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Wyndham timeshare points for cruise?

By Euby , March 12, 2015 in Norwegian Cruise Line

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Has anyone ever used Wyndham timeshare points to book an NCL cruise? How good is the selection?

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I am a Diamond Resorts Int. member and we can also use our points for a cruise on NCL. I have not done it because it takes a ridiculous number of my points to book a cabin and I'd rather use my points for land vacations. I have heard of others making the exchange, though. If you have a lot of points to use, it may be a worthwhile booking. However, people often complain that the selection is very limited. In addition, at least with my TS, the cost of making a cruise selection with my points, plus considering my MF of $2000 plus is much higher than if I simply book a cruise on my own. If you are a member of Interval International, you can also make a cruise exchange through them. II also offers cruise exchanges to other cruise lines. II has a great community forum. There is a section on it devoted just for cruises. So you can get more information there.

I used a weeks worth of RCI points in 2010 which did not pay for the whole cruise. At that time it only took about $300 off. Plus, by the time we sailed the cruise price had dropped but I could not take advantage of that...

I know that wasn't Wyndham but in my experience the timeshare cost vs. benefit for a cruise was not there...

Hi, I have not because my particular timeshare has never receive equivalent cruise trade value (weeks) when compare to the anual maint fees. Others could be different.

Take a Look at the trade cruise fare plus any discount for that trade, then look at fees to swap the time share for a cruise. Keep in mind the annual time share maint fee paid. This is the cost of the cruise plus taxes.

Compare those costs with a different TA. Most base cruise fares are the same... The discount and/or On Board Credit is what can make the difference. For my timeshare (annual maint fee less cruise trade costs) never receives the value to make it worth trading for a cruise! I hope this helps,

R<3M2012

I also second

aquarianne11

We are Wyndham timeshare members and we used our Wyndham timeshare points to book our first cruise.

Looking back, I feel that we did not get a fair deal. It took a ridiculous number of my points to book an inside cabin! We also paid a lot of fees in addition to the regular taxes and fees that you normally pay when you book with the cruise line.

But it was our first cruise and we had a lot of points that we won't be using that year. Definitely worth checking it out if you have a lot of extra points to use and you don't want to deposit to RCI.

Thanks for all of the responses. I am a co-owner with my parents and they have more points than they can use due to declining health. So the cost difference is not a consideration for me (at least for now).

I was really hoping to get some input on the process and how much of a choice do you have in regards to cabin selection and cruises.

We did an exchange through Interval. We are an owner with Starwood. We've done other II exchanges over the years, but never for a cruise. I couldn't find any exchanges I liked better and we didn't want to stay on our own system since we had an extra week. Interval doesn't give a great exchange on cruises, but I figure I almost covered my maintenance fees with the discount. There were no restrictions on cabin type, although there seemed to be some sailings that weren't available. Generally though, there were plenty of sailing options and no cabin restrictions. We also got the same Freestyle Choice premiums when we booked. Interval is basically a travel agent, so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

California Traveler

We used two weeks of our Marriot Vacation Club dues for our May 2 week Mediterranean and Greece cruise.

Originally we were able to book a 21 day Med-ocean view cabin on the Jade, but NCL cancelled that cruise, we didn't want to travel any earlier than April. So we took the 14day ocean view cabin and upgraded to a mini suite.

There are a lot of cruises available with Marriott thru (My Vacation Center) with all cruise lines. We find if we book early - 1 1/2 years out the prices are decent and more selection.

It works out well for us because we didn't want to use our Marriots this year.

• 1 year later...

I searched Wyndham on here due to the fact we are Wyndham owners who like to cruise, and Wydham recently reached an agreement with NCL (no other cruise lines) that seems to have more reasonable rates.

So, anyone booked since this new deal went through?

PS:I Italy agree the previous rates were worthless, but maybe this direct deal will be better.

Amishcountry

We just booked our second cruise using Marriott Vacation Club points. 11 day Alaska Cruise Tour we traded 3 weeks , and will probably not do it again, as it barely covered 1/2 the cost !! We did book with Celebrity, a veranda room. Got none of the perks that were offered, and no OBC . So excited to return to Alaska, but not a great deal as a Marriott Vacation Club owner. Uses way too many points!!!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums mobile app

Wyndham has one offer for a four day cruise on NCL, balcony for 2 people. the point totals are about equal to what it would cost to book a nice resort in-season.

To me, that's reasonable. when you consider the cruise will include food & entertainment, as opposed to a timeshares stay where you're on your own for food & stuff, it's not a bad offer. I'd still love to hear from anyone who's tried it recently.

PS: I should mention -port charges would most likely not be included in the points offer, so you'd have to take that extra expense into account.

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Wyndham & Norwegian Cruise Line partnership?

• Thread starter adriane2656
• Start date Dec 13, 2017

adriane2656

• Dec 13, 2017

I attended a timeshare meeting a few months ago & in the 'update' they stated that Wyndham had signed an "exclusive" contract w/ Norwegian Cruise Line to be partners. Supposedly it it supposed to be easier & cheaper (fewer points) to use Wyndham points towards a cruise w/ Norwegian. Anyone know any information about this?  

adriane2656 said: I attended a timeshare meeting a few months ago & in the 'update' they stated that Wyndham had signed an "exclusive" contract w/ Norwegian Cruise Line to be partners. Supposedly it it supposed to be easier & cheaper (fewer points) to use Wyndham points towards a cruise w/ Norwegian. Anyone know any information about this? Click to expand...

erniecrews said: try this link. https://www.myclubwyndham.com/mycw/...ions/cw-travel-options/cruising-cw-plus.page? Click to expand...

I am not an owner (yet). Any chance you can summarize? Or copy & paste?  

"Cruise Partners – Gain access to some of the most sought-after destinations in the world with Norwegian Cruise Line®, the Exclusive Cruise Provider for PlusPartners. Enjoy exclusive Wyndham Onboard Owner Benefits such as: priority tender tickets and disembarkation, 2-for-1 dining one night in an alternative restaurant of your choice, 15% off shore excursions, invitation to a “VIP” party for all CLUB WYNDHAM owners, concierge service and a special in-room gift upon arrival [which includes Villa Sandi Prosecco Brut, chocolate-covered strawberries and a welcome letter from the hotel director (subject to change)]."  

