KristiZ

I'm really enjoying this blog! Plus, I see you're on Spectrum a couple of months before me so I expect many of my questions will be answered, if you're planning to blog that one too! ?

We've done it several times and enjoyed it. No impact with the DBP, unfortunately. But buying it on the cruise planner does save about 20% over onboard. It has usually been 4 or 5 wines, plus cheese and fruit. About 2 oz pours. Every sommelier we've had has been really great! Knowledgeable and engaging. The wine varies by ship and region -- for example, on our S Pacific cruise it was all Australian and New Zealand wines. Hope that helps!

In your checked bag, no one cares. In your carryon, you have to follow the liquids rules.

Man, Majesty was my very first Royal cruise back in...um... a minute ago. She was a HUGE ship at the time! Such a great trip! I need to try to fit her in so I can see how she's held up ?

I think it has to do with having the app downloaded? As far as I know it's still a test program. I think they won't split you guys up, though. Just have your wife "in front" of the the group and follow along like you belong!

You can add it to your account, but you must do it at least 10 prior to sailing.

As a fellow Scot, I have to say I've gotten to nearly full vampire look many times. I'm just happier the next day. I swim in a long sleeve shirt always, and I *never* stand/sit/hang out in the sun -- always aim for the shade! Also, SPF 15 is not enough. You'll never see any of these people again, so who cares if they think you're crazy ?

You can fill in all the rest and leave the passport info blank, but sadly you won't be able to finish-finish until you get the passports back.

+1. DH thinks I'm nuts ?

You will get an invitation to participate in a tour of some sort. They have actually varied over our last 5, non-Oasis, GS cruises. It will be on an at sea day, usually later in the trip. The Concierge may or may not know for sure what will be offered until the day before. It depends on what crew members are available to do the tours.

In this case you’ll need to call Royal and get the reservations linked. You’ll need the reservation number (and possibly the birthdate of the primary) of that fourth cabin. Or they may have to call in to confirm after your request. Better to do it ahead than onboard since you have a larger group.

I did this many years ago, and I have to say for me it was worth it. It’s a loooong drive. Plus I love the small planes!

Did you try calling or reaching out on Facebook? I imagine they're just running as hard as they can to get the new ship integrated, but they've always been responsive when I've had to contact them. Good luck!

Not on the way to the cruise, but on the way home, I left a brand new pair of athletic shoes in one of the 348 tiny storage cubbies in the room. Maybe if I had worn them even once during the trip I would have remembered them... ?

I am booked on B2B Spectrum out of Hong Kong in December. For my first cruise, drink packages are available; for the second they are not. Pricing right now stands at: Classic Soda: $8.99/pp Refreshment: $26/pp Deluxe: $50/pp Coffee: $31/pp The packages showed up about 3 weeks ago, no price changes so far.

There is a spot (usually right where taxis drop off, depending on the pier) where someone will scan your setsail pass and print a bag tag right there. This is also useful if one of your bags loses its tag during transit!

Jewel of the Seas -- June 7, 2020

Honestly I wouldn’t even take them off the boat in Rome or Barcelona. Just carry a copy. Unless that’s where you’re boarding...

We did this a few years ago. Had a great time! Got to watch lava pour into the ocean at night from our balcony. I don’t recall the seas being particularly rough on the journey to the west coast (we started in Oahu and ended in Ensenada).

Last couple of trips I've been on there has been an option to purchase lobster in the MDR as an upsell at least one night, so that maybe a solution as well if there's no regular lobster night.

So... I'm looking at my options for my upcoming Spectrum sailing, and I see *3* internet choices -- VOOM Surf (9.99), VOOM Surf + Stream (12.99), and VOOM Hi Speed (18.00). Can anyone who has tried the Hi Speed (maybe on Quantum?) tell me if it is better/faster/stronger than S+S? Sorry to dredge up an old thread, but this is the only thing I've seen that mentions Hi Speed.

Yes, you can use your code for any device that connects to the ship's wifi. My husband brings his laptop all the time. Also, he can switch between his laptop and his phone with the same code -- just log out with one before you log into the other. Hope that helps!

+1

I have seen a couple of "cruise to nowhere" type trips over the years, usually a one-off to get the ship on a new schedule, and mostly 1-3 nights. For example, there are 2-night Sampler Cruises right now out of Sydney. I used to think I wouldn't like a trip like that because I'm still all about the ports of call, but as I age... um, get more experienced, I could see the draw ?

Is it hard or soft sided? If hard, it won't fit so don't try. If soft, it *might* be ok. The sticking point will be the 23" side, and it will depend on the aircraft or at least how recently the cabin has been updated.