Starry Eyes

We enjoyed the extra benefits when we hit D. And again when we hit D+. And again at 340. Enjoying the perks is great, but be careful about chasing a specific perk, as it may disappear. How will you feel if spend thousands of dollars for JS just for the points (not because you wanted the bigger cabin) or take cruises for the points (rather than for the pleasure of the cruise) chasing a certain perk, only to have that perk eliminated (or greatly reduced)? You can hear plenty of stories here on CC from people who lost perks, including lounge access, in past rounds of loyalty benefits changes.

The single Pinnacles are surely as adorable as the Emeralds. Good luck.

Though I think you should cruise for the joy if cruising, if you want cost efficiency per point, do the calculation on each cruise you select. If you are single and interested in a relationship, try to meet other cruisers. If you happen form a relationship (marriage or cohabitation) with a loyalty member, you could gain their status by linking accounts. Love may or may not be the most cost effective method but it has other rewards.

Are you joking? If not… They recently re-named the Diamond Lounges to Crown Lounges, so there may literally be writing on the wall about those lounges). D’s are already being excluded from the Crown lounges during cocktail hour on some sailings; this may increase as the number of loyalty members increases. The lounges are not especially large compared to the number of D, D+ and PC members on board most cruises. Depending when you enter, you may have trouble finding nice seating; you may not feel all that special. Some lounges are in nice locations, but on most of the newer ships the Crown Lounges are windowless room in less desirable areas. The four drink vouchers are are a nice D benefit. The balcony discount can be nice, too. I suggest people cruise for the joy of cruising. The points will accumulate naturally. That way if the loyalty program changes in the future you don’t feel as though you spend money just to earn loyalty status that no longer gives you the specific rewards you hoped for.

Prices from Port Canaveral have been running higher than other Florida ports, especially on those new ships. You might consider sailing from Fort Lauderdale or Miami. If your trip includes visiting the attractions in Orlando or other Orlando based activities, you could rent a car or use the new Brightline train to make the trip between Orlando and South Florida. Depending on your airline you might be able to buy an open jaw flight itinerary (into MCO and out of FLL/MIA or the reverse). Or just accept that prices for the Star are higher.

Ocean View with Large Balcony View details Larger than standard balcony Private balcony with chairs Extra square footage to relax on your balcony Size Stateroom: 182 sq. ft. Balcony: 80 sq. ft. This is the description from the website for category c1/c2. Note the 80 sq ft balcony (vs 50 sq ft in description on regular OV balcony cabins)

Yes, I’d agree that is a pretty low minimum bid. That would be nice. On a couple recent Wonder cruises, I think OV balcony to GS were over $1000 US pp minimum. On another Wonder cruise, inside to OV balcony is $395 US pp minimum.

It’s funny how the minimums can be pretty low on some cruises and pretty high on others. Recently the minimums on my Wonder cruises, for example, have been so high I have declined to bid on many categories, sometimes almost all categories.

Assuming Royal Caribbean sticks with this system, over time more people will adjust to the new system announcing events. They will know to look for the list in the welcome aboard flyer. Fewer will throw away the flyer on day one, mistakenly thinking it is a generic list of C&A benefits. If delivery failed (or they lose it), they will know to pick one up from LA. They know the schedule on day 1, so they can plan their cruise or fix conflicts.

Perhaps you missed Post#11

There were no individual invites on our Wonder cruises 5 weeks ago or last week. The notices are on the back of the “welcome aboard” letter, though that letter was not in our cabin either cruise. We picked it up at the LA desk. There was an obvious mail delivery problem as items (shore ex) with a different, nearby cabin number and dissimilar name was in our cabin…oops. Voicemail reminders were left by LA on cabin phones the evening before the events.

Acceptances can come anytime. A few days before the cruise is a pretty common timeframe. It can be sooner. Our bid for our upcoming cruise (next Saturday) was accepted at about the same time the cruise sold out. That was about a month out. Recently when our bids have not been accepted (which is the fate of most bids), we have received our denial emails the evening prior to sailing.

I submitted electronically yesterday. On the FAQ page linked below, click on the link in #11. Repeating for emphasis: do not be distracted by the link in 3; go down to #11 for a working link to the electronic submission form. (Well, the link is working today. Royal IT allows us to wonder what tomorrow might bring😉). The email address is in item #12, so that alternative is on the FAQ page, too. https://www.rclinvestor.com/contact-us/faqs/shareholder-benefit/

Really? I do. How long ago did you start sailing Royal Caribbean frequently?

Newbies should be warned that check in might not open promptly at midnight. Do not be surprised if it opens a few minutes late or more. Just keep checking until it opens. Note to OP: this poster likely checks in on the website (picking a time is the last item for website check in). Others use the app to select their time, as with the app one can simply select their time and defer the rest of the data entry to a later convenient time. As we do the check in at a convenient time, we typically do take the photos. They have only once been retaken at port out of multiple cruises. So, it is your choice with the photos.

I agree. In addition to email, many people have agreed to text and/or app notifications. Those could be utilized as well and might elicit quicker responses. Given the negative PR and the negative consequences for involuntarily bumped guests from this situation, one hopes RCI creates a contingency plan for requesting volunteers (even last minute) that can be quickly implemented if a similar situation arises.

You’ll have to read the terms and conditions for you dining voucher (check your cruise documents just before the luggage tag). One I received recently did not include Chef’s Table; there’s a chance your’s is different. My voucher would not have been very helpful on a cruise with the UDP….though maybe if it would have allowed me to bring a guest who did not have the UDP

OK, so it has been over four years since your last cruise. As I recall, you recently wrote that you would not cruise again on any cruise line at any price. If you stick to that, shareholder OBC is worthless to you. For those of us that regularly receive and use that shareholder OBC, it is a very nice perk…it is not fool’s gold. I did not buy the stock to just to get the OBC nor did I assert that others did/should.

Well, of course for a person who no longer cruises shareholder’s credit would be fool’s gold. For those of us who still cruise regularly with RCI, the shareholder OBC is nice. As this is a cruise forum rather than a stock forum, most of us still cruise.

We received apple sauce and sour cream.

Our waiter might not be the sharpest knife in the drawer😉, but he is making the effort.

I love brisket, too. When we ordered it last night on Wonder, the waiter asked if I wanted it medium rare or medium well? I said I was surprised there was a choice; I presumed it would be braised until quite tender. Rest assured, no rare brisket came to our table.😀

There are a lot of obstructed balconies on that class of ship. Some obstructed balconies have better views than others. There are threads about obstructed cabins if one wants to select specific ones. All offer that private space, ocean air, and at least some view of the ocean when one is standing. Several people have advised you to avoid them, and that is certainly reasonable advice. I’ll just point out that on some cruises there can be a substantial price difference between an unobstructed balcony and an obstructed balcony (or a guaranteed balcony booking which might result in an obstructed balcony assignment). For some people, the budget says an obstructed balcony is the appropriate choice. Or they might want to direct more of their budget toward other expenses (excursions, drinks, dining, shopping, whatever). If you or someone else reading this thread feels this way, rest assured with the right attitude one can have a wonderful cruise in any cabin, including an obstructed one.

You can check your status using this webpage: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/booked/cruise-room-upgrade Recently I have been receiving the rejection email the evening before sailing. So, look for it (including junk mail) tomorrow evening if your bid is not accepted. They seem to have changed the system since last year when there were late rejections and even the rare late acceptance.

Yes, we are having fun and hope you are as well. Oasis class rarely feels crowded to us. I really enjoy the decorations.