BrianB

I check my pending cruise prices nearly every day. Sometimes I will score a significantly reduced price without there being an advertised sale or promotion. It’s just supply and demand. Or maybe sometimes the gerbil in the Royal algorithm wheel gets tired and stops spinning for a bit. Especially because it seems some of these sudden drops can quickly bounce back up again. I book my own cruises so I can call Royal directly and reprice immediately. Sometimes it takes more than half an hour on hold to get through, but that’s what speakerphones are for. But, if I didn’t have the time…and wasn’t such an obsessive cruiseaholic…I would definitely utilize a great travel agent to do this work for me. I hear nothing but good things about dealing with this blog’s travel agent…MEI. I also check prices on categories higher than what I originally booked. Even though the category I booked doesn’t drop much in price, the next category drops enough to make the upgrade a great bargain. Again, supply and demand. I guess if they get me to upgrade into a better suite at a good price, they can open up my original booking to entice another customer. Sort of the same business strategy when they offer RoyalUps. By the way…this repricing also works for Cruise Planner purchases. If the price drops, Royal allows me to cancel the higher priced purchase with a refund to my credit card, and then I repurchase at the lower price. All of this is pre-final payment, of course. But even if I paid in full, as long as it’s before the final payment due date…they still let me reprice. The difference is credited back to my charge card. Enjoy! @WoodsTravelsBy the way...to be clear, you may be entitled to the savings, but they're not automatically applied. You, or your travel agent, have to do the repricing. It takes effort, but can be well worth it.

I always make sure to visit the host desk right after embarkation. I make my request for the entire cruise and have always been accommodated. I prefer MTD but like to eat early. Since MTD changed to 6:45 as the earliest time available (at least it was in the Oasis and the Anthem) I changed to the early seating at traditional dining. Then I go and ask for a solo table. @Bryan SI agree. Whenever I’m seated at a two top, it’s usually in a line of two tops. I can speak with other cruisers who are sitting next to me, or I can just read while I eat. I don’t have to wait for others and don’t have to worry about group dining etiquette. Also, there have been times where I was sitting alone and some very nice people would notice me and come and invite me to their table. That’s one of the best things I really like about cruising…I meet some really nice, authentic and happy people.

I agree. That’s a booking scenario where a good travel agent would be very useful. They have the experience and the knowledge booking these type of issues.

You can’t do it all. After boarding, I schedule my shows for the week…those that require reservations. I make sure I don’t have any conflicts with specialty dining reservations on the show days so I don’t have to rush through a meal. Booking the shows is important as they fill up quickly and I don’t want to wait in the standby line at the door. Other than that…I pretty much just check the Cruise Compass each day…or the night before…to get an idea of what’s happening. If something interests me I’ll just keep it in mind and, if available, I’ll go. But, the most important thing for me is the relaxation and not having to be anywhere but where I am. How Zen-like!…but it’s true. Don’t feel like you need to be doing something other than enjoying the vacation experience. Rest, relax, repeat! Enjoy!

I think that’s also part of the problem. After getting drinks plenty of times….nothing I do is crystal clear! But I do hope this works out as expected. Hopefully keeping track is easier and it does result in less time spent at Guest Services. Kudos to Royal for trying something to make it better…and also Royal’s ability to adjust and change all the time. Sometimes new things don’t work out and they are not afraid to admit a mistake. Constant tweaking is better than defending bad changes. I really like it when a company listens to it’s consumers. Let’s see how this works out. JMO.

It’s an email. I got it yesterday.

The last few on Oasis were held in the theater. As we entered, the officers including the captain and the cruise director were lined up and greeted everyone. Exchanged a few pleasantries. Lots of sparkling wine, mimosas etc. The orchestra was performing on stage. Then the cruise director, the captain and the hotel director gave a few words on stage. The new Pinnacles and those reaching milestones along with the most points were recognized and photos were taken. Pretty well attended.

I believe they restrict early Cruise Planner dining reservations to ensure there is availability for those who have pre-purchased dining packages and can only book once onboard…and to allow others to book onboard also. At some point, when trying to pre-reserve, the response will be ‘book onboard’…or something similar. I usually purchase a package. But, if I’m really interested in a certain reservation, I’ll make it through the Cruise Planner to make sure I lock it in.

Typical CBP procedure for cruises to Canada/New England. The first US port visited after a Canadian (foreign) port requires the process. Usually, pre-Covid, it was done onboard. First thing in the morning, we had to report to a designated area on the ship (ie; SeaPlex) where we were hustled through a line which moved pretty quick…displayed our passports to the CBP officer…then a crew member affixed a colored sticker to our SeaPass cards. We then went back to our room to put our passports back in the safe. Going ashore they checked to make sure we had the sticker.

I booked this morning. I was able to get a Sky Junior Suite for a b2b the last week in September and the first week in October. I’m sailing solo and I didn’t think that the price was ‘outrageous’…just borderline high. I was lucky to be able to get the same suite for both sailings, so no changing midway through. When I checked a few hours later, there was only one Sky Junior left on one of the sailings and the price had increased by over 30% to the ‘outrageous’ level. Supply and demand at work.

I booked this morning. I booked the Sky Junior Suite for a b2b and was lucky to get the same suite. The sailing dates are the last week in September and first in October. Nine months after the inaugural cruise, so pretty confident by then the growing pains will have been worked out. I like alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean for the two weeks. **I just checked the dates…only one has a Sky Junior still available, but the price has jumped by over 30%. Supply and demand at work.

I would arrive about 10am. As soon as I boarded, I went right to the Key desk set up outside the MDR. There they would give me the envelope with the welcome letter and take my carry-on. I only had one, but included my jacket. They would put a luggage tag on it and the bag and jacket would immediately be brought to my cabin. Then I usually went to a restaurant desk to make my dining reservations for the week…access the app to complete the muster…go check in at my muster station. By then, I would head back to the MDR for the Key lunch, which was usually Chops lunch served in the MDR. While there, I would reserve my entertainment shows on the app. When the announcement was made that the rooms were ready, I would go and my carry-on would usually be just inside the door, or in the closet, and my jacket would be hanging up.

I would think not. At twenty decks tall….and the slides….doesn’t look like it would get under the bridge. The Oasis barely clears it and that’s with the smoke stacks lowered. But…(joking alert!) maybe they’ll make a little ‘tweak’ to the Verrazano and turn it into a drawbridge. Shouldn’t be too hard. Little bit of cutting and add a couple of heavy duty hinges. Easy peasy!

At Port Liberty….. Every time I used the Key….we boarded early. That was to make sure we would be able to take advantage of the Key Lunch, which began at 11:30 and usually ended service at 1 or 1:30. Also, dropping off our carry-ons to be delivered to our rooms wouldn’t make much sense if we boarded late and the rooms were already accessible. As soon as the terminal opened, the Guardians of the Portal would announce the entry for the earliest boarding times…and Key members.

@FionaMG...nope!

Yep. On the Oasis....Icon Celebration Party on the Promenade last night at 11pm. Ballon drop and prizes, including a freebie sailing on Icon!

I'm doing a b2b to Bermuda in November. I already paid the 'non-refundable' $40 tax...er...I mean...'fee'. I'm guessing I'm not going to get a nice email saying my fee is being refunded and we look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful islands. Just sayin'.

I'm fastidiously avoiding any spoilers on social media and everywhere else. I want the full impact! Onboard the Oasis now. Found this in my room when I came back from dinner. Yes. I do believe I can squeeze this into my schedule.

I am onboard the Oasis now. So I tested this. I have the internet package so I logged off through iCafe and used the ship’s internet only. I couldn’t get the app to access check in for any upcoming cruