Things in the Sky

I know I don’t usually post on weekends, but I want to try and finish up this trip report.

One reason (of many) that I was excited for this cruise was that it would be my first as a platinum member, as it would add a few new perks for me. I believe it qualifies for priority check-in, but I got that because I was in a suite anyway. It also provides robes, but this is, once again, also a junior suite perk.

The first benefit is the coupon book for each member, but I was kind of disappointed, as they didn’t seem that much better than theose I had received as a gold member. I was also disappointed to see that the coupon for a free meal at Johnny Rockets (there’s usually a small cover charge that is a bit annoying, but does do a great job of controlling crowds) had been replaced for a 2 for 1 milkshake coupon. The only coupons I used were 10% off a logo item and $7.50 of free internet service (which isn’t too much at $0.55/minute).

On Sunday, we received an invitation for the Welcome Back Party for all members on Monday evening, which went pretty well.

There was a nice selection of appetizers, and the band was pretty good. My parents and I found a couple from our CruiseCritic group and sat with him. Unlike last time on the Liberty, the captain actually came and spoke for a bit. Finally, one of the loyalty ambassadors spoke to us as well. She gave a brief overview of the upcoming Oasis of the Seas, and then pitched the Royal Caribbean Visa card.

On Wednesday, another reception on Thursday night, though this was only for members who were platinum and above.

On Wednesday evening, the free gifts were distributed, and this time it was tote bags.

Anyway, Thursday was the other reception, which wasn’t a whole lot different than the other one. Once again, we sat with CruiseCritic friends.

Mmmm.

One of the loyalty ambassadors and the cruise director recognized a few of the most seasoned cruisers onboard, especially one who has cruised with Royal nearly 200 times, and has been on over half of the Liberty’s sailings (the ship is a little over two years old).

Cruise director with the most frequent cruiser onboard.

There were a few competing theories about how this guy is able to cruise so much, but the most plausible one that I’ve heard is that he owns a chain of dive shops in the Caribbean, and cruising is an easy way to go visit them.

Another perk was the private departure lounge on the last day, which was very nice. Unfortunately, the invitation that we received was just confusing.

The first confusing part of the letter was that we had access to “priority departure,” which would allows us to get off right after those who selected express departure (passengers who are the first off and carry all their luggage with them). But this doesn’t make sense, because who would want to get off right after them? Everyone’s luggage is given a colored tag that is delivered at an assigned time, and the letter didn’t mention any special marking for “priority.” So, all this perk would do is give one more time to wait for his or her luggage in the terminal, apparently, which is, well, kind of pointless.

Then the letter says that we should just go to one of the regular lounges if we don’t want to take advantage of the benefit. Which benefit are we talking about here? The lounge or departure? Confusing. Also, why the heck does the lounge have to close early at 8? They did kick people out at that time (luckily, my color was just called), but it’s not like there was another event coming. Whatever. At least there was food in there, which I don’t think the regular lounges have.