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Do it!  Lock in the benefit/status now is my thinking.  To give you my reference, it was April 2020.  I said "surely this covid crap won't last long".  I was 12 points from Diamond.  So I booked a 6 night Junior Suite on Independence for Feb. 2021.  I was thinking "this will grandfather my youngest into Diamond before he turns 18".  As we all know, the cruise did not happen.  I ended up doing a lift/shift on that cruise to Odyssey for Feb 2022.  Bad news is my youngest still needs 15 nights to get to Diamond.  Good news is I ended up with 24 points and a JS on Odyssey for $649 a person!  I now have D+ in sight for the Bella 2.0 and 2.5 cruises next year.  After that, my point chasing will likely stop.

My 8 night Harmony sailing for Feb. 2023 was charted by this same group.  I had only booked the room about 2 weeks prior with a Next Cruise certificate.  We were given pretty much the same options.  Here is the text of that old email.

We’re reaching out to let you know that, regrettably, we have to cancel our February 4^th, 2023 Harmony of the Seas sailing, as it has been chartered.

We know how much time and effort go into planning your cruise, and we’re sorry for the inconvenience. Every aspect of your time with us should be enjoyable, so we’ve put together some alternate options that we hope will work for you.

Option 1: Re-book one of the following 2023 itineraries:

• 7-Night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise onboard Symphony of the Seas sailing to Philipsburg, St. Maarten | Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas | and Perfect Day at CocoCay on January 7^th, January 14^th, January 28^th, or February 4^th
• 7-Night Western Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise onboard Symphony of the Seas sailing to Costa Maya, Mexico | Roatan, Honduras | Cozumel, Mexico | and Perfect Day at CocoCay on January 21^st or February 11^th
• 8-Night Southern Caribbean cruise onboard Harmony of the Seas sailing to Labadee, Haiti | Oranjestad, Aruba | and Willemstad, Curacao on January 7^th or February 18^th
• 8-Night Eastern Caribbean cruise onboard Harmony of the Seas sailing to Labadee, Haiti | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas | Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic | and Nassau, Bahamas on January 21^st

What you’ll receive: 

• Your original stateroom category price will either be protected at your original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate (whichever is lower). This excludes taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items. 
  • If your booking was already paid in full and your cruise fare rate decreases, we’ll provide you with a refund for the difference. You can expect to receive your refund to your original form of payment within 30 business days after we move you. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on your financial institution.
• To sweeten the offer, you’ll receive a credit to spend onboard per stateroom: 
  • $100 USD for Interior, Ocean View, and Balcony staterooms | $200 USD for Suites 
  • Plus, an additional $50 USD for each third or more guest to spend onboard.
• And, you’ll also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees incurred (such as a flight, train ticket, or rental car). 
  • We’ll cover up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic changes, or up to $400 USD per guest for International changes.
  • Please email your receipts and booking information to RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com for review and reimbursement.

Option 2: Re-book any other Royal Caribbean International sailing

• If you prefer to re-book another sailing not included in Option 1, we’ll waive any non-refundable deposit change fees.
• Please know, you’ll be responsible for any difference in pricing for your cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items.
  • If your booking was already paid in full and your cruise fare rate decreases, we’ll provide you with a refund for the difference. You can expect to receive your refund to your original form of payment within 30 business days after we move you. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on your financial institution.
• And, you’ll also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees incurred (such as a flight, train ticket, or rental car).
  • We’ll cover up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic changes, or up to $400 USD per guest for International changes.
  • Please email your receipts and booking information to RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com for review and reimbursement.

Option 3: If you can’t find a new itinerary that works for you and choose to cancel, we’ll be sad to see you go. You’ll receive: 

• A full refund of any paid portion of your cruise fare (including non-refundable deposits) and any pre-paid amenities to the original form of payment, within 30 business days.
  • If you used a Future Cruise Credit on this sailing, and you request a refund instead, we’ll refund any NEW funds paid above the certificate amount, and we’ll reinstate your original certificate.  
• If you booked your airfare through Royal Caribbean International, it will be automatically refunded to you. However, if you booked on your own, please contact the service provider directly for your options with them.
• Please note, if you choose this option, we will not provide additional compensation.

It’s important to us that you find the best cruise option. Please call us at 888-281-9344 or contact your Travel Advisor by May 5^th, 2022 to let us know your decision. And please know, hold times may be longer than usual. If you decide to go with option 3, there’s no need to call us. If we haven’t heard from you by May 5^th, 2022, your reservation will be cancelled.

Funny story here that will likely not be appreciated by anyone trying to get a block they missed.  I was on Odyssey in January and knew it was my first block cruise.  I went to the Loyalty Ambassador desk early in the week to check on it.  He wasn't there but his assistant was.  She told me they were out of blocks for now but could give me the form to request one.  After some small talk, I mentioned my Quantum cruise last June.  She then started about how Quantum was her ship, that she was heading home next week and wanted to know if I wanted a Quantum block as well.  I said sure unless it meant I wouldn't get my earned one from Odyssey.  She said no problem, just take this and don't worry about it.  Two days later, I come back from dinner and my Odyssey block is on my bed.  

