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This has been my night at work. Nothing like using company time, company equipment, and company ink to get ready.

-Day Five Morning- Today I Got Up And Went To The Windjammer And Saw This. A Waterspout

Hi there, @A_perfect_Storm, welcome to the message boards! I'm not aware of any specific planning timelines like you mention, but here are some general guidelines I think work for any cruise. I'm sure I've missed some things, others here will fill in the gaps Starting right now Think about making monthly payments towards your cruise balance; this is a great way to spread out the cost over as much time as possible Put a reminder in your calendar for 3 days ahead of your final payment date, and make sure the cruise is paid off then -- if you miss final payment, you lose your cruise! No backsies, no mulligans, no second chances! About 12 months before sailing -- start checking your Cruise Planner for any items you may be interested in purchasing, like shore excursions, internet packages, beverage packages (alcoholic or non), specialty dining, etc. @Matt, who runs the site, is very good about posting in the main blog when new sales start in the Cruise Planner; you can re-check for things each time a new sale / promotion is announced Try to space out your purchases, to spread out the payments and avoid having a painful credit card bill in any one month Know that you can always cancel something you bought, and then re-purchase it, if you find later on that the price has dropped 8-9 months before sailing -- check your passports and make sure they will still be valid for at least 6 months after your cruise ends; if not, get them renewed now so they're in effect for about 6 months prior to sailing Also apply for passports for any family members who don't yet have them; while you can sail with just a drivers license and birth certificate, having a passport is generally better 90 days before sail date You had that reminder fire off and you took care of final payment, right? If not, do it on this day or lose your cruise! Do your online checkin and complete all forms, print your set sail pass 45 days before sail date -- start checking for your eDocuments on the web site (available under the View More Details link for your sailing after you log in) When you have your documents, you can also print your luggage tags 1 week before sail date Get all documents and papers together; passports, set sail passes, luggage tags, etc. If you haven't yet, put a travel alert on all credit cards you expect to use abroad 2+ days before sail date -- get cash for tips and other small expenses, souvenirs if you don't want to use your credit card, etc. 1+ day before sail date -- fly down to the port; never do this the day you sail away!! Hope this helps! The next year and two months is going to be a blast as you prepare and plan and eagerly await your vacation!

It tells me you ought to read that cruise contract you agreed to when booking a cruise. You agreed by booking the cruise that RC is under no obligation to actually go to any of the ports advertised. I get that you're upset your cruise isn't going to CocoCay, but unfortunately things happen. Sometimes rides at Disney World have to close due to maintenance or the Space Needle is not open to guests due to a private event, refurbishment, etc. Nature of travel sometimes. But it's not a deliberate plot to fool guests into booking a vacation under false pretenses.

Good man, do this myself and then... "borrow" a document folder so I have all my hard copies together, in order and right where I can grab them when I need them. I'm a delight to travel with lol

This cruise addiction is bad isn’t it? I know that the closer that I get to my cruise the more useless I become at work. I’m just glad that the firewall at my jobs allow this website as well as RCCL through otherwise I’d be in trouble!!??

Actually, for a "modest" investment in RCI you get to name one of the new islands. Sorry, I can't divulge that amount nor the name of the island I came up with.

Did a little picture taking on the boardwalk before it was time to get ready for dinner. This I think is one of the best views on the ship I kept saying I wanted to ride the carousel and never did. I’m just a kid at heart Johnny Rockets If you need a sugar rush, this place will take care of it for you We were going to zip line, but never got around to it before our zip line excursion in St Thomas. After that it seemed a little less exciting Playmakers was packed for the football games. Other than that it seemed like you could get a seat there whenever you wanted. I was going to try it for lunch one day, but never got around to it. Dinner tonight was also in the solarium. We weren’t overly impressed with the main dining room the first couple of nights so we decided to try something different. Most of our group really enjoyed the dinner here. For me it wasn’t really my thing. The food was fine, I’m just more of a meat and potatoes kind of a guy. After dinner we had reservations for Hiro. I was a little nervous about the show being cancelled as throughout the day we had some motion on the ship. After all the shows being cancelled on Harmony last year I really wanted to see this. It didn’t get cancelled and I thought the show was awesome. I didn’t get very many good pictures, but here are a few

Day 3 continued: not sure how some of those last photos got on there, sorry about that. Just my uncle and I went on the tour so after that we met up with the rest of the family. For lunch this day we decided to eat in the Solarium. This was the first time eating in the Solarium on either of my cruises and have to say it was really good. While the choices weren’t as expansive as the buffet, I thought the food was pretty good. It was a pretty nice day out so it became a lay out by the pool and spend some time on the flowrider kind of day. Not sure what’s going on here: Last year wife tried the stand up flowrider and failed miserably. This year she decided to try the kneeboarding Not sure if this video will work, but if it does feel free to laugh. It’s my wife and I laughed so it’s ok. Lol. And if not, you will notice there are no pictures of her actually on her knees on the flowrider so she failed at this as well. F0834FAC-26FD-436E-9849-A7E323AC8C9E.MOV

