twangster

I heard Music Hall replacing Dazzles. Cabins right above the Music Hall wouldn't be so good. They've left some room for surprise venues in the verbiage about the AMP so I figured that area would be something unannounced.

Truth is pictures hardly do justice to Alaska. Enjoy your cruise. Mine is a memory at this point and I'm super jealous that you are sailing to a part of the country that I enjoy so much. Happy 25/50 or what ever else might be going on! From personal experience when the time is right leave this live blog be and live in the moment. If so inclined come back later and update it. Don't miss a moment of your cruise for this thread. It can and will wait for you. Woohoo! Cruise day is near!

Agreed. Even a 3rd time was enjoyable.

The issue with weekend getaways isn't filling the ship for the weekend it's what happens during the weekdays in between. In Florida there are lots of retired people, many of them top elite that will sail during the week on the 4 night cruises. Spring break or summer and the 4 night cruises are full on their own. That's a challenge with West Coast 4 night weekday cruises - who will fill the ship? Few people will fly for a 4 night cruise so it has to be a local crowd. When i did a 3/4 B2B on Carnival on the West Coast the 4 night weekday cruise seemed dead compared to the weekend 3 night leg. The 4 night was cheaper too.

The ship will start on Miami time but what happens from there depends. Most of the time it seems Royal Captains (and Cruise Directors) will adjust ship time to match island time and you will find the times listed on your itinerary will match island time. Look over past cruise compasses from previous guests and you may see the notation of time changes for summer itineraries on Symphony: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass?ship=1167 Many excursion companies are well aware of the need to be back well in advance. Talk it over with them to confirm.

Ah, there's the rub. Different categories, hence the charge to move one over. Unfortunately nothing can be done about that, the 4D can only be acquired at today's prevailing rate. Keep an eye on it though, prices within a specific category can change over time. For example, when the current "Flash" sale is over, the 4D cabin *might* be a different price.

If all cabins are in the same specific category there shouldn't be a charge to move one cabin over. If they are all 4D balconies for example. If you have an 8D balcony and the middle cabin is a 4D balcony then a charge may apply based on prevailing rates. What is your specific balcony category and what is the specific balcony category of the middle cabin?

The guest in the interior cabin will have to pay more to upgrade to a balcony and they will be charged based on today's current rate for the balcony. What you may have paid for your balcony in the past is irrelevant.

I booked refundable as a placeholder. I know a few folks sailing on it so it would be a Symphony TA reunion of sorts. I have no idea really if my schedule will allow it in 2021 but rates are pretty good right now and I like the itinerary (Japan/Russia/Alaska).

Two North American 110V outlets at the desk, one Euro power port 220v there as well.

Take a look at this Youtube video from Navigator. Different ship but it will the beds will most likely be like this, except the two lower beds can be pushed together to make one bed. Some people separate the lower beds so they are easier to get in and out of and well lets face it, not much going on with kids sleeping right above you.

Most likely that two beds will lower from ceiling on each side over the main bed. Each upper bed will have a ladder to climb up.

Suggest you call Royal and ask. They can also provide information on the refund status. Amex refunds post with a date a few days after the cancellation. I have a Visa card that back dates refunds sometimes months before which makes it harder to find them on a statement. Regardless Royal can track down the refund information.

Confirmed.

You can also put your own text in there as some of us have done. Under your user profile, Account Settings, Overview, Edit Profile - Member Title

Cruises booked through the North American process, either by phone or the website can be repriced regardless of booking direct or having booked through a travel agent. I once had a travel agent warn me to hold back a small amount such as $100 until final payment is due to aid in repricing but I haven't tested that theory.

Like just about any NYE activity premiums are charged and the vacation, travel and tourism industry is no exception as you have discovered. The bottom line comes down to the value you place on experiencing this with your sister and family. It is less expensive to travel during off-peak times but then you wouldn't be with your family. Only you can determine the value of vacationing with your extended family on this occasion.

Pinging @Galveston Steve

On Oasis my cabin had an outlet by the bed but the attendant had to show it to me. My initial quick inspection missed it. It was down low under the bed on the wall.

After final payment due date there is an exception that a TA can attempt to use to transfer. I've seen it successful once but generally speaking if it's past final payment due date I try to go through my agent to book unless she isn't available. If there is one cabin left that I want, then I book it direct. She's cool with that, she can't work 24 x 7 and knows I try to include her when possible.

I've seen minimum bid change. I've seen it where I bid the minimum then when I looked at it later the minimum bid had increased. I canceled my bid and checked again and the minimum bid had instantly gone back down. Apparently the minimum bid is based on thresholds and my bid was causing a threshold to be crossed triggering a higher minimum bid which meant my minimum bid was meaningless if anyone else placed any sort of bid at the now higher minimum level.

Royal ships only, or all lines that I've cruised? Virtual balconies or physical balconies? I'm just messing with you... I only track balcony and suites, everything else is left over.

Including ships with no balcony cabins or only ships that have balcony cabins?

My current stats of sailed and booked cruises: Interior/Ocean View: 41.3% Balcony: 34.8% Suite: 23.9%

Ensenada is my least favorite port of all time. I'll take tendering in Cabo before Ensenada.