SpeedNoodles

We really like having the same wait staff every night. We were able to do this on Ovation using MTD by making our reservations every night at the same time, and could certainly do this again. The thing I didn't like was having to stand in the line for "Reservations" - we knew where our table was and it's really nice to be able to just walk in and sit down, which we could do for Traditional Dining. I just know that if I want to switch I need to do it well ahead of time, before it's not an option anymore.

Ugh, I need more time off - we really want to sail Majesty from NOA but we already have Symphony booked for Feb 2020!

It's possible to get tables for 2 in traditional dining, right?

So an update on this in case anyone searches it in the future - I didn't ask for Sugar-Free Red Bull at any bars, but it was readily available at the Patisserie on Ovation and we regularly snagged a couple of them each day. Thanks, all!

You could check for photos of the room on cruisedeckplans.com or videos on YouTube.

I would imagine that you wouldn't have to wait more than 15-20 minutes to be seated usually. It very much depends on how many people are in line. As far as which dining room you will be in with MTD, it depends on the ship. Often traditional dining will be on one floor of the ship with MTD on the other floor. You'd be seated wherever they have room for your party. The smaller table you need, the quicker you will be seated, typically. You can also check with the dining room on embarkation day, or through the Royal Caribbean app, and see if anything has become available. Enjoy your cruise!

I earn 340 hours a year plus can take any OT as comp time. We have been so short-staffed for the past 4 years that we can't actually take most of the time and have to switch shifts with someone else if we need a day off (so not actually time off, just time redistributed). Because we are 24/7, 365, I cannot take holidays off, and only have them off if they fall on a day off (so group cruises scheduled over holidays disappoint me).

Usually the sales are for sailings a certain amount of time out (seems to be within 6 months). You may not see sales for your Jan sailing until August.

Although I do understand, it's a bummer that one cannot pack some packaged snacks to take along for emergencies for diabetic family members. It isn't always that easy to find food quickly in port or on an excursion. ?

Alaska is .... impossible to plan for. We packed providing for typical Seattle/Alaska weather. We ended up needing to buy t-shirts along the way because it was so warm in Seattle, Juneau and Skagway - my husband didn't have enough t-shirts or shorts to get through the week. I've decided that no matter what you pack for Alaska, you're going to lose the game in some area, lol. Not that that will stop us from going again.

It will really vary as far as when it appears in the Cruise Planner - it's not available for my Feb 2020 sailing yet (7 months out), but was available for my Dec 2019 sailing more than 9 months out. I believe the Cruise Planner summarizes it pretty well. The only thing that seems to be included, but not mentioned, is a fruit plate snack delivered to your room during the sailing. I received one last Feb and believe I've read other people mention it.

I'm not even sure I'd trust the cruise planner as an indication of itinerary change. Check directly with Royal Caribbean.

Yes, you'd have to check all of the names (although I'm surprised it didn't do this by default for you, like the drink package does).

We use this. I don’t like the pill cases because we’ve dropped them and had them pop open and end up with pills everywhere. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027RWNN6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I don't think we had a bartender that didn't overflow each jigger last week - it was great (except for the Bionic Bar, of course - Miix and Mingle tend to spill, but my husband loved that thing and it was truly the quickest place to grab a drink - we tipped the 2 attendants).

Definitely the helipad on Mariner!

Yep, I had a few with me in my carry on - as long as a 5-USB charging hub - no issues.

It's just too early. Keep checking.

I just wouldn't bring a power strip at all. A USB charging hub works well and you'll have no trouble getting it on the ship. Most electronics will charge with one these days.

For my husband's birthday

Ah well, It was fun while it lasted, lol.

I purchased the "error" price at 5pm CDT - the deal was still at $18 on my cruise planner at 4am this morning CDT. They really are ridiculously slow about fixing errors. Of course, instead of getting mad I just laughed. It's so Royal!

I wouldn't bother - I don't think it would fit for one thing, and it may be confiscated. A usb power hub is useful - if you actually need an extension cord (for a CPAP or other equipment, for instance), your room steward can provide one or you may request it on their special needs form about 4-6 weeks prior to your sailing.

Several people have messaged RCL on Facebook and they have all been told that the error will be honored for those who bought it. Still crossing fingers.

Yeah, my Dec 2019 price hasn't changed.