SpeedNoodles

Does anyone know/remember if they have ginger ale (or even better, diet ginger ale) at the bars to use as mixers? I've just discovered Kraken/Ginger Ale and I love it (and less calories than a Kraken Colada).

I may never understand the fascination of the promenade.

Starbucks is only not included when it's a stand-alone Starbucks kiosk. If you are getting it at Cafe Latitudes then you're covered.

It's just at the end of the pier (or beginning, I guess, depending on your perspective). If you booked with Royal you'll all meet by the ship and walk over.

I have an aft corner snagged on Navigator and on Rhapsody. I'm so excited!

Very wise. Enjoy your cruise!!

I'm going to start doing just that the next time someone annoys me like this.

Check here:. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/menus The menu should be pretty consistent from ship to ship.

The JR Express is an interesting twist, since there's no "cover charge".

They do not do breakfast at all on Voyager class.

I'm thinking that Rhapsody might not be the #1 choice for spring break folks, being a "smaller" ship without all of the slides and Flo Riders. I'm probably safe (and so excited since my first cruise was on Vision and I have such great memories from that ship).

In her defense, she has to. It's in our "twin contract".

I'd love to do the land tour someday - it may have to wait until retirement though - it's very difficult to get that much time off from work during the summer.

Ovation goes to Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier - I'm expecting that she'll be rotating like the others do at the other glaciers.

Mine were done electronically - does that make a difference (regarding dryness?),

A lot of these are personal preference. Here are mine: 1) Best month of the year - May and September are the shoulder months, and will be the least expensive. I cruised in September the first time, and whales were absolutely abundant. However, I prefer to cruise to Alaska during the week of the Summer Solstice. I know it will be one of the most expensive weeks, and I don't care. I just have a thing for the long days (probably because of our short winter days in Minnesota). The early May dates may have issues with ice out. Then again, they may not - weather is so weird. 2) Vancouver and Seattle are both beautiful. You can't go wrong with either - personally I pick more on itinerary and ship, and wherever that leaves from works for me. They are both my favorite cities that I've ever been to and would move to either one in a heartbeat (if Canada would take me - they're so fussy). 3) The smaller ships (Serenade, Radiance) are gorgeous and give you views out of the ship to the ocean and shore pretty much anywhere you are on the ship, with a few exceptions. I absolutely love them. That being said, I've done the smaller ships twice to Alaska, so we're going to give the Ovation a whirl. This will be her first year up there, so how it is to cruise to Alaska on her is still yet to be seen. I'll be on Ovation on June 21st - and I know @twangster will be on her first Alaskan sailing in May and I'm sure he'll be reporting back his thoughts, as well as incredible photos. 4) Book as soon as you can. My category 2D stateroom has gone up $1500 (for 2 people) in price since I booked it (I booked it last June for this upcoming June). No matter what you decide on your Alaskan cruise, you aren't making the wrong decision. We'd take one every summer if we had the time available!

Isn't this Sea Trek, and not SNUBA? I've looked into both and they are a bit different (and I TOTALLY want to do Sea Trek soon).

Why, thank you!

Your cruise compass will outline what is absolutely required for you to take as far as ID in each port (read them the night before so you are prepared). Aside from one of the private islands, I'd never leave the ship without some form of ID, required or not (think if an accident happened and you were not able to identify yourself verbally - your SeaPass card would only be somewhat identifying).

I had the deluxe drink package and my malt at JR's was at no charge on Mariner. But that was way back in February, lol.

If you already purchased something on the cruise planner, and your OBC shows up after that (which is what is happening in my case), the only way to apply it would be to cancel the purchase and repurchase using the OBC.

Matt has done several podcasts and blogs from his Brilliance cruises. You can go to the main page of the site and type "Brilliance" into the search bar at the top right of the page. One of the things I like about the older classes (Radiance and Vision) is that they DON'T have the Promenade (I'm in the minority here, I know, but it just looks like a shopping mall and I hate those - I tended to avoid that part of the ship).

No, when you purchase the drink package the gratuity will be added on prior to check out. If you feel someone is deserving of a tip above that when you are on the ship, that's your prerogative and I'm sure appreciated, but it is not expected.

You won't be able to find it, Royal will send you an email if it's available. I got one in December for my Feb 2019 Mariner sailing (right when the program began). I haven't received one for Ovation this upcoming June (which has been all but sold out for at least a month now, so I doubt I'll even bother if it does come out. No way would I even get a winning bid on this ship anyway).

Is it true that they have the Kummelweck at Cafe @ 270?