Papa T

OT...but, didn't the France become 'The Norway'? Sailed it in '93 and yes, it was a very classy ship. Of course, cabins and amenities were different, but public rooms, inside shopping experience, dining, etc were absolutely first class. Just looked at our pics and we enjoyed table side prep in the MDR! Shows were better than anything offered now (Jean Ann Ryan choreography still is 1st rate). Great but outdated ship...wonder if it's still sailing?

I toured the France in '62 while it was docked in New York and sailed on the Norway in the '90s. Unfortunately it was a deep draft ocean liner that needed to tender in most Caribbean ports like St. Thomas. It was sold for scrap and sent to Asia where I think (not sure) that it burned and sunk before it could be scrapped. What a terrible end to a great lady.

Each day of free internet is one consecutive 24 hour period. 9am to 9am or 4pm to 4pm. It is 24 hours from the time you activate it.

Thanks . . . so on a 14 day cruise I can spread out the days that I do not have free access.

We were told by one couple prior to the cruise that we had to cruise on X because it was "so upscale" in comparison. Nope, not at all. Service and quality were no better than any of the other cruises we've ever taken (21). The "freebies" aren't really free and never are on any line. The one thing we liked and the reason we booked was the 7 day itinerary to Bermuda. We actually met two couples onboard who later cruised with us on GR in Oct and we all agreed. We don't get where some say X is so superior. X also has more limited departure ports. If they came back to Baltimore, we might cruise them again, but if we're going to NJ, we're going to go on Anthem, not Summit. And, FLL just has too many other options.

 

Anyway, this is just our opinion and we feel the recommendation by DH's coworker was overblown.

 

As for internet costs, Carnival by far has the best and least expensive internet ever. It's the only time we've ever bought a full package. We paid like $50 for 8 nights for 2(either 2 or 3) devices. We do use our 48 hours on RCI in a very specific way. We spread it out. For example, our upcoming cruise on GR is a southeast coast, so one sea day, then Charleston, Miami, PC, CocoCay and Nassau , then two sea days. No need to use the minutes in Charleston, Miami, or PC, so if we skip the first sea day, we can use our phones in the three US ports and use our free minutes the last 4 days. Usually what we do is spread it out so we have internet access every 2 days or so. Our last trip on GR was 12 nights.

Earlier this month I was on Summit when we shared a pier with Anthem in the Caribbean. Whatever other differences between the two ships there was a clear difference in the average age of cruisers and the number of children. X appeals to folks who do not care about rock climbing walls or skating rinks, etc. which is usually a more mature group. So . . . there can be a different atmosphere on board. I have been on RCI cruises during the summer when the number of unsupervised children was pretty high. I'm boarding Eclipse this week for 14 days of fun in the Caribbean with almost all adults. But . . . I taking my two granddaughters (9 & 12) on Harmony in June. I realize the Radiance Class is usually a more mature group, but most of RCI's new ships are youth activity friendly.

So you would trade 72 hours for 8?

Actually, if the 24 hours are by the clock and not days it would be a good deal. If I can run the 24 hours say noon to noon in effect I have the use over two days. If the days are midnight to midnight then they are less useful. I guess I'm asking for clarification. I don't need more than the 480 minutes if I can have daily access. Please clarify! :confused:

Yes, though you could squeeze out 5 by using the second coupon to buy the last 3 days of the cruise package.

Having only 4 days of internet on a 14 day cruise is not good news after having 480 anytime minutes on X.

Yes. I meant that each 24 hour period is consecutive

So . . . on a 14 TA from Barcelona to Florida, for example, you would only be able to use this perk on 4 of 14 days????

Interesting thread . . . can't help but hope that X is monitoring the thoughts of experienced X cruisers. I'm seems clear to me that the "fine tuning" of the product (read cuts) are not from strain on their $$ bottom line. Check the price of RCI stock that I bought and sold around $40 and is now more than double that. There is a fine line between making cruisers happy enough to return for another cruise and making additional profit. I still enjoy the X experience and will happily board Eclipse next week (X number 28) for 14 days in the sun. But I too have lost some of the feeling of loyalty that I once had. Frankly, I can't decide if the problem is X or just my reaction to the sameness of the X experience. Maybe it's time for a change. Who knows . . . maybe I'll see some of you on Harmony in June.