I have access to these programs but do not use them. Maybe someone that uses these programs can help out.  

page 308 http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/wyndham/plus_membersdirectory1415/  

• Points required are per person based on double occupancy. Where available, third and fourth persons may be added in the same cabin for additional points.
• Cabin accommodations, ocean transport, all meals on board and ship entertainment are included in the quoted rates.
• One Reservation Transaction will be charged for each cruise.
• Cancellations may be subject to penalties in accordance with the cruise line selected.
• Reservations are subject to change and availability and may exclude holidays and special sailings.
• Days of the week, dates, itineraries and ships are all subject to change without notice.
• Borrowing points is not an option for this travel feature.
• Any type of modification or cancellation to the package will need to be processed with a CLUB WYNDHAM Travel Representative at 800-732-0203 .
• Points may be rented for cruises 3 months or less from the sailing date at the rate of $10 per 1,000 points.
• Members are responsible for transportation to the cruise departure location, and additional charges, government fees, beverages which are not part of the regular menu, express mail charges and other ancillary items not mentioned as “included.” A credit card may be necessary for these expenses.
• Add-on features may be available and reserved by the cruise specialist for additional costs.

Norwegian Jewel Alaska Cruise is $749-849 pp In prime for interior or $1500-1600 total using Wyndham points you pay the equivalent of $4700. You would be far far better to rent the points out, buy the cruise and have $3000 spending money.  

TUG Review Crew

• Dec 14, 2017

NCL also has the 5 free add ons special that are better than what W is offering. Free Wifi Free Unlimited Drinks Free 3 meal upgraded dining $50 per port of call credit for shore excursions 3rd and 4th guests stay free. I just booked NCL Pearl 7 day Alaska cruise for next year. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro  

Railman83 said: Norwegian Jewel Alaska Cruise is $749-849 pp In prime for interior or $1500-1600 total using Wyndham points you pay the equivalent of $4700. You would be far far better to rent the points out, buy the cruise and have $3000 spending money. Click to expand...

Whether it is permitted under the rules or not there are points managers and others that rent point and/or make reservations that are then rented. Same difference. Going the other direction, a owner can rent point under some circumstances.  

Avislo said: Whether it is permitted under the rules or not there are points managers and others that rent point and/or make reservations that are then rented. Same difference. Going the other direction, a owner can rent point under some circumstances. Click to expand...

ronparise said: You cant rent wyndham points Click to expand...

Passepartout

Tug review crew: veteran.

SmithOp said: NCL also has the 5 free add ons special that are better than what W is offering. Free Wifi Free Unlimited Drinks Free 3 meal upgraded dining $50 per port of call credit for shore excursions 3rd and 4th guests stay free. I just booked NCL Pearl 7 day Alaska cruise for next year. Click to expand...

Railman83 said: I meant that many points in reservations not the points themselves. Click to expand...

Passepartout said: So was this a points transaction? If so, how many, and what is the MF on this number? Did it take additional cash? How about port charges and taxes (additional)? What cabin category? Do you get to choose your cabin or is it assigned on check-in? Jim Click to expand...

SmithOp said: I was following Railman’s comment about just using cash, probably should have quoted to avoid confusion. I paid cash for a balcony cabin. Click to expand...

vacationhopeful

Tug review crew: rookie.

• Dec 15, 2017

SmithOp said: ..... I just booked NCL Pearl 7 day Alaska cruise for next year. Click to expand...

vacationhopeful said: I took that cruise on that ship several years ago. Interior cabin with my (usual) nephew as my cabin mate. Enjoyed it .. we did the train ride (interesting but not cheap) up the the glacier. Enjoyed the funicular ride at the one stop ... with my nephew. Yes, he was into trains but I did not need another coffee mug or tee shirt. Click to expand...

• Dec 18, 2017

erniecrews said: Points required are per person based on double occupancy. Where available, third and fourth persons may be added in the same cabin for additional points. Cabin accommodations, ocean transport, all meals on board and ship entertainment are included in the quoted rates. One Reservation Transaction will be charged for each cruise. Cancellations may be subject to penalties in accordance with the cruise line selected. Reservations are subject to change and availability and may exclude holidays and special sailings. Days of the week, dates, itineraries and ships are all subject to change without notice. Borrowing points is not an option for this travel feature. Any type of modification or cancellation to the package will need to be processed with a CLUB WYNDHAM Travel Representative at 800-732-0203 . Points may be rented for cruises 3 months or less from the sailing date at the rate of $10 per 1,000 points. Members are responsible for transportation to the cruise departure location, and additional charges, government fees, beverages which are not part of the regular menu, express mail charges and other ancillary items not mentioned as “included.” A credit card may be necessary for these expenses. Add-on features may be available and reserved by the cruise specialist for additional costs. 3-NIGHT BAHAMAS Ship : Norwegian Sky Sailing from : Miami Ports of Call : Nassau & Great Stirrup Cay Season Interior Ocean View Prime 167,000 193,000 Value 124,000 130,000 7-NIGHT BAHAMAS & FLORIDA Ship: Norwegian Breakaway Sailing from: New York Ports of Call: Orlando, Great Stirrup Cay & Nassau Season Interior Ocean View Prime 404,000 511, 000 Value 255,000 329,000 7-NIGHT EASTERN CARIBBEAN Ship: Norwegian Escape Sailing from: Miami Ports of Call: St. Thomas, Tortola & Nassau Season Interior Ocean View Prime 362,000 481, 000 Value 300,000 362,000 7-NIGHT ALASKA Ship: Norwegian Jewel Sailing from: Seattle Ports of Call: Ketchikan, Junea, Skagway & Victoria Season Interior Ocean View Prime 393,000 459,000 Value 277,000 345,000 7-NIGHT HAWAI’I Ship: Norwegian Pride of America Sailing from: Honolulu Ports of Call: Kahului (Maui), Hilo (Hawai’i), Kona (Hawai’i) & Nawiliwili Season Interior Ocean View Prime 682,000 745,000 Value 567,000 611,000 7-NIGHT MEDITERRANEAN Ship: Norwegian Epic Sailing from: Barcelona Ports of Call: Naples, Civitavecchia (Rome), Livorno (Florence), Cannes, & Palma Majorca Season Interior Ocean View Prime 510,000 648,000 Value 320,000 490,000 Click to expand...

adriane2656 said: I have a question, above it states: Points required are per person based on double occupancy. So, does that mean the points amounts listed above have to be MULTIPLIED BY 2 TO COVER 2 PASSENGERS? Or does the point values listed above already cover the first 2 people (and only a 3rd & 4th person would be additional points)? Click to expand...

erniecrews said: <snip> Ship: Norwegian Breakaway Sailing from: New York Ports of Call: Orlando, Great Stirrup Cay & Nassau Season Interior Ocean View Prime 404,000 511, 000 Value 255,000 329,000 7-NIGHT EASTERN CARIBBEAN <snip> Click to expand...

chapjim said: I'd like to see how that port call in Orlando works out. Click to expand...

