SpeedNoodles

Buy it now and watch the prices. If they drop, you can cancel and repurchase it at the lower price. But if the price goes up (and it could), you're protected against that.

Gaited horses are the bomb. I love me some Icelandic Horses! I have a Paso Fino (she's 31 years old). If I wasn't so old I'd get me an Icelandic to ride as well.

Most TAs don't charge a fee (but it's best to check right away). Many of us here use M.E.I. (they are a sponsor of this blog) and are extremely happy with their service. They do not charge a fee. You can access them on the home page of the site at http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com - it's the big yellow form on the right-hand side of the page (if using a desktop - I'm not sure where it is using the mobile view).

This is a fan site and is not affiliated with the cruiseline. The company will not read your comment here.

It's per visit. Sometimes they'll even close out a check and open a new one to keep it all covered (your mileage may vary on that). Enjoy! Odyssey has my favorite Playmakers in the fleet.

It's always been the policy that a solo cruiser pays for double occupancy. It's right in the FAQ that you have access to through the RoyalUp invitation. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/how-will-single-guests-be-charged-for-a-royalup-upgrade In addition, the email they send you confirming your Royal Up will show the total you would be charged if you won the upgrade. I think people don't really look at them, but it's there.

You cannot reserve shows prior to boarding. You could check out previous Cruise Compasses, as the schedules don't vary all that much from sailing to sailing. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass

KSF = Kids Sail Free

You can use your set sail pass (that you used to check in) for anything on the ship before getting your SeaPass card. They will be on your stateroom door, so you won't have them until cabins are ready.

You can toggle between the two. That's what I do.

Are you in an Owner's Suite (Sky Class?) or Owner's Loft Suite (Star Class)?

Your wife can bring her curling iron with no issues.

Mr. SpeedNoodles uses this on our cruises. It works well (Bonine and Dramamine just put him to sleep).

We had no problem at Chops, Jamie's, or Giovanni's, so it's apparently ship dependent.

You could try, but there's no guarantees you'd be successful. "On boarding day, guests may bring onboard two (2) 750 ml bottles of personal wine or champagne per stateroom in their carry-on luggage. If more than two bottles of wine or champagne are brought onboard, including any alcoholic beverages purchased in ports-of-call or in our onboard shops, they will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on your last day onboard." https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-alcohol-guest-policy

Yes, if the restaurant is open you can use your UDP for it. Enjoy!

There's often post-cruise excursions that occupy at least a few hours of your time and deliver you, and your luggage, to the airport later that day. That's what we've decided to do in Boston to keep us out of Logan Airport for a little while.

I would personally not wear flip flops in the MDR or any specialty restaurant. The Windjammer would be fine. If you make reservations for the MDR you shouldn't battle too long of lines. There will be no lines if you have Traditional Dining. I would count on the Windjammer being a mad house - I've personally never experienced it otherwise, therefore I now always avoid it.

Nope.

We are first responders, and while they do have a discount for law enforcement, we've never gotten a discount. I believe discounts cannot be stacked and there's pretty much a price promotion 24/7 so we've just never gotten it. I don't know that I've ever seen a health professional discount, but I doubt you'd actually ever see it applied if they did.

Travel agents make nothing from booking flights, so it's kind of like asking them to work for free.

Your travel insurance should cover it. You may also have coverage through whatever credit card you booked the cruise with - you'll have to check and see if your card offers that, but check your travel insurance for sure. You can read your cruise contract, which are in the EDocs that you received prior to your cruise, for Royal's liability. If I'm reading it right, they have more liability if you sail out of Europe, but I only had time to skim it. "b. Liability for Loss of or Damage to Baggage. Unless negligent, Carrier is neither responsible nor liable for any loss of or damage to Passenger’s property, whether contained in luggage or otherwise."

I moved your post to General Discussion since it really doesn't fit the Roll Call section and more people will see it.

Matt confirmed that there was no podcast this week.