Deedeelynn

🎶 Panama! 🎶 
I can't get that song out of my head.  You know, the song by Van Halen? Even though it has nothing to do with the Panama Canal.  
I thought about titling this "The cruise that almost wasn't".  Let me explain.  
My plan was to fly in the day before and stay on the Queen Mary.  I was almost as excited about the Queen Mary (now a hotel in Long Beach, CA) as I was about the Panama Canal.  Good ole mother nature had a surprise for me.
Snow! Lots of it.

At 5am I opened Lyft and Uber to compare prices and... no cars available.  Rut Roh.  Let's try again.  Nope.  Hmmm.  A little bit of panic was starting to set it.  A 3rd time.  Ding!  A car is on the way.  I went out to my usual pick up spot in the falling snow.  I wasn't going to let the driver get cold feet and bolt.  By the time he arrived I had an inch of snow on my suitcase. 
It had snowed the day before but this is Denver so no shocker.  However at this early hour the snow on top of the black ice from yesterday's melt made for very treacherous driving conditions.  Cars were in ditches, accidents were seen all over.  It was early in the season so people new to snow were learning the hard way how not to drive in the snow.
It took almost 75 minutes for the normal 30 minute ride to the airport.  My driver kept asking "Do you want to go back?.  No flights leaving today".  Then a text from Southwest - "SWA Flight 750 is cancelled".  Odd, the inbound flight was on time, my plane was landing in Denver but the ongoing leg to California was cancelled.  
I wasn't about to miss my cruise, onward to the airport, even if I had to sleep there tonight I was determined to make it out of Denver on the first flight that I could.  
Southwest wanted to rebook me on the next flight out scheduled at noon that was delayed until 5pm.   By this time I was at the airport.  Delta had a 9:15am flight to Salt Lake.  I stopped by the Delta ticket counter and asked if the 9:15am was actually going.  Yep.  Book it.  On the spot I booked a one way to Long Beach on Delta.  I've played this game with Southwest before and they tend to eventually cancel everything so I put my faith in Delta and for $500 I was on my way.  Or so I thought.

At the gate I discovered our flight and cabin crew were missing.  They had overnighted in local hotels but they were stuck in the now worse traffic and accidents heading to the airport.  We were delayed.  Eventually they made it and we boarded.  With 3 inches of snow on the plane we had to de-ice.  Another delay.  Finally we took off 75 minutes late.  Late enough that I would miss my connection in Salt Lake.  So much for getting into Long Beach in the afternoon.  I was rebooked on a 5pm flight from Salt Lake to Long Beach.   Salt Lake also had light snowfall.  I heard the pilots talking as the plane boarded in Salt Lake - "We're de-icing".  Another delay.  
After a 14 hour travel day I made it to the Queen Mary in California.  Phew.  

Actually pack, usually the day before. But I already have mine totally done in my mind and we don't sail for another 5 weeks. ??

Plus you learn things like... It's a real website.  

No fuss about your opinion, depends on your expectations and places you typically frequent. From your comment that you are not used to the buffet, we also do not frequent buffet establishments here at home but do not turn a nose up at the Windjammer as the food is by far better than other cruise lines we have been on and is the same as the dining rooms. For the higher "level" service, opulence and accouterments that you may have been expecting, in my opinion you would like the Celebrity cruise line. We thoroughly enjoyed the main dining, upscale decorations and level of opulence of those ships but I really enjoy unplugging and being laid back at this time of my life and not worry about dressing to the "nines" for every meal. I may be one of the few who not buy the drink package, voom internet and other "connected" methods of communication to the outside world. I just returned from a cruise last week and have another scheduled in early December and another in early January for a big birthday getaway, all with Royal, and cannot wait to get there, relax and let the world go by. ?

I know I'm just restating what others have said, but there are several factors here:
Cruising is not for everyone just as all-inclusives are not for everyone, adventure trips are not for everyone, "staycations" are not for everyone, etc, etc.  The unfortunate part of that is you have to try it to find out. Even if you didn't like this one, RC has many different classes of ships, each offering different experiences.  Some prefer the smaller ships, some the largest, some find their happy zone in-between.  Use this community if you ever go back to RC.  The feedback will be overwhelming. If you decide to cruise again, even if it's not on RC, research the offerings before booking.  There's so much information to be found which can mitigate a bad experience.  For that matter, no matter what you decide for a vacation in the future, research until your eyes go blurry. I hope you find something in the future that suits you.