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The ultimate guide to earning and redeeming Wyndham Rewards

Wyndham Rewards is one of the lesser-known hotel loyalty programs, especially when compared to major players like Marriott Bonvoy and World of Hyatt. But that doesn't mean the program isn't worth your time — especially since Capital One added Wyndham as a transfer partner in 2020.

Wyndham Rewards has some great redemption sweet spots too — think hotel stays in Hawaii for just 15,000 points per night, modern hotels in Mexico City for 7,500 points per night and several low-priced options near Walt Disney World.

If this sounds like something you're interested in, you're in the right place. Here, I'll walk you through the ins and outs of the Wyndham Rewards program. I'll start by taking a look at the program itself, and then move into earning and redeeming points. Let's get started!

Wyndham Rewards overview

The chain has several well-known brands, spanning from the budget-friendly Ramada to higher-end Wyndham Grand properties, that can be found all over the world. In fact, you'll find Wyndham hotels in all inhabited continents and over 80 countries.

But despite having such a sizable worldwide footprint, the Wyndham Rewards loyalty program keeps a pretty low profile. It doesn't have as many bells and whistles as other programs, but it does have a suite of elite status benefits and — as mentioned earlier — remarkable redemption sweet spots that keep Wyndham enthusiasts coming back for more.

Speaking of enthusiasts, Wyndham Rewards has four different elite status levels: Blue, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Each status level has varying benefits, but top-tier Diamond members can expect space-available suite upgrades, late checkout and other perks. For more information, check out the Wyndham Rewards website .

Elite status

Wyndham Rewards has four status tiers that offer varying benefits. You'll earn status after completing qualifying nights at Wyndham properties. Just keep in mind that nights booked through third-party sites, including online travel agencies, don't count toward elite night qualification.

Wyndham Blue status

All Wyndham Rewards members start as Blue, which doesn't offer much in the way of benefits. Members mainly get free Wi-Fi and access to a members-only discounted room rate.

Wyndham Gold status

Wyndham Rewards members earn Gold status after completing five qualifying nights. Gold members get notable perks like preferred room choice and late checkout (based on availability), a dedicated customer service line and 10% bonus points.

Wyndham Platinum status

It takes just 15 nights to earn Wyndham Platinum status, and members are rewarded with all the perks of Gold status and more. Platinum members qualify for early check-in, rental car upgrades through Avis and Budget, plus a status match to Caesars Rewards Platinum. These members also get a 15% bonus when earning points on hotel stays.

Related: 9 rental car rewards programs you need to know about

Wyndham Diamond status

After 40 nights, Wyndham members earn top-tier Diamond elite status. This tier comes with some impressive perks, including a suite upgrade "every time you stay," including on award bookings. Members also get a free snack or drink at check-in, 20% bonus points on paid stays and the ability to gift Wyndham Gold status to someone else.

Related: Best top-tier hotel elite status for families

How to earn Wyndham Rewards points

There are a few different ways you can earn Wyndham Rewards points, with one of the most obvious being staying at Wyndham's properties worldwide. Further, you can earn Wyndham points with cobranded credit cards, through its shopping portal and other various earning methods. I'll take you through the best ways to earn Wyndham Rewards points in the paragraphs below.

Earn points at Wyndham properties

Like almost all hotel programs, you'll earn points when staying at Wyndham properties based on how much you spend and your Wyndham Rewards status. You'll earn 10 points per dollar spent on all Wyndham Rewards stays regardless of the brand, with each stay earning a minimum of 1,000 points. You'll earn points on the hotel's base rate, so taxes and other fees don't earn points.

As discussed earlier, those with Wyndham Rewards status earn a percentage bonus on all Wyndham stays:

• Gold: 10% or 1 extra point per dollar spent.
• Platinum: 15% or 1.5 extra points per dollar spent.
• Diamond: 20% or 2 extra points per dollar spent.

So if you're a Diamond member and you spend $179 on a single night stay, you'll earn 2,148 points for your stay. On the other hand, a member without status would earn 1,790 on the same stay. If the stay were just $79 per night, a standard member would earn 1,000 points due to the 1,000-point minimum for all stays.

Further, Wyndham frequently offers promotions that give you even more points for your paid bookings. For example, a periodic promotion gives members 5,500 bonus points for every two Wyndham stays. As you'll see later in the article, this means that you'll earn at least one free night for every two stays booked.

Do note that bookings made through third-party online travel agencies are ineligible to earn points. Make sure to book your Wyndham stays on the Wyndham website if you want to earn points and use your elite status benefits.

Earn points with Wyndham cobranded credit cards

Wyndham offers three cobranded credit cards. Each offers benefits like elite status, bonus points and annual fees. If you want to earn Wyndham points on everyday purchases, take a look at the three Wyndham credit cards and assess which is best for your spending habits.

• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Card ($0 annual fee): Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Earn 5 points per dollar on eligible purchases at Wyndham properties and gas stations, 2 points per dollar on grocery store purchases (excluding Target and Walmart) and dining, and 1 point per dollar everywhere else. Additionally, enjoy Wyndham Rewards Gold status as long as the card is open and in good standing, and 7,500 bonus points after spending $15,000 on the card in a single calendar year.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner® Plus Card ($75 annual fee): Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Earn 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at Wyndham properties and gas stations, 4 points per dollar points on grocery store purchases and dining, and 1 point per dollar everywhere else. Additionally, enjoy Wyndham Rewards Platinum status as long as the card is open and in good standing, and 7,500 bonus points on every account anniversary.
• Wyndham Rewards Earner Business Card ($95 annual fee): Earn 45,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days of account opening. Earn 8 points per dollar at Wyndham properties and gas stations, 5 points per dollar on marketing, advertising and utilities and 1 point per dollar everywhere else. Additionally, enjoy Wyndham Rewards Diamond status as long as the card is open and in good standing and 15,000 bonus points on every account anniversary.

