11 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

You had to be in a suit to use it🤔

It was always special

Are you sure about that John, I just rechecked my cruise history for the 8 night Quantum inaugural Nov. 23 to  De 1, 2014 and the 12 ni. March 1 to March 13, 2015 and I was a solo in one of the solo balcony cabins.  I definitely remember it being part of the rotation on the inaugural as I had to make all my reservations for dynamic dining pre-cruise online and as Silk had little appeal to me, I opted for the CK. I remember having a couple of lunches, the tomato soup and one of the flatbreads, along with struggling to find something my dietary restrictions would allow for dinner on the menu. 

Been on Anthem numerous times. As others have said, the first 36 hours or so coming and going will be between bitter cold and chilly, depending on what your body is used to.  In terms of the weather, a nor'easter is always a possibility and though rough seas do not bother me, there are those seasoned cruisers that will swear that they feel those seas on Quantum class ships moreso than Voyager or Freedom class and will book lower decks because of that .  

A few years back, the exact same thing happened on an 11 night sailing of the Serenade- mid Feb.-- a  Melissa Ethridge concert  that started advertising and selling cabins online in Sept.  It took months for RC to even acknowledge it and stop selling cabins.  We got the usual 200 OBC and price protection.  It didn't help most of us that were on B2b sailings or more. After resituating many of us, RC then announced a short western Caribbean cruise to fill the gap was available for booking.  

2 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Graham does have a point, though. On an Oasis ship, CK does not have the capacity to feed all the suite guests on any given night, and you definitely will need to be flexible in your dining slots. Luckily the rule of large numbers makes it work. But if you throw a lot of Pins into the mix, it gets a lot more complicated. Especially when some are rude and needy.

 

Keep in mind, CK was designed in the time of Dynamic Dining. Royal never thought that passengers would eat there every night.😉

 

The assumption was one night in Grande, one in Silk, one in Icon, maybe two in CK, and two in a specialty venue.  When that failed, they had to do 7 different menus to appease the folks that didn't want to eat in MDR.  That overloaded CK as well, and made it less special than it was in her first year or so. Then to top that off, the amount of Pinnacles skyrocketed and a ton fell in love with the CK/SL setup. 

The CK on Quantum's was one of the dynamic dining options.  Initially, it was not well received and you could count the passengers in it on one hand at lunch and maybe two hands for dinner. It was expected to be used every night, but passengers just didn't seem attracted to it.  All that changed when it became "special."  

3 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Those are pretty rare, to rich for my Prime blood

Mine as well, but I do actually know someone who has that status and lives a lifestyle I could only glimpse in my dreams, so they do exist.  I don't think she ever pays for her suites.  They were always complimentary through the old Casino or other player's programs that she belongs to.

John, I believe that people in the Masters tier of the Casino also have access to the SL.

Unfortunately, rude people can exist in practically any venue and I can only offer my sympathy to anyone who has been made to feel uncomfortable or unwanted in an SL or a CL.  As a solo cruiser who has been put off by a few cliques of Pinnacles over the years as either a Pinnacle myself or as a Suite Guest,  I can totally empathize.  On a positive note, there have been far more warm groups of Pinnacles and Suite Guests along with D+ (when they were still allowed in the CL) that have welcomed me.  

 In regard to D+ being allowed into the CL on Anthem, I don't believe that will be the case in the future and that it has nothing to do with the pandemic . Prior to the first sailing in January 2020, D+'s ability to use the CL varied by the sailing.  From that first sailing ,I believe was either Jan 4 or 5th, that was no longer the case.  Every sailing  going forward (those that actually got to sail), received a letter stating that due to the numbers of D+ for that sailing, the CL would be only for Suite  and Pinnacle guests. It is my understanding that this was not confined to just Anthem; there were passengers booked on other ships with CL's that also received that message. Was it all CL ships, frankly, I don't know, but while attending the Suite/Pinnacle cocktail party, one of officers in response to a comment about many of the D+'s on board being upset about not being able to use the CL said, "that's the way it's going to be from now on." I spent the month of Feb. on the Serenade and those D+s also received the same letter. So, though the pandemic is definitely going to affect how the lounges will be utilized for the short term,  the D+s have likely seen the last of the inside of the CL or whatever it winds up being called.  

I didn't see a specific heading for this topic and so I posted it. I apologize for it being repetitive.  

US travel blocked; new curfew for GB

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Fifteen new coronavirus cases have been confirmed in the country today — a record daily count since the onset of the pandemic in mid-March.

