Matt

The best reason to book onboard is the booking bonus you get. I always do it because you can always transfer the reservation a different cruise. It's free money, so why not?

Go normal time. If port is open, you can still beat the crowds. They are trying to control crowds but I'd still get there whenever you were planning. You're either sitting around at your house/hotel or in the port. May as well be closer to the ship!

I'm not sure. Allure has the upgraded internet like Quantum but I haven't heard any reports about Royal iQ on there. I suspect it will go at the very least when Dynamic Dining rolls out.

It's applied automatically. On my Quantum cruise I got it by accident. When I boarded Quantum I had an OBC that didn't seem familiar (like $26 or something along those lines) so I went to Guest Services and they told me it was because I booked 3 specialty restaurants in advance.

Mariner is a great ship and very well maintained. I wouldn't be concerned at all. For large groups, she and all Royal Caribbean ships are great at handling large groups. I would advise you to use a good travel agent to help make the planning process easier on yourself so that when you get onboard, your group is properly prepared.

I agree with this statement

Next episode of?

I haven't heard anything yet but it very well could be true.

For most mixed drinks, $12 per drink isn't awful except when you order something like a bloody mary and it's $12. That's just silly.

The first two have happened....

I had the FO on Navigator but ordinarily they do not sell that stateroom to anyone with less than 5 people. I managed to snag one closer to sail date (about 2-3 months before the cruise). So it can be a crapshoot. There are, however, staterooms that can handle 3 and 4 adults in one room. They will be the larger sized versions of each category. A good travel agent can assist or you can call Royal Caribbean and have them assist in finding the right ones.

I went to Sky Bar on Quantum and ordered a bloody mary and it cost $12. That's a bit much

The $12 average for mixed drinks is BEFORE gratuity

I've always gotten my luggage before dinner on embarkation day. You should expect a similar experience to DCL.

The activities and events aren't fixed events at certain times like the bellyflop competition at the pool at 4pm. Instead, they have a list of what they have planned to do over the course of the day but when and where it happens can vary.

I agree with Marc and DocLC.

I don't have a compass but when my daughter went on other cruises, there are some basic activities they will cover each day but there isn't a set schedule of events. It's more open-ended, if that makes sense.

April 2015 4 - bcarney (Jewel of the Seas) 5 - FloatMe (Adventure of the Seas) 5 - NYCruiser19 (Quantum of the Seas) 6 - Teresa (Brilliance of the Seas) 10 - CaribbeanPirate (Grandeur of the Seas) 11 - markinct (Oasis of the Seas) 11 - Ckvacs05 (Independence of the Seas) 19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas) 20 - monctonguy (Enchantment of the Seas) May 2015 6 - Cruiseman (Liberty of the Seas) 11 - ian91 (Allure of the Seas) 17 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) June 2015 7 - JasonD (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Shocked (Anthem of the Seas) 19 - turtleclanscott (Jewel of the Seas) 21 - TheMays July 2015 26 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas) 29 - DocLC (Brilliance of the Seas) August 2015 1 - Marc (Adventure of the Seas) 8 - Dan (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - jlynn222 (Enchantment of the Seas) 10 - Nicole (Enchantment of the Seas) 17 - Bryce G. (Enchantment of the Seas) September 2015 13 - Shocked (Allure of the Seas) 18 - ian91 (Brilliance of the Seas) 19 - MarriedonRRC (Oasis of the Seas) 26 - RCKRZR (Jewel of the Seas) 27 - Steve (Brilliance of the Seas) 27 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) October 2015 18 - bkirkham (Navigator of the Seas) 22 - JohnK6404 (Libert of the Seas) 24 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas) November 2015 1 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 3 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - Steve (Liberty of the Seas) 13 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) January 2016 2 - Dan (Oasis of the Seas) 3 - DocLC (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - Michel (Allure of the Seas) 11 - monctonguy (Independence of the Seas) February 2016 7 - jlynn222 (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - Nicole (Freedom of the Seas) 21 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) March 2016 4 - Dan (Anthem of the Seas) 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Cowcrazy65 (Grandeur of the Seas) June 2016 12 - Shocked (Harmony of the Seas) 24 - Steve (Explorer of the Seas) September 2016 18 - JohnK6404 (Allure of the Seas)

Welcome Paul!! Welcome Teresa! Welcome John!

You are correct Dynamic Dining has been delayed until further notice on the Oasis-class ships.

I get that convenience is important but why overpay for something you can otherwise get for cheaper? If you get the package knowing full well you will not break even on the price of the package, then why not just buy drinks a la carte? The tip is automatic anyway with a la carte pricing and you will spend less money than with the package. Unless of course, you are independently wealthy and then I kindly ask you take me on your cruise :P It is true the package allows you to break up the cost of the cruise BUT you could take that money, stash it somewhere and then bring it onboard and deposit in your guest service account and you've achieved the same result but with more savings.

Explorer from Seatlle is very intriguing!

I did not and glad I didn't. Others in the group that did do the package at the end of cruise lamented the fact they purchased it. Bottom line, it's difficult for many people to drink 6-7 drinks per day, every day.

It's always a good idea to put your phones in airplane mode whenever you are on a cruise.

The shareholder discount is not as lucrative as it once was.