FionaMG

I feel like I'm having my leg pulled in this thread.  I've been on a dozen cruises since the restart and not ONCE have I seen a brunch offered.  In fact this is the first time I've ever even heard it mentioned that brunch is offered.  I've been on all class of ships and length of cruise and times of year.  Maybe it is just a random luck of the draw of what's being served that cruise?
I'm not complaining, I actually prefer the split.  I just feel like I'm on a hidden camera show or taking crazy pills reading this.

@WAAAYTOOO and @RCL_Cruiser_Dan Christmas cruise on Adventure

The thing I like about it is that it continues past the usual closing time for breakfast in the MDR. As we tend not to be early risers, we're often too late for breakfast in the MDR.
The thing I don't like about it is that my favourite items on the breakfast menu are not on the brunch menu.

The thing I like about it is that it continues past the usual closing time for breakfast in the MDR. As we tend not to be early risers, we're often too late for breakfast in the MDR.
The thing I don't like about it is that my favourite items on the breakfast menu are not on the brunch menu.

The thing I like about it is that it continues past the usual closing time for breakfast in the MDR. As we tend not to be early risers, we're often too late for breakfast in the MDR.
The thing I don't like about it is that my favourite items on the breakfast menu are not on the brunch menu.

TL;DR - All is well.  Christmas is coming.  The BOGO process is a Charlie Foxtrot.
 
I promised a live blog for this sailing but in keeping with my utter unreliability for doing live blogs, I have failed again....this being day 3 already.
I will skip all of the pre-boarding and boarding details as these are not of particular interest to anyone and it was entirely uneventful.  All went well. We are here.
The ship is in great shape for her age.  We sailed on Adventure relatively recently so there haven't been any changes since that time.  Sure, she needs paint in some areas and there are patches of carpeting that are in need of replacing but these are purely superficial issues and have not impacted our enjoyment at all.
We are in a Panoramic Ocean View Suite (VP), a room which was converted at the time that part of the spa was removed.  The room has an ENORMOUS panoramic view with ceiling-to-floor window panes.  It makes for a really lovely view....particularly at sunrise and sunset.  LOTS of space.  There is a large-ish closet area that they advertise as a second bedroom but that's not fair.  It's just a couple of bunk beds in a closet with a curtain.  Yes, it provides additional beds. No, it is not a second bedroom.  There is a bath-and-a-half (full bath and second toilet and sink) but the full bath is somewhat disappointing as it is the same size and layout of a typical stateroom bathroom with a space tube shower (ugh).  Nothing special there.  It is considered a full suite so we have access to the Suites Lounge and all of the suites' amenities.  Breakfast is in Giovanni's on this ship (it's typically in Chops) b/c Chops is on Deck 4, forward and Gios is the only specialty restaurant on deck 11....and it is in an unusual place (instead of being located inside the Windjammer entrance as it is on most VY and FR class ships, the entrance is outside of the WJ).  The food and service have been very good.
It's a good thing that the VP is considered a full suite b/c we would otherwise be denied access to the Suites' Lounge on this sailing.  There are 65 Pinns onboard this sailing (and I'm sure we are #'s 64 and 65 in seniority !).  Only the top 30 are permitted in the Suites' Lounge and we certainly are not among those 30...but since we are in a full suite, we are allowed in.  As may be expected, the SL is an empty wilderness and the Crown Lounge (CL) (or Clown Lounge as some are calling it) is a whirlwind of chaos.  Since the only [public] computers that I am aware of are located in the back of the CL (there are 2), that is where you will find me in the AM.  At least there is SOMEwhere to get on a keyboard !
As one would predict, there are many families and children on this sailing but I have not found it to be a concern.  Everyone is having a wonderful time and the children are all looking forward to Santa's arrival.  
There was a show in the theater last night called "Can't Stop the Rock" which we fully intended to attend but failed (we decided that the hot tub would be a better thing to do)....but I heard it was tolerable.  We went to the ice show on our last AD sailing so we will probably skip it this time but as I recall, it was very typical of all the ice shows and definitely worth going to if you haven't been before.
We have not stepped foot inside the WJ and intend to keep it that way.  Our one night of dining in the MDR (so far) was fine.  Welcome Aboard is one of my least favorite MDR menus and that happened to be the night that we decided to eat there (having eaten lunch in Chops on boarding day....didn't think 2 big meals in one day would be a good idea).  We will also eat in the MDR on Christmas evening and one more time during the last part of the sailing...which night, escapes me at the moment.  We have a 3 night dining package plus 2, BOGO which works soooo well for us.  Speaking of BOGO I thought I would relay the mechanics of using the BOGO on AD...or at least, on THIS sailing on AD as it never seems to be the same process, even on the same ship !  We ate at Giovanni's last night (night #2) and told the server that this represented the use of the first of our BOGO dinners and that we would be eating in Chops later in the week.  Knowing that it is MANDATORY that you pay for your BOGO meals on nights #1 or #2, we requested that the server go ahead and charge us both, full price for our Gio's meal.  That utterly confused her....so she called the manager over.  The manager finally decided that the thing to do was to call Chops, have them charge us for our [yet-to-be-consumed] Chops BOGO and then when we get to Chops later this week, we will already have pre-paid.  PERFECT !  Exactly what we wanted.  We paid for our Gio's BOGO and went home full and happy.  Later that evening we checked our onboard account.  Gio's was charged...but no Chops.  UGH.  So this morning when enjoying our breakfast in Gio's we queried the manager...what happened to our charge for Chops ?  Blank stare.  So she got on the phone with someone...the final determination is that they will charge us for the second BOGO when we get to Chops in a few days.  WHAAAAT ?  I thought the charge had to be completed NLT day 1 or 2 ?  It's an utter mystery and it's yet-to-be-seen whether or not this process will actually work but if I get to Chops and have some bill-issue, I will turn full Karen and somebody's going to be sorry.  LOL  I will report back.
This is already waaaytooo long.  That's what I get for waiting 3 days.  I will catch up later.
Merry Christmas to all !  Santa comes tonite !!!!

