twangster

I agree that it varies. We finally hit Diamond in 2018 and took our first Royal Caribbean cruise in 2007. Not counting this year, we missed two years of at least one cruise on Royal Caribbean. One was to try NCL the other was for an extended (and expensive) Hawai'i trip. So, 11 years and several cruises we traveled in a Grand Suite (never higher yet). For the last 5 years we only sailed the 5 Night Bermuda from NJ itinerary which slowed us down but luckily we were able to splurge on a Grand Suite for the last 3 years.
Side note: we LOVE Bermuda, favorite island thus far, but unless it's not the only cruise that year, I am definitely over that itinerary. So glad Royal has started offering other trips from Bayonne. (Not that we will not fly to port but we like to sail with friends where it's easier to just drive).
Edit: I'd like to say my guess is it takes an average loyal to Royal customer 15 years. That's taking into account an average sailing of 7 nights in a room category below a Jr. Suite as 80 / 7 = 11.43 (rounded). Figure 1 7 night cruise a year means year 12 is the Diamond year but add a few more years to try other lines or just not cruise that year.

The forward deck area is a great place to sail into the sunset but after dark it's also a great place to stargaze.  On this occasion that included Milky Way gazing.
I caught some lightning on the horizon from a distant storm in this next photo.


Forget sailing into the sunset.  Tonight we sail away into the Milky Way.

The Cuban government contracted a 3rd party to expand the port capabilities before the travel ban imposed by the US.
Global Ports Holding had plans to increase the Havana port to six berths by 2024.  
https://www.globalportsholding.com/ports/17/la-habana-cruise-port
Global Ports Holding has also contracted with the Bahamas to upgrade the Nassau port facilities.  They are also involved with Antigua's port expansion.   
Given Cuba's history with both foreign and domestic land owners it wouldn't make sense for anyone to build their using their own money.  

Since it's August as I write this I've decided to start this cruise in Alaska.  I'll be flying to Anchorage and taking the train to Seward.  
Fortunately the flights are near empty and I scored an upgrade to Presidential Class.

The Cruise Denying Consulate (CDC) initially denied the plan I submitted but after the 443rd revision they not only approved my plan but they were so impressed with my protocols they offered to fly me to Anchorage and they came to the airport to see me off:

Apparently the plane was available briefly between jaunts to the golf course so I jumped at the chance to fly this beauty.

The Cuban government contracted a 3rd party to expand the port capabilities before the travel ban imposed by the US.
Global Ports Holding had plans to increase the Havana port to six berths by 2024.  
https://www.globalportsholding.com/ports/17/la-habana-cruise-port
Global Ports Holding has also contracted with the Bahamas to upgrade the Nassau port facilities.  They are also involved with Antigua's port expansion.   
Given Cuba's history with both foreign and domestic land owners it wouldn't make sense for anyone to build their using their own money.  

The Cuban government contracted a 3rd party to expand the port capabilities before the travel ban imposed by the US.
Global Ports Holding had plans to increase the Havana port to six berths by 2024.  
https://www.globalportsholding.com/ports/17/la-habana-cruise-port
Global Ports Holding has also contracted with the Bahamas to upgrade the Nassau port facilities.  They are also involved with Antigua's port expansion.   
Given Cuba's history with both foreign and domestic land owners it wouldn't make sense for anyone to build their using their own money.  

The Cuban government contracted a 3rd party to expand the port capabilities before the travel ban imposed by the US.
Global Ports Holding had plans to increase the Havana port to six berths by 2024.  
https://www.globalportsholding.com/ports/17/la-habana-cruise-port
Global Ports Holding has also contracted with the Bahamas to upgrade the Nassau port facilities.  They are also involved with Antigua's port expansion.   
Given Cuba's history with both foreign and domestic land owners it wouldn't make sense for anyone to build their using their own money.  

The fact that Royal has secured credit to get through 2021 without cruising revenue should tell you all you need to know.  It's going to be a while.

The Cuban government contracted a 3rd party to expand the port capabilities before the travel ban imposed by the US.
Global Ports Holding had plans to increase the Havana port to six berths by 2024.  
https://www.globalportsholding.com/ports/17/la-habana-cruise-port
Global Ports Holding has also contracted with the Bahamas to upgrade the Nassau port facilities.  They are also involved with Antigua's port expansion.   
Given Cuba's history with both foreign and domestic land owners it wouldn't make sense for anyone to build their using their own money.  

Given that everyone at Royal is working from home and they have kids biting at their ankles like everyone else, a check in snag at 86 days away shouldn't be something to lose sleep over.  Luggage tags don't even come out until ~40 days so wait a month and try again.  

This sunset courtesy of cruising in general.

It was time for our departure.

Back on the ship a brave (and cold) soul was thinking about the Flowrider.

It's always nice to sample a local beverage.


Might as well get it right at the source.

Full of history my stomach suggested it was time to track down a local favorite food.
Time for a walk through the streets of Halifax.




This will do.

Time for another Citadel.  This one protected the city and harbor of Halifax.

Why is it that Canadians always have their cannons pointed at a cruise ship?  

Welcome to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Day Seven 
Morning finds us slipping into port under the cover of darkness. 

This sunset courtesy of cruising in general.

Walking back to the ship...

Quick update:
I plan to update this thread primarily once per day with a goal of stretching this out as long as it continues to be feasible.
In the interim (and as a hint of what's to come) please enjoy this 15 second video:
 

Wait, what is that?
Is that what I think it is?  I think it is.  That mythical object that we have been banned from seeing all this time. 
It's a cruise ship!

Bar service in Gold Star:

In my made up trip it's 5 o'clock everywhere all the time!