tottenhamfc

Leaving from Vancouver in April on a cruise from Santiago to NY. Staying in Santiago for two nights and sailing from Valparaiso. Would you suggest splitting it into one night each location? Also how did you get to Valparaiso? I know there is a bus but would like to get opinions on safety and reliability? TIA

Not good. That is why I would like guidance from Celebrity. Sometimes they can aply on behalf of the manifest if you are not flying into a country.

I would wait for advice from the cruiseline TBH. If it gets too complicated I guess the option is not getting off the ship. I am on a B2B and have a port stop in Sao Paulo on 1st leg, then Rio as the start of the 2nd leg and then Salvadore de Bahia as a stop.

Is it just me or do others feel uncomfortable showing banking information to an entity that has no ability to convince me of the safety of that info getting into the wrong hands. TBH I have no clue how to protect myself.

Yes nothing to do with smart as long as you are smart with your money. Unfortunately I think you are referencing the minority.

Well put. I am a very loyal person but it appears that the current big corp attitude doesnt value it. I am talking in general. For example telecom companies give deep discounts to newbies but neglect the old ones paying the bills. You then have to beg to a department called ironically “loyalty” They play on your loyalty because you may have your main email address linked to their company. It is a hassle to move emails. Same for appliances. We just get used to poor longevity and buy again and again. We have a bigger say in this than some believe. We have to take OUR loyalty off the table to make them think.

This is true. I think what people are saying is that cash is competing with credit and a certain demographic will not be able to hold the fort. Loyalty is out of the window and RCL will be grovelling to get their loyal customer base back at some point. You have to listen to the customer. Declining services declining quality and considerably higher prices is not a good model long term. It is a risky formula to not have a guaranteed base of customers.

I think they are testing the upper limits. They will fall back over time. There is a possibility they could become a one trick pony with short cruises to the Carribean with big ships. They can sell some ships if need be.

They just dont get it. My kids included.

I think there will be two markets. The young with credit cards looking for the big ships and entertainment and alcohol packages and us the dinosaurs paying with cash in the leaser ships wanting itineraries and decent food. It looks to me like they better be reasonable with the long term cruisers or they will lose a massive guaranteed base. This is the first time in over 20 cruises on Royal that I am looking at options. They are pricing themselves close to Oceana, Virgin and even Disney. They have entered a space of a lot of quality competition.

I think if you are new to TA’s then it wont affect you. Us oldies are just whining because it isnt what we were used to.

I think the weather is generally more dependable and you have 25 hour days with the time changes instead of 23.

Probably because its the only ship released so far for fall.

I would have lost my s..t. I just love TA’s for r and r.

That is an excellent price. Havent seen that online.

Looked at that one but prefer the fall TA’s. I will just wait for more ship releases. Right now there is no internal competition.

It is todays release of Independance for 2025. About 30% increase from this years TA on Anthem. They are losing their loyal customer base quickly. Either that or the travel agents are getting the group bookings and leaving little left for direct purchase. I am just speculating of course.

Only had about 25 kids on the Anthem TA in Oct

I guess they have zero interest in experiences cruisers anymore. We just pay the bills but dont create profit margin. They are looking for a different demographic but they wont get it on a TA

I understand but I just have another 1 month to get the OBC. Really more interested in comments about strategy of booking the cheapest category and then upgrading. Not worth paying a premium and also not getting cabin choice. Never had to contend with this before TBH.

Just curious when you are booking a next cruise certificate, is it best to just book the cheapest price and then look for reductions later? This is higher priced by 25 to 30% than my previous 4 TA’s in the last 5 years. Just trying to strategize because they are okaying the game of sold out categories already. Usually dont have an issue booking upon release but this is very different. Unless they have a bunch of group bookings.

Ah I see. Well the Anthem TA in Oct had a more subtle (lol) approach. They had the parade if waiters every other night to justify their importance. It was absolutely annoying, interruptive and in your face. Now I have noticed that the head waiters are aggressively what I call tip surfing. They do not allow for a relaxed atmosphere. It may have been that ship and not a new policy. At least that is what I am hoping. I felt like I was on my first cruise on a three day. Not a 15 day TA as an experienced loyal to royal cruiser.

Not sure what your last sentence means?

Personally I do not see the value in specialty restaurants so I stick to the MDR. Never in 20+ cruises on RCL have I had a waitstaff ask for 10’a early in the cruise. Its usually a couple of nights prior to the end. I can also say that for the most part I have given 10’s but in reality many were 6-8 ratings. Never been so unhappy that I would give a 0