Cruising, In’s & Out’s ..Getting those free Cruises

Dear Friends,

Our favorite way to travel is cruising. We are loyal to Royal Caribbean. They have been very generous with us by awarding us free cruises (well almost free), free alcohol, photos and gifts. Consequently, we feel they deserve our business. First question I always get is “How do your get free cruises?” First, they are not totally free. You always must pay port fees and taxes. Generally, that is between $300-$450, for a balcony 7 day cruise. So how to get a free cruise? Basically there are two ways. Either as a frequent cruiser, more points (days you cruise) the higher the level you get, the more benefits. However, this takes a lot of cruising, money and time. The other way is through the casino. PLEASE UNDERSTAND: Royal is gradually changing the point system, so check with the casino, and look at the point chart to see how many points you need to get free cruises. Royal Caribbean casino has the Club Royale. It is a point system for free cruises. If you accumulate 2000 points on a single cruise, you receive an offer for a free interior state room on select cruises. 4000 points gives you a free balcony. The more points, the higher the stateroom offer. I recommend that first time cruisers just try to get to the 2000 points. Depending on when you acquire the points, as to when you get the offer. Sometimes I have gotten 2000 points of the first night and had the offer in my state room on the third night of the cruise. Most of the time, you get it in email or mail. Once you start to receive offers, they will continue to come in. The object is to start getting offers. How to get points? The fastest way to get points is through the slot machines. Every passenger gets some free play on the ship (usually $5-$15). Go into the casino with your room key, that is your players club card. I recommend that only one person in your stateroom works toward the 2000 points. (Unless you do not plan on traveling together on next cruise). If you both want to gamble toward a common goal, ask the host for a companion card, then you can have 2 people working toward the 2000 points. You will either insert or tap your players card green, depending on the ship. Then, the first time you log in, your log in code is you birth month and date: example- Jan. 10 is 0110. Then it will prompt you to create your own code. This will be your code for the rest of the cruise. DON’T FORGET your 4 digit code. It will prompt you to use your free play. You will accumulate points as you play. Table games gives you points, but they do not accumulate as quickly as slots. The object is to get to Prime status, which is the first level of “high roller status. There are several levels of “high roller status” with various benefits. On Royal, Prime… then Signature.. then Masters. Acquiring Prime, immediately gives you unlimited alcohol in the casino (one drink at a time), one free 7 day cruise anywhere in the world and other cruise offers. Signature gives you free internet, plus Prime benefits… Masters additional benefits. Each cruise line has different programs they offer. Often I am asked, how much money do you have to loose to get free cruises? I depends on how lucky you are. The most I’ve personally helped anyone become PRIME status I have lost is $1800, the least, $600. But again, if you get lucky, you can recycle your winnings, until you reach Prime. The points save virtually, and can be used for free play and they are saved from one cruise to the next within the same year from April 1 to April 1. The way I look at it, it is investing… even if you lose $2000, your next two cruises are free…. then it is a win win! It only is beneficial if you can cruise a couple times per year. Good luck!

Then, I reactivate my account and put the money back in. Do it over and over again. I am not playing to win necessarily, (But if I do, hoorah! ), but to get points, to get free cruises. The Prime status lasts from the remaining of the current year until April of the following year, so if you get it in say March of ’23, you are good until April of ’24.

So what machine to play to increase your likelihood of winning? My husband was a manager in a casino. Casinos have loose and tight machines. Loose machines pay out consistently to a higher percentage. Tight machines pay out less over time. So you need to try to find the loose machines. Where are they? ALWAYS in high traffic areas. Near entrances, exit, food, bar, table games, the Cage and ATM machines. Why? They want people to hear the bells and whistles going off. Encourage you to play. Another note, they never put to loose machines next to one another. Why? Because they expect you and your partners, friend… will want to sit next to each other. One will likely win, one will likely loose. So, if you see a person winning consistently, don’t sit right next to them and play. Skip a seat. When in depict, ask nicely. Ask the dealers, if they are not busy. Ask the servers (tip first, it goes a long ways. Good luck and remember, you are trying to get points to get a cruise, not to win. Another observation, it SEEMS that there are more jackpots hit on the cruise ships on the first and last night of the cruise, than during the week. Just an observation. OK here is a question I ALWAYS get, do you ever win. The answer is yes. I is yes. The most I ever won on a ship on a slot machine on a $2.64 bet was $18,464 … that was a good day… lol. The best!!! Quit, when you reach your goal. That is Eugene’s advice, unfortunately, I don’t always listen. That is why he wins and I loose. Good luck.

