ThyriC

For me I like wearing a formal dress, but not trying to reenact my senior prom (good gods that was the 80s, and noone wants to see me try to squeeze into a prom dress) I have a "nice" black full length dress with some lace and beads on it. Its not a ball gown, (tulle makes me itchy) but its nice. I'm dressing hub in a black suit with black tie. Not a tuxedo but something nice. I certainly wont fault anyone for not going as formal as I do, but I do feel a little.... judgemental, when I see someone in a ball cap and a muscle shirt and ripped shorts and mandals (sure lets put our fashion challenged in some black knee socks too) strolling into the MDR on formal night. It doesnt "ruin my cruise" or anything like that but yah I'm secretly judging that person. Any other night other than formal night, I'm not judging anyone. But on formal night.... yah I get a little judgey for the extreme cases. It doesnt take much to get me out of judgemental zone on formal night. A clean (non logo tee) shirt and some long pants on the guys (or bermuda shorts... or kilt...) and honestly the same for the ladies and I'm 100% fine with what you have on. But if you look like you crawled out of the weight room or out from under a moving car... yah I'm judging you on formal night. I might not say anything, but I'm judging you.

In American ports, your phones will work fairly reliably. However when in foreign ports or at sea, you'll be roaming. And you could incur some VERY significant charges on your phones just from having them on if they're not in airplane mode. Not to mention your service may be spotty at best which happens when roaming anyway. So stay in airplane mode to stop from roaming. If you have the ability to, ask your cell company to turn off international roaming if at all possible. Some allow this, some dont. With my xfinity phone I actually have to enable international roaming. The big part isnt going to be the phone calls on your phone, the big part would be roaming data. Apps like updating automatically, the phone likes updating automatically, even if the day before you departed you updated all of your apps just in case. If you have voom, what I recommend is turning on the airplane mode, and then go wifi only. If your phone allows for wifi calling it'll let you call out if you really must make phone calls, and your apps can update off of the voom. If you choose to do Voom, I consider it a good value because I like doing the instagram/twitter/facebooking while on vacation. Its fairly quick with the stream and surf one. (dont bother with the surf one, its painfully slow, even for emailing its pretty slow) As for the devices, the voom 1 device, is one device at a time. So if you have a laptop, a phone and a tablet, you go on the phone and check twitter, then disconnect from the voom, then get on the laptop and instagram your amazing pictures, then disconnect on the laptop and then get on the tablet and you're on facebook adding a "wish you were here" status. That's all one device as long as only one is connected at a time. So your question of you disconnecting and then letting hub connect would work perfectly. I think 10 bucks a day for average to heavy soda drinkers is a good value. Think about how much a soda costs at a restaurant. Usually around 2 bucks. And that's for each soda. 5 sodas a day and you've broke even. So 2 sodas at lunch, 2 at dinner, and just 1 soda midday or in the evening, you've broken even to land standards, much less to ship standards if a soda is 4 bucks a soda. 3 sodas and you've broken even on soda. So good value to me. If you dont like the freesyle machines, you can always go to a bar and get a fountain soda. The price for the soda package almost never goes down on the site. I think people on these forums have seen the soda only package go down like.... once. In several years. Across multiple ships and sailings. The soda package likely does go up onboard the ship, so its almost always a wise decision to prepurchase the soda package, if the only benefit you get is being able to charge the soda package to a different credit card, maybe pay off the soda package before your cruise so you dont have to worry about it.

I think it depends on how many sea days you have and your destinations. You'll likely be many miles away from land in international waters and even farther from the closest radio tower. When in port you may have a limited number of selections as well because ports usually arent in the middle of where residences and local businesses are (which is who the advertisers are selling to) Instead if you dont have a smartphone or tablet to load up with what he prefers to listen to, you can get an ipod usually pretty cheap, and a small portable speaker for it, and load that up with his favourite listens. Maybe even create playlists for specific destinations or events for the ship (embarkation day, sea day, island music, new england music, all canadian playlist) Or if he prefers spoken word radio, you can load up the device with podcasts (like Matt's!)

