Wilson

OK I'll mark this Solved...... but.....thought you guys would like a tip.  After MANY phone calls to the toll free number on the web page, and being told there was an "IT" Ticket number assigned....Following up on that ticket number with "several" CSR's over the course of 5 days... at one point being told "IT" just told the CSR the problem was fixed... I find out there is NO "IT" ticket number at all.  LOL  I swear, I can't make this stuff up.  How did I find this to be the case?   After being told the issue had been repaired and resolved, and informing the CSR it most surely was not, I went to Facebook.  RCCL International... sent a message...received a response from a "U.S.A." Based "Social Networks" CSR, saying I'd be getting a phone call in a very few minutes.  Within 5 minutes, the CSR had me on the phone and transferred me  to a "C&A" CSR.  This guy knew his stuff.  Said, "there is NO Ticket number"...never was.  That, was upsetting.
 
The problem I had is a "known issue" within their system.  When someone uses their email address as a user name on the My Cruises "side" of the web page it causes an intermittent "major" issue.  We made a new account using a "period", between my first initial and last name in my username (email address).  Everything is fine now, or seems to be.  All in all took us about 10 minutes.  Now can get into both "My Cruises" and "C&A" accounts. (AIN'T NO STOPPIN' US NOW!).
 
Note:  When I asked him why the My Cruises CSR's didn't know about this "known issue".  He indicated "Nicely", that I might want to call C&A CSR, when and if I had an issue in the future...with that, I can read between the lines......  Anyway guys and gals, it's corrected and I've learned a lot about RCCL CSR's.  Might be good to know if you ever need help. 
 
Safe Cruising,
Rob-o

Yuk... you'd think instead of text they'd print a "drink with umbrella" icon or some "boozy" graphic.  This IS the 21st Century. ;)

Day 1 - Embarkation day
 
The day is finally here! After months and months of anticipation, the morning I've been waiting for is here. Woke up at 7:30 AM, bright eyed and busy tailed after a (surprisingly) great night of sleep. We dragged our feet a bit as we packed up our carry-ons for the day and got ready to eat breakfast. At 10:00AM sharp we left the hotel in the shuttle we booked the night prior. We were the only two people taking this shuttle for Indy, although it looked like a large group was gathered at our hotel getting ready to head to Serenade. On our short drive to Port Everglades our shuttle driver offered shuttle services on disembarkation day from the port to FLL, at whatever time we chose to get off the ship. At $10/person we decided this was a fine enough deal for us, and went ahead and paid for that and jotted down the phone number for the shuttle. One less thing to worry about later on.
 
We arrived at beautiful Terminal 18 shortly before 10:30 AM, dropped our bags off with a porter, and got through security and checked in in a matter of 10 or 15 minutes. Due to the heavy storms that came through the night before, we were unable to take our security photos whenever we checked in, and instead were told to have our passports ready during boarding and would have our photo taken then. Boarding began right around noon, but since we are lowly Gold members, we didn't get on board until shortly after 1:00PM.
 
With several hours to explore before the Muster drill, we decided to grab a drink from the Champagne bar then head up to the Windjammer for lunch. At the Champagne bar, the cocktail menus listed drinks all priced at $13, but what I found nice was that the bartenders were upfront that it would be x-dollars above the drink package, and asked if that was okay. Overall, we found the extra $1-2 per occasional drink to be a non-issue (especially because we had a bit of onboard credit to cover the difference). After a quick lunch at the Windjammer - honeystung chicken, of course - we dropped off our backpacks at our stateroom and began touring around the ship.
 
Overall, the ship on embarkation day did not feel crowded, and I felt that the navigation around the ship was super simple (especially compared to finding my way around Carnival ships in the past). After the muster drill, our luggage was still not at our room, so we headed up to Olive or Twist for a view of the sunset and Miami as we sailed past. After enjoying these wonderful views, we headed back to our stateroom and, since our luggage had arrived, got ready for the intro show and our late seating at dinner.
 
At dinner we were sat at an 8-top table with other young people, although two of the seats remained empty throughout dinner. Out of the 3 groups, we were the only ones to purchase a drink package, although one couple did take advantage of bringing on their two bottles of wine. Dinner in the MDR was delicious, per the usual, and I enjoyed the seafood soup, mojo pork chops with root veggies, and finished up dinner with the classic chocolate sensation and an espresso.
 
