AshleyDillo

CocoCay has a large Splashaway Bay which is a completely free area that kids love.  There's also Captain Jill's Galleon which is also free that's a big pirate ship for them to climb in.  Then there's also of course a huge pool.  Food is free on the island including snack shacks with funnel cakes.  I wouldn't recommend paying for the water park for the kids that age when there's so much free to enjoy!

CocoCay has a large Splashaway Bay which is a completely free area that kids love.  There's also Captain Jill's Galleon which is also free that's a big pirate ship for them to climb in.  Then there's also of course a huge pool.  Food is free on the island including snack shacks with funnel cakes.  I wouldn't recommend paying for the water park for the kids that age when there's so much free to enjoy!

May have to explain "film" to some of the younger viewers.
"a thin sheet of cellulose acetate or nitrocellulose coated with a radiation-sensitive emulsion for taking photographs"
Merriam - Webster Dictionary (can explain dictionary at another time)

Done in one!  👍

I would feel more confident about a first flight of the morning NONSTOP that got you to Miami at 8:30am than a connecting flight or one that is waiting on a connection to depart.
Really depends on what you are gambling on. If it's a super important cruise (rare vacation or big family event) then absolutely not. If you wouldn't be devastated to miss the cruise and have travel insurance to mitigate any costs to rescheduling if you did, then it may be worth the gamble.

No, it does not.

You only select one person when purchasing a casita to reserve it under, otherwise you are booking 2 of them (one for each guest).  

Nope. You can't redeem rewards via the app onboard; you can only use it to pay. You can always ask and see if they'll do it, though! 🙂

Only on some ships, mostly the newer ones and then the recently refurbished Oasis of the Seas as well.

The headliners on Oasis class usually didn't require reservations the last few times I've sailed them.  The normal weekly shows like the musicals required them still, but not the singer or magician or whatever the drive-by entertainment for the sailing was.

Bid on whichever categories you would be comfortable in being in ANY room within that category and at whatever price you are comfortable paying. 
You can try to strategize timing all you want, but the nature of the program allows for last minute cancellations to be resold and acceptance of any single cabin's bid may be a result of a chain of other bids all the way down or up the line.
Remember, there may be someone in an inside room with a bid out there for a balcony..if you place a bid on a JS and someone cancels, the fact that someone wants your balcony room may be what triggers the acceptance. 
With a sailing in 2 weeks, Cruise with Confidence is still in effect so people can cancel up to 48 hours prior to sailing and still get an FCC. Plus they can cancel with proof of a positive COVID test and get a full refund. The inventory is fluid up until the ship sails away!

They can all be called points or credits or reward points .  It is really the understanding of how the "value" of the points that is important.  Note I will try to refer to them as reward points.....you can call them what you will.

When you get onboard most every person will have Freeplay loaded on their seapass cards.  $ amount is typically based on your Crown and Anchor level  and typically is between $2-$8.  It must be redeemed by the end of day 2 on your current sailing.  You can ask the Casino host how to redeem this (they will give you a piece of paper with the 'how to"). 
*note, if on a ship like Adventure the Casino Host is not visible, so tell the cashier in the casino what you need-and they will give you the paper or get the host.

When you play you accumulate reward points.
When you tap (or some casinos insert) your seapass card the mechanism will turn green and say Welcome (name) and display the reward points you have accumulated.  So when I first tap(insert) my seapass card at a slot machine it will say Welcome Pattycruise you have 0 points 
Points accumulate as follows:
1 point for every $5  in slot play 1 point for every $10 in video poker Table play earns points, and they are calculated based on $ amount of average hand played x length of play.  (you can ask the casino host each night you play tables to see what type of points you accrued and sort of calculate your own points based on your own average bet x length f play)  I do see one website that reports this:  A $10 average wager on Blackjack for one hour will earn you 10 points. I do not play blackjack so I cannot comment to the accuracy of that statement.  *note:  table play points do not show up when you tap/insert into a slot machine you must ask the casino host how many points you have accumulated on the tables..