Hi Cruisers. We are another who have never been upgraded by Royal. Princess several times and Carnival many years ago. One thing the killed alot of upgrades is the UPSALE FAIRY.They now call many and offer upgrades for extra cash. On thing I love on RC instead of X is 3 drinks on card, and also lounge. Also give each Diamond 24 hours internet and D+ get 48 hours each. We get 4 days free with our combined times.

To make sure I'm clear . . . a D+ couple would get four 24 hour days of internet? Can the hours be used over the course of the cruise or only on 4 days of the cruise? One big difference between RCI and X unless RCI has changed this in the 3 years since my last RCI cruise is technical support for internet users. My experience on RCI has been that you were pretty much on your own to connect to and use the internet. X for years has had dedicated techies assigned to the internet lab with fairly extensive hours of availability. X is an Apple outlet. They offer classes on Apple products and are happy to sell you Apple devices, but they are also very good with other platforms. If you use the internet with any of your devices or in the lab this support is a big deal.

Now Diamond Plus after 4 years of cruising Royal Caribbean. 21 or so cruises. Never been offered an upgrade. We like RCCL, but we've only cruised NCL once and HAL twice. Going out on a Liberty cruise on 2/5. There wasn't any fanfare when we turned Diamond Plus. Seems like RCCL is missing a great opportunity to make their most loyal customers feel appreciated. We got a couple of luggage tags in the mail. It sticks in my craw more than just a little bit that a person in a suite who is cruising RCCL is treated better than we are. Hope someone w/ RCCL is listening.

 

 

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With the new graduated point system and cruisers who appear to be almost living on the ships, 21 cruises probably won't place you high enough on the pecking order to get an upgrade. I have heard of folks who were upgraded because RCI needed a certain number of cabins in a certain category for a large group. In those cases seniority doesn't matter. I think we got our first upgrade after more than 30 RCI cruises: however, that was before the new point system.

I think this comment is interesting. We will sail X next month. I look forward to the ship/itinerary and the Go Best promo. [Can you say Mardi Gras!!!] However, it does not seem the Elite perks are as good as the Diamond perks. [while we are D+ on RCL we move to Elite on X--I feel that is fair]

 

The happy hour is not as long or as often, no free pictures, and the free internet is 45 minutes vs 24 hours. I know the 45 is not continuous and you can spread it out over the cruise. But, 45 minuted does not spread very far. :rolleyes: DH is D+ also, so we are able to use our internet over 4 days 2-24 hour periods. On X we will have 1.5 hours between us. [yes, we know as D+ we get 2 days each , but I am not comparing that since it does not align with the reciprocity] I will save 20-30 minutes for the last day to check in online with the airline and email DD who will pick us up at the airport.

 

 

 

We have never had an upgrade. I have heard the upgrade fairy exists--but, I think that is an urban legend. :eek:

Over the years we have been upgraded 5-6 times. it was all based on the pecking order of cruisers on that cruise. The people with the most points or credits got first choice.

By the way the internet perk for Elite on X is 90 minutes or 180 if both of you are Elite. For Elite + it is 240 minutes per person. It's unfortunate that D+ doesn't transfer to E+. I had to earn it the old fashion way - by earning more X points. The X perk package has improved over the years, but with the exception of additional laundry and internet the E+ perks don't amount to a great deal over Elite. On Summit earlier this month I broached this topic with the Captains Club rep. We had 200 Elites on board but only 23 E+ cruisers. It would have been possible to do something special for this group such as lunch with an officer - one of the D+ perks I always enjoyed. At any rate I predict that you will have a great time on X.

Thanks to all of you for providing some great info and sharing thoughts on RCI and X.

We were on Summit in July and I can say, I disagree that they'll be disappointed. DH and I still can't figure out why some think so. We've met plenty of others who feel like we do. We were not impressed with X. There's really no difference between X and RCI.