During his national address, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced the closure of the country’s borders to all incoming international commercial flights, except from Canada, United Kingdom and the European Union as of Wednesday.

He also announced the immediate suspension of Bahamasair flights to the United States, alongside increased restrictions and offenses aimed at curbing the virus’ resurgence.

Outgoing flights will still be permitted to accommodate visitors scheduled to leave after Wednesday, Minnis said.

There have been 49 new cases since the borders reopened on July 1 — 31 in Grand Bahama and 18 in New Providence.

The new infections have pushed the total number of confirmed cases to 153.

In New Providence, the new cases include two men, ages 53 and 29, both of whom had a history of travel, and two women. ages 29 and 58. One of the women had a history of travel.

The remaining 11 cases also stemmed from Grand Bahama and included three women and eight men, ranging in age from 17-year-old to 71.

Details on travel history and condition of those patients were “unable to be confirmed” at the time of the report, and health teams are reportedly investigating and updating records to publish in a later update.

As it relates to Grand Bahama, which has undergone a surge of cases, the prime minister announced a new curfew from 7pm to 5am daily on the island, effective Monday.

He said all private and public beaches on Grand Bahama will be closed until further notice effective, Monday at 5am.

Public parks and beaches in New Providence, Paradise Island, Rose Island, Athol Island and surrounding cays will be also closed until further notice effective Monday at 5am.

Additionally, international and domestic borders will be closed to all incoming and outgoing flights and sea vessels to and from Grand Bahama with exception of emergency transport

A curfew remains in effect on all other islands from 10pm to 5am.

The prime minister also announced restaurants at Arawak Cay and Potter’s Cay will also be closed effective tomorrow.

He said measures will remain until “we are able to ensure better social distancing can be practiced”.

Before the July 1 reopening of the country’s borders to international commercial carriers, The Bahamas observed 104 total cases for over three weeks, and active cases dwindled to as few as four.

Today, the prime minister said progress in some countries can be reversed by how citizens are “following or ignoring” health guidelines.

He said regrettably the situation in the country has “deteriorated at an exponential rate since we reopened our international borders.”

“So today, I am announcing a number of measures we are reinstating to address the number of new cases we are seeing here at home,” Minnis said. My government has consulted heavily with health officials.

“We are taking these strong actions to save lives. I understand the frustration and the disappointment of many Bahamians and residents that may ensue as we reimplement certain restrictions, but as a country, we have to do what is right and what is necessary.

“If we do not take these measures now we will pay a higher price and deadlier price at a later date. At the onset, of the COVI19 pandemic, we acted early to prevent widespread sickness and  death. We must do so once again.”

According to the prime minister, The Bahamas is in a marathon that requires endurance and agility to change course where necessary.

He said there is a continued balancing act to get Bahamians back to work, stimulate the economy and mitigate the risks of the potentially deadly virus.

As part of this, Minnis said The Bahamas is reviewing and being guided by the “most effective practices from around the world”.

The prime minister also said The Bahamas must be prepared to adapt and apply decisive action to avoid being “overrun and defeated” by the virus. He said priorities must be balance, but the country cannot afford for its health facilities and healthcare system to be overrun.

He said the first priority is to save lives.

I have bought several Roberto Coin pieces from them with no issue.

The Jan. 4th sailing is available at the moment.  The next two eleven nighters are not.  They were there earlier as I was price checking some of my cruises as well

5 hours ago, Ashland said:

An interesting way to work the point system.

And it doesn't have to be by marriage. There are those C&A members who by virtue of the "significant other" designation have shared their status several times. Royal has not done a great job catching up with these people as well as those who pass off someone as their significant other.  Perhaps, in the future they will monitor this more closely.

5 hours ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

We never have used the 3 drinks on SeaPass. Please explain the credit?

 

M8

There is no credit for unused drinks on your SeaPass.

4 minutes ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

I just thought some might be for banning Suite Guest and families with kids from the lounge (CL/SL).  
 

M8

Not so far.

1 minute ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

Too bad it’s a closed site only for Pinnacles. Would love to be a fly on the wall. 
 

M8

So far, there haven't been any earth-shattering contributions.

15 minutes ago, molly361 said:

What about the suite lounges?

I posted this on the FB Pinnacle page, just to see what ideas came forth.