You earn reward points (free play) for play onboard.  
These points must be used by the end of your current sailing-they do not carry over. So on the last night, make sure to use them 
For slot play-you can see your rewards within your account via the slot machines (again, you can ask the host how to do this if you cannot figure it out) Once you have used your accumulated reward points -which you can redeem  at any time during your cruise-your balance of points showing on the machine will be reduced-This has NO impact on your accumulation of points towards the casino tier levels (more on that later)  Note:  you cannot cash out reward point $-it must be played, however you can cash out the winnings on it, so try to track your spins (who am I kidding, most of us just spend that $ until it's gone! LOL)
For table play-you ask the casino host to convert your rewards to either slot play or table play  (it's your choice).  Points still go toward tier level even if  redeemed for free play.  If you choose table play chips they will be promotional chips.  They can only be played, not redeemed.  So I can put $20 promo chips on a table game, and they will pay winnings in regular table chips. I'm seeing talk of having your reward points converted to onboard credit towards your cruise bill (aka folio) and this is new to me, clearly I do not gamble enough or have not asked the right questions!-I always seem to learn something!)

Accumulation of  reward towards Casino Tier Level
The points you earn on a sailing also accumulate during the casino year  (April 1-March 31).  Each cruise total is added to your overall total of points earned for the year.  
Even if you redeem your reward points (above) during your sailing your points earned still accumulate toward the tier level.  So if I have 3 sailing  and earned 500 points on each one I would have accumulated 1,500 points towards tier.

Casino Tier
Choice-Less than 2,500 points  Prime-2,500 points- 24,999 Signature-25,000-99,999 Masters 100K points on up When you earn Prime or Above within a gambling year (April 1-March 31) the casino host should recognize it and apply a sticker to your seapass card , or YOU go to the casino host and ask them to check your points to see if you hit the Prime level and they will apply the sticker....The level earned that year will go on record immediately but it is really the level you earn for the next gambling year!!  So you will reap that benefit for the remainder of this casino year AND the full casino year that starts April 1-March 31.  

Prime earns-
waived casino convenience fee (5%) for gaming on SeaPass or Credit Card, complimentary drinks in Casino Royale, (for the remainder of the casino year AND the next casino year) discount unlimited surf and stream internet Wifi packages, (30% discount of onboard price) tier priority contact number, tier exclusive rates for family and friends for additional staterooms, (currently 5%) special offers with land-based casinos, and an annual complimentary cruise- Inside Cabin! (offer assigned to your account in April) Signature=above, free internet for one device, 10% off for family/friend and the  annual complimentary cruise is a  balcony cruise
Masters- signature plus:  , free internet for 2 devices plus and the  annual complimentary cruise is a grand suite 

****accuracy of the level rewards may not be 100%.  Subject to change by the program as well.
To see your accumulated points for the casino year and any associated casino offers specifically to you log in to 
https://www.clubroyaleoffers.com/
Note:  They have been having problems with their website and it is updating....so not everyone will be abe to see their accumulated points.
You can also contact the Casino benefits at 1-888-561-2234 to make an inquiry. If you have your Crown and Anchor number available it will expedite the process.
Note: Each tier level  does have a separate phone number they can use for the casino benefits, I do not have those numbers.  you can inquire when you call the basic #

Other casino things I've learned
You can link your Royal Caribbean Crown and Anchor level (not casino level) with MGM.  Contact MGM to do so. You can sign up with URComped, supply an offer certificate from Royal and receive casino offers from Royal as well as other cruiselines. If your personal email address you use for Royal Caribbean has children (and possibly adults) attached to it you will not receive email offers from the Royal Casino, and try as you might to get it fixed, it seems any time the IT staff does work on the website it reverts to adding your children back onto your email, thus cancelling out the ability to get emails, yet again. Stop by the casino host desk (or on a sailing where the casino host does not have a desk "on the foor" the cashier) and look for the current promo regarding earning points and the reward associated with points earned.  Also understand the bonus award redemption (which is not displayed) so you can maximize the benefit. Ex.  On a recent cruise I earned 1,600 points.  It had a value of $400 off any cruise -if I booked it within 30 days (the standard) OR if I booked onboard at NextCruise, or paid a deposit of $200 to get a reservation # for a cruise and contacted Casino Royale within 7 days to redeem the BONUS award of  free interior cabin offer on select sailings,  I could have a free interior cabin     So you really need to be aware of the redemption rules regarding your offer or you will lose the benefit (In my case a free interior that I chose to redeem on a 9 night New England cruise)
You can upgrade a casino offer for a free cruise-just ask the casino desk people (phone number 888 561-2234  the cost. You can add a guest, for only port fees/taxes (which is what you pay for you as well) You can add a 3rd/4th guest but it will be at prevailing rate and cabin upgrade cost. If you sail alone on a casino comp it is double points.  (some say not true, i HAVE gotten them)

Hopefully this all makes sense.  It took quite some time and in trying to proof it I am just plain old too tired!  LOL  








 

Enchantment does not have a Coastal Kitchen.  Access to any suite specific lounge is only available to those sailing in the suite. You should hear from the concierge within the week prior to your sailing.
I can't attest to the public restrooms, but be aware that the suites tend to have bathtubs that can become an issue stepping into if there are mobility issues.