The last time I sailed RCI the Asst. Waiters were taking orders and serving wine - no wine stewards. Even though I don't enjoy wine, the extra work slowed down service. In addition, RCI ships in general provide activities that attract children. I'm taking my grandchildren (9 & 12) on Harmony. I would probably not take them on an X ship. Of my 3 RCI planned cruises, Brilliance will cater to a more mature group. Harmony and Liberty will be a much younger crowd. I have enjoyed all of my RCI and X cruises and will happily continue to cruise on both. Next week I leave for 14 days in the Caribbean on Eclipse with what will probably be a pretty mature crowd, and in June I am looking forward to taking my grandchildren on Harmony.

Always been an intermediate thresholds for extra perks. Before cruise points, those levels were 49 and 75 cruise credits.

Do they still offer upgrades to high point cruisers on ships that don't fill (suites, etc.)?

You can check here: https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefits.do

Thanks! I don't remember the 340 credit threshold for certain perks in the past. We're looking forward to reconnecting with RC! :)

After 43 RC cruises we found ourselves drifting toward X primarily because of some different ports and longer cruises. Suddenly it dawned on me that it has been 3 years since our last RC cruise. We are now looking forward to cruises on Harmony, Brilliance, and Liberty in the next 12 months. My questions is . . . have there been any signifiant changes to the Diamond and/or Diamond + program in the past 3 years. Thanks for your help! :confused:

I booked this excursion with the understanding that you participated in a race against another yacht. After I booked, I noticed on one of the bullet points that is says to bring your class c diving certificate. Is this a mistake? Nowhere on the initial advertisement does it mention that this is a diving excursion.

Just did this excursion on Equinox last week in Cozumel. It was great fun. The diving certificate must be a mistake. We had such a good time that we are planning on doing the race again next month in St. Maartin.

Looking for info from anyone who has been to the Galapagos. Celebrity offers a 10 day and 11 day via the Xpedition.

Has anyone done both and could share what they feel the differences are?

Not having been, we are trying to understand the difference and which cruise would be the better option?

Recommended excursions?

Best time to go?

Thanks in advance for your help

Both cruises spend 7 days in the Islands. The 11 day trip spends an extra day in Quito at the end of the trip after flying back from the Islands. Both 10 & 11 have two nights in Quito before flying out to the Islands which provides plenty of time for most people to see the city. Save your money and opt for the 10 day version.

I am cruising to Alaska and definately want a balcony. Has anyone stayed in the partially obstructed balcony? How does is effect your view and what is the obstruction? I am looking at deck 7. Thank you.

I'm not aware of partially obstructed cabins on deck 7. Most or all are on deck 6 with the life boats one deck below. On deck 6 you can look out with only minor obstruction, but looking down the view is lifeboats. Just returned from Aus/NZ on Solstice and had a cabin on deck 6. Frankly the "obstruction" was not a major issue. We still had a good view.

I find the new benefit list confusing . . . . It looks like some of those listed for Elite+ are new, some are repeats of Elite benefits, and some may replace Elite benefits. Help . . . someone please translate. :confused:

I would consider 5 - 15 feet to be "typical" for open seas, less than that "calm". April 2004 we hit 12 hours of 60 - 70 foot waves in the North Atlantic on the QE2; that proved to me that Bonine really works [makes you a little sleepy, but much better than the other option; you do have to take it BEFORE you are sick (we had been warned about the weather ahead)].

 

Unless there is a tropical storm brewing the Caribbean is usually pretty calm. Were you actually in the Caribbean when it was rough? It is not unusual for it to be fairly rough in the Atlantic coming out of Florida before you actually get into the Caribbean.

 

Thom

Ditto to this post - often the worst is going south from Florida as you are bucking the golf stream and trade winds . . . but it is relatively minor this time of year. In September I talked to our doc about seasickness as we were headed for the North Atlantic and will head to Antarctica in January. He told us that recent research has shown ginger to be more effective than any meds. So ginger candy has become a staple for our cruising. Many of the meds have side effects - drowsiness, etc.