Georgeny

Thanks for the review!😃 George in NY

We enjoyed the hot and cold hors duerves etc. and up until recently drinks not taken from benefit drink number on card. They did this 12 years ago starting the diamond plus level and cutting out diamonds. Took years to then get higher level. Now again!!! RCL has been our preferred line though we sail others. I honk they should realize that the reason they have so many diamond and plus people is because we sail a lot. Oh well another travel alternative rapidly entering not such a deal arena. Have 9 day on Liberty seas scheduled but will start looking at MSC who is looking to gain market share. george in ny

you do know RCL owned Celebrity yes?

Never seen that either, always checked in and received a tag or something if had casino drink privilege. But question was not on seapass but on boarding pass. I have it on my boarding pass and have no casino drink privilege on that cruise ! george in ny

I must admit not usually stumped but I could use some clarification on this being casino related. Although at times we have booked via casino offer this was not one of them. Casinos are an independent contractor item. So why would this appear on my boarding pass? George in ny

I will say we have same on our boarding passes. The only thing I can think off is that Diamond ( I think ) and Diamond Plus offer you a small selection of " gifts " such as a bottle of wine, couple bottles of water, a can of beer, in your cabin complimentary. Use to be online and easy to select or change. Years back they changed that to having to call by phone directly Crown & Anchor to select or change. You only have to select once and then automatic don't have to call again unless changing. I'll attach old selection card. This is all I can think of for CHOICE. Wellness check is the old card they used to give you at boarding, do you have a fever etc questions. Now done through app day before cruising becomes available I think. Now who ever answered yeah I don't feel well so don't let me on after I traveling all the way to get here? Just modified for covid now.

The argument on whether or not to use a TA has two valid sides. Most of us now a days are now used to making reservations, ordering food, booking hotels and airlines. No wonder not much of a stretch to simply cut out the TA and book your own cruise. The advantage of doing so is being able to deal with the cruise line direct yourself. If you use a TA line will not deal with you directly and will advise you to call your TA. If you call or answer an email directly from line you are often still not dealing with the line. You are dealing with their contracted travel company. Yes it can be complicated. Whether you book online or through a TA the basic pricing is the same. That said a skilled and knowledgeable TA, not all are either, might be aware of special discounts that are there for you IF you know to ask. In my case after all was said and done my TA not only got me in the cabin I wanted but also got me an additional $1336 dollars off the price by receiving TWO Non Refundable discounts I was not aware of existed. Most people think that agent is making a pretty penny since we are paying a pretty penny. In honestly being an agent is a nice side line or for a retired person a nice keep busy job. Commissions have been eroded through the years by making pieces of the cost non-commissionable. They were never big enough money makers to make them full time jobs for most. Plus the bennies are few and far between. Most agents find that booking themselves as clients is better deal than getting agent rates since their rates are only available often a week or two before travel. That makes air and hotel rates much higher negating any savings on agent rate. So to answer your question, because I have a very knowledgeable agent that is also a cruiseaholic as we used to say so I use him. If that wasn't the case I would consider booking myself as a knowledgable cruiser. Even with a knowledgable cruiser and a good agent who knows the produce stuff happens. I give my agent the cabin I want and rely on him to tell me if their is something I didn't know about location etc. Prior cruising agent says I can book same Jr Suite same location different floor $400 cheaper. I searched deck plans, internet reviews etc could not find any reason why less. Despite knowing there is always a reason I took the deal. Guess where the super large ice machine that all the stewards get their ice from was? Directly across from our door! We all know what a large ice machine sounds like dropping ice all night, plus stewards all shoveling ice from all morning and evening. We lived with it but would we get that cabin again, even for $400 off, no! Others certainly would I am sure. Relooking at deck plans realized there was a section blocked off interior side, means general storage work area or machine area. This is often fine but nothing says ice machine 🙂 BTW in this case the cabin number was Jr Suite J4 11626 Oasis of the Seas notice cabins often have little designation like J3 or J4 denoting to line different pricing based on location or some other classification. Cabins now a days are modular and virtually all the same in size for most part. True unless they modified one to stick it somewhere. I included the dec plan picture. One more caution, when checking a deck plan ALWAYS use lines pages. You will many times see different dates listed as deck plans can change. A lot of these best cabin internet sites don't keep up. Rates are set by the line and no agent can discount THEIR commission. Some offer gifts or on board credit but these are purchased by them online just as you would and cost the same. For years lines, air and sea, wanted to get rid of agents since their commission comes off lines bottom line. Airlines did for most part by making it virtually non-commissionable for agents. Between that and all the problems with cancels etc made agents virtually refuse to deal with air. Cruise lines found that they needed agents to SELL the product. Doing it solely by themselves didn't work. So using an agent adds no cost to you. And cruise reservationist are generally no better to deal with because you are the customer. Sorry for long answer, you got me on a bad weather Sunday with nothing to do but read boards LOL. George in NY