Thanks, there is definitely a walk in shower on our room. None of our family uses a tub. Many you tube videos of our specific room 🙂
 

Enchantment does not have a Coastal Kitchen.  Access to any suite specific lounge is only available to those sailing in the suite. You should hear from the concierge within the week prior to your sailing.
I can't attest to the public restrooms, but be aware that the suites tend to have bathtubs that can become an issue stepping into if there are mobility issues.

Radiance class suite lounge only has complimentary drinks during Happy Hour.
Another benefit of the suite is complimentary room service, including ordering off of the main dining room menu. There should be a separate breakfast dining location for suite guests to partake in as well.

But they have an 8-hour port stop.  They just arrive so late that they miss the entire morning and KSC usually closes around 6pm.  I'm not sure it's worth the admission price x4 to only get a half a day at KSC.  
It might be more cost effective to rent a car for the day and explore the Cape Canaveral/Cocoa/Melbourne area if you are really itching to get out and do something at this port.  It will keep you much closer than trekking all the way to Orlando.  The area has a lot of public parks and river/mangrove areas that you can find a kayaking tour-- some where you may be able to see manatees and dolphins up close.  You can drive out to Cocoa Village which is a quaint little shopping area.  One of the more touristy things to do is take a visit to Ron John Surf Shop up on Cocoa Beach.  You could spend a few hours at the beach even if you like.  There's also the Brevard Zoo up in Melbourne.
Otherwise stay on the ship and enjoy it.

Agree. My issue is the people who come here specifically to complain and then that's about all we hear from them. If any of the regulars or even the spotty members had a bad review it's easier to hear because we all know a little about them and their style of cruising. 
 
I've said this before, I'm loyal to no one but I happen to enjoy RC and most importantly love hearing all of your tips, reviews, blogs, etc... I came here to research a cruise and stayed for the rest because of you all.

bummer--i want to be festive, but don't want to pay way much for it!  Maybe we will just party in the windjammer lol!  Thank you so much for the info!!!!   Jane

Rapid Test & Trace Procedure Update
I will post a quick update about boarding with the documentation on Saturday or Sunday. But I wanted to post my testing experience today, which was fantastic.
Each person has to book their own appointment.  Mom's was first. She had a camera issue and we were unable to turn it on. We could hear the nurse and were able to talk to her. We asked if she could join my appointment, and she was able. The nurse could not have been more helpful, patient, and kind. We instantly had our results. 
Negative result, so we are on our way!! 

On New Years Eve they usually offer inflated "holiday" meals ay the specialty restaurants. It typically is a surf & turf meal (steak and lobster) with champagne all included but the price gets jacked up. If that's something you'd be interested in, then by all means splurge.
They do celebrate on board. They will likely do a midnight countdown on the Promenade. They sell tables on the Promenade for this event also, so again, something to look for if you're interested. I think I've heard of them selling reservations for the Rising Tide for NYE festivities as well. They also sometimes utilize the aquatheater for festivities, so there will be options all around the ship.

There is a lot that goes into the casino program to wrap your head around but when you play on a cruise you earn points that accumulate. You can cash in those points for free play in the slot machine or if you have enough you can have the casino host apply them towards your onboard cruise account.  
The points that you accumulate during a cruise can also make you eligible to hit certain casino offers/free cruises on that sailing.  The points also accumulate over the casino year (April 1 - March 30) which will indicate what Casino Royale tier that you fall in.  If you cash in your points for free play or OBC, it doesn't affect your overall casino program year accumulation.

😲😱 Wow! Seriously? Wellllll that's awesome!
Thank you so much!

There's absolutely no problem doing this!
I usually see them as late as 9:00 or even 9:30 for reservations. 
It's actually a per visit credit of $20, so you can swing by any time and just order one thing and come back for another round later!

There is a lot that goes into the casino program to wrap your head around but when you play on a cruise you earn points that accumulate. You can cash in those points for free play in the slot machine or if you have enough you can have the casino host apply them towards your onboard cruise account.  
The points that you accumulate during a cruise can also make you eligible to hit certain casino offers/free cruises on that sailing.  The points also accumulate over the casino year (April 1 - March 30) which will indicate what Casino Royale tier that you fall in.  If you cash in your points for free play or OBC, it doesn't affect your overall casino program year accumulation.