I have two areas in which I am somewhat confused about what has been announced concerning future Radisson policy and benefits.

First, I did receive my SSS letter, noted that I was a Gold member, and noted that one of my benefits would be two hours of free phone calls from the phone in my suite (or at least that's how I read it). On the PG, for example, the phone cost is somethiing like $15 per minute. So $120 minutes would be "worth" $1800, when priced out at the current rate. Am I misreading something about this benefit?

Second and finally, I noted that Platinum members received "complimentary alcohol". I presumed that meant open bar for them, as all of us already get the room bottles, and drinks ith dinner. Now I read on the thread concerning Mark Conroy's discussion on the PG that ALL guests will have open bar next year. Unless I misunderstand this benefit, isn't it rendered of no value if the ships become open bar?

Thanks,
Richard

Richard, have you read this message yet? We have discussed your questions there and the verdict is, we don't know. :)

Karen:

You have referred me to the LONG thread concerning who has received their SSS letters. I can't guarantee that I've read every post there, but I have followed the thread. What a hoot! :D For some odd reason, Carol and I received our SSS letters some time ago, and all the info thereon was actually correct! But not necesarily understandable, given the extreme potential value of the phone benefit, to somebody like me with ill and elderly relatives at home. Can that be "for real?" I didn't see a post on that thread addressing this. Also, I didn't see a post on that thread addressing the Platinum members' "complimentary alcohol" benefit in light of apparent plans to take the ships "open bar" in '07. What a mess.

Thanks,
Richard

Richard, I may have steered you towards the wrong thread, I think it was this one. The only way to get real answers would be to wait and see or call your travel agent or Radisson and ask.

Richard, I had another thought :) Since our cell phones will work on the ship soon, I think your $1800 value for the free phone time might be a little inflated. It appears that the ships will be upgrading to a more modern communications system.

Here is a message posted by Greg taken from this post.


"Radisson Seven Seas Cruises is ushering in the New Year with an expanded, upgraded roster of high-tech options now available for guests throughout its luxury fleet. The Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Navigator and the Paul Gauguin now boast upgraded Internet access, digital satellite feed TV, Wi-Fi hotspots, shipboard cell phone service, and additional online capabilities. The upgraded Internet bandwidth providing faster connection times at the cost of 35 cents per minute (or only 25 cents per minute for guests who opt to purchase a package of 100 minutes for $25). Wi-Fi hotspots discreetly located in select public areas will provide wireless Internet access on guests' laptops. The new digital satellite feed allows more television programming aboard, so guests will have the choice of Fox News to supplement CNN in their suites. Also, passengers may now use their own cell phones from any Radisson Seven Seas vessel anywhere in the world. Guests who use their cell phones at sea should expect rates roughly equivalent to Caribbean roaming charges -- even in Europe, Asia or the South Pacific -- with billing via their existing cell phone service provider. Guests are advised to check with their cell phone providers to verify rates and to make sure that their plans offer international roaming. This service is not available when ships are in port or for guests of the Paul Gauguin in French Polynesia. In addition, the line now offers online capabilities for passengers with deposited reservations, including the opportunity to make pre-reservations at a specialty restaurant or appointments at the shipboard Carita spa. Another new online feature to be added in the near future: guests in upper-level suites will be able to pre-register special requests directly with their butler."

The good news Richard is that I try to stay so I don't have to get ;) .

Greg

Richard - I don't specifically know the answer to your question. Based on the letter, I interpret it to mean up to 120 minutes of in-cabin phone service to the gold members. I agree it's a terrific value as we also have elderly relatives to keep tabs on during our trips away from home. Otherwise, I would be using that service very sparingly indeed.

As to the complimentary alcohol for platinum members, I view it as a benefit to them as soon as the tier benefits begin in April 2006. RSSC's intent (per Cindy and David's recap of Mark Conroy's comments) is to go all-inclusive; but one doesn't know when in 2007 that will happen. Until then, it's a benefit. I'll assume they will tweak their tier program as they see fit between now & then.

Now onto the cell phone service. Let me share our recent experience on the Panama Canal itinerary re: the satellite hookup for cellphones while onboard. Gary's got the international roaming service included on his T-Mobile plan. On PARTY, we needed to use the cell phone as Gary's mom was having a health meltdown during that trip. The press release is correct that we were billed directly by T-Mobile for use of our cell phone while onboard. The T-mobile bill showed we had connected with Cingular Cellular. T-Mobile evidently does not have a reciprocal roaming arrangement with Cingular. I have not called T=Mobile to verify this assumption as I'm still up to my eyeballs in helping Gary's mom. Cost was $5+ per minute + roaming charges. Total cost for 52 minutes of total talk time over ten days was over $300 over and above our monthly billing plan. The signal, just like the internet service on the computers, was intermittent. I found (but can't remember where) that if we'd been on Cingular the cost would have been $1 or $1.50 per minute without the roaming charge. Big difference.

My conclusion was this service is a good alternative to the $15/minute ship-to-shore option, but you can't count on it for seamless service. It also will vary depending on the carrier when you place the call. It also told me to use the service outside of the satellite hookup while in port; those charges are far less. Better than not having it, but for us a whole lot more expensive than a phone card on land.

Hope that helps. Good to hear from you again, Richard! Please give our best to Carol. Cheers, Anne

My husband and I are both gold tier and am I correct in assuming that we only get two hours of phone time, not 4? Hardly seems fair. Marilyn

Marilyn, website says per suite. Since I will probably not avail myself of this benefit, I guess it is not an issue to me personally, but I understand your perspective.

Has anyone inquired as to whether there will be advance notice of what are the Gold and Platinum ship or onshore events for a particular cruise? Would help in planning to know this, particularly if it is a daytime excursion.

Marilyn, I do believe gold tier is 2 hours per suite. Mom, sis and I are all gold tier and we always room together. I agree, it doesn't seem fair.

I agree, Olivia. I would like to know the gold activity. We usually have a Virtuoso excursion and would hate for both to be at the same port.

Beth, I was just thinking the same thing about Virtuoso! That does require advance planning on the part of RSSC to coordinate.

This is not exactly true at all. We just got back from the Navigator and I was not able to get any cell reception at all. I use Verizon.

Arlene, not even in San Juan? I have Verizon too and last time we were in San Juan, I called home and it was clear as a bell!

On both my cruise that started/ended in San Juan, we had a very clear signal a couple of years ago. I am on Verizon as well.

A question about phones in San Juan. Are US 800 numbers still toll free from San Juan?

thanks,

Don't know about 800 numbers, but probably yes, as I was never charged extra even for non-800 calls. Verizon, that is. Editing to say we did have to get off the ship to get the signal. It was spotty.

I was thinking of using computer in hotel room connected to 800 number at work. Since 800 numbers weren't always free from AK and HI, I am wondering about PR.

Richard, As a platinum member and throw a party in our suite, does this mean that all of my guests get drinks, and all that I do is sign the free check ?

Not quite.

San Juan is part of our extended network so yes I was able to call from San Juan, but that was the end of our cruise. The only other place I was able to get a signal was in St. Thomas...again part of the US territories. That was considered a roaming charge.

The point is pretty much moot since it has been reported that Mark Conroy has said that the line is going all inclusive in 2007.