macruisefan

Thank you for allowing me to do as I wish. (I would do it anyway.)

I think you actually understood that that was simply a conversational statement.

Simply speaking, it is a matter of choice. And, the last time I checked, we still have "choice" in the country.

"choice" as in "freedom of choice" is a right we do have. However, it does not mean that any merchant is obligated to give you unlimited choice. If that were the case, I wouldn't have to deal with merchants refusing to accept my Amex card.

I am not sure if any method of payment, other then cash, is really secure. Online bank accounts are hacked, charge/debit cards are hacked (look at the recent happenings with Target), and I suppose, someone could hack my checking account.

That is absolutely true. I check my online accounts several times a day, looking at charges, pending charges, and authorizations or holds. If I see something out of the ordinary, I flag it and notify the Amex or the card bank immediately. This is actually quite easy for me, as I have a computer on my desk up and running and it takes literally a minute or two a couple times a day.

I don't do online banking, nor do I have a debit account. Most of my purchases are paid for by cash. I feel I have better control of my money.

Honestly, in this day and age, I can't imagine NOT doing on line banking. This means that if there is an erroneous charge or access to your account, unless the bank identifies it as such and notifies you, you will have no idea this has happened until you reconcile your account at the end of the month. That leaves a LONG time for someone to access your account and wreak havoc.

I HATE debit cards. I would NEVER give a merchant direct access to my checking account. The thought of that scares the heck out of me. HOWEVER, giving them a check is even riskier. You have provided both the account number and the routing number. Give me your account number and routing number, and I can move the contents of your account into mine, then wash it into an offshore account in less time than it takes you to get a customer service rep on the phone. The next time you leave a store having paid by check just ask yourself how comfortable you are with the complete stranger behind the register having this information at his or her disposal.

I guess I would be interested in knowing why someone would use a bank/debit card to buy a coke. I see that frequently, I don't understand that either. However, it does not frustrate me. I chalk it up to freedom of choice.

I use the credit card for EVERYTHING. Typically, I use my Amex and pay it off completely at the end of the month. Why? Two reasons: First, I figure the longer I can hold onto my own money the better off I am. I know I don't earn a whole lot of interest over 15-30 days, but the principle of not giving money away any sooner than necessary appeals to me. Second, my credit card statement then becomes a comprehensive record of all my spending. I track, label and organize all my charges on line. If I pay cash, I have to save a paper receipt and incorporate that into the system.

Lastly, politically speaking, I have concerns about a cashless society.

That's great, but your real concern shouldn't be a "cashless society". Because even using cash, you are tying your financial stability to a politically validated unit of currency. If that is really your concern, you should be keeping your assets in intrinsically valuable forms (i.e. gold, silver, etc...) as keeping them in a bank in U.S. dollars is no different if you pay cash, check or use credit.

I do have a question for you. I do not feel the need to judge you on your method of payment. Why do you feel the need to judge me? Why does it bother you?

I think there is way too much emphasis on "judging" these days. Having an opinion, favorable or unfavorable about a certain practice is not really "judging" an individual. I don't judge you. Heck I don't even KNOW you! I do still hold to my belief that the practice of accepting personal checks is outdated, somewhat obsolete, and slower as far as transactions go. Is it the end of the world to have someone do it? Of course not! But while I respect your assertions I do still respectfully disagree about the wisdom of doing so, and as such, tend to look on the practice with disfavor.

Then I'd call C&A and ask them what is it about your rate that is making it incompatible with the shareholder benefit. Might just be a mistake, or some new rate code that the shareholder people didn't recognize.

This is some sage advice. Perhaps you can still get the discount. This certainly seems like a more plausible explanation than some sort of chicanery on the part of RCI...

That's exactly what they're doing.

I'm sure you're frustrated, but as a more impartial observer, I find it extremely unlikely that they would do that. I'm sorry you didn't get the deal you hoped for. Hopefully, if this is so unpalatable to you, it's not too late to cancel and look for an option that will better fit your financial needs.

