AshleyDillo

The Windjammer backup on Harmony is due to the handwashing stations. They only have four of them so that holds things up. Oasis doesn't have the handwashing stations (yet) so that shouldn't be a problem..but definitely take advantage of all of the options! There's a surprising number of free options for breakfast: MDR, Windjammer, Solarium Bistro, Johnny Rockets, Wipeout Cafe, Cafe Promenade, Park Cafe, and even a limited room service menu!

I can see a lot of the locals that don't have money invested in travel plans canceling for the offered full refund, so perhaps that will luck some into upgrades.

PS: I'm seeing folks on your date report seeing Cococay and Nassau..so you just may get to experience Perfect Day!

Log in and check your itinerary on your cruise..it may have been updated so you know where you are going! Don't spend all of that 50% OBC onboard and have it go back to your credit card to book your next one!

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates Cuba Travel Policy Update - June 05, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. (EDT) Effective immediately, the U.S. government has implemented new regulations that prohibits travel from the U.S. to Cuba by cruise ship. This change requires us to immediately replace all Cuban ports. For all 2019 sailings on both Majesty of the Seas and Empress of the Seas, we have secured alternative ports and we are in the process of communicating the new itineraries to our guests and travel partners. For these guests, they will have the option of remaining on their sailing with the new itinerary and receiving a 50% refund or they may cancel their cruise and receive a full refund. For 2020 sailings on both Majesty and Empress of the Seas, we are working to secure alternative itineraries and expect to be able to communicate to our guests and travel partners within the next week. We are sorry for this unexpected and sudden change to our guests’ upcoming vacations and appreciate their understanding.

I found a pair of Speedo water shoes on clearance at Costco..I wasn't expecting much for $4.97 but they were surprisingly comfortable. I wear them as casual shoes for my cruise, not just during water activities as I found them that comfortable. I tend to slip and slide wearing flip-flops and these didn't slip on wet surfaces at all. https://www.amazon.com/Speedo-Womens-Lightweight-Breathable-Water/dp/B07CYLL1MQ I know a lot of people swear by the Keen brand water sneaker/sandals but I find those rub on my feet and toes too much and aren't comfortable.

I did forget one other option..Vitality Cafe which will be located near the gym/spa area..they have fresh juices and smoothies which are included in the drink package as long as you don't add the protein powder option to them. They also have some light bite, fresh food items as well which will be complimentary. The Cruise Compass will show ($) next to the Vitality Cafe, but that just indicates there is a charge for the juice/smoothies without a package. Going back and throwing that in my original eateries response.

We went early in the season and lucked out, but we were warned to bring insect repellent. I had both wipes and spray just in case. Everything costs more in Alaska, so have a nice selection of OTC meds just in case. If you drink warm drinks when it is cold, I recommend you bring a YETI-style cup with you..it will hold way more than a coffee cup and keep you and your drink warmer longer during glacier time!

Check your itinerary. It's being reported that the Cuba cruise itineraries are starting to show the new ports in the cruise planner. That would be step one. Then I would contact your travel insurance to get a copy of your travel policy documents and read through it. Some offer a monetary compensation for port changes even if you don't suffer a financial loss! As far as Royal's compensation, you will have to wait to see if they extend you the same offer as they did the June 5, 6 passengers that got offered the 50%. They haven't made any official announcements yet as to how they are handling it yet. I'm sure it all depends on how easily they can get the new itineraries set up, doing some number crunching, and seeing what the other cruise lines may be doing. I know Carnival offered my friends a full refund on their June cruise.

For food, it's not really all inclusive or full board, but close! There are things that are upcharges. In the dining room there might be a fancier cut of steak offered for an upcharge. There are some eateries that have a cover charge. You will see it clearly marked on the menu and if you are even in doubt about something just ask! I recommend you go to https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass?ship=275 and browse the Cruise Compasses for some of the past Oasis cruises. The Cruise Compass will be your schedule and "cheat sheet" of everything available on board. You will see under the dining options that there are things listed with a ($) next to them which indicate that there is an additional charge. Your drink package will cover most of the menu drinks. Drink menus will have prices on them so you can see what the cost is..and like @tiny260 there's no harm in asking if it's covered under the package. Oasis does have a Starbucks and it is NOT included but they make fancy coffee drinks at Cafe Promenade and those will be included. Keep coming back with questions! We were all first-time cruises at one point!

Guilty! ?