This is why @Matt says to start out on the bigger ships, I guess. They offer SO MUCH that people can find their cruising groove on a ship.  I started cruising before the bigger ships existed, so I dont really have any unmet expectations....Its all extra icing on the cake, and I love icing.  

I know someone who, literally, just cruised on Jewel of the Seas in the Mediterranean a couple weeks ago.  It was a 10 day out of Rome ( or whatever that port is north of Rome) and went to several of the islands of Greece. She came back bursting at the seems at how wonderful it was. The thing she kept going on about was the level of service, and how everyone she encountered remembered and addressed her by name. This was her first cruise, and she stated it would not be her last. 
I say all this to point out the previously made point about "cruising isnt for everyone." I dont mean to belittle anyone's experiences, but cruises are like ALL things in life. Two people can experience the exact same thing, and based on their preconceived notions and perceptions, come away with completely opposite descriptions. 

YES a ENHANCED DRIVERS LICENSE is ACCEPTABLE.  A NYS Enhanced Driver License is equivalent to a PASSPORT CARD.  The same required documentation for each.  When you check in on the APP there is also an option to check in with the ENHANCED DRIVERS LICENSE.   I just used it in August on the ALLURE

Wow, the ship really wants to make amends over this.
I got a call from the Windjammer Manager about 20 minutes ago. Got another apology and thank-you for reporting the issue at Guest Services so they had the formal record. Was told not only are they going to speaking to the supplier, but also their own QC team that picks up the shipments.
After this, I was asked to confirm our table in the MDR, and then offered complementary specialty dining in any venue of our choice. Initially asked if we wanted it tonight, but we already had all of our plans timed out around MDR schedule so I asked if it could be a different night. Was told no problem, and that he’d send his business card so I could call him after I had a chance to talk with Cathy and figure out which night and venue.
It arrived about 10 minutes later, attached to this:

Say what you want about Royal; when they are politely notified about a matter like this, with zero histrionics and no demands or even requests for compensation, they seriously go out of their way to let you know it’s being treated with all seriousness, and that you are part of that treatment.

Day 14 Evening
Last night on the ship   Eek!   Need to pack   
Schooner Bar sunset after leaving Nassau.


 
Best Schooner Bar views in the fleet!

Day 13 - Sea Day
Being only a four night cruise there is no top tier event.  However I received an invitation in my cabin for a Crown and Anchor "Meet & Mingle" at 9:45am for Platinum and higher.

Several officers were on hand including the Captain.  They were circling the Viking Crown Lounge talking with guests.  A guitar player played live music.  
Regular top tier drinks were served but being this early a mimosa would have to do.  
It was a top tier "light".

Later in the day I was wondering what to eat for lunch.  i thought I'd check out the Compass Deli for something light and maybe a bit more healthy.  But wait, what is that?  Is that what I think I see? 
Kümmelwecks!
Yumm.

Time to leave Key West.
As we started to drop lines and get ready to sail away it seemed this one wouldn't be as majestic as the last Key West sail away sunset.

The crowds gathered in Mallory Square to see me off.  Okay, may the sunset had something to do with it.

Yeah not as spectacular as last cruise.

But wait, what's that?  An opening between cloud layers?

Maybe tonight would be a decent sunset after all.  

Like that it was over.  

Something I may have failed to mention...  I got a new phone.  All of my pictures for these recent cruises have been from my phone.
Since I last sailed Majesty in August with my full camera gear I boarded this time absent of some of my regular camera gear (this wasn't a bucket list cruise for me).
One of the new features my iPhone 11 Max Pro includes is a new "Night" mode for taking pictures in darker scenes.  It doesn't replace my "real" camera gear but in situations with little motion it seemed promising so I was goofing around with it today, or should I say tonight because it was after the sun had set.  Well after.
The pictures that follow are largely untouched, they are what the phone produced on it's own.
With the sun well down as we sailed through the channel from Key West into the sea.  Night mode on:

The same picture with night mode turned off.