Sincerely, Jamie & Eugene

First Time Cruisers:

Dear Friends,

,Going on a cruise the first time can be a little intimidating. I am here to help. By the time you finish the second cruise, you will be fearless. Please remember, I am speaking from aboard the Royal Caribbean ships, I only know from my perspective. If anyone out there who sails other cruise lines, please post differences and similarities. Help out your fellow readers. We are all on this boat together, sink or swim. That is not literal. I have never feared sinking and I do not swim very well. I believe the ships staff is well trained and the equipment is dependable in case of an emergency. We have been on 30 plus cruises, so we have some knowledge. I will divide issues up in paragraphs to make it easier to understand. The hope is to take some of the anxiety out of cruising. You are on vacation to relax and to have fun, not to stress!

Thinking of you, Jamie & Eugene

Booking your cruise:

Dear Friends, This letter is to help you save money, if you are paying for your cruise (not a comped one), hopefully you will be getting free cruises soon. Here are some ways to save money. Once you book your cruise, CALL ROYAL CARIBBEAN EVERY WEEK! If there are any discounts during that week or bonuses, they will adjust your bill. Make sure you have your booking number, sail date and ship right there. Do not pay your cruise off, until the last week it is due. It is easier to discount than to refund. Also know your balance before you call. Then while RC is still on the phone, make sure you calculate your discount. I saved over $2000 on a cruise we paid for, by doing this. For example, one of our upcoming cruises is the transatlantic on the Jewell of the Seas. It is a 14 day cruise that takes us from Miami, Florida and finally ending in Amsterdam, Netherlands. That cruise originally priced about $7000 for a balcony. After discounts for senior citizen, Florida resident, booking through Next Cruise, $2000 discount through casino rewards, and frequent calling my new price…. drum roll please was $1200. I still have 2 weeks. I will call as soon as we are off this ship. Hopefully, any discounts will give me on board credit. My advice to you, book directly from Royal Caribbean (unless you get a super duper deal from a travel agent). The CALL CALL CALL!

Here is wishing you safe travels, Jamie & Eugene

Discounts before you board:

Dear Friends,

Ok, you have your cruise booked. It is time to look at port of call destinations. Look to see what your cruise line offers. Then decide what you want to do. Most of the time, I do not book Royal excursions. Primarily because we are bigger people and we do not fit comfortably on a bus seat together. Secondly, we like our freedom. Under sections of port of calls we have visited, I will share where we went and how it worked out. After you find what you want to do. Do some research. Go through trip adviser, Google, cruise critic, whatever you find and see what kind of deals you can come up with that is independent of the cruise lines. Often we have gotten personal attention for a fraction of the cost. If you post where you are going, I will tell you what we did and perhaps others can share and be helpful. That is what friends do right? Another way to get discount on excursions is through Royal Caribbean offers that you receive in your email, prior to the cruise. These are limited time only, so don’t delay if there is something you want to do. Book early, they often fill up. You will also get discounts on drink packages, internet etc. Make sure you plan before you go. If this is a family vacation, put your kids to work doing the research. This is important prior to booking if you plan to purchase the drink package. If you are booking multiple rooms (two couples) and one of you drinks and the other does not then virtually put the two that drinks alcohol in one room. Generally, both people must get the drink package. This way, you can save money. Just switch room keys, then you are good. When there is four of us, we often share. (Don’t tell anyone). Because of our status on the ship, we get free drinks anyway, so no need to purchase the packages. Remember, your room key is your charge card. If you loose it, go to guest relations ASAP.

A toast to you! Jamie & Eugene

 

Connecting with your cruise:

Dear Friends,

Before the day of your cruise, make sure you download the app and enter in all your information, it is pretty self explanatory. This will keep you from waiting in lines to do so. Make sure everything is correct, if not, call Royal Caribbean, fix it before you board. It is easier. Also, watch your “muster video” so you do not have to do it on the ship. You will have your boarding passes on your phone. If you have the app, once on board, you can go to the ACCOUNT page and check your bill. If you find a difference in what you think it should be and what it says, don’t freak out, just go to customer services, they will address your concerns, Remember, they want to keep you happy. Make sure you return your towels and make sure they check them back in. Otherwise, $$ will be charged. It will just take a phone call to get it taken off, but why stress? Check towels in and out with your room key. Don’t forget, your room key is your boarding pass, credit card and id. Try not to lose it, If it gets deactivated, just go to guest relations for a new one.

