twangster

Depending on your level within the Crown and Anchor Society (loyalty program) there will be on board discount to use with Surf if you have ever cruised with Royal before.  It is typically:

Gold 10%, Platinum/Emerald 15%, Diamond 1 free day of Surf or $22.99 off, Diamond Plus two free days of Surf or $45.98 off.

If you can wait a day or two once on board, the full voyage packages are pro-rated and drop in price as each day passes.  Most of the time you will have cell service until sometime after dinner on day one so waiting until day two at least isn't that hard to do. 

Once in a while Surf will be offered pre-cruise but that is rare, I've only seen it once with dozens of bookings. 

The plans on board are more expensive than those offered pre-cruise.  Surf is rate limited and slow.  Surf and Stream even if not streaming is much faster so regular internet use is better on Surf and Stream.  Before the cruise the typical Surf and Stream prices are close to Surf prices on board so a lot of the time your are better to purchase Surf and Stream in advance and enjoy faster internet. 

I've booked a 4 night package on the 12 night Symphony TA.  In my mind I've gone back and forth on canceling it. 

I used OBC to buy it .  I've prepaid gratuity and bought Voom yet still have $130 in OBC waiting for me.  For now I'm keeping the dining package because I'm not sure what else I could spend $230 in OBC on if I cancel it. 

If this were not OBC 'monopoly' money I would have already cancelled.  I still might and just visit one restaurant at full price on board and sink the rest into Kraken Lavaflows and a Symphony shirt. 

In my mind I have paid for a dinner.  The value of that is $15 to $20 for arguments sake.  If I have to pay an additional $45 for specialty, that is really a $60-$65 meal on land.  Would I pay that on land?   (per person)  I think not. 

Two drinks per day is around $200 (beer and glass of wine).  Augment that with Diamond drinks.  A shirt?  $30.  Walk of the ship with zero balance.  

That's probably how this will play out.  I'll let someone else review Hooked.   

I suspect the kitchens will adjust cooking times to compensate.  They have this all down to a science and are very aware of food prep times and storage prior to cooking to keep everything fresh and safe.  It will be a longer day for them but they'll get it done.

Muster may be shifted prior to your MTD time. On a smaller ship they can load passengers pretty quickly.  If this was Oasis that would be another story.    

I suspect the terminal will be packed.  Don't be surprised if they start boarding before 4:30pm. 

They'll do their best to shift and accommodate muster during dinner and still try to maintain a normal dinner experience.  It may induce a few speed bumps on night one but by the end of the cruise I suspect it will be long forgotten. 

One of these is from Harmony, the other Serenade.  Harmony was 2017 but Serenade was 2018.  I don't recall which is which is which. 

Both state WN (Southwest) is 11:30am to 6pm.  Other airlines allow later flight times.  Southwest I've heard has a small storage area at FLL so they can't hold bags longer.  Plus Southwest when I have flown them is a stickler for the 4 hour rule not allowing bags to be checked before 4 hours prior to flight time. 

Note you have to do this several days before the end of the cruise.  On Serenade I had to ask for the form.  When I saw another guest carry one into an elevator I realized my cabin attendant didn't deliver one to my cabin. 

They not only checked my bags but also printed my boarding passes.  I'm elite with Delta so I get free checked bags.  This was respected and I was never charged.  This is why it has to be done several days prior - so they can validate any fees and flight times with each airline.  Even though you are on WN they have to verify flight times and the airline has to 'accept' your bags against your flight reservation days prior so it's not just about the fees or lack of.

Confirmed - not enforced.  If you arrive at the terminal shortly after 10am you may have to wait until boarding commences.  Boarding, when it does start, will see consecutive cruisers board first along with wedding parties, then suites and Pinnacle guests.  Boarding continues down through the Crown and Anchor tiers, Diamond Plus, Diamond, Emerald, Platinum, Gold, pre-Gold. 

If you don't mind sitting while they run through those tiers until they reach your level, you can go prior to your 12:30 "appointment".

Actual boarding starts when US customs clears the ship and/or if Coast Guard has routine inspections that day, once those complete..  It's out of Royal's hands - they want to start as soon as we all do since it's a huge task to 'turn' a ship's population but they have to respect the government and we as guests have to as well. 