On Vision of the Seas I was informed by a waiter that very few people liked the Mexican night dinner. When we asked how could a meal on such a wonderful ship actually be undesirable, he told us he would show us the entire menu the following night. What I did not understand at the time was that he would actually bring out every single dish on the menu, except the desserts because those were great. And he was right, they were all subpar. I learned a valuable lesson, always trust the waiter.

Hi @Shaburr and welcome. 🙂
Matt runs royalcaribbeanblog.com and these boards are part of that website so when people refer to Matt's blog they mean this site.
Apart from the boards, there are lots of useful articles that you can find by clicking the "Home" button top left. If you want to find articles about a particular topic you can then use the search box at top right on the home page. So for Alaska you have all these articles: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/search/node?keys=Alaska
There is also a big yellow form on the homepage that you can use to request a travel agent from MEI, which sponsors the site. Lots of people on here use MEI and recommend them, myself included. A good travel agent can save you money and, more importantly, be there to help if something goes awry.

We often cruise during the holidays and we are again this year.  I have to say, this has been the best holiday cruise ever...so far...and I have no reason to believe it will not continue.  We had a number of friends sailing with us this year and have run into new old friends that we didn't expect to see.  I have had a wonderful few days.  Looking forward to the rest of the 2 weeks with the same anticipation.

My pleasure. 😊
You will find this is a very helpful community with a wealth of cruising experience, so feel free to ask questions whenever you need to.

I agree it doesn't make much sense.  Buy gasoline and the posted price includes tax. Buy a roast beef sandwich and you pay tax.

@FionaMG  😮 wow there is a huge resource here and I didn’t even realize it… thank you. I did just put a courtesy hold on an Alaska 2025. Maybe I will look up MEI and call them. Or look for a CDN TA.

I don't understand why the sales tax isn't included on the price ticket up front. I remember buying something once in Fort Lauderdale and looking out what I thought was the correct amount only to have them ring it up at a higher price because of that pesky tax. 😕

The intern is looking after things while everyone else is at the office Christmas party. 😂

The intern is looking after things while everyone else is at the office Christmas party. 😂

Yes! I much prefer the MDR to the WJ when we're not in a hurry. It's a much more pleasant an experience. On ships that have them, the Solarium Bistro is a good choice for breakfast too.

On Symphony in February. 😊
Diamond is a big step up in terms of perks so congrats on reaching that level soon. Of course, it doesn't get recognised until the cruise after the one where you hit the required number of points but it's exciting nonetheless.

I don't understand why the sales tax isn't included on the price ticket up front. I remember buying something once in Fort Lauderdale and looking out what I thought was the correct amount only to have them ring it up at a higher price because of that pesky tax. 😕

I was in Texas for thanksgiving and the subject come up .
You Australians don’t tip ,such cheap Charlie’s. And I went through it and why .
At the end of the day they were shaking their heads and saying ,how did we get this system.
They said it’s out of control even the self serve check out wants a donation.

Thanks.  Pinnacle is way out my reach but just being diamond is nice.  

I’m on this cruise too

Nice. Glad some of you have been able to take advantage of this. 😁
None of mine are showing a senior discount. Wonder what age it starts at? Not that I'd be buying it anyway since we don't drink alcohol. I do wish they'd offer a senior discount on the Internet though!
ETA, just signed in on DH's account and the senior discount is now showing up! Guess I'm too young! 😂😂😂
Note to self: when doing my daily price check, check under his account too!

Yes! I much prefer the MDR to the WJ when we're not in a hurry. It's a much more pleasant an experience. On ships that have them, the Solarium Bistro is a good choice for breakfast too.

Yes you can. It's 4 for Diamond, 5 for diamond plus and 6 for pinnacle.

Nice. Glad some of you have been able to take advantage of this. 😁
None of mine are showing a senior discount. Wonder what age it starts at? Not that I'd be buying it anyway since we don't drink alcohol. I do wish they'd offer a senior discount on the Internet though!
ETA, just signed in on DH's account and the senior discount is now showing up! Guess I'm too young! 😂😂😂
Note to self: when doing my daily price check, check under his account too!