Matt

Based on the description, it sounds like someone trying to potentially rope in some new clients. I like to find a good FB group for a sailing I'm on, but I'd only join one that has a robust group of folks and a conversation that does not reek of spam. If all else fails, consider starting your own group!

You're in good company. Many of us (myself included) came to RC due to DCL's crazy expensive prices. You will not regret it.

I've never tried it, but you'd be amazed how often people cancel at the last minute. Be vigilant in checking back, and consider making sacrifices to Jobu.

Thanks for your dedication, Steve!

Glad you're finding this site helpful!

I assume you're taking the photo with your phone? If so, try changing the orientation of your camera (holding it sideways instead) and taking the photo that way. Might do the trick.

You would have to grab glass(es) of water and take them to fill your bottle. There's usually signs around not to use refillable water bottles directly at the water stations for health reasons. That's not to say you can't use your refillable bottle, just not directly at the station.

Thanks for the feedback from your cruise. Coffee maker Regarding the coffee maker in your room, as a rule, only suites get the coffee maker. No guest may bring their own coffee maker onboard, and the ones that are available through RC are only for suite guests. This is a consistent rule throughout the fleet, so my advice for next time is to book a suite if having a coffee maker in your room is a priority for you. On newer ships, we've seen RC start to offer coffee maker rentals: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/07/03/spotted-room-coffee-maker-rentals Room service Another benefit to booking a suite is room service is included, thus negating the issue of currency conversion. In my experience, I rarely ever find a need to order room service. There's so much food around the ship. Obviously you may cruise differently than I do, which is completely understandable.

Which ship? The difference may also vary considerably depending on the class of ship. Regardless, I think the "difference" is going to be a very personal observation. Your particular sensitivity to "motion in the ocean" is going to be quite subjective. As a general rule of thumb, being on a low deck, mid ship is where many experts say you should be to minimize the feeling of movement. It's not to say you won't feel movement there, nor does it mean you will definitely feel it worse on a higher/forward/aft stateroom.

I wouldn't worry about it. I point out that even on Vision or Radiance class ships, you will find lines in the Windjammer, a packed pool deck, or line to get into MDR. It's not to say smaller ships are empty, and lines and/or crowds can occur on any size ship. I do believe that Quantum and Oasis class ships do a particularly good job at crowd control, especially after day 1.

Yes you can cancel and rebook a drink package to take advantage of the discount. Here's how: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/10/29/how-cancel-and-rebook-pre-cruise-purchases-royal-caribbeans-cruise-planner

From Symphony

Agreed, very lovely once you see these photos

I think the original reason they added a charge to JR was to reduce waste, but these days it's about profit. Agreed. These days, I get the sense RC is actively looking at what is selling well and trying to figure out that sweet spot of what consumers are willing to pay for it before popularity of it wanes due to cost.

I don't think so. Granted, no harm in asking. Keep in mind the cucumber martini at 150 CP is above the drink package threshold. You might be better off going to the Trellis Bar in Central Park and asking them to make it for you there. I'm pretty sure that's who makes the drinks anyway for 150 CP.

My wife and I have this argument every time, where I bring up the fact when we were kids we just sat on our parents laps. She reminds me the relevancy of that is irrelevant. Have you considered a blow up car seat (assuming the 4 year old is big enough)? We travel with this all the time because it deflates for easy packing.

Hmm, I've never done that type of excursion before but I never thought about how luggage works. My guess is you still put your luggage out, pick it up in the terminal, and then take luggage to the excursion area.

Welcome! As others have mentioned, Royal Caribbean's Cruise Planner site is what you need to answer most of these questions. The pricing will depend on your sailing, so that's the only source of accurate information for specific pricing of drink or dining packages. If you don't see an option listed there yet, don't worry, it will be added in the coming months. Regarding both of your concerns, can you elaborate as to what type of activities/upgrades you are referring to? Might be easier to put your mind at ease. One other thing you can do in the meantime is look at a past Cruise Compass. Find one from Liberty and take a look at what was offered on that sailing. A lot of what you see will likely be on your sailing too, and it provides a good overview of activities, extra options, etc.

Anthem's itineraries are tied to the time of year. In Winter, late fall & early spring, Bermuda, Canada or New England are out as options. So that leaves going south. Once you get past the Bahamas, you're talking about a cruise longer than a week. Most Americans (especially families on vacation) are unwilling/unable to take more than a week off of work. During the summer, you get more varied itineraries. Check out our Anthem of the Seas group cruise 2019 as a glowing example: Bermuda, St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, and Labadee. Fall takes Anthem to Canada/New England. Key West is further away from Canaveral, so it may be logistically impossible. Also, Key West may not be able to handle a Quantum class ship in terms of its docking facility.

I agree with everyone else that they should do the online check-in. If they opt not to, what will happen is they will have to spend more time standing around and signing documents and whatnot.

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I heard Costa Maya had one too, but when I went there last month, there was no trolley (at least when I went back and forth).

Check out this thread:

This isn't an answer to your question, but, you can ask your travel agent to put you on the waitlist for early dining. In my experience, the waitlists almost always come through.

Not exactly. If you book an excursion through RC, yes, they guarantee that if the TOUR is late, you will get back to the ship. In the event of a 10 hour delay, what would likely happen is the ship would leave and RC would get you back on at the next port. Of course, exact logistics will depend.