rolloman

2 hours ago, Tolkmit said:

 

m. For instance, instead of a number of free drinks each day, they'll attach a dollar amount, like 40, 50, or 60 dollars free per day depending on tier. And they'll add in a few policy changes at that point, like children not inheriting as high of a tier from their parents, etc. And I'm guessing they will do it soon, while they are sailing mostly full so they can afford the short term hit.

They are going to get a good laugh at Corporate with this one...

32 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

But a high mark up none the less.

Exactly...the actual cost they pay for the ingredients versus what they sell them for equates to a massive money maker for the cruise line. For simplicity, a single can of beer costs them under .50 cents yet they sell them for 8+ bucks. I drink beer, I get 5 drinks a day for D+...so for under $2.50 a cruise day they get my loyalty. Trust me, they are not moved by that figure. Keep buying those drink packages people so I continue to get my 5 drinks a day...

So funny how some of you think the free drinks for D and up is some kind of a financial killer. The mark up on those drinks they sell onboard are incredible. Especially when you factor in the drink package.  It is also humorous to hear...the ships are selling out... in reality, they may be sailing at or near capacity, however they have not been sold at full asking fare. The fact is, the loyalty program has been a huge success for Royal and by no stretch of the imagination is it considered a hinderance. 

The old laundry perk...it is not as rosy as some here want you to believe. First off, if you use the wrong bag, you will be charged on your sign and sail account. There is a special bag for the "free" laundry and it is small. Good luck stuffing as much as you can into it without tearing. Secondly, when and if all your clothes come back, each item will have an obnoxious sticker placed near the label. It is not hard to peel off but when you get home, often you will forget about it. However, you will be reminded the next time you wear the item. It is not a good look for you to be digging into your underwear to ease the chaffing while you are perusing the local Walmart. Lastly, the items come back folded into a Rubics cube shape. Good luck ironing that out.  Me personally, I gave up on that perk a long time ago.... not worth the hassle. 

1 hour ago, not-enough-cruising said:

It all depends what you are looking for 

Better beach with sugar sand and not a rocky bottom, friendlier vendors, more food options, better snorkeling and boating options, tons of shopping and you don't have to worry about being shown on CNN with a bag over your head. However, while there is a flowrider and swim up bar, there is no makeshift roller coaster. By the way, did you apply for the open Secretary of Tourism job in Haiti yet? 

10 minutes ago, Havin'fun said:

Adventure 4/12 sailing just changed from Labadee to Grand Turk. 

I have always liked Labadee but Grand Turk is a new  port for me so this was a decent trade off.

Grand Turk is an upgrade.

6 minutes ago, Harrisonkid said:

I'm sure Royal has to Up Pay to stop at Grand Turk to Carnival or to Someone!! ..wonder if they will upcharge us passengers if it exceeds what Labadee would have cost ?

No...there will be no charge...only a refund if applicable. 

16 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

By April, they may be stopping at Labadee again, the current cessation of service is only for 7 days

You might want to run for office within the Haitian government. I hear there are some openings. Maybe Secretary of Tourism?

On 3/15/2024 at 5:43 PM, DennysDad said:

Ok, not to keep this thread going coz it's a dead horse. But....

 

If the ships make last minute port changes, how do the port fees/taxes work? Just wondering how, if, and when folks will get hit with the possibility of this on the daily right now at sea.

You paid what you paid. If the port is cancelled, you will get an onboard credit of a couple dollars.

Yes, it is a nice clean safe beach with beautiful water. They have a nice shopping area with the typical stores. Effy, DI, Pirana Joe etc. A super large pool, with a flow rider, swim up bar. Food is good at the Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville restaurant. I am pretty sure you won't be disappointed. 

3 hours ago, time4u2go said:

How do you know this? 

 

Why is that important? There is no need for me to divulge personal information.  Regardless of my knowledge on the subject...you have been here for a while, the signs are everywhere, for instance, how about news articles that point directly to posts or comments stated on this board? It does not happen by accident. As a matter of fact, I was reading a member quote in a news outlet article yesterday on this very topic.

18 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

there is absolutely nothing to worry about.

 

There is nothing in Labadie that these guys are interested in.

 

Decades and decades of cruises stopping in Labadie, and not one single incident, Port au Prince is always on fire or experiencing some other type of sh**show.

Once again, your post is not factually correct. There have been incidents at this port. Everyone is focusing on the gangs attacking the port area. In reality, Labadee has solid structures, food and is a major step up compared to living conditions currently experienced by everyday residents. Therefore, there is a chance residents make seek refuge away from the violence and try to settle in the facility. By the way, as I mentioned over the weekend, and met with laughter, the US Marines did arrive and set up security as well as airlift the embassy staff. 

20 hours ago, time4u2go said:

Have you considered sending your thoughts to RC instead of posting them here?  It sounds like your concerns and questions are directed at RC. It's highly unlikely they will do anything as a result of you posting your thoughts here.

 

I have mentioned this to you before. This is a forum to discuss all things cruising. The OP is on topic with this post. Secondly, Royal Caribbean, similar to other Corporations, has staff who monitor social media. I assure you hot topics like this one are being read and discussed internally. This is not an assumption on my part.

