SpeedNoodles

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!)

I believe you have to link the reservations through either your travel agent(s) or Royal (whoever you made the reservations with - at least we did. For instance, our friends booked directly with Royal long after we booked, so they called Royal and gave them our reservation number - then we had to contact OUR travel agent and give them our friends' reservation number - then we were linked). Then we just went into the cruise planner and were able to add them to our MTD reservations (as well as when we booked our shows). When I tried to just add them in the cruise planner prior to linking it just wouldn't do it (others have said they had other results, but this is our experience).

I haven't had to do it, but from what I understand it's certainly an option if your table mates are not compatible with you.

Wait, family doesn't count WHY? (And that's why I would never cruise with family beyond my DH, lol)

While I haven't been on Radiance, I did sail on Jewel, one of her sister ships. They may not be the newest ships, with the flashiest stuff, but they are BEAUTIFUL and perfect for Alaska. I was spoiled by taking an Alaskan cruise as my first cruise - especially with Royal Caribbean. We did see tons of whales (literally, I guess) on our first Alaskan cruise, but that was in September, and apparently they are beginning their southward migration around that time. We did not see as many when we went in June (or we weren't watching as much). Welcome to the forums, ask as many questions as you like (this is an AMAZING group of people) and be sure to let us know how you enjoyed your cruise once you're back.

I think I'd book this cruise for the food alone - holy smokes!!!! I'd buy a dining package and eat at Hot Pot every night.

Welcome to the forums! I haven't sailed on Harmony (yet), but to tide you over, in case you haven't found this thread yet, here is a thread on cruise tips and hacks:

That's awesome! Thanks for sharing! Keep us posted once it rolls around ?

Some of them even cover pet emergencies - perfect for someone like me!

I think @SweetPea should come on the October 2020 New England/Canada Group Cruise on Brilliance!

I'm hoping that's in 270 on Ovation, too, because I'm all over that!

A good half of the price is the equivalent of the Voom package. So you'll just have to decide for yourself whether or not the other benefits are worth it to you (dedicated seating, priority embarkation/tendering/debarkation, dedicated times for activities). For some that answer would be yes, for others it would not be. Since I doubt I'll be able to get into suite class for quite a while (haven't been able to convince the DH that it's a good use of my OT money), I did like the feeling of being a little "special".

I'm wondering if self-serve ice cream is going to start being phased out due to hygiene concerns. I believe they changed it on Navigator during the amplification. I wish they'd done that on Mariner because it was just a gross mess with children attempting to serve themselves, ice cream not ending up in the cones, and their sticky, dirty, hands all over everything. I got one once, and it all just grossed me out so badly that I never went back.

I feel like I need a lawyer to help me figure out what I need now.

I’ve been to Blue Lagoon (Nassau - is there one in Costa Maya?) What in particular do you want to know about it?

I was able to book IFly for my June 21st sailing during the very short window that it was available. I never saw Northstar, and I check at least twice a day. I was told that times would open up for everything on the ship.