Yo2slick

We personally stay in Webster and drive in the next morning.  Plenty of places to stay and eat and right off I-45.

It's been discussed at length on several threads, but here's a quick synopsis:
Staying near either Houston airport is doable, but not recommended. While the area around IAH looks safe, it really isn't.  Hobby doesn't even look safe. Staying on the island is more expensive. There are several things to do including museums, amusement parks, restaurants, bars, etc. But did I mention it is expensive? Staying on the south side of Houston is a great compromise. Webster and League City are both on I-45, offer numerous hotels at decent prices and have good shopping and restaurants. I always mention Kemah.  It is south of Houston about 7 miles east of I-45 on Galveston bay.  It offers several hotels, a boardwalk with unique shops, restaurants, bars and amusements. It's located on State Route 146, which is a direct shot south to Galveston (About 30 miles from the port).

Thank you all for this information! I would say we would fall somewhere in the middle as well regarding phone communication. While I’m sure my husband or I one will always have our phone (so we can also communicate with our teens), I would much prefer to not have to depend on that for the majority of our communications. 
 
Off topic question…I’m new to posting to these message boards, but have been reading the last few months preparing! I’ve read some amazing trip reports, both past and current, from many of you! Thank you for taking the time! Now the question, how do I just quote @someones name without quoting their entire post? 

Ohhhh!! Thank you @Yo2slick! 

FCC can only be used towards the base cruise fare.  FCC can not be used to pay for port fees and taxes, gratuity or transfers.  

@abcyoyo Yes. The daily gratuity will be applied to your onboard account every day. Usually, the final two days will be applied together on the next to last day.
However, the option allows you to pay the total amount before you board. There is no discount, it’s still the same price, but pre-paying is just a convenience. Some like to get all the extraneous expenses out of the way rather than have them add up each day.

This will be our first trip to the UK and first to Norway!  Still deciding on what to do in London pre or post cruise.

On our Star Class sailing we used WhatsApp to communicate sudden changes or if our Genie wanted to meet with us ect ect.  He always met with us face to face everyday and at every lunch and dinner we had reservations for.  He escorted us to shows we had reservations for as well.  I think it was a nice balance between the phone and in person communication but every Genie is different it seems.   
Our genie emailed us 1-2 weeks out and asked about some preferences we had and he made an itinerary for us.  We were able to change anything we wanted to ahead of time and once onboard.  Changing things on the fly was no problem at all.  Just be sure to communicate what you want.  
Also regarding the UDP that is included with your SC sailing...Our experience was that none of the limitations that come with the UDP existed for us.  There were no al la carte pricing limits, no upcharge for Hibachi ect.  We ordered anything we wanted and as much as we wanted.  We were also able to order several lobster tails in CK on our second formal night with no extra charge.  We even ordered sushi rolls at our Hibachi dinners with no charge.  So take advantage of it while you can!  Ben and Jerry's ice cream and Starbucks coffee was no charge either. 

There are all kinds of reasons to desire a bigger room besides what is written on the Crown and Anchor benefits page. It could be the location of the room, it could be the itinerary of the sailing, it could be the celebration of a special occasion, or if you are like me; I want a place to dry my scuba gear-- all valid or justifiable reasons. But you still have to know that out-the-door/per person/ per night number. 
Even if it is a Grand Suite or above, Would I spend $500 pp/pn on a quick n' dirty Freedom 3 nighter to Nassau? No!  Would I spend $500 pp/pn on a 9 nighter to Hawaii? HELL YES!!!

I think good deals can still be had even on shorter notice.  Everyone is wanting the newest and biggest ships and I'm over here booking older ships with no care as to the time of year.  If its a good deal and it gets us on the water I'm booking it.  We did just book a Grand Suite Large Balcony on Anthem for next year and while it might have been more expensive, it was the last suite for the sailing and that is one of my bucket list cruises.  
It just boils down to how flexible you are and what exactly you want.  People are spending money like their pants are on fire right now, even buying cars at 15 percent interest not to mention the mortgage rates.  When people are out of money or tired of giving it all away, prices will eventually come back down. 

I think good deals can still be had even on shorter notice.  Everyone is wanting the newest and biggest ships and I'm over here booking older ships with no care as to the time of year.  If its a good deal and it gets us on the water I'm booking it.  We did just book a Grand Suite Large Balcony on Anthem for next year and while it might have been more expensive, it was the last suite for the sailing and that is one of my bucket list cruises.  
It just boils down to how flexible you are and what exactly you want.  People are spending money like their pants are on fire right now, even buying cars at 15 percent interest not to mention the mortgage rates.  When people are out of money or tired of giving it all away, prices will eventually come back down. 

I think good deals can still be had even on shorter notice.  Everyone is wanting the newest and biggest ships and I'm over here booking older ships with no care as to the time of year.  If its a good deal and it gets us on the water I'm booking it.  We did just book a Grand Suite Large Balcony on Anthem for next year and while it might have been more expensive, it was the last suite for the sailing and that is one of my bucket list cruises.  
It just boils down to how flexible you are and what exactly you want.  People are spending money like their pants are on fire right now, even buying cars at 15 percent interest not to mention the mortgage rates.  When people are out of money or tired of giving it all away, prices will eventually come back down. 