The information for the Wyndham Rewards Earner Business card, Wyndham Earner, and Wyndham Earner Plus has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

All of these cards are great for earning Wyndham Rewards points quickly, but I highly recommend going with the variant with the $75 annual fee if you can afford it. The 45,000-point welcome bonus is worth $495, per TPG's most recent valuations , and the annual 7,500-point bonus offsets the annual fee. Further, automatic Platinum status is great for those who stay at Wyndham properties a few times a year and want an elevated experience. This status usually requires 15 paid nights per calendar year.

Transfer Wyndham points from Capital One miles or Citi ThankYou points

Additionally, you can transfer Capital One miles to Wyndham Rewards at a 1:1 transfer ratio. This means that 1,000 Capital One miles equal 750 Wyndham Rewards points. Other transfer partners may give you more value for your points, but having the option to transfer to Wyndham means you can quickly replenish your Wyndham Rewards balance if you need a few extra points for a specific redemption.

You can earn Capital One miles with cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card , Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles for Business . Each of these cards has its own benefits, but do not include Wyndham-specific benefits like the cobranded cards we mentioned earlier.

Additionally, Citi ThankYou points transfer to Wyndham Rewards at a less attractive ratio. Those with a Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees ) or Citi Prestige® Card card can transfer at a 1:1 ratio while Citi ThankYou® Preferred, Citi Rewards+® Card (see rates and fees ), Sears Mastercard and Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates and fees ) holders can transfer at a 1:0.8 ratio. TPG values Citi ThankYou points at 1.8 cents per point, so we recommend avoiding these transfers unless you need to top up your account for a specific redemption.

The information for the Citi Prestige, Citi ThankYou Preferred and Sears Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Shop through the Wyndham Rewards shopping portal

Wyndham Rewards has a shopping portal that you can use to earn bonus points on all of your online purchases. Just click through the shopping portal before you make a purchase online, and you'll earn a set number of points per dollar in addition to the rewards you already earn with your credit card. If you're looking for a good credit card for online purchases, make sure to check out our roundup of the best cards for online shopping .

Using the Wyndham shopping portal is easy. Head to the website and sign in using your Wyndham Rewards account info. Then, search for the merchant you'd like to shop with and click the "Shop now" button to be redirected to the merchant. You can check out as usual, and the points will be credited to your Wyndham Rewards account within a couple of weeks, although some merchants may take longer to process.

The number of points you'll earn on purchases depends on the merchant. Each merchant offers a different number of points per dollar spent, and these amounts change frequently. The portal also runs promotions from time to time that offer bonus points at specific merchants or after you've spent a certain amount of money through the portal.

Related: Maximizing online shopping portals

How to redeem Wyndham Rewards points

There are several different ways to redeem Wyndham Rewards points, but redeeming for free nights is hands-down the most valuable.

Here's a look at how to get the most from your Wyndham Rewards points.

Redeem for free nights

Using your Wyndham Rewards points for free hotel stays is fairly easy. Wyndham has one of the most straightforward award charts, with only three different award pricing tiers: 7,500, 15,000 and 30,000 points per night. Generally, the premier hotels in major cities will fall into the higher tiers, while more budget-focused properties will fall into the lowest tier.

You'll often find hotels at the 7,500-point tier along major expressways or in off-the-beaten-path destinations. This can be handy on road trips , where you might need a night between stops. These hotel stays can get expensive during holidays and other high-demand travel dates. You may want to stock up on Wyndham Rewards points preemptively if you're a frequent road tripper.

At the 15,000-point tier, you can stay at several different properties in Hawaii. The Club Wyndham Kona Hawaiian Resort is one of the best in this tier as it's on the coast and close to many different restaurants, but far enough away from downtown that you can enjoy the peacefulness of beach life.

Moving onto the 30,000-point tier, you have upscale options in many major cities. Some of the best include the MB Hotel in Miami Beach, The New Yorker in Manhattan and the Wyndham Hotel Melbourne. Each of these can be expensive during large conferences, holidays and other peak travel times, so having a stash of Wyndham Rewards points on hand may save you a considerable amount of money.

Related: 14 best Wyndham properties to book with points

Stretch your miles with points-and-cash nights

You can stretch your points further using Wyndham's "go fast" points and cash redemptions. These redemptions let you combine points and cash to book discounted stays at any of the hotels in Wyndham's portfolio. The cash portion you'll pay depends on the hotel rate. Wyndham has three different award tiers that correspond to the free night tiers mentioned above.

Here's how many points you can use for points-and-cash redemptions for each redemption tier.

You can use points-and-cash redemptions to stretch your points even further. If you want to spend a week at a property that costs 30,000 points per night but don't have enough points, using 6,000 points per night can provide a discount and let you stay for your desired amount of time.

Related: How to choose the best hotel loyalty program for you

Redeem for Vacasa vacation rentals

Wyndham has a partnership with Vacasa , which is an Airbnb-like vacation rental service. You can use Wyndham Rewards points to book Vacasa properties for 15,000 points per night per bedroom. This means a one-bedroom apartment rental would cost 15,000 points per night while a two-bedroom would cost 30,000 points per night.

Most Vacasa properties can be booked with Wyndham points, but not all dates are bookable with points. These dates are not listed online and you must call to book Vacasa stays. This can be an excellent way to redeem your Wyndham points if you're willing to put in the work, especially if you can find large one-bedroom properties that sleep multiple people.

Related: Planning for ski season: How I booked a $1,500 vacation rental for just 45,000 points

Bottom line

While Wyndham Rewards isn't the most well-known hotel loyalty program, it has its place. The hotel chain operates a ton of different hotels worldwide, and with only three different redemption tiers, you can score an excellent deal wherever your travel takes you.

If you're just starting with Wyndham Rewards, consider applying for one of Wyndham's cobranded credit cards. The card's welcome bonus will jump-start your points balance and grant you immediate elite status that makes you eligible for room upgrades, bonus points and more.

Additional reporting by Ariana Arghandewal and Johnny Motley.

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Everybody loves a good deal. After all, every little bit helps, especially on big-ticket items like a vacation. A cruise is the type of vacation that can hit the pocketbook hard, especially if you don’t know the ins and outs of how to find a good deal. If you’re in the market for a cruise, you may be wondering how to get the best price, where to look to find an incentive or package deal, and when is the best time to book. If that sounds like you, read on, friend. All potential cruisers can benefit from a bit of education in that area, and what that really means is that you NEED to know about wave season.

