Panda3

Just got off the reflection and was concierge class.  The canapés just arrived, we did not request.   However we didn’t get welcome champagne that I found out after the cruise we should have received.  Oh well, lol. 

I had not thought about it being port intensive and who really cares about the room that much.  I actually think I might really save $$ and downgrade to a regular verandah.  

46 minutes ago, tfred said:

Suites are less interesting on port intensive trips - the Med being on of those. You really aren't on the ship that much during the day. We did suite on a Baltic trip and liked it but I could see where the extra wouldn't be worth it. In the Caribbean a suite choice is great since we only wandered off for an hour or two and then back to the Retreat 

 

I also would wonder about selecting Concierge the trip. I dont really see the advantage over a regular Infinity Veranda. 

This is a great point.  

I currently have a 7 day cruise on hold for me and DH on a Med cruise.  Concierge will be $5296 for both of us and sky suite will be $9911.  Of course I want the suite but it’s a lot more money.  Suites are bigger and booze and wifi included.   What would you do?  Keep in mind I will have to buy airfare as the cruise originates in Spain.  The airfare would cover the difference, but this is a milestone wedding anniversary.   I don’t want to cheap out, just wondering if Suite Perks are worth the extra 4 grand.  Thoughts please.  

Thank you!  I have a hold on a cruise on the whisper and this was helpful!!!

1 hour ago, spinnaker2 said:

NOPE.

Thee is no way to compare MSC with Silversea.

Even in the MSC Yacht Club, unless you never leave the Yacht Club. Only been on Celebrity once for a brief cruise. 

The crowds, yikes!

You only live once, make it the best it can be. 

As we all have experienced in the past several years, unexpected stuff happens and life gets put on hold. 

Enjoy yours. 

Silversea will help!

Thank you!

Hi Folks, new to Silversea and I have a cruise on hold.  I’m on the verge of telling the TA yes.   I think I feel guilty about the cost, even their smallest vista suite,  but I’m amazed travel is included.  I live in the US and this particular cruse starts in Rome and ends in Barcelona. Getting my own air tickets is pricey and a nightmare from multi city.  I’m fairly high up in Celebrity and Celebrity and MSC both have cruises the same time, and for much less, but much more crowded ships and Silversea has those excursions included.  I like the entertainment and nightlife and casino on celebrity, but this would be my first trip to the Med, and the cruise stops in Monte Carlo so there’s that.    I am probably preaching to the choir, but anyone here ever regret the money they spend or feel it’s not of value? 

Hello,  I’m a long time cruiser, started with carnival in the 80s, then Royal Caribbean in the 90s and oughts, and now have been doing Celebrity.  We love Celebrity over all cruise lines as we are in our early 50s.   MSC looks like it caters to families with little kids but there was this Mediterranean itinerary we loved.  It may be an impossible question, but will we feel too old on MSC.  I see a bunch of water slides, etc…

Submitted my Celebrity Select and became MSC Gold

Hi All!  I would choose Reflection for a new port.   II had to choose between the same two offers as you and in fact had the same dilemma two days ago.  For me and my hubby, we chose Reflection. First cruise in 5 years and felt like I need to take up these free offers.  Can’t believe i still have the BC ranking, lol.   We have I’ve never been on reflection even though it’s older.  I like the 6 night itinerary. Sure there is nothing to do in Bimini but I still want to see it.  Like others have said, you can’t make a bad decision.   I still want to cruise ascent at some point as well.  Loved Edge and I’m sure is similar.  

I was on Freedom of the Seas in 2009 and witnessed a woman win 3 different jackpots on a quick hit machine. All $5k and up. I never win big on the slots, they are tight on royal caribbean. Would like to hear about some jackpot winners!

Adult only pool area...a Truly enforced serenity area.

I give little trinkets from where I live. Miniature John Deere trucks hats and keychains. I also usually bring a 5x7 or 8x10 framed pic of our family for the steward as we tend to cruise the same ships more than 1x and for holiday cruises I tend to bring holiday related stuff. A plastic pumpkin fill with candy at Halloween. A felt stocking at Christmas and a basket at Easter. We drive to ports so we can easily bring larger sizes

 

The stewards love this stuff

 

Giving cash above and beyond the prepaid tips just seems impersonal to me

 

 

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You are funny. I'm lmao. An 8 x 10 framed pic of your family? I'm sure they hang that on the wall of their stateroom. I would like to cruise and drink with you.

I notice all the UK folks are being very rude to the Americans on this thread.

Most people don't want to help enable you at the expense of others. But...you did find one or two folks to give you the answer you want and give you advice on how to screw the truly "working class" people on the ship. I mean, think of it, Many of the crew leave their families for months at a time. That's sacrifice.

Can I have the number for Royale Casino bookings?

Sure -

If you are a casino gambler, I would take about $1200.00. if not, then $300.00 cash should do it. You can always get cash from the casino cage off of your sea pass. Depending on your C&A and your casino tier, it might be free (no fees)

Panda, how do I find the "cruise conversation" thread?

 

Sent from my KFTHWA using Tapatalk HD

Here you go - https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=586

That's the pool????? Doesn't look any bigger than the hot tub on the Liberty etc.

How many people cram into this at once. Very disappointing for a huge ship!

It's actually perfect, this is mostly a cooling down pool, and on sea days people are just standing in there and drinking. It's lots of fun!

