AlohaLivin

@JLMoran And @RCVoyager I will say the native Hawaiians have a low level of trust regarding outsiders  and a percentage are still fairly angry over how HI became a state and the horrible treatment levied against their last queen (justified, but I think it’s time to move on and let history be history IMHO). All that said, they are fun loving people (just quite poor as so many indigenous people have ended up and not entirely of their own doing). Not making a political statement, just adding context since most or all of the areas considered unsafe are  those with large percentages of native Hawaiians. But, I am very European looking (no one will mistake me for Hawaiian LOL) and I have never felt frightened in those areas because I know Hawaiians are fun-loving, non-critical, easy-going people. They have their own ways, but they are genuinely loving people; plus, I have never been treated with more respect by nieces and nephews than when I am there and I was raised in the South US where respect for elders is highly valued. They have very little, but what they gave they will share with you
I hope that you will go back some day. And hey, if you need to experience some real  Aloha, just me know and I can set you up with the real deal! Just avoid the poi ??‍♀️??‍♀️?
 
P.S. for me Pearl Harbor was a must see..12+ uncles, my father-in-law and father served in WWII. My father was on Omaha Beach on DDay and the Battle of the Bulge. I could not help but cry some for all those young people, all that was lost, all that was saved, and all those lives effected. 

@JLMoran And @RCVoyager I will say the native Hawaiians have a low level of trust regarding outsiders  and a percentage are still fairly angry over how HI became a state and the horrible treatment levied against their last queen (justified, but I think it’s time to move on and let history be history IMHO). All that said, they are fun loving people (just quite poor as so many indigenous people have ended up and not entirely of their own doing). Not making a political statement, just adding context since most or all of the areas considered unsafe are  those with large percentages of native Hawaiians. But, I am very European looking (no one will mistake me for Hawaiian LOL) and I have never felt frightened in those areas because I know Hawaiians are fun-loving, non-critical, easy-going people. They have their own ways, but they are genuinely loving people; plus, I have never been treated with more respect by nieces and nephews than when I am there and I was raised in the South US where respect for elders is highly valued. They have very little, but what they gave they will share with you
I hope that you will go back some day. And hey, if you need to experience some real  Aloha, just me know and I can set you up with the real deal! Just avoid the poi ??‍♀️??‍♀️?
 
P.S. for me Pearl Harbor was a must see..12+ uncles, my father-in-law and father served in WWII. My father was on Omaha Beach on DDay and the Battle of the Bulge. I could not help but cry some for all those young people, all that was lost, all that was saved, and all those lives effected. 

I would also agree with this. My wife and I went to HI for our honeymoon, spent 12 days there -- 2 on Oahu, 5 each on Kaua'i and Maui. Oahu was definitely a little rushed, only got to see the Polynesian Cultural Center -- a full-day activity all its own and totally worth it -- and go horseback riding around Turtle Bay. We had planned to see Pearl Harbor on the way to the airport for our transfer to Kaua'i; but as we were checking out of our hotel, the manager at the front desk told us no uncertain terms that if we did that, our rental car would have the trunk popped and our luggage would be stolen as soon as we went inside. ? 
The other islands all had a bunch of places we wanted to visit, even with everything we did and with 5 full days on each. A cruise to the islands would feel way too rushed, IMO.

I agree with this.  We had a great time, but we felt rushed almost every day.  At that time, in order to get to Pearl Harbor, we had a book an all day tour through Carnival.  Pearl Harbor was awesome, but the rest of the tour was not so great.  If we did it again, we would book the tour again so we could see Pearl Harbor, but then grab a cab at the end of Pearl Harbor and skip the bus and the rest of the tour.

Ok, no one throw tomatoes.... but DH is from HI and most of his maternal family remains there - it is my opinion is (and always has been) that Hawaii is not a place ideal for cruising.  There Is far too much to see, and far too many important things to see such as Pearl Harbor, that are spread across the islands (and even a single island, like Oahu) to have any worthwhile visit over even multiple days from a cruise ship.  I love cruising, but there are places that I believe don’t lend themselves well  to that type of travel. The first time we went to Oahu, we were there 2 weeks and we were busy every day.
Any military retiree and active duty military can use the beautiful Hale Koa property in Waikiki (there is a charge, but it is far less than you would find st the Hilton next door). We love it there!
ok, back to cruising ?❤️
Lynn 
And welcome to the forum P.A. ?

