Lee Cruiser

I'm wondering how even that part will be handled as platinum and diamonds still have to choose an arrival time and cannot come earlier. It's no longer just show up when you want priority.

We like dropping off our bags, but we also prefer full access to the room. We like going back after we eat and relaxing while the public areas are so chaotic. Before, we were typically unpacked and relaxing before the 1:30 time. On our cruises this year, that time between 12:30 and 1:30 was horrible as everyone was gathering in public areas just waiting for rooms to be ready. The areas just outside hallways would be packed for 30+ minutes with people waiting.

Yes, I'm pretty sure there is some priority given. I cannot remember for sure what it was before Covid. Maybe someone else can give insight there.

I'm glad I don't live where you live. Where I live it went up to $1.08, which is what I paid yesterday.

Then it must have varied from port to port. The last time we purchased it from N.O. before turning platinum was in 2017. I just went back to look at the email and it was $70 for a 5 day cruise then. I'm pretty sure that it was up to $90 for a 5 day from there before Covid in January 2020.

I'm guessing that they will still add that as well

We paid $4.95 for our September Cruise, so it's now doubled.

Yep. We didn't go to the steakhouse back when it was an extra $30 or so per person. Certainly wouldn't do it now. How many would really do that?

I rarely (never on most cruises) eat the soft serve as I am not a fan. However, I've seen lots of people eating it early in the morning.

In addition, we want you to enjoy your favorites and sample offerings you haven’t tried before while dining with us in the main dining room, but we encourage you to follow the golden rule of dining: take what you want but eat what you take. And remember, you can always ask for a half-portion if something looks too enticing to pass up. Guests may continue to order a second complimentary entrée if they choose; however, effective immediately, a third entrée will incur a US$5 charge (AU$7).

Pre-Covid it was Wedding Parties, Diamond, Platinum, then suite guests, followed by FTTF. We did a suite once before turning platinum. We were allowed in the priority seating area, but diamond and platinum went before us. Also, back then, our rooms were not ready upon boarding, but diamond and platinum were.

Not likely. It’s not really worth nearly as much without rooms being ready. Hardly worth the $100 they had started charging.

Exactly. They were always ready before. So this announcement isn’t really that big of a deal. You still have to pick a time and arrive during that time. You basically have a separate line again and get to get on a couple of minutes before suites instead of right after.

Not true. They were always ready when we boarded before, including Jan 2020. We were always there for the priority boarding time.

Unfortunately, rooms still won’t be ready when boarding.

Supply and demand does play a big role, but I also suspect a big reason is the proximity to any port of call is further.

Our cruise that departs April 22 was also changed.

Yep. We got it as well. Definitely a huge downgrade since we never get off the ship in Nassau. We are also not fans of Amber Cove. Very disappointing.

Like others have said, do your research before you take it. We received an upgrade offer on Mardi Gras this past April. It was for a move from an extended balcony on the side on deck 7 to an Ocean Suite for around $200 or so if I remember correctly. We didn't take the offer. We typically book the cabin area that we want when we first book. We were glad we didn't take the offer because we later found out that the suites they were trying to "upsell" us on actually had uncovered balconies where people could easily see in and you were not out of the sun. We loved our extended balcony and actually spent several hours each sea day laying out on our own balcony away from the crowds. Plus, you could always stay out of the sun, unlike standard balconies. We liked it so much that we have extended balconies booked again on Mardi Gras, as well as Celebration next year and Jubilee in early 2024. Yes, we are those people who do spend a lot of time in our rooms (or actually on our balconies) if the location is right and especially if we can actually lay down there.

We were on Mardi Gras in April and loved it. Two of our cruises next year are on Mardi Gras and Celebration. Also have Jubilee booked in 2024. There was so much we loved about it, but one of our favorite things was the extended balcony room where we could recline and relax away from the crowds. We ended up spending most of our sea days relaxing on our balcony.

For our cruise on Vista a few weeks ago, we were able to get Lyft from our hotel near the beach to the pier. It was no problem for us. It may vary depending on check-in time. We had the first check-in time of 10 am. We requested a Lyft around 9:20 thinking it may take a little bit, but it didn't. We arrived at the port very early. As my previous post says, you still cannot be dropped off or picked up directly at the port by Uber. Not sure where the other information is coming from, but as of today, you still cannot. We used Uber the day before our cruise for a couple of trips around Galveston, but had to use Lyft to get to the port.

We couldn't use Uber when we debarked Vista two weeks ago. We had to use Lyft. Also, I just did a mock booking for Uber from the port and it is still showing "Pickup Are Unavailable." I'm not sure where the information that you can now use Uber is coming from because it doesn't appear you can.

If you are buying it as an investment for your children, you might want to look at other stock. There are many that are better right now. It's going to be a long time before there are dividends again, if that even happens. Now, if you are buying it for onboard credit and they cruise often, then each would need 100 shares to get that. That's really the only benefit right now. Will that continue? Who knows. There are so many variables at play, including whether the company has to file for reorganization. For personal purchases I use Ameritrade. It's simple and has no transaction fees. I've never tried to purchase for someone else, so I would talk to an advisor for that.

We've never been big fans of the brunch. We went once on our last cruise just to get an omelet without the long line, but that's the first time in several cruises.

Yes