CruisingKitty

Hi, I was wondering if anyone knows if there will be any sales coming up that will offer discounts on excursions. I have a cruise booked in October, but have yet to book excursions. I am hoping for a sale, like the one they had for Black Friday.

Let me walk you back off that ledge...
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/10/16/first-time-cruisers-its-supposed-rain-my-entire-cruise

Yes, you can substitute a new passenger for the child that may have to cancel.
If you decide to just sail with one child in that room, I recommend that you do nothing and just allow him/her to be a “no-show”.  If you advise RCI that you are adjusting the pax count, it is possible that they would reprice at an almost certainly higher single pax rate.  A few $$ in taxes and port fees would be refunded as OBC for the no-show.

On a more serious note, even the cats take this virus seriously!
 

So wrong the ban was lifted.  RCCL is worried about a discrimination lawsuit.  Shouldn’t they be more concerned about an outbreak on the ship?  Better safe than sorry.  I’m not a racist by any means, but will shun Asians until the outbreak is over.

You can probably get a refund and at the same time be reported to the CDC and restricted to your home.  Want to give it a try?

Exactly the same for us for Anthem. 

I could be wrong, but it seemed to me (if I’m reading the screening guidelines correctly) that you will receive these “extra” screening parameters ONLY if you qualify via the “China” questions. In other words, if you have not been in contact with anyone who meets those (list) of conditions, you will not be subject to the extra screening.
I will find out later today, as we board Anthem at 3:00.

Real ID should be renamed Really Small Font ID.  
Rented a car in another country and poor rental company couldn't read the thing.  They took one look and said "Jesus!"  

I tried getting a Real ID the last time I renewed, but the staff at the DMV were clueless dicks, so I'm just going to use my passport, lol.

See the detaiiled article at CruiseFever:
https://cruisefever.net/real-id-required-for-all-domestic-flights-starting-in-october/?fbclid=IwAR14Kya5hVw9wUP6ils2LzJnV0dL4kh_Cn2uad4rj5IdEpUmJrPrMCvVX-8

When I consider our last cruise this past Dec. I'm glad that we tried out Specialty Dinning at  Hibachi and Giovanni's.  We also had a excellent experience in the MDR. The MDR food is great but not atypical of a good local restaurant.  What I mean by this is that the presentation and sauces are good but not exceptional and the dishes are not creative or unusual. To find that next level dinning experience the Specialties bring that. At home we might eat out once a week, and select restaurants that serve MDR fair. A few times a year we will splurge and eat at a Specialty level local restaurant. I don't always want the pomp and ceremony of these high end restaurants and can't afford it anyway.
 We have close friends that are foodies and are in the Double Income No Kids club. If we ever cruised with them the MDR wouldn't be creative enough for them. They would eat Specialty every night. 
I also hate to pay extra for something that is quite good and included in your cruise. Cruising isn't cheap, especially if your vacation time is limited to the school calendar. Think of it this way that Special Dining cash could help pay for your next vacation or an excursion.

Being a first time cruiser you might consider a different approach.  If you are like the vast majority on here you will probably cruise again.  Choose one specialty dining restaurant and give the MDR a chance.  Your menu for the MDR covers a lot of different foods that are really good.  Formal night is lobster night.  And remember you can choose as many things as you want and as much as you want. (including lobster)  Your chance to try some different foods,  like escargot.  I eat at a specialty restaurant on occasions and enjoy it but you already paid for the meals in the MDR,  Windjammer etc.

I also agree that the 3 night package is a great option for your first cruise. It gives you the ability to try everything on the ship for the most part without the lingering thought in the back of your mind that your wasting money by choosing the "free" options. This will help you in the future figure out if you want to go "all in" the next time. 

I agree with others that 3-night package is the way to go.
Many first time cruisers think things like the UDP, or The Key is necessary for a great cruise, but totally cool to forgo them.

