Allen2

Tried multiple times to join e-mail, with no success. Royal Caribbean may have the worst IT department in the entire cruise industry. We, too, get Celebrity notifications.

Just finished a Cyber Monday session, and RCL's famous IT department made the time an ordeal - BUT - we saved over $200 on shore excursions for an upcoming cruise versus quoted prices!

Discounts often arise. Not too much fills up unless the ship is on an itinerary that is rarely used or where the infrastructure is lacking. Black Friday may be great, and you can always cancel and re-book.

,No purse, no jewelry, no expensive watch, no big diamond rings - more likely to have no trouble on shore.

One other thing to do: obtain a Royal Caribbean credit card and USE IT (especially to pay for cruises and on cruises to earn double points). Free cruises come quickly and will help mitigate your malady.

If you can prove a medical issue for your spouse, Royal has been know to waive the run

In defense of the TV comment: many people on board were concerned about the hurricanes. Toilet paper shortage was apparently ship-wide, although some room stewards apparently handled the issue better than others (hidden supplies?) The Senior Guest Services Officer confirmed the issue.

Just returned from 12-day Baltic and 16-day crossing on the Brilliance. Overall good trip, including Captain avoiding weather issues, BUT several common complaints among many passengers (1) Menu repetition (2) Lack of decent television channels, and (3) Shortage of toilet paper. We ran out of toilet paper on three occasions, but luckily had plenty of Kleenix. Another passenger suggested the solution, which was to go to a public restroom and "liberate" a spare roll of toilet paper. Complaining to the Guest Service supervisor only got lip service, but she did admit that the ship did or would purchase toilet paper on a port stop. After many complaints, additional TV was added for the last 4 -5 days, including CNN.

Food for thought: (1) Some oldsters who purchased Medicare J and never cancelled still have medical coverage overseas (2) Some credit cards still offer partial refunds for cancellation (3) Several insurance packages from DAN - Divers Alert Network - include a lot of coverage, even if NOT a dive accident. (4) Some 'death' policies cover returning a body from overseas. (5) Other options are also available. Trip insurance might not be necessary, even if you need coverage!

Remember 331 days for most airlines. That is the first day prior to a trip that you can actually purchase. What this means, for a cruise booked in the future, is: start watching prices immediately. At 331 days, you can book, but will know prices to expect, and you can keep watching for those sales and other price dips. If you are using frequent flyer miles, the "real" prices often do not show up until that magic 331st day prior. Always look one or two days each side of "best" day, because prices vary on a daily basis (if you can). Often you can save enough on airfare this way to pay for your motel. Also, if possible, look at alternate routes and/or airports.

Bring a few clothespins for hanging wet suits, or anything you have washed and rinsed

ASK! Call your TA and ask!

Yes - use a good travel agent. No - Carnival would come up short for you. In the past, we had almost 300 nights with Carnival, but cutbacks are enormous. For instance, no live band for the evening show. A "game show" is supposed to pass for the evening show some nights. Sometimes the same show runs twice during a cruise. RCL has some shortcomings, but overall does a nice job.

Food for thought on B2B - best B2B is final seasonal cruise followed by a repositioning cruise! Usually daily rate on repo cruise drops, sometimes dramatically. And staying in same cabin really makes great sense: your room attendant knows what you like, and you "hit the ground running".

Did notice changes - including the fact the most links DO NOT WORK.

Had the card for years. First - use it for all RCCL purchases: double points. Second: the best VALUE is for cruises. Example at 50,000 points: (1) $500 onboard credit (2) $500 discount on any RCCL or Celebrity itinerary (3 - 5) Various upgrades worth $500 (6) 3 or 4 night cruise - value up to $1000. (7) Celebrity upgrade for Alaska worth $600. In terms of "bang for your bucks" the cruise is best value...but sold a list price.

Tips going up $2 per person per day. Only way to avoid increase is to prepay tips by January 2, 2018. Basic tips now will be $14.50 pp per day (Suites more).