KristiZ

Likely your best solution will be for the adults to sleep on the sofa bed and have the big bed split into twins. Then there is no cramming an extra bed (that very likely will not be available anyway) into the room. 

It is not a downgrade, it is comparable. You're welcome to call and see if they have something different, if you don't like it, but there is no certainty they will have anything different.

Correct. "4" means either forward or aft, rather than midship.

My husband works onboard regularly, which requires ftp connection. He uses StrongVPN and has no issue, although I believe he had to change one config item to make it work. I don't know if that was because of Royal's network or some other issue he had, but I remember it didn't take him long to fix it.

Our last cruise was March 2019, so pretty recent. Hope that helps!

I'd be willing to try to document Hong Kong, since I'll be there soon (including B2B)!

We’ve been on a number of the culturally enriching cruises in the region and have always enjoyed ourselves. Yes, things will be in multiple languages, but always in English too, so we had no issues. You’ll get some great ports and the ship should be amazing — we will be on her in December. 

There will be a number of English speakers, mostly from Australia and New Zealand, and lots of people who have English as a second language. You will have an easy time chatting with new people you meet. 

Go in with an open mind and enjoy!

While I'm a US citizen, so it might be different, I can attest that Royal got my visas both times when I cruised to Vietnam. I believe the "cannot guarantee" is the disclaimer they will always use, just in case there is some issue. For example, if you have a criminal history in Vietnam, they won't let you in regardless of your citizenship.

In general, the Vietnam government has been very supportive of the cruise lines, making it easy for tourist.

Type C or F fits, if that helps.

Get a couple of outfits that don't wrinkle just for cruising. Or as @sk8erguy1978 said, just embrace the wrinkles. Personally I have a few tops in some sort of poly-blend fabric that I enjoy and I have no problems.

Of course, I'm also #teamNoMakeup for cruising, so maybe I'm not the best one to give advice  

If you do end up in multiple rooms, make sure they are all GS or better, or none of them are. It would be frustrating to not be able to use the suite benefits for everyone. 

8 hours ago, WilsonLok said:

As I’ll take the cruise trip for Spectrum of the Sea in Dec, I’m glad to see the Labour Day’s offer, however, it is none of our business for Spectrum!  

Yes, we seem to be pretty much out of luck with the sales for our Spectrum cruises  I guess the ship is too new!

7 hours ago, supergran said:

Sorry to be a nuisance but is there a bus from the cruise terminal to either Hakata or Yoshizuka station? I’m worried the taxis will all be taken.

The bus is a city bus, but yes there is one. I can't remember if the bus stop had the stop names on the route map in English, but I think so.

However, I really do think you will not have trouble getting a taxi -- there are so, so many and they will know the ship arrival time so they'll be waiting!

There is also a bus. Or it is a 45 minute walk. But I doubt you will have trouble getting a taxi. All the large Japanese cities have an insane number of cabs!

Most airline websites will allow you the access your reservation using your ticket number instead of your record locator, if you can find that in your paperwork. I often use that hack to check on my seat assignments. 

5 minutes ago, TravisMA81 said:

I booked an excursion on their website https://www.caribbeanpaddling.com/   I am sailing on Oasis OTS December 8-15 2019.  I was scheduled to be there on Dec 11, and was changed to the 12th.  I booked it June 18 and my credit card was charged for it.  I emailed them about the change.  I just got this email back saying:

I am not sure what booking your referring to. My company has been out of business since Irma. Please clarify where and what you booked in case someone is using my company name to scam people.

Thanks

 

Rachelle Bisaillon

Caribbean Paddle Company 

Phone: 340-775-2003 

Cell: 340-642-8900

St. John, US Virgin Islands 

 email: [email protected]

 

I sent them an email back with the email I got when I booked it.  Has anyone else had this issue with them in the last few years.  I booked this because of @lauraodonnell86 recommendation. 

That email is from a different company. Caribbeanpaddle vs caribbeanpaddling. The first one is out of business, yes. The second appears to still be running. 

19 minutes ago, Hey Girl said:

Hello, I am flying to the ship.  Can I bring the two bottles in my carryon luggage on the airplane?  Thanks-!

Sadly no. It will have to be in your checked bag on the plane. Or just swing by a store on your way to the port after landing and buy two bottles. 

16 hours ago, supergran said:

It’s for a taxi for 6 people booked in advance. Works out about $130 per couple at today’s exchange. Just wondering if we go by train is Yoshikzuka station or Hakata which is nearest to the cruise terminal? I have seen both mentioned.

You can go from either station -- it's about the same distance (depending on exactly which pier you dock at). If you board at Hakata it's 5 stops instead of 4; adds about 3 minutes  

I will say that the taxi will likely be lovely. All the mini-van ones are! 

If you're looking for ease and comfort, do the taxi tour. If you want a more authentic experience, take the train.

Enjoy!

That would certainly be convenient, as long as you only have 4 people (assuming a regular taxi). Then you're basically talking about $100 per person. Not cheap, but very very easy!

It's a train, but they're all interconnected. Yoshizuka is a big enough station to have staff on duty, so they can either teach you to use the ticket machine or sell you the tickets directly.

18 hours ago, supergran said:

There is a group of us that would like to visit the reclining Buddha in Nanzoin. Looking for the easiest and quickest way to get there from Fukuoka cruise terminal. We are there from 13 hours to 20.45.

This is actually an easy 30 minute train ride (cost about $5 per person) from the station fairly close to the Port. Grab a cab (or 2 or 3) from the Port to Yoshizuka Station and then take the express train to Kidonanzoin-Mae Station (4 stops). From there the walk is just a few minutes. You would need to go earlier rather than later, as the Buddha closes at 5p. After that, head back and spend time exploring the port area. 

18 hours ago, supergran said:

Taipei we will be at Keelung port

If you want to avoid crowds, stay in Keelung town instead of heading into Taipei. If you're up for walking, you can see Khoo Tsu-song Old Mansion and Keelung Zhongzheng Park, and just wander about seeing the neat stuff. There are lots of twisty roads, hills, and stairs, so only do this if you want the exercise!

I know they have chocolate syrup and also milk, so I'd say yes!  

Annabelle's!

Viking Serenade!

Not on this cruise, but I live in Japan. What sort of things are you interested in? Food, culture, adventure, etc? Do you prefer a Royal excursion, a 3rd party, or an on-your-own thing?

14 hours ago, Katy said:

 

• We have a stateroom we like at a price we are very happy with and there is some appeal to getting to do this in 2020 -- carpe diem, why postpone for another year? This does not have to be the only trip I take to Alaska in my life. If we enjoy it and wish we could see more, we could always go back.

 

^^^ This!

Personally I would say your advantages far outweigh your disadvantages. I have cruised Alaska 3 times, twice with HAL and once with Royal. While I enjoyed the smaller ship (HAL) very much for this particular itinerary, I was NOT trying to entertain teens. And absolutely don't put it off. You never know what life will throw your way!