Adriana

I checked and it shows $65 day for the beverage/voom package (every cruise/ship has different prices) but no mention of a sale. They are having the BOGO for the cruises, but don’t see it for the dining, beverages, etc. I think that you are still getting the “normal” prices. I am guessing that there will be a sale soon, maybe for President’s Day, let’s see. I am waiting until one of them. Good luck! ... Remember, if you buy a package and a better price comes along, you can “return” your package and get the new one at the better price. 

41 minutes ago, Hags1684 said:

We have not. We don't cruise until October so have plenty of time to chew away at it. I didn't know it was an option to add at final as this is our first Royal cruise. Thanks for the info. 

Unless they changed it, you can pay at final payment (or before). ... I am cruising in October, too! Adventure of the Seas to New England & Canada. 

28 minutes ago, twangster said:

No double points in studio cabins.

I have a studio inside booked to Iceland.  The rate was fantastic.  Since I'm above 340 points I get a reduced single supplement when booking a regular double occupancy cabin but even with that the regular cabin was $1,200 more so I couldn't pass up the opportunity for a very unique itinerary at my price point.

I also have several Odyssey studio balcony bookings.  Again the rate was too good to pass up for a brand new ship.  Only single points though.  

Holy Smokes!!! How cool is that?! What a dream!! I would love to do an Iceland cruise! Perhaps one day I will get to that coveted point of no single supplement. A single balcony I am pretty sure I can do, the openness of it will make up for the enclosed feeling. You have been good in the small cabin for the longer cruises? ... Yup, that is what I thought about the points I asked two or three times and he insisted. I was hoping that maybe it changed! ... Thank you! 

1 hour ago, JLMoran said:

It’s a transatlantic on Celebrity, going to Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and ending in Dublin. Royal does have one or two cruises each year that go to Iceland, typically a transatlantic / repositioning cruise for whichever Radiance class ship they had in Northern Europe. But those are typically in April / May for the ship’s repositioning to Boston for the summer season, where this cruise is in August and lined up better with family availability around school / college.

Thank you! ... That is so cool!! You are going to have an amazing time!! 

19 minutes ago, bytheslice said:

I think you know better than the agent you spoke to. My understanding is solo/studio cabins are 1 point per night. Not the Anthem studio cabins with virtual balcony but Anthem does have some studio cabins that are very small. They are part of 3 cabins(designed for families traveling together) with their own hallway door. If your Adventure cabin is as small, you will be spending little time in it other than sleeping. Helps if there is no cushioned chair in such a small space.

Haha! I do not think there is any room for a cushion her chair! I think there is a vanity chair and that is it. I asked about the size and he said 106 sq ft. I am pretty sure you are right, I do not think I will be getting double points. No reason as I will be paying for one person. That mini size will def be a motivator to get out and enjoy the ship!

     I tend to only use them for loose items and also for laundry. I prefer the lightweight ones as I am carrying around everything on my own. I have found they are more useful for organization than for actual space saving. 
 

You are going to Iceland? Is that part of your cruise or after cruise segment? If cruise, which itinerary? I didn’t know any ships went there, that would be amazing!

50 minutes ago, Hags1684 said:

We elected to not prepay the tips at booking and are now having regrets. As we add more extras onto our vacation I'm liking the fact that you pay for them right away. I'm wondering if there is a way to pay the tips through the cruise planner or am I going to have to call Royal to prepay those. Just paying what we can now in order to minimize that post cruise sticker shock. Thanks.

Have you done your final payment? If not, you can pay at that time. I am with you, so much easier to prepay everything. 

You can call or add your cruise to your account on your Royal Caribbean online account. If you have your reservation number, you can go to your account and add it. If you used a travel agent, then call in case they offer any extra perks. 

2 minutes ago, ctwilliams said:

I have been in an interior studio on Anthem three times. It is small, but there is the virtual balcony which really helps. If you don't spend much time in your room or a small space does not bother you they are great. The only advantage to a regular  interior room for solo travel is the double crown and anchor points if that matters to you. 

Thank you!! Unfortunately, no virtual balcony on Adventure, but I try not to spend much time in the cabin, so hoping it will be fine. The longest I did an interior was for a three night weekend cruise in my twenties, so it has been a while. If the seas get choppy and I start to feel queasy, I tend to open the balcony doors for some fresh air, so not sure how I will feel in the inside room. It will prob be too cold to sit on a deck at the end of October in New England & Canada. ...   I asked about the points when I booked and the RC agent said I would still get double points even though it was a solo cabin. I asked again if he was sure and he says, yes. I am pretty sure he was mistaken, though. I am not expecting the double points, but that would be great! 

So, this is a really silly question; do any of you wear the Crown & Anchor lapel pin? I read a couple of places that it is a good idea to wear it and on my last cruise, my servers suggested to wear my pin. I get someone who is at the Pinnacle level, that would be like a badge of blessings, but not sure about the others. I am pretty excited to sail this year for the first time as a Diamond, so if there is a pretty, sparkly diamond on the pin, then we are talking!!  

