NateUpNorth

This is the correct answer. To the original poster - take the bottom line number from a mock booking and if you're happy with it..... make that your starting point. Check back every different sale, and even during the same sailing. Likely the price will move in both directions depending on the day/weather/and recently the price of eggs.

As it's a website talking about all things cruise related I'd say the posts about "how outrageous cruise things cost right now" are in the right spot. I'm sure if we perused a website talking about all things chicken related we'd see complaints about wings and eggs. 😉 Prices are up, people complain. If it was any other way we'd be worried.

Only had one lady, end of day, slow walk past asking if we needed shot glasses, souvenirs etc. A polite "no thanks" and she moved on.

Bus pass.... good for 2 trips.

To answer my own question..... should anyone wonder the same... no day pass required.

We bought the retour cards at the bus terminal by the cruise port with USD.

Exactly how I was going to respond so I'll just use the quote instead.

Awesome!! Jealous you've already got one booked! I was sad we didn't get Bonaire on this trip. (think Harmony is too big to use their pier) If you're into snorkeling it's AMAZING. "World best" site. Woodwind tour provider comes highly recommended here and elsewhere. We used them for a morning tour and I can't say enough good things about them.

Thanks for that. Your middle paragraph has actually completely added a new perspective for me. Looking at it as a reward, not 100% an incentive approach. I think I now understand better some of the replies I've received. Not too proud to say you've enlightened me with some learning!!! "Have a fantastic holidays" to you and everyone else here. This site continues to dispense tips, tricks and valuable information everyday!!!

Edit - In the interests of not assuming I'm always correct I've just google'd it and found this from February that says only 4 total but I will confirm 100% that the one at mini-bites exists also bringing absolute certainty to 5 total minimum. And the google quick hit says this:

I want to say....... and I'm not 100% certain..... but you can walk off with your luggage at any point in time after the ship "clears" in the morning. IIRC it's the "self assist" option.

Ok. I'm getting destroyed in here by the regulars over this. *shrug* All I'm saying is that A) if it was working so well, why the revamp? B) if RCL has a loyalty program running they likely are not of the same opinion of many here to "try other lines, we all do it, everyone should do it"..... isn't that the opposite of what a corporation hopes will happen? C) yes I agree - the ships and entertainment are what draws people in 100% but the loyalty program as it stands, doesn't keep them from looking elsewhere too Anyway, I'll leave it there. I'm sure there will be more threads about it in the future. It's, what do the corporate's like to call it, an "evergreen program"?

Apologies, I should have said 3 locations.... Buffet, Sorrento's and Mini-Bites. There was 1 at mini-bites 2 at Sorrento's with frequent lines. (granted people did take their time choosing which probably contributed to the line, and they're in a really bad spot on the side of the pizza line there, about 3 feet in front of tables where people are eating) Windjammer - I'm gonna say 1 at each end? I honestly don't know, we sat same side same area when we were in there. I'll defer and say your estimate is probably better than mine.

Honest question, learning here, is it combinable with all the "dynamic sales"?

Agree completely, however as I've said, C&A dept would be fired if that was their strategy. I seem to have opened a can of worms here. lol

I agree completely with your sentiments. The point I'm making is if the company IS looking to swing people to RCL over an AI or other lines.... this program currently isn't doing that. I don't think marketing operates on "If it happens to be us that's great"! Again I understand completely. From a corporate profits standpoint the goal should be enticing people to get there. The "loyalty" rewards under discussion don't do that. The ships.... sure they do. Yep. But again I don't think RCL marketing and finance are employed to bo OK with that.

No offense, and with respect and sincerity..... "20 night b2b in a JS" is not your typical RCL passenger. I'm just giving the perspective of the slow and steady once a year cruiser. Which I suspect is the majority of the clientele.

We're talking RCL here. I don't know what other lines offer.... but the point is there's no incentive to stop me (or others) from thinking about finding out based on the "stay loyal to us" program RCL is running. And that is a realization the C&A team is employed to navigate around. We're at 31 nights, by now they should have me hooked. They don't. Perhaps we're the exception? I don't know. The family we last travelled with is in the 20's and they came away saying "maybe CCL next time" I'm not trying to be confrontational, this is just the reality. "The ships sail full right now" and "Enjoy other lines, bye" are not sound business plans.

Hear me out. Average family takes 1 big vacation a year. 7 or 8 nights. Diamond is 80 nights. The "loyalty" program basically says "give us 10 years of your vacation time and then we'll toss a few drinks your way" If that IS the enticement to stay loyal to royal.... it's garbage. Good luck to them. And this is from a fan of RCL. No offense but if you're already Diamond, Diamond+, Pinnacle.... you're likely locked in. The "loyalty" the corporate coffers need is from the lower levels. What in the Gold, Platinum, Emerald categories screams "don't shop MSC, or CCL or Norwegian" to you? Yes the ships are full but they need a way to make sure it's not 6000 one and done passengers each sailing.... times how many ships fleetwide? Maybe a "loyalty" revamp will help.... can't hurt.

