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? She likes... big... SHIPS!!! And she cannot lie!! O-asis really catches her eye! ?

I like to see military members in dress uniforms, they almost always look sharp. If my wife sees a handsome naval officer in dress whites she starts to breathe funny, gets the shakes and begins to mumble.

I received good news via email today! They made an additional Key available for me! I'm glad I won't have to watch my 13 year old eat lunch at Chops without me now ? Hello, Hope this email finds you well, I am glad to inform we were able to obtain the additional spot that you requested; to book The Key service, please call us as soon as you can in order to pay for it please. Payment can only be made today. Regards, Kevin Velasquez Resolutions Specialist Royal Caribbean International®

I haven’t noticed a particular difference in formal-ness but many people get into the spirit (including Dan and me) with holiday adornment. We have “naughty” and “nice” Santa hats. I am NEVER naughty. ??

Per FAQ, page 5: http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Perfect_Day/18062708_FAQ_Perfect_Day_CocoCay_Consumer.pdf

Hey Everyone! I am new to RC and this site but our next cruise is: February 21st, 2020 on Serenade of the Seas! We are going for our Honeymoon and I am excited to learn about all things Royal Caribbean over the next 314 days! ?

Our Symphony of the Seas cruise leaves tomorrow, Apr 13th, 2019. “Our” being my husband Mike and 7 year old daughter Delilah. This is Delilah’s first cruise, Mike and my second. Our first cruise was Freedom of the Seas in 2007. I’m hoping cruising will become our family thing, but it depends on how this cruise goes with my daughter. I printed my Set Sail pass, cruise docs, and luggage tags. I packed magnetic hooks, a USB hub and sea sick bands and pills. I am at the airport in Sacramento as I type. We fly Sac to Denver to FLL arrive in FLL tonight at 12:30am. We have our drink packages purchased, alcohol one for Mike and I, refreshment one for Delilah. We have ordered the picture package, the octopus stuffed animal for D, and water in the room. We got the key because at 19.99 is was only $3 more than the internet and with the chops lunch, it was a no brainer. I would have even paid 24.99, since you don’t have to wait in line for shows and to get off the boat. Waiting in any line with my ADHD daughter is a nightmare. I was going to also take advantage of the key for flow rider and zip line times but I read in the cruise docs my daughter is not old enough for those. Had I realized that I would have probably picked a boat with iFly instead and dreamworks characters. My daughter loves zip lining. We booked an ocean balcony, #12610. I’m kind of worried this room is going to be too far from an elevator. We tend to forget stuff a lot and I think it’s going to be a pain having to run that far to the room. To make it less painful I bought a Fitbit watch, so I can be happy getting so many steps. We made low bids for each RoyalUp category, but doubt we’ll get an upgrade since the ship is full. It would be nice to get a bigger cabin but I mostly bid in hopes of getting something closer to an elevator. We requested early dining and have all our shows booked. My daughters bedtime is usually between 7 and 8 so we’ll see if she can stay awake through the shows. We have all our excursions booked, Atlantis in Bahamas, dolphin encounter in St. Kitts, and Turtle island Sail and snorkel on St Thomas. Most of my posts will be more pictures than text but I thought I would make an introduction post here. I have read all the other Symphony blogs and got a lot of my questions and info from them. I had lots more questions on traveling with young kids, so I’ll try and include info on that too. I have no idea if my daughter will like Adventure Ocean or if she’ll be with us mostly. 25 to 1 ratio of adults to kids with 40 kids may not be her thing. If anyone wants pictures of anything or has any questions let me know.

So true!! I never get to dress up anymore. Nowadays I'm either covered in my kids' snot or milk, or food splatter from cooking. Alright, I'm gonna fancy it up like no one's business.

I always prepay grats and once they're done, I forget about them. I assume they're going to good people doing very hard work for very little money. Even though we haven't set food in a MDR in over a year, I still leave those tips in place. More trouble than it's worth to try and move them ! We always tip in cash for food and drinks as well as service like the stateroom attendants and whoever else.

