Matt

Correct, although if you speak to the loyalty ambassador on your first cruise, they can usually hook you up for the second cruise.

I'll bet it has to do with the China season. RC changes a lot when its ships go to China for a variety of reasons.

RC makes its money with onboard spending, but it is completely optional. I never felt pressured or pitched to buy anything, unless I engage with them to start with. But I actually like this approach because it is more modular. Meaning, we all get on for a base fare and then have the option of buying drink packages, dine in specialty restaurants, book massages, etc. I'd rather that than paying for services/products I will not use. I have not experienced this, but I'd be interested to hear some examples of the poorly trained crew. What transpired that disappointed you so much?

With Dynamic Dining Choice, you just go onto the Cruise Planner site and reserve your desired time. Just like if you were making a reservation at Chops Grille or any other specialty restaurant.

I am really glad to hear you are finding this site helpful and entertaining!

For staterooms in general, I am more concerned with there being other staterooms above and below my room to minimize noise (no public spaces above or below my room). If they were both good in that regard, I'd go high.

My problem is not the luggage itself, it is the amount of luggage I have. And I enjoy being lazy on vacation

Personally, I always research all ports and look what RC offers as well as third parties. It always depends, but I agree that I try to mix things up so it's not a stream of "beach days".

Key is to do some research before you leave for what prices are going for. There certainly can be deals out there, but if it's too good to be true, it probably is.

Are these excursions in ports you have been to a number of times? Or are you doing a new itinerary and not seeing anything of interest?

The appeal of the ultimate package is for someone that drinks a lot of beverages, but wants not just alcohol. The premium coffees and fresh squeezed juices are primarily the big draws, but it allows for more variety in what's included. Granted, it comes at a higher cost than just the Premium package, so you may have to drink more per day to "break even".

I pulled my back on embarkation day when I was on Freedom of the Seas so I know exactly what you mean!

Can't wait to read your live-ish blog here!

That's a fair point. When there's smoke, there's fire, right?

Totally not your fault. You did the right thing by sharing it and I appreciate it!

There are no more comment cards. THey have been replaced with electronic surveys that will be emailed to you a few days after your cruise is over.

From what I understand, the hump balconies on Oasis class ships are not wider, but quite a bit deeper than other balconies

Agreed, just like food. There is no empirical way to assess comfort

Royal iQ supports texting like the DCL app, but Royal iQ app is only available on certain ships (Quantum class ships + Harmony of the Seas)

Royal Caribbean confirmed to me this info is out of date. No change to dining on Anthem.

Added a link to the sidebar!

Would love to have your review posted here!

I found the beds on Allure of the Seas (sister to Oasis) quite comfortable. I've never had issues with RC's mattresses on any ships. Usually too tired from all the fun to even notice :D

Same here

Thank you for sharing. I think this is really intriguing. The whole Royal Genie service is more than just having someone bring you a soda and compliment what you are wearing. I think RC is really interested in WOW'ing guests with service that is not just "a really nice stateroom attendant". With answers to these kinds of questions, I think someone could make reasonable ideas of what makes you happy without having to be told necessarily.