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dontkillspikeETA 27/08/14: Several of the celebrity guests have tweeted about the event, so for anyone still worried about it being legit, that should clear things up:
https://twitter.com/guynormanbee/status/503916029140295680
https://twitter.com/AlainaHuffman/status/503921606448926720
https://twitter.com/guynormanbee/status/503944587757768704
https://twitter.com/trpcic/status/504063683933138945
SOURCE/SOURCE
https://twitter.com/guynormanbee/status/503916029140295680
https://twitter.com/AlainaHuffman/status/503921606448926720
https://twitter.com/guynormanbee/status/503944587757768704
https://twitter.com/trpcic/status/504063683933138945
Guests
Guest appearances are subject to cancellation or schedule change, due to professional commitments and personal issues. In such cases, Promotor is not responsible for reimbursement of any cost unrelated to independent meet and greets, autograph or photograph sessions purchased above and beyond the pass the ticket holder need to be part of the event.
Most Guests are available for the duration of the event, although some are only available for a portion and therefore the schedule on those days might be more strenuous than originally planned.
Panels are subject to change because of cancellations or additions to the schedule.
SOURCE/SOURCE
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no subject
Date: 12/08/2014 01:57 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 12/08/2014 02:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 12/08/2014 05:20 am (UTC)Now adding a luxurious cruise is the cherry on top of the cake... And add the Artists with that many programming options and I went straight for the saving account, lol.
Of course I have to get hubby on board, another battle to spice things up :)
no subject
Date: 12/08/2014 05:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 12/08/2014 02:48 am (UTC)Hope we will get a real mix of fans from all over the world united by their love for James and the Boys ♥
comiccruise.livejournal.com will be ready for action soon!
no subject
Date: 12/08/2014 04:46 am (UTC)Seems like it'll be great fun for James fans. :)
not sure this is legit
Date: 12/08/2014 06:32 am (UTC)Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 12/08/2014 07:11 am (UTC)That way you can both be sure James is actually attending, and be assured of the legitimacy of the event.
Either way, I'll update as and when any announcement are made. :)
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 13/08/2014 05:39 am (UTC)Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 13/08/2014 06:41 am (UTC)Although, I have to say I haven't had any issues with the website. It's been a bit slow to load, but nothing too extreme.
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 13/08/2014 07:28 am (UTC)When I asked I was told that the early bird specials will be posted soon so it costs nothing to reserve your vacation days so far :D
In any case, Royal owns the ship so they can advertise prices anyway they want for certain categories they need to feel (usually in very low amount), it doesn't mean the prices will be available for all the types or amount of staterooms needed to sustain such an event.
Still, can you actually book the cruise separately and attend the events?
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 13/08/2014 10:10 am (UTC)Yeah, that makes sense, but, like I said, it's only a slight slow-down that I've been experiencing on the site, so not much of an issue for me.
Still, can you actually book the cruise separately and attend the events?
I think you could likely book the cruise separately and have a chance of running into the guests and maybe getting to speak with them, but I very much doubt you'd be allowed to attend the events.
I daresay the whole reason the prices are higher for booking with the con is because of the events. You're paying for the privilege of meeting the guests and participating in activities not available to other people going on the cruise. Plus, the organisers themselves are likely paying for the guests to come, so it all adds ups.
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 13/08/2014 07:28 am (UTC)Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 13/08/2014 10:13 am (UTC)Better to be safe than sorry. :)
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 13/08/2014 08:55 pm (UTC)Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 14/08/2014 01:42 am (UTC)Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 14/08/2014 11:44 pm (UTC)Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 15/08/2014 12:19 am (UTC)Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 15/08/2014 01:32 am (UTC)We are including various plugins to the site (one of which connects the rooms assigned to the group with the selection made by the attendee) and because they are not originally meant to work together, it takes a bit of tweaking to see the impact on the coding.