After dinner we took a little time to get some fresh air and walk around the pool deck outside, before heading back inside for one final drink in the evening. The ship was moving pretty fast and I was surprised how much movement we were feeling on night 1. Our final drink of the evening turned into a final couple of sips before ditching them and heading to bed to rest up for our first full day at sea.
 
Day 1 drink count: 9 alcoholic beverages, plus one espresso at dinner
 - Although this may sound pretty high, it honestly didn't feel too extreme, especially as we toured several bars during our exploration period of the day and spread them out until almost midnight

No problems on my end Rob. Try another computer or device and see if you have the same problem. Royal has had lots of website issues over the past year or so, but lately it's worked flawlessly for me.

It's my understanding that they place your SeaPass card just outside your cabin door. If you board ship early and cabins are not ready until 1 pm, how do you make purchases prior to getting your card?

We were excited to see it earlier this month on Indy.

Great live blog Michael. Thank you for sharing. FYI, entertainment has opened up for the May Harmony cruise.

Here are the package prices. They are offering the 20/30/40 discount for Diamonds and above.

 
Also, the prices at the Champagne Bar for their cocktails haven't changed since I was on in December
Can't get the darn image from my site in here. So here is the link for it: https://mjcwebdesign.com/photos/picture.php?/267/category/49

Greetings all! I know I'm a new comer to the Royal Caribbean Blog's Message Board. But trust me this isn't my first message board rodeo.
Some of the content here is cross posted on another message board (If they won't let someone mention this site, I'm not going to mention their site!), but if asked I'll be more than happy to provide exclusive content. Trust me, I've provided this site a bit of content already!
 
First off, I want to give Matt a shout out for the hard work he does. Trust me, I know how much of a pain in the rear it can be running a site devoted to a Cruise Line. Many many moons ago I operated one my self with a different format.
 
Because I'm a new comer here I just wanted to give a little info about my self.
My name is Michael, live in Tallahassee Florida, and under the age of 35. At the time of this posting I have 30 cruise under my belt and Diamond Plus with Royal. I'm also a "legacy" Platinum with Carnival, 10 cruises. I've also sailed once with Holland America, NCL, and Princess.
 
With all that out of the way let me get started with you guys came reading for. But really that stuff won't start until Sunday, so I'll give some expectations and background information on the next post.
 
 
 

Over the years, we have had people share their Royal Caribbean experiences during their cruise on these message boards and it has been a very helpful and fun way for everyone to follow along in the cruise experience.
 
I want to encourage others to do the same, so I have created a dedicated forum specifically for live blogs.  I believe live blogs are extremely helpful for those following along, and fun for the person on the cruise too.
 
My hope is that more people will share their cruise experiences while they are onboard, or shortly after returning home. I love reading live blogs, and I know many others do as well.
 
Some of you may be concerned about writing style and how interesting (or not interesting) your posts would be.  Let me be the first to say these live blogs need not be Shakespeare quality in the least bit.  It's really a summary of what you did, what you liked (and did not like) and photos always do a great job of telling the story too.
 
I cannot wait to read the next live blogs that I know many of you will be sharing!

Hello everyone!
 
I am currently 40 minutes from landing at Chicago Midway so I thought I would start my review of my Liberty cruise! I will break this down into sections as to not try and cram everything in one post, and I will even include my thoughts on being Galveston and sailing from there for the first time ever.
 
Overall I enjoyed Liberty very much. There are a few minor complaints that I will get to but they didn't even come close to impacting my enjoyment of the cruise. The voom issue is a very sore subject with me.... more on that later.
 
And before anyone asks, I ate at Sabor four times. That pretty much says it all, but I will include a full review of the restaurant :)
 
I will try to start up the first part of the review later this evening or tomorrow for sure. The first part will be Galveston and sailing from there.
 
Stay tuned.... :D

They listened to me! Deluxe Package was printed on the card as "DX" on our Jan Indy cruise.
 

Not sure if it's fleetwide, but the Deluxe drink package decal was printed on our SeaPass card ("DX" in right corner) for our Jan 5th Indy sailing. No more trips to guest services to have it replaced when it wears off.
 
Please delete if this is a duplicate post.
 

