SpeedNoodles

Yes, you sure can!

Don't do anything. I get those emails and I've never had children.

Yes, you should be getting points for your pre-cruise tour if it's booked with Royal Caribbean (I'm assuming you did an Alaskan pre-cruise tour?) Matt just interviewed someone this week on his podcast who did an Alaskan pre-cruise tour. Call the Crown and Anchor Society number directly and check (don't call the regular number). That number is (800) 526-9723.

Welcome to the message boards!

It's always good to research the different room types and what you may end up with prior to bidding. Not that it helps you now, but it's just good practice for anyone. Frankly, I enjoy a bigger balcony space, but unless the bid was very low, I wouldn't bother. You'll still have an amazing cruise!

If everyone in your party is vaccinated you can do a rapid antigen tests. The at-home tests run about $35 a piece and are very convenient. https://store.emed.com/s/category/covid19-athome-test-with-verified-lab-report-emed/0ZG8c000000LZXk?c__results_layout_state={}

I LOVE the Kimpton Epic - it's where we stay everytime we are in Miami. The location is fantastic, and I always get a room overlooking the Miami River or the towards the cruise port (although since I've been there they built another building next to the Kimpton which may block the views to the port, depending on the floor you get. The pool/cabana area is very nice. There's a complimentary wine happy hour each evening. The rooms are gorgeous and the staff has always been wonderful (and have always been able to put is in a room facing the direction we want when we ask nicely). I can't compare it to the Ritz Carlton, as I've never stayed in one.

If you're sailing soon (like within a week or so), go ahead and book onboard as you will get onboard credit (the price of the cruise is the same whether you book on board or otherwise). You can transfer it to your travel agent within 30 days of booking it onboard, or, if you used one for the current cruise it will automatically be booked under your current travel agent. If your cruise is farther out you risk a price increase which may just negate the on board credit you receive, so don't wait if your cruise isn't very soon.

I can't get that week of from work.

@Donna Hunter - welcome to the message boards!

Why doesn't anyone ever want to cruise with me?!?! *sob*

I've been to Chops locations that are excellent (Quantum), and those that are awful (Ovation), and everything in between.

We'll be staying at the Westin Boston SeaPort District hotel for our Sept 25th sailing.

Complimentary room service was only part of The Key for a very short time when it came back after the restart (two months maybe?). There's never been discount dining associated with The Key, only lunch on embarkation day and breakfast on disembarkation day.

We're flying out two days early for our next cruise.

Yes, in my experience they turn it back into a sofa for the day.

Thanks, @TXcruzer, @Mike.s, @AshleyDillo and @WAAAYTOOO!!!

I stayed in a room on Deck 10, directly under the Windjammer and didn't hear any noise from it. The only thing I heard was the music from the area of the Flow Rider in the middle of the night IF I walked out onto the balcony (which I did frequently).

Lately it's been 45 days prior to embarkation. It will open up at midnight in the time zone in which your cruise departs (not necessarily your own time zone).

Question for those who have an annual policy (and I've looked and can't find the answer). Once you purchase annual travel insurance, do you have to notify them somehow of every trip you are taking and where you are traveling (and how much you expect to need insured)? I'm just super confused about how it works.

Honestly, the best place to whale watch on an Alaskan cruise is Juneau. I've known several people who have taken whale watching tours out of Victoria (including me, just a few weeks ago) who saw zero whales. In Juneau they never stopped popping up. Luckily I'm so enamored with the Salish Sea and the Gulf Islands that it made no difference to me that we saw no whales out of Victoria, as I find the area absolutely magical, but most people were likely very disappointed. We took the tour out of Victoria that was offered on Royal Caribbean's site. We were glad we did, as we barely made it back to the ship before boarding time.

When you buy a 2 device there's only one log in that is shared between any two devices. Doesn't matter what or whose device it is. If someone wants to use a then different (third) device, it will knock one of the first ones off (but you don't get to choose which device gets knocked off and it's always a game of roulette).

No, the prepaid gratuities are for your stateroom attendant and your wait staff in the MDR.

You're not wrong. I definitely need more sea birds in my life!