They did. It opened at night from 7 and ran till 10. Kids can stay after 10 but there is a fee. I forget the fee but you'll get charged at 10:01. They mentioned that several times at sign up. Each night has a "theme" or activity and you can grab the schedule. For example "movie night" or "games night" and "carnival night".... there's also coloring and other "solo" stuff to do. Video games are in there, I think 3 sets. (Just asked the boy, he says Mario, Minecraft and Basketball were the games.) Oh and the staff will lead organized games like dodgeball. I will tell you it is LOUD..... so they're obviously having fun in there.... LOL Above the age of 9 you can choose to allow, or prevent, your child from signing themselves in or out. Our guys were only "allowed" limited time at the fun club but when they were there they loved it.

From a lowly Gold who turned Platinum on Sunday, and who just filled out my post cruise survey.... I included the commentary that the C&A rewards are no incentive whatsoever below Diamond. So whilst those in our category appreciate being regaled with tales of free booze and tote bags and bath towels....... perhaps they're gonna do something to entice those down in steerage to stick with RCL to actually get to the Diamond level? I won't hold my breath!

There were a pair of pineapples upside down via magnets on a stateroom door on our floor last week. It could have been the scenario you've indicated.... magnets not quite strong enough to keep them upright.... or a joke. Who knows... we laughed and moved on.

ooops - i think i mentioned, but not sure, and I sure as heck ain't reading that again to listen to myself pontificate about RCL...... I have the Cruise Compass for all days but Day 1..... will scan next week (probably Wednesday) when back at work with access to a scanner... so lookout for them... or remind me by posting a request. Thanks!

Things Harmony/RCL does best: To start, they hit perfectly what are probably the two most important things you’d think a cruise offers: Amazing service people MDR food was great The shows, waterslides and Flow Rider are a “must experience" and more than enough other activities to keep you busy. Something for every demographic. This review hits the middle age with younger kids category, however I know we have done this class of Ship with my parents (Oasis) and they found things to do every day also - trivia, tours etc etc etc Things that could be improved: The C&A rewards aren’t amazing right now for us lowly Gold’s. In fact if I'm honest they don't really scream "rebook with us" until you get to Diamond. We're over 30 nights now..... so that's another 50 or so nights away. Included food options outside the MDR/Windjammer could have a little more selection and longer hours– looking at you Sorrento’s/ Café Promenade Charging for popcorn? C’mon Man. Nickel and diming at its finest. Non functioning arcade. Expand the soft serve times. It’s vacation. A 9:30 soft serve isn’t killing anyone. The sum total grand finale: OVERALL RATING – I’m gonna give it an 8 1/2. For our family, once the Explorer is Amp’d, that’s the class that hits our sweet spot. We’ll drop down a size or two. (Navigator/Freedom/Explorer) Price paid hit the value mark perfectly. Got what was expected, possibly a bit more, with a few misses on the way. Next up we’ll be looking to do the Caribbean Saint’s itinerary. Likely with RCL for minimal overlap of where we’ve been so far. After that… who knows. I’m not sure C&A points and levels where we are will be enough to keep us Loyal to Royal. Just an honest opinion. Maybe they’ll revise the program, who knows. If you've made it this far........ this is the internet..... this is when you begin to tell me how wrong I am and where I've gone astray. I kid. I kid. Feedback on any of this is welcome. We'll sail again and use it!

Onboard Shopping – Our friends bought Invicta watches. All I told them was “be happy with what you get and what you pay for it”. That’s a discussion had a great length on these boards and what I’ve distilled the conversation down to in one sentence. The onboard Liquor shop……. Meh…… decidedly meh. Usually I’ll find something onboard I’ve never seen before. (I shop for scotch or bourbon) There were the obligatory ridiculous priced Macallan Enigma’s, Johnnie Blue was a 2 for $450 deal etc……. but other than that - well nothing made me pull out the Seapass. Oh and there was the Balvenie Pedro Ximinez ($200) and a Balvenie 15 Medeira Cask ($118) available too. The “highlighted in a fancy holder” next to the cash register was Kentucky Owl Confiscated Bourbon. Meh. Not saying these aren't all fine tipples but I passed on purchasing. I'll hit the bridge Duty Free in Queenston/Lewiston to peruse their selection. Coffee Punch Card/ Drink Punch Card – No evidence of availability on this sailing. (Coffee card was in the Planner pre-cruise however).