JasonL

Booking  nearly 800 days in advance is paying off for me ??

Ditto
Symphony Feb 20th 2021

Hello all,
new joiners to the forum, we are a family of 4 from Italy, my wife, myself and two daugthers almost 18 and 13.
Never had cruises so far and to be honest never tought about seriously. This until last summer when we were having our holidays in Aruba and happened to park the car just few meters from the harmony of the Sea docked there. We were just "WOW that's insane!". I tought "if I have to cruise sooner or later I want this big toy!" Then went home, little bit of googoling and, guess what? found something which would have fit in our vacation planning. So, to make a long story short, we will be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale on the Allure of the Seas next August (I know, not the best period but this is what we have) as central part of our Florida trip.
We cannot wait to be there, we are soooooo excited!!! We are busy finding information and planning and this blog and forum, and you all guys, are amazing. Lot of incredible info here!
Still lot of time to go but what is better then planning this amazing holiday when out of the window is snowing :)
Alberto and family 
 

A follow up for the more experienced for the key - if I purchase they key for both my husband and I, we BOTH get our own VOOM code, correct? It's not one per stateroom?
Leaning towards it hard now because I realized I never do fun things on Oasis class or most ships (zipline, flowrider, etc) because I hate lines. 

Booking  nearly 800 days in advance is paying off for me ??

Booking  nearly 800 days in advance is paying off for me ??

Booking  nearly 800 days in advance is paying off for me ??

Galveston could use some variety of ports, but if they got an Oasis class I might YOLO book it just to hang on the ship all week.

The fact the prices aren't lower is a good thing.  I mean, sure, I'd love to get a cheaper deal but I find it quite satisfying to know that booking in advance locked me into the best price.

Welcome to the message boards!
Each specialty dining venue has it's own menu as you've seen.  Most items are included but there are typically a few items that cost more than the cover charge you pay to eat there.  Full Maine Lobster in Chops for example carries an additional charge above the cover charge.  Those extra charge items have a price on the menu.
The specialty dining restaurants tend to have some rules.  You can't order 10 steaks in Chops for example.  You might be able to order 10 side dishes though.  To be honest it's so much food I've never tried.  Your waiter will explain it all.  Ask as many questions as you like.  
Soda packages typically work anywhere on the ship except room service.  
SeaPass cards are handed over when there is a chargeable item involved.  When you visit the MDR (main dining room) they will ask your cabin number.  You'll never have to produce your SeaPass card unless you request something that isn't free.  If you have the soda package they'll ask for your card to confirm you do indeed have the soda package.  Sorrentos is included so no SeaPass card involved.  Asking for a chargeable beverage at Sorrentos will require a SeaPass card.  
Debarking - A letter will be provided a day or two before arriving back.  The letter will explain the process and times for "self-assist" guests like yourselves who carry their own luggage off.  Self assist typically starts as soon as US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) give them the clearance to start.  There will be a stated time in the letter such as 7:30am to 8:30am for self-assist.  Early birds will go to the designated self-assist meeting point before the stated start time.  A line will begin to form and your place in the line is based on when you arrive at the self-assist meeting point.  Once CBP give the go ahead, the line begins to move and you leave the ship.  Once the line starts moving it typically is pretty fast to get through CBP so budget 30 to 60 minutes to reach your car.  
On my Liberty cruise last year the scheduled arrival was 8am.  i lined up at 7am and was about 30 from the front of the line.  They started letting us off at 7:30am (early).  I was outside hailing a Lyft at 7:45am.  I got lucky, have cruised a lot, know the routine and CBP was kind that day.  My Lyft ride share had me at Hobby airport at 8:40am.
On boarding day they always have some restaurants open typically starting around 11:30am.  Getting on the ship right at 10am is unlikely.  The terminal typically opens around 10am to begin check in and the ship has to wait for all previous guests to leave and only when US Customs says the ship is clear can they start taking on new guests.  That is typically closer to between 11am to noon but if you are lucky could happen before 11am.  Consequently there usually isn't much of a wait to enjoy lunch.    

No concrete information.  Royal has not offered any firms dates or specific ship.
The good news is that by 2021 all Oasis class will be great!  It really won't matter which one.  

