SpeedNoodles

Fellow animal lover also from Minnesota here - worked for over 16 years as a zookeeper at the Minnesota Zoo. Tampa Zoo is on our radar for things to do when we take our cruise out of Tampa next!

This is one of the sagest, most useful, bits of advice I've ever read, and will be very useful in many aspects of my life (specifically thinking about the short lives of dogs, but for many things).

omg, I do the spreadsheet thing too!!

Maybe I need to ask Mr Jarvis if he knows anything.

Yep, which is why I'm also confused! And why I care is anyone's guess - just curiosity I suppose!

There's usually an option for the Deluxe Drink Package + 1 Voom device - keep an eye out for that when it comes out. You'll most likely get the best price for that - buy it when you see it, but keep an eye on it for the price to come down during sales.

Yeah, that's why I said "maybe" - it was just a point of discussion last night and JRs came up, then we got into the disagreement about whether it will, or will not, be on the ship by June (or ever). Not this time - we're traveling with another couple, so we've pretty much committed to the MDR this trip. I"m seriously thinking about it for Symphony next year though, since they have so many more venues.

When they send out the RoyalUp emails there's no guarantee that there are even cabins available for that category. I got my Royal Up with the ability to bid on a Junior Suite or a Grand Suite, both of which had been sold out for at least 2 months already. There's no negligible rhyme or reason to how the program works, therefore nothing that ever happens with it surprises me .

Honestly, this is more of just a curiosity thing, and maybe another place to find breakfast. We have a Johnny Rocket's near us (Mall of America), and I tried it again on Mariner, and neither time was it remotely good. The fries are especially unremarkable. Except for the shakes, those were ok.

OMG that's a long walk up. Not sure my asthma will be able to handle it! Oh well, there's always the awesomest pool!

I've received refunds far sooner than 30 days. I book and rebook constantly. My sailing to Alaska on Ovation in June never went under $47 pppd.

You may not hear on your final offer until about 24 hours prior to sailing.

I've seen recent photos of that space and as of a month ago it was some generic eatery without much of a name - something like "The Cafe" with extremely average food. Kung Fu Panda isn't on the deck plans on Royal's site (although I know where it is - it's just an unnamed space indicating it's a restaurant but without a name..

I'm currently. having this mild argument with my DH regarding whether there will, or will not, be Johnny Rocket's on Ovation for the Alaskan sailings. I do not see it on any deck plan. I've not seen it mentioned by anyone who's been on the ship. However, when googled, it comes up as being on Ovation: http://www.ovationoftheseas.com.au/dining/restaurant/johnny-rockets/ Anyone wanna get in on this domestic difference of opinion?

When I sailed on Mariner in February I only used the app. I filled nothing out, it was slick.

People always say this, but I'm a firm believer that these are the people who never have manners and it just bleeds into their vacations as well.

The cruise planner sale ended. Unless you are sailing soon, there will be another one rolling around. When it does, snag it at the better price.

That, and ""Discount only applies when dining on your using your package." Did I have a stroke so this makes no sense in my brain, or did the writer have a stroke? Or was it written by an 8-year-old (which may be an insult to 8-year-olds. If so, I apologize. I don't know much about kids).

Wait, what? Is it a refundable fare? One of my refundable fares was nearly $1000 more than the non-refundable fare (so I took a chance and did non-refundable - come on).

I use Shipmate for my cruise countdown (because the photos on it are prettier to post when I'm bragging to my FB friends), but I used Countdown for my retirement countdown (it's 1,887 days, in case anyone is counting with me. I know that seems like a lot, but it was over 2300 when I started, so yay me.)

Excellent - it wasn't with the Ultimate Dining Package, but I was hoping it would be with the Unlimited Dining Package - thanks for sharing!

I disagree - this forum is nothing like CC. This sort of exchange, while common over there, is extremely rare here. If this is the only thread you're reading, then I can understand how you might think that, but if you spend any time perusing the forum you'll find that this is an extremely supportive place to be! I hope you are able to take some time and discover some of the great people and information to be found here. ?

NCL Breakaway Class ships do, and some of MSC ships as well.

I was happily celebrating my 10 hour shift at time and a half ? #cruisemoney

Welcome to the forums!