Phillip Diamond Plus

Our balcony guarantee got us a connecting stateroom balcony aft location, near the stern on deck 7 Independence of the Seas 9/12 /21 cruise. That location is fine with us. As far as the connecting stateroom, we have had these rooms several times before and have never noticed any noise. We are thrilled to have saved major bucks by selecting the guarantee category.

Thank you! That would be our next question! How early will porters be available that morning of embarkation?

Independence of the Seas 9/12/21 cruise: Can we walk to the Strand and then back to Pier 2 where Independence is docked? We are arriving at Hobby Airport at 8:15 am then taking Lyft to the ship on embarkation day; but we are only able to get a 1:30 pm check in time at the earliest. We don't mind that if we can drop bags off and then walk to the Strand where many restaurants, attractions, and restaurants are. Is this possible to walk to and from the terminal 2? Or will we have to take Lyft both ways?

Our Independence of the Seas 9/12/21 cruise: We are taking a non-stop flight from Knoxville on Allegiant air to the Hobby airport. We're then taking Delta 1 stop when returning home from Hobby. So you may want to check out these airlines in addition to Southwest. We haven't stayed in Galveston before, so we have researched places to stay in Galveston.. So based on information on web sites, it is our plan to stay 1 night after the cruise on the 'seawall" beach front at 4 Points by Sheridan(now Marriott) . It's across the street from the famous Murdochs gift shop on a beach pier. (They sell beer and frozen alcoholic drinks or other on the back deck where you sit in rocking chairs and watch the ocean.) The hotel is also very close to the Pleasure Pier, where Fish Tales and Bubba Gump seafood restaurant are. . Other restaurants are also close by, like "Millers" and "BLVD"... Hope this helps!

Wish I was there with you! I'm jealous! Question: What is the Diamond Lounge like? Do you have to use vouchers? Or are vouchers just for more expensive drinks not on the Damond drink list?

The new Diamond free drink policy has Diamond getting 4, Diamond Plus getting 5, and Pinnacle getting 6 drink vouchers. Question: Will the Diamond Lounge require you to use your drink vouchers or is it still unlimited as it has always been?

It's cruisedeckplans.com

25% is probably not hardly an obstruction at all from my experience. It may be just one little pole with almost no obstruction. To give you an estimate, you might try deckplans.com ( I believe that is the sight??) Click on the ship in the upper left hand corner and scroll down to your ship. They may have a video of your cabin or similar cabins on your ship or you can look up a Royal Caribbean sister ship to seer similar cabins. The obstructed view cabins that have 75% obstruction usually have life boats that you have to look around. The ones that are 50% obstructed have a very good view in my opinion, except for looking straight down where there are life boats. My facts may not be very accurate, but I just hope this helps. In my opinion, I would jump on the savings for a cabin with only 25% obstruction.

Sorry it's Le Havre

Anthem of the Seas sailings from September this year look available for US citizens to book. But, will these cruises really be available for us to sail on in September and October? What do you think? We would really like to go on the Sept. 23rd (9 day) Northern Europe cruise to Oslo, Copenhagen, "Arhus", Rotterdam and LaHavre. What are my chances?

Thank you Matt! I guess we will stay a night before our cruise. I hope that will be OK!

Royal Caribbean said they will provide a covid test for passengers so they can go through customs and return to USA. I wonder if it would be possible to stay over one night in a Nassau hotel without getting another covid test? CDC says the positive test must be within 3 days of returning to USA. My wife and I usually spend a night after our cruises to enjoy the port of departure. By staying a day longer, it makes getting off the ship less sad.

Do you think that the CDC has even looked at the new safety plans in place, established by Royal Caribbean, NCL, and Carnival? It seems that their requirements are very outdated and out of touch. As far as I know, the CDC has not mentioned any safety measures that cruise lines have taken. (Maybe someone knows more about what the CDC actually knows in regards to cruise lines safety policies. There must be an explanation; is it lack of knowledge or something else?)

The new itinerary for Vision of the Seas from Bermuda lists Freeport technical stop? What does that mean?

Does anyone know about LNG for cruise ships? According to news articles, LNG seems to be the fuel of the future because it greatly reduces pollution! Questions: Can older Vision and Radiance ships be converted to use LNG? Royal Caribbean says it is testing LNG on an Oasis ship, so maybe this class can be converted? What do you think? Will cruise ports like Venice and Key West, with environmental concerns, begin welcoming large ships again if they use LNG? Any comments?

We have really enjoyed 2 cruises during Christmas on Royal Caribbean ships! Before our first Christmas cruise, we had trepidations about whether we might miss out on the spirit of Christmas. (We are Christian). But with the plethora of beautiful Christmas decorations, the Christmas music and carols, and even Santa and elves on board, we felt filled with the holiday spirit. Note: But the Santa that surfed on Freedom of the Seas looked a little too thin. Ha

Thank you Twangster! What great research! I really appreciate it! I used to be do a lot of research work when I was a Graduate Assistant many years ago! So I am impressed! I am bookmarking your page for future reference. I now plan to use your 2nd day strategy when purchasing internet!

Thank you so much! But there is probably a smaller discount given on 4 or 5 day cruises. Right?

Does anyone know what Diamond Plus Internet discounts are loaded on the sea pass card according to length of cruise? I may be going on 4 and 5 day back to back cruises. I somehow can't even remember what it was for a 7 and longer day cruises. Just dreaming and hopefully planning on when I may cruise again!!!

Yes, my wife and I will gladly wear a mask. Just to be back on board a Royal Caribbean cruise is all we require. Before when the pandemic started, we thought that we would not want to do this; but now we are used to it. So yes we have changed our mind on wearing a mask. Can't wait to cruise again!

On the Oasis class ships, I have only seen this door to the Solarium on the PORT side (Deck 14)! Getting cabins close to this beautiful part of the ship would be wonderful in my opinion! The solariums on Oasis ships have always been one of my favorite places for a drink, a swim, or a peaceful place for a beautiful view out over the bow of the ship!

I've noticed that the longer 10-11 day Empress Canada/New England cruises originally scheduled for later in the Summer and Fall (2021) are no longer available. Do you think that Royal Caribbean is hoping to return to Cuba then?

Knowing that the CDC seems to have a 7 day or less limit as a starting point; I booked back to back cruises on Independence of the Seas in March. I booked B2B 5 night and a 4 night cruises. They have different western Caribbean itineraries. I hope that they will not be cancelled because it looks like a very fun combination! Record? :I think that I might have a record for the most cruises cancelled, mostly because of the virus but I also had one cancelled because RC changed the cruise length and itinerary. Off the top of my head, I believe I've had 5 cancelled.