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I wanted to follow up here with one last thing. If you recall, I did mention at the start of this blog that Symphony 12/31/22 was not my original booking. The original booking was for Oasis 12/18/22 and I had booked this way back in February 2021. That original booking was well within the window for the C&A double points promo. Fast forward to April 2022 (outside the double points promo window) when I realized I had to cancel Oasis, I told my TA that I need to keep the original booking number to attempt to retain the double points promo. After we moved it, I tried to get a solid answer from various sources whether they would honour this or not. Like all things Royal, the answer was inconsistent and I could not get it in writing anywhere. The whole time, my new (moved) reservation for Symphony still showed the original booking number and booking date of February 26, 2021. The day I boarded Symphony, I made it a point to speak with the Loyalty Ambassador about this and even her answer was a bit vague. She said according to her system, she could see what I see, which is that the original booking was well within the window. She also told me that when I return home, if they don't honour it, I can email C&A. Happy to report that as of early yesterday morning, my points have been updated and yes, even though I moved my reservation after the promo expired, I still got my double points. And so ends the fast climb to Pinnacle lol. Back to the regular climb. Still have a long way to go.

DAY 4: * Sea Day * Today is the first of 2 sea days on this sailing (Days 4 & 8). For breakfast, we headed to the Windjammer. We were impressed with the new and expanded design. It’s on deck 15 in the aft of the ship, but it now completely wraps around the perimeter of the Boardwalk. Definitely the largest on any Royal ship to date! The food was as expected with a nice variety to choose from. After breakfast, we walked around the ship a bit and headed back to the Boardwalk neighborhood. Here are a few more random pics: We attended the “Top Tier” event for Crown & Anchor members which included a high-wire performer from the Aqua Theater show. Thankfully, the clouds rolled in and out quickly. Next they posted the C&A count for this sailing. They also awarded Pinnacle status to one couple. The top 4 cruisers onboard were recognized included one couple that led with 1,733 C&A points. Many of the brass from the crew including the Cruise Director (Mike) and Capt. Henrik (a.k.a. Capt. Hottie according to Christine… @WAAAYTOOO, LOL! ) were there of course… Afterward, we explored more and stopped by the Vue Bar and relaxed with our family/friends with a few drinks. Christine will hate that I posted this pic, but it shows the beautiful views from the portion of the bar that cantilevers over the edge of the ship. The Vue Bar is on deck 15, forward section, port side, right before the entrance to the Solarium. We walked around and then headed to the aft of the ship on deck 5 (jogging track) to watch the wake for a bit. We then went back up and rode the Ultimate Abyss. Our friend caught this pic of us exiting the slide on deck 6.

Mine are showing and the best thing about looking is the 0 days to go on our cruise!!

2 Days....well 1 day and a half. Luggage tags and setsail passes have been printed, we also did our wellness check. Lots of people around us have Covid so we took test to be on the safe side. We checked in for our flight this morning, I didn't have to because I am business class. My position is A14 on SWA and my brothers is B45, which is mad odd. He literally checked in right as check-in opened, my only thought is a lot of people must have purchased Earlybird. Other than a few minutes of delays, all of my coworkers who are cruising have made it safely to their departure destinations. We have packed and at this time of night we are trying to wind down, but you know how you are anxious whenever you are looking forward to something. I am tired but I doubt I will get much sleep.

Here’s my advice. If you can name all the future cruises you have booked, you haven’t booked enough

This line made laugh out loud! That is a fantastic point. Can you imagine if they switched something, the IT mess that would create?

Only one day left! I am a retail manager and actually am working a full day today. My wife will be completing our final packing. My son will probably wait until about 11pm tonight to actually start. We will be up early and on the road tomorrow at 6:30am. I actually would rather be working today as otherwise the day seems really long in anticipation.