I posted a link over the weekend (which got taken down) about the US considering sending Marines into Haiti. A couple of posters took exception and well guess what, we sent Marines in to evacuate the Embassy and add security yesterday. I won't be surprised if sometime in the near future and out of an abundance of caution some RCCL traffic gets rerouted.

1 hour ago, not-enough-cruising said:

They didn’t surround a ship; good lord. 
A couple dozen fishing boats moored in the channel so a ship could not approach; this was a PEACEFUL protest against the Haitian government and fuel prices. Royal did not dock that one day 
 

I agree not to position yourself in a position with a high rate of failure. Currently the failure rate at Labadee is 0%

You are all in on this topic...makes one wonder why? It seems it is in your best interest to tout Labadee as the safest place on earth. Are you compensated by Royal Caribbean for posting positive views on this topic? Here is the latest news...Violence is battering Haiti's fragile economy and causing food and water shortages (yahoo.com)

1 hour ago, hurricane0226 said:

will be on her in 9 days, hope she is ready to go.

I was on during Thanksgiving, and I sailing again on the voyage when you get back. If you can, let us know your perception of the ship once you board.

8 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

 

So you are going to take hostage, citizens of the country most likely financing your coup? This helps your cause in what way?? 

 

Alarmist to the max

Nothing to see here, keep moving. That is your view right? Keep your head in the sand?  I guess when the locals had their little tantrum and surrounded a ship a couple years ago it was an anomaly?  Or maybe, just maybe...it sets the stage for something more nefarious happening at a later date? Personally, I think it is better to be cautious. my motto is never place yourself in a position with a high rate of failure. At this current time, there are several other cruise ports to visit other than Labadee. Now, if you want to keep pushing your narrative of nothing to see here...I think maybe you may have an alternative motive...like you are travel agent lol...whatever your deal is, with your current view, you certainly don't have my best interest in mind. 

5 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

and what are they going to steal in Labadee? What is the profiteering motive to overtake the peninsula? 

Food...jewelry, hostage for ransom...

15 minutes ago, pyrateslife4me84 said:

I imagine these people’s single focus right now is toppling the government, not pushing away a cruise line that actually gives them money. If there is a successful coup d’etat, however, all bets are off and, if there were any threat made, I bet Royal would just have ships call somewhere in DR. And their ability to do so, I imagine, will likely cause whomever is in control to just let the vacationers come. They gain nothing by pushing Royal away and Royal is not going to assist them in meeting their goals any more than they already do by providing American dollars. 

"These people" "Not pushing away the cruise line that actually gives them money" I keep hearing a few say what you mentioned. Do you have a link which shows Royal Caribbean is handing out money to Haitian Criminals? They are criminals for a reason...they have a tendency to steal what they want.  One other tid bit...there is very little food in the City... in some instances, they actually eat dirt pies. When people are starving they can be motivated to do about anything. I have seen on more than one occasion, security and other locals filling their pockets with food. While Royal probably does not have a problem with that, It would be naive to think nothing could happen at the resort area on a larger scale. Like I mentioned earlier, we have been intercepting thousands of Haitians on a regular basis on our shores and borders. Very common for a boat load to arrive right on the beach here in Florida. So there is that... 

10 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

And the crime there is very opportunistic. While you can't say never, the benefit of trying to cross the country to storm a fortified beach really isn't there for them.

They seem to easily storm across the ocean and cross our borders so I am pretty sure they can make it the 120 miles on land. I would have to say they are on the run to get away from city. Therefore, I would not be surprised if a few showed up to sell some trinkets they made while in jail. 

Almost" Mandatory Tipping on a cruise ship is annoying, it did not used to be this way. We  literally put money in an envelope on the last day of the cruise and dispersed accordingly. Clearly the change made many moons ago to the current structure is a boon for the cruise lines. However, to me, even more annoying, are the Blow-Hards on this site who preach no amount is enough to throw the crew. Funny thing is, over the years I have made good friends with crew and each of them tells the story of doing quite well. So much so they Soley provide back to their homelands not just for immediate family but extended family. I personally leave the tips in place and reward extra "at my choosing" but I don't hesitate to light someone up on a survey if necessary. But for those of you who like to tell the tale of how you trot around the ship (like the scene on the movie Dumb and Dumber) wiping your nose with hundred dollar bills and flicking them in the air...by all means, continue to have at it!

If you get seasick on an Oasis class ship (extremely unlikely) cruising is probably not your thing. That being said, avoid cruising in January and February as those two months pose the greater likelihood of choppier water. As others said, book a cabin lowest level mid ship. They sell sea bands that go around your wrist, I would suggest wearing those versus having patches stuck to your neck, getting the runs from green apples, burping up nasty ginger pills or sleeping the entire cruise away from using Dramamine. 

8 hours ago, Roscoe13 said:

I don't use a PVP. I use a traditional agent. 

She came onboard the ship and took my sign and sail card and did a bar run and brought me back an old fashioned. She even signed for me! 

Now that's an extra!

If she was all that, she would have used her own sail and sign card to get you a "free" drink. 

If my PVP threw me a bone...I would be extremely happy. If my PVP decided not to throw me a bone...I would be through with her. 

Thanks for the update Frank12....now that you have had time to walk about...any other new changes besides carpet? How about your stateroom? New linen, carpet etc.? The new casino is on the other side of the heros sports bar...for example walk past the sports bar and just before you go into the main casino turn left, go past the stairs and there you should find the smoke free addition.