Shari

It works just great on my Samsung Android phone.

And that's why I stick with android.

Just this morning I booked the Hilton New Orleans Riverside for my upcoming January stint on Brilliance. I admit I am paying a premium for this stay so that I do not walk outside on embarkation day and it is essentially kitty corner from Harrahs. I'm over spending by $50 for the night probably because of the free hour of indoor tennis I will never use. If I were you I would look up The Riverwalk on Google Maps and ANY hotel within a couple blocks will make for the easiest embarkation day you've ever had. 
 
Many people talk about the crime but my experience with New Orleans is this. The French Quarter is nothing but fellow tourists looking to eat and party. And the Quarter offers me everything I want in an embarkation port--and it is all walkable. Two days pre-cruise is a correct answer and you'll need more if you want to see it all.
 
New Orleans is the absolute best embarkation port in North America if you fly-in. 
 

I have sailed on Radiance and Brilliance.  Radiance still has the staircase in the centrum area while Brilliance does not.  Also, Brilliance has closed off the area by the pool tables for offices while Radiance still has seating in that area.  I prefer Radiance over Brilliance because it has not been "updated" to include more cabins so it feels more open.

Update...upgraded

Honestly the suite coffee makers are more likely to wake people up than opening the door for room service.

Just returned from 11 days on Anthem.   Met our cabin attendant the first night and when he asked if we needed anything, we requested the daily compass.
Problem solved!
 
Other items we requested:  extra blanket (it was cold leaving and returning to NYC), wine glasses.  
We encouraged our attendant to take a "day off" from servicing our cabin and provided a nice tip at the end of the voyage.
 

I identify as 70 plus, so I hope I have a compass everyday in my room..lol.
 
But seriously..i have zero interest in trying to look at that stuff on my phone....that's one thing i enjoy about vacation..not bringing my phone with me everywhere

Typical for us to ask for the Cruise Compass and a couple of extra towels every day. We are generally pleased with the response.
Last cruise was a B2B for two weeks and by the end of the cruise I think we had 7  towel animals lined up.
Our cabin attendant received a nice tip.
 

We  just got off of Voyager and received the Cruise Compass also. I asked the room steward and he said anyone over 70 will receive them. Teasingly I said so you think we can't figure out how to use the app?

I’m proud to not participate in any form of social media (this site notwithstanding) 

TikTok is the most inane and senseless use of the internet to date. Not worth wasting your time on.

We too use Allianz. Haven't had to use it, but it's peace of mind having it. 
We are now cruising 3 times per year, and with the upcoming "Alaska Extravaganza" I am really glad we have it. 

The best insurance policies are ones you never have to use.

We also use Allianz.  Luckily, I've never had to use it.

You absolutely need travel insurance with med evac coverage! For example,  I had a coworker that was mugged in Tianimin Square in China. He couldn't get medical attention without repaying. Then a medical evac to the US was $180,000 USD. 
I use Allianz. An annual policy is reasonable, but I've never had to make a claim so I can't really comment on how good they are in that department. 

Another tip is to stop by a bar and use any remaining vouchers for that day to get bottled water as you head up to your cabin for the night.
 

Another tip is to stop by a bar and use any remaining vouchers for that day to get bottled water as you head up to your cabin for the night.
 

Another tip is to stop by a bar and use any remaining vouchers for that day to get bottled water as you head up to your cabin for the night.
 

This person on Reddit has been posting pics every day or almost every day. If anyone is interested in following, or hates the idea of TikTok like me.
https://www.reddit.com/user/Bruin144/

Is anyone blogging the world cruise *not* on tiktok?

Cause Royal is da bomb !

Oh trust me #UltimateWorldCruise had Tiktok by the throat for the first two weeks or so. Since I was already (via algorithim) on the "cruisetok" side of tiktok, I started seeing lots of them and through that realized that cruisers and noncruisers alike were HOOKED on the idea. I think the accessibility of Royal Caribbean makes it so fascinating. I mean Oceania does world cruises every year but no one cared to talk about those Lol. And I'm pretty sure Viking has been in the world cruise game for a while too...
But yeah, there's actually several people vlogging it in different ways and many of the people documenting their experiences have met up and become friends (or at least friendly). I saw a funny video with a Full House style theme introducing the "cast" of the World Cruise hahaha

I came across this earlier today.  TikTok star gives a look inside life on Royal Caribbean's extravagant 9-month cruise: 'Crazy' (foxbusiness.com)
 

Based on my observations walking through the casino-
step 1- light cigarette
step 2- push flashing button (apparently pulling handle is too strenuous) 
step 3- smile or curse depending on outcome
step 4- return to step 1
I hope this tutorial is helpful.