Ok, no one throw tomatoes.... but DH is from HI and most of his maternal family remains there - it is my opinion is (and always has been) that Hawaii is not a place ideal for cruising.  There Is far too much to see, and far too many important things to see such as Pearl Harbor, that are spread across the islands (and even a single island, like Oahu) to have any worthwhile visit over even multiple days from a cruise ship.  I love cruising, but there are places that I believe don’t lend themselves well  to that type of travel. The first time we went to Oahu, we were there 2 weeks and we were busy every day.
Any military retiree and active duty military can use the beautiful Hale Koa property in Waikiki (there is a charge, but it is far less than you would find st the Hilton next door). We love it there!
ok, back to cruising ?❤️
Lynn 
And welcome to the forum P.A. ?

I can tell you one we loved and stayed a week - the Landis Hotel and Suites (request one renovated and high... what a view!).  We wanted a 2 bedroom and 2 bath - it had a kitchen...huge, amazing price and the nicest manager form Egypt. Lovely man (ok, and seriously handsome). Centrally located too, we got a taxi only once (and of course a ferry to Bowen Island). If you are staying only 1 night, you may want something smaller and even closer. But if you decide to stay and see it, do consider this! 
The Fairmont Waterfront Hotel was nice years ago when we visited and is still very highly rated. Right now it’s about $200 a night, but that will be higher in summer of course (I didn’t see a date in your posting).  The Hyatt Regency is now about $150 and the Blue Horizon (more boutiquish) runs about $120. Nothing very cheap in town, but get closer to the airport and you can find two good Holiday Inn’s with a free breakfast (but no sightseeing). Enjoy!
Lynn

Thanks everyone! @lovetocruise2002 I unfortunately can only reprice about every 2 weeks or with a notice email (my day to day requirements make checking daily impossible, but hopefully I catch most of the biggest drops), but all yourr experience is surely informative! I wondered if re-pricing was possible after a change in status, so appreciate the suggestion about that too @melski94 !  All good information ???
Lynn
UPDATE Well I booked it! We are on the Adventure of the Seas in November next year in one of the two Oceanview Pandoramic Suites.  Major Beeze loves those big balcony’s, but decided he could skip having one this once for that amazing view. Worth a try for sure! And I will be checking the price @Lovetocruise2002 ??
Whoopsies - @Matt it would be wrong of me if I failed to also thank royalcaribbeanblog.com blogging for first alerting me to the fact that these two suites had been moved to Sky class as of Sept. (suites have been moving the opposite direction after all) - that played a huge role in our decision! ???????? <— my party for all of you ☀️

Thanks everyone! @lovetocruise2002 I unfortunately can only reprice about every 2 weeks or with a notice email (my day to day requirements make checking daily impossible, but hopefully I catch most of the biggest drops), but all yourr experience is surely informative! I wondered if re-pricing was possible after a change in status, so appreciate the suggestion about that too @melski94 !  All good information ???
Lynn
UPDATE Well I booked it! We are on the Adventure of the Seas in November next year in one of the two Oceanview Pandoramic Suites.  Major Beeze loves those big balcony’s, but decided he could skip having one this once for that amazing view. Worth a try for sure! And I will be checking the price @Lovetocruise2002 ??
Whoopsies - @Matt it would be wrong of me if I failed to also thank royalcaribbeanblog.com blogging for first alerting me to the fact that these two suites had been moved to Sky class as of Sept. (suites have been moving the opposite direction after all) - that played a huge role in our decision! ???????? <— my party for all of you ☀️

Crown and Anchor points are awarded by days at sea. One point per day per person for Interior, OV, and balcony. Two points per day per person for suite bookings. You are speaking in terms of number of sailings. If these sailings you refer to are 14 or 21 days, you would move up rather quickly.
I think this is still current info. Looks like the largest jump is between Platinum and Emerald. 

When you book a cruise, any discount is based on your current status.  As @L454S mentioned with the chart, the difference is only $25 so I think you may have been misinformed that the discount was larger.
You will want to book now as the price for a Holiday 2019 cruise and you can always reprice it.  In fact, most of us compare prices with every sale and adjust if needed.  Now, you may want to use a TA who will do this for you.  I use MEI (the sponsor of this blog) and I've found them to be very helpful. 
Not all promotions allow the additional C&A discount.  Another reason why I find using a TA to be very helpful.  

You are already Gold from your first cruise so the difference is only $25 less than if you were Platinum. You'll get double points for booking a suite no matter what level you are.

Taking the crown and anchor discount is not always cheaper so it pays to compare before booking. For example if sales promotion has obc that can be better value than C&A discount as you don’t usually get the obc using C&A discount. I also find the room rate can change when using C&A so the discount can be off a higher room rate.
We rarely use the C&A discount because quite often the promos are better value.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Past history is usually cruise planner sales and some small OBC.  But again, usually cannot be combined with CA discount.

