twangster

I think this thread has served a purpose.  Cruisers old and new have learned the ship will actually leave without you when you don't return in time.  Of the 6,000 on board, 5,998 made it back. 
I was on a cruise two weeks ago and I saw 60 - 80 people slowly walking up the pier well past all aboard time.  None were in a hurry.  One drunk girl lay on the concrete pier and rested (or passed out) .   I had to check my watch thinking I was an hour off.  I wasn't.  Crew were waving to them to hurry up.  The bridge blew the ship's horn.  People are way too cavalier and just assume the world revolves around them. 
I tire at the muster drill waiting for the stragglers to show up.  I tire on an excursion waiting for people who show up late.  
Hopefully this video will serve to educate everyone that a ship will leave without you.  It is your responsibility to be on time.
The cruise community has a name for these types of people.  "Pier Runners" and it transcends all cruise lines.   
This is about personal accountability and yes, two ships full of passengers will make fun of you when you miss the ship.  
Lesson learned - don't be late.  

Original poster Chesneygirl at CC posted this to youtube
 

Original poster Chesneygirl at CC posted this to youtube
 

Original poster Chesneygirl at CC posted this to youtube
 

Original poster Chesneygirl at CC posted this to youtube
 

I think the interaction with those that are landlocked makes this a better experience as well.

I would suggest removing any connecting cabins first.  Then look over what is left.  
Decks 6 & 7 are convenient to the promenade and all related activities.
Deck 12 is convenient to the pool deck and related activities.
If you are a pool person who spends a lot of time on the pool deck, higher decks may be attractive.
If you don't tend to lounge around a pool very much, the lower decks may be attractive.  

Original poster Chesneygirl at CC posted this to youtube
 

Original poster Chesneygirl at CC posted this to youtube
 

Sadly friends, this live blog must come to an end. Not because I want to end it, but because I am being forced to vacate this ship. 
Thanks for reading and following along. I have to admit I really enjoyed this format of live blogging, and I’d love to do it again. It’s certainly a lot simpler approach compared to my other live blogs. 
Thanks again and hope you enjoyed it.  So long, and thanks for all the fish. 

Original poster Chesneygirl at CC posted this to youtube
 

I'm calling fake news!  Last week he declared Vision never opens it's roof yet it was open in January.  This is Serenade's solarium roof open in St. Maarten next to Adventure (in 2018). 
#SolariumRoofOpenDenier

My invoice reads:
Cruise Fare $776
Taxes and fees $104.82
Total cruise cost $880.82
I received a $290 FCC to use against another cruise.  My calculator makes that a 37% FCC, not the 50% FCC they put in the letter.  
Apparently they are saying that on top of the $104.96 of published taxes and fees, there are $196 in hidden taxes and fees.  Therefore my actual cruise fare is $580 resulting in a 50% FCC of $290.  Who knew about secret taxes and fees?
I booked this as a B2B.  The 2/24 sailing followed by the 3/1 sailing.  I have no choice but to rebook my airfare and hotel to make the 3/1 cruise now on short notice.   
Cost to change flight was $223.96 which they won't cover because it's Southwest because Southwest doesn't charge change fees.  They charge the difference in airfare but Royal won't cover that, it's not a "change fee".  However to sail on the 3/1 cruise I have no choice but to pay $223.96 to make that cruise now.   Cost to rebook my hotel room on short notice resulted in a $67 increase.  
Total out of pocket $290.96.  
If I book another cruise I'll recover that using the 37% FCC and break even.
If I don't book another cruise, I'm out $290.96.
I'm not really in the mood to promote Royal Caribbean at the moment so I won't be live blogging or scoping on the 3/1 cruise, assuming they don't cancel that one too, extending my losses even further.  

I'm calling fake news!  Last week he declared Vision never opens it's roof yet it was open in January.  This is Serenade's solarium roof open in St. Maarten next to Adventure (in 2018). 
#SolariumRoofOpenDenier

However when you book an excursion through Royal, it will return prior to departure.  
There are plenty of signs and announcements when the ship leaves and when guests need to be back on board.  Trying to say they looked at the app a couple months before sailing and one or two excursion came back at 5pm is a weak excuse for missing the ship.  

However when you book an excursion through Royal, it will return prior to departure.  
There are plenty of signs and announcements when the ship leaves and when guests need to be back on board.  Trying to say they looked at the app a couple months before sailing and one or two excursion came back at 5pm is a weak excuse for missing the ship.  

However when you book an excursion through Royal, it will return prior to departure.  
There are plenty of signs and announcements when the ship leaves and when guests need to be back on board.  Trying to say they looked at the app a couple months before sailing and one or two excursion came back at 5pm is a weak excuse for missing the ship.  

I'm still mulling over the reduction in FCC because I used a travel agent.  If booked direct you would get 50% FCC.  Because I used a TA I only get 37% FCC.  
Granted it's only a $98 difference but it's the whole sleazy way it's being calculated base on some secret figure I can't determine because I used a TA.
A user on CC claims he booked a non-suite cabin through Club Royale for only taxes and fees yet he is getting more than double my FCC.  Easiest return on gambling he has ever seen and he gets his taxes and fees back.  
The cancelation is easy enough to get over, ship happens.  It's the way they treat you through the process that illustrates how poorly they think of you.  

https://media2.giphy.com/media/c20UV66B7zCWA/giphy.gif?cid=19f5b51a5c6a063b524963714102fd30

Okay, I don't often make this offer, but here goes.  I'll sail in your name if you pay for it next week.  Then you can be Diamond now!
Call my toll free number if you are interested in earning Diamond Plus status.