What is wave season?

Wave season is the time when you can get the best deals, the best package offers, and the best incentives on booking a cruise. The prices during wave season will be highly competitive, and you’ll find the smokin’ hot deals on cruises throughout the year, including short term incentives, and sometimes even deals on cruises up to two years in advance. You may be wondering why they call it wave season, and there is a simple answer: during wave season, you can expect a wave of great deals on vacation that cruise the ocean’s waves. If you’re thinking of taking a cruise, you’ll definitely want to shop around during wave season.

When is it?

Traditionally wave season runs January through March, and for good reason — immediately after the holidays is when many people start planning their vacations for the upcoming year, which leads to an influx of cruise bookings. The cruise lines noticed this pattern years ago and decided to capitalize on it. To take full advantage of wave season deals, plan on booking earlier in the season rather than later, as prime sailings and prime destinations may fill up early, if the deals are hot enough (and they usually are). Some cruise lines occasionally offer discounts for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other holidays, but wave season is always a sure thing. You know you’ll find a steal-of-a-deal if you shop wave season.

Which cruise lines participate?

Pretty much all. Wave season has become an industry standard over the years, and now everybody joins in the fun, from major cruise lines to smaller ones. You’ll find wave season deals on ocean cruises and river cruises, big ships and small ships, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and everything in between. Expect better deals from the larger companies, but you’ll see discounts across the board.

Different types of deals.

Wave season deals come in many shapes and sizes. Your standard deal is just a discounted purchase price, but that’s just the jumping off point. When it comes to saving cash off your purchase price, it may come in the form of a straight-up discount, like 25% off the standard rate, for example. It may also come in the form of cash back as an onboard credit, reduced or waived deposit, BOGO cruise fare, and/or reduced price for additional passengers (or sometimes even kids sail free!).

Outside of cost savings on the initial booking, many cruise lines offer freebies and/or perks that can add value to your experience. You may find offers for things like complimentary beverage packages, shore excursions, cabin upgrades, internet access, and other onboard experiences. You can sometimes find cruise lines offering free airfare to and from your embarkation/disembarkation port, or a free night’s hotel stay before or after the cruise. Sometimes it’s an offer for prepaid onboard gratuities, or for a set amount of onboard credit to use as you see fit. It may even be a complimentary bottle of wine in your stateroom when you arrive. If you’re really lucky, you may find a combination of several of the above offers all rolled into one. The sky’s the limit during wave season.

How to book.

WorldMark by Wyndham Travel’s got your back. When it comes to finding the best wave season deals, look no further than your exclusive owner travel agency. WorldMark by Wyndham Travel has exclusive partnerships with several major cruise lines, and through those partnerships, WorldMark by Wyndham Travel is able to book any and every wave season deal you can find, but not only that — they often have some exclusive deals of their own, including offers you won’t find with the cruise lines or any other travel agency. Some of WorldMark by Wyndham Travel’s hottest deals can be found right here on your owner website, but some are so fresh, so good and so new, you can only get them by calling in. Call WorldMark by Wyndham Travel at 800-953-5511 before you book your next cruise and let their friendly and knowledgeable Travel Advisors get you the best deal possible for riding the waves.

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MSC Seaside Cruise Review

I f you are looking for a good value for your money (and who isn’t these day?), then I’d recommend taking a look at MSC. On our recent fall cruise on the MSC Seaside, we found the Seaside to be clean, with nice open public spaces, and a gracious crew. The value of the cruise to the money we spent was fantastic, and this was the weighty factor in our choosing this ship and line.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you.

Table of Contents

How to get to port canaveral cruise port, hilton orlando buena vista palace – disney springs area, wyndham grand orlando resort bonnet creek, cabana bay resort, booking your cruise on msc seaside.

Bella, Fantastica and Aurea Experiences: What are the Differences & Perks

Stateroom Perks and Features

All suites on msc seaside come with aurea experience perks, pre/post cruise option orlando theme parks.

The ship is home-ported in Port Canaveral, Florida. Port Canaveral is easily reached by flights into Orlando International airport, Orlando Sanford International, and even Jacksonville International airport. However, out of the three, Orlando is the easiest, both in terms of the number of daily flights, and ease of airport navigation.

My suggestion, especially if arriving through either Orlando International or Orlando Sanford International is to add a day to the front end and a day to the back end of your MSC Seaside cruise and explore the area. There is so much to do in Orlando, and certainly don’t discount Port Canaveral – it has a lot as well, including Kennnedy Space Center. Once you’ve arrived, you can either rent a car , or hire a car service to take you to the port on the day of embarkation.

Where to Stay If I Arrive Early

There are so many options here! You can stay in Orlando, and there are several hotels we like in this area. If you want to arrive a few days prior to your cruise and visit the theme parks – Disney or Universal, you can stay at one of the park-affiliated hotels. If visiting Disney, and staying in one of the affiliated hotels, you will get complimentary transportation to and from the resort and the park.

Hotel Options for Pre/Post MSC Seaside Cruise Stay for Disney World

I don’t know about you, but I hate having to pay for parking….especially at theme parks! So whenever we visit Disney or Universal, we try to stay at one of the theme park recommended hotels that offer shuttle service.

The Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace is located within the Disney World Resort and provides FREE theme park transfer service, making it one of our top choices for a theme park resort stay. Another plus is that it is connected to the Disney Springs dining and entertainment complex, which is one of my favorite places to visit.

The guest rooms have flat-screen TVs, small refrigerators (a nice perk!) and good bed linens. It is part of the Hilton brand, so if you are a frequent traveler and part of their reward program, you may get better pricing and/or perks. Amenities include on-site parking, breakfast, two pools, 4 restaurants, wifi throughout, fitness center, bar, and a golf course nearby.

The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek is another hotel within the Disney resort group, and offers a FREE shuttle to the Disney parks. This hotel offers five swimming pools, they are pet friendly (Zach loves staying at the Wyndham!), two restaurants, and a spa. Perched on Lake Buena Vista with gorgeous tropical foliage, this hotel is amazing!

The rooms have flat-screen TVs, iPod docking stations, refrigerators, robes and spa amenities in each room. The spa is perfect for getting relaxed from all the park activities before you leave for your cruise. It offers both inside and outside treatment rooms, and a nail salon. There is also a fitness room and lagoon style resort pool. We’ve stayed at the Wyndham, though it has been several years, and one of our top reasons for choosing this hotel is that they are pet friendly, IF you are not visiting prior to a cruise departure, you’ll be really pleased with the dog-friendly option .

