twangster

I think @Matt already answered but definitely no free internet access. Symphony Voom (internet) pricing has been pretty good for my Symphony sailing in October. Well below the normal pre-cruise sale prices. It will be more expensive once on board so if you are thinking about it, I'd consider buying it soon if the price is below $15.99 in the cruise planner. You can always cancel it for a refund if you change your mind but once the price goes up it tends to stay up. The wifi is used for other purposes on some ships, like checking your calendar or on-board cruise compass using an app on your phone that you'll need to download before sailing. That much is free but that doesn't include internet access. We believe Symphony will use the new 'Royal' app which you can download now, it's free in the app store but you won't see Symphony listed in the app today. We expect more announcements about new functionality in the app as the launch date for Symphony approaches.

Only vague references being made to it here and there. Perhaps the hit from the 2017 hurricane season has delayed plans beyond the new pier and buildings to support the new pier area. I hope to make CocoCay next week weather permitting. Interested in seeing pier progress.

Pinging @J_Keeble He is on an early Symphony sailing and will likely be one of the first to experience the full cruise planner experience unlocked as well as sailing on her. BOLO for confirmation of 150 Central Park.

I'm sure the prop is already there waiting for them. Wonder what a new propeller costs? I'm hoping Nick Weir does another video like they did for Allure's last visit to the Freeport dry dock. If you haven't seen it, search youtube for 'Allure Project Atlantis':

Did you get a Genie escort onto the ship? I know in Sky class my son and I had individual set sail passes on Harmony in September. Upon boarding they scanned both which I presumed they did to know both souls were on on board. I don't doubt what you say, just curious how they recorded your presence on the ship which is far more important than charging things.

When ever you see a sign that states the obvious "Don't do this stupid thing here" it's because someone did it. Policies often originate from the same origins.

Snow. SC doesn't do snow well. Lived there for a while.

If briefly said Adventure Seeker then it changed to "You cruise too much, we have no idea".

When I change to New Zealand my trick isn't an option. Very strange that AU website allows it for AU but not for NZ. Sorry.

Very odd. I used a VPN to connect to Australia and tried the Australian website on a VM that has never touched the US site. I see your prices in NZD. I didn't try the NZ website. 11pm here, time for bed. I can try tomorrow. Sorry.

I hope that isn't your real birthday, never good to post that info on a public website... If you book directly at royalcaribbean.com.au (instead of logging in to C&A first) you can enter your C&A number once you have zeroed down into a particular cruise. It doesn't ask for birthday, just you C&A number. Search for a cruise, find one, click on it. When you get to this point click on "See if you qualify for exclusive rates" Enter C&A #. Screen shots above from the AU website. The US website works the same way, I use this all the time to check regular rates and then C&A rates as I shop for cruises. I've never entered my birthday.

I am! Just finished packing. A new record for me doing it this soon...

Welcome to the message board!

3!

You can ask to be wait listed for fixed time dining. Your travel agent should be able to do that for you.

Welcome to the message board! In advance when a particular dining option or time becomes fully booked they can't any more guests to that time. As soon as you board you can visit the dining rooms and request a change or even that you all be seated at the same table. They try to accommodate requests of this nature but other guests may also be requesting changes on board so I suggest doing this soon after boarding.

One other tip - The official rum based frozen drink of Labadee is called the Labradoozie. With the deluxe drink package it is included but only when ordered in a regular cup. In the souvenir cup the Labradoozie costs extra.

On Labadee much is included but certain things are extra. One beach, Barefoot Beach is reserved for suite guests. All other areas are open for all guests to explore. Chairs and loungers are included. Floating mats are an example of an extra cost item (except at the suite beach). Food comes off the ship and is included. Your drink package does work on Labadee just like on the ship. Excursion that cost extra include things like the zip line, roller coaster, jet skis, parasailing, etc. I've never felt the need to purchase one of the excursions that goes to a private or more secluded beach or island. I have done the zip line on 3 different occasions and jet skiing. Depending when your cruise is, some Labadee excursions are offered on sale from time to time. US holidays have been popular sale weekends in the past. I love Labadee. They've done a really nice job there. @Matt has written several blogs about Labadee, here is one of them: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/08/29/25-tips-great-day-royal-caribbeans-labadee

I've often get a better price through an agency compared to direct. Some larger agencies commit to certain blocks of cabins and they get a wholesale rate cheaper than what you or I get direct. This in part is why you will see different inventory through agency compared to direct. For the Alaska Group Cruise my cabin wasn't available direct, only through agency. Some agencies may offer OBC, some offer specialty dinners or free travel insurance. They can make those offers since they get a cheaper rate. I'm looking at a 2019 cruise to New Zealand on Ovation that isn't even offered by RCI direct - the whole ship is only available through agency, at least at this point. I sometimes use a large agency that has many different faces. They front end many different branded websites and they answer the phone like you are calling airline A or hotel B cruise specialist but they are a common collection of agents all working from home using the same back end computer platform. Being a large agency they can commit to blocks of cabins - they, like RCI know what historically will sell and what won't. I've gone through several agents at this agency and finally found one that knows the system. She is my go to agent now, most of the time. She doesn't work 24x7 so sometimes I've had to go with someone else when I see a great deal that I know won't last long. Having said that my May cruise on Adventure was 20% cheaper direct. So it works both ways. As I was pricing different cabins and applying or removing my Crown & Anchor discount I suddenly lucked into a super cheap C&A balcony. Solo rate was $695 one minute then $499 the next. Oceanview was $599 so I grabbed the balcony. That rate hasn't re-appeared yet. Sometimes the C&A rate isn't a good deal, sometimes a different promo is better. A good travel agent will look at all options, even fares I can't see. The point is there is no one way always works best. Booking near term cruises is very different compared to booking next year cruises. I've seen a lot of complaints about a certain warehouse company that offers cruise bookings. They use their discounts to offer OBC but it's their OBC, not the same OBC that RCI often offers. The problem is a lot of times their OBC doesn't transfer to the ship so people board and have no OBC. They blame the cruise line but it's really the warehouse club that failed or kept it deliberately. Another warehouse club offers cash cards to their stores instead of OBC. These places seem to operate like sweat shops and many times their agents don't know anything or will say anything to get the sale. "Yes that ship has bumper cars" when it doesn't. The point here is that you have to be careful with online or big warehouse agents. It's a lot easier when you know exactly what you want. Jackie at MEI is very proactive at re-pricing my booking every time a new deal or promo is announced. You won't get that level of service at most big online agencies, it's your job to monitor price drops.

Good call!

Here are some shots of the menus on the Freestyle machines from Grandeur. I apologize for the poor quality. There are several screens, I've only captured two here. I keep meaning to capture all screens on a cruise some day. Maybe I'll try from Anthem next week at night so the reflections isn't so bad. Until then this is all I have:

And cruisers like us will keep on enjoying cheap cruise fares. Not unlike the cheap goods we like to import from 3rd world countries where labor laws don't exist and cheap labor abounds.

This is so unfair. All these people going on cruises. I better do something about that... Enjoy your cruise @Floski !

Your welcome! Oasis is an awesome ship. I have friends on her this week. It's their first Royal Caribbean cruise. On the main page for this site, RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com there is a search box (the search box on this page only searches within the message boards). Type in 'first time' and you will find numerous blog entries and tips for first time and new to Royal Caribbean cruisers. There is a wealth of information here and planning your cruise is almost as much fun as taking it! Enjoy!

And Welcome to the message boards!