First thank all for your responses. Later in evening my TA get ahold of reservations and made another reservation for the Jr Suite I wanted without question and even got a better price. He told me that they are so screwed up that all bookings depend now on if you get a reservationist that knows what they are doing coupled with the reservation system and how it working. From posts on RCL Boards I am told that the RCL system was having multiple outages and various problems most of yesterday. No matter my agent called later and was able to courtesy hold exactly what I wanted without any difficulty. I will deposit after reviewing. Cruising in all aspects has been a changing environment in the 38 years we have been sailing. After retiring from my first career one of my keep busy things was working for a cruise travel agency. At that time lines used printed brochure's with prices that were always DOUBLE what you usually sold the cruise for. Much like these BIG SALES giving large discounts for supposed short time. Notice how often they are extended. This particular cruise start price for my want is over $8000 but discounted by various things to half of that. Somethings almost never change but when they do never in customer favor. Added NRD Non Refundable Discounts almost as good as some businesses gift cards that never get used increasing margins. That is why so many businesses only offer gift cards or in cruise cases Future Cruise Credits instead of real refunds when they can. Travel industry famous for that be it airline or hotel. So was my whole thing manipulating inventory of system and staff problem? Probably both, they are overwhelmed land staff wise at this point I would bet. Inventory control has always been a legitimate element of reservations. If sale wasn't going as well more inventory might be opened up etc. Cruises, it's a business and it is marketing. George in NY

Select was TWO passengers showed on inventory. My next post will followup as resolved. Georg in NY

Sorry I must not be communication well, this is NOT a paid or even yet deposited booking, this is a hold with a deposit date. Nothing being transferred.

Reservationist said now will be their booking. As I pointed out not new at this. Note I have a reservation HOLD pre-deposit but that cabin was not available as being held for FOUR person booking. Would not allow agent to book that suite did another on that floor. For a couple reasons don't wish that one location, adjoining etc.

Background, been cruising since 1980, was even a cruise only agent long ,long, ago. Have sailed multiple lines through years. I use a cruise agent who is excellent and a friend of 40 years plus. Point I am not new to making a darn reservation. Have sailed 4 cruises post pandemic since opened up. Did as always do, looked online at RCL and picked a cruise and cabin. June 1 st 2023 9 day Cape Liberty NJ. Liberty of The Seas. Called my agent advised him to hold cabin I selected, then I would as always check calendar and with my wife, the boss of me. Agent holds cabin a Jr Suite as always but advises that the suite I want is not available because can hold up to 4 and will not give it to 2 of us. WHAT??? This is standard Jr guess couch opens. Never heard of such a thing neither has he. I tried to call C &A hoping that they could fix this, we are Diamond Plus and hoped that would help. Crown and Anchor number switched over to reservations. Reservations said couldn't help but gave me another number 1-800-327-6700 top call customer assistance. I called that number and got the recording that they were backed up yada yada and I could try their webpage etc. We all know the drill now a days. Few minutes later reservation lady I had spoken too called my house phone and she nicely said she could give me the cabin I wanted and make reservation right now. I asked if this would then be same reservation number and my agent booking? NO, have to be direct now, deposited now. I thanked her for her assistance but declined the offer. Obviously the suite is open but only if I book direct online or by phone, not through my agent. As I am sure many of you know, if you book online or direct you have to handle your own booking. If book through agent only agent can handle which is what I want, I do not wish to spend phone time with call in centers etc. POINT, cabin is open but as a customer I can have it but ONLY if I go direct through them! Two people or four people no matter it's maybe if THEY book it for me. Wow, playing with what's available too I believe. Not so nice there RCL. George in NY

Our condolences and thank you for providing such an informational posting. I am sure many cruisers have often thought of doing this but didn't actually realize it was possible or that it was done so eloquently. I am sure he watches over you thankful for the love you have shown him. George in NY