Hotel Options for Pre/Post MSC Seaside Cruise Stay for Universal Orlando

At Cabana Bay Resort not only do you get COMPLIMENTARY shuttle service to the parks, you also get EARLY PARK ADMISSION to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter & Volcano Bay water park an hour before the park officially opens, making this resort one of the best choices for a pre-cruise stay. All the rooms at the resort feature flat-screen TVs, and other amenities include on-site parking, six restaurants, two pools, coffee shop (I love hotels and resorts that offer this – I don’t function without my early morning cup of coffee!) and wifi throughout the resort.

10 Quick Facts About the MSC Seaside

• The Seaside debuted in 2017, and was considered the 14th largest ship in the world
• The Yacht Club provides more than other ship’s VIP sections. On the Seaside, the exclusive Yacht Club area is extremely large, covering 5 decks! In addition to the perks listed above, the private Yacht Club offers a themed restaurant, private theater, private pool and a private bowling alley!
• The ship does not offer a quantity of dining experiences; however they are laser focused on the quality of the food that they serve.
• The entertainment is high quality; one of the things we love about this ship is that the shows were all broadway quality.
• There are nine bars and lounges onboard the Seaside, so there are plenty of options for sipping.
• There are four pool, four water slides, three hot tubs.
• The spa is phenomenal, and I loved the hydro therapy pool and heated ceramic beds
• MSC puts a high priority on kids , so there are kids clubs for all ages, including teens, and a fun waterpark that will keep them entertained.
• Dress onboard is casual during the day and business casual in the evenings.
• They designed the ship for maximum passenger flow, meaning that there are shorter wait times for the elevators, even during the high traffic times.

What To Not to Take on a Cruise

First time cruisers, and even some seasoned travelers struggle with what to take on a cruise. Here is a list of things you don’t need to take on your MSC cruise:

• Coffee maker/electric kettle
• Beach towels
• Candles / Incense
• Expensive jewelry
• Too many clothes/shoes
• Power strip / Extension cord

What should you bring with you on your cruise:

• A lanyard to keep your cruise card
• Backpack / Beach bag
• Cash for tips (PRO TIP: Prepay for your gratuities)
• Cross body purse (women)
• Waterproof phone case
• Rain poncho

Cruising on MSC Seaside – What to Know & How to Plan

We were pleasantly surprised by our MSC cruise , especially the cost to value. MSC is a relative newcomer to the North American cruising market, having entered into the US market in 2017. It has undergone many changes during this time, and now, in my humble opinion, with the options it brings it is quickly becoming a major competitor for Carnival, Royal Caribbean and even Celebrity.

Prior to my booking our MSC cruise on the Seaside , I did extensive research, reading countless reviews across a myriad number of publications. The reviews were mixed, but there was one strand running through them all – MSC has a few quirks and snags that are still being worked through in the North American market. That said, in our experience, having taken two MSC cruises in 2023 they are working out their quirks.

The booking process is a multi-step and multi-stage process. First you choose where you want to cruise to; then your departure port option(s); in the US these departure ports are New York, Miami, Port Canaveral (Orlando), and debuting in 2025 will be Galveston. Once you choose your departure port, then you will choose your departure date, a selection of all the ports that encompass the destination will show, click on the port you want, and then a selection of dates will show, along with the length of the cruise, and the beginning price, along with the ship.

The next stage is to select the cruise you want, with the itinerary you want. Once you do that, a screen pops up that reads “Choose Your Cruise Offer.” We choose the Best Value because it includes a drink package, and it is still quite affordable. Once you’ve chosen your cruise offer, the window brings you the total cost of the cruise, without any upgrades. When you click “Next” you’ll be taken to a screen that reads “Select Your Stateroom Category.”

Choose your category, you’ll see the new total for the cruise, click “Next.” Now you choose your cruise experience – Bella, Fantastic, or Aurea. We prefer the Aurea experience, because of some of the perks like Anytime Dining that are included. Then you get to choose your stateroom (in both the Bella and Fantasia experiences, you will be assigned a stateroom). Finally the last few steps involve inputting your personal information, and voilá you’ve booked your cruise! The booking process is not hard nor complicated, but there are a lot of steps to the final “I’ve booked my cruise stage.”

Bella, Fantastica and Aurea Experiences : What are the Differences & Perks

MSC’s cabins are attached to bookable “experiences,” which are Bella, Fantastica, Aurea and MSC Yacht Club. Each of these experiences offers a list of amenities and multiple cabin types.

The Bella Experience is the most basic of all and includes all the standard amenities, including line-branded toiletries, free buffet and main dining room meals, and most entertainment. Fantastica adds a few perks, such as free breakfast delivery to the cabin and the chance to request preferred dinner sitting in the main dining room.

Passengers who book the MSC Seaside Aurea Experience will get the most spacious cabins, along with privileges such as priority embarkation and disembarkation; prosecco and chocolate on arrival; free 24-hour room service, and free access to the Top Exclusive Solarium, anytime dining, and other perks.

The MSC Yacht Club is the highest cabin category, and it really is an all-inclusive luxury experience! This experience offers access to the accommodations via key card. The experience also includes dining in a private restaurant just for the Yacht Club, a private sundeck and pool, and an exclusive lounge with food and drinks, 24-hour butler service, free access to the spa’s thermal suite, and luggage packing/unpacking services.

Now that your cruise day is finally here, and you are set to depart, so what can you expect onboard your MSC Seaside cruise?

MSC Seaside Cabins

The standard cabin sizes on the MSC Seaside are, by industry standards, average. They all have two twin beds that can be pushed together for a king. Every cabin includes a couch, small nightstands, hair dryer, desk with chair, and a minibar (you will pay for these items), a spacious closet with sliding doors, flat-screen TV that is interactive with the MSC for Me app, on-demand movies (again for a fee), news channels, and cruise information channel.

The lights are turned on with your cruise card, and near the door are two switches to let your cabin steward know the room needed to be made up – this was confusing, because the lights are outside your door in the hall, so we had to double check we had hit the correct button.

A major plus for us was the number of outlets, including USB outlets. We each had six individual electronics – our phones, smart watches, and kindles, and we were able to plug all of them in.

The bathrooms are small compared to other cruise lines that we cruised on. The counter area is small, but there is a lot of shelf space. The toiletries are shampoo and shower gel. We were disappointed there was no body lotion; especially on a Bahamas cruise where you want the lotion after a day in the ocean.

