SolariumSnoozer

I know how you feel as previously I would do all the cruise planning myself including monitoring cruise fares. But then Royal cancelled one of my cruises and the cruise options they provided were lousy and I felt very unfair as they did not take into account what my priorities were. Fortunately for me, the cancelled cruise was so far in the future I was still able to get a good deal on an alternate cruise and I let the issue slide. Shortly after re-booking, I read on this blog about someone else who had their cruise cancelled by Royal but the cruise was very near term and Royal wanted to charge them more money to book a comparable cruise. They had a travel agent who fought for them and was able to resolve their issue and I thought what if that had been me. At that point I decided I wanted to have an advocate in my corner and I would rather spend my time on tripadvisor researching excursions or on youtube watching videos about my ship, cabin, entertainment options etc. rather than fighting with Royal and their sometimes uninformed/difficult representatives.

This was a common theme whenever I called Royal to get a price reduction. It seems that my success was base upon which representative I was talking to so I found I had the best success hanging up and calling back to try and get a different representative. Best advice is one provided many many times here, use a travel agent and let them do the work.

Did some research for a trip (not a cruise) next month. I decided to try Travelex based on their coverage versus cost, take a look here: https://www.travelexinsurance.com

Following along, booked this cruise for next year.

Look at your Booking Confirmation from Royal, it should tell you how the OBC has been divided.

My wife and I booked the Sea Cow Snorkeling Trip through Royal Caribbean and loved it. We are amateurs but the experienced snorkelers on the trip also raved about it, you can read all the reviews on tripadvisor here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147268-d1798673-Reviews-Sea_Cow_Snorkeling_Trips-Kralendijk_Bonaire.html When you are in the water there is something to see everywhere you look. The tour guides snorkel with you and help point out the more obscure things so you don't miss anything.

If the bartenders are required to put the tips into a tip jar is it really more advantageous to tip them in cash?

I thought I read somewhere that bartenders are required to put cash tips into a "tip jar" to be shared. Does anyone know if this is true?

Some cellular carriers have an international plan where they charge you $10 a day to use your phone outside the US. You use the minutes and data on your existing plan but it may not be offered everywhere. Call your carrier and ask them what international plans they offer that cover the ports you will be visiting.

No, No, unless you have an international plan on your cell you should place your phone in airplane mode. VOOM is a WIFI service not cellular and airplane mode shuts off your cellular service so you don't receive roaming charges. You can communicate with your parents using a messenger service like whatsapp if they have a device with the app installed. Whatsapp allows you to text, call and video chat with others, I hope this helps.

I have not ever heard of anyone doing this. Is this common and does anyone know the dollar breakdown between the alcoholic and nonalcoholic portions of drinks?

About 5 years ago I had a similar situation. My son was sharing a cabin with my brother and nephew. When I checked in on-line the process asked me if there are other guests I need to check in. I answered yes and was able to check just my son in and have his sea pass card tied to my credit card. My sister did the same for my nephew and my brother checked in just for himself. As I recall it was quite easy which is unusual for RC on-line products. This was important not only for the sea pass card but it also allowed me to sign all the required paperwork including waivers for my son and let RC know I was responsible for him.

I just spent a day in Key West and did the following: Toured the Truman Little White House - This was interesting particularly if you have an interest in Presidential history. Tour was about $20 a person for 45-60 minute tour. Toured the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum - I did not find this tour as interesting as the Little White House and it's a little chaotic because they allow people not on the tour to enter and exit areas where the tour is currently operating. If you go here bring cash (about $15 per person) as they do not accept credit cards On the budget friendly side: Definitely watch the sunset at Mallory Square, get there at least 30 minutes early to get a space near the water. There are also a bunch of "street' performers there if that interests you. We went to the southernmost point. Really just a picture spot, nothing else to do there but you have to say you were there if you go to Key West Walk Duval Street from Mallory Square (bay side) to the Ocean. Lots of window shopping and people watching to do and gives you a great feel of Key West. I would guess its about 15 blocks long. Sorry, can't recommend any of the beaches or water sports as we didn't have time. Lastly, I wanted to visit Dry Tortugas Park, located West of Key West but it was all booked up that day. It's an all day excursion to the park/fort but it is a little expensive, you can get more information here: https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm Hope this helps, congratulations and have a great time.