Really?  On a cruise line catering to families and fun experiences, I doubt the wait staff will feel disrespected because I am wearing shorts on Caribbean night or my cowboy boots and jeans on formal night.  I dress for the MDR by who I am, not what someone wants me to be.

Oh do me a favor.
If you enjoyment is dependent on what others have on, then you are not doing it right.

@Aron_Ross, you can most definitely ask to speak with the F&B manager.  The truth is, bitching about bad food or service on a blog does nothing to improve it.  Only diplomatically discussing the issues with someone actually in a position to do something about it, will help.  I have found that the management staff on the ship truly appreciate constructive feedback.  They don’t want yellers and screamers, but someone with tempered feedback are generally always appreciated, in my experience.

I just have to say if I had even half the bad experiences the folks posting in this thread report, the Restaurant Operations Manager and I would be on a first name, come see me every night basis.
So glad I have never had to experiance this on any Royal ship I've been on.
BTW by the point mentioned above I'd also have met the Food and Beverage Director on that specific cruise, which actual happens on almost every cruise I go on.

It cant and wont last forever...there is huge pent up demand after lockdowns for years.
 
BUT, it will come down to paying your mortgage or credit card bill or taking a trip for the average family soon.
 
When it does,  prices will drop, or only the wealthy will be able to cruise or travel.
 
Lets see by 2024 or 2025 when interest rates have been high for years, and people are defaulting on mortgages how high prices are.
 
When I see an inside cabin on Icon for almost $15k for an inside room for 2 people(drinks and tips)....thats not reasonable for almost anyone I know  of in my life.
 
Market trends wont support it...so Royal better enjoy this while it lasts.

I think good deals can still be had even on shorter notice.  Everyone is wanting the newest and biggest ships and I'm over here booking older ships with no care as to the time of year.  If its a good deal and it gets us on the water I'm booking it.  We did just book a Grand Suite Large Balcony on Anthem for next year and while it might have been more expensive, it was the last suite for the sailing and that is one of my bucket list cruises.  
It just boils down to how flexible you are and what exactly you want.  People are spending money like their pants are on fire right now, even buying cars at 15 percent interest not to mention the mortgage rates.  When people are out of money or tired of giving it all away, prices will eventually come back down. 

I think good deals can still be had even on shorter notice.  Everyone is wanting the newest and biggest ships and I'm over here booking older ships with no care as to the time of year.  If its a good deal and it gets us on the water I'm booking it.  We did just book a Grand Suite Large Balcony on Anthem for next year and while it might have been more expensive, it was the last suite for the sailing and that is one of my bucket list cruises.  
It just boils down to how flexible you are and what exactly you want.  People are spending money like their pants are on fire right now, even buying cars at 15 percent interest not to mention the mortgage rates.  When people are out of money or tired of giving it all away, prices will eventually come back down. 

Anyone else on this sailing? 
Celebrating my wife's birthday and our anniversary on this cruise!

I normally get the UDP on longer sailings with tons of restaurants because it is worth it. But now being D+ I may just use my BOGO because $340 for a 7N sailing is a bit much........on top of higher cruise fares.

Everything in the add on realm is going up incrementally. Our Jan. '24 on Mariner, the CP currently shows the 'sale' price of the unlimited beverage package as $74.99, Refreshment Package, $29.99, and specialty dining package/prices have yet to be displayed; guess they're waiting til closer to sail date to price things out since commodities prices seem to move like the price of gasoline these days?  Is this in part, a tactic to not impose a fuel surcharge?
No matter, add on pricing gets too rich for us, we'll pass on what we normally get. Cruise fares get too silly, we'll find something else to do............

Just off 15 nights on Radiance earlier this month.  No broken elevators 🙂 
I do like Radiance Class and really enjoyed her for 15 nights.   She has one of two Samba Grills in the fleet if you are a meat eater.   
Being a small ship she is easy to get around.
Liberty is a great ship too.  Much larger than Radiance which is roughly 2/3 the size.  

We have sailed on Radiance and Allure in the last 60 days as both were/are sailing out of Galveston. Allure is like Wonder in size with all of the shows, amenities and pace. Radiance is much smaller and to us more intimate and slower paced. You do not have the Broadway shows on Radiance but they were very good. The crew seemed friendlier on Radiance (our opinion as we like to talk to the crew where ever we go) and the pace was definitely not so frenzied. Just our opinion but we like the smaller ships even thought we have multiple cruises booked already on Allure and Harmony, both large ships. We are both over 60.

I think that is exactly what they doing.  Make hay while the sun is shining.  Supply and demand.  With demand sky high so are cruise prices.  
Ultimately, we collectively set the price.  If others are willing to pay today's rates then we can only blame those that are paying the crazy fares.