SpeedNoodles

Awesome! I'm so looking forward to your trip (is that weird?)

I'm looking forward to following your blog. I can't WAIT to get onto Brilliance of the Seas for the Oct 2020 Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!

I don't think you sound negative at all. I think it's natural to compare something familiar with something new. And you're pointing out things that someone else may not have thought to point out that will help others prepare. Plus I'm just laughing my *ss off!

@twangster - will you be live blogging this one? (please, please, please, please...)

Will anyone else from this awesome group be on the sailing? Raise your hands!

Each person who purchases The Key will get one internet code. You can use on as many devices as you like, just one at a time.

Ovation as well - she is changing to Seattle for the summer.

It didn't affect me (even though now my lungs are crap because my parents were chain smokers and I was trapped in the car all of the time with tons of smoke) - I could still be around it even if I didn't like it. I did have friends who did have major reactions to it though. To call someone a snowflake because they have to be hauled off to the ER is just disrespectful. Nobody chooses to have respiratory distress. Nobody wants 2 cops, 2 medics and 3-4 firefighters showing up at their house due to a respiratory emergency. Come sit along on some of my 911 calls where people can barely give me an address because they can't say more than a word or two because they can't breathe and then call them a snowflake.

Many suffered greatly and could not go out in public much, especially to bars and restaurants.

Yep, I'm aware ?

Yes, she's correct. I'm pretty sure that our bed on Ovation will be against the forward wall, and I'm kind of bummed. I shall survive, but if I find it to be the other way I will be VERY happy.

I was also going to mention that - we absolutely LOVED Portland, ME. My husband already has his eating and drinking places picked out for that stop, and we're still 531 days away!

@NJCruisers - yep, exactly. So you can see how there's the tilt in the wall in the forward cabin, which accounts for the difference in the photos. Enjoy your cruise!!

Because I'm a weirdo, and I'm right-handed, so when I'm out on the balcony and the ship is moving forward, and I'm looking in the direction of travel, I want the ocean to be on my right. (I told you ... weird). This rule does not apply when we are interior or ocean view. (Again, weirdo). And because I have confessed this to you, and pretty much everyone here, we are all now BFFs. ?

Or coming from Canada, since the cruise leaves out of Seattle ? But yes, adding that in if it's an issue.

How far ahead of your cruise did you do this? I'd LOVE to surprise our friends with an awesome table!

Smoking is tyically on the port side - I always book starboard (for weirder reasons than that, unfortunately, but it's a bonus).

Amazon will ship the coral reef safe stuff quickly (as do the people at www.cruisehabit.com - they have some in their shop). Even if it's not required (and I don't know if it is or isn't), why not just use something that's less impactful (yeah, that's so not a word) on wildlife?

Ketchikan. Just. No. It's just street after street of the same shops you see in EVERY port - very difficult to find anything authentic (btw, I feel the same way about Juneau but at least it's bigger so more space to walk around and far more places to eat). We did go kayaking our first time in Ketchikan and the salmon were nearly jumping into our kayak. The second time there we didn't book an excursion and I just disliked it a lot.

St John's, New Brunswick, Halifax, Quebec City - all were very walk-able, good shopping (not "port shopping" with all of the same gold/jewelry, souvenir stuff). We always manage to find good bars or brew pubs and decent to excellent restaurants. #RCBlogGroupCruiseOct2020 (<--- that's too long, gonna have to work on that one)

I don't think anyone will know the answer to this question until the first group that utilizes the water park checks in (it's not open yet). Keep checking the message boards, the home page for Matt's updates, Facebook live and YouTube live (also Instagram and Periscope live chats - I think Matt only takes Sundays off!). Once they are open there will be information galore!

Also don't forget that Port Valet is available in Seattle (certain airlines only, of course not the one I'm using, but it might help you!) https://www.portseattle.org/page/port-valet-enjoy-seattle-luggage-free

When are you sailing? We're on the June 21st sailing. You might not make it by quite 10am - once you deplane, get your luggage and procure whatever transportation you are using to get to port, but you'll be close (depends on wonderful Seattle traffic, which is nothing less than a bitch). The cruise terminal will probably open by 10, but they may not start boarding until 11. We were looking into options for luggage post-cruise since we don't fly out until nearly 6pm, and they do offer luggage storage pre and post cruise (yay!) Here's the link to the cruise terminal site: https://www.portseattle.org/places/smith-cove-cruise-terminal-pier-91

Wow, what an amazing menu! But why do they hate Rieslings? Seriously, who wants to talk my DH into letting me book suite class on an Oasis/Quantum class ship. Any takers? ....... crickets chirping

I've been able to book any/all individual restaurants on Ovation (and still can) since last November (yeah, I know, no "Hooked" on Ovation - booo). The packages have also been available. (And a moment to brag that we got Chops dinner on Black Friday for $33/ea!)