SpeedNoodles

Another vote for credit card because they put daily holds on the card which can stay for a few days.  Don't tie up your checking account.  We set up our bills to pay while we are gone so I wouldn't want hold on my checking account.  Also, false charges and fraud are easier to fix on a credit card.

Go with a credit card that way no real money is being blocked from access. Charges are done in United States dollars. 
If you're an international traveler Royal might charge in your local currency using an exchange rate defined by Royal. You'll normally be asked at check in if you want to be charged in USD or converted local (to you) currency. -Hope the last bit made sense.

Yes. Thank you. Sounds like credit card is the way to go. 

Yes, credit is the way to go, as has already been stated it is best for refunds as well as a few other benefits.  I would absolutely hate to imagine the outcome if someone were able to skim your debit card number while you were out to sea and did not find out soon enough!  Credit is definitely the way to go!!!

The balcony:
 

I am bringing this question here now because I don’t know who else to ask. It’s a super sensitive issue right now, I just cannot wrap my head around this - my family is feeling a huge mix of sadness, anxiety, and anger and I very much hope people will consider so I would ask that. ?  We have a cruise booked for the 4th week in January. The cabin was an expensive one, but it’s going to be split with my adult (step) sister and so it made it more reasonable when it is divided 3 ways.  It has been planned for nearly a year and we’ve all very much looking forward to it. 
The problem is that my sister works for TSA that is part of the government shut down. Essentially, they are now working for free (and this time, unlike past shut downs, Congress has not yet acted to ensure they will be paid later). What is worse, is that unlike every other shut down in history, this time they have been told that all vacation (leave) time is cancelled (no matter if for a serious illness or a prepaid vacation). Should an employee take the time off that they had scheduled anyway, they will be fired on day 3 for being AWOL. ?. As much as I would like to, I am not going to get into the ethics involved with the decision-making surrounding all of this, but as you can see it definitely could negatively impact this long awaited cruises for all of us if the situation is not resolved by the sailing date (and my faith is gone so we have to prepare for what is possible at this point).
We have trip interruption coverage through Chase Sapphire CC that we used to cover the cost of the entire cruise (her portion and ours). It covers immediate family (I assume my step sister would be that). The policy does covers problems like jury duty where the person can’t be released so to me that suggests that her situation would also be reimbursable.
My greatest concern is that our cruise happens to be one of those where the 3rd passenger sails “free.” It would be the same kind of problem if the cruise was one where passenger 1 pays 100% and passenger 2 pays 50%. We split the cost, despite the the odd way it is divided on paper for marketing purposes. Does anyone have any experience with how the insurance companies deal with those circumstances? I am assuming there is a general consensus with insurers on this issue, it must come up often, I simply have no idea what that might be.
Thank you for any help that you can provide on how insurance deals with these situations -
Lynn
 
P.S. I realize that it’s bad timing, but Happy New Year to all of you.

I talked to the tour operator, it's about blocks into town. Not that bad, but now the problem is that they need a minimum of two people to book, so I'm screwed.  I'm an odd nerd.  

You and me both!!!!!

You and me both!!!!!

I really hate it when they remove the cruise from the website when it sells out.  It just adds anxiety to everyone who is already booked on it.  It would be much better if they would just show the cruise and indicate that it is sold out.  Removing it just causes panic.

Royal IQ is the old app that is still in use on Quantum class ships. It is more basic, mostly showing a part of the daily Cruise Compass and letting you see your reservations for meals, shows, etc. as well as make new ones. It’s only usable after you’re on board and connected to VOOM.
The app that’s just named “Royal” is the new app, and is still in its early stages. It’s been rolled out to a fair number of ships now, and will eventually be the only app for use both pre-cruise and on board all ships. It also lets you see the Cruise Compass and make reservations, but on top of that it includes (or will soon include) other features like pre-cruise checkin (replacing the web site), ability to serve as your boarding pass, chat (in beta), and information about the ship. More information about Royal’s plans for the app can be found in this blog post.