 
 

Here are the my last three cards from Oasis. What is really interesting is the UP sticker one, that was from the Sip and Stream offer back in November.
The others Deluxe and Premium were purchased in advance. Odd, the replacement card from the Dec 11 cruise had to have the sticker applied.
 
Note: I'm not part of the lanyard club, just put all my old cards on a key ring,

So last night, at about 2 a.m., my wife was woken up by a sound coming from downstairs. So of course she woke me. It freaked us out bad. It sounded like someone was downstairs watching TV. I get to our bedroom doorway and tell the Mrs. to get the gun!! As I stand there waiting for her return, I'm listening intently and recognize a voice! It was Michael Poole talking!!!!!!!
 
Turns out my tablet was charging in the kitchen and somehow the Periscope app opened and played the pool party Michael attended the previous night!! Unbelievably bazaar!!
 
Be cafeful Mr. Poole you almost got shot in Texas. Jk ;)

I can spend a lot of time talking about this, but I'm about to head to the airport, so to Matt's delight everyone get's the short version:
 
The RC branded Visa isn't an inherently bad card, but if you like to travel, and you spend money on travel, there are *far* better cards to get.  Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) or Preferred, AmEx Platinum or Gold, CapOne Venture, etc.
 
I use largely Chase products for this (though I have others).  For travel and dining I get 3 points to the dollar on CSR, for rotating bonus categories I get 5 points to the dollar om Freedom, for all else I can get 1.5 points to the dollar on Freedom Unlimited.  But, in addition to lounge access, many trip and purchase protection items, primary rental coverage, hotel perks, etc - I also use the CSR to make all the mentioned points worth 1.5x as much (if spent on travel).  In that way I get 4.5% on travel and dining, 7.5% on various bonus categories, and a minimum of 2.25% on everything else.  Yes, the CSR has a hefty fee, but they do many things to quickly offset it ($300 auomatic travel credit, GE/PreCheck reimbursement, the other mentioned benefits, and more).
 
That in mind, everyone finds their own stride in the points game.  Do a search on "churning" and you'll see the possibilities here (many people take it to an extreme, I tend to keep it simple).

I agree. I gave up on hotel shuttles a long time ago.  I need to be at the port much earlier than they can accommodate me.

I agree about the schedule.  In the past when I have stayed at hotels with shuttles they don't leave the hotel until 11:00AM or 12:00PM.  I'm usually checked in and waiting to board by then.  I just took a taxi. (Pre-Uber days)

The shuttle will likely only safe you about $20 and you'll end up being on their schedule than yours. My suggestion would be to look for a hotel with an airport shuttle, but plan on trying a taxi or Uber to the ship. I'm a fan of Cambria Suites and they do offer an airport shuttle, but they're at the high end of your price range.

