Jetdriver787

Ignore them or change your marketing preferences.

The main thing to understand is that it has nothing at all to do with availability. It isn’t run by Royal Caribbean. It is run by a company called “Plusgrade.” They operate similar schemes for a whole spectrum of cruise lines, airlines, hotels, etc. The purpose is to maximise ancillary revenues for the subscribing companies. The programme does two major things. It provides capacity smoothing. Where a major category isn’t selling as well as it is projected to do at various junctures, it allows the subscribing companies to pull capacity into a higher category with a promised level of committed payment (your bid) attached to it. This opens up the often easier to sell lower categories. It also serves to balance the projected sales levels in order to achieve higher sales prices for the now (less plentiful) remaining capacity. The second thing is does is to provide a commited bid for any unsold or returned inventory at a point when it is otherwise unlikely to sell or resell. Unlike a competition or auction, there doesn’t have to be (and usually isn’t) any “prize” on offer. But the invitation to bid is only on a “possibility” that requires no payment, only a binding commitment, should availability actually arise at a future date.

Don’t know about a review? It reads like a brochure. 🤷‍♂️

Some of the coffee products will utilise 2 punches.

Broadly speaking, hasn’t this always been the case?

I’ve always thought the C&A loyalty programme was very clever. Yes, there have been tweaks along the way, some of which people love and some of which they hate, but it does exactly what it is meant to do, by generating repeat business. That repeat business goes far beyond simply getting you to book another cruise, but it expands into the additional business you bring with you. We have 7 kids who all cruised with us at one time or another as children. They are all now adults. Each and every one has cruised at least once in their own right with their own families. All of those cruises have been on Royal Caribbean. I guess because it’s both a known product and because it rewards them with “benefits.” All of this comes without any customer acquisition marketing spend on the part of the company. That aside, and I doubt I am alone here? But when pricing a cruise, I will take into account the apparent discounts that the loyalty tier affords combined with the benefits that come with a category or cabin to arrive at a “value” price. By example, the cruise I have in a fortnight reduces the effective price by 65% (of what actually was a very good price to begin with,) for the price of that cabin alone. If you like, it’s a case of the discounted ancillaries driving the cabin sale. A reverse of something like “Casino comps” where the free/discounted cabin is driving the ancillary revenue.

Except, that unlike the bar/restaurant, they are selling “duty free” alcohol from a bonded warehouse. That alone should double the ”profit” margin on a like for like comparison. The direct “cost” is likely to be negligible. To what extent it affects the otherwise purchase of drinks packages must be a consideration?

The oldest is now on the cusp of becoming a teenager! My guess is they would trade their souls for those simple days of vomit on the bedsheets!

As we might say here in the UK……You were lucky you were able to “cop a cabana!”

I let one booking expire but it took about 2 weeks and numerous email reminders for confirmation of cancellation to occur. Recently had a similar situation where I thought we would have to let it go, but circumstances changed and I paid the balance around 10 days after “final payment date.” It all went through fine, but I most definitely wouldn’t rely on it as a strategy.

Seems a bit cruel to ask for a “short” if they put them on the top shelf?

……possibly because the mirror turned out to be a window! It’s no fun getting older is it?

You can take a “Steamer trunk!” All very 1920’s though. Having stood naked in front of a full length mirror after 30 minutes in the steam room, I am honestly not sure I would bother! At least my wife “creased up” laughing!

For Capital crimes maybe having to sit through the full performance of “Cats?” 🤷‍♂️

Likely because the “selectable” inventory isn’t available at this time. They will know that there will be a percentage of cabins that will become available due to returns and cancellations or upgrades. “Gty” gives them the flexibility to work that inventory to their advantage until the point when they do firm up.