A few minutes later with night mode on and me resting the phone on a hand railing to keep it as steady as my several drinks allowed me to:

The light on the side of the bow is a dead give away that it was actually dark. 
Same scene with night mode off (yes it was that dark to the eye): 

The sun was well down by this point, the remains of the day where the sun had set were to the naked eye still visible.

Same scene, Night mode off:

To be honest I'm quite impressed.  You do have to think about motion and the subject of your pictures remaining very still, but all in all the "Night" mode results are very good.

Day... Something?  Eight I think.  Key West.
Not the base pier, but not the primary Mallory Square pier either, but we have a later departure so maybe that plays into it.

As work ground to a halt a Mojito in Boleros seemed in order.

Then out of nowhere a sunset threatened my bar time right as sail away was also occurring.


Not bad.

And then we sailed away.

Day 4 in Costa Maya.
We took the $4 shuttle to Mahahual and Crazy Lobster.

$2 bucket of beers.

Some rain came through but we missed the worst of it.  Only ship in port today.

Vibrant rainbow after leaving Costa Maya.

The Magic of Puck in the theater tonight.  He's pretty good.

Our sea day to Mexico starts with a beautiful sunrise just off the coast of Cuba.

You're amazing.. If I'm browsing through and see you've posted something it's a must view item..  Always positive.. Always beautiful pictures.. We're very fortunate you're a part of this group.  Thanks for your amazing talents and reviews. 
My first Royal cruise was on the Monarch,Majesty's sister ship,  for my honeymoon.. still love the old Viking Crown Lounge of the old style..  when everyone else would head for the Windjammer my wife and I headed there.  We sailed on the Majesty a year after honeymoon..  maybe the wife and I will again.

On my way to my cabin after taking the stargazing pictures I came in off of deck 7 and saw...
So which way is the exit?  Maybe it's just me in my happy hour induced state that found this humorous.

Speaking of drinking, they're multiplying.  Jorge the GSM who followed me over from Empress sent me a bottle of wine.  Combined with the two from Crown and Anchor I've got a lot of drinking to do starting tomorrow, day 4 of a 5 night cruise.  

Muster drill at 3:30pm.  
The bridge announced that anyone who had ever sailed before didn't need to attend muster.  Just kidding, they never say that.  It's required by international convention so what can you do but go with a smile on your face and participate as a means to let the cruise begin.
Sail away at 4pm.


Guests lined the popular spots but it wasn't too hard to find some railing space.


With that it was full on cruise mode.


A Diamond happy hour event is hosted in the forward half of the Viking Crown Lounge with great views forward.

An hour or so later I saw some ominous looking clouds heading our way and with that the salt was washed off the ship.  Such is a Florida afternoon in the summer.

This led soon after to a rainbow and sunnier skies.

