HeWhoWaits

1 hour ago, Ditchdoc said:

Did not find this to be the case. With about a 4-5 pm departure, it takes all night to traverse the Chesapeake and passing through the junction of the James and York Rivers, Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean takes place the morning of the second day.

Definitely not the case leaving Baltimore headed for Bermuda (my only Baltimore cruise). By the next morning, we were well into the Atlantic.

7 hours ago, MaryCS62 said:

DD went to Christopher Newport University in Newport News, made the drive from NJ many times, and always got a kick out of driving the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel - should be fun seeing it from the water - assuming it's not too cold next March

Forget the too cold. In March it will almost certainly be dark before you get there. Not much to see at that point unless you're into bridge lights.

Our one trip via Baltimore was easy in/easy out. There are advantages to having just one ship at a time debarking/embarking.

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

I never get them either. Didn't even know they existed til now.

Their e-mail system is very screwy. I also never got the marketing e-mails (which was probably a good thing). I signed up my backup backup e-mail address for this just for the heck of it and now I get a useless e-mail EVERYDAY in that account, lol.

"Ends tonight! The same exact sale that has ended each of the last 67 nights but we hope you don't notice!"

43 minutes ago, USCG Teacher said:

He specifically stated nothing offensive allowed.

Disclaimer: I'm a 4-for-4 Philly guy, my abuse of my team comes with love.

Shouldn't that be 5-for-5?

Did you forget the most consistently competitive pro team? Philadelphia Union of MLS.

Closer port, extra day, extra sea day, less expensive. That's four in the positive column for Baltimore.

Unless a particular port or two on the other itinerary really sway it the other way, seems like a no-brainer to this "doesn't care about the bells and whistles" cruiser.

It's a YMMV thing and not just on Royal.

Our recent Holland America Panama Canal Transit ended in San Diego. Customs came on board to do the clearances and instructions were to wait in your stateroom or a public area until your group was called to get in line. They were supposedly only allowing you to get in line once your group was called to the line.

The first group was called to proceed to Customs at close to the scheduled time. Then no announcements were made for over 45 minutes, at which time they announced that all of the first SIX groups were free to depart the ship (not just go to customs, but to debark). Needless to say, the line for customs clearance was a complete cluster at this point. We ended up in line for about an hour when we should have been about 10-15 minutes had they followed their own published procedure.

Similar to @Ajax586, my mother, who had prearranged departure assistance with a wheelchair, was forced to stand and walk through this process BEFORE being able to get her wheelchair.

19 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Just the same, some of the most famous companies are deeply in debt

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_indebted_companies

Forget famous companies - the United States of America is the world's largest debtor (more than double the next highest, Japan).

1 - Competent IT

2 - Transparency in pricing 

3 - Consistent application of policies and practices

4 - Better pizza (go learn from New York Pizza on Holland America)

9 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

There is sausage gravy once in a while.

But it's just pieces of sausage cut up and added to a cream sauce. It is definitely not prepared to match the flavor you can expect to find in the US (not even the places that I would describe the dish as "bland").

The biscuits are usually very good, though.

In the "every street blocked" scenario you propose, there is a good chance that Royal excursions will also be delayed getting back by the same situation. If that happens, you'd be good to go. Your plan to arrive back 15 minutes before the posted all aboard time is reasonable.

7 minutes ago, fireclan said:

And that room service appetizers are now considered entrees, so one per guest per room service order.

I can only suggest to go the the WJ, load your plate(s) with as much food as you want and walk back to your room and indulge.

And save the $7.95 plus whatever gratuity you give the crew member delivering your order.

2 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

RC will probably pay his salary if not more for private tailored forecasts from one of the weather providers.

That expense (probably) already exists. His salary was in addition to what is (probably) paid for tailored meteorological data.

Assuming there are no issues with ship clearance, you should be fine. My rule of thumb is to book 3rd party no earlier than the first Royal excursion when docked and no earlier than 30 minutes after the first Royal excursion if tenders are required.

18 hours ago, PPPJJ-GCVAB said:

Is Royal the only cruise line that charges for the pool towels?  I just got off NCL Prima and although there was a lot I wasn’t happy with one good thing is that most of the sun chairs each have a nicely rolled towel sitting on it waiting for someone to occupy and use.  If there is no towel you just go get one and return on your way back in.  No big deal!

Why does Royal have to make it so difficult?

They're free to use on Holland America. There were even rolled up pool towels placed on each chair around the main pool every morning.

10 hours ago, Linda R said:

Still waiting for my block from Oasis in December.  I doubt I will get it.  But did receive one last week on Odyssey.  

Mariner, June 2022 - still not received. Inquiry to be made on Freedom next month (when the next one is due).

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

Pretty sure when they moved early seating up they also moved up late seating.

Hasn't been our experience yet.

Since price is important in your decision, keep the current time and visit the Shore Excursions desk when you board. They may be able to switch your time (depends on availability at the other time).

5:15 is too early. 8:30 is too late.

What's that do? It drives more people to MTD.

What's THAT do? It requires adjusting the early and late seating times even earlier and later (although we're not seeing that one yet).