Why are people judging what others choose to do for their attendants? If they want to give gifts along with money, that should be up to them and not made to feel bad about what they do..

Because it's the internet. People were asking for opinions then when someone gives one you don't like people have a melt down. The question should be, Why are you letting perfect strangers wind you up?

Cash should be the only gift, No one wants your little trinkets and candy.

I just got the beach bash offer. I am prime tier.. Card states $750.00 off your choice of stateroom. Surprised at that amount since I'm not a big gambler and I think there are higher rollers than me that have said they didn't get as much. Unfortunately none of the sailing dates (6 in total) work for us.

My wife and our adult daughter sailed on Adventure of the Seas on July 6 to the Bahamas. This cruise was our birthday gift to our daughter, who had never been on a cruise before. My wife and I have been sailing almost exclusively over the years with Celebrity. We gave our daughter the choice of a Celebrity cruise to Bermuda or a Royal Caribbean cruise to the Bahamas. Both were for one week and both were on older ships. Our daughter chose the Royal Caribbean cruise because of the itinerary. She and my wife shared a balcony cabin.

 

Some observations, courtesy of my wife:

 

1. The public restrooms were filthy. There were no attendants to clean them during daylight hours. The bathroom floors on the pool deck were wet, slippery and dangerous.

 

2. Hand sanitizers which should be ubiquitous on all cruise ships were no where to be found. Sinks at the entrance to the Windjammer buffet restaurant were not used by all passengers. My wife had to actually ask for hand sanitizers and she was told on one occasion that none were available.

 

3. Overheated passengers returning to the ship from shore were not offered cold face towels or cold drinks to refresh themselves, and of course, no hand sanitizers were on display. Clearly, cleanliness was not a priority on this ship.

 

4. My wife described the vaunted on-board entertainment, allegedly a Royal Caribbean strength, as nothing special.

 

5. On a number of occasions the staff was slow clearing dirty plates from tables in the always crowded Windjammer buffet restaurant.

 

6. Even though disembarking at the port of Coco Cay (Royal Caribbean’s private island) is a ritual the ship performs on a weekly basis, you would think the crew would have learned how and known better. Thousands of impatient passengers were trapped in small, narrow, overheated, confining exit ways for 90 brutal minutes before being allowed off the ship. There were no water fountains at hand. Not surprisingly, under these extremely uncomfortable conditions the mob of passengers became unruly. My wife said she’s seen better organized riots.

 

7. My wife noted the door frames in their cabin shower were rusty. Same with the floor surface on the balcony. Curiously, these features did not appear in the Royal Caribbean cruise brochure.

 

8. Although she was Diamond class by virtue of her past cruises on Celebrity, my wife had to actually ask for basics like a shower cap and lotions and a robe. The cabin had no carafe of ice water.

 

9. Having purchased a soda package, my wife had to continually ask for straws, which the crew were stingy to hand out allegedly due to environmental concerns — but they were ever present on more expensive alcoholic beverages.

 

10. To be sure, and in fairness to Royal Caribbean, there were parts of the cruise my wife did enjoy. Contrary to her low expectations, my wife said the food was decent, though selections on the MDR menu were limited. She said her cabin attendant and MDR server were very good. But maybe because we booked this cruise late, the fare was no bargain compared to what we pay on Celebrity (where we normally book early) — and yet she received a lot less for our money. For years we’ve heard Celebrity described as an upscale version of Royal Caribbean (they are both owned by the same parent company), but until my wife’s upsetting experiences on this cruise we were unable to appreciate what upscale really means.

I am sorry you had those experiences. Those things would bug me too. I do not think that RCI is trying to be an imitation of Celebrity so I think expectations have to be adjusted. Royal Caribbean has there own brand and is a more budget type of cruise and kid friendly where Celebrity is a luxury cruise typically for older folks, no children.

I just went on my first cruise back in June and the day before disembarking received a letter that I had a free cruise from the casino (evidently based on my points played). I booked that cruise and will be leaving in December. Now today I receive an email from RCI Club Royale that they are giving me another cruise (Jr. Suite). Is this typical of Club Royale? I only took 1K to gamble with and left with $1,600... (slots)

They have upped their offers. I am the same as you. typically gamble only 1-2k on a 7 day cruise. In fact I only cxruised once last year. I'm leaving for a comped cruise tomorrow and have another comped (balcony) booked in November. All based on last years cruise. Check out the Cruise conversation thread for more sharing of the RCI offers. :-)

Ironically, I had a Free inside stateroom offer for Oasis August 2nd, which I had to cancel due to family member health issues. I figured I would be getting another offer for a free similar cruise through Royale. Guess I was wrong. Hope one comes. But, I do have a COMPLETELY FREE, balcony on MSC Seaside through URComped scheduled for October. It was a free "Bella Inside", that was upgraded by MSC to a "Fantastica Balcony" cabin on the 14th Deck. No taxes, no fees whatsoever. $200/person deposit, which becomes on-board credit once we board. And, free drinks in the casino. I'll just use my OBC towards a drink package for the week, I guess. MSC might be my "New" gambling ship.

Awesome, I just signed up for that website and already have received some amazing comped offers. Thanks to my play on RCI. I say it again, HR Tampa just doesn't have a decent loyalty program for the amount of play.