+2 On Michelle, just booked an Alaskan cruise with her a couple of months ago, excellent service

@chrissylee19 , you can only reserve entertainment on Oasis and Quantum class

I recommend checking out this @twangster blog from one of his Alaskan cruises, here is the link: In the blog I ask him his preference between the one way cruise and the round trip one, this was his response: On 9/22/2018 at 8:46 PM, SolariumSnoozer said: That along with the extra ports leads me to think the one way cruise is the better choice. Do you agree with that If you can only do an Alaskan cruise once? I totally get your question. When I booked my 1st Alaska cruise I approached it on that basis - if I'm going to do Alaska once, all my research said to do it right and put a little more effort into booking it one way. I prefer the Southbound one-way in a large part due to the train. What an amazing way to set the tone for the cruise. Then there are the extra ports plus longer times in some of them. To be fair I have not done a Northbound one way. Ending in Vancouver is easy. Cheap transfer to airport or a great city to explore post cruise if you wish. When I booked the RCLBlog group cruise out of Seattle I thought I was settling for a lesser Alaskan experience (based on my research). I was wrong. It was a great Alaska cruise and not just because of the group. Let me put it this way - if I could, I'd go one-way more than Seattle. As a repeat Alaska cruiser or for anyone who is intimidated by the logistics of a one way, a Seattle round trip provides a great Alaskan experience. My next and 4th Alaska cruise is Seattle based (for now). If you can, either way, add a few days to explore Seattle, Anchorage and/or Vancouver. You won't be disappointed. There is no wrong way to cruise Alaska. YOLO, book it.

I would think twice before booking one of these rooms on Explorer. I had one on Explorer and the room itself was very nice, especially the view, but there is a small deck over these rooms that can be reached via some stair on the sundeck. The sundeck, deck 12, has the track and certain runners would increase the length of their laps by leaving the track, climb the steps and run around this small deck before returning to deck 12. Each morning we were awakened at 5:30 with people running on our heads.

I suspect RC is monitoring the success of their marketing email offers. I used to receive them and occasionally would click on an offer. I never actually reserved a cruise using one of these emails but I would often get a follow up email when I did click on an offer. I have not clicked on one of their offers during the last few months and I realize I have stopped receiving the offers. Additionally, I had put my email address on my children's crown and anchor accounts. I would notice that when they received an offer I wouldn't get one and vice versa. Whatever RC is doing, they are not just blasting out email offers to every registered account.

Great blog, thanks for taking the time to share your vacation.

Was your father in the Navy? That's how Naval pilots refer to aircraft carrier landings.

I concur with @twangster regarding this. When I have had MTD the emphasis was always on seating you as quickly as possible. I usually ask for the same table when we like the waiter and the Maitre D' would radio in to find out if and when it would be available. We would then have the option of waiting or choosing another table. Often they would find a different table with the same waiter.

If you are concerned about the website, you can always call Royal directly and have one their representatives do it for you. I have done this numerous times.

Only on cruises through 2019

Sorry for my delay in responding, I was off-line since last week. The snorkeling area water is deep, you can't stand there, but they give you the option of using a life jacket. My wife is not a strong swimmer and she used a life jacket and didn't have any issue. It is your option how far you want to travel away from the boat and there is plenty to see between the fish and the reef. They do always find something very interesting like a barracuda or a small shark and you might miss that if you don't follow the guide but these is still plenty to see. They always have at least two guides in the water, one if the front and one in the back. If you do this and are hesitant I would stay near the back with the trailing guide. You can also get back into the boat anytime you want. You should be confident though because if you aren't you will not enjoy the experience.

On Aruba, go to Palm Beach. It is just a short cab ride away and is beautiful and tranquil. On Bonaire take the Sea Cow Snorkeling excursion. Bonaire has some of the best snorkeling in the world or so I was told by some very experienced snorkelers. Personally, I am an amateur and had no issues. They provide life vests if you want which allows you to snorkel with very little exertion, just float and look below the water. There is something to see everywhere you look. After the excursion I agree with @rjac go into town to the ice cream shop, get a cone and explore the town.