twangster

Speed is the only difference. Both are speed capped on a per person basis. Surf is much slower, think dial up days. Surf and Stream is more like DSL when it first came out. Surf: Surf and Stream:

Concur. I fell victim to this once. Just once.

For my Ovation cruise in May it became available briefly just over 30 days out. It booked up quickly and I rarely saw it available in advance again. Like North Star you can usually get a reservation upon boarding but do so quickly as everyone else will be trying to secure a reservation upon boarding as well.

This thread is not the best place to continue this discussion about solo cruising. A new thread on this subject would be better and could benefit other cruisers with similar questions and concerns.

Bands like this are not ship crew or permanent on a ship. These bands can spend as little as a few days up to a few weeks typically before packing up and heading somewhere else. If an internet search yields no results they might still be on the ship for another guest to query or they might already be off and heading somewhere else - another ship or another cruise line.

Definitely there but you have to know to book it as soon as possible upon boarding.

Food is subjective but in general terms I find CK between MDR and specialty. Some CK items are better than speciality and some remain between MDR and specialty but that too is highly subjective.

Food is so subjective this is hard to advise. Some menu items at Coastal Kitchen can be compared to some specialty dining menu items, other items don't compare well. Generally speaking for my tastes Coastal Kitchen is better than MDR and in some cases as good as specialty dining and in some cases firmly between MDR and specialty. For myself I don't always cruise with access to Coastal Kitchen so when I do have access I tend to stick with Coastal Kitchen. In many cases I don't find specialty dining worth the extra cost. Occasionally I'll get a free dinner in a specialty restaurant from a travel agent so that tends to be the times I venture in specialty dining. That's not to say the food isn't good in specialty venues, but considering I'm paying for a meal in my cruise fare, I don't always find the additional cost for specialty dining to be worth it.

TSA Pre doesn't always help. With business travel down they start letting in low risk fliers into the Pre lanes who think they have to take off shoes, and take laptops out, etc...

Tuesday prior is often starting to pick up but not yet peak. Wednesday prior is typically the busiest outbound day and Sunday after the busiest return day. If parking at the airport you might make a reservation somewhere you can (or take Uber). Nothing worse than driving to the airport and spending an hour searching for a lot with availability.

That picture showed up fine, the other ones missing appear to be on a google site that doesn't allow linking to them.

Lots of beginner snorkelers. Just tell the excursion people if you aren't comfortable or don't remember. Most excursion operators make you wear a snorkel vest and salt water is buoyant. It's basically floating once you used to breathing through the snorkel.

I've often been stuck flying for business the Monday after the Thanksgiving weekend. The only thing I'd suggest is more time for security. When the bulk of people aren't frequent fliers the security process slows down. Who knew you couldn't bring a jug of laundry detergent on the plane? Other than that the planes fly on time no different from any other day. It's not like they wait for people for get stuck in long security lines.

Online doesn't work anymore, I just do them on the cabin TV now.

Not often, but occasionally.

Royal doesn't have a dress code. They do have dress suggestions. A sports coat or suit is not a requirement on formal nights. Shorts are frowned upon and may results in denied MDR entry on formal nights but even that isn't cast in stone on all ships. Long pants and a collared shirt usually suffice. Dress jeans usually are okay, ripped up jeans might even fly but no guarantees. For a teen business casual should suffice.

I've taken Tri-Rail from FLL to MIA. In my case it was airport to airport. PBI would be similar. Cheaper than Brightline. Read about my experience here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/11517-south-florida-tri-rail-ft-lauderdale-miami/

Lobster is not served on European sailings. I'm not sure why, maybe it's an import thing since it's Caribbean lobster tails that are complimentary on North American sailings of 5 nights or longer. Maritime lobster found in New England and the Canadian Maritimes is always a paid dinner entree, even in North America.

All ships have pros and cons. A frequently noted con on Oasis class is lack of access to the see the sea. The suite lounge on deck 17 is one of few bars or lounges that provide a sea view but you must be staying in a full suite to gain access.

Liberty will be "amplified" in 2021: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/04/30/royal-caribbean-releases-royal-amplified-fleet-upgrade-schedule

Just like at an airport you can pay for the convenience of parking near the terminal and walking or you can save money by parking away from the terminal and using a shuttle bus to reach the terminal. Often this involves lifting your own luggage onto the shuttle bus both before and after the cruise. You also may have to wait for the shuttle bus in what ever the weather is that day - a beautiful clear day, in the hot sun or waiting in pouring rain. For some the cost saving is worth it, for others the convenience of walking is worth the extra cost. There is no right or wrong way to go, it's up to you.

Bring your own bottle (or two). It's permitted in your carry on.

I suspect it's one of those items you don't select each guest. For example if you buy a two device Voom plan and select both guests, you end up with two (2) device plans. Each guests would get their own two device plan for a total of four devices. If you just select one guest, then a single two device plan is purchased. By selecting both guests you'll get twice the Champagne and strawberries and four glasses.

I would hazard to guess if you tried to slip someone in prior to greasing the palm the outcome may be different.

I'm hoping to help Royal reach the conclusion that this should be an annual event. Flash sale events should become a new norm.