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Had talk with Oncologist today, and he pretty much said I should have no problem with the trip. There are more test and radiology mold to be made and a port to be put in before treatment can start, so I have a little time. Big smile now, but don’t look forward to 5+ months of treatment after. But I will fully enjoy this trip like it’s my last.

And finally the window... it was mine! Vintage Magnet got under that fancy window cover for this one.

I really hope they are able to build or amp smaller ships in the future. This past summer, we took Rhapsody in the Greek/Adriatic seas. One of our favorite stops was in Montenegro and I don't see how "mega" ship could have navigated that harbor. Granted, I can see how the mega ships are great for families but if you aren't sailing with kids the smaller ships are great.

If you use the app you can secure the boarding times you want without inputting any other information. Then you can do all the rest at leisure when you get home.

My family & I just returned from sailing Odyssey for the Holiday. We had an excellent cruise, everything was perfection. The Music Hall is an amazing venue (especially on Odyssey). We were there every single night enjoying the karaoke, bands exc. The upstairs area is prime time with plenty of seats, pool tables and a full bar. I’ve been before on other ships but for some reason (maybe the layout), I enjoyed this venue on Odyssey more than the others. For anyone getting ready to sail her, you are in for a treat!

If they are under 16, you just need a birth certificate, no photo id. Over 16, you need a photo id. I am doing the same in March. Oldest over 16 has a passport, but the two younger ones don’t and are under 16, so just certified copy of their birth certificates. I will bring my divorce decree, but will not offer it unless they ask. As long as one parent has the same last name, they usually don’t ask questions. Also, I have a notarized note from mom, but like the decree, won’t offer it unless asked. My experience is that if you offer these up front, red flags go up even though you have the docs. Let them raise the flag, don’t raise the flag for them. Finally, if your last name is different from what’s on the birth certificate, perhaps because of a remarriage, you need to bring those docs to support all of your name changes.

That's just normal Texas driving LOL

I've wanted RC to do this. Scrap the dumb internal chat app from the early 2000s and just have people pay for messaging services. You could probably charge $5 per day or maybe even a little more and people would soak it up.

How about we all chip in and lease our own satellite constellation. The 'Royal Caribbean Blog Super Special Satellite Service' for members only?

+1

Definitely, if it is your First time at Coco Cay, you should scope out and explore the island. Maybe even try a couple of beaches, spend a few hours each at a couple different ones to see which you like best.

Just got off at the new terminal last Thursday and it is a great improvement over the older terminals. Our check-in was quick and easy, the only caveat is we HAD to give our luggage to a porter to check it in. The "labeled" area for luggage drop off is not for you to carry and drop off your luggage but to hand it to to a porter. No problem just a little deceptive as the personal drop off area you can use is on the other side of the terminal. There are two sets of escalators, one for Pinnacle and Suite guests and the other for all of us little people. At the top of the escalator is the first check in point where they will scan your Set Sail pass and check your data entry and photo. Proceed on to the luggage and people scanners. This was the only slow down and it seemed that the personnel there were all brand new and they kept checking our backpacks (or at least mine) although it contained exactly the same things that I always carry on and not place in the luggage. Once through there, and it really did not take long. you proceed to the waiting area which is very large, roomy and a huge improvement in ambiance department. Once boarding commences they have re-instituted the tier boarding they had prior to COVID. Key, Pinnacle, Suite entered and then Diamond+ (Yay, we finally moved up in the line) followed by the others. The ramps to the ship are straight without the switchback or turns, are wide and are nearly level. Overall it was only 20 minutes from the time we rolled up to the terminal until we were walking on the ship.

It's all marketing and timing. I have been watching and documenting a sailing I was curious about for next summer. Yes, for the three of us it is down in price just under $500.00 from right before this "sale" but it is up about $ 5,000 from when I first started watching it in November 2021, same cabin same sailing. For me, I NEVER find it prudent to book under a kids sale free promotion either. My kid is 16 (so not 12 and under) and our base rates are always higher during this time. Maybe the promotion catches my attention but once you get down in the weeds I usually find the base rate has been raised a bit to take into account the "sale" I have criteria I want/need to sail, if I find something I'm comfortable with I work from there. ALWAYS pay attention to how much money is going to be placed on that vibrating credit card. Come on Summer 2024 I'm waiting on YOU!

@Xaa Awww, thank you. I second the face to a name, I met @wordell1, @SebagoSue @Lovetocruise2002 and a few others all onboard and it's pretty neat knowing who you are chatting with! I am humbled by your kind compliment and who knows one day our paths may just cross at sea. Thanks again for joining us on our very first Radiance class adventure!