Can't speak for the shuttle service, but consider Priceline.com express deals

If you would like to have your cruise listed below, please post your cruise details to the following thread: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/17-when-is-your-next-cruise/
Please include the ship and the month, day, and year of sailing
(Last updated 04/06/2024)
April 2024
5 - Snotarni (Freedom)
13 - RWDW1204 (Odyssey)
15 - MLH (Liberty)
18 - Snotarni (Mariner)
19 - Hoppy2BHere (Allure)
20 - tingtang (Icon)
20 - Fastfaller (Symphony)
21 - Crusin and Boozin (Oasis)
27 - calvin669 (Icon)
28 - melmar02 (Harmony)
28 - VinceC (Symphony)
May 2024
4 - CanHardlyWait (Icon)
5 - cedricmr (Odyssey)
9 - FJ28 (Liberty)
10 -Snotarni (Allure)
11 - JohnK6404 (Icon)
16 - PPPJJ-GCVAB (Symphony)
16 - SemperMom (Symphony)
17 - TimeRacer (Ovation)
24 - Snotarni (Adventure)
26 - Hoppy2BHere (Wonder)
June 2024
7 - Snotarni (Allure)
7 - Smokeybandit (Adventure)
10 - Sweety (Independence)
11 - CowboyMedic (Liberty)
15 - CowboyMedic (Liberty)
20 - CowboyMedic (Liberty)
21 - Sweety (Adventure)
21 - Larry Muster (Symphony)
July 2024
8 - lovetocruise2002 (Voyager)
23 - Fuzzywuzzy (Liberty)
24 - MLH (Utopia)
27 - Fuzzywuzzy (Liberty)
27 - lovetocruise2002 (Adventure)
28 - Plasticbrain (Oasis)
August 2024
2 - Sweety (Adventure)
17 - Kelseylovestocruise (Explorer)
24 - Kelseylovestocruise (Explorer)
30 - Snotarni (Allure)
September 2024
4 - AKM (Freedom)
8 - cedricmr (Anthem)
9 - Cactus527 (Allure)
9 - PPPJJ-GCVAB (Utopia)
10 - teddy (Independence)
16 - Waaaytooo (Utopia)
20 - MLH (Anthem)
20 - Hoppy2BHere (Utopia)
27 - Snotarni (Allure)
October 2024
5 - Snotarni (Icon)
5 - SemperMom (Liberty)
5 - monctonguy (Liberty)
13 - Smokeybandit (Jewel)
14 - Mike.s (Voyager)
20 - TridentLeo (Harmony)
20 - FJ28 (Symphony)
27 - CowboyMedic (Harmony)
November 2024
3 - MarcD (Odyssey)
3 - Keanoknick (Harmony)
8 - Snotarni (Liberty)
21 - ScottishRobbie (Ovation)
24 - RWDW1204 (Wonder)
24 - Southern Dan (Symphony)
December 2024
6 - Snotarni (Utopia)
6 - Cactus527 (Navigator)
21 - Smokeybandit (Brilliance)
21 - monctonguy (Adventure)
26 - MLH (Adventure)
28 - PPPJJ-GCVAB (Voyager)
28 - Snotarni (Voyager)
30 - lovetocruise2002 (Allure)
January 2025
16 - Teddy (Odyssey)
16 - Snotarni (Independence)
19 - ropeadope13 (Wonder)
24 - Cactus527 (Navigator)
26 - SPS (Rhapsody)
27 - Cactus527 (Navigator)
February 2025
9 - Snotarni (Harmony)
28 - Snotarni (Independence)
March 2025
9 - melmar02 (Explorer)
10 - Lovetocruise2002 (Utopia)
14 - Snotarni (Independence)
22 - Ogilthorpe (Oasis)
28 - Bakerette (Utopia)
April 2025
10 - Snotarni (Voyager)
12 - Sweety (Adventure)
14 - calvin669 (Utopia)
15 - CowboyMedic (Brilliance)
18 - Snotarni (Grandeur)
19 - RWDW1204 (Oasis)
27 - PPPJJ-GCVAB (Odyssey)
May 2025
10 - CanHardlyWait (Icon)
11 - JohnK6404 (Allure)
June 2025
2 - mom2mybugs (Rhapsody)
21 - CowboyMedic (Independence)
July 2025
7 - Southern Dan (Oasis)
27 - lovetocruise2002 (Symphony)
August 2025
17 - lovetocruise2002 (Wonder)
September 2025
5 - TridentLeo (Radiance)
October 2025
3 - Snotarni (Oasis)
5 - Snotarni (Oasis)
November 2025
4 - Cactus527 (Quantum)
December 2025
29 - lovetocruise2002 (Utopia)
January 2026
11 - teddy (Independence)
23 - Cactus527 (Adventure)
February 2026
March 2026
16 - lovetocruise2002 (Wonder)
April 2026

Updated! Your just under my cruise on the 2nd now.

According to Google maps, it's 4.3 miles or about a 13 minute drive to Terminal 18. SE 19th Avenue is the address listed.

We will be in our first full suite on Liberty beginning Nov 13th. I booked a Grand Suite as soon as the sailings were announced and got a really great deal. I was told that we would receive an email from the concierge two weeks before the cruise. We are 6 days from sailing and nothing. We are traveling with 13 other people and 2 other couples also have a GS and have not received an email. I don't know what the email contains and if I should be concerned that we could miss out on some important info.
 
Anybody recently in a full suite that can chime in?
 
Thx!
 

We will be in our first full suite on Liberty beginning Nov 13th. I booked a Grand Suite as soon as the sailings were announced and got a really great deal. I was told that we would receive an email from the concierge two weeks before the cruise. We are 6 days from sailing and nothing. We are traveling with 13 other people and 2 other couples also have a GS and have not received an email. I don't know what the email contains and if I should be concerned that we could miss out on some important info.
 
Anybody recently in a full suite that can chime in?
 
Thx!