FionaMG

Yes, exactly what @Pattycruise said. I once tried to trick the system by logging into my free day first but that backfired royally because instead of my free day being inaccessible my whole package was inaccessible so I had to go to the voom desk anyway and it took them longer to sort it out that way around so I ended up wasting extra time.

In my experience, and as @smokeybandit and @Pattycruise said, if someone has purchased an Internet package, which is the OP's case, the free days are locked/hidden and you can't get to them without the assistance of the voom person. @MidwestIA, I'm guessing it's been a while since you've used the Internet onboard? Since Royal switched to Starlink, there's no slow/fast Internet any more; it's all the same speed. Just so you're aware for the next time you might want to use it.

Safe onward travels everyone.

Or the crystal block fiasco? I am very glad they backtracked on that decision as my one and only block was earned after they reinstated them.

Tips are neither standard nor expected. For a tour guide who's done a good job, I'd potentially give €5. I know it sounds like a very small amount to those of you are used to the tipping culture in the US but there really is no need to give any more. They'd have to go way above and beyond for me to do that and even then it'd be unlikely to be any more than €10 absolute max. You'll sometimes see a basket on the dashboard of the bus and people will maybe put a few coins in there. You can do that if you need to get rid of some local coins. Currency should preferably be local rather than USD because they won't be able to spend USD locally and bank exchange commissions will often eat up a large part making it not worth their while to take the time needed to even go to the bank. For taxis, I would just round up a couple of euros max on the fare.

Only on cold weather cruises, e.g. Alaska, Norway, the Baltic and the winter cruises out of places like NJ, and even then it depends on the ship. If a ship has an indoor family pool, like the ones on most Quantum class ships, there will be no family time in the solarium.

From his signature, it looks like the OP is on Radiance in Alaska. Family time in the Solarium is not uncommon on cold weather cruises but the one time I experienced it personally there was only one session during the day, not two.

The breakfast burrito in the MDR is one of my top favourite breakfasts on Royal. The Mexican dinner menu not so much.

Have an amazing time everyone! One of these days there will be a blog cruise with dates that work for me!

Looks like those lucky pups just won the doggy lottery.

That's right. You would only lose your whole deposit if you completely cancelled your booking.

Thanks for a great write-up about what was clearly an amazing cruise. I've thoroughly enjoyed following along with your adventures and I'm glad you had such a fantastic time.

Hi @BettyWork and welcome to the boards You are allowed to share the name of the hotel here. If you liked it enough to recommend it that would certainly help other posters who might be looking for a similar experience.

Glad to hear they are on the mend. That must have very scary for all of you.

Even in the speciality restaurants you get inconsistency. I remember raving about the banana split in Jamie's on Anthem so I ordered it in Jamie's on Symphony and it was a real disappointment. You win some, you lose some.