Cez

Interestingly enough when you are paying with your credit card they offer you convenience of pre-selected tip %. If you select % you are paying tip on amount WITH taxes. So by selecting 15% you end up paying almost 18% (in Ontario and Quebec) Solution: select other and enter 13%. It corresponds to ~15 % before taxes

This is my favorite way of communication, incoming texts are free and wait for it.... Patented solution -> Ships are full of free public phones. If you feel that one text will not finish your conversation just find public phone and text its extension. Wait 60-120 seconds for the other person to find the phone next to him/her and you can talk for free to your heart's content :) voila !

While on the ship try to check balcony staterooms and compare with your JS. You can decide what to do for your next cruise. Yes it will be next cruise and next... Try to book one onboard (NEXTCRUISE) to get extra OBC :) in my books balcony is a must but JS in not worth extra $$ unless you are collecting double points for next level of C&A Enjoy your cruise ! :)

You should put beds together and use them! Your toddler could be sleeping in playpen - you are on vacations for crying out load ! If it's not too late consider changing your plans, I would strongly recommend flying-in one day before sailing. You are traveling from Toronto in February. YYZ is infamous for flights delays and cancellations especially this time of the year. Plus one more day in Orlando :)

Jenny, there is still time - cancel your cruise now ! You can avoid becoming cruise junkie and save lot of money in the future. It's too late for most of us :( but you can save yourself. No ? Well, if you decide not to listen to those words of wisdom I would suggest following: For the first time cruiser I would strongly recommend to skip specialty restaurants and just make sure that you have your table reserved for main dining room. Food there is amazing without extra cost. Do not overdo excursion - enjoy ship in port (at least once) where there is less people onboard. Since you have a lot of time before cruising you can offset big bill and setup perfect vacation by booking and paying for extra packages on monthly bases. Ex: purchase one excursion or package per month and if you find it cheaper closer to the sail date simple cancel and re-book it. You'll get extra money back on your CC! So book it now and try to get drinking package and onshore excursion at discounted price (20-25%) by checking your cruise planer in 3 to 1 months before your sail date (especially during US statutory holidays). While cruising monitor your seapass (your key and onboard credit card) spending on your TV screen or by asking customer service for printout Once you have all your gratuities, excursions and drinks prepayed, save some cash to offset unexpected impulsive onbord purchases - bingo, casino, shopping, pictures, spa etc. It depends your lifestyle and discipline but 50-150 per day per person should cover your sanity while receiving your final bill. Enjoy your cruise ! You'll love it !

Keep checking cruise planner (maybe Black Friday ?) - my Jan 2018 sailing on allure end up being 63 CAD/pp (incl gratuities) :)

who's musical is sold out for many months ahead :)

awesome post - thanks for sharing ! But what is presidential paper ?

uhhh I feel your pain :( Keep monitoring your cruise planner but at this price I would rather pay as I go... Good luck !

Bingo! Just savings alone on gratuities is good enough reason to go with online TA (couple hundreds for two and sometimes free massage or specialty restaurant or more OBC) that's why it is worth to check and also CALL them. Sometimes real person can pull some strings and get you some extras that you don't get while relaying on booking online alone. Be polite and ask, it will not hurt :)

Quite possible but honestly I don't care what's the reason. Planning to enjoy it while it last. At that price I don't mind to purchase full package even for my feebly drinking wife. I've secured now my 25% and waiting patiently to see Black Friday offers :)

Still early - You should be able see some offers starting 90 days prior to the cruise. Nevertheless check during Thanksgiving and Black Friday Good luck !

There is only one RoyalCaribbean and plenty of TA wanting your business. What do you think- where do you find more perks. My favorite is the one that starts with cruise and ends with com. To maximise the offer and for peace of mind I would suggest 1. Check TA online 2. Call RCL 3. Call agent from your online TA

This is for Allure of the Seas January sailing Never seen more than 20% for drink package alone. This is full 25% US$ 41.25 per day. There is no more excuse to not buy it :) 2 drinks + 1 glass of wine + 1 coffee per day makes you break even. OVERVIEW Toast to virtually unlimited options on your vacation – wake up with premium coffee, tea, and fresh-squeezed juices, then keep cool onboard with non-alcoholic drinks and bottled still and sparkling water. Relax and unwind with premium and frozen cocktails, domestic and imported beers and a wide selection of wines by the glass.* Plus, enjoy a discount of 40% off bottles of wine under $100 and 20% off bottles above $100 in bars and dining rooms. Each adult of legal drinking age assigned to the same stateroom must purchase this package. Price shown is per person, per day. *All Beverage Packages exclude any beverages served inside licensed Starbucks® stores.