JL&JW

I have to admit, since we board the Quantum this Sunday, I would've followed your review no matter what. But - I have to give you both a huge round of thanks, kudos and regrets that you sailed this week and not next week.

Not only did you answer my random question about the wine dispensers in Vintages, this has also been the most enjoyable review/report I've ever read on this site (the photo of Einstein still has me laughing). I just wish we were on the same sailing, because you two seem like the exact kind of people we like to meet on cruises. You're doing pretty much the exact same things I imagine we'll be doing next week on our cruise, so thank you so much - you're paving the way for us to have an awesome time on Quantum next week.

Now, go enjoy the rest of your cruise!

-Josh

In fact, no, the drink packages can not be used for the automated wine dispensers, according to the Vintages staff. But the staff can serve you any wines in them with the package. I've actually been meaning to point that out. Speaking of Vintages, we've really enjoyed the wines and the atmosphere there. It's the perfect place for a pre-dinner wine. If you don't feel like sitting at the bar, table or couch in there, you can take it across the hall to one of the many comfy chairs and couches. Or take it for a walk to your next destination.

That's a weird rule. Good to know you can still get those wines, though, you just have to ask. Really excited to hear about Vintages - we absolutely loved it on the Allure last year. Great atmosphere, and it seemed like the staff really enjoyed working there, they were some of the friendliest crew members on board.

Thanks for letting me know!

Next time you're at Vintages, will you check and see if your drink package can be used on the automated wine dispensers, the ones that let you select different sized pours from the various bottles? We're sailing on Quantum next week and it looks like some of my favorite wines aren't available by the glass in Vintages this time, so I'm hoping I can use the machines instead.

Thanks!

I have had the same luck as you. Was told in the e-mail that if I get ANY Crown and Anchor benefits (I am D+), then the MLife benefits (I am platinum) won't apply. I would just take a copy of your e-mail and show the RCCL persons that you are allowed to use the lounge.

Yeah, I'm going to try waving the email around and see if that gets us anywhere. I'll post here after the cruise if I can remember to let y'all know how it goes.

As far as the conflicting/overriding benefits - we're "only" Gold in both MLife and C&A, but will be Platinum in C&A later this year. One of the people in the call center that answers for the casino (I've so far found 3 different numbers for 3 different parts of the RCCL casino team it seems) was really, really confused and originally said:

If you receive ANY RCCL discounts (i.e., C&A status-based, residency discount, onboard credit, etc.) you receive NO MLife benefits (i.e., complimentary specialty dinner, seapass cash advance fee waived, drink vouchers, etc).

Then she talked to a supervisor, came back and said:

If you receive ANY RCCL discounts, you receive no MLife discounts (i.e., I've occasionally seen special offers from Mlife for an on-board credit due to MLife status), but DO receive MLife benefits.

When we referenced the terms that RCCL has posted online (http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithGallery.do?pagename=mgm_partnership) she went back to talk to a supervisor, came back and said that for future cruises, we should just call them (RCCL casino department) before booking and book via them. Supposedly they will review our account and determine if the RCCL/C&A discounts are better than any available MLife discounts and then set it up so that we get the best discount AND the MLife benefits.

She specifically mentioned that she noticed our currently booked cruises will quality us for C&A Platinum, and that's when there will be weird issues because of the balcony discounts. Her final answer was that we would be able to get the MLife benefits and the C&A Platinum balcony discount, but that we would NOT be able to get an MLife discount, Mlife benefits and the C&A Platinum balcony discount.

I don't think it helps that it looks like they're changing the benefits and the way the program works every 6 months or so - i.e., when we sailed last summer, earning M life tier credits for Casino Royale play wasn't possible, but it is possible now, but apparently only for sailings through the end of this year.

We're thinking about aiming for Mlife platinum in 2015 - have you seen much value in your platinum status with them outside of the RCCL benefits?

(...)

 

When you get to the pier you will see a

sign that either says Gold or Crown and Anchor, go to that area, that is

priority check in. You do have departure lounge access but it is for you

and one guest only. Your welcome amenity will be in your room when it

ready.

 

If we can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

 

Regards,

 

Donna Kurz

Club Royale, Casino Operations

Royal Caribbean International

Azamara Club Cruises

(P) 888.561.2234

(F) 305.358.9295

We're Mlife Gold and have always called and linked our Mlife account to our cruise in advance.

I'm wondering if anyone has had any luck with the amenities listed above? We are 0 for 2 on the departure lounge.

The only way we managed to get priority check in on our last cruise was by just ignoring and walking past the people that were checking cards - they started arguing with us. At check in, they were completely clueless about what Mlife was, about our access to the departure lounge, etc.

I'm curious because our next cruise is coming up fast, and due to a flight change, we're going to be at the dock well before they start letting anyone on the ship, so I'd like to be able to use the lounge. Any tips on how to make sure we're able to?

Also, what sort of welcome amenity do other Golds usually get? We have had the letter in our cabin directing us to check in with a casino host as an Mlife member on both of our previous cruises, but we never received any sort of welcome amenity.

After both cruises I contacted both Mlife and RCCL about not receiving most of the benefits, and didn't even get an apology, much less any information on how to make sure we get the advertised benefits the next time around, so I'm hoping a fellow cruiser might have some advice?

Thanks!