As I think of all the past hoopla over access to the Lounges , I begin to wonder what shape, if any, that benefit will come in when ships begin to sail. As we have been told that there will be no self-serve buffets in the Windjammer, one would imagine that the lounge coffee machine would not be self-serve (a new job for the concierge?) , the continental breakfast, the spread for lunch and the cocktail hour snacks will likely not be available initially. Even the cookies left during the day will likely go poof. Social distancing in some of the smaller lounges will be difficult at best. Personally, because I am allergic to perfume, I think of the long hallways leading to the lounge on Quantum class ships -- every smell, albeit good or bad tends to linger in those corridors....hmm what of germs. So, what do you imagine our Lounge experience will be?

21 hours ago, Arzeena said:

Had asked this question to the good Captain Olaf long time back and he had said "Around Cape Hatteras", for that sailing.

Usually mid to late afternoon on first sea day on an 11 nighter you are around the Carolinas if my memory serves me.

Spent 22 nights on Anthem this past January and enjoyed every day.  The only unpleasant part of the trip was hearing the arguments that ensued with few D+ members who boarded, came into the  Concierge Lounge and were told  by the Concierge that they could not stay. 

49 minutes ago, L454S said:

You know, there are a lot more people with allergies to pet dander and pet hair than there are people with emotional lap dogs(read PET).

 

Imagine these folks getting a cabin where an emotional(read PET)animal has been for a week. So, I guess we have to decide who gets the flying fickle finger of fate?

 

I think I know which way I might lean.

Been there.

54 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I only have two cruises booked right now for later this year.  Both cruises are significantly more expensive than when I booked them, which surprised me, since RCI hasn’t officially announced any reduced sailings yet. I will continue to cruise no matter what rules are implemented when cruising resumes.  The only bad part about this virus in my book is we (my wife and I) likely won’t hit cruise number 50 next year like we planned since I will not book any more cruises until after cruise lines resume operating and we have already had several cruises cancelled.   

Oddly enough, some of my cruises in Jan/Fed 2021 and 2022 keep dropping in price from when they were first released.  The most significant is an August 2021 Oasis out of Bayonne -an $1,800. price drop on my GS . I had expected the prices would begin to rise given the lift and shift,  FCC and the state of what this summer's cruising out of Bayonne will probably be.

On 4/29/2020 at 2:20 PM, amurray88 said:

Helpful thank you!

Do RCI do offers such as free drinks package, free balcony upgrades etc?

Sorry, I've been so long away from them I don't know what to expect now!

A few years ago, the Upgrade Fairy was alive and well and would give upgrades most often to members of the higher loyalty tiers. On occasion, new cruisers were also paid a visit.  That all went away with passengers being allowed to bid for an upgrade- the "Royal Up" as it is now called.  Even the so called higher up cabins with a "guarantee" don't happen very often anymore as the higher categories of cabins are usually part of the "Royal Up" bidding wars. 

I have yet to see a "free" drinks package.  Your best bet is to watch pricing and commit when you are comfortable with the offer.  You can always cancel and rebook it if the price lowers.  

Anytime school is out, expect the prices to be higher, especially on a ship like Oasis which usually does 7 night sailings and tends to cater to families.  For the last few years booking early tends to get you your best pricing.

16 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I don't think you can really equate military and civilian life when it comes to rights.

Back in the early 80's, I relocated to upstate NY, changed careers and went into teaching. Before I could do my student teaching in a local high school, I had to prove what immunizations I had, receive any I was missing, and get booster shots as needed , so  apparently, it is/was not specific to military life.

3 hours ago, LorraineP said:

Thoughts on Oasis out of Bayonne October 2020

Governor of NJ has stated they are still weeks away from qualifying to enact Phase I of the White House Coronavirus recovery. From the way I understand it is supposed to work makes it seem logical that cruise ships would fall under Phase III (or later if additional phases are deemed necessary). Since each phase must have a minimum of 14 days of descending rates of hospitalization/death data between the current 3 Phases, an August opening of Cape Liberty is possible if there is a "perfect" descent. I don't know if I believe a "perfect" descent is possible given the difficulty many places are having in enforcing distancing policies and facemasks.   Any ascent will send the state back to qualifying for that Phase again and an ascent of sufficient magnitude could possibly send a state back to qualifying for Phase I enactment.  In a perfect world,  October sounds like a "go." However,  there is also the uncertainty of whether having antibodies truly does protect a person from being re-infected and for how long and if having the antibodies prevents you from being a carrier (as there have been people who are still testing positive after having had the virus) as well as the possibility of a second wave of infections headed our way in the fall.  So, those are my thoughts and my answer is "no one can know for sure."