand knowledge?

 

Thank you

They will definitely, positively not let you transfer a booking made in £'s even though the future cruise salespeople on board may try to tell you different.

Pete

I thought they had put a stop to people outside the US booking with US agents?

My US agent is not allowed to take new UK customers but she is still allowed to book for me as a current client.

Put the hotel address.

I would also advise having a printed copy. I know the esta site says no need to print but it can delay boarding the ship in Europe.

Also useful to have a printed copy as they usually do US immigration at your first port.

Pete

I booked the crossing in a Central Park balcony. Total cost is $2427 and my TA had to pay $900 deposit.