We hope that you will actually give us a chance and look at the Event with fresh eyes when it is officially announced :)
We have all our posts ready in the social media and live journal to launch everything together, when we can be assured that all plugins work seamlessly together.
dontkillspike found us while we were testing the sizes of the banners and the type of shopping cart we could use and was gracious enough to share the info but we are not officially launching yet and would gladly then talk to all interested fans about the reason why the celebration is not aimed at replacing or competing with the conventional conventions we are all used to.
Best :)
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 15/08/2014 02:43 am (UTC)Just to clarify the reason for the pricing, we do not invite the Artist for a couple of days as customary in standard conventions where most Guests have a very full one or two days of activities planned and then are back in their regular lives, we take away two weekends (in the busy convention season as pointed out by all agents) off the market and therefore most will require to come accompanied.
Those costs (airfare, transfers between airports, hotels, cruise, fees or per diem often for more than the Guest you came to see) are effectively spread between all the tickets.
As well, we are just a group among others in a Royal Caribbean vessel and therefore held by our contractual agreement with them for the prices they agreed to charge us once we block so many rooms at once (the more you block the cheapest it becomes so the following year, we might rock it - let's keep our fingers crossed, lol).
It means that if Royal wants to complete a section on the ship for their own management ease they easily can adjust prices for a quick sell on a lot of 5 or 10 staterooms on a particular deck but certainly do not do it for 200 or 300 staterooms.
As well, with the price we have (of course a little higher than theirs, which is normal) we do get a series of fantastic advantages, on the venues, the alcohol, and so much more that yes, we are aware our prices will be a little higher but the quality of what they give us really does make up for it (you owed to see this).
However, if you want to see for example James, and the boys from Ghost of the Robot and the people that facilitate their lives and public engagement for such a long period of time, yes it will cost more than just flying James some place, alone. So the argument could be made by Promoters to not invite the band so fans will be more satisfied with the prices they get. But having seen them performed, knowing the incredible energy they can bring to a concert, having them all share the stage in these unique venues (multiple times)... it's just hard to resist the invite ♥
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 15/08/2014 02:46 am (UTC)I remember sleeping in a phone booth after a concert of Springsteen in Milton Keynes or having to reek because I was sleeping in my car at the San Diego comic con because we couldn't find a hotel at less than $ 400.00 per night, and we all have some stories like those...
Well this Event is not like that.
It certainly caters to those dreaming of real vacations, with impeccable service, no hidden cost, no surprise and real food rather than energy bars because you can't leave your line to find a correct meal or the restrooms.
It's about enjoying the Coliseum and an Acting Workshop, it's about passes that actually include photo ops (which, in all of the conventions all fifteen of us have been, we never got)and cocktail parties with an open bar... It's decadent to imagine it and all of it for prices spread in four payments or six if you use pay-pal option to help ease the cost.
Sure we cannot compare with Royal Caribbean but no, we do not double the prices of the cruise, we include the cost of the collectibles, the activities, the participation of all artists (including those that are reviewing their contracts or cannot commit until later because they do not have their filming schedule yet for their summer projects and performances but hope to come) in the passes (you probably glanced at the site when we were testing the shopping cart and we didn't bother writing what was included yet).
There are wonderful opportunities to see James if you are in the US, might even be quite easy in the UK, some may have seen him so often they do not need the extra autograph or photo, does it mean that the folks in Spain, Portugal, France or Italy cannot enjoy it?
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 15/08/2014 02:46 am (UTC)In any case, this event can only be intimate and therefore it is presented early enough to be able to save for it, if tempted. We also believe that without choices we also agree to give free rein to established companies to be a monopoly and to only provide us with a very manageable experience, so if inclined we thought we would try the road less traveled :D (yes it has its challenges and trust is definitively a factor but this is where numbers make a difference as it is quite more difficult to cancel when a lot of attendees have tickets, and also because in this case, your info do go right away to Royal Caribbean who is reserving your stateroom and do send you an email and an individual contract directly).
It won't stop the die hard fans among us to check other opportunities to meet the Artists that can bring us that little insight on their work, their upcoming projects, and what it feels like to be part of a great show. This is just one additional option, not the only one, we just will work really hard to make it count and be thankful for the support we will get along the way.
