Matt

I remind my wife of that fact every cruise. We used the same rationale for the Brilliance of the Seas cruise my wife and I did without the kids.

THANK YOU Andy! I really appreciate your help and support. Most stick it on their laptops. I suggest flaunting it around your hometown to let everyone know how really cool and awesome you are.

Here are the Platinum coupons from my Quantum of the Seas cruise in March 2015

The simplest solution is to use your iPhones texting, even when roaming. Check your carrier but most major carriers only charge for incoming messages and the cost per message is pennies. I've found that by just texting, it will not cost a whole lot to do and there is no additional investment required (such as buying new walkie talkie hardware). On a personal note, I have always found walkie talkies to be annoying to other guests and the metal bulkheads and radio interference reduces their effectiveness.

Despite the rules to the contrary, RC tends to look the other way when it comes to bringing non-alcoholic beverages onboard. I think Billy is right that you should contact RC about the special need but in my experience, juices, sodas and waters that are brought onboard (especially in carry on luggage) makes it on without a problem.

Thanks for the report!

I cannot speak for every TA out there, but mine does. They at least check when a new promotion comes out to see if there is any benefit to change. It's in a TA's best interest to provide excellent service, such as re-pricing, since they want to give their clients the perception they are an asset to them.

Here is the BOGO GETTER deal that just ended: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/11/04/royal-caribbean-new-cruise-sale-offers-bogo-50-reduced-deposit-and-onboard-credit

I think this is the post Rob is referring to: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/04/02/should-you-buy-the-unlimited-alcohol-packages

Isn't that a great feeling?

Essentially, if you want a special request like eating alone, they will try to accommodate you as best they can but it may mean some more waiting for such a table to open up. In addition, you may find more availability if you choose to dine early or late (before 6:30pm or after 8pm).

Good tip!

I liked Barrachina just fine, but I thought it was a tad expensive just to say I had a pina colada where they invented it.

Close enough

4 months you SHOULD be able to get a new passport by then, no?

I would expect to have somewhere onboard showing the games. Check the Cruise Compass or ask Guest Services.

:o

I definitely can see the high prices. It's probably why I have never done a NYE cruise.

Explorer of the Seas is cruising Alaska in 2016 and I think that is a really interesting option, considering they have never had a ship of that size there before.

Of all the holidays, which one do you think is the best one to celebrate on a Royal Caribbean cruise? Christmas? New Years? July 4th? Arbor Day?

Interesting that your specialty dining did not become available until 59 days for a 7-night cruise.

Royal Caribbean used to have that policy many years ago, but has since switched over to a per-night basis. I agree, it makes more sense to reward longer cruises.

January 2016 2 - Dan (Oasis of the Seas) 3 - DocLC (Liberty of the Seas) 4 - Ludacris (Enchantment of the Seas) 7 - RobWhatley (Brilliance of the Seas) 10 - Michel (Allure of the Seas) 11 - monctonguy (Independence of the Seas) 11 - ian91 (Splendour of the Seas) 17 - Huntley (Freedom of the Seas) 22 - Forsyth71 (Mariner of the Seas) February 2016 3 - cottager172 (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - jlynn222 (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - Nicole (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 8 - scottstein1 (Enchantment of the Seas) 14 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 21 - Matt (Allure of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - AGSLC5 (Allure of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - WAAAYTOOO (Allure of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 21 - Jerel (Allure of the Seas) 21 - eaglesfaninfl (Freedom of the Seas) 21 - Ludacris (Anthem of the Seas) 22 - monctonguy (Brilliance of the Seas) 28 - PRC (Liberty of the Seas) March 2016 4 - Dan (Anthem of the Seas) 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Cowcrazy65 (Grandeur of the Seas) 13 - Knisley96 (Navigator of the Seas) 30 - maccab66 (Grandeur of the Seas) April 2016 2 - bcarney (Vision of the Seas) 3 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 3 - Steve (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 23 - Adventure of the Seas (monctonguy) May 2016 21 - Welshrose15 (Navigator of the Seas) 22 - PRC (Freedom of the Seas) June 2016 11 - tmccleey1 (Anthem of the Seas) 12 - Shocked (Harmony of the Seas) 16 - MikeK (Navigator of the Seas) July 2016 4 - Cruiseman (Radiance of the Seas) 24 - DocLC (Serenade of the Seas) August 2016 7 - amejiajr8 (Allure of the Seas) 21 - Davyb33 (Jewel of the Seas) 25 - AGSLC5 (Anthem of the Seas) 28 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 28 - WAAAYTOOO (Liberty of the Seas) September 2016 3 - CMcLarty (Anthem of the Seas) 18 - JohnK6404 (Allure of the Seas) 18 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) October 2016 9 - Marc (Liberty of the Seas) 23 - sulross (Harmony of the Seas) November 2016 5 - WAAAYTOOO (Oasis of the Seas) 21 - PRC (Serenade of the Seas) 27 - Jerel (Navigator of the Seas) December 2016 4 - Steve (Liberty of the Seas) 3 - Dancing Biker (Rhapsody of the Seas) 3 - dh1ch1 (Brilliance of the Seas) 23 - WAAAYTOOO (Navigator of the Seas) 26 - CMcLarty (Liberty of the Seas) January 2017 2 - DocLC (Allure of the Seas) 9 - rekkie (Ovation of the Seas) 29 - ransrider (Liberty of the Seas) 29 - Steve (Liberty of the Seas) February 2017 7 - JohnK6404 (Anthem of the Seas) 11 - WAAAYTOOO (Harmony of the Seas) 11 - AGSLC5 (Harmony of the Seas) 17 - Matt (Navigator of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 18 Jerel (Harmony of the Seas) March 2017 4 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas) April 2017 14 - scottstein1 (Navigator of the Seas) 22 - WAAAYTOOO (Harmony of the Seas)

How many nights is your cruise?

That's typically what I end up doing. If I use 25% of the coupons, it's a miracle.