DAY 4: * At Sea (cont.) * Tonight, we headed to the MDR for “Mexican Night”… I tried the Escargot for the first time ever! Everyone at the table has always raved about it, but the thought of eating snails has always grossed me out. I guess a cruise is the best time to try something you would normally never order in a restaurant at home. The escargot was decent (everything soaked it butter and garlic is good), but I don’t know if I would order it again… I just can’t get past the fact that I’m eating snails! I tried the Pulled Pork Enchilada and Christine had the Chili-Lime Encrusted Salmon… both very good… For dessert, we had the Caramel Flan… This evening, we went to see “Voices” in the Royal Theater. The reviews I’ve read have been polarizing… either people love it and feel that it’s one of the best RC productions OR they feel the canned singers/performers projected on the screens behind the stage are too distracting. We were very pleasantly surprised! IMHO, the vocals of the live performers were really excellent and the projections behind the stage were not as distracting as I had feared. I would definitely recommend seeing this show… you can then form your own opinion. We plan to see it again when we’re back on Wonder in OCT. That concluded Day 4… time for me to head to bed!

Update! Amtrak increasing route frequency on the Cascades line, back to pre-COVID scheduling. https://komonews.com/news/local/amtrak-cascades-to-add-a-second-trip-to-vancouver-in-march-british-columbia-canada-seattle-washington-portland-oregon

Hey y’all. Rather new forum member. I joined a while ago but never posted. Listened to the blog for a long time. This’ll be my 3rd RC cruise and my boyfriend’s first. We live in NJ (I’m originally from VA) and will be doing Wonder of the Seas in October

Is pre cruise testing coming back?

Except for STDs

What happens on a cruise ship, stays on the cruise ship...

1 Day to go..... Today is travel day, my brother and I will be heading out around 8am to get to the airport. It is currently 24 degrees in Chicago, and it should be in the 70s when we get to Miami. Fun Fact, I have never flown on a Saturday before. I am heading to the airport a little earlier just because I don't know what to expect. With work I always leave on a weekday and with international travel I leave on a Sunday evening.

Just checked now…mine is still down…has been for days. But…I did call Wednesday to reprice a booked cruise and the agent had my correct points on her computer. So, it seems like it’s only on my side. But, more importantly, my points on the Royal Caribbean Blog are still there! Whew!

Been kinda eyeing this cruise for a few weeks now. It goes to a port we have before beeb to, Sydney Nova Scotia Canada. It's all the way out Oct 2024. Kinda strange to be booked so far in advance but the price was right and the different port stop for us. It's on Liberty in a spacious ocean view balcony. It was like 150 bucks more. Also never have had 3 cruises booked at one time. Liberty Oct this year, Anthem February 2024 and Liberty again October 2024. Is it crazy to book so far in advance?

I'm booked for Christmas 2024 already, so not weird at all

We’re on her in March ‘25.

Flight was early but completely booked. We boarded exactly on time and landed 30min early. I had some great people watching. I will update more after we get to hotel. Been waiting awhile for luggage.

Since prices can be the best that they'll be when the newest schedule is opened for booking, plenty of people book two+ years in advance

The farther out you book, the better the price. More availability = lower prices It’s fun to have multiple booked. Nothing more depressing than showing 0 cruises upcoming.

It’s normal. I am booked April 2025 on Adventure.

@Sunny_D what a great location!! central park is typically much quieter than the boardwalk location, with some soothing music played at night and people meandering along the path. deck 10 is also a nice mid-deck location -- the higher you are, you may hear pool deck spillover noise -- and near the elevator means you'll be in your cabin before the wanderers chatter loudly at night. we were close to the elevator on our last couple sailings and i was surprised at how much quieter it was. also deck 10 is strictly cabins -- no specialty restaurants (wonderland) or nightclub (dazzles) to worry about late night attractions. central park itself is located on deck 8, so while deck 9 may be a little close for comfort with your fellow passengers strolling along, they'll be up enough that it shouldn't pose too much of a problem. allure is a beautiful ship and you are all going to have a wonderful time!

looks like you can do a day trip to Seattle or vice versa. take the train to either city, spend a few hours and take train back.

Yep, happened on the balcony next to ours. Apparently they had just met in the club a few hours before and decided to head to his cabin and make their way onto the balcony. I think the whole port side of the ship could hear her.