Let's wish everyone, plenty of chances to meet the Guests all over the cruise then! (and if possible with a pass... it will help with the budget to bring James and the band there, lol)
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 16/08/2014 02:30 am (UTC)Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 16/08/2014 04:07 am (UTC)I am curious in which country you are. I noticed that Royal has a different price for me in the US than my friend in France.
My price today at this site: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/booking/setDepartureInfo/checkAvailability.do
Got these prices today:
INTERIOR
$1,236.5 - $1,686.5 USD
Allure of the Seas Interior Staterooms PHOTOS
Relax in all the comfort of our interior staterooms. These nicely appointed rooms are an excellent value.
HIDE OPTIONS
Promenade Stateroom
PHOTOS
Two twin beds that convert to a Royal King, measuring 72.5 inches wide by 82 inches long and private bathroom. Bay view window overlooking Promenade. (193 sq. ft.)
OCCUPANCY: Up to 2 Guests
DECKPLAN CODES:
DECKS: 7
Per Person Price
Guests 1-2: $1,686.5
$3,373 USD
SELECT STATEROOM
Interior Stateroom
PHOTOS
Two twin beds that convert to a Royal King, measuring 72.5 inches wide by 82 inches long, private bathroom and sitting area.
(172 sq. ft.)
OCCUPANCY: Up to 2 Guests
DECKPLAN CODES:
DECKS: 8 9 10 11 12 14
Per Person Price
Guests 1-2: $1,236.5 - $1,259
$2,473 - $2,518 USD
SELECT STATEROOM
So I picked to come with family because they have a special for them on the second person, but before it was a different special on 3rd or 4th person (so it seems like the special changes:
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Stateroom Stateroom Total $2,676.66 USD
Guest 1 Guest 2
Cruise Fare: $1,649.00 $1,649.00
Taxes, fees and port expenses: $101.83 $101.83
Discount: $0.00 ($825.00)
Per Person Total: $1,750.83 $925.83
So, ultimately, if you know the second person and you book for two. The Event charge for the interior room $ 1350.00 per person for two it would be $ 2,700.00 (so only $43.44 more than the actual pricing from Royal caribbean which to me at 8:54 pm comes at $ 2,676.66)
For a difference of less than $ 45.00 why is it such a hoopla to pay if you get to participate to all the panels?
That would be being part of the group for a premium of $ 22.50 it seems more than reasonable to me (my price is from the US).
So, obviously in your country you must have awesome deals, where are you based at? can we use your state to quote the cruise? Did you get a different price last week? Because then it would mean that either we have to really rush buying them or that we will always be depending on the whims of the cruise company on the cost of the ticket and that some days it will be awesome and others not that much.
This is what the pricing says at comicconatsea
Book Your CruiseSearch this website
HomeCruiseBook Your Cruise
CruiseCruise PassesBook Your CruiseInformation
Four-person staterooms are rare and provide a much better overall pricing to families and groups, which means it is imperative for those who believe they will want a Stateroom for Four to reserve it as soon as possible.
Book Your Cruise
Interior Room Cruise Special
Two People $ 2,700.00
Do you work for a travel agency? Can you have better deals? (By then I mean more than $ 150.00 which is about what a basic 2 day tickets is in most con in the US) I want to know where the price for the cruise is double? After all I never took any VIP experience in any of the cons I go, but most of mine cost me between $ 500 and $ 700 to get reserved seats and about 8 autographs... But people do not have to pick those choices they can just enjoy the con and buy the individual things they need from the artist they want if they are on the budget and might survive with an additional $ 200-$300 cost.
I don't know but I thought they would have charged more with the types of cost it seems this event represent. I am more curious to see how many we are... I can only dream of awesome acoustic, great concerts, movies, chats for a small group of fans and it is cool in my book.
Sure, if I need to find a po box where you are to buy the ticket much cheaper I would envision it too, Just pm me, please!