In a loft suite on Oasis (sky class) I couldn't make reservations one night until later in the evening.  I don't know for sure but I suspect that some folks in JS who might have experienced what I did might perceive that to be a JS shun when in reality it's just that it fills up and prime reservations fill up.  That happens in the restaurant business, on land or at sea.

We were fine for the first couple of nights but once everyone 'found' CK that is when the 'problem' occurred.  We just took the 8:30pm reservation and went to Izumi for something to tide us over.  The suite concierge informed us to make reservations for the week next time which is exactly what I did next cruise on Allure. 

I overhead a guest complaining that elevators favor deck 17 like it's some sort of magic floor.  Totally unfounded in my experience on multiple ships as a guest on deck 17 but people will project and perceive what they want to even if it is completely unfounded.  Deck 2 guests received the same 'privilege' - it's the end of the line so no place to go but down from 17 or up from 2.   

Visit CK on the first day and try to make them for the week.  Don't assume or read too much into anything.  If they specifically tell you JS can only make reservations the day of that would be interesting to know so report back, but at least try and don't assume just because someone else couldn't get the exact reservation they wanted that the sky fell on them (sky class that is, pun intended).

Compañía de Turismo de Puerto Rico

This was in December so the Christmas lights were out. 

8 minutes ago, Matt said:

You can almost bet on a Labor Day Weekend sale

Just be aware that not all sales apply to all cruises.  I'd avoid waiting and hoping for a big future sale event just in case it doesn't apply to your cruise.

Buy it now, you can always get a full refund and repurchase if a better sale comes along.  If a BBD doesn't happen (Bigger Better Deal) then you have at least acquired it cheaper than on board. 

Same with excursions.  They can sell out or the best times go first.  If you hold off waiting, you may lose out.  Canceling and repurchasing an excursion doesn't always give you the same time slot so be prepared to be flexible to save money if an excursion drops in price. 

No free soda.  Free beverage options include water, lemonade, usually another juice that varies day to day, tea and coffee.  Buffet has milk as well, orange juice at breakfast.

If your kids like a particular juice that you can bring in powder form you can make your own.  I often bring Gatorade powder with me. 

6 minutes ago, mom2mybugs said:

Yeah...I will just pass that on to my husband...he will be thrilled!   Jane

You're welcome hubby!

When Quantum is in China the Solarium has been reported to be suites only so no surprise really. 

China is such a different market and lacks the die hard decades old volumes of C&A so it works there.  If/When they try that here there is likely going to be a mutiny.

17 minutes ago, DocLC said:

Royal did everything right and then some. There's simply no pleasing people.

This exactly why you can't give a lot of attention to bad reviews. 

Just now, princevaliantus said:

I have to ask. What is DCL known for??

Apparently it's better for sex due to cabin layout when sailing with children according to one user who compared RCI to DCL. 

That had several of us scratching our heads.

I try to avoid connecting rooms.  Yes you can hear your neighbors.  On Freedom I heard cackling laughter or what at times sounded like noises an animal would make, like a random screech a large bird might make.  I was somewhat surprised to see a young couple exit the cabin one day as I was returning.  

I'm a sound sleeper so it never bothered me. 

1 hour ago, monctonguy said:

I wonder what Royal would have done in the case of a sold out ship?

I've often wondered if they hold back a couple cabins from inventory to deal with issues on board, much like a large hotel would.

Just now, Lud said:

I think you are a 100 % right. It is a strategic move from RCI to generate revenue. It's just the cruise nerd in me that would like to visit the ship someday, maybe I've to do like you do and just book it! 

I'm leveraging Singapore for that purpose.  YOLO!

Just now, Lud said:

I guess you are absolutely right. China is the big aim for RCI, but in a way I feel a bit sad that she is going straight there and "disappears" like Quantum did.

They could have created a new Cruise Line, marketed it under that brand and the same would be true - the ship would be locked into that region. 

