Royal Suite Class program - Roll Out Date?

[RadioRob]

[quote name='Robenno']We received our survey 4/18 for our May 14 sailing. We booked onboard last Feb and transferred to TA. We are 4 adults in a 2 bedroom Aqua suite and we now have to figure out how to answer the survey for us as even though we are brothers and sisters it may be difficult. They also sent the email to the first guest on the booking.


Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app[/QUOTE]

This was exactly us. We booked last year aboard our last cruise for May 8th on Allure in the 2 bedroom Aquatheater Suite. (Coincidentally we also transferred this to our TA for some additional perks.)

We just got the survey on Monday... it was difficult for me to answer it since there are 6 of us ranging in age from 25 to 73.

[sdowney]

[quote name='RadioRob']This was exactly us. We booked last year aboard our last cruise for May 8th on Allure in the 2 bedroom Aquatheater Suite. (Coincidentally we also transferred this to our TA for some additional perks.)
[/quote]

RadioRob - Newbie here. So I assume by transferring it to a travel agent you are talking OBC perks. Are there any other extra perks you got by transferring it? I too have reserved the 2 bedroom Aquatheater Suite on the Allure for a January 2017 sailing so if I can get additional perks I'd like to try. Would like to know what I can "attempt" to get.

Thanks,
Sandra

[Clarea]

[quote name='sdowney']RadioRob - Newbie here. So I assume by transferring it to a travel agent you are talking OBC perks. Are there any other extra perks you got by transferring it? I too have reserved the 2 bedroom Aquatheater Suite on the Allure for a January 2017 sailing so if I can get additional perks I'd like to try. Would like to know what I can "attempt" to get.

Thanks,
Sandra[/quote]
Just a note that you only have 60 days after initial booking to transfer to a travel agent.

[RadioRob]

[quote name='sdowney']RadioRob - Newbie here. So I assume by transferring it to a travel agent you are talking OBC perks. Are there any other extra perks you got by transferring it? I too have reserved the 2 bedroom Aquatheater Suite on the Allure for a January 2017 sailing so if I can get additional perks I'd like to try. Would like to know what I can "attempt" to get.

Thanks,
Sandra[/QUOTE]

Each TA earns a commission from RC for managing the reservation, etc. We got the OBC from booking aboard the ship as well as OBC from RC as part of the regular special they were offering. However on top of that, the TA tossed in another 1000 worth of OBC for us. (Now we were spending nearly 11K, but still... almost 10% in extra OBC is not bad at all.)

When talking to her, she said she could do slightly less OBC and toss in things like a gift (such as a bottle of wine/champaign), specialty dinners, etc. However since the suite included Ultimate Beverage package for each guest and unlimited specialty dining, extra OBC worked out in our favor more.

Basically the TA takes a portion of their commission and gives it to you as a way of earning your business on top of their service/support.

The financial perk is nice, but it matters finding a GOOD TA that supports you well. Otherwise the financial perks might be offset by subpar service.

[sdowney]

[quote name='clarea']Just a note that you only have 60 days after initial booking to transfer to a travel agent.[/quote]

Thanks clarea I had no idea of the time limit. I have about 20 days left so I'll def do it this week. Thanks again.

[sdowney]

RadioRob,

Wow $1000 extra OBC is incredible. Not sure if people are allowed to share TA info (not sure what is frowned upon on the boards), but is your TA an online one or someone you know? Now I need to master the skill of finding the best TA [IMG]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon10.gif[/IMG].

Thanks

[RadioRob]

It was an online travel agent, but I reached out to over a dozen before I selected one. I did things such as did my calling on the weekend to see when they worked, asked questions about any fees they might charge (such as change fees/cancel fees, etc).

While it's not allowed to mention SPECIFIC TAs by name, we can talk about them in general. I would also suggest when you are aboard the ship that you ask a few folks if they use TAs and who if they like them.

[Robenno]

We switched to a TA because my Bil knew her and wanted to use her we did get some extra obc
We have decided to do this for our questions
Bob-answer
Jane-answer
Jim-answer
Sue-answer
For each question that way we all have an input..not sure what they will do with it but I don't know that it really matters.


Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Caribbean Tom]

[quote name='MattInFLL']Did you all see the posting from the Ovation Star Class guest ? LOOP texting service to be in touch with your Genie 7 days before your cruise, during the cruise, and 4 days after. That's cool AF.

Couldn't help myself.[/QUOTE]

I have to ask, what is LOOP texting? I've been in IT/network/telecom technology for more years than I care to admit (text messaging being one of few exceptions), and I even asked one of my lead voice engineers, and you've stumped the pros. I'm very interested to learn what it is. We figure it's WiFi based because not everyone's going to have a Cellular at Sea package for standard SMS texting.

[Caribbean Tom]

[quote name='NicoleAndChris']I didn't see that, But I'll try and find it this morning cause that sounds crazy awesome!
For the survey, we are just sailing the two of us (we don't have kids and have never sailed with anyone else's so not sure where they got the assumption). I guess because we're married they assumed?[/QUOTE]

So are you all situated with your dining reservations? I cancelled all our shows except the standup comic. The concierge suggested we wait on the dining reservations until we board and discuss with the Genie. That's what the trade flyer said so it should be okay.

[suzyluvs2cruise]

New media article about the Royal Genies.

[url]https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/news/royal-caribbean-pulls-genies-out-of-the-bottle-4392[/url]

[NicoleAndChris]

[quote name='Caribbean Tom']I have to ask, what is LOOP texting? I've been in IT/network/telecom technology for more years than I care to admit (text messaging being one of few exceptions), and I even asked one of my lead voice engineers, and you've stumped the pros. I'm very interested to learn what it is. We figure it's WiFi based because not everyone's going to have a Cellular at Sea package for standard SMS texting.[/QUOTE]


Hey Tom, from what i understand (I'm also in IT, but on the mobile & web technology side) Loop is the 3rd party providing the service. It appears to be a web based chat system, which I think is what may have prompted some of the questions (what model/OS phone do you have). So I'm expecting a link and a sort of chat room type of set up accessible via wifi.

[NicoleAndChris]

[quote name='Caribbean Tom']So are you all situated with your dining reservations? I cancelled all our shows except the standup comic. The concierge suggested we wait on the dining reservations until we board and discuss with the Genie. That's what the trade flyer said so it should be okay.[/QUOTE]

We had reserved our shows long ago and I just kept the reservations, we prefer to eat a bit later (8/8:30) so it logistically only a very particular set of show times available for after dinner. I realize I really don't need the reservations, but just haven't gone through cancelling them. I will keep them until we board and see how the genie wants to do things. We haven't heard back from concierge after the "we'll take care of it/its been handled" email. I think the plus with the genie will be having the ability to change your mind at the last minute should you feel like doing something else. If it were up to my husband I think we'd end up at chops every night, but I love Sabor's guac too much to let that happen! I've loved everything that has come from limited reviews, but cautiously optimistic, having the reservations is my safety net I suppose :)

[Caribbean Tom]

[quote name='NicoleAndChris']We had reserved our shows long ago and I just kept the reservations, we prefer to eat a bit later (8/8:30) so it logistically only a very particular set of show times available for after dinner. I realize I really don't need the reservations, but just haven't gone through cancelling them. I will keep them until we board and see how the genie wants to do things. We haven't heard back from concierge after the "we'll take care of it/its been handled" email. I think the plus with the genie will be having the ability to change your mind at the last minute should you feel like doing something else. If it were up to my husband I think we'd end up at chops every night, but I love Sabor's guac too much to let that happen! I've loved everything that has come from limited reviews, but cautiously optimistic, having the reservations is my safety net I suppose :)[/QUOTE]

Here's a burner email address. [email]CTBurner@outlook.com[/email] Please send me an email address.

[NicoleAndChris]

[quote name='Caribbean Tom']Here's a burner email address. [email]CTBurner@outlook.com[/email] Please send me an email address.[/QUOTE]

check your burner email, just sent an email.

