OCSC Mike

2 minutes ago, CanHardlyWait said:

Read title. They already have cabin number. Only asking about edocs to print luggage tag.

They have it from the bar code trick (this lets you see your GTY cabin #  before it is officially assigned if you're not familiar).

They can't print anything until it is officially assigned.

Shame. I still remember when he was a local weatherman here in Orlando.

4 hours ago, twangster said:

My latest GTY saw tne barcode cabin number appear roughly 10 days before they made it official.   

I don't think it's fixed.   For tne circumstances of my sail date it allowed them to be certain in that amount of time.   Another ship or sail date will have circumstances that are different so tne timing may be different.

The timing of everything related to GTY's definitely varies. I used to book almost nothing but GTY's.

Now that prices are a bit crazy and I no longer expect to find last minute deals or use the GGG sale as I have in the past, I began using an MEI TA who has rates below the GTY rates I see on the RC site but they are for assignable cabins (and refundable deposit). He's also provided excellent service beyond the prices, just for full disclosure.

Choosing my cabin and booking far in advance is actually new to me, lol. I almost miss the nervous anticipation of finding out where my GTY will be and then looking to move it... almost.

1 hour ago, CanHardlyWait said:

Luggage tags are the last few pages of your edocs, which should be available at 30 days.

They have a GTY so the 30 days doesn't apply. They have to have their room officially assigned before being able to access those docs.

48 minutes ago, ScottD said:

There is apparently a way while on board to do this, also. I've seen some posts of a QR code you can scan in your room that brings up a whole menu of stuff you can request from your room attendant from Ice, blankets and adjoining doors being opened to laundry bags and beds being separated. 

This is correct. You can actually find a description of it in the app before you sail. Short version is to click on the "Welcome Aboard" section below the picture of the ship on the main screen then scroll down until you see "Stateroom requests are just a tap away."

There is no set time for a GTY to be officially assigned (i.e. appear on your documents). Just keep checking.

29 minutes ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

I am not prepared to have cruise fares triple in price to cover it

They've gone up enough as-is. 

7 minutes ago, ScooterScott22 said:

No, just reply to the concierge if you were going to attend.

Cool, thanks. Not sure if I'd be able to if offered since it's an extended family cruise but I'd take a quick tour for free.

2 minutes ago, ScooterScott22 said:

We were surprised to see a bridge tour offered for the suites the other week.  We have done that in Star class and know that has returned last year.  Last week we were sailing in Sky class and they offered it o one of the sea days.  So more things/perks might be for forthcoming.

For a fee?

2 hours ago, Ryan79 said:

I would book one outside of RC just in case if that was something you really wanted to do.

I would book one independently regardless but I understand some people aren't comfortable doing that.

56 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

I met a couple once that only ever booked cruises on a couple day's notice. And they cruised upwards of 26 weeks out of the year.

More power to them!

I remember getting off a family cruise on Oasis in 2017 and finding a good deal the next day so we hopped right back on 3 weeks later. That's as last minute as I ever got and judging by current prices and the pathetic GGG "sale", those days may be long gone.

Having only been in a suite once ever (last May on Harmony) and staying in my 2nd ever on Wonder in a few weeks, which will likely be my last suite for quite a while (which is fine, we have a great time cruising frugally), please let me know what else no longer exists for suite guests.

Joking aside, those sail away helipad parties do sound fun. After nothing but Oasis class (and one Radiance trip in Alaska) for many years, we had our own sail away party on the Indy helipad in October. I had to use a D voucher for my drink but we were the last of 7 ships to leave PC that day and we had a lengthy horn battle with Mariner who left just before us so there's that.

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

If you put ice in the cooler a leftover dessert will last into the next day.  

The temperature also varies from ship to ship (likely cabin to cabin too). I’ve had coolers that were quite cold & others that felt closer to room temperature.

6 minutes ago, anneglubis said:

Don't mix my wasabi into the soy sauce? How dare they?!

Yeah, forget that one too. Maybe if I ever travel to Japan I'll adhere to proper etiquette.

I know I saw a video about the proper soy sauce dipping technique of fish first. I will continue to use my fingers but if some of my rice hits the soy sauce, oh well.