It really is addictive! When I saw people talk about it, I always assumed it was one of those online gambling things that required real money. Then I found out a bit over a week ago it’s free. Aaaaand now I have a bit over 25,000 reward point things. ? Halfway to $100 OBC!

I want “Has Road Rage” under mine (or maybe “Stubborn American Crab”, I cannot decide). But “diamond” has a nice ring too ? ? ?

We went to Cabbage beach last year in December, prior to this trip we did and excursion through Royal where we paid $85 per adult, and $55 per child to go to the beach on Atlantis.  When we got there we had a beach chair and a towel and it was the same beach that Cabbage beach is on.  When we went back last Christmas and I saw the rock formations in the water I knew where we were, and I felt pretty ripped off!  The beach itself is great, it cost us $16 one way for four people in a taxi, only complaint was the amount of vendors going up and down the beach.  They were not rude at all, and you just had to tell them "no thank you" once and that individual would leave you alone.  You could rent chairs for the whole day for a reasonable price, I would gladly go there again with the kids, did not feel pressured or harassed whatsoever!  

Oh how I would love to be a Diamond with the Crown and Anchor!  Currently we are at Platinum and with our cruise in March we will be at Emerald. Hopefully we will be breaking the Diamond level by the end of the year.  We will both be doing cartwheels at that point!  

I had an interior stateroom on Symphony for January... made bids for neighborhood balcony and ocean balcony on the day RoyalUp debuted. I found out my ocean balcony bid was accepted 12/24, so about one month after bidding and less than a month before sailing.

RoyalIQ is for Quantum Class ships and Royal is the new app being/has been deployed on many of their ships.

I have noticed that in all of my future cruises The Key is offered with different benefits compared to my first run experience.  In my inaugural trial of The Key it clearly stated that reservations were required.  Now for my future cruises The Key states:
• Reserved priority seating at shows in the Main Theater, AquaTheater and Studio B. No reservations required pre-cruise or onboard. 
Also this wasn't offered on my 1st run of The Key:
• Priority check-in and boarding. Upon your arrival at the terminal, follow The Key check-in signage to your designated waiting area. 

As a solo cruiser, it's worth it to me.  When you start looking at a family of 4, I don't see it, but everyone is different.  As an added bonus though, it might annoy the suite guests to have an inside cabin guy(me) sitting with them.

I always book a cruise or two when I am on board.

I just came off Navigator of The Seas (9 Days) with my family, I am single. There were “Solo Get Togethers” quite a few times listed on the Cruise Compass, I never went to them, I just did things on my own and met people along the way. 
I travel Solo a lot, so I am used to doing things by myself.

So does being a Diamond on this site allow me 3 free drinks in the D Lounge?  Or a balcony discount?  C'mon Matt, show us the money...  ?… ?
 

Do you want to start a fight on the RC Blog forums? Because this is how you start a fight on the RC Blog forums. 

+2 for Radiance.  We will be doing the southbound on Radiance next July. We picked this open-jaw route so we could see and do a lot more of Alaska (given the state's enormity, that's a funny statement). We will be flying into Anchorage four days prior to embarkation for our own sightseeing and fishing excursions (Hello Rusts Flying and Guide Service!). Then we will be taking the Goldstar Service on the Alaska Railroad to Seward in the morning. Will arrive in Seward around 11:30-12:30. Will check in on the boat, eat some lunch, and then walk-off and head over to the Alaska Sealife center for a couple of hours. We will cruise for the next week, hitting many awesome ports of call with awesome views and excursions. Disembarkation will be in Vancouver. We will spend just part of the day there and then jump on the Cascades Amtrak service to Seattle (and fly out from there). Hoping the Seattle Sounders will have a game that weekend in town. We wanted to get the long flight and land part of our trip done first so we can relax (sort of) on our cruise, just as @KJ1231 mentioned. I suspect that this will not be our last Alaskan cruise, as next time, I'd like to spend more time in Vancouver! 
Echoing @SpeedNoodles, book as early as you can as prices will most probably only go up. Use a good TA that will monitor prices for you and rebook as necessary, however, do book as far far far in advance as you can and can afford.
 

Look what my Grands gave us for Christmas.  We can't wait to use it!!