Agreed, but if the point was to try to motivate people to leave tips perhaps they should have considered that. I tip cash every drink regardless so for me it's moot. Recently the bar staff who had been around before didn't give me paper once they saw cash, but newer bar staff clearly had been told to print and they followed those instructions more consistently.

And if you're not part of the GroupMe official chat for this sailing, make sure to pester @JC Pats or @Beci for an invite!

You likely wouldn't need anything extra, but as long as the mother is cool with it, just get a notarized letter (specific to the cruise and dates, not a generic letter) saying she's OK with you traveling out of the country with the son. You should get the passport renewed though.

Awesome! Getting close!!

My daughter is hell bent on nursing and beyond. I'm like, can you fit some hotel stuff on there so maybe you can work on a ship.....and take me along?? There is zero hope for me! Lol!! Thanks @twangsterit worked!! You're the best!!

I’m not sure what the Key normally cost but I got it for $18.99/day. Only a few more dollars then the surf/stream pkg is showing up for right now.

With the caveat that Covid made the cruise ship resale market nearly non-existent for the time being, I'll say a 30 year old cruise ship in 2022 is different than a 30 year old cruise ship 15-20 years ago. Not too long ago, you'd be right that a 30 year cruise ship would be overdue for being dumped by the major lines. But refurbishments (amplifications) have breathed new life into older ships compared to the last generation. Royal has invested far more into keeping these ships up to date compared to what was done in the past. Empress of the Seas was a great example of this prior to Covid. So the short answer is, yes, I do think they will keep them in service past 30 years. Especially given there's not much of a market to sell old ships other than scrap.

If your flight was changed that much you should have the freedom to cancel it and book something else

My wife and I just got back from a Thanksgiving cruise on Anthem. It was our first time at CocoCay. If you've never been there you are in for a treat! Since we were more interested in a peaceful day I booked the 'day pass' in the Beach Club and it was so good that I booked it for this cruise when we got on board. It was a great day at the beach and a great lunch. This picture was taken in the afternoon at low tide.

He is fantastic, we had him on the Oasis earlier this year. You won't be disappointed at all. John

I noticed and wondered the same thing this weekend on our 12/18 Oasis sailing. Whatever the menu is, I'm sure I will eat just fine.

After months of excitement and anticipation we finally went on our first cruise. We had really high expectations for this sailing and thankfully the experience lived up to the hype. We were a bit anxious to sail on Allure with our kids since the ship did not have as many activities compared to other Oasis Class Ships. However, we found that that would not be too much of a problem as we thought it would be. Embarkation- Embarkation was super easy. Being in a suite allowed us a smooth check-in. We reserved parking close to the terminal, so we did not have to walk much at all. Porters where everywhere so we handed them our bags and proceeded inside the terminal. Afterward, we were escorted to the suite waiting area, where we went through security and completed check-in with ease. Stateroom- We booked a Crown Loft Suite and do not regret it. We had plenty of space in the cabin along with a spectacular view from the balcony. None of us realized how large the room really was until we were in it. The two bathrooms was a real gamechanger since the kids could have their own bathroom instead of having to share. The room was clean and well kept. Definitely going to book more suites. Quality- Going into this cruise we were anxious that we were going to find the ship run down compared to other ships. However, we were pleasantly surprised to find the ship to be clean, well maintained, and modern. Service- While onboard we experienced exceptional service from all the crew. Notably our suite concierge. Before we even got onboard, he made sure that all our request were attended to and reserved shows and dinner for us. Our stateroom attendants were also awesome. They made sure that anything we needed in the room was there, but they were also kind. Every time we passed them, they made sure to greet us by name asked us if there was anything we needed. We also where amazed by the Coastal Kitchen Staff. They were very attentive and always made sure our food was up to our liking. They were very welcoming and if we needed to be somewhere after dinner, they would make sure to bring our food early so we could make it to our plans on time. Activities- If you look at the many activities offered onboard there is an endless list of things to do. However, we found that most of the things we could not do. For instance, all the activities that are 18+, my wife and I do not go to since they do not interest us and most likely have something that we consider inappropriate. We also do not go to any of the game shows, bars, or casino. This made it hard for us to find something to do. It was frustrating as we were not able to use all the venues available, but we still managed to enjoy they day by sitting on the Suit Deck or by the pool. Entertainment/Shows- Most of the shows where absolute stunning. OceanAria was really cool as you got to see the divers and the two extremally talented men who did the balancing stunts. The IceGames was incredibly fun to watch. Mama Mia was not the best. We did not enjoy it as we felt it was boring. However overall, we enjoyed the shows. Food- We booked the Unlimited Dinning Package for this sailing but after eating at the Specialty Restaurants we think it was a waste. Chops Grille had very dry steak. Giovanni's Table had slow service and mediocre food. The only two restaurants that we enjoyed where Izumi Hibachi and Samba Grill. The food there was amazing as well as the service. From now on we think we will get the 3 Night Dinning Package. Being in a suite gave us access to Coastal Kitchen all day. The food there was unbelievably impressive. We came in there not expecting some of the greatest food. All the waiters there were super patient and kind were always very attentive. The food there was very fresh and always cooked right. CK was our favorite restaurant by far. Disembarkation- The disembarkation was ok. Our concierge told us to meet him the Champaign Bar so he could escort us off, but when we arrived, we just stood in the line and exited the ship like normal. I do not know if we made a mistake or something else, but overall, the disembarkation was fine. So, in the end we all really enjoyed the cruise. It was relaxing and fun at the same time. Even though we could not find many activities to do we still enjoyed ourselves by just relaxing. We also plan to only book suites as some of the amenities such as Coastal Kitchen and the attentive service really made a difference in the overall experience of the cruise. All of us are incredibly happy with this cruise and plan to sail more with Royal. Thank you for reading my exceptionally long review.

