SpeedNoodles

I feel your pain. (Warning: apologies in advance for those who have read this tired story before). Before I started booking with MEI, I used a travel agent with a company that I used 10 years ago for booking cruises, who was listed on Royal's site for "Royal Caribbean Experts". Back in the day, we'd arrive with a bottle of champagne in our stateroom from them (not necessary, not expected, but a nice touch). Well, our last Alaskan cruise was booked with them, the agent knew far less about cruising and Royal Caribbean than I did, they charged a $100 booking fee (and she offered to book our flights for "only" a $50 fee - no thanks). I thought, well for a $100 booking fee, I'm sure she'll have something waiting for us in our cabin (like in days past). But, nope. Unfortunately I suspect these things are just live and learn experiences.

Awwww, that is VERY kind of you!!

Costa Maya.

Well....since that was last February.... Just sounds like you've had a bout of bad luck. People go on 3-4 night cruises successfully all of the time.

The Key is now available for my October 2020 cruise (the Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise) for $24.99 - 14 months ahead of sailing, lol. The UDP has been available for months (whereas it's still not an option for Feb 202). It's so weird.

The Key was just released today for my Symphony sailing in Feb 2020 (for $37.99. Just. No.)

I've had no trouble on my laptop, desktop, or android phone - have you tried a different device?

"The Royal Caribbean ship was just moving away from the pier as the two of them looked annoyed with themselves." ^^^^ This is the appropriate reaction for such a situation ... annoyance pointed in the correct direction. ^^^^

I just think it's way too early. There's no rhyme or reason when things show up in the Cruise Planner. All of the dining package options have been available for my Oct 2020 sailing since I booked it last Feb, but for my Symphony cruise in Feb 2020 there's still just Jamie's and the 3-night option (and that just showed up last week). Go figure.

I'd love it if they did this to my Navigator sailing in Dec!

When it comes to shore excursions, I don't even go by sales. I check frequently, and the lowest prices that I've paid on any shore excursions have popped up when there were no sales going on.

Yes, there is no check in option for the Royal IQ app (still used on Anthem and Ovation). I didn't use the app much at all during the week on Ovation - most of the time I couldn't connect to it.

The beach beds were at South Beach when I was there last Feb (I was iguana hunting and stumbled across them). I want to get on Empress SO badly that I may have to talk Mr SpeedNoodles into another cruise somewhere within all of the others we have planned (not that he'd put up much of a fight!).

If I can find a way to fit Empress in among my other sailings, i'm going to do it. Mr Speednoodles really wants to sail on her (actually, I do, too). i love the charming, smaller, ships. Everyone cross their fingers for the promotion that I need to get more time off from work!!!!!

I think @Matt has said he's called ahead and gotten sushi to go

Our rideshare wasn't familiar with the Pier and dropped us off at the door, lol. We walked to the official rideshare area at the end of the cruise.

Mr. SpeedNoodles calls this package "The Eatin' Package". I'm dying!! lol

MEI has renewed my trust/love of travel agents, especially @michelle!!! My pre-MEI experience was not good.

We were at the Seattle port at 10:30 and on the ship by 10:40.

^^^^^ THIS!!!!!!!!! ^^^^^

Nope, they rinse out fine, and the case is designed to allow the straws to dry inside of them. And now they make them in purple, so I'll need to buy more, lol.

I love my Final Straw straws. Super easy to carry and clean.

@mworkman My apologies for this going south, with me leading the way (pun intended).

When I saw the title of this post all I first thought was that it was about gastronomic adventures. ?

It looks like you're sailing on the Starship Empress rather than Empress of the Seas!