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 16/08/2014 04:39 am (UTC)On the Royal Caribbean website it automatically changes the prices to your countries dollar, but with the ComicCon at Sea prices they don't specify, so you have to work out what they're worth in your country dollar. And I'm not sure what the prices are listed in. And there's a big difference between converting from USD or EURO.
If they are listed in US dollars (which I'm assuming they are), then, like you said, there's very little difference between the con prices and Royal Caribbean's.
Maybe
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 16/08/2014 05:02 am (UTC)It is not the Euro symbol on the site but will the price be converted to Pounds or Euro if you purchase from a country which uses those? Is it the Event that converts the price or is it PayPal? Could it be each participant's bank?
I think that for those that can consider saving some money and getting real vacations out of it, it's a good deal. I went to San Antonio, Texas for five day on a budget of $2,300.00 for my friend and I, just to visit. It was fabulous (really it's a beautiful town and the food was awesome) but we didn't get any classes, concerts or even panels with actual people that work on shows and movies we've seen. But I actually always wanted to visit Italy (I managed Venice once but that was just to wet my appetite) so of course I am tilting on taking those vacations because it will fulfill two passions at once for me.
I think that once we start seeing it on the guests sites then we know contracts have actually been signed and that the Hollywood managers wouldn't let something like this be organized if it was not legit.
PS: I checked the View room (the difference is between $80.00 to $96.00/room there which is still less than $50/person) and in the Balcony room (the difference is between $250 to $ 325 per person then)
What it tells me is that they managed better pricing on the Interior and View rooms than on the Balcony ones, or that they have the Superior Balcony reserved instead of the standard ones, in which case the difference drops to $170.00 for the room or $85.00 per person still very reasonable if that is the case.
The only time when the difference is quite noticeable is if you reserve a standard Balcony through the comic site versus using the royal site.
And that difference completely disappears if you pay in two times because they drop the price by $ 100.00 cash and give you $ 50.00 credit on board and a goodie bag of $200.00, in that case, you get out a really fantastic deal, it's almost a steal (maybe it is then at cruise cost and then that explains why after October 1st it has to go back to a more sustainable price to cover the cost of bringing the guests?)
It seems that the discussion is then more about the cost of the convention passes (Fantasy & VIP) maybe because the difference in these cruise prices (I used the basic cruise special as it has all the panels but nothing else to do the comparisons) is not sufficient to create an issue.
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 16/08/2014 05:50 am (UTC)PayPal will automatically convert the prices to your country dollar based on the current exchange rate. Same with banks, although banks usually charge a small fee for foreign currency conversion (I'm in Australia and often order things from the US/UK online using a debit card, or PayPal, so I'm used to all this currency conversion stuff *lol*).
And you're right about them not using the Euro symbol, which is why I assumed the prices are listed in US dollars.
(maybe it is then at cruise cost and then that explains why after October 1st it has to go back to a more sustainable price to cover the cost of bringing the guests?)
That was my thinking as well.
It seems that the discussion is then more about the cost of the convention passes (Fantasy & VIP) maybe because the difference in these cruise prices (I used the basic cruise special as it has all the panels but nothing else to do the comparisons) is not sufficient to create an issue.
I agree, and think it's completely fair that those getting more from the con passes (VIP, etc) will be paying quite a bit more. In that, it's definitely no different to any other con's way of pricing things.
All in all, I've not seen any outrageous pricing at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. I think the event is well worth the prices they're asking, especially considering all the things you're getting for that price, over and above the cruise itself.
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 16/08/2014 05:58 am (UTC)I agree... I like the fact I can pay the deposit and have 30 days to decide if I take advantage of all the goodies for the payment in one go or take advantage of the lower monthly payments that make much less of a dent in the budget... Too many choices (not counting picking which workshop or autograph or photo to select, argh)!!!