Just got off the phone with Royal. In the phone rep's notes, it specifically stated that Playmakers and Johnny Rockets were included. So you can have wings as a "second dinner". ?

Thats how tips are supposed to work, nowadays the mentality is "if i give them a TIP before they do any work then they will do better work". While this may be true it sets a terrible precedence as at work we call it Bribery.

At the photo ops where they have a backdrop and the area is set aside for ship photographers they typically do not allow you to walk up and use your own camera. If you can find a nice place to take pictures where they haven't setup the professional cameras, then you can take pictures. I often see people trying to use staircases and such but there is nothing to stop other guests from accidentally photo-bombing your pictures as they walk down the stairs. Generally speaking most guests are very accommodating when they see someone trying to take a family picture on the stairs but our fellow guests come from a cross section of our society and sometimes a guest couldn't care less that you are trying to capture a family moment on a public staircase.

If it makes you feel any better, my husband served 30 years in the US military and we have never gotten a discount of a cruise for that service. To be clear, it is only active duty and retirees that receive a discount the few times it has been offered (rather than anyone who ever served). The few times I have even seen one come up it wasn’t ever as good as the current “sale” or even the 55+ rate. Once in a while living in GA helps in terms of a tiny discount since we are so close to many of the RCL ports. I do sincerely understand how you would feel, but I promise you that in real usefulness with most cruise lines there is none. That said, I love the people of Australia and of New Zealand - some of my favorite humans come from one or the other (and it doesn’t hurt that I have a husband with a big chunk of Maori running around in his DNA). ???. @GlowTheWeird and @WAAAYTOOO yup! They are not ever useful. @twangster “Since the discount often doesn't actually apply, it seems odd to proudly offer something that isn't really a thing.“ EXACTLY. Most of the time, the so-called Veteran’s discounts are not “discounts” at all set up only as a way to show the company is “doing something” for Veterans when the truth is that most of the time it is all show and no action (although there are exceptions, including the MGM and Harrah’s groups and Disney properties). Honestly, we would much rather someone do nothing for us than to produce a fake discount so they can look good (only the latter tick me off ?).

Hi, Im receiving daily updates of oasis position, this was today at 10am

I have 2. 1st story I work for a national mens clothier. I go off and buy what I think is a great outfit for my husband. White/navy blue striped cotton sweater, and navy shorts. One a.m. we were at the pool and it was kind of chilly, but he knew it would warm up, so he wore this outfit. It is @ 10 a.m. and he is sleeping on a lounge chair next to me...snoring. Passengers are walking by and glaring. Thus, I nudge him so he will stop snoring. He stops snoring, but they are still walking by and mumbling under their breath. Huh? I don't get it, why are they looking at him this way. A few mins later a bar staff member walks up to me and asked if I needed a drink. I looked at him, looked at my husband and broke out in laughter. His outfit was almost identical, just different stripe design on the sweater. I am positive all those passengers thought he was part of the crew sleeping on the job! 2nd story We as a family (siblings and cousins) decided that we were going to surprise my Mom for her 80th with a cruise. She got wind and said she was not going. We (siblings/cousins) decided we were still going and celebrate my Mom's Bday without her. My brother is a practical joker. He went to Staples and had a 24x32 picture of my Mom printed up. In his mind, she was going on this cruise with us no matter what. He took it with him on the ship, but kept it a secret. Formal night rolls around and VOILA he pulls this picture out for the photos.. I can't recall the Captain's name, but he was European and needed staff to translate. There is my brother asking the Captain to take a picture of him holding this huge picture of my Mom. The captain could not wrap his head around he was being asked to do. I am pretty sure when he got back to the bridge, he told everyone, now he has seen it all for the photo ops. My brother also makes calendars for every family member as a xmas gift. Every month is a photo. That yr. her bday month was the picture of the Captain holding this picture of her