7 minutes ago, Montemy2419 said:

When did the bookings for Coco Cay Beach club open for your sailing ?  I just called RC and they said that bookings won't open up until just before the sailing.  We are going to be there April 2024 and she said to check back around February 2024.

As a general rule I would ignore any sort of time frame like this a RC phone rep gives you. Just keep checking often.

FWIW, they are not yet available for my March 2024 cruise.

22 minutes ago, RebN said:

I used to be able to print out the calendar after ordering the specialty dining and excursions but no more.  I know they want everyone to use their phones but "give me paper"!  Has anyone figured out how to print it out?  We get on Symphony next week.

Haven't ever tried printing the calendar but it should be simple enough to just create your own spreadsheet/chart/list/whatever with your booked activities/dining. It will just take a short amount of time and effort.

17 minutes ago, Clint A Brubakken said:

I'm traveling with my sister, who will be checking in on her own in the app at a different time then me. How do boarding times work? If I check in first and select an early boarding time, will it be reserved so she can do the same time, even if she checks in later? Can she just arrive at my time and be allowed to board? This is my first time my cabinmate and I will be together when we board.

Whomever is checking in on the app first can select a time for the other. After that you can each complete the rest of the info separately at your leisure.

Glad you had a great time!

11 hours ago, texasforever said:

A few things we didn't like about our cruise was how crowded the pools and hot tubs were.  We enjoyed the suite deck but it was a bit of a pain to have to go down a deck and then back up again.  I would have loved a small pool on deck 17!  

I know you're getting Harmony in Galveston and I wouldn't fly if you don't have to (I won't even drive 3 hours to Ft. Lauderdale b/c PC is only an hour away but that's just personal preference). That said, check out the suite area on Wonder if you haven't. They created a "suite neighborhood" where all the GS's & OS's are located aft right by the SL/CK and, most importantly based on your above comment, the suite sun deck is also right there in the aft and it does have a small pool with some loungers that sit in shallow water.

We'll be in our 2nd ever suite on Wonder in 20 days (a GS courtesy of my generous FIL) and are very much looking forward to the layout. That said, we had an amazing time in a GS on Harmony last May/June too, the changes on Wonder are just a bonus.

So sorry you went through that. Props to you for making the best of it!

27 minutes ago, twangster said:

One word.   Brightline

It's still not nearly as convenient as hopping in my own car and driving an hour but we have looked into it. It still takes just as long as driving (I have to get to the nearest Brightline station and then the train ride itself isn't lightning fast). Matt lives extremely close to me and has been using Lyft to PC and it costs about the same as parking at PC.  Have considered that too but I'm really fine with my current routine.

All that said, saving 3K as part of a long flight to Asia for a cfruise is, of course, a very different story. My entire 7-night cruise never costs $3k total, lol, even on Wonder.

9 hours ago, kspam said:

Texas is not much better but it was closer and cheaper.  

Last year we had 2 flights.  My luggage did not make the 2nd flight and I had no shoes and not many clothes the entire 7 days

Don't blame you. I won't even drive 3 hours to Ft. Lauderdale let alone fly (unless it's for Alaska). I put significant value in only having to drive an hour to PC.

And props to you for carrying on after that luggage debacle. Sorry you had to go through that.

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

Lightning isn't going to strike you if you step foot on Florida soil.

Agreed. in my personal experience, you have to live here for a decade or so before lightning hits you (or your house at least), blows up your a/c unit, and fries a bunch of your electronics. Fortunately the house itself was OK and our homeowners insurance was incredibly generous in their reimbursements.

16 minutes ago, anneglubis said:

I brought a bunch of coffee pods and my personal favorite creamers. Because it didn't occur to me they'd provide coffee for the machine.

I could really use a clue lol

The only thing you need to bring is good luck that it remains functional for the week.

37 minutes ago, ScooterScott22 said:

As mentioned previously, yes and there is not only the Diamond lounge with the coffee machine but if you are in a suite, the suite lounge has the same.  Not sure exactly what motivated Royal to extend this perk, but you might also get lucky and get a bonus coffee per day as Diamond.

I like extra free stuff, lol. I make good use of the coffee machine but I'd use that for an iced coffee if allowed.