Has anyone cruised in a solo cabin? I just booked one for a nine night cruise. I have been lucky enough to have sailed only in balcony and Jr Suite (free upgrade) for the last several years and have not even been inside an interior room in like 15 years, so I do not recall the experience well. I do remember a great night’s sleep, though. I am not too keen on the 106sq ft, but I am hoping for a decent layout. Any thoughts or experiences? Right now, it is prob this cabin or no cruise, but I had heard in the past that it is so uncomfortable that it may not be worth it. Thank you! 

24 minutes ago, bytheslice said:

October 22 is late but I have learned that the weather has an impact on the timing of the foliage. Have driven to New Hampshire many times for foliage and still have yet to time it right for peak colors but I keep trying!

Hope springs eternal, right?! I hope you get to see it soon!! Hopefully, the weather allows for some pretty colors!  

Yes, that is correct. And I have seen back and forth on this, but it includes the Starbucks coffee and teas in the Promenade Cafe. 

13 minutes ago, bytheslice said:

Being a fall foliage cruise with a different sail date the colors you see should be different than last year and hopefully spectacular.

Thank you! That is what I am hoping for, to see the changing colors! Last time was too early, but I am thinking that this year may be too late as we sail on October 22nd. I would have done a couple of weeks earlier, but pricing won. 

Well, I decided to book the cruise and began the process online...then it would not take my payment over and over, so I called...then found out that it is for an interior studio. God bless! Oh well, this is the only way to kinda quell the guilt. I can handle not doing a balcony room this time. I am still going on a cruise!!! Thank you again!  

Thank you both so much!! When I lived in South Beach, I did the weekend Bahamas cruise multiple times, and you are right, it was different every times and I always loved it. I took a break from cruising after finally buying my first home and I am so ready to get back on a cruise. Not sure if guilty for spending money in general or not sure about it since same itinerary. But, I did love that itinerary, so beautiful! Thank you for reminding me to enjoy the same thing again, let’s see what my guy (or guilt) decides, should decide today. 

Hi! I am looking at doing the 9 night New England & Canada Cruise on Adventure of the Seas in October. I did the same cruise, but on Anthem of early September last year. I absolutely loved it and fell in love with the natural beauty. Any thoughts about doing it again? I am wondering if it being a ship I have never experienced and slightly different time of year would make it worthwhile to do again (besides the fact that it is a cruise). Thank you! 

Well, now I am feeling guilty on getting the package because I desperately want to buy a home! Buuut, if the guilt dissipates enough, I will go for the package and go to each restaurant, even Izumi, but staying away from seafood. Yeah, I know, I know, it IS mainly a sushi place, but plenty of other things to try. Thanks for the feedback!! I still enjoy dining more with others, but the menus for some places look great! 

Oj jeez! I do hope they get it figured out and settled soon for those cruising soon! I also wonder if you could just go and order the milkshake, but not a meal.

Oh my goodness, @henrysea13, that is hilarious!!! Great one!! ... @ellcee, good point with Wunderland. It seems so cool, though!

21 hours ago, twangster said:

Then try lobster in both and let us which is better!

O M G!!! I have to have it twice?!? I feel sick already!! Buuut, challenge accepted!

I was close to telling them all sorts of things, but just smiled and let them know I enjoy getting away from everything and disconnecting. I don’t think I look too pitiful, but hey, who knows!! ... I am still undecided, the MDR is fine for solo dining, I just enjoy sharing the experience of a nice dinner. We shall see. I can come up with a slew of remarks as to why I am solo, @twangster, those were some excellent ones!! 

Yup, @ellcee, everyday, I got so many questions as to why I was alone and why I couldn’t find someone, you name it. I kept saying I enjoyed being on my own and was okay, but it was every day and often with an assurance that it would be okay. I KNOW it will be okay, I chose to be here! I was close to making up a husband and saying I pushed him overboard or some other ridiculous answer to give just to make them laugh ;hopefully) and move along. Solo cruising can be great, it is just the dining (anywhere) that is a little less great as I enjoy sharing the experience. Let’s see what others may say. And yes, @twangster has all the answers!!

Excellent question and one I am curious to hear responses. I believe that everyone shares in the general gratuities, so you would only need to pay the extra (if you wish) in the specialty restaurants. 

On 6/9/2018 at 11:26 PM, Sarahkc said:

 

Sorry - new to this, there's a lot to think about! I  I've been agonising over the drinks packages for months.

     I concur that the dining package is a subjective question. Value wise, the price is great given the amount and quality of the dinner IF you truly want something other than the MDR. As a first time cruiser, I go along with the suggestion of doing the main dining room since that IS part of the cruising experience. ... Now, onto you agonizing over the drink package. I am an HUGE fan of the ultimate beverage package. People so often say you have to drink too much alcohol to make it worthwhile. Maybe, if that is all you drink. While I do not normally ever drink coffee, I tried a different specialty one almost each day on my last cruise, plus an espresso after dinner. Each day after the thermal suite, I stopped at the Solarium Bar for a banana smoothie (slightly embarrassed to say that was THE best drink of the cruise), had specialty teas, tried diffferbt Diet Cokes, had plenty of bottled water for day, Port, night, freshly squeezed juices and, of course, the alcoholic drinks. I would have two glasses of wine with dinner and usually something later, plus maybe a quiet glass in Vintages. Here is the plus, as it was all paid for, I did not feel like I had to drink all of it. I had some, finished what I liked, experimented with different things. Three drinks in one day alone can pay for itself at $13/drink.