Allen2

Before you try to pick your room, go to cruisedeckplans.com.  It will give you an easy-to-use overview of every deck and a visual of cabins, including U-Tube links.  Before deciding further, click on "cabin check" to get additional insight about the proposed cabin(s).  A little effort might save cruise-long issues with noise and problems. All you need is on the free portion of the website.

Cruise is for two people.  There is a "cap" on the value of the cruise.

When a ship skips a port, there usually is a credit for return of port changes/taxes.  If not given: ask!

1 hour ago, CJS2766 said:

Hello all!

Looking forward to our upcoming cruise on Oct 15! I have 2 questions though? What do you experienced cruisers do with your carry ons when you board early? I want to maximize my experience of early boarding since this will be our first time in a Suite. Since we do not have access to our rooms until later in the day, I really hate the idea of having to keep an eye on my backpack with all my important docs and misc. Is there an area where we can check it in? I'd love to hang by the pool and not worry about it.

Second question? I assume I need to make reservations as soon as we board for access to the Coastal Kitchen? We'd like to eat there as much as possible if it's a better option than the MDR? Opinions on this? We are not doing any specialty restaurants this time around.

Thank you all!!!

You will not be alone.  Many other passengers will be carrying and watching their carry-on luggage.  Just use common sense; if having lunch and you are a party of two, get your food one at a time while the other person stays with the luggage.

Be aware that RCL will NOT automatically adjust downward - it is up to you and/or travel agent to periodically track pricing and request adjustment if price drops before final payment.

A while ago, on an Atlantic crossing, we heard a Beach Boy Tribute band - sounded as great as the original group.  Love to see more Tribute artists!  There are a couple of gentlemen playing Neil Diamond tributes, and well as Elvis tributes and Willie Nelson - all very good!

And use a bank logo ATM, as fees are almost always MUCH lower than other privately-owned ATMs!

I started out in the service industry, and tips kept food on our table.  (Back then minimum wage did not exist). Then moved to the "back of the house" for straight wages.  Then: back to tips!  With tips I was rewarded for effort and friendliness.  Onward to management, and I still believed in tips for employees who wanted daily to control their own financial destiny. Later, ownership, and I still feel a tipping culture is the best.  A prior comment about good bartenders staying with the position for years rings so true!  Tougher today to avoid the IRS on tip reporting, though, with much of tips trackable through credit cards. I fully embrace "extra" tips for ship employees who go the extra mile!

IMO, whatever else you do: ride the train in a dome car in Alaska!!!

We are like Matt, having gone on literally hundreds of cruises without insurance and never needed insurance.  Then we purchased insurance for an Alaska cruise/tour and caught Covid with resulting quarantine and travel expenses.  Several trips in the interim without insurance, but next trip is four B2Bs, coupled with land and train tours - with insurance.  Our experience, after quoting and comparing coverage: prepare to pay in the 10 to 12% range of the cost of the trip for good coverage, although age is a factor in premium costs. Cheaper product is available.

6 hours ago, Matt said:

All insurance is a waste of money until you need it, and then it's the best money you ever spent.

When I started cruising I never bought travel insurance because I was cheap and thought being young we had low risk factors.

Then one cruise my wife felt ill and I had to weigh getting her care vs the big bill waiting for me since we didn't have travel insurance.  I didn't want to go through that kind of gut check again.

Now, we always sail with travel insurance.

We were cancelled.  Compensation was border-line fair at best.  Alternatives were mediocre.  If vacation dates cannot be changed, the issue becomes bigger.  It also is true that cancellations are somewhat few and far between.  

18 hours ago, Pattycruise said:

This is the type of direct communication that needs to go to Royal.  They should be concerned they are losing customers to other lines

Have let Royal know - ignored!

On 8/13/2023 at 10:26 PM, Starrynight0154 said:

I get what you’re saying. When you spend thousands on a vacation, expectations are high, and rightfully so. I have 4 cruises booked, and it’s frustrating that more changes are possibly coming, further reducing the value and experience.

CEO Jason Liberty made it clear what his priorities are, and they’re just getting started with increasing profits. Great time for customers including myself to reevaluate future decisions in regards to booking cruises, and consider other options. 

 

We are D+ and have 360 nights cruising - but we are looking around and have already booked six other cruises that in the past would have been on Royal.  I feel the frustration mentioned in this threat.

4 hours ago, F1guynz said:

You still have to do a pre-departure rat test but you can do itv yourself and provide a photo. Not a big thing and hopefully by the season starts again in October it will be gone.

cruises parting from NZ do not require any kind of test unless it is going to Australia so it is funny to see Australia lagging behind NZ for a change.

Note that the photo MUST include the test, a copy of government ID, and a device (such as phone) that shows date and time.

4 hours ago, F1guynz said:

You still have to do a pre-departure rat test but you can do itv yourself and provide a photo. Not a big thing and hopefully by the season starts again in October it will be gone.

cruises parting from NZ do not require any kind of test unless it is going to Australia so it is funny to see Australia lagging behind NZ for a change.

Comment on flying to Ft Lauderdale the morning of a Miami cruise: IMO: don't do it.  With all the delays and cancellations of late, you could easily miss the ship - at a great cost to you.  Also, as mentioned above, ground transportation cost can be an issue.  The price of a hotel the night before is inexpensive insurance, and might save an entire cruise.

Scheduled for crossing to Australia on another cruise line - current requirements include Covid Cards AND testing, although photo of self-test taken within 24 hours works.  If self-test: test results, Government ID, and device (phone) with date and time showing in photo are all required to substantiate proof.

56 minutes ago, steverk said:

I watched Don's Family Vacations on YouTube last night. I was surprised when he mentioned a transpacific cruise to Australia was still requiring Covid cards and tests. He seemed surprised as well.

It's been almost a year since I've needed such things. 

4 hours ago, Libby said:

That is incorrect.  Here is the line item for our CC rewards OBC from Oct. 2022

10/2 CREDITS REFUNDABLE OBC - ROYAL CC REWARD -225.00

Did the same with credit left from RCL Visa card

4 hours ago, Libby said:

That is incorrect.  Here is the line item for our CC rewards OBC from Oct. 2022

10/2 CREDITS REFUNDABLE OBC - ROYAL CC REWARD -225.00

Cunard has self-service laundromats

5 minutes ago, GaryAA said:

We were at 357 points last cruise, don’t remember getting an invitation. Do we need to go to guest services to sign up?

Same issue for us.  We went to Loyalty Ambassador, and he claimed to have left a phone message (no messages on room or cell phones).  He apparently made a mistake and did not "own up" to it.  Left a very bad taste in my (and spouse') mouth.  

Baltimore all the way.

Opinion: Only item that MIGHT BE worth purchasing on ship is a T-shirt.  Inexpensive, great memory.

Bring back 2X daily room cleaning service; return to free room service; BRING BACK OLD (BETTER) DINING ROOM MENUS - as already stated.