Great video @JasonL

I love the Ultra spacious rooms for space, but I travel with 5 so it's pretty much my only option. I've done the oceanview on allure at the front and we liked it. There are pros and cons though. The room tapered down to the windows making for a low ceiling at the front. My kids(younger and smaller than yours) loved this space, but it could be annoying for full sized humans. There was also a shaking/vibrating that happened every time we came into port(i think as they hit reverse). I'm a very heavy sleeper but it even woke me up every morning. That said we still really like the rooms because they are just so much bigger, I would consider getting them even if we only had 3 guests. I will try not to get the room with the slanted ceiling next time though.
Looks like the only picture/video of the front of the room is my girls being goofballs. There are 2 windows like this, we just only had 1 open.
 
 
20180204_131954.mp4

I know...we keep saying this as well...not that we have any plans to move to Florida...but it would be so easy to jump on a ship at last minute or if it works with time off work.  For us, it's a 3hr plane ride each time (which means around $2k on non-peak times, much more during March break)

@melmar02 I usually never go against what the wise @twangster and @WAAAYTOOO say but I believe the answer to this one is the following:
Your 5th passenger will be added on at whatever your 3rd and 4th have already paid (check your cruise confirmation), not prevailing rates.  The reason being that once you book 3 or more in a cabin, the price gets locked in for any additional passengers after that.  I have it in writing from Royal because I looked into this specifically for two of my sailings.  The only way this would not work is if like @twangster said, the ship has already maxed out its 3/4 lifeboat capacity.  Then you are out of luck and you would not be able to add anyone else period.  Adding to this, we booked a Villa suite on Harmony for December 2020.  At the time of the initial booking, 10 of us were in.  A month later, the price changed slightly and my sister wanted in so we added 4 more at the initial price of the additional passengers.  The price was locked because we already had more than 3 on the reservation.

Regarding booking them in now and cancelling them later, that would be unwise and you would incur the cancellation fee since it is a suite.  Unless you have some kind of "cancel for any reason" insurance that would cover that.

That concern comes up all the time with investors at RC's earnings call.  The cruise industry as a whole seems quite bullish on growth and capacity. Despite how popular cruising is today, a remarkably low amount of Americans have cruised before.

I think this is well said. Obviously there will be varying opinions, but I think this represents a lot of cruisers and not necessarily just experienced cruisers. I have never cared about shopping, I cruise to have a lazy vacation with lots of relaxing and seeing beautiful sights and experiencing direct cultures. For me the cruise life is sitting by a beach or pool with drink in hand relaxing to the sound of the ocean. For beach days: If I can walk right off the ship to a beach designed for that specific purpose and get a bonus of not having to hassle with getting to the location or fighting off vendors.... sign me up.  
Of course I will still want to explore different islands and see the sights, but as far as beach days I think the private Islands are ideal.

I think this is well said. Obviously there will be varying opinions, but I think this represents a lot of cruisers and not necessarily just experienced cruisers. I have never cared about shopping, I cruise to have a lazy vacation with lots of relaxing and seeing beautiful sights and experiencing direct cultures. For me the cruise life is sitting by a beach or pool with drink in hand relaxing to the sound of the ocean. For beach days: If I can walk right off the ship to a beach designed for that specific purpose and get a bonus of not having to hassle with getting to the location or fighting off vendors.... sign me up.  
Of course I will still want to explore different islands and see the sights, but as far as beach days I think the private Islands are ideal.

Some say pop, some say soda. I say mixers.

People are jumping ship from Carnival to Royal because of the service level dropping, etc., etc..
I for one don't mind the pricing and don't plan on moving to another cruise line, I like Royal, the product they deliver, service levels and so on.
This is just my opinion.

