TheInnocentAge

If you're asking about my earlier posts, it's the Wonder of the Seas, four nights, January of 2026.

Yep, granted it's only four nights, but considering the value of four deluxe drink packages, specialty dining every night for four, free WiFi, the Genie experience plus the other Star perks, a 2BR aqua theater suite... I thought it was a good deal to get that for less than $400 per person per night.

I did a mock booking today to see if the price had dropped on a cruise that we had booked about two weeks ago (2026 dates on Wonder). We paid a little over $6K total for four people in a Star Class cabin, and the mock booking today shows the price at over $8900. I guess I just got lucky with the timing on that one, as the price went up substantially after the first two days of it being offered.

I've been watching the deluxe package price for my upcoming cruise (mid-May), and though the 'sales' keep changing from one name to another (30% off, then buy one get one half off, then back to 30%, etc.), the bottom line price has stayed the same at $62.99. Not bad compared to some other prices that have been posted lately, so we'll see.

Here's the link that was provided earlier in the thread... https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/royal-caribbean-crew-member-accused-of-installing-hidden-cameras-inside-guest-bathrooms/3249415/

Welcome! On the occasions when my bid did not get accepted, Royal emailed me the day of the cruise, and it was after the ship had already set sail. So basically I found out at check in, then received the email several hours later. Others have reported getting their 'denial' notification sooner, but just remember that it doesn't always happen that way. Also, if your bid is not accepted, it doesn't always mean that you weren't the highest bidder. Royal will include some suites in the offering that may already be booked, but they do that in case there are cancellations. For example, we have a sailing coming up where our fellow travelers (in other cabins) have received their Royal Up options, and the Royal Suite is one of those options. There is only one Royal Suite on our ship, and we have it booked with no intention to cancel, but it is among the cabins that have been included in the Royal Up letters. I hope this helps. Happy sailing, the Oasis is a great ship!

Ship: Wonder of the Seas Destination: Bahamas & Perfect Day at CocoCay Dates: January 2026 # of Nights: 4 Cabin Type: A1 AquaTheater Suite (Star Class, and one of only two A1s on the ship, description says Spacious AquaTheater Suite Large Balcony - 2 Bedroom) Size: Stateroom: 823 sq. ft. Balcony: 772 sq. ft. Total Price (inc. taxes & port charges, AND gratuities): $6258 Average Price Per Night (per Person - USD): $391 Other Perks: $250 onboard credit, plus all of the Star Class benefits are included (pasted from the website) Exclusive Access to the Suite Sun Deck Exclusive Access to Royal Genie Service All Day Access to Coastal Kitchen Complimentary Specialty Restaurants Complimentary Ultimate Beverage Package (for guests 21 years or older) Complimentary Royal Replenish Package (for guests under 21 years old) Complimentary Gratuities Complimentary VOOM I booked this about 10 days ago. The total price has gone up to almost $9000 since then for the other A1 cabin.

From what I've seen, it's based on the cruise. When we were able to get the package for $42 per day, it was a Bogo promotion that lasted just a few days. Another couple that went with us got the same price, and they were in a different cabin and at a different C&A level, so it was not based on the individual. But back then the 'normal' prices were not as high as they are now, so I don't anticipate that low of a price again.

And if the price drops, you can always cancel it and rebuy at the lower price.

I checked the upcoming cruises we have booked (4), and the lowest price for that package is $61.99 per day, which isn't that great either. The lowest we ever got it for was $42 per day, but that's been a few years now.

His RC alias is Voyeur of the Seas

A few days ago we booked a 2BR Aqua Suite, the A1 'extra large, spacious' ones that fall under Star Class, on the Wonder. We chose deck 8 as it has the largest ATS cabins and balconies. They get slightly smaller the higher you go, and decks 9 and above are Sky Class. Four nights for four people came to around $6200 total, so less than $400 per person per day for Star Class, and included $250 in OBC. I did a mock booking just now and the total price had gone up over $2500 since we booked, and no longer includes the OBC, so we're happy we booked when we did. Surprised they would jump that quickly.

Good callout. Definitely seeing this with Royal's new ships, followed by some steep cabin prices.