Welcome to the forums! Regarding the TA, if a TA doesnt reach out to you within like 48 business hours (ie not the weekends) I'd find one close to you (they have a list of their TA's on MEI's website) and reach out to them directly. That's how I met my MEI TA and she's been absolutely delightful to work with. I also concur with the ones with offers that appear too good to be true. Large OBCs, beverage packages for the entire cruise for the same price listed on Royal's website? Too good to be true IMO. The TA does get a kickback from Royal for every cruise through them, but not enough to give away nearly your entire cruise cost in free extras. 100-300 OBC for a 7 day cruise is normal and fine, but if they start offering 1000 OBC or whole entire packages, I'd be very leery of them. To me, the relationship with your TA is you talk to them, find out about them. A good TA will be fine in having a general getting to know you conversation about their experience, what they do for you, preferred method of communication etc. If you dont mesh, thank them for their time and look elsewhere. They wont take offense to you finding someone else. It is a shopping decision for you and you deserve a TA you get along with well.

Also you can utilize the Royal Gifts to perhaps arrange for decorations in the cabin after dinner in the MDR, and they even have cakes able to be delivered. I know the wine is able to be delivered to the MDR or the stateroom, so perhaps the cakes are also able to be either? It would make a rather nice presentation to have your waiter with a whole cake and a candle in it singing happy birthday. Or if you'd like a more private party, have the cake delivered to your decorated room with a bottle of wine and some flowers? Just kind of spitballing on what is possible. I'd also tell your stateroom attendant about the birthday. Perhaps they may surprise with a celebratory towel animal? I'd tell anyone you come across about the impending birthday. Your waitstaff, your stateroom attendant, even the cruise director if he/she happens to be out and about on the ship. Tell the bartender of your preferred bar if you go there. Maybe the bartender will make a unique drink for the birthday?

Welcome to Team Passport!

Matt actually referenced this in the most recent podcast for Brilliance. It cant hurt to ask. Go in expecting the no but be delighted if they say yes (in regards to the embarkation lunch). Simply state "I have the ultimate dining package, am I allowed to eat here for lunch" and see what they say. Some may be very strict to their rules and say no, but some may be rule benders and say yes without hesitation.

My souvenir strategy is normally as follows Day 1. Scope out the shops, and DONT BUY ANYTHING. Make a list of must haves, nice to haves, and impulse purchases. Again, DONT BUY ANYTHING. (liquor is a maybe because on some ships there is a sale on the first day at a tasting but dont count on it and remember you cant consume it during your cruise) I'd also rank your Must Haves from "it would crush me if I didnt pick up this item" to "I'd really really really like this but my life wont be over without it" Day 2. Scope out the shops again, buy something that's a MUST have before stock becomes limited. But just one thing Day 3-5 Scope out the sales listed in the Compass. Buy another MUST have (I'd pick from the ones that appear as though stock is dwindling) Day 6 Scope out the sales listed in the Compass again. This is where the deep discounts are and when stock absolutely plummets. You shouldnt have any remaining "must" haves and you're down to your "it would be nice to haves" and "impulse" purchases. Day 7. If any must haves remain, purchase. If your budget allows for any remaining "nice to haves" purchase. And if your budget allows for any remaining "impulses" purchase those as well. If your must haves involve luxury goods like watches, jewelry or purses, get an idea of what the cost of these on land would be in your average store (items like watches, perfumes and purses check out your local department store online. When you're doing your initial scouting write down the item and model number, style name, etc, and if you have the internet package, look it up on your local department store's website to see if you're getting a bargain off of realistic cost for the item, not the MSRP)

This is a good point. I think what I'll do is order a little extra at breakfast every day and keep it cool in the ice bucket, and then utilize the free room service for milk in the evening (we're in a suite so the room service is no charge) I think that'll suffice. Even if they charge for the milk through room service (I dont think there's a charge for milk from room service) it'll be worth it if he gets heartburn. Its nothing that a few Tums wont cure, but I'd rather have what he prefers available.

I like this idea a lot, and no need to lug onboard the milk! Thanks!

So I was looking over what's allowed and not allowed and I realized my husband drinks a lot of milk. Like.... a lot a lot of milk. Like, can outdrink my soda consumption in milk. Usually as a heartburn remedy but also just because he likes it. Is it permitted to carryon some of those little jugs (the 8oz ones you pack in kids' lunches) or small cartons of milk? I know Royal's website says "for dietary reasons" but I dont have a clue what that means in terms of "he likes it for heartburn remedy". We dont have a doctor's note or anything requiring that he drinks milk or anything. I realize they do have milk onboard, that's not the issue, I just wanted a little bit in the cabin in case of nighttime heartburn (as I'm sure he'll get from overindulging in the amazing food). If its not possible, would it be possible to request it in the mini bar for an extra charge? Mini bar milk is better than no milk!