She told me she should be on my 9 night Greek Isles cruise in August this year.  If she is, I will thank her again.  Both blocks are now proudly displayed in my office.  They are very nice and appreciated by those of us loyal to Royal!

Following your adventures intently.  I am on the 9 night on Odyssey at the end of August.  I am flying into Rome 4 days early and working on my city tours now.  I have my transfers booked with Tiber Limo already.  But very interested in your golf cart tour as well as what you booked for the Vatican trip.  Thank you for sharing your journey.  Enjoy your trip and safe travels.

8 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

We were shocked as well on the Radiance Alaska B2B some years ago.  We had just over 350 points and were #2 cruisers!  😮   Really nice dinner in Chops with the solo Pinnacle (#1) and the couple with just under 350 points (#3) with the LA, the F&B, and the HD.  Great time...sigh...though obviously ...sadly....that dinner set up is also a thing of the past.  😞 

I was on Quantum at the end of June last year.  Here were the numbers for that sailing.

Diamond:  200

Diamond Plus:  44

Pinnacle:  8

The numbers were so low that we were invited to the "Meet the Cast" event which is usually only D+.  The total attendance for that event was around 10 people.  So low they even gave us a back stage tour after.  Was probably the first cruise where I felt special with my low D status.  🙂  

D+ targeted for end of Feb 2025!

I really enjoyed Quantum for my Alaska cruise out of Seattle last year.  I've been on Odyssey three times and I think the shows are better on Quantum.  I also had one of the best MDR experiences since the restart on that Alaska cruise last June.  Great service and the food was perfect.  The itinerary you mentioned sounds incredible.  If I was retired I would look into that cruise.  But alas, 10 or more years at least before that happens.  I hope you enjoy the cruise.

40 minutes ago, ticketsunlimited said:

DWP , we are flying out of Boston Delta One in August for 4 nights in Rome (pre-cruise) and getting on Odyssey 9/3 for the 12 night cruise.  Was supposed to be a Jerusalem stop but it is what it is.  Are you on the trip before ours?  Where you flying out of?  Dan

Going through Boston on 8/20.  We are on the 9 night Odyssey that leaves on 8/25.  So a few days in Rome pre-cruise.  There was a crazy good price on Delta One this week that I grabbed immediately.  I've been checking daily for 3 or 4 weeks now to lock in the airfare.

Edit to add we get off on 9/3.  We will take good care of her for you.  Sailing in a JS that we booked at the Next Cruise desk in December 2022.  

17 hours ago, Tree_skier said:

 

I am 57 DW is 62 and we paid $485 per year. That’s total for both of us on the premier plan. 
 

EDIT

 

Thanks for this timely post.  I just booked my airfare for our Odyssey sailing out of Rome this coming August.  Due to the price of my Delta One tickets, I picked the insurance option.  The cost to insure just that trip is more than a yearly plan, and the Emergency Transportation coverage was only $50,000.  Everything else is almost identical to what you posted above and I have started to review it on the Allianz site.  I'm still in my cancel window on that add on so I'll be signing up for a yearly plan instead once I verify my thinking is correct.  It makes a lot more sense with 2 weeks in Europe and the upcoming Bella 2 and 2.5 cruises already booked.

Book the JS if you are good with the price.  I feel the Diamond benefit is worth the chase based on how close you are.  I have my own chase on now for D+.  It involves a JS for a 9 night Greek Isles later this year.  Then a 7 and 4 day in 2025.  After that, the points won't matter unless the program gets revamped.  Your math is correct.  If you book the 7 night in a JS, you get the points you need.  It is a meaningful tier to achieve.

Agree, not a myth.  I've used it twice in the past 18 months or so.  Perhaps their algorithms know I will use it and now exclude me from the offers.  🙂

Never on my Delta AMEX.  But twice on my Blue account.

Edit to add only one was the 25,000 bonus points offer.  One coming out of Covid was something like spend $1500, get $500 back.  I may be off on the exact numbers.  But that one was a great deal.

2 hours ago, SunsetsNSmiles said:

Taking our boys (15 and 13) on their first Royal cruise.. wondering if I should get them refreshment package? My husband and I already have the unlimited bev plan.

My boys always got a good value out of the Refreshment package.  Mocktails, Freestyle Machines and Red Bull.  Black Friday pricing is usually the best for that package always.  Although not as great this year on my upcoming cruises.

Just booked the Sushi and Saki lunch for my Odyssey cruise in January. Your review sold me. I’ve done the sushi making class and ate a few meals in Izumi on Odyssey in Feb 2022. Hope my experience is half as nice as yours was. 

Some food pics from Quantum. Three nights I was brought multiple entrees at the same time. I only ordered a second one on lobster night. Not sure why I got special treatment. It was our 30th Anniversary. But I think it has more to do with the limited number of top tier on the cruise. We are Diamond and got a free backstage tour of the show area on the last sea day. 
 