WHAT????? I just sailed on the Liberty of the Seas last month and paid $200 LESS than what we are paying this time, and received the credit!! Have they changed the rules? Does anyone have any advice on what to do next? I did not use any of my diamond plus discounts, or a future cruise certificate, or any other obc. This was denied strictly because I got a good price on the cruise???? Please help!!!

I don't think this has anything to do with the total price you paid. And I really don't think RCI is going to nickel and dime people in this fashion. Honestly, it's not worth the hassle for them to look at an individual reservation and say "this person is already getting a good deal, we're not going to allow them to sweeten it!".

It sounds like you booked a rate that isn't compatible with certain other offers, including the shareholder discount.

Balcony is the same size. There is a larger overhang above. Some people don't care for it. I didn't mind it. Didn't notice any noise difference.

I had to google him to figure out who he was. Maybe I cruised with him, not really sure. Usually couldn't pick a CD out of a police lineup, other than the giant "look at me" sign they are usually holding...

Virtually all beds will be on the floor. Although the pullman beds do tend to be closer to the ceiling!:D

Hope you never get in line behind me then. I still use checks when I go to the grocery store. I hope you don't get too impatient, as that may cause me to make a mistake. When that happens,I have to void the check, and start the whole check over. :eek::D:D

Do as you wish. But can you enlighten me as to why you choose to write checks? What benefit is actually derived from carrying around a checkbook, as opposed to paying by more modern, reliable, more secure means?

Well I think it's high time this thread was brought back on track.

 

I believe the OP's question has been answered and so the discussion on the replacement of travellers cheques with pre-paid cards (a topic I am guilty of digressing to as they are not accepted by RCI), payment by personal cheques in grocery stores and the charges for bags in stores (again something I'm guilty of discussing) is not relevant to this discussion.

Says you. Why do you believe we can only discuss things specifically related to the OP's inquiry? As you said the OP's question has been answered. So what's wrong with having a tangential discussion? I think what is being discussed is both useful and relevant to travel.

I bring my passport and my credit card. That's it! I always forget to bother to print the set sail pass. Seems so dated to me to need to bring anything on paper. I fly every other week and haven't had a paper ticket in over a year. Never need paper anything for hotels, rental cars, etc...

Not sure why you're getting security notices, went and checked the Royal Caribbean main site and that link is what they link to directly from the Gifts & Gear page.

I'm not saying that's not the correct page. I'm saying be careful, as there is a good chance that the page itself is hosting a malware program. This is often the case on legitimate pages unbeknownst to the owner/administrator of the page.

Good to look into this. First, you need to answer some questions for yourself:

1. Are you after cancellation protection? Is it important that you not lose the cost of the trip should you have to cancel?

2. What does your existing insurance cover? Most health insurance plans will actually cover a great deal if not all of the costs of out of country medical care. HOWEVER- it is usually covered as a reimbursement. i.e. the hospital in the islands isn't going to bill your insurance. They're going to bill you, you pay and then get reimbursed. Can you cover this?

3. Are you after Medical transport coverage? If you determine you have adequate medical coverage, you might find that getting transport coverage, which can actually be purchased for a length of time (1-3 years) rather than trip by trip might be the better approach.

4. Keep in mind that Travel Insurance is in fact an investment. There is a level of risk and a potential return. As investments go, Travel Insurance is very low risk, but also usually very low potential return. If this fits in with the rest of your investment strategy/portfolio, then great. If you find it isn't filling a need for you, then you won't go for it. This is a very personal question that is different for everyone.

I really dont see much difference in time in handing someone a blank check to run through a machine over handing someone a plastic card. You dont even have to sign or fill out the check anymore.

I find most of those who write checks in the grocery store are senior citizens who tend to be very set in their ways. And while my local store will do that, they tend to be leary of it and still insist on writing it all out by hand. And as another poster mentioned, it never fails to amaze me how they will closely watch all 100 items be scanned, only to pull out their purse and dig for the checkbook AFTER the order has been rung up.

