Following the blizzard of reactions to the tier program compels me to raise a related question. On those cruises where liquor is included (WC,SA)is there no in suite bar set up? We are in a minority which places higher value on the in suite bar than we do on comp lounge drinks (although we favor total inclusion just to get away from signing things) While not ant-social, we are not big time loung habitues, but do enjoy a quiet drink in the room before dinner. Having to go to a lounge or order from room service or tote our own bottles on board is not acceptable.

Can someone help?

hrprof,

I have the same question and telephoned RSSC UK to find out the answer. This is most amusing as they had little or no information concerning the new benefits of the tier program. However, the girl promised to call me back about the in suite bar set up. As soon as I get a response I will post. However, it sounds as though they are making things up as they go so not sure the response will be accurate. This would be a huge mistake to take away in suite bar set up if they are not going all inclusive, IMO
Cheers, Pam

Pam

Thanks for the response. Although, our feeling is that taking away the in-suite bar would bother us even if they do go all inclusive

hrprof,

Here are the details I received from Anna at RSSC in Ft. Lauderdale...in suite bar set up remains the same. I did ask about priority reservations and she stated the same as we have read on their website. I could tell that they are receiving a large number of calls regarding the new tier benefits. She asked for the spelling of my last name so they are obviously looking at who telephoned and their RSSC status. (we have little although 3 cruises booked for 2006...aways thought cruising was too sedentary a vacation for us) I would recommend anyone that has concerns about the new program to call Ft. Lauderdale. Maybe if their phone rings off the hook they will get the picture. Also, Anna did mention that since this was a new program they are trying to work out all the details....made me laugh, they have been "working" on this program for what, 6 months???
Cheers, Pam

Pam

Thanks again for the information. Time will tell. I see that your dog and I are Burberry customers!

Ted

On the 2005 WC and segments where drinks were included they did have the in room setup as well. However, on a Diamond all inclusive cruise in 2003 they didn't. I would say that the in room setup would be there with the long cruises.

On Diamond, as Doug said, they didn't have ensuite set ups. I chose to go down to gift shop and buy a reasonable bottle of scotch. Our friends, called room service each day for their martinis as they prepared for dinner. In my opinion, easier for them to just provide a bottle, if requested, through room service than to call them consistently.

Well, it seems that my booze confusion has been cleared up with a negative outcome. In the FAQ section, it states specifically that on WC and SA, that there will not be in-suite bar set up because of liquor inclusion. Sorry guys, I'm not going to haul myself to a smoke filled lounge for a preprandial drink, nor am I going to spend time on shore excursions looking to replenish stock and take it on board. Sipping a little Wild Turkey (which RSSC has always supplied) while sitting on the balcony or struggling into my tux are some of the valued moments. This may cause us to rethink our booking on WC '07

Ted, you can still order it from room service. Or instead of wasting an excursion, you can stop at duty free on your flight to the cruise before you get on the ship.

I also think I remember that you can buy a bottle for your room from the ship's gift shop?

Karen

Thanks for trying to make me feel better about this, but we are talking about 111 days. I don't think that I have a drinking problem, but a duty free stop to properly stock the bar for four months might exhaust their inventory! Also, having to order a drink from room service upsets the sense of being "at home" in the suite with the spontaneity that goes with it. And considering what we will be paying for a GS on the WC, buying a bottle from the ship is a tad excessive.

Ted

Still trying to make you feel better here.....


Every night I order hot tea from room service and I actually got to look forward to seeing the same smiling face who brought it every night!!

Ok, I know that was lame but that was all I could come up with ;)

Well Ted, I guess the only consolation is that the in-suite setup would not have lasted for 111 days, and you would have had to buy a bottle somewhere anyways! ;)

Are the lounges really "smoke-filled"? I have not found it such so-far on Radisson. The smoking minority are usually pretty cool about smoking on deck whenever they can.

Karen

Your efforts to make me feel better, do make me feel better. That cup of tea sounds like a great idea, especially in view of the previously consumed Wild Turkey! Thank you.

Wendy

Yes, my "smoke filled" comment was a wee bit of an exaggeration to make a point.

Your comment on a bar set up raises perhaps another "booze confusion" I have assumed that WC bar setups are different from a 7 day cruise - that the bar is replenished, at minimum, with segments treated as B2Bs with bar replenished at each segment. Is this accurate?

I think if you are in the GS, you get a deluxe bar. We "H' category folks get two bottles and GS gets the whole shebang. I think you would still be entitled to that as a suite amenity.

Ted, Marcie commented on how the in-room setup was done either in her World Cruise report or in a message somewhere. I will read it again for you to see if I can find where she mentioned how it is done.

Also, Ngaire is due home soon, I know she can shed light on this subject as well.

Speculation until everything is clear is not always helpful. Even information you are getting from Omaha may not be accurate at this time.

It was either Seabourn or Silversea, cant remember at this moment that did NOT have room set ups with an all inclusive liquor policy, but with a request a bottle of whatever you wanted was provided complimentary in your cabin. The Song of Flower an all inclusvie RSSC ship also accommodated requests for any bottle you needed in your cabin.

Dont worry Ted, I dont think they are going to upset a world cruise passenger over a few bottles of Wild Turkey in the room. I am sure this will be no problem.

Ted, if you take me with you, I'll personally shop for any booze requirements you have at every port! :D

Ngaire

You tell me not to worry - worrying has stopped, end of thread. 111 days - may be more than a few bottles!

Kim

C'mon along!

You are going to have SUCH A GREAT cruise! I'm glad you've stopped worrying. I don't think you'll need my services after all.

But Kim that was nice of you to offer - Ted have a great cruise - and sip a Wild Turkey for me - Joanna ;) ;) :3smile: :p

It would be hard to imagine a bad world cruise. i've never had wild turkey, maybe I'll give it a try on our balcony!!! We usually order frangelico and vodka for the room. Order diet tonic and let the games begin.'
Cindy

I've never tried Wild Turkey either. I was thinking of giving it a try in honor of Ted.

Yep, I'm just that sorta girl!

I think it is bourbon right Ted????

Joanna and Kim

Yes, Kentucky straight Bourbon - 101 proof - a wonderful sipping elixir for kicking back on the balcony at day's end and being immersed in the murmer of the sea as it slides by.

Come to think of it, maybe I'll head for the lounge and get a super cosmopolitan and...Oh, forget it!

I'd be happy to knock back a Wild Turkey about now. Spent the last two hours making train reservations for MUSH.

Ahhh, bourbon. Introduced to me by my friend the Kentucky Dominican nun who has a taste for bourbon. I need to send her an e-mail and say hi since I got a Christmas card from her but didn't send any out myself. Actually, we have the same birthday which comes up in a couple of weeks. However, we are 13 years apart! Therefore, she'll be 60! Oh. Yes. Need to send her an e-mail...

The "super cosmopolitan" just cracks me up!

Stop bragging about your youth Kim - lucky YOU!! YOU are a kid!!! I don't drink bourbon (scotch rarely) BUT for Ted I'll sip it!!!

Oh boy, even HEARING the name "Wild Turkey" makes me quiver...and unfortunately not in a good way. You know how everyone has that story of the first time when, as a youth, you drank a leeetle too much of something and ended up praying to the Porcelain God? Well, my offerings up to that god were all Wild Turkey. I haven't even been able to smell it since.