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 16/08/2014 06:31 am (UTC)Hope that helps. :)
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 16/08/2014 09:59 am (UTC)ccadmin you are trying to justify the unjustifiable you wont even say who you are very unprofessional and implies a financial con no pun intended if the website aint ready to publicise it then dont as a business person myself I wouldnt dream of even suggesting what you are good luck
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 16/08/2014 10:21 am (UTC)That $6070 balcony room for 2 people is actually the VIP Special; the Cruise Special (which is the cheapest balcony room option) is $4300, which would be the comparable option.
And the reason the VIP Special is so much more expensive, is because of how much more you're actually getting for the price:
VIP Special
[ All Meals, Drinks, and Snacks
All Activities
All Cruise Shows
Port Fees
Taxes
Gratuities
All Festival Panels ]
All Concerts Including the Jam Session
Two Cocktail Parties
All Movies and Documentary Screenings
Four Workshops of Your Choice
Eight Autographs
Two Individual Photo Ops
One Group Photo Op
One Band Photo Op
Reserved Priority Seats and Access for All the Events
One Group Meet & Greet
Special Collectible Package
The part I put in brackets are what you get for the Cruise Special price, so there is actually a significant amount more that you're getting for the VIP price.
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 16/08/2014 04:17 pm (UTC)They all have a contact us section and managed really nice conventions.
Except a well established outfit like creation entertainment that has to have a level of visibility because they work with studios in a licensed capacity tells you anything of substance.
We know who created them in 1971, do you who is behind it now?
I am certain you can get more if you were simply emailing them and asking about it, and leaving them time to respond it could be easier for them to do than drop everything to monitor this particular conversation.
I really don't care about the name of all of them and their history, what I want on my bill is a business address, a license number and a mean to contact them. Which in some of the cons including those in Germany or elsewhere in Europe you don't always get and yet they are successful.
Heck I do not even see on any of the eight conventions sites I have open a license number anywhere on their pages, it could be too much to ask...
If you do not feel like buying from people you do not know, it is your choice but why ask them for their first born if in any case you do not plan on buying?
There will always be people waiting for a round two (and maybe, if there are enough people, the round two will happen, if there aren't enough it may not) just to be sure it went well.
If it went well but the attendance was too poor there will not be a round two and I would have been glad to be there!
And I am a softie for Tahmoh and love Drew in Falling Skies, and I'll be fine meeting in real life Mr. Ianto Jones (lol) and see Ghost and Steve for the first time, by all accounts these know how to rock a room in all the conventions they've been and have missed them enough already!!!!
They may not be your cup of tea but I do not know of another convention where I could even sign up for a meet with any of them.
I don't mind taking the risk and reporting to a fan site how it went though. Don't kill Spike would you be interested?
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 17/08/2014 12:19 am (UTC)Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 27/08/2014 04:27 am (UTC)https://twitter.com/guynormanbee/status/503916029140295680
https://twitter.com/AlainaHuffman/status/503921606448926720
https://twitter.com/guynormanbee/status/503944587757768704
https://twitter.com/trpcic/status/504063683933138945
Re: not sure this is legit
Date: 27/08/2014 10:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 16/08/2014 08:26 pm (UTC)Sorry I am a little late to the party busy helping with the translation of the site...
Yes, everyone is welcome to email us with their questions. We haven't received any email yet but we promise that one of us will gladly answer :)
I quickly saw a question about currency so yes, the price is in US Dollars, the ship takes US Dollars, it provides two ATM's to dispense money in Euros and Dollars we believe and all the shore excursions will be in Euros.
I might be missing some more questions, but I promise I will come back by Monday evening.
Cheers!
no subject
Date: 17/08/2014 12:22 am (UTC)Several Celebs Confirm via Twitter
Date: 27/08/2014 04:28 am (UTC)https://twitter.com/guynormanbee/status/503916029140295680
https://twitter.com/AlainaHuffman/status/503921606448926720
https://twitter.com/guynormanbee/status/503944587757768704
https://twitter.com/trpcic/status/504063683933138945
James Makes it Official
Date: 27/08/2014 10:01 pm (UTC)Re: James Makes it Official
Date: 29/08/2014 05:39 am (UTC)