I admit liking watching pier runner videos and pier runners when other ships depart. The one video I loved was when there was one of the port workers running down the pier and then dancing for the watchers. They know the legacy of the pier runners and even they have fun with it. I got a great laugh from it.

Yes yes YES! Keep your eyes peeled on your cruise planner or ask your travel agent to notify you of any sales for your particular cruise. When the price drops to the point where you're comfortable with it, pounce. If the cost goes down from there, you can always cancel and rebook the beverage package. Keep your eyes also on the drinks and voom package. If you're going to get the internet package anyways, it can be a significant savings. For my sailing the drink package alone only went as low as 52 per person, but the drinks + voom package was 62 per person. A SIGNIFICANT savings that I pounced on. But I was going to get both anyway. Obviously if you have no or little intention on getting the internet package, its not a bargain if you're not going to use it.

Welcome to the forums! Ok here's my pros 1. You start your vacation early! 2. Once onboard you can visit the bars for a drink, visit the pool(s), eat at the windjammer, explore the ship (get your bearings), people watch the others embarking, visit customer service in case you need their services And here are my cons 1. If you embark as soon as possible, you may be waiting some time for your room to be ready (around 2-3 hours, it varies) and therefore anything you're carrying on, you're carrying with you for 2-3 hours. So if you're enjoying the windjammer, its you and all of your stuff sitting down to eat. Same with everywhere else you visit, that carryon stuff is coming with you (I say this because there are a lot of questions with people asking if they can carry on soda, while you can, that along with the rest of your carryon stuff can start getting heavy to lug around) 2. Shopping and the casino are closed until you reach international waters. If you're looking to get your shopping on immediately or get to gambling, you'll be disappointed. 3. Most sit down restaurants will be closed immediately at embarkation. The windjammer isnt bad at ALL, but if you're a sit down eater, you may have to wait until lunchtime 4. Limited services available at the spa. They are likely still turning over the spa from the previous sailing immediately at early embarkation and staff will likely be selling services for the duration of the cruise. 5. Few organized activities during embarkation. There is music to listen to, but shows or trivia or lectures, etc, will likely be after departure. Embarkation usually starts around 10am (ish) and rooms arent ready until usually 1pm (ish) and your luggage makes it to your stateroom normally by 7pm (ish) So if your shuttle puts you any earlier than 10 at the terminal, you'll likely be waiting around the terminal to even embark, and then waiting 3 hours until you can go to your stateroom. I'm personally a fan of early embarkation because I like enjoying a day drinking cocktail while listening to music and people watching followed by a walkthrough of the ship and then light grub at the windjammer, but not everyone enjoys a cocktail and can self amuse by just music and people watching. Others enjoy getting their grub on at the windjammer, others avoid the windjammer like the plague upon embarkation (it gets rather busy) Some will be seen swimming when its warm, others or when its chillier wont be anywhere near the pool.

These two links will help you in making a decision for yourself. Many here will advocate getting a passport just in case of many circumstances preventing a closed loop cruise. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/cruise-ship-passengers.html https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/united-states-citizen-travel-documentation I'm also a member of team passport because there are so many potential "what ifs" for me to be comfortable with just a birth certificate and ID.

Just remember to take some time for yourself, and once your vacation has begun, remember to roll with the punches. If you go in going "this cruise MUST be perfect! Every detail must be exactly as how I anticipate it being and if there's any deviation from what I expect, my vacation is ruined!" you're going to have a bad time. Not saying that perfection isnt going to happen, but sometimes things arent as we envision them and working yourself up into a tizzy doesnt help. Remember to breathe and enjoy the happy excitement and anticipation. You've done your research, you've done your planning. You've made your lists, you've done everything you can possibly do. When that ship departs with you waving happily to well wishers sipping on a refreshing beverage of choice, you can rest easily knowing that you did everything right and everything in your power to have an amazing time.

