Jess4214

Does this apply to refundable deposits?

Are you allowed to order more than 1 app and entree/pasta at Giovanni's and also when dining at 150 CP? Thanks in advance!

Thank you!

Hello, I'm sailing soon on Allure. Is the souvenir cup delivered to the stateroom or do we need to pick it up somewhere else? Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone. Thank you so much for your great advice. It's our first time visiting Galveston and I didn't even consider the fog and traffic delays that can add to what would be an already stressful morning. Definitely not the way to end a cruise! Since there isn't any good options for us to fly later in the afternoon, we've decided to stay an extra day. Since we have small kiddos we're thinking of checking out the Nasa Space Center or some other kid friendly activities

What is the earliest time to disembark out of Galveston? Is 11am flight out of Houston Hobby Airport cutting it too close?

We've sailed a few times requesting a pack n play. On Freedom (9 months old), Navigator (1 yr old) and Symphony (15 months old) the pack n play was the same size on each ship. I'm not sure about other ships tho. You're right it's really small but I imagine that would be the only size that could fit in the cabin. Even then, it takes up a good amount of space. On Symphony, he was maxing out.

@AshleyDillo Is it possible to have this posted on the Cruise Compass section of the blog? Sure comes in handy! Also, thank you @LCertain for posting it. I'm on that sailing in April. Super excited!!

I'm sailing on Liberty in May and wanted to ask if Royal offers airport transfers after debarkation to JFK or Newark? Thanks in advance!

I recommend staying in Downtown Long Beach. The port is just opposite of the bridge from there, less than 15 mins away. Long Beach Yellow Cab https://longbeachyellowcab.com/taxi-rates/ has flat rates. See attached pictures and the rate for San Pedro Cruise Terminal is referring to Port of LA. Also the hotels listed are DLB hotels. Another option is using private transportation but it's more expensive. I've used Sav-On multiple times and they are excellent! I haven't really seen taxis posted at this port but you can always give them a call once you disembark. The distance from the port to LGB airport is about 20-25 mins depending on traffic.

If you stay in a hotel at LAX then its about a 35 min taxi or uber ride to the port, depending on traffic. LA traffic is horrendous so give yourself plenty of time. If you're getting in at least a day early I recommend a hotel in the San Pedro area close to the port or staying Downtown Long Beach. DLB has plenty of hotels and lots of fun stuff to do prior to the cruise. On Ocean Blvd/Pine Ave there's The Aquarium, The Pike, lots of restaurants, Queen Mary, nightlife, all within walking distance of the hotels. There's a Hilton, Hyatt (next to LB Convention Center) and The Westin in addition to some others. It's also a short taxi or uber ride to the port of LA (San Pedro) its just opposite of the bridge so very close and you don't have to deal with LA traffic possibly delaying your arrival time. But I understand if you're flying the night before and don't have enough time or not interested in exploring than getting an uber or taxi to the port from an airport area hotel is the best way to go. If you give yourself a few hours, beat the LA traffic and you're early to the port, check out the USS Iowa thats in the same port (literally next to the ship) or grab a bite in one of local restaurants. Flying into Long Beach Airport is actually so much easier and stress free than flying into LAX just a future side note. However, airlines are limited. Sailed on Navigator a few months ago and lived in the Southbay my whole life so feel free to ask any ?'s and I'll do my best to help. Have a fun cruise!

Reserve your show times, make dining reservations, waterslides/flowrider/rock climbing less crowded on day 1, get a drink and hit the pool deck for sailaway!

I hope your wife is feeling better and you too! Thankfully I'm the only one in my immediate family that caught it and I'm trying not to spread it to the other family members. Vaccinated, boosted, over abundantly hand washed and hand sanitized, kept our distance as much as possible (which realistically with 5500+ on that sailing was non existent) and covid found its way. We still had a great time and in no way will covid stop us from cruising. We're learning to live with it, be flexible with unexpected changes and to remember that being on a cruise is always better than not being on one!

Yes I agree it was Symphony. I was on the same sailing and tested positive the day after we disembarked. We had a wonderful cruise on Symphony and the time off now to recover from Covid just means more time to plan my next cruise! ❤

Solarium Bistro was not open during Symphony sailing May 7th. Bummer! We were really looking forward to it.

You have plenty of time to make it to LGB by your 6:15pm flight. Most people complete debarkation by 9-9:30am. Long Beach Airport is close by and it's a small airport compared LAX or JFK. Taking an uber/lyft is the quickest way. Arriving at LGB 2 hours prior to boarding is more than enough time.

9pm check in PST

Hello, sailing on Symphony soon. I've heard formal nights are typically day 2 and 6. We are in Cococay on day 2. Does Royal usually have formal night on a port day? Thanks in advance!

It's right next to each other. I think the cruise terminal and USS Iowa share the parking lot. It's in the same vicinity, 5 min walk or so.

Yes we take them for our kids all the time. We have the collapsible buckets and plastic sand tools that don't take up much room in our bags.

Do you know the name of the restaurant and the name of the vendor for beach chairs/umbrellas? First time going in a few weeks. We plan on doing what you guys did. Thank you!

Call or everyone get together when check in opens and have everyone check in at the same time.

Hi We sailed Navigator earlier this month. With capacity being on lower side, the ship wasn't crowded at all. We're local with Mexico being next door so we stayed on the ship and pretty much had the pool deck to ourselves. In general, staying on any ship during a port stop will have less people on board. I remember some of the retail shops were closed during port but the eateries like Windjammer El Loco Fresh, Playmakers, Cafe Promenade were open. Like Matt said, the best thing to do is look at a recent cruise compass. Rarely will there be a huge change. I think they keep it similar according to the sailing. When you're onboard, they'll have cruise compases at Guest Services. For some reason, we didn't get them in our stateroom like usual. If you don't get yours, just ask your stateroom attendant or a quick walk to Guest Services. Have fun on your cruise!!

Hi CBGrey I totally understand you! One of my kids, same age also has autism and that among other things can definitely cause some triggers! Yes they have to wear the vax wristband and all minors also have to wear a mandatory bracelet that has your muster drill station on it. In case of emergency, if they are at Adventure Ocean or if they may get separated from you, the staff will know where to bring them. I've heard from other cruisers that you can wear the vax bracelet in other areas besides your wrist such as your ankle or keep it on a lanyard or in a pocket. I think as long as you have it on your person it won't be a big deal. I have not heard the same for the children's emergency wristband. At one point, my kids didn't have it, it got lost or came off and we have been approached by staff reminding us that the children need to wear it at all times. I know sensitivities vary and you know best what your child can tolerate. Maybe try attaching it on a lanyard or pinning it to his clothes? I did a social story for my kids to prepare them and a few weeks prior to cruising I'll have them practice wearing wristbands to help prepare them. They tolerated it for some time but after a few days they took it off because they couldn't handle it. Adventure Ocean is great when it comes to making the kids feel comfortable and they understand. I would definitely bring it up to them on the first day of registration. They possibly can make an exception. I also encourage you to reach out the the Special Needs dept and/or fill out the Special Needs form and let them know. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/resources/guest-special-needs

Hi and welcome to the blog!! I'm a mom of 2 special needs kiddos ages 5 and 7 and a cruise fanatic! It might a little lengthy so I'll message you directly. As every family needs are different, I hope what we experienced can assist you and your daughter in some way. Royal has gone above and beyond to assist us with our children's needs and I'm sure they will do the same for you. You are an AMAZING MOM!!