Interior:  MSC Seaside interior cabins come in two different categories – Deluxe and Premium. All sleep up to five guests and range from 151 to 301 square feet. Instead of a sofa, these rooms have a chair.

Ocean View:  The ship’s outside cabins are all located on Deck 5 and come in at 183 square feet each.

Balcony:  Non-suite balcony staterooms on MSC Seaside range in size between 172 and 183 square feet (not including balconies). Deluxe balcony cabins have a 54-square-foot balcony with two upright chairs and a small drinks table; Deluxe Balcony Aurea rooms are all on Deck 9 and feature 97-square-foot balconies, two loungers, and a chair and table. Some cabins in this category also have showers with bathtubs.

Junior Suite:  These units offer 183 square feet of indoor space plus a 172-square-foot balcony that has two loungers and a drinks table. Junior Suites can only be booked with the Aurea experience.

Deluxe Suite Aurea:  Located on decks 9 to 15, these entry-level suites offer 215 square feet of indoor space, plus 86 square feet of outdoor space.

Premium Suite Aurea:  The most basic Premium Suite on MSC Seaside comes in between 280 and 344 square feet and features large balconies ranging in size from 97 to 151 square feet. Units with terraces are slightly larger at 301 square feet; the highlight is the massive 409-square-foot outdoor space.

Premium Suites with private on-balcony whirlpools are 301 square feet apiece. In addition to large balconies (75 square feet) with upright seating and a small drinks table, they also include a sitting area with sofa, a small glass table and a walk-in closet.

Grand Suites:  They range from 377 to 527 square feet with up to 183-square-foot balconies that hold several upright chairs and a couple of drinks tables. Each also offers an indoor dining table with chairs, a sofa and small glass table, and a walk-in closet.

These suites feature either one or two bedrooms, plus two bathrooms, including one with a tub.

Dining Onboard the Seaside

There are two main dining rooms on MSC’s Seaside, Seashore and Ipanema, and they are identical. You will be assigned to one of these two dining rooms. If you book in the Aurea experience, then you will be assigned a dining room, but you can dine anytime at the assigned restaurant during the open hours. Our first night onboard we were seated in a very private and intimate table by a window, and that is where we dined each evening. It was pleasant, and we felt as if we were on a date every night! You were not rushed to finish dinner, so we lingered and savored our meals and wine.

The food was tasty and well prepared, however the menu is not large. If red meat is not on the menu and you would like a steak, they will offer it, but it will be with an uncharge for the Linz heritage beef. The portions were not large, which appealed to Jim and I as we don’t like large portions, we prefer to order an appetizer, a salad or soup, our entree, and finish with dessert. The waitstaff was always smiling, pleasant and knowledgeable about the dishes.

The other dining venues on the Seaside included two buffet options, The Marketplace Buffet on Deck 8 (open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and the Biscayne Bay Buffet on Deck 16 (open for Breakfast & lunch), and both offer almost the same cuisine. We found that Biscayne Bay was noisy, because of so many families. We preferred the Marketplace. One standout item that MSC does well is their pizza. It is, in my opinion, the very best pizza I have eaten on any ship. Do not miss trying this stellar dish!

MSC does offer four speciality restaurants, the Asian Market, Ocean Cay, Butcher’s Cut, and Venichi 1878; however we opted out of these. We find speciality restaurants can be a niche change up on a longer cruise, but for a short 3 night Bahamas cruise, we did not try them.

Overall I believe that MSC is a great value for the money, and a cruise line that is a good choice for families. We’ve taken two cruises on MSC, one for my husband and I and one with our family. Both cruises were fun, relaxing, and best of all, a good value for the money.

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March 26, 2024 - Baltimore Key Bridge collapses after ship collision

By Helen Regan , Kathleen Magramo , Antoinette Radford, Alisha Ebrahimji , Maureen Chowdhury , Rachel Ramirez , Elise Hammond , Aditi Sangal , Tori B. Powell , Piper Hudspeth Blackburn and Kathleen Magramo , CNN

Maryland transportation secretary says contractors were working on bridge at time of collapse

From CNN's Antoinette Radford

Maryland State Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld told reporters there were workers on the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the time of its collapse.

"We know there were individuals on the bridge at the time of the collapse, working on the bridge, contractors for us," he said at a news conference Tuesday morning.

Wiedefeld said the workers were "basically doing some concrete deck repair," but said they did not know how many vehicles were involved.

He added that the transport authority has set up a facility for family members of those who were believed to be on the bridge at the time of its collapse.

Baltimore fire chief: Sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water

Baltimore Fire Chief James Wallace says authorities have detected vehicles submerged in the water.

“Our sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water,” said Wallace at a news conference on the collapse of Francis Scott Key Bridge. “I don't have a count of that yet.”

He said emergency services are using sonar, drones and infrared technology as a part of their search for people and vehicles who may have fallen from the Key Bridge into the Patapsco River.

No indication of "terrorism" or intent in Baltimore bridge collapse, police chief says

From CNN’s Andy Rose

Baltimore Police said there was no evidence that the ship collision that caused the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge was intentional.

“There is absolutely no indication that there's any terrorism, that this was done on purpose,” Chief Richard Worley said at a news conference.

The FBI  said  that it was joining the investigation into the cause of the collision.

Rescue crews have determined there are vehicles in the Patapsco River following the bridge collapse.

“Our sonar has detected the presence of vehicles submerged in the water,” said Fire Chief James Wallace. “I don't have a count of that yet.”

Wallace said they are waiting to make sure that the ship is secure and stable before investigators board it.

“Never would you think that you would see, physically see, the Key Bridge tumble down like that,” Mayor Brandon M. Scott said.

Cruises, cars and commodities: What to know about the Port of Baltimore

From CNN's Mark Thompson and Hanna Ziady

The collapse of the   Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River outside the Port of Baltimore threatens to disrupt shipping operations at a major US trade hub for autos, container traffic and commodities. Baltimore also has a cruise terminal.

Closer to the Midwest than any other port on the East Coast, Baltimore ranks first in the United States for autos and light trucks, handling a record 850,000 vehicles last year. It was also the leading port for farming and construction machinery, as well as imported sugar and gypsum. It was second in the country for exporting coal.

Overall, Baltimore ranks as the 9th biggest US port for international cargo, handling a record 52.3 million tons, valued at $80.8 billion in 2023.