Well I guess we found who WONT ever be confused over where their luggage is when they go to pick it up

We've done it guys! We've converted another one!

I remember watching the cruise tracker and listening to the radios for that one KathyC. I recall the Carnival ship that was also out there waiting with you was mighty upset at the fog. Brilliance was trying to negotiate her way to coming in sooner but that fog was nasty.

I'm going to agree with Waaaytooo on this. The decor in my opinion already looks dated. It looks like some throwback to the 80s. I think my bedroom as a teenager had this color palate and minimalist design. I think they're taking their inspiration from Vegas with these, with suite lovers being all about the massive adult party and .... extra curriculars? I can see their inspiration being kids poking their heads out of the sunroof in a limo screaming WOOOOO! I just dont think I'd be able to relax on one of these ships. I mean the views look nice, and a stocked bar does seem nice, but the mood lighting, black white and red decor, guitars everywhere, I just am confused that they're attempting to attract just one type of client. Comeon Virgin, these ships are definitely luxe, why not have one of the rockstar suites called "Hangover Recovery" or something like that built to relax in? And instead of unlimited cocktails in your suite, how about unlimited massages?

I recommend anyone departing out of Tampa or Galveston, book a hotel room for the night you return and your plane trip out in the afternoon the next day. Especially if you're cruising in fog season (I think I saw a video a while back that fog season is between december and march) That way if you experience fog delay, you're covered. The hotel room you can usually cancel a day ahead without penalty if the arrival is delayed due to fog but your flight isnt in jeopardy. Royal cant control the weather, and if the port is closed due to fog, its the coast guard closing the port. This is for safety, While you may not see the fog immediately, the fog is somewhere ahead and its so thick that visibility is next to nil. Usually it burns off fairly quickly but if it's really bad and hangs around a while, they've closed the port for everyone's safety.

So I asked my fellow suite snob mother why she does the suite over the standard rooms. She told me she didnt always do suites. She and my father both have done everything from inside cabins all the way to suites. When they were younger they did a lot of the onboard activities like trivia, the shows, the lectures, the demonstrations, they were super active. But as they aged, they dont do so many activities. And they're not big sun worshipers either, not into the floriders or the rock walls or big into pools. They'll do the pool maybe once but their trip is all about the relaxation and the views of interesting destinations. So as they got older, the room became the focus rather than all of the activities.

You may also want to look into "helmet diving" in bermuda. Its a unique kind of diving where you wear a helmet over your head that pumps in air and you just breathe normally (through nose or mouth, doesnt matter, the helmet is full of air) You walk on the sea floor and the weight of the helmet (and an additional weight belt if you're of the more buoyant build) helps keep you on the sea floor. The undersea walks usually are around 30 minutes or so and your guide points out the local undersea life (the one I was on the guide made a P with his fingers for plant, an A for animal and F for fish). You obviously cant talk between those in the helmets but its just a really unique experience breathing underwater without something over your nose and mouth. I'd look online for the tour guide that does this as I believe there's only one left on the island. They've been doing it for decades and is super safe and rather well rated.

For me, the peace of mind of a passport far outweighs bringing a birth certificate and ID along with you. This is my reason. 1. I will likely want to cruise again. Do I want to be limited to places that will accept the birth certificate/ID combination? 2. The big "what if". What if I get hurt on excursion? What if the ship diverts somewhere and everyone has to fly home? 3. Convenience. All I need is the book. I dont have to worry about damaging the birth certificate which is only as durable as the paper its printed on. The passport book is more durable for multiple trips. Also airports and cruise terminals are accustomed to processing a passport. I'm sure they're accustomed to a birth certificate as well but my brain believes they're more accustomed to a passport 4. Security. The birth certificate contains details about you that could be used to steal your identity more readily than the passport. Combine those details along with your drivers license number or ID number... that can be very dangerous for identity theft. I'm not saying that it WILL happen, but identity theft is real. 5. The passport is good for 10 years. This is longer than any other ID in the USA and it proves both identity AND citizenship. I've used my passport before for employment to satisfy both requirements in one document rather than the usual social security card and drivers license. If you're concerned about the cost of the passport, see if the places you're travelling to accept the passport card instead of the book. In terms of the "absolute requirements" not the "its convenient" stuff https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/cruise-ship-passengers.html https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/united-states-citizen-travel-documentation