I'll give another vote for the three night package. We did the same on our first cruise just so we could then make an educated decision on future cruises.
After doing that,  we've decided to do it again on our next cruise. We're quite happy with the MDR, but a few nights in specialty restaurants breaks it up a bit. 
If this is your first cruise,  taking the unlimited package means you're either missing out on the MDR,  or paying for specialty dining on nights that you do eat in the MDR.

Another tip is to ignore the sales and just call regularly (weekly) and ask Royal to reprice. If you have a good TA you don't need to do this as it is part of the service. The fine print on these sales is often pages long and it it is almost always faster to call and ask. I also have found that not all sales are announced. Another tip don't forget to ask to reprice Cruise Planner items as well.The Royal rep wouldn't prompt you to do so. I've repriced for as little as $5 and as much as $1,000.

As long as you are not yet past final payment you can have your room repriced....even if your category is sold out.  This is where a travel agent is invaluable, but if you booked on your own, just call Royal and ask them to evaluate whether you can save money or not.  It’s possible that the current price for your category will be high enough that even with a higher OBC, it would not make $$ sense to reprice.  You won’t know unless you ask.

Give your kiddo a hug and hope they feel better soon. Also, starting taking your Airborne Vitamin C NOW!

Ugh, sailing on Liberty on the 16th, and just got a call from the school about my kid who has a fever.....this will be me for the next week. 

Cancellations onboard do happen.  Just go the shore excursion desk right away before they get really busy.
Personally, I'd use trip advisor to search for a similar excursion from a 3rd party.  Many 3rd parties offer the same excursion to RC as well as the public and often for less than RC charges.  

There is a cruise planner sail now 57$

I am with @PG Cruiser  I think what the cruise lines should do is have a designated dining room for those that want to have that formal feeling.  IE,  this MDR will have a dress code, of at least a sport coat and tie.  The other MDR will be dress your best.
 I realize this would he hard for RCL, since they have MTD and traditional.  On smaller ships, usually MTD and traditional are only separated by the floor you enter.  Larger ships, like Anthem, they actually have designated dining rooms.  Maybe that night they could make the WJ,  like the MDR for lunch on sea days, buffet and menu for those that don't want to dress up, but also don't want a buffet.   Personally,  we dress up like we are attending a wedding.  Cocktail dress for me and suit for him.  This is fun for us.  We make it a special night....cocktails on our balcony before dinner.  I like seeing people in their finest.  Than again, my hubby served 21 yrs in the military and we would go to military balls @2 times a yr.  I get the I am on vacation, and don't want to wear a suit.  However, I would love to take a poll.  My bet is the majority of women enjoys dressing up, and that feeling, whereas, the men would be more than happy not to!  
I also think the airlines play into the equation.  My hubby and I have no problem paying for checked baggage.  We fly a lot since 1 of our kids and the grandbabies live far away, in the last yr we have flown out to them, 4 times. Than add on flying for business.  In essence, between the 2 of us, someone is flying every 6 weeks for a week+.  Point being, most airline passengers only want to fly with carry ons.  That does not work if you need to pack a suit or dress.  Kind of.  my cruise dresses, are cocktail.  I purposely purchase dresses that travel well (wrinkle resistant...aka Chicos, lace overlay, Ralph Lauren, etc) I literally can roll them up in a ball and they will look perfect as soon as I unpack.  Hence, no excuse about wrinkling!  Hubby only wears Jos. A. Bank,  (probably bc I work there).  Just like Chico's they have a wrinkle resistant line called....wait for it....Travelers.  The fabrication is designed to do exactly like the Chico's woman's line...wrinkle resistant.  
In the end, RCL is following what their marketing dept says is trending.  

@Planaholic Welcome
 I, like all the other posters said, check regularly. I caught the classic soda and refreshment package so cheap for black Friday, I regret not booking it for everybody in my group. It seems this sale applies more heavily to bookings up until August. My next RC cruise is October, I am sure an Easter or Tax day special will bring down prices any most of the things I want.  You could always book now if the price is agreeable and then cancel and re-book if the price lowers in the future.

Wow !  $40 PP.  I thought I had a bargain for $50.99.  Great job !!!