B-52

And that's how it happens...we were getting ready for our 2nd cruise with RCI, and night before we left home I checked "my Cruises" one last time and there it was...upgraded to a GS.

Was never told or warned before hand.

You have to check the compass....they will usually schedule it on a sea day.

I would not call it a "Party"

Just a get-together. I've been to a few, and there were cruises were they did not have one, at least I did not see it in the compass and missed it.

Mostly held in the Viking Crown Lounge.

I too am a Vietnam vet..did 2 tours. Was stationed in San Diego and would have to fly home to NJ while on leave for holidays, etc. Coast to coast, very expensive for a 19 year old kid.

In those days they had what was called "Military Standby" where you could fly anywhere in the US for free. Just had to pay a nominal fee ($10?) which I think was maybe taxes.

AND you had to wear your uniform.

Needless to say, we did not take advantage of that after the first time experience, and paid 100% out of pocket for flights from then on.

Wearing your uniform in an airport, you were asking for trouble as already stated.

Even bartenders would ignore me.

Whenever I am somewhere for dinner or drinks, and I see a group of men/women in uniform, I will pick up their tab.

People think I'm crazy, but they have no idea what I went through and I will not let it happen to others today.

HERE ARE THE NEW RULES ...

 

On even numbered months the following rules will apply:

 

For Oasis and Quantum class ships, the Suite Lounge is for suite guests and the Diamond Lounge is for Pinnacles.

 

For Freedom and Voyager class ships, the Suite Lounge is for suite guests and the Diamond Lounge is for Pinnacle and D+.

 

For Radiance, Vision, and Sovereign class ships the Suite Lounge is for suite guests and the Diamond Lounge is for Pinnacles and D+ with 350+ points.

 

However, if it is a holiday cruise, then the following rules will apply (on any month and for any length cruise):

 

 

On odd months the following rules will apply:

 

For Oasis and Quantum class ships, the Suite Lounge is for suite guests and Pinnacle with over 1050 points the Diamond Lounge is for D+.

 

For Freedom and Voyager class ships, the Suite Lounge is for suite guests and Pinnacles the Diamond Lounge is for Diamond and D+.

 

For Radiance, Vision, and Sovereign class ships the Suite Lounge is for suite and Pinnacle guests and the Diamond Lounge is for diamond, D+ and passengers that make Diamond during the current cruise.

 

 

However, if the cruise is 13 days or longer, the following rules will apply (for both odd and even months):

 

For Oasis and Quantum class ships, the Suite Lounge is for suite guests and Pinnacle with 1400 points or more. The Diamond Lounge is for Pinnacles under 1400 points.

 

For Freedom and Voyager class ships, the Suite Lounge is for suite guests and Pinnacles 1050+ points. The Diamond Lounge is for Pinnacles under 1050 points and D+ with 350 or more points.

 

For Radiance, Vision, and Sovereign class ships the Suite Lounge is for suite and Pinnacle guests and the Diamond Lounge is for diamond, D+ and passengers that make Diamond during the current cruise.

 

 

However, if it is a holiday cruise, the following rules will apply (on any month, and for any length cruise):

 

For Oasis and Quantum class ships, the Suite Lounge is for suite guests, Pinnacles, and D+ with 350+ points the Diamond Lounge is for D+ with less than 350 points.

 

For Freedom and Voyager class ships, the Suite Lounge is for suite guests, Pinnacles, and D+. The Diamond Lounge is for Diamond.

 

For Radiance, Vision, and Sovereign class ships the Suite Lounge is for suite, Pinnacle, D+ and Diamonds who will make D+ during the current cruise. The Diamond Lounge is for diamond and Emerald guest.

 

 

Unless it is a special event cruise (in any month, for any length, holiday or not) in which case the following rules will apply:

 

For all classes of ships the rules will be posted in your stateroom upon boarding.

Let me quests...you work for the federal government.

I thought it was funny. The even/odd months should have given it away. :rolleyes:

 

...K.O. ;)

I prefer the days of the week that has a "R" in their name method

Our 2nd cruise with RCI we got a free upgrade from a JS to a GS....we have been booking a GS ever since.

They know what they're doing.

You will never go back

We have a cruise booked for next summer.

On "my Cruises" it will not let me select our dining choice, everything is wait listed.

I called RCI, concerned all choices were full?

They told me they are going through changes, and everything has not been decided and organized, set in place yet, and I will be able to choose our dining options once they get it all worked out.

From everything I've read, DD is going away. We have used MTD since it was introduced, but right now I am unable to select that.

I am following this thread, as well as others about this issue and I am totally confused.

We booked the anthem recently for next summer and everything is wait listed except early and late traditional seating.

Hoping this gets more clearer as time goes on.

We were looking forward to DD, but would settle for MTD if possible.