“The immediate focus is the rescue operation, but there will clearly be a highly-complex recovery phase and investigation to follow and we don't know what impact this will have on operations at the Port of Baltimore," said Emily Stausbøll, market analyst at Norway-based shipping analytics company Xeneta.

“While Baltimore is not one of the largest US East Coast ports, it still imports and exports more than one million containers each year so there is the potential for this to cause significant disruption to supply chains," she added.

Baltimore's cruise terminal serves ships operated by Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian. Cruises carrying more than 444,000 passengers departed from the port last year.

According to the Maryland state government, the port supports 15,330 direct jobs and 139,180 jobs in related services.

Rescue crews looking for at least seven people in Baltimore bridge collapse

Rescue operations are underway near the wreckage of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, as crews look for people who fell into the Patapsco River.

“We are still very much in an active search and rescue posture at this point, and we will continue to be for some time,” Wallace added.

Baltimore Fire says two people have been rescued from the river – one who was uninjured, and another in hospitalized “very serious condition.”

“This is an unthinkable tragedy,” Mayor Brandon Scott said. “We have to first and foremost pray for all of those impacted.”

Ship that collided with Baltimore bridge was chartered by Danish shipping company Maersk 

From CNN's Alex Stambaugh in Hong Kong

The container ship that collided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore on Tuesday was chartered by Maersk and carrying their customers' cargo, the Danish shipping company told CNN.

"We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected," The company said in its statement.

The company, which has a full name of A.P. Moller - Maersk, said no company crew and personnel were onboard the vessel. It said the ship, DALI, is operated by charter vessel company Synergy Group. 

"We are closely following the investigations conducted by authorities and Synergy, and we will do our utmost to keep our customers informed," the statement said. 

CNN is attempting to contact the owner and managers of the ship, including Synergy.

FBI Baltimore on the scene at the Key Bridge

FBI Baltimore personnel are on the scene at the Francis Scott Key Bridge, they have said in a post on X.

The agency said it was working "side by side with our local, state and federal partners."

Baltimore fire emergency chief says 2 people saved from water after Key Bridge collapse

The Baltimore Fire Department Chief James Wallace says authorities rescued two people from the water this morning, one without injury and the other who has been transferred to hospital in a serious condition.

Authorities are continuing their search for upwards of seven people, Wallace says. But, he says that number could change as it is a "very large incident." Earlier on Tuesday, an official said as many as 20 people could be in the water.

Wallace added that the crew remains on board the ship, and are communicating with the US Coast Guard. He added that emergency services are looking into reports that there were workers on the bridge at the time of the incident.

Speaking at the press conference, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also described the incident as an “unthinkable tragedy,” and offered his prayers for all those affected, as well as his thanks to first responders.

Authorities share updates on Baltimore bridge collapse

Authorities are holding a news conference on the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore after it was struck by a large ship.

Divers and search and rescue teams are searching for people in the Patapsco River after several vehicles are believed to have fallen into the water, including one as large as a tractor-trailer, said Kevin Cartwright, director of communications of the Baltimore City Fire Department.

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Mcdonald’s called out for having no dollar items on $1 menu as fast food becomes too expensive.

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McDonald’s is getting a McRibbin’.

Customers are feeling salty about the lack of dollar food offerings on the chain’s popular $1 $2 $3 Dollar Menu.

“McDonald’s has a dollar menu right now without a single item that costs $1,” TikToker Anna Arroyo grimaced after showing the limited Dollar Menu items at a Niles, Ohio, location.

The least expensive foods were a McChicken and small French fries for $1.99 each.

“ I think that the title Dollar Menu is a misnomer,” Arroyo later told Insider . “They are trying to capitalize on an old business model that no longer exists, and it just brings more attention to their inflated prices…I miss the days of being able to get a regular hamburger for 89¢ and a small fry for $1.”

These complaints come as a quarter of consumers who make less than $50,000 a year report eating less fast food. And about half of these customers say they are visiting fast-casual and full-service restaurants less often, according to Reuters , which cited February polling numbers.

@anna2morrow McDonald’s pricing is getting out of hand. How are you gonna. All something a follar menu and put $1 $2 $3 right next to that when there are no $1 items? This isnt even a McDonald’s in a nice area. #foryoupage #trending #fyp #mcdonalds #capitalism #inflation ♬ original sound – Anna

It’s a stern pushback on McDonald’s franchisees inflating their prices by about 10% in recent months, Reuters reported.

The chain was also blasted for $18 Big Mac meals last year .

Tennessee musician Lauren Oxford told Reuters this week that she used to indulge in two McDonald’s double hamburgers, fries, and a drink for less than $5. Now she is eating there less often.

“I don’t know if I can justify that,” she said about rising prices.

Another TikToker went on a tear after paying $20 for two Steak, Egg & Cheese Bagel combos — extra hash browns would have been more than $2.

“Y’all are supposed to be dollar menu, budget-friendly,” he ranted.

The Post reached out to McDonald’s reps for comment.

@classiqmusic #greenscreen McDonald’s, y’all being real trifling #McDonalds #Expensive #BigMac #Breakfast ♬ original sound – classiqmusic

Last month, company executives told investors that the fast-food behemoth will live or die by its “value menu” and that appealing to the already reluctant low-budget crowd — those who make under $45,000 — is crucial.

“The battleground is certainly with that low-income consumer,” McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said at the time.

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2 Holland America crew members die during "incident" on cruise ship

March 23, 2024 / 1:20 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an "incident" in the ship's engineering space, the cruise line said.

The unidentified crew members died Friday while the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam was at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Holland America said in a statement.

Authorities were notified and the cause of the accident is being investigated, the cruise line said. 

"The safety, security and welfare of all guests and crew are the company's absolute priority," the cruise line said. The company also noted reports that these crew members perished in a shipboard fire are not accurate.

The cruise line did not offer any further details about the crew members, nor which agency was handling the investigation. The ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale on March 16 for a seven-night trip. 

Crew members were being offered counseling.

"All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with our team members' families at this difficult time," the statement said. 

Crew member deaths are relatively rare. Researchers at Bowling Green State University found between 2000 and 2019, there were 623 reported deaths on cruise ships, and 89% of those deaths were passengers while 11% of those were crew members.

During the pandemic, four crew members were killed by non-coronavirus causes on  cruise ships with workers stranded onboard . 

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