Bring on more private islands I say. The days of quiet ports on beautiful Carribean islands are fading. With the amount of people traveling in the world now many ports are not just that nice anymore. Variations of that theme have been covered heavily in this and other blogs. All of the ports now seem to focus on shopping shopping and and more shopping. I think for the casual cruisers that is great. Duty free and they get a chance to buy something maybe they wouldn't but at home. A special rememberance for that anniversary cruised they have carefully saved for. I have participated in my share of adding $ to their economies. Alas, after umpteen cruises behind me I am not there to find the best deal on a watch anymore. I think a lot of people feel that way. As experienced cruisers how much did you spend in Nassau, Cozumel or Barbados the last time you were there? Not counting a meal or 2 I am guessing not a lot.  Or even stayed on the ship and spent nothing. With the private islands cruise lines have the opportunity to make the experience tailored to the passengers. The activities, the excursions on or around the islands, the food, etc. Also they will be able to maintain the islands as beautiful vacation spots. Have you ever been to a dirty disney World? Or a broken down looking 5 star hotel? I like the idea of sailing to a private island that I dont have to go through throngs of vendors, or hassled for every form of transportation to get to beautiful beach or cabana or whatever excursion I may want to do. With the trend on many of the cruise lines catering to luxury suites with perks (endlessly discussed here) or areas of the ship like the Haven people are clearly looking for top shelf experiences and are willing to pay for it. Imagine what the marketing minds of cruise lines could come up with for perks on these islands for higher tiered members?  Diamond member retaurants? Emerald level beach area? The "Key" gets you on a luxury launch to the island...possibilities are literally endless. Would that interest you? It interests me for sure.
I am still very happy to go on a cruise with multiple stops in many island nations and hopefully be able to enjoy the culture of each while adding $ to their economy while I am there. But, if the option is there to sail to a well maintained luxury "perfect day" island and possibly stay over night? I think I am on board for that experience.
 

They do charge port taxes for private islands.  Since we did stop @ CocoCay, we received a whopping $5.10 back each. ?

My wife and I love to sit with a larger group and make get to know some people with traditional dining. Traditional dining is best for this, unless you just want to show up for MTD and tell them you want a larger table at check-in. We enjoy seeing the same table mates and waiter staff though. If we take our kids with us on the cruise we get our own table though, I wouldn't do that to strangers ?

A few extra details possibly not heard before:
http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/321371/royal-caribbean-to-open-five-private-islands
Royal Caribbean International will open five ‘Perfect Day’ private islands over the next five years and has revealed that its yet-to-be-named ‘Spectrum 2’ ship will sail in Europe.
The line will open ‘Perfect Day at CocoCay’ in the Bahamas in May. It  will be followed by private islands in Asia, for the Chinese market, one off the coast of Australia and another in the Caribbean.
Speaking at a Travel Weekly Executive Lunch, the line’s president and chief executive, Michael Bayley, said: “We have been busy acquiring land around the world and each one will have a slightly different concept, depending on what each market’s idea of a perfect day is.”
Ten Royal Caribbean ships will feature CocoCay in itineraries this year, and in 2020 ships will stay later into the evenings. In 2021, vessels will stay overnight.
Royal Caribbean is also building “limited overnight accommodation” on the
island, which will offer “a suite-class experience”.
A pier that can accommodate two ships, including one Oasis-class vessel, is being constructed.
“You could go on one ship, spend a few days at CocoCay and get back on another ship,” said Bayley.
Royal is preparing to launch Spectrum of the Seas, its first Quantum Ultra-class vessel, in Shanghai in April.
Bayley hinted that the second Quantum Ultra-class vessel, currently known as ‘Spectrum 2’, will sail out of Barcelona after its launch in autumn 2020 and will visit the UK. Royal is poised to announce a major investment in port infrastructure in Barcelona.
Bayley confirmed Royal was likely to exercise five options for new-builds it has registered with shipyards. This would be in addition to five ship orders set to be delivered in the next five years.

If you want to have a group of regular table-mates and are concerned about whether they'll be there every night, I'd recommend getting the late traditional dining slot. Yes, you're eating at 8:30 every night, but based on my experience and what others here have reported, this is the ideal traditional dining slot. Especially if you want a big table.
MyTime Dining is just about done by this point, so the wait staff can actually catch a breath and aren't running all over the place; this translates into better service You get more of that "classic" experience of getting to know the wait staff and them getting to know you While it's not guaranteed you'll lose fewer table-mates to specialty dining or other things, it should be less likely The food quality should be better since the kitchen isn't as hard-pressed to keep up with demand