Id love to have one of the mattress/box springs sets. I just cant get past the 1200.00 sticker shock for a full :eek:

And see, I really don't think that's too bad. I think people dramatically undervalue bedding. $1,200 for a bed you'll use most every night for 4-6 years seems like a bargain compared to other expenses.

I have bought bedding that is very very similar to the Royal Caribbean sheets, mattress pads and pillow tops Bed, Bath and Beyond, for a lot less. Looking at the bedding you wouldn't know it wasn't the same and the feel was the same -- at considerably less cost.

That's great, but with bedding, it's really true that you get what you pay for. Commercial bedding is among the best in the industry because it is very specifically designed for durability. Let's see how that bedding obtained for "considerably less cost" really holds up over the next few years....

Wow, I hope I never inconvenience you when I'm contributing to the US economy in a store using my travellers cheques. Good luck if you do ever own a retail establishment, your customer service will make it a roaring success I'm sure. :D

Lighten up. I was primarily ranting about the dated concept of writing personal checks. Travelers checks don't tend to slow things down (if they take them). But they do represent a very dated modality for securely carrying money. With prepaid credit cards, gift cards, other bank cards so readily available and far more secure, I suspect fewer and fewer establishments will waste their time with traveler's checks. They may not be time consuming at the transaction, but they are a bit cumbersome for the merchant to manage once they have them.

Just tried it on a third computer, this time at work. Same notice: "Threat was blocked!"

File name: http://www.royalcaribbeanbeddingcollection.com/rc/

Threat name: Exploit Blackhat SEO (type 1720)

We decorate for New Years (Happy New Years sign) by bringing packing tape and taping the sign (guess we like to be "silly"). It's no problem. Only thing is that there is a better than even chance that someone might steal the sign (I guess others like to be "silly" too).

I do see "Happy Birthday" or "Happy Anniversary" signs also (more "silly" people).

I also know some people decorate to make it easier to find their cabin (either for them or their party). Oh those "silly people."

Silly it is I guess! Really wasn't trying to knock it. Just think it's interesting how this has become such a "thing" for cruising in particular. Like i said, I never see it at land based resorts. Just curious how it came to be.... But by all means, decorate away!

Patience is a virtue. So is tolerance.

 

:)

Whatever, still an archaic practice that should disappear from conventional retail in the near future.

I hope nothing is closed for my oasis cruise after dry dock.

Looks like you're on the transatlantic immediately after drydock. I would be SHOCKED if there weren't a number of venues not operating. It is typical for a ship to not be at 100% immediately following drydock. No reason to think Oasis is any different.

My AVG software has now dinged it on two different machines, using multiple browsers, connected both via local network and a cellular network. It's a legitimate site, no doubt. But this type of malware often gets loaded on the site without the owner/operator knowing it's even there.

I'd just use an abundance of caution.

Yes, you can buy the bedding, and as a member of C&A, you do get a discount.

 

The description will be in your cabin upon boarding, as part of the list of your benefits.

 

If the Explorer is still doing paper coupon booklets, there will be a page in there describing the process.

 

Use promo code SOCIETY at this website:

 

http://www.royalcaribbeanbeddingcollection.com/rc/

That site is setting off all sorts of warnings about BlackHat malware. I would be very careful on that site.

I never understood this phenomenon on cruises. I don't tend to see people decorating their hotel room doors at land based resorts. It just seems so silly to me...

While in port however we have come upon stores that won't accept travelers checks.

I should hope so. I HATE that stores accept any sort of check. It's such an archaic kind of transaction, and so slow. Nothing drives me nuts more than standing in line at the store and then waiting for the person in front of me to write a check. I swear if I owned a retail establishment, there is no way I would take checks- personal or travelers.

Nobody! Just you! We all heard you were going and said "forget that! I'm not putting up with HIM!".

Seriously, check the roll call. It helps if you find the right forum....