There is a lot of effort moving a ship into or out of the Asia region.  Gambling is very big and more space is dedicated to that.  Signage, restaurants, etc.  If the booking support it, I wouldn't move ships into and out of the region either, it costs too much and to what end? 

There is another Quantum Ultra coming and Oasis #5 plus a whole new class of ship over the coming years.  Plenty of new ships for other regions but this move is designed to generate revenue and I suspect it will. 

9 minutes ago, Lud said:

I recently read a thread here on the board about Quantum and the differences in culture there on cruises origin from China. Which crowed do you think Spectrum is catering towards? Will it be like Quantum or are they aiming on western crowed like Celebrity and Azamara? I would love to cruise in South East Asia but after reading the thread I'm worried...

I guess we'll have to wait to see how it plays out on board, but China is a developing cruise segment and given the population has the ability to become a significant cruise market.  I believe the intent is to create a ship designed for the Asian segment, not simply another western based ship visiting the area.  That I think is part of the marketing they intend to use in the region. "We built this ship for Asia and it's staying here, it belongs here".

My expectation is find it much more immersive compared to sailing a western ship that part-times in the region.   I'm hoping for that actually.

I have cruises booked on Voyager and Quantum later in 2019 so I'll see first hand eventually.

I noted no Diamond club on the deck plans.  I suspect Crown and Anchor doesn't have the same volume of Diamond and above members in the region so they've used that space for better purposes.  Pure speculation on my part. 

46 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

Big congrats @twangster! Those are some nice itineraries to snag on that shiny new ship!

If I had to make a total SWAG, based on my horribly limited knowledge of Asian culture and the fact this ship is by all accounts going to serve only the Asian market, Silver Suites are going to be this ship's version of Sky Class, while Gold Suites will be the equivalent to Star Class. Reason I'm guessing this is the cultural significance of silver and gold (look how popular the gold iPhone was when it first was released in China), and that names like Sky and Star Class would not resonate on the same level there.

I guess part of what will make the "Plus Ultra" in Quantum Plus Ultra is these more exclusive suites. Seems like they're at least somewhat going into the "ship within a ship" concept, like The Haven on NCL and Yacht Club on MSC.

Totally based on Asian culture I suspect.  Note that it's "Golden" not simply 'gold'.  A subtle difference but also cultural I suspect. 

7 minutes ago, CGTLH said:

@twangster See those blue dots in the middle of some of the paths/lines. Hunch is everything on the other side will be suite only. From what I recall reading, yes that means the entire Solarium.

I saw those as well and that's what I am assuming. 

Silver Junior is three times the price of my current bookings.  I can't justify that when I'm solo.  If I didn't have all my other 2019 cruises I might.  Sticking with steerage.  Just call me Jack Dawson and maybe I'll get lucky.

Just imagine the stories that don't make the headlines.

The hotel industry is also the source of many great stories.  The things a front desk clerk has seen...  oh my.

4 minutes ago, accio7 said:

Have a blast, looking forward to following along with your live blog  Thanks for the heads-up on Oasis, I wasn't aware that she is making a TA crossing next spring.

Eastern transatlantic, FL to Spain.  Oasis is heading to Europe for the summer (and a dry dock).

1 minute ago, accio7 said:

Oh wow, what an amazing adventure! Have you ever travelled to any of those port of calls before, twangster? 

And here I was thinking that you booked all 46 nights which would have been perfect for you! 

I've got some of them booked later in the year on other ships.  Hong Kong and Vietnam will be first time experiences.  I would have jumped on an earlier sailing but I'll be on the Oasis transatlantic then.  

17 minutes ago, whitsmom said:

I was thinking of wearing a sweatshirt and jacket on our July flight for Vancouver (Alaska cruise) but hubby thought that was too crazy even for me

Having lived in the Arctic I always got strange looks connecting on flights in Ottawa during the spring and summer hauling a winter coat on the plane with me.  

Also note that there appears to be forward facing balconies on deck 8-11.  If so those would be amazing.

EDIT - reported to be Ocean View, just deck plan graphics being odd. 

If you can't add it once the deposit is made, then I'd call to talk to them about it.  I've never tried to add a 'hold' to my cruise list but suspect that is the issue.