Good Luck, Jamie & Eugene

Boarding Day:

Dear Friends,

This is MY experiences with boarding, with the 30 plus cruises we have been on. It may vary with other cruise ports. You will be given a boarding time. Though they like you to keep this time, it is flexible (we have boarded late and early without issue). You can drop your luggage with the porters. If you did not print your luggage tags, no worries, just now your room number and they will write it by hand. There is no need to lug your luggage around. It will be in front of your room by late afternoon. However, if you want your swim suits, need medication or other objects, make sure you keep it in your bag you are carrying on the ship. DONT forget to bring your sunglasses. You will basically wait in line (usually not too long) 3 times. Once in the port.. Then you enter the terminal where you will be checked in. If you did everything on the app, it will go quickly. If you did not, no worries, there are people to help you. once check in you will head toward the ship. Once again, they will ask your for boarding pass. You will be scanned in. Then on the ship you go. You need go straight to your assigned muster station and check in. They will scan your boarding pass which will show you watched the muster video and checked in. REMEMBER all members of your party must be present for this. Children will be given wrist bands, to make sure you don’t try to give your children to other people. Just kidding. You can register the children for the kids club. Totally up to you. I have heard good things about it, but no personal experience. Sorry. What to do after you board and complete your muster check in? Eat if you are hungry. The buffet is usually open and ready for you to chow down. While you are eating, you may want to look at your app and book your shows. They often fill up or have only one viewing. Its easy to book, if you are using the app. If you want to purchase speciality dining, you should do so early. Personally, we have not purchased speciality dining, because the food in the main dining room is so wonderful. However, my son Justin and his wife Natallie ate at Wonderland and said it was well worth the money. It was an experience. We may have to try it someday. He has a better income than we do, he can afford it. Especially, since they didn’t have to pay for the cruise. After lunch, explore the ship. Find out what you want to do and plan for it. There are so many things to do. It just takes time to look. I will write about ports of call and food on a later date. So off you go! Hope you have the time of your life.

Jamie & Eugene

Sincerely, Jamie and Eugene

TIPS ON TIPPING

Dear Friends,

To me, this is a very important letter. Can you imagine being away from your family for 6 to 8 months at a time? This would be especially difficult for those, who have children at home. Once you board the ship you will recognize that most of your serving staff, your room attendants, and your bartenders are all from other countries. These staff work diligently to meet the passengers every need. They do not get the luxury of enjoying the same food, as a passenger do or living in the same type of quarters, as we do. There are often four or more people to a room. Since Covid, many of them have not been able to get off the ship. They work extremely long hours (12-16 days). It is not unusual to see your server, at the end of a cruise pushing someone out in a wheelchair. They are working while we are sleeping and while we are having a good time. Do you ever wonder why every single closed circuit cruise leaving United States, stop in a Foreign port? It is to avoid paying minimum wage.

As you may or may not know, most cruises have a set amount based on your state room that is dedicated for tipping. On Royal Caribbean charges each guest approximately, $14.50 per day, for tip. I have heard people say that they asked for the tip to be removed from their bill. This $14.50 is divided between every single bartender, waitstaff,- or room attendant on the ship. When you figure it out it’s really not very much money at all because some of the state rooms may be empty I have overheard people complaining about the gratuity. That really frustrates me. Because he here we are with people leaving their families, working 12 -14-16 hrs. a day, to meet our every need. And people are complaining about $17 per day? The crew does not live the luxurious life that we do when we’re cruising. I hope that you think about this when you were tipping the staff on the cruise ship. We are not wealthy, by any means. But, we ALWAYS pay the preset gratuity and we give extra to our state room attendant, bartenders, and the wait staff. The amount we give is based on the level of service. Our mindset,  if service is good, we leave an extra five dollars per person per day. If it is exemplary, we leave an additional $10 per person per day. At the end of the cruise, you will be left an envelope to leave additional gratuity, for any particular staff. We always tip extra, unless the service is substandard. Which it has never been on Royal Caribbean, Why? Karma! We are blessed enough to get to enjoy a luxurious vacation, why not pay it forward??  “Do unto others, as you would have others do to you.”

Hope this finds you blessed and happy,

Jamie & Eugene