I forgot about the mold etc. I told you it could take some time to set up. While on board plan one for the next year. 6 months from now it will be behind you. I've seen it happen. Just keep reminding yourself it's gonna be part of your past. Have a blast.

Someone on our cruise just got their Genie email today. I am so excited. Checking my emails hourly. 31 days and counting. I have already made my cabin gift bag exchange gift. Filled it with NYE party accessories. Glasses, hats noise makers etc. Have ordered all the little stuff you need for the toiletry bags. Have decorations for cabin door and cabin for NYE. Suitcases are coming down tomorrow. I don’t trust my sons to pack all they need to for this trip. They are usually great at packing their own suitcases. I just don’t want I forgot—-when we are 100 miles out at sea. So now a bit about our excursions. First stop is Cozumel. We are doing the Underwater Trek. Love this excursion. Had a blast last time. Can’t wait to do it again. Second port of call is Costa Maya. Booked the VIP Dolphin Adventure. Roatan, we are doing one of the many ziplines. Boys picked this one. But I am not against a good zipline. I read somewhere that you can book the Raising Tide Bar for the 70s disco night. Has anyone done this? Sounds like it would be right up my alley

Over a number of years I've spent over $4k on Voom. While I understand where you may be coming from I not sure you understand the cost of industrial grade satellite based internet that concentrates several beams to aggregate bandwidth so that thousands of folks like you and me can watch Netflix on a ship in the middle of an ocean. Still a lot cheaper than some airlines that charge $10 per hour or more.

The menu should be in the app. It is a very basic Mediterranean buffet. Most entrees are included but one or 2 will have an upcharge.

First, we called and it all worked out just fine. But for those who want to get the Resident discount on multiple rooms, you have to apply the discount at the beginning of each room selection process. I thought I only needed to list my state when I was first starting my search, but you need to check for discounts on each room you at reserving.

Absolutely the case. The biggest savings are on beverage packages and excursions. The biggest savings for excursions were on the very first day of the sale where many of my July 2023 Alaskan excused were 35% off and then went to 20% off the very next day. Perfect Day water park and Beach Club admissions are 50% off. If I was to reprice my July cruise, I would have to actually pay more $$

The first rule of fight club is...

Some phones were capable of hot spotting a WiFi connection but it's getting less common to see it. Most only hotshot the celullar connection. iPhones have blocked wifi sharing as a feature since forever. Certain Samsung Galaxy phones had this as a capability but even Samsung has pulled back, or in some cases the carriers involved are preventing it from occurring. I had an old Galaxy S7 with this capability but AT&T made it difficult to activate each time. It required having a cellular connection to AT&T to enable the feature. This call-home type activation was a problem on board since I didn't want my phone using the on board cell tower costing me hundreds so I could activate hotspot wifi sharing of the wifi. Turning on cellular even briefly was exactly what I was trying to avoid - more charges. I ended up giving on the idea. The other problem for streaming two devices at the same time is that Royal caps each user account typically below 4Mbs. Two users sharing one account would have to share that 4Mbps so you'd have two streams struggling to load the content. With a two device plan each device gets it's own 4Mbps connection which is sort of the minimum needed to stream without constant buffering and breaking up. A final problem is that users have to be in close proximity. As soon as one person goes somewhere the other person loses their internet. Royal started to actively scan for networking sharing routers and would drop their connection if they found one. You could reset it and get another few minutes but it was a cat and mouse game that got old quick when on vacation. I've tried using various routers and other tricks but it always came down to spending hours fiddling to try to get it work when they are taking steps to make sure it doesn't work. It simply wasn't worth the precious vacation time to be constantly diddling with it. Netflix lets me download content locally so the best solution would be to log in one device, download a show and then let another user log in on their device to download their show. Even better would be to download content before getting on board because it is slow internet on ships, nothing like the gigabit internet I have at home.

