SpeedNoodles

So amazing - thanks for sharing with us!

My Helium Balloon dropped from $39 to $25. But then between the time that I canceled my first booking and went in to rebook it at the lower price (maybe 1-2 minutes) they pulled it as an option from being able to be booked from the cruise planner ever, lol. Ah well, we'll pay for it on the island as long as it's not a ridiculous price.

I’m ok with it. I just wish I hadn’t cancelled my reservation.

UPDATE: I just finally spoke with someone who got the final word - the helium balloon is no longer available for pre-booking on the cruise planner. They decided that since it was so dependent on the wind that they wouldn't pre book. Anyone who prebooked will keep their reservation. I had prebooked. In the 30 seconds between finding the new price, canceling my booking and trying to rebook they took it out of the cruise planner.

Helium Balloon update: I just finally spoke with someone who got the final word - the helium balloon is no longer available for pre-booking on the cruise planner. They decided that since it was so dependent on the wind that they wouldn't pre book. Anyone who prebooked will keep their reservation. I had prebooked. In the 30 seconds between finding the new price, canceling my booking and trying to rebook they took it out of the cruise planner.

I had the helium balloon booked for my December Navigator cruise, and it went on sale today! Yay! So I canceled my booking, went in to rebook it and.... Gone. It's just gone. It's not that I can't book it, it just isn't there. I checked my Feb Symphony sailing, and it's not there either. I called Royal Caribbean to book directly, and they have no record of it, either. Now, I know this is just a website glitch. I just hope they fix it while the price is still $24.99!!

Here's a question (I might just ask this on Royal's Facebook page for kicks). You have the Unlimited Dining Package. For some odd reason (I don't know, maybe you make friends on the cruise, you want to all have dinner together, they don't want to put out for specialty, whatever - weirder things have happened), you're going to have dinner MDR. Would the Unlimited Dining Package cover the Premium Selections (Whole Main Lobster, etc, from the bottom of the menu)?

I do, too. Still waiting for them to start cruising out of the Duluth Harbor ?

It blocks anyone who is nearby who has a scanner that can read the RFID chip without your permission. Tin foil works also, but it's so unattractive.

Now you have me rethinking being on deck 12 on Symphony next Feb. I may have to move down closer to CP. Loving your blog!

LIkely too early - I am sailing in Feb 2020 and almost nothing except shore excursions and drink packages are on there yet. I'm watching it daily, though. Stuff showed up about 7-8 months prior on my Navigator sailing (although it can really vary).

Let a good travel agent fight this battle for you.

@twangster. Is the AC/DC show still on the ship, or did they leave it down under?

That's grounds for finding a new job! ?

Well darn it - I'm completely out of range. But you take better photos and what a way to enjoy them, if it was possible!

Hey, maybe you'll get to see the Northern Lights ? http://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/the-northern-lights-aka-aurora-borealis-could-be-coming-to-a-sky-near-you-this-week/ar-AABmuze?ocid=ientp

woohooo!

Ok, I was watching you live scope going under the bridge. How did you do that and take such awesome photos at the same time?

I watched your scope under the bridge - how fun! I'm stuck at work until 7am, so I'm watching the Ovation's progression on marinetraffic.com just thinking how unfortunate it is that you have to go through the San Juan Islands and Juan De Fuca Straight overnight - my favorite area of the world (but I guess it's just not possible to avoid it!). I never get enough of that area. When we retire out there I may just spend all of my time riding the ferries like a crazy old woman. I'll bring a dog. It'll be so much cooler that way.

Well, that deescalated quickly.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/3-dead-3-missing-after-floatplanes-carrying-cruise-goers-collide-n1005246 According to the article, this company has a pretty unfortunate history. My heart goes out to the victims' families and friends.

I believe that there's a group of Royal Caribbean Blog group cruisers who consistently win this game.

When I disembarked Mariner in Terminal A the only interaction with any people I had were the people who stopped me in front of some sort of monitor, scanned my face, and then waved me along - they actually didn't even talk to me, ask for my passport or any ID. I was fairly sure I'd be tackled going out the door for missing customs or something, but I guess that's how Terminal A is now (i.e. really fast!).

Only Oasis-class ships have Central Park balconies - Brilliance does not have any interior-facing balconies. When you go to book your cruise (or mock book it), each cabin type on each ship is pretty well described for you.