Two years ago there was a good Black Friday sale on cruises but that wasn't seen last year.  There was a great cruise planner sale.  Its a toss up and right now with cruises selling well, I'm not expecting a big difference in prices but a lot of hype trying to make you think it is a great deal.
Don't wait to book.  Book now.  With every sale, you or your TA can check your booking price.  If it is cheaper than what you booked, then ask your TA to reprice your booking (just don't pay your cruise off in full).  It is really simple.  When you become platinum, then you reprice it again and see if that is cheaper than what you have currently booked.  You can reprice a bunch of times.   @Lovetocruise2002 checks her suites on a daily basis and has received significant savings this way.  I don't reprice daily but usually with the sales and I know my TA checks with every sale too.

Exactly!  Just to give you an example, I booked a Star class suite in January 2018 for sailing March 2019.  I have, in that time, re-priced it 3 times already for a total savings of $2,333.  The first re-price was due to a random price drop.  No new sale.  Second was KSF.  The last, which was yesterday, was another random price drop.  That last one was over $800 off.  It pays to be diligent in checking your prices.  I check them myself.  I email my TA when I notice a drop.  This is just one example. Over the years, I have saved lots this year.  And for the record, I have not once used my CA discount.  Like @F1guynz mentioned, it is often not worth it.

Thanks everyone! @lovetocruise2002 I unfortunately can only reprice about every 2 weeks or with a notice email (my day to day requirements make checking daily impossible, but hopefully I catch most of the biggest drops), but all yourr experience is surely informative! I wondered if re-pricing was possible after a change in status, so appreciate the suggestion about that too @melski94 !  All good information ???
Lynn
UPDATE Well I booked it! We are on the Adventure of the Seas in November next year in one of the two Oceanview Pandoramic Suites.  Major Beeze loves those big balcony’s, but decided he could skip having one this once for that amazing view. Worth a try for sure! And I will be checking the price @Lovetocruise2002 ??
Whoopsies - @Matt it would be wrong of me if I failed to also thank royalcaribbeanblog.com blogging for first alerting me to the fact that these two suites had been moved to Sky class as of Sept. (suites have been moving the opposite direction after all) - that played a huge role in our decision! ???????? <— my party for all of you ☀️

@2Beeze  I have had good luck looking at different options by using  https://www.vacationstogo.com/   Many filters that you can set.  Keep in mind that the cabin prices displayed will be for guaranteed cabin categories but it will give you a good starting point to work with.   

yes...use some cruise travel sites.....I only booked with Royal my first few cruises and wondered how other people got such low prices and more OBC.....its cause they didn't book directly with Royal. Royals site is not very user friendly or quick either I find.
 
Lesson learned..never booked with them since......I use VTG......can search by cabin type as well as some other options..and always the best price I can find out there

Try  https://www.cruiseplum.com/last-minute-deals. Buttons at top for "hot deals" and "last minute deals". One of the ones I like to browse regularly.

I never take mine on vacation. The most I may do is a cross body Coach bag. My LV's stay at home - I feel like I already look like a tourist and don't want to draw any more attention to myself.

I found a great bag on sale at travesmith or ebags (yes, I buy too much LOL) that was super cute for a travel ready bag. It was med-dark blue and could work as everything from a handbag to a fanny pack to cross body bag. It wasn’t large, but definitely not tiny - basic lip stuff, iPhone 7 Plus, passport, this and that included!. It was great for our last cruise (those expensive bags tend to be big and I don’t want to haul one wherever I go, it’s as bad as when I use to haul a huge camera bag with me... ugh). She can be cute without the pricey purse (and the travel ones can be pricey enough FYI...). have fun ?
Lynn

@Lovetocruise2002. thanks for that info!  We are new to RCL so I guess we will learn quite a lot of new ways to do things ?
@CGTLH now that’s a mid-day snack LOL Note that I completely stealing your list for myself (but if you are onboard the Allure in the next few weeks, stop by and get a bite. ? I didn’t know if they bristled about bringing food for more than the occupants (or many more) - while reason suggests food is free, period, so it wouldn’t matter you never know when logic and policy might collide! ?
Lynn
 
PS I am so hungry now ? 

@Lovetocruise2002. thanks for that info!  We are new to RCL so I guess we will learn quite a lot of new ways to do things ?
@CGTLH now that’s a mid-day snack LOL Note that I completely stealing your list for myself (but if you are onboard the Allure in the next few weeks, stop by and get a bite. ? I didn’t know if they bristled about bringing food for more than the occupants (or many more) - while reason suggests food is free, period, so it wouldn’t matter you never know when logic and policy might collide! ?
Lynn
 
PS I am so hungry now ? 

Great point! Odds are there will be a sale and the price will revert back to what you saw earlier.