Used to be 90 days, but I believe it is now 45 days, 12 midnight EST

Im on freedom now. Surreal to hsve the whole port to ourselves on a weekend. Cold and extremely windy , most unique nassau visit ive ever had by a long shot. 20230114_093827.mp4

At my age, sleep is far more important

If you ever go see the love and marriage show while on the cruise it is pretty easy to extrapolate that about half of the couples partake in this recreational activity. My math is based on usually one to two couples (or at least one half of the couples) state "on the cruise ship balcony" during the show. I only feel bad for those folks that have to deal with the audience not only in the theater but that are out on the balcony in Central Park rooms on the Oasis class ships!

I don't see them changing what you can get with each tier, but it wouldn't surprise me if they made it more difficult to achieve new tier status. Like raising how many points you would need in order to get into each tier. For example, diamond status is currently 80 points. Royal raises the point requirement for diamond status to let's say 100 points effective, let's say on any cruise booked starting March 1. Now what about those who are currently between 80-99 points. I'm at 82 points currently, I would be grandfathered into diamond. Or let's say someone is at 75 points and booked a 5 day (or more) cruise before March 1. After their cruise is complete they too would be grandfathered into diamond status. But only from the points achieved from that cruise. Anything booked after March 1 (even if that cruise were to occur before the cruise booked before March 1) would fall under the new points and tier status requirements. There would be other scenarios that may come into play as well. It could get rather complicated. I would just hope if something like this were to happen that Royal's computer system is up to the task.

I would be shocked if they decided to take away one of the simplest, cheapest yet most popular complimentary beverage items on board

Before the pandemic, the Anthem would have a huge dessert buffet set up on the pool deck during a nighttime pool dance party. Even Capt Srecko and the senior officers would be dancing. The cakes, treats, handmade sweets and ice cream with all the trimmings were delicious! It was great! But, I haven’t seen it since the restart…yet.

Correct. Last year, they put out the new deployment schedule Jan 15: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/01/15/heres-when-royal-caribbean-will-put-more-2023-2024-cruises-sale

Maybe Royal is planning something special for you!!!

I found this online from 1988 on Carnival Holiday. It’s shows the midnight buffet (late night dessert) and 2am breakfast (mini buffet).

One of those tanks would run my BBQ for three generations.

They installed her four LNG tanks this week.

How about just keeping the buffet open longer? Maybe I don't want just pizza, Mexican, or BBQ (where those last 2 are an option) if I'm a little late on lunch, especially when I have an 8P MDR seating. Or maybe I'm feeling a little peckish around 9-10P after a 5P dining time... I don't need a midnight buffet...what I'd prefer is an hour or two longer on the dinner time and/or maybe not shutting down between lunch and dinner (or keeping the break lower to 1-1.5 hours). Spacing out the load on the buffet will make it more enjoyable to the guests and hopefully alleviates food waste over the longer period of time as they don't have to process so much food for the short window and can assess throughout and have more time to determine need based on passenger demand.

It depends. There was an eveving where we went through a pretty good storm, but because we of the way (and speed) we were moving, the rain all hit the front of the ship. We had the front-most balcony where you could not only see out the side, but out the front as well via a clear plexiglass shield. We sat out there for hours with drinks, watching the rain and the lightning over the open sea, and didn't get a drop of rain on us.

We always hang our hammock on ours...Even on our Alaska cruises. Psycho loves taking naps out there.

No, it's not crazy. We booked a Sep 24 cruise a couple of months ago in order to get a decent price. Fares go up as cruise dates become closer. We, however, make sure to book refundable deposit, and we secure travel insurance. Not everyone does this, but when booking so far in advance, it is hard to know what may happen. Whatever you choose, have a great cruise.

I think frequent cruisers have all experience this more than once. Outside of specialty restaurants, I think the midnight thing is a good thing. With all the new technology, they can put replicators (as in star trek) in the rooms in the newer ships being built?

I'm D+. Not showing on the app or website. However, my cruise history is there so I think it will work out in the end

Even more than the midnight buffet, I miss the "Early risers continental breakfast" outside the Windjammer on the pool deck. I could get my fruit, pastries, cheese, and coffee to enjoy with viewing the sunrise (except on those days that sunrise was well before 6:00 a.m.).

Mine is right on both the app and web.

It went from $13 to $14 - sailed in December on Odyssey - as long as I wasn't ordering higher tiered scotch or cognac, everything was covered (note I don't drink wine so I don't know about the higher priced wine options).

Booked for our anniversary! Can't wait.