April  24, 2019
A week ago we (a family of four) were fortunate enough to visit Sint Maarten (Saint Martin) for a third straight year.  And for a third straight year, we hired Leo Brown to be our private driver.  Three years ago, we looked into booking a tour through the ship's excursion office.  Now, there's nothing wrong with booking an excursion through RC but we wanted more.  What we got was a lot more.
We decided to research a few months before on how to hire a private driver.  We found  Leo Brown on the internet.  He was recommended by previous travelers.  We called him up and hired him for the day.  The idea was that we would pay him the same amount that RC was going to charge us for their excursion. However, hiring Leo Brown has more benefits:
a)  You are helping the economy directly.  All money you spend is going into local's pockets. Booking an excursion means that RC gets a percentage.
b)  More time on the island.  The RC excursion will bring you back to the ship hours before it's set to sail.  With a private driver, you get more time on the island for the same amount of money.
c) You choose where you want to go.  If the kid's wanted to go snorkeling, Leo Brown would take us to a great beach... if the kid's wanted big waves, Leo Brown would take us to another beach... when we got hungry, Leo Brown took us to the French side for delicious food cooked in a local and authentic island restaurant... Want amazing views for the family picture?, Leo Brown will drive you to one of the highest parts on the island so you can take that picture. 
d) Leo Brown is proud.  The first time we met Leo Brown, he drove us around the entire island (Dutch and French side).  He is a proud lifelong resident of Sint Maarten and it shows.  Needless to say, we also learned quite a bit about the island through Leo.
e) If you hire Leo Brown, you are it.  No mini-bus filled with other passengers going to the same place where you will then have to wait in line and keep your eyes on the time in order to get back in line to board the mini-bus and get shuttled back to the ship. With Leo Brown, you are on "YOUR TIME".  You tell Leo Brown what time the ship leaves, and he will have you back.
Like I said before, this is our third straight year visiting Sint Maarten and hiring Leo Brown.  Unfortunately, our plans for next year do not take us back to this wonderful island.  However, if you are planning a trip to Sint Maarten (Saint Martin) via cruise ship or flying in, we HIGHLY recommend hiring Leo Brown.
Leo Brown: (721) 553-4290
note:  if you arrive by cruise ship, you will need to walk out of the cruise pier area to meet Leo Brown.  There is a taxi area inside the pier terminal but Leo will be waiting just outside.  You will see many passengers exiting here because it is a short distance to the town area.
 
The attached picture is Leo Brown and his wonderful wife and daughter along with myself and my two kids.

I really love St. Marteen.  We are beach people so Great Bay Beach, I believe is the name, is super convenient.  It’s within walking distance or a very easy water taxi trip from the ship.  Drinks, food and chairs are reasonably priced and readily available.  
St Thomas has beautiful beaches and magen’s Bay is a can’t miss if you are beach person.  We grab a independent taxi bus which is an adventure by itself traveling the narrow, winding roads along the mountainside. 

We never get off at St. Maarten or St. Thomas anymore but that's b/c we have been there so many times; well...that and the fact that I cannot be trusted on St. Thomas  due to all of the GREAT jewelry stores there.
I find port days on the eastern Caribbean itins to be great stay-on-the-ship days.

We will be cruising to St Maarten in a couple weeks and I had a friend who just went there give me advice on this.  She said to not book any excursions for this port.  Instead when you get to the beach you will be approached by many people trying to "sell" you beach chairs.  She stated the further down the beach you go, the cheaper this gets.  She said she got a deal mid-beach for 2 beach chairs, a bucket of beer, 2 drinks, and access to the restaurants restrooms for $20 total.  
This is what we will be doing ?

Gregg, 
I’m also a Greg. We sailed on Anthem in February 2018 since we are from NY. We had a great time. There are plenty of things to do on the ship. While an Oasis class may have more, quantum holds its own with activities. ifly, bumper cars, North Star, sports plex etc. I liked the bands in the music hall. 270 is really cool.
 I also felt that the first and last sea days weren’t terrible weather wise. Sail away was chilly, but being from upstate NY, it was sunny, mid 40’s so felt like a heat wave. The last sea day I was still wearing short sleeves and it felt comfortable. The are indoor pools on Anthem so you won’t miss out on that either.


Welcome to the boards!
 

Back to the discussions from January, we're Diamond and will be a stone's throw from Diamond Plus at the end of 2020, based on our current bookings.  I had to look it up after mentioning in another comment earlier that I didn't know exactly how many points I had, LOL.  So doing the math we'll be pretty close.  
So wondering if it's still not really worth trying to reach the D+.  If it doesn't get me anything different than what I'm currently getting anymore, then why bother?  I was thinking just to reach the status before benefits or levels are changed again would be good, just to get grandfathered in to whatever happens. There's been so much chatter about the ever-growing numbers of Diamond folks that they're starting to worry about being pushed out of Diamond lounges and other places.  
We've done so many cruises now that all bookings 2020 and out will be for a specific reason - the ship, ports we have not been to, groups.  We're getting tired of visiting the same places over and over, we've been on every class of ship, hit most of the Caribbean islands, we're looking to spread out a bit.  But since we're so close to D+ maybe we'll hit that first, to lock in our status, just in case.
Opinions welcome!