Good Morning, Have really enjoyed sailing with you again Radio! I don't normally read the daily activity sheets but I scanned one today and noted in the what to know section, " Body Cameras " are worn by some security personnel. I am saddened to see that even cruise lines have had to go to this level of security. In the 1980's I was introduced to the fact that two Gurkha's provided security on our ship. Being a small 500 passenger ship ( normal size back then ) they were easy to spot even without their traditional garb and although not visible I was informed they were never without their famous Knifes. I was also told that they were there for crew security ships having so many various nationalities onboard. Many of those were warring adversaries on land in their homelands. But that all were terrified of Gurkha warriors and put their personal animosities aside rather than tangling with a Gurkha. Doing a fast google as recent as 2015 they are apparently still used on many cruise ships including Cunard and Silver Sea. Again they are retained mostly for crew security activity not passenger. These should not be confused with normal security staff members that are often simply crew in security shirts. Next time you chat with an Officer I would be curious to hear if they are still using Gurkha's onboard for the more serious situations with crew. Safe Home George in NY

Not going to miss you this time 🙂 all set up on webcam awaiting your arrival. I love Central Park especially in the evening but WHO can sit in the chairs they have and actually get out of them? Okay I am not the smallest or most flexible guy but geez, sit in these chairs your almost eye level with table top. Feels like your are 12 years old. George in NY

I missed sailing too 😜 having to watch breakaway instead.. oasis 19.4 kts now. Fiona must be on captains mind. Have a great second week radio! Still following. George on NY

Radio, GREAT STUFF as always! Love the high quality videos as we sail vicariously through you 🙂 Question on Nassau if I may. It has been noted that it is a pretty long walk from Oasis dock to terminal street area. It appears that they have now installed coverings at least to shade from sun. As someone that has some respiratory problems long hot walks are not in my wheelhouse anymore. Is walk as much as it appears distance wise? Also curious, do you still have to leave ship on B2B and reenter/checkin for second sailing? As many sailings as we have done through the years Linda and I have never actually done a back to back. But we have seen groups of B2B'ers walked through pier side terminal area. Thanks George in NY - Oasis 10/2/2022 we're ready!

Thanks! That would be great to stretch legs a little on land. Have seen the Aqua Theatre show but want to see again it's just so good! Hope they get the repairs worked out. As always great job on LIVE review, we missed you! George in NY

Am I correct that if docked at CT 1 you are a simple walk to Grill and shops? George in NY

Following along and thank you for doing this! We sailed Oasis last October when we started cruising again. Was only 40% capacity then and masked. We sail again Oct 2nd so great to hear how ship is now without masking and higher capacities. George in NY

No problem on Mac 10:15 am on 12th

GEEZ still? Last year, every year, same thing!!! Could it be no one will admit owning that segment?

Last October we had 11:30 and they were adhering to it totally. We parked arrived proper time and walked past hundreds of people waiting for their times. Our pass was checked for time and immediately admitted, But like many have heard various accounts now. We are from West Point Harriman area 40 miles north of dangerous apple.So we go day early and stay at Hilton Garden in Staten Island. Also have relatives there so have nice get together for dinner night before sailing. Only about 10 to 15 minutes to cruise so can gauge time well enough though traffic line often long even back then. Also have concern like parking in garage but two ships still sailing for ours hoping not to have to go to overflow. Overflow is the old former parking area. Disembarking is nicer since exit luggage area right at garage load bags area. Will be interested on how you made out. George in NY

Radio, Can't tell you how happy Linda and I are seeing you will live review this sailing. We are boarding Oasis for October 2 voyage. We sailed that first week in October last year as our first return to the sea cruise. I must admit that ship at 40% was PHENOMENAL even with masking etc. I knew that capacity would be higher now but hoping not at 100%. Last year no crazy searching for pool area seating was greatest plus of low capacity. Was hoping that with kids back in school our October cruise would be nice and quiet, oh well we will see. Currently sailing only Baltimore and Jersey ships, just don't want to deal with flying seeing so many horror stories. Getting too old to sleep on some terminal floor 🙂 Have a great cruise, we keep missing seeing you onboard again but who knows what the future will bring. We didn't miss you by much this time. George in NY

Sharing not a problem. We use both are cards when we order so voucher comes off individual cards. This way if one, my wife usually, goes off to casino you haven't used all one card up. I have question, are the waiters compensated by line for service of a voucher drink? Or are they expected to just serve it as a part of their duties?