mom2mybugs

20 hours ago, ChessE4 said:

I wouldn't waste money on the Key as your time isn't bad and an hour or two on day 1 isn't worth the cost. There is far too much emphasis on being the first to board. I think vacations should be relaxing, so I hate to see anxiety about boarding times. Just a thought as I think of poolside music. .

Yeah... It was only $3 more than the internet, but that adds up. Debating if the chops lunch is worth the extra $21/person.  There's really no other key benefit other than the early stages.  For me, I love being on quick because I'm so excited to start the cruise... It's more excitement than stress.  Jane

15 hours ago, Ryan79 said:

@steverk I sailed out of there about 18 months ago and people were being turned away for showing up early. Those people were making a huge scene which is how I know this! LOL I got the Key for my next cruise out of San Juan in December to ensure this doesn’t happen to me. Key was only $1 per day more than internet, so it was a no-brainer. There are a few others on this forum who have had/seen very similar instances at San Juan.

Do you know what time the key would be? Jane

34 minutes ago, Ryan79 said:

@mom2mybugs San Juan is one of the VERY few ports that is known to strictly enforce check-in times. Just a nugget of wisdom that I wanted to pass along since many of us are in the habit of just showing up whenever! 

Yeah I vaguely remember that.  Thanks! Jane

22 minutes ago, SPS said:

A couple times in the past, I have seen earlier times become available well after check-in opens.

For our Odyssey cruise in early 2022, I checked in just after midnight and 12:30 was the earliest time available. About a week later, 11:00 became available and I updated our arrival time.

Good to know...I will keep checking back! Jane

All checked in.  Used the barcode trick to see our room, even though technically still listed as guarantee.  Hoping our royal up gets accepted on something, since deck 2 middle of the ship is about as far from anything as you can get, and I'm worried about being that low and odor issues.   Jane

11 hours ago, Fastfaller said:

I will be on Symphony this Saturday with my drink package. Plenty of fruity drinks in my future, I will keep you posted on my experience.

Speaking of that, what are the best frozen drinks to try? Any fan favorites?

Miami vice, lava flow, and everything with a kraken floater! Jane

Hey everyone, I'm on Rhapsody in June out of San Juan.  I started trying to check-in at midnight and got through 4 mins later.  Earliest time I could get was 12:00-12:30.  It's been forever since I've sailed out of San Juan, and I know we sailaway at 8.  Is this truly the earliest time, or should I do the key and would it be earlier?  I know... We are talking maybe an hour but I'm just wondering.  Jane

20 hours ago, ScottD said:

 

Not sure WHAT kind it is, but here is video of 7388 WITH a hammock hanging on the balcony... https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/ships/slideshow-cabin-members.php?ship=Voyager-of-the-Seas&cabin=7388

Yeah I saw the video and that's what gave me the idea!  Will probably watch that video over and over just to enjoy the balcony!  Jane

21 hours ago, recogneyes said:

My husband can attest that they are lol.  Your cabin attendant can bring you an extra comforter so get what you need to make it an option.  You will not even believe how much space you have out there.  It's amazing.

Oh perfect!   I’m sooooo excited for that balcony!  Jane

On 4/13/2024 at 8:05 PM, smokeybandit said:

Just beware that the "spacious" version of a cabin may not give you that much extra space.

Yeah I tried to look up all the room descriptions of room size….some only give you an extra 10 square feet for a lot more cost.  Jane

On 4/14/2024 at 12:45 PM, recogneyes said:

I can't comment on the hammock but if you have 7688 or 7388 you will never want to leave that balcony.  We try to book these on the ships that have them whenever possible.  You will have two full loungers.  I'm sure you already know, but the third bed is a pullman which isn't ideal, but like your idea of a hammock, the option to get some extra blankets and a pillow and enjoy the loungers at night is there.  Enjoy!

I am beyond excited to have the balcony!  Yes, I know about the Pullman because I’m the one who will have to climb into it!  Ugh!   Wonder if the loungers would be comfy!?  Jane

Ok…I’ve never actually had 3 cruises booked at the same time, so I’m in planning paradise (and back to the boards after a year and a half cruise break!).  We have booked an amazing cruise for my youngest’s college graduation…cabin 7388 on voyager of the seas going to Italy and Croatia in June 2025.  The deck is a corner sunset aft and it is huge!  The room, however, is pretty tiny for 3 people  and I snore!  I’m thinking it might be fun to try and put up a hammock on the deck.  Does anyone have a good one they like and are they hard to put up?  Jane

12 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

And no one really knows how the system decides which one.