[John&LaLa]

[quote name='NicoleAndChris']We had reserved our shows long ago and I just kept the reservations, we prefer to eat a bit later (8/8:30) so it logistically only a very particular set of show times available for after dinner. I realize I really don't need the reservations, but just haven't gone through cancelling them. I will keep them until we board and see how the genie wants to do things. We haven't heard back from concierge after the "we'll take care of it/its been handled" email. I think the plus with the genie will be having the ability to change your mind at the last minute should you feel like doing something else. If it were up to my husband I think we'd end up at chops every night, but I love Sabor's guac too much to let that happen! I've loved everything that has come from limited reviews, but cautiously optimistic, having the reservations is my safety net I suppose :)[/QUOTE]

Just ask Genie for some guacamole

[Caribbean Tom]

[quote name='NicoleAndChris']Hey Tom, from what i understand (I'm also in IT, but on the mobile & web technology side) Loop is the 3rd party providing the service. It appears to be a web based chat system, which I think is what may have prompted some of the questions (what model/OS phone do you have). So I'm expecting a link and a sort of chat room type of set up accessible via wifi.[/QUOTE]

Interesting. I wonder if there will be an app.

[mkbruce]

[quote name='Caribbean Tom']Interesting. I wonder if there will be an app.[/QUOTE]

I think the app is called Loopt, and is available for iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, and Windows Phone. It's a messaging app that includes a geolocation feature to help people locate each other. Haven't tried it, but sounds promising.

[klepton]

I saw some others mentioning TAs and OBC. I also get a fair percentage back from my TA in OBC, and because of what I'm paying for my star class Sky Loft, it's a pretty sizable sum. The thing is, star class includes pretty much anything we'd normally spend money on. :)

What will you guys do with your OBC? A few ideas I had:

Cabana in Labadee
Private/Group Flowrider session
Spa day for DW (And maybe nails for DD)

I'm guessing the OBC will be refundable, so could also cash it out at 5% and use at the casino or for gratuities for Genie.

[MattInFLL]

Cabana for sure or shore excursions.

[jv_nyc]

Regarding Loop, I haven't tried it yet, but it's a website link that was sent to me in email - the url is configured for my sailing and cabin. It's a mobile friendly website with a pretty welcome screen that has a "chat with me now" button. When I click/tap the button, I'm taken to a page that looks like a chat screen with an initial "welcome" chat message from my Genie. Hope this helps! Because it has some of my personal information, I'm not comfortable posting screenshots.

[A&L_Ont]

[quote name='jv_nyc']Regarding Loop, I haven't tried it yet, but it's a website link that was sent to me in email - the url is configured for my sailing and cabin. It's a mobile friendly website with a pretty welcome screen that has a "chat with me now" button. When I click/tap the button, I'm taken to a page that looks like a chat screen with an initial "welcome" chat message from my Genie. Hope this helps! Because it has some of my personal information, I'm not comfortable posting screenshots.[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't either, but thank you for the information. The tracking part is interesting as they could see your where abouts on the ship, but I doubt they would know what deck you are on. I guess they could also tell if you are still off the ship if it was a port day. That being said you need to have the phone with you to make the program work and not every one carries it with them on holidays. Sadly, I don't have that problem.;)

[Clarea]

[quote name='klepton']I... What will you guys do with your OBC? A few ideas I had:

Cabana in Labadee
Private/Group Flowrider session
Spa day for DW (And maybe nails for DD)...[/quote]
I'd go with the cabana, something you would have for the whole day and enjoy with up to 6 people.

[Clarea]

[quote name='jv_nyc']Regarding Loop, I haven't tried it yet, but it's a website link that was sent to me in email - the url is configured for my sailing and cabin. It's a mobile friendly website with a pretty welcome screen that has a "chat with me now" button. When I click/tap the button, I'm taken to a page that looks like a chat screen with an initial "welcome" chat message from my Genie. Hope this helps! Because it has some of my personal information, I'm not comfortable posting screenshots.[/quote]
Interesting, so as far as you can tell, Loop is not an app you need to download, but just a web page.

[jv_nyc]

[quote name='clarea']Interesting, so as far as you can tell, Loop is not an app you need to download, but just a web page.[/QUOTE]

Yes, and it's not Loopt, the app with the geolocation that someone mentioned earlier. It's a mobile friendly website with simple chat functionality. We're onboard, so I tried it out, and it works great!