Hubby got me in here ? I would say we are both a bit cruise obsessed. Obviously I haven't posted/commented much yet --

A few extra details possibly not heard before: http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/321371/royal-caribbean-to-open-five-private-islands Royal Caribbean International will open five ‘Perfect Day’ private islands over the next five years and has revealed that its yet-to-be-named ‘Spectrum 2’ ship will sail in Europe. The line will open ‘Perfect Day at CocoCay’ in the Bahamas in May. It will be followed by private islands in Asia, for the Chinese market, one off the coast of Australia and another in the Caribbean. Speaking at a Travel Weekly Executive Lunch, the line’s president and chief executive, Michael Bayley, said: “We have been busy acquiring land around the world and each one will have a slightly different concept, depending on what each market’s idea of a perfect day is.” Ten Royal Caribbean ships will feature CocoCay in itineraries this year, and in 2020 ships will stay later into the evenings. In 2021, vessels will stay overnight. Royal Caribbean is also building “limited overnight accommodation” on the island, which will offer “a suite-class experience”. A pier that can accommodate two ships, including one Oasis-class vessel, is being constructed. “You could go on one ship, spend a few days at CocoCay and get back on another ship,” said Bayley. Royal is preparing to launch Spectrum of the Seas, its first Quantum Ultra-class vessel, in Shanghai in April. Bayley hinted that the second Quantum Ultra-class vessel, currently known as ‘Spectrum 2’, will sail out of Barcelona after its launch in autumn 2020 and will visit the UK. Royal is poised to announce a major investment in port infrastructure in Barcelona. Bayley confirmed Royal was likely to exercise five options for new-builds it has registered with shipyards. This would be in addition to five ship orders set to be delivered in the next five years.

Just wait until it's your turn to pay for the next wall.

Without getting into a greater discussion of the business practices of Park West, I'd say it should be a very low priority to do. Personally, I would not waste my time.

With this many ships on order, I feel it is inevitable that the smaller ships will be sold to another line (or possibly they create their own separate line for small ships). The Royal brand will be all mega ships sailing to their own destinations and the few places that where these ships can dock.

Ah-ha! There's your answer @twangster, it's @Lovetocruise2002 fault!

Just saw this posted over on CC as well....doesn't surprise me at all. But what does surprise me is the amount of money this must cost and how much higher cruises fares will have to go to finance all this. I like the idea of switching ships in some cases..but that sounds like it will be only for the suite guests which wont include me. And up to 10 more ships to be ordered??! I don't think that kinda demand is there...especially when all the cruise lines are building these massive ships. I still say that at some point all this spending and increase capacity is going to come back to bite Royal. Everything goes in cycles and when it turns back down, that's a lot of islands and boats to pay for.....

Here You Go @Twangster Fan.

The first few pictures look like daycare for older kids. . . No sharp edges, just alcohol and showers. . . hmmmm

Getting the itch to add #8 now, trying to restrain myself. And nevermind being productive after the cruise, try the last week before. Got 4 days to go, at work now, and all I'm doing is sitting at the desk, looking at the cruise schedule. Spent the last few work nights sitting at the desk browsing excursions for what I already have booked.

Spending time with your grandparents is very special.

That is great if I can book and cancel later on (if needed) ! Very helpful infos I am geting from you people !

Well I went from not cruising for 8 years Jan 2011 to booking a cruise in Dec for Jan 2019. Than I put a deposit down on 1/9 for a cruise in Aug 2019 & today I put a deposit down for one in Feb 2020. My wife asked was I getting carried away all of the sudden LOL but she didn't say no. Upcoming cruises Allure 1/27/2019 Ovation 8/9/2019 Adventure 2/1/2020 Guess I'll just work on planning excursions ect.. for the last 2 & hold off booking anything else for now. Thanks to Michelle - MEI Travel.

For us, we have always found our pins waiting in our stateroom when we arrive. We never got platinum pins but the emerald and diamond were waiting for us in little plastic bags attached to a congratulations note from the Loyalty Ambassador on 1st cruise after obtaining the required points.

Day Three Costa Maya After Breakfast In The Windjammer We Got Off To Go Shopping. This Was There Frist Time In Costa Maya And My Second Time. Today We Where The Only Ship In Port.

After Muster I Went To The Centrum To Hear Some Music. The Music Was Prerecorded

@Matt See My Grandma Supports The Blog.

Pool Deck Tour.

Maybe, but you're the one with a cruise plan for 2019 that rivals what @twangster usually has lined up. ?

As much as some like to drink on the boat, you're likely to find the next Picasso. The Park West staff would love it

On our cruise on Brilliance earlier this month I would stop at the same penny machine before I left the casino at night and put $20 in. First 2 nights I won $163 and $178. I actually came off the ship with more cash than when I walked on (~$500) but wasn't sure how many points I accumulated.... I'll find out when I'm on Enchantment in March.