Bummer!  Someone needs to crack the code in the next day !   . Jane

10 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Exactly! Gave up guessing long ago! 

So no rhyme or reason at all?  Ugh!  What do I do lol!  This was a yolo it’s cold in Illinois book a cheap cruise but I have spacious cabin dreams!  Jane

Hi…I never got an email about a royal up bid for my June 2 rhapsody cruise, but I happened to be on the website during the login fiasco time and saw there are a gazillion royal up options…like 7…that I can bid on.  My question is if you win more than one, does royal pick which one you take, or can you decide? And can you win more than 1 even, or do they only give you one? I’m trying to decide if I hedge my bets and bid on more than one, or only do one that I really really want.  Jane

3 hours ago, AshleyDillo said:

The one that has been around since 2020 is not a legit page.

The new April 11 page is.  Facebook deleted the original Royal Caribbean Blog page and @Matt has not been able to get anywhere with getting it back.  The official interim page is https://www.facebook.com/royalcaribbeanblogcom/

When I followed the link it says content isn’t available.  Jane

On 4/6/2024 at 5:12 PM, Cruiseduck512 said:

Excited to get on this cruise.  Never cruised on Rhapsody but have been on many other Royal cruise ships.  We kind of like the smaller ships as they are more personal.  Been on Harmony and Allure and didn't know who the cruise director was even though we attended all the shows.  Anybody know what the entertainment is?  Also, any recommendations getting from the airport to the cruise terminal?  Taxi, shuttle?  We have 4 people in our group.

We always fly in the day before, so I have only shuttled or taxied from a hotel.  However, there was a very easy taxi line to get in at the airport.  Have only heard entertainment out of colon, and that’s been the typical couple stage/song/dance shows and a couple headliner/comedian.  Cant wait to check in next week!  Jane

We walked everywhere and loved the 2 forts, as well as the old cathedral where Ponce de Leon is buried.  We were able to get a national park stamp at El Morro, which made me very happy!  We got mofungo at a restaurant that Matt recommended a long time ago.  I don't remember the name but it was really good!  I am so excited that we are actually embarking from San Juan in June, so we are going to spend the night in old Town! Jane

6 hours ago, ChessE4 said:

Sadly, pet care complicates long cruises during retirement. If you anticipate extensive travel, avoid getting a new pet. Or move next to a family with responsible kids...

Yeah it is a struggle.  We normally could have our daughter watch our schnauzers, but she got a dog that doesn't like other doggies!  Jane

I have at least 5 years to go, maybe 10, but it is so fun to see 15-29 day cruises offered!!!   Gotta have something to get us through the long Midwest winter!!!!!   Jane

Oh I hate but am so glad to see this thread. Our vet is sending emails and cancelling pets with Santa over this illness.  I am panicking!   We have covered our weekend in Jan with a friend but I'm totally freaking over March and June!  Jane

4 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

You can carry on water/soda in addition to wine

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/food-drink-onboard-policy

I know, but don't want to lug it on! I think we've decided that I may just stress less if I just get the drink pkg . Jane

5 hours ago, billdauterive said:

Funny you mention that as Harmony is where I just had it for the first time and didn't care for it (team Giovanni's!).  Just shows that everything food related is subjective so you really should try things for yourself.

Totally subjective.  We loved Jamie's so much on Harmony in January that we convinced our daughter to go on her honeymoon on Harmony and they loved it to.  I liked it better than Giovanni's, but it's been a long time since I did Giovanni's.  Maybe I need to book another cruise... Just for testing purposes of course .  Jane

I have done 3 gty cabins and never had any trouble.  In fact the locations have been great.  We are doing another in June and I'm not at all worried.  I think this was a fluke and things happen.  We get insurance every time (and now cancel for any reason since Allianz screwed our family out of over $10000 but that's a whole other thread) and assume the best because frankly, the gty cabins save us a ton of money.  Until it goes way South on location or we get turned away, I'm just not gonna worry.  Mai Tai anyone?  Jane

Rhapsody of the seas...June 2-9, 2025 7 night Southern Caribbean out of San Juan.  Jane