Ron Rico

We were on Indy this past weekend, too. I was told ~3,200 guest and 85% capacity.  It felt like 85%, too! lol
Also agree, Playmakers crew were running around like crazy. Kind of felt bad for them. They definitely needed backup.  
 
We were on Indy for NYE  and it was so different. 50% capacity is like having a cruise ship to yourself. 
 
I was glad to see they were brought back the pool contest (Sexiest Man and Belly Flop) this time around. Felt like things were getting back to normal.  Little by little.  
 
We will be back again April 1 (one weekend before you), so it will be interesting to see if any other changes occur in the next few weeks. 
 
Happy cruising! 
 

We received an upgrade from OS to CLS for $75 each. I bid the minimum because I liked our original room but figured it would be nice to try 17th floor. 5 more sleeps.

Concierge was able to get every dining reservation I requested. Now the only thing I have to stress about is Covid testing.

No, but another question, does anyone check their app 50+ times a day hoping for a new cabin number? 😂 Guilty...

Correct me if I am wrong, it says that all kids have to wear masks while in the child program. So they are doing what the entire school system and government is doing? Making the least vulnerable mask up? If I read that right, that is awful 

That’s good to see the children under vaccination age are excluded from 95%.     But, it’s sad to see that all adventure ocean youth still need to mask in those facilities.   Poor kids. 

February 25 no masks!

We tease you because we love you!

There must have been one time and it was probably a very traumatizing experience for her ?

As a matter of fact, we sailed in a D6 Ocean View Balcony on 8 April 2018 on Allure !!  If it hadn't been cancelled, we were going to sail in a <heaven forbid> Oceanview room on Majesty in May.  We are sailing in a JS in August on August.  So there !!
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For the past year or more (I think this basically started when they changed the "Ultimate Dining Plan to the "Unlimited Dining Plan"), there has always been at least 1 specialty restaurant open on embarkation day here in the US.  I have never been turned away from using my UDP on embarkation day.  It is easier when you are in a suite, as the Suites Concierge can make your reservation for you, but even when not in a suite I have been able to get in.  If you are sailing from the US, I think you can assume that you will be able to eat in a specialty restaurant on embarkation day if you have the UDP.

Right now, I don't care where I eat lunch just so long as I am ON THAT SHIP!!!

The same thing happened to us.  We had requested a 125% FCC and ended up with a cash refund (which hasn't been refunded yet, BTW).  My TA said that this had happened so much in the last month that she wasn't even going to try and dispute it.  She has been told that once the refund process has begun, they cannot reverse it.  The refund is ok with me....just frustrating that they tell you to go through one process just to have it executed a different way.

Have you been on her before? If not, you may want to reconsider. I've been on her four times and look forward to going back. The Allure is one he ck of a ship! 

Take that savings and get an unlimited dining package. 

IMO, on the Freedom class ships, the biggest suites perks are breakfast in Chops (usually Chops) and access to the suites lounge and Concierge.  If you have a Dining Package the Concierge can make those reservations for you before you sail, which is a nice service.  
Personally, I would probably go with the suite just to experience the different room type. Then you’ll know if you can live without a balcony and you’ll get to experience the suite life.  The extra 1/2 bath is a nice touch, too.

You have a great point - port intensive = slam dunk! The cruise I'm looking is not, well usual Western Caribbean stops. Not sure if I'll get off the ship - well, maybe Perfect Day at Coco Cay - I'll get off the ship for that. So, I think you have helped me decide. Balcony it is. Enjoy the outside, the water and the view from my own balcony! Heck, with the savings maybe I'll treat myself to some room service! ?  Thanks! 

IF and that's a big if my sailing goes 3 August 2020 I have that cabin booked on the Mariner. I have always had a balcony but I wanted to try it, the sailing is only 4 nights. Also on the Mariner it seems as though I can be outdoors in a few seconds same deck, so I booked it. I really like the fact this one has a full and half bath. Teenage daughter made the final decision for me, she can have the half bath. Since it does have full suite benefits also we figured how bad can it be? I say go for it! You never know unless you try :)
 
 

I have stayed in an Ocean View Panoramic, but not the suite. We stayed in one of the rooms on Explorer. Explorer is an older ship, and the Panoramic rooms were built in 2016, so it felt like we were staying on a brand new ship. The windows were incredible! Absolutely loved the panoramic glass view, highly recommend the rooms on the sides of the ship so that all you see is ocean and not the bow of the ship.

My backup plan will just be to go to work.  *sigh*

I guess I was wrong for now. The stock price hit $68.06 so far this morning!!!

1.  Your refund or FCC (depending on which you choose) will be for the funds you have already paid, minus taxes, ports fees and gratuities (if you had already prepaid those).  It doesn’t matter whether you have paid the final payment or not.  Yes, the option for 125% FCC was added a number of weeks ago...so you can either get a refund or 125% FCC for Cruise Planner purchases.
2.  No.  If you L&S, any Cruise Planner purchases you made will automatically be cancelled and refunded.
Yes, I can tell you are totally bummed.
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Quite emotional towards the end
https://youtu.be/I0K-TT7xPt8
john
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@WesKinetic, @Pima1988 Great advice! I had a water park cabana FOREVER for my sailing, I was happy and told the others that were sailing with us (another family) they didn't have to buy water park tickets because I had the six with the cabana. Well the price dropped and wow, I jumped on it BUT I indeed cancelled before re-booking and then the cabana was sold out. Oh boy, did I feel like a big dope, I had to call and explain now everyone had to purchase the passes because I LOST the cabana. I felt so bad. The sailing is in June and the others cancelled the entire thing with the cruise with confidence promotion and I am waiting for RCCL to cancel 28 June 20 so it worked out for them BUT who would ever want to plan with me again? Gees! I felt so bad. 
To add to the entire thing now cabana availability is there again, but I'm not biting. I have almost $1,000.00 of cruise planner refunds I am waiting for (due to my re-pricing) and honestly expecting that sailing to be cancelled....UNLESS the Big 3 can convince the biased CDC that we can sail safely and cancel the no sail order sooner, (I volunteer to argue on their behalf,)  I feel very safe sailing again.  Can't wait actually! 

Star Class pays for nothing additional as far as food is concerned.  The only thing that is not included for SC are the pastries at Starbucks and candy-by-the-pound at the candy store. All other food is included, including as many proteins as you want at Izumi Hibachi and/or sushi add-on at Izumi Hibachi.  Seafood towers and whole Maine lobsters at Chops are included. If you are on a Quantum class ship, the pastries at the French bakery are included.