Ok, so I just got off allure on March 31 and was not happy the Chicago forecast predicted snow this week. That might have had something to do with it! Or....I was feeling guilty that my daughter was graduating from university of Illinois and I didn’t go to mom’s weekend! Or....I was still not 100 days til we head to Barcelona and board our first European cruise! Or it might have been the excitement of finally making platinum but I totally flipped and decided to give my daughter the choice of a trip for her graduation. And she picked a cruise! And in searching I realized that the 4 day cruise to Havana and key west was pretty much the same as the 5 day to Cozumel. Within 24 hours of coming up with this crazy idea, we booked it with my husband’s blessing...which was nice because he will be teaching summer school to pay for the other summer cruise. So in 66 days, my 22 year old, my 16 year old and I will be boarding majesty! With this cruise I will have been on 5 different classes and to 11 different ports. I never thought when I booked my first cruise in 2015 that I would take more cruises in 4 years than trips to Disney! My obsessions still war (someday Disney cruise) but I have to say that 4 cruises in a 13 month period will make all those long hours of babysitting worth it! And I must say, this blog might encourage my yolo book it tendencies a bit too much. I will need lots of advice on where to go in key west and Havana! Jane

LOL I told my sister I would skip lunch in the Windjammer on port days and eat an early dinner and then "snack" dinner later LOLOLOL Is filet mignon a snack?

We were at Coco Cay yesterday truly beautiful. According to workers they are on schedule to be finished in May 2019. If they cancel an excursion due to work, delays, weather etc you will get a full refund to the card you used. If you choose to cancel at least 24 hours prior you will still get a full refund to the card you used.

ETA Cadiz ... 08.00 April 18

I always have to give it to the guys in kilts. I could never pull one off, but if there was ever a time to wear a kilt, it would be formal night!

We stayed in 7279 on Navigator this past November. This room is in the centre but right opposite the pub and we found it could be quite noisy at night, with live music playing until after midnight, so that's something to bear in mind if it might disturb you. The photos show the view from the window.

Welcome to the message boards! I suspect the report of her arrival in Cadiz is inaccurate. She is still 4 or 5 days away.

Got my prime free cruise email this afternoon, so maybe yours will show up soon

It's an area on the NCL Joy where Virtual Reality and Laser Tag are played. Laser battle outdoors on Deck 20 of a ship in the middle of the ocean — just saying. There's an interactive video wall plus interactive virtual reality experiences to get your thrill on, including a Star Wars (YES!!) cockpit simulator and an exhilarating hang-gliding ride.

This just wouldn’t be a great idea IMHO. Especially since your just getting something to eat. 1. Logistics of explaining why your getting off a cruise ship you just got on to go get something to eat must be a red flag w/ customs. 2. There’s nothing in downtown Fort Lauderdale (food wise) worth going through the hassle and expense of getting off the ship for. 3. Lots of room for error. Lose track of time, problems getting a ride share, customs issue exc exc. The payoff is just not there. I would stay on the ship and enjoy your vacation waving bye bye to Fort Lauderdale as you sail out the inlet.

I'm not a local, pinging @tonyfsu21 , but there is not really very much to do around the port of FLL, you would have to take a taxi to someplace up on 17th street for dinning. Unless you plan is to go to a Walgreens or Publix (Also on 17th street) to do some last minute shopping you are money ahead to get on the ship and enjoy the food that you have already paid for (And possibly drinks) and start vacation early at one of the pools, IMO.