5 hours ago, Sea Dog said:

Yes they do require you finish one before starting the other. I would have liked to have both served at the same . What’s the difference? You are still going to eat both of them. Are they betting you might change your mind after the first entree?

Makes me wonder if this is by ship/staff.  On Quantum in June, I ordered the NY Strip in addition to the Lobster.  My wait staff brought both at the same time.  In fact, several nights they brought me an extra entree without even asking!  Maybe because that cruise only had 250 Diamond, D+ and Pinnacle members total.  I agree the lobster tail entree should be a minimum of 2.  They are tiny.

I have asked for Patron Reposado and Grey Goose on my Diamond drinks without issue.  I've always asked for an upper call when they make it and have never been charged.  You should be good.  Last cruise was Quantum in June for reference.

Great pics.  Congrats on your 40th.  My wife and I just did our 30th on Quantum at the end of June.  I'm ready to go back again.  Loved the ship and loved the cruise.

I've also done both on the same cruise.  The only way I choose Labadee over Coco Cay would be time of year.  The water can be rather cold at Coco Cay Jan/Feb.  So in that situation Labadee may be the better option.  Labadee also has the better zipline, the dragon coaster, and feels more remote.  But for actual beach and food, Coco Cay by a mile.

11 minutes ago, The Fun Researcher said:

We were told immediately upon boarding, when trying to book the North star, that it was not working all week due to technical issues and would not be fixed.  I'm sure they are lining up the proper technicians to get it resolved but it was a hard no all last week.

So whatever was going on my week has gotten worse.  We also heard on day 1 that it would be closed all week.  I even heard one person say "a guest last week broke the glass and that is why it is closed".  At least, that is what they said they were told.

18 minutes ago, hoosier sailor said:

Thanks for that information.  

I just saw on another post that RCCL says the North Star has not been closed at all and I called RCCL today and they said it has not been closed. I guess that just goes to show that at RCCL one hand doesn't know what the other is doing.

I was on the June 26th sailing.  The North Star was hit or miss all week.  It was not running on embarkation day.  But it was up during the week as well as the morning of Dawes Glacier.  I finally managed a complimentary reservation for 2:00 pm the last day.  I go up to find someone sitting at the desk saying it was closed and would not reopen this cruise.  It was not weather related.  So the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.  A lingering issue that causes them to shut it down for reasons only known to the tech team.

If you can go a few days early, you can join Bella 2.5 on Utopia. 2/10-14/25.

I just got off Quantum this past Monday.  The ship and service were top notch.  Our dining room staff was some of the best I've had since the restart.  Great bar staff at Pool Bar and Schooner.  Kate at Cafe 270 was an amazing barista.  All were personable and I enjoyed spending time with them.  The only issue we encountered was the North Star was having issues throughout the week.  When we finally got a reservation for the last day, we went up to find it was closed again and would not re-open.  

Now, on this cruise there were less than 250 Diamond, D+ and Pinnacle.  In fact, over 3000 had no C&A status.  So bad reviews may be people expecting something the product isn't.  It was my first Alaska cruise so the experience was new for me as well.  But the ship and staff were some of the best.  You should have nothing to worry about.

Like @Tree_skier said, I seem to recall opening around 2:00 or 3:00 on Port days.  It was also open on embarkation day around 11:30 in Feb. 2022.  I was on a B2B that month so went directly there to hang out for a few hours while everyone else piled on for week 2.  Never needed a reservation for anything.

Just now, OCSC Mike said:

October last year… the days of the $129 GGG sale price for Indy 4-nighters. 🤣

Yes. Pretty much.  I think I booked an interior last week of August on Indy last year for $229.  And that was only because I picked my own room!  I would do that in a New York minute again this year if it was available.  For my Alaska trip on Quantum next week, it is absolutely insane the price increase on that since I booked it last March.  More than double per person!  Royal may actually blackball me for the price of all my upcoming booked cruises!  🙂  

19 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

Honestly, never really look for price drops.

 

When I have (based on information from others) they almost never materialize 

This exactly.  When I book a cruise, I pretty much know what I'm getting in to.  If I don't like the price, I will skip booking it.  In over 10 years of booking cruises, I think I have only called for an adjustment one time.  And that was moving it from refundable to non-refundable to save some money just before final payment.  But by that point, I knew 100% I was going.  So that didn't matter.  

In today's pricing environment, I understand the frustration if this has been your historical pattern for cruising.  I get it.  I was looking for a bargain to get 3 cabins for a 4 day out of Canaveral late Summer/early Fall like I did last year.  But I laugh every time I look at current rates.  Not happening at this time.  So in this case I will pass.  But for everything I have booked right now, it would take a miracle to get a lower price.

1 minute ago, E&D2004 said:

Any info about outlets near the bed on Oasis.  I am Suite GTY so likely a Jr. Suite.  Many thanks

I can't help you with a JS on Oasis, but I was in a Central Park balcony in December.  I didn't see an outlet close by so I asked our room steward for an extension cord.  He said "no need" and pulled the bed out revealing an outlet directly behind the bed.