But for now, they are not offering that for 2017 sailings

Disclaimer;

Never done DD so I don't fully understand it other than what I am reading here.

But, using MTD and making reservations in the different venues each night, including a night in the MDR, would that not be close?

On a typical 7-9 night cruise I'm surprised I use the MDR more than once

Sometimes not at all.

Our first time on Oasis coming up. I have read here and there that if you are staying in a Suite (Gold Card) reservations to the shows are not needed?

Can you confirm? All of the shows?

Also, how was the embarkation experience in Orlando for Suite guests

Considering this hotel

Which room - category offers the best views? balcony?

In the past we have stayed at El Convento, but may change this trip.

Considering this hotel

Which room - category offers the best views? balcony?

In the past we have stayed at El Convento, but may change this trip.

NO!

What happened to "All-Inclusive"?

That is - WAS one of the things that got us hooked on cruising....But now, slowly but surely, they are starting to sneak in additional charges here and there....

Before you know it, there will only be "Complimentary" things offered such as bad coffee, etc...you have to pay for everything else, the same as staying at a Disney resort...etc...

Cruise lines need to get the message they are headed in the wrong direction....

Plus, did you see the high $$ to book a cruise on one of these ships?

For what we pay for a GS on any other class ship, could not get us much on the Anthem...

I was very disappointed with Adventure's priority boarding in San Jaun.

Yes, there was a separate line for Suite guests, and designated agents for checking in.

After that, things got very muddled....

We were shown what area to sit for boarding, and turned out it was right in the middle of the general boarding...nothing priority about it.

Not complaining, we were there at 11:30am, and still one of the first on board by noon.

It's just that we always cruise RCI in a suite, from many different departure ports, and have come to expect something different than what was offered here.

Other than the line outside to enter the terminal, that was about it.

When a sub is sailing surfaced, we used to say we have spotted another (water) "skier"....

From a distance, that is what it looks like...you have a large wake followed by a smaller wake....

If you're staying in a GS, there are outlets throughout the stateroom...the vanity, behind the TV, and at then other end of the Sofa behind the end table....

The end table is where I charge my I-pod, laptop, etc.

My wife generally claims the entire vanity.

As far as a night lite, the entire wall facing the balcony is glass, and we keep the curtains drawn on one small section that lets just enough ambient light in.

I think a lot has to do with the time of year, and the cost for the cruise....

What you described came close to a RCI cruise we did out of Baltimore during the summer.....

We did the 9 hour tour with ABC..it was OUTSTANDING.....you go to ALL of the attractions, including the natural pool, California Lighthouse, natural bridge (whats left of it), a few beaches and other places I cannot remember the names right now.

Half way through, you return to their facility for a hot lunch, which is included in the price.

We are going back next year and considering doing their tour again....

Years ago, leaving from Canaveral on the Mariner....there was a Hurricane headed towards the Florida east coast....ALL three ships in port that day left 2 hours early....I imagine as soon as all were aboard....the muster drill was held at the same time, but we were well underway by then.

Because the storm was due east, we headed due south hugging the Florida coast all the way down to within sight of Cuba, then headed east under the storm.

Our entire itinerary was put in reverse order, having one stop cancelled all together....

Seas were very rough to say the least.

We were not notified of any itinerar4y changes until check-in, where they gave everyone handouts...

I will say, it was the best cruise I have ever been on....every day was an adventure not knowing what is going to change.

Many people were sick and never left their cabins.....it became a party atmosphere with the survivors, crew and passengers alike....many bars offering free drinks, etc....

Not a chance.......

Anyone ever stay in the Owners Suite 1314?

It is on the forward facing hump, BUT it is a connecting cabin so I wondering....

(last time we had a connecting cabin, it was not a pleasant experience)

Well. went ahead and changed our next cruise sailing date, and took the plunge for a OS...

We always stay in a GS, and by changing our sailing date 2 weeks with a slightly different itinerary, got a deal that is about the same price we usually pay for a GS...just a few hundred more.

So it's all good, and will do it just for the experience.

Thanks for all your input.....pictures, videos, all very helpful.

I'm going to call RCI later today, and IF they will honor all my discounts, credits, etc. we have on our GS for our next cruise, then I will upgrade to a OS.....

Just to try it at least once.

One last question....would you say that a OS gets a little more attention than staying in a GS? Not a deal breaker, just curious.

Yhe OS has a full size dining table inside the stateroom. It also has a seperate shower and bathtub, plus a bidet.

Is that the only reason you choose to stay in a OS?

Looking for input from people who stay in a owner's suite

We always stay in a GS, and like it just fine.

However, on our next cruise, we are tempted to stay in a owner's suite, just for the experience.

People who book these rooms, I need to ask...Why?

Or I should say what do you like about them????

Like I said, I am very tempted....

We always stay in a GS....yes there is a surround sound system....

Bring your portable Bose speaker...that will put the sound system to shame.