Why haven't I thought of this before??? Chocolate bar filled with Jack!

I'm sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo glad this moron and his friends got banned for life !!! FINALLY!! RCCL got something right!!

YIPPEE !!! Yes, that is true. After April 1 you will be able to book any cruise with the exception of a holiday sailing or a cruise greater than 8 days in length. Congratulations ! Also, something I haven't tried yet, but plan to after 1 April. I am going to try and reprice one of the cruises I already have booked (Star Class) using (and upgrading) my annual free cruise. They may try and charge me a cancellation fee for the nonrefundable deposit but I will fight that as it does not violate either of their "rules" (I will not be changing the ship nor the sail date). I'll let you know how that goes when I try it.

Day Five Radom Photos

I keep thinking that w ehave to do wonderland. Seems like a unique experience!

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/?dates_maxDate=09%2F30%2F2020&dates_minDate=05%2F01%2F2020&destinationRegionCode_ALCAN=true&durationCode_12plus=true&durationCode_9to11=true&icid=hpnvbr_pagehe_fnd_hm_awaren_938

We used to go on one 'nice' vacation every year and a half (I e. Cruise or Disney). Then we snuck in a cruise last Aug on Mariner and got addicted. We currently have 5 cruises booked between now and March 2021.

^^^ This is hilarious! Hubby and I were just talking over the weekend and he asked me if there were any husbands/wives on the blog messages that both post and participate. I could not think of any! ?

Zoom Lens

This Is The Only Photo I Took Today.

Thanks @rjac

Welcome to a very non-exclusive club of cruise addicts and their indifferent spouses!

@Matt posts to the main blog (not these forums) every time a new Cruise Planner sale starts. So you can check the blog home page daily, or subscribe to it in your news feed reader of voice, and be kept up to date. Do be aware that the Cruise Planner sometimes has random price drops that happen independently of sale timings, so it pays to check at least once a week whether you see an announcement or not. Best I got for VOOM was 50% off on-board prices, which translated to $17.99/night for a 2-device plan. That was shortly AFTER Black Friday sales had happened, and was one of those random price drops I mentioned. People here are good about posting random drops in this forum, so it’s another reason to check back regularly. ?

Umm...overzealous? No. There is a very simple explanation. You just found the RCBlog message boards, that's all.

Love, love, love the big smile! Thanks for taking the time to blog - it's so much fun to follow!

So here are a few of the pictures from night 1 that wouldn’t load before. We had a couple ships in close view. Here is the amazing Royal Cheesecake I had for dessert at dinner We actually somehow made it to the balloon drop at midnight. And before bed stopped by the schooner bar to listen to some music and have a drink. Had some pretty neat artifacts in there.

So, lesson learned. If cruising with first time cruisers and also wanting to get a little relaxation in for yourself, don’t try a live blog. Instead this will end up as a liveish blog. Sorry for not keeping up, but just had so much going on. Have tons of photos and will be going through over the next few days and putting a day by day blog together.

I lived in AK for almost 4 yrs right outside of AK. I do believe the ship does not matter, but I would say the time of the year matters just as much, and maybe more if the itenary s port intensive. In Anchorage we call May the SPIT month. It basically does not rain, but it is not unusual for it to spit...mist, light showers all day. Plus, a TON of big arse mosquitos. By early June the mosquitos and spit is gone. June and July are the best months. I would book 3rd week of June prior to summer solstice. Believe it or not Denali is warm, than again I lived in AK for yrs. If it is sunny, you can expect a dry air 80 degrees. August, you are getting back into iffy weather. Still slightly warm during the days, but chilly at night. Depending on how cold August gets you might see more bears and moose....going into hibernation. I would say that no matter when you go, if you dock in Anchorage, you need to book Simon and Seaforts. It is an amazing restaurant (pricey), but the service, the ambience and if you can get a window table it is worth the cost. Try the prime rib and the crab/artichoke dip. I would stay at the Hilton over Captain Cook Hotel. You can easily walk to Simon and Seaforts. The Hilton has an amazing roof top restaurant/bar when we lived there. They are north of Captain Cook. If you are in Anchorage I would suggest Eagle River Rafting. http://rafting.allaboutrivers.com/Alaska_river_rafting/Eagle_River_(AK)_rafting-riv265.html We lived in Eagle River. It is about 25 mins from Anchorage. It is a mild ride, but still a lot of fun. I would also suggest that if you are staying in Anchorage to contact Simon and Seaforts and book asap if you want a window over looking the bay. I cannot tell you how amazing this restaurant is regarding food and service.

It's my understanding the benifits can't be used with the normal sales and promos, and in most cases the normal promos are better. Personally I wouldn't buy shares for deals, I'd by them to invest in the company. Plus one could argue, if you own shares you wouldn't want profit going to deals for shareholders. If it were profitable (via discounts) to get shares, then it can't be that much of a help to Royal.