Silks, Grande & American Icon are all considered the Main Dining Room. They all serve the same menu, just one is on Deck 3, one Deck 4, and one Deck 5. One of them will be reserved for My Time Dining and the other two are typically for the set dining times. Eating in any of the main dining rooms is included in the price of the cruise. They will serve breakfast and lunch in the main dining rooms sometimes as well which is included. The buffet is included and will be open for breakfast lunch and dinner. It's called Windjammer and will be on Deck 16. Park Cafe is included. It's located in Central Park and will offer breakfast and lunch. Johnny Rockets is included for breakfast only (you pay for lunch and dinner). It is located on the Boardwalk. Doghouse is included and usually open lunch hours til around 6pm on the Boardwalk. Wipeout Cafe is located up on the pool deck and will have breakfast and lunch available and is included. Solarium Bistro is in the Solarium area and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner which is included. Dinner usually requires reservations. Sorrentos Pizza and Promenade Cafe are on the Promenade and have near 24-hour service and are included. Vitality Cafe which will be located near the gym/spa area..they have fresh juices and smoothies which are included in the drink package as long as you don't add the protein powder option to them. They also have some light bite, fresh food items as well which will be complimentary. The Cruise Compass will show ($) next to the Vitality Cafe, but that just indicates there is a charge for the juice/smoothies without a package. -- In the cruise planner you should be able to reserve American Icon (I think that's the MTD MDR) and Solarium Bistro for dinner.

If it's a RC excursion, you don't have to worry about getting back to the boat in time. That's one of the benefits of going through the cruiseline, so don't let that scare you from booking it.

From my interpretation, individuals who qualify are grandfathered in. The issue is that the cruise ships are immediately banned from traveling to Cuba..so the passengers who would be grandfathered actually don't have the ability to make it there.

Interesting question..is this considered civil or political unrest? That's typically excluded from travel insurance policies.

I have these options in my cruise planner..there is an PhotoPass/Memory Maker package that is offered for pre-purchase. I've seen it show up on my cruise planner for previous sailings too for as low as $199..and some cruises it never shows at all. You can find it under INTERNET & MORE on the cruise planner.

They go have Grey Goose onboard at the bars, so if you get the Deluxe Beverage Package you can get all the GG you want..or you can buy the drinks individually too. They just only have a limited selection of what they offer for the liquor packages to have the bottle in your room. Keep in mind those bottles are also smaller bottles (375ml or 500ml).

$500 CAD is cheaper than another cruise/flights/hotels/etc..might as well amp your experience and treat yourself to the JS!

Cococay HAS been updated..no more tendering. They have updated and have a dock now and a huge pool and lots of complimentary amenities. Chances increase the further out your booking is. If Royal decides it would be more profitable to completely redo all of the existing Cuba itineraries because they can't sell the empty cabins past June 5, they may offer an "out" by transferring your current fare or issuing you a FCC. Really depends on how generous they are feeling. Hmmmmmm...to play the FCC roulette game or not...I was interested in visiting Cuba anyways but it's too hot to go anytime soon.

You booked a guarantee deluxe balcony? Things can still change between now and sail date, but I have read countless times people that booked guarantees ended up getting what was hinted at before their number was released. Sea Class would be a Jr. Suite and you WILL have access to all the amenities that comes with it if that ends up being the room you are assigned. If you print that SetSail pass now you can use that to get access to the Suites check-in line at the port since it states Sea Class ?

It looks like they snuck a 7-nighter in there too (Nov 14, 2020). There's even a 2-nighter to CocoCay (May 16, 2020) which may be a test of demand for sailings that short for the local market. If they find success in that they could potentially use the really small ships to do CocoCay-only weekend runs like that and target the local S. Fla market.

Click on the Dining tab (ignore the drop down and click on the word DINING). Scroll down a little bit and you will see: Click on PLAN ALL CRUISE DINING and it will bring up the scheduler. Note, My Time Dining is listed waaaaay at the bottom of the list of restaurant choices.

You can go into your cruise planner and book anything ahead of time if you know for sure that you're going to want to eat at a certain time. You can select a specific time for each day and it doesn't have to be the sametime! Otherwise you can wait until you get onboard..then just go to the dining room and book what you are sure of then. You can even make reservations the day of for a particular time that evening if you're worried about waiting.

Yes, you can just show up. They will have a 2 lines for My Time Dining, one for reservations and ones for without. It's just like eating at a restaurant on land; reservations will get priority for seating during their scheduled time.

You can get a good idea by looking at previous Cruise Compasses: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass?ship=435 Timing of things are always subject to change, even from sailing to sailing within the same month's timeframe. But the Cruise Compasses will provide you an idea of any theme nights they could do.