We had a chocolate fountain on Allure in April. My kids LOVED it (the adults too). It was right outside WJ in the foyer on the last sea day.

It seems more like an NFL countdown than a real world countdown. Delay of game and add more time to the clock. Touchdown only occurs when the revenue numbers are met.

Now there is a report he was in the habit of getting in trouble for vaping on board. Apparently he told his rescuers he has no idea how he landed in the water. Family allegedly stated he was drunk at the time.

What a great idea!!!! @Matt

@Big Tule @Yesiamthere6 Thanks so much! I appreciate you following along! I look super ugly and old when I'm complaining and/or negative lol. I learned long ago only I can choose to be positive, while that first no hot water shower had me adjusting my attitude after "winning the RUB" thinking, oh no what have I done? I was like okay how do I navigate this? Calm notifications & off the gym where I know they have hot water! I hope with my heart my daughter will be the same, sometimes are harder than others. Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you all, I hope this season is an enjoyable one filled with many, many blessings!

I’m still waiting for the midnight buffet, chocolate fountain and ice sculptures to come back.

We have solved the hard mattress issue two ways. First - we roll up a 3" mattress topper as tight as we can get it and tie it together. Stuff it in a suitcase and fill the rest of that suitcase with whatever else we are taking. This requires 2 large suitcases for most trips. BUT - the comfort of the softer mattress is worth it. Just remember to take it off of the bed when you come home. Second - if we are flying and can only check one bag - we ask the room steward for 10 extra pillows. We put them under the sheet and remake the bed. We have a "pillow-top" mattress literally!!!

We will be on this cruise. 158 days!

Booked for June 11th - group of 8 traveling from Louisiana to board and coming down a day early. Make sure not to forget to reserve parking, the earlier the better. Check out All Things Galveston by Galveston Steve for more info on how the parking works.

Yes, everyone in CAS always has only their own points. A relationship doesn't change that. All that is saying is that in a relationship you still actually have only your own points. It still doesn't say what occurs upon divorce or turning 18. The verbiage you highlighted does not address that.

We are currently on the Allure now. Some observations about the new terminal: Directional signage could be better coming down Harborside Drive. Once you turn left the very first entrance was the South Lot, I believe. Signage is located on the traffic lights and lots are identified by N, S. Noticed several drivers having difficulty navigating and then changing lanes, two drivers almost hit us. We had reservations in the North Lot. Attendant at the gate took our QR code and scanned it for us, great service. If you have Premium, it looked as if you entered the same gate and then proceeded to the covered parking and another gate. From the North Lot it is a very short walk with your luggage to the terminal. We were quickly met by a luggage porter, who provided great service. We had family parked in the South Lot. They caught the shuttle with their luggage, wait was minimal. So far so good! Terminal is beautiful, and spacious. Once upstairs to check-in things started to slow. We had an 11:00am arrival, which was postponed by an hour by RCCL the night before, so were about an 11:45am arrival. In my opinion, somewhat chaotic as far as what lines to get in for check-in, seems they are still working that out. We had 3 different reservations checking in; one went really fast, another so-so, and the third had several computer issues. They had a RCCL tech guy trying to handle multiple issues with agents. New terminal you just expect it, no big deal. Then it came to a crawl getting through security check, line was super backed up! If I recall, there are about 8 luggage screening machines with 4 walk through people screeners, think TSA at airports. They only had 2 of the people screeners and 4 luggage screeners opened initially. We will reach Diamond status in January and we've embarked from (FLL, Miami, San Juan, Rome, Barcelona, New Orleans and Galveston), this was the longest check-in that I can remember. Once through security the process was much faster and better. All in all, super glad to have an Oasis class ship and new terminal in Galveston! They will get the kinks worked out and I'm sure it will be a super smooth process!

Everyone does the same thing. One long sale marketed as "hurry time is running out" only to soon after change to "sale extended due to popular demand!"

No one should make any method of vacation their only method of vacation. My former designated car rental company now sucks. Bankruptcy does that to a company. My former preferred hotel chain isn't what it used to be. They still haven't returned services lost from the pandemic. It is what it is. Terrible thing this pandemic. I applaud your decision to expand your vacation spending with no sarcasm intended.

Do they at least post the menu outside the dining room? If they're going to start changing up menus, why not post them outside so people can look before they are seated?

The beauty of that aft cabin! Going under the bridge in day light.