With other cruise lines, RCI is one, fuel charges have not been additional, at least in the 20+ cruises I've been on with them. I can't recall if Carnival included them the initial fare or if they're charged after-the-fact, it's been awhile. Yes, you can argue that fuel may be part of the initial charge, which I wouldn't disagree with. With MAS they are additional charges, which as you pointed out, is clearly stated in their FAQs. To be clear, their main complaint wasn't the fuel surcharge. Using your hotel and restaurant example, it was expecting Outback quality for Outback prices, but ending up with Taco Bell.

When we make those we use Blue Chair Bay (Kenny Chesney's rum brand) Spiced Rum Cream in place of the Rumchata, I think it tastes much better 🙂

That sentiment has been growing among the cruising crowd that I know. A few friends have brought up their dissatisfaction with their MAS cruise for various reasons. One mentioned what they considered deceptive extra charges at the end of the cruise, others called out just the lack of quality of the ship itself or the dining. I had poor pre-cruise experiences involving the booking and the cancellation process, dealing with poor and dishonest customer service, mishandled refunds, and other unnecessary headaches. It's a shame too, I like the laid-back and relaxed vibe that much of Jimmy's music had through the years, and it's sad that his name is tied to this cruise line.

That's still seems really high. I checked the next two cruises we have booked, and on one the deluxe package is $57.99 and the other is $65.99, far removed from the $42 we paid on Symphony just a few years ago.

I love this thread🙂, thank you for continuing to post these recipes!

That sounds very similar to my experience. When you call them it's like they're just making things up as they go, telling their customers anything just to get them off the phone. One of their customer service reps told me that the refund check had been "mailed nine days ago". I then suggested that it may have been lost in the mail, as I've never had a piece of mail take more than a few days to arrive. He said "it's not lost, we can track it to see where it is at any time". So I said OK, where is it right now? He had no response for that. If they have such a hard time handling a simple refund, and are purposely deceitful about the status of the request, why would anyone want to trust them with hosting and feeding you for a four or five day cruise? No big surprise that they've earned 2.2 out of a possible five stars in their online reviews.

No, not from the cruise line, but since we filed a dispute, our credit card issued a credit for the charge. To me, I'm less bothered by the idea of losing $100, and more irritated that Margaritaville can't get their stories straight. I was first told they did issue a refund via the card, then after calling back they said that they didn't. The next time they said they had mailed the check already, then next told me that they had not sent it. And as you mentioned, the varying estimated times for the refund check to be processed, mailed, ugh. I certainly won't ever sail with them, especially after seeing the posts here on CC about unexpected charges, hidden fees, how refund checks are bouncing, etc.

We had done the 6-night Symphony right when they first resumed sailing after the Covid shutdown, and it was only $42 per night, which was what we had paid on the Allure a few years before that. That was the price after the 'discount', which I recall was a BOGOHO (buy one, get one half off). Don't think we'll see those prices again.

Correct, the dispute rights when the purchase is made with a credit card are much stronger than with a debit card. Not just for cruise lines, but for any purchase. I let my card provider know about the issue right away, so they have it logged. They will issue a credit to my account if the cruise line doesn't get the refund check here within the two-week time frame that was quoted. Or if the refund check from Margaritaville bounces, like someone else had reported recently.

Back in early December we booked a 5-day itinerary on the Islander for an October 2024 cruise. A day later I realized we had a conflict with that date, so I called and cancelled and was told that my credit card would be refunded the $100 deposit within a few days. I happened to check my credit card account this morning and saw the original charge, but no refund yet after a full 30 days. I called the cruise line and was told that they tried twice to issue the refund to my card but that it failed, and the representative that I was speaking to said there must be an issue with my card. I advised her that I have used the card multiple times since then, and that all purchases as well as merchant credits have posted to my account with no issues. She said they could issue a check for the refund, asked me for my mailing address, then verified my phone number and email address by reading it to me, and said I should have the check within two weeks. I thanked her but before hanging up I asked why, as a courtesy since they had my phone and email, that they couldn't have notified me via phone or email about the failed attempts at a refund. She said it was because they didn't have my mailing address (?), and then I asked why they would need that to call or email me. No answer for that one. On a related note, in looking through the posts on CC this morning I see that some have even had their refund check from Margaritaville bounce after they deposited it to their bank. So this is just a heads up for anyone that has had to cancel to please check your card and/or bank statements if you have requested a refund. Happy sails everyone.