Quantum class' VIA / Royal Esplanade area looks even more like an indoor mall than the Royal Promenade on Voyager / Freedom class, with very little in the way of views outside until you get aft / over by Two70 Lounge. Unfortunately it's something of a required aspect of being a cold-weather ship -- not nearly as much glass in the public spaces, with the very notable exception of the Solarium. That space is fantastic for the outside view of the water as you're lounging in a hot tub or one of the many waterfall-style shallow pools, or enjoying a lounger at the very front of the space, or sitting at the bar enjoying a beverage. Two70 Lounge and CK also have lots of big windows for great views and water connection, and the MDR might have that as well (haven't been so can't say). But the other big public areas like Music Hall, Seaplex, Schooner Bar, Boleros, etc. have no windows or only a few smaller-size ones.

OMG! I am laughing so hard right now!

Because Royal Caribbean IT department.

It will still be great! I am just a big ship girl ?

Meanwhile I'm over here emailing my poor MEI agent about a $3 price drop in cruise fare ?

This is my situation as well. I'm much more inclined to pop in and out of wherever and order a single entree or appetizer. I don't do well with sitting through an entire 3 course meal. I'm also solo on my sailing, so hopefully they may be more inclined just give me a plate to go (I'm looking at you Izumi sushi...) when I want. I like the ability to be able to pop into Johnny Rockets and grab a burger too.

I am trying to reprice a cruise that the final payment is due soon. The representative told me that. Like we always say ask again and again until someone comes up with the answer I want.

I believe/hope that as always with RCL and even more with the Casino program its a matter of getting the right representative, the information they have is very limited/inconstant . Well if I will fail I will try try again.

I just checked my cruise planner and my ultimate has been changed to unlimited. I'm very happy because as a bariatric surgery individual, this is much more conducive to how I eat. Giant 3 to 4 course meals are really wasted on me. Now I spread out my courses of several hours and not feel guilty about wasting food.

I can't speak for others, but as for me, I just about always prepay my gratuities. It's just one less thing that I have to think about on board. When you arrive at the port and hand your luggage over to the porters, it is customary to tip $1-$2 per bag. They're the ones making sure your luggage makes it on board after all. My husband and I typically get the deluxe drink package and indulge a bit on board, so we'll usually carry on a stack of $1 bills. On the first day usually, we'll find a bar and bartenders we like and we'll tip and extra $1 or two here and there. The bartenders will learn your name and drink very quickly - this has paid off for us many times during busier bar times. As far as stateroom, we'll tip an extra $20 or so if our stateroom attendant is great (though I've heard of others doing more - this is really up to you). Another consideration here is if your room needs some extra attention, or if you have a lot of people. For dining, again, we'll tip an extra $5-20 if it's really above and beyond. For both stateroom and dining I've had experiences in both directions.

Hi all! I just wanted to jump back on and say thanks to all of those that answered my Star class questions and a special thanks again for this awesome live blog @Lovetocruise2002! Our Symphony Cruise was amazing. Our genie, Alina, was phenomenal and made everything extra special for the kids. I have no idea how you manage to live blog your cruise because I barely had time to take pictures we were having so much fun! Lol. We’ve already booked again for June on Radiance (alas, no genie) to celebrate my oldest son’s high school graduation. Thanks again for all of the advice! We were nervous but it was all amazing just as you said it would be!

I mean to be fair, I said "around" ... one month off. Give me some credit. ?

I prefer doing it myself but I hate, hate, HATE making phone calls. Making any changes to a Royal reservation always requires a phone call, so I am more than glad to let a TA handle that. If I could easily go into my reservation after booking online and make changes, adjustments, etc. then giving up control would be a little more difficult for me.

@Justice. Agree. I bid on a GS and won. I was notified on February 15 with a set sail date of February 24, 2019. Moving from a JS was great.

We were on Anthem going out of Bayonne and it was suppose to go to Bermuda. Jose and Maria (?) were barreling down. 48 hrs prior to the cruise RCCL contacts everyone on the cruise and said we are going to Nova Scotia. If you want to cancel, we will give you a FCC and pay back your costs. If you want to go, we will give 50% of the cost + 250 OBC. They stated that the ship sailed away full occupancy. The funny thing there was on the sail away a group of 15 people wearing designed tee shirts. It stated sail away to Bermuda, and than a red line crossed through it with handwriting saying Nova Scotia. It didn't end there. The next day was a sea day. They traveled as a group and all had tees, drunk 1...15 Think thing 1 and 2, Dr. Seuss. I had noticed them throughout the day in different spots on the ship. We went to trivia, late afternoon. There they are. I look around and count the numbers on their shirts. Other people did too. All of the sudden we realized there were only 14 people, even though there was a drunk 15. The group said, that because they got the trip so cheap now (RCCL OBC) they didn't want to jinx it and decided nobody would be #13. They were the talk of the entire ship, bc everyday they wore a new tee shirt.. Day 3.Bermuda/slashed through and Portland Maine written. Day 4 was the funniest...Bermuda slashed through and BRRR written because we were now in Canada, the last week of Sept. These were professionally done and prior to us leaving the temp was suppose to be in the mid 70s in Halifax. We get there and it was 91 degrees.

So, our first cruise with my brother and sister in law on the Navigator. One cruise day after a morning by the pool, screwdrivers, bloody marys, beer, etc my wife says "let's get changed and have lunch in the MDR" to which we all concur. We get to the MDR and were seated with a group of folks from Missouri. Table conversations continues (my brother in law is a TALKER, he could be a politician) our lunch arrives and I chow down. My wife asks "so where in Missouri are you folks from"? One of the gentlemen replied " just south of Platte, just across the river from Leavenworth, KS". At that point in time, I quietly sit back, wipe my mouth and said "Leavenworth, yeah, I spent some time there." Conversations ended, there was a total silence and the Missouri folks started looking out the window, their plates and anything except us. Of course, after I explained to them that I spent a year at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth when I was on active duty they livened up and we were all friends again. We still get a chuckle out of that.

As retired U.S. Air Force I feel a bit compelled to weigh in here....with a response that may surprise! I think they should get rid of the military discount altogether! Here is why...First, it only exists on paper. It rarely if ever actually gets applied. Meanwhile you ruffle the feathers of those non-U.S. non-Canadian military personnel. There is seemingly no problem with state-side companies offering discounts to U.S. service personnel only, as they are stores/restaraunts etc. that are based in thr u.S. and physically located in the U.S. (I would not expect to get a military discount at McDonalds in Japan..... BUT despite the fact that TC is suposedly a U.S. company, their market is very international including international ports, routes, and indeed crew! So to only offer the military discount to certain countries defenders slights others and in today's world of reading-to-much-onto-everything could even be viewed as a political statement. Offering the military discount to ALL military likewise doesn't work..do yo offer the discount to military from opposing countries? If not, s soon as you elimnate one you make a statement. Too many pitfalls here. Get rid of it I say! (Now, free drinks for veterans i could support! ?

Thank you for your service and I understand your reasoning. To the OP's point though, why should only US and Canada service men and women be recognized for their service? Since the discount often doesn't actually apply, it seems odd to proudly offer something that isn't really a thing.

got it ...it was more to see husbands family honestly and catch a bite with them..lol I don't care to do anything but get a tan

We might get close to what we want, see mook1525's response and my follow-up question

You should tip the porters as they are not included in any gratuity you have paid. If you pay your gratuities, whether pre-paid or added to your daily charge, then you don't have to pay anything extra. That being said, I also tip extra at the end of the cruise but that is completely our choice and you wouldn't be a cheapskate if you choose not to tip extra.

You will probably still just have 2 formal nights, particularly if you have lots of ports and relatively few sea days.

Sad it has taken all these years to come out. I personally have asked that question many times. Getting a state discount is a joke also. Or a senior discount or a disabled discount. And so on and so forth. To all who have served : THANK YOU.

I received a zero bill in Chops that indicated gratuity was included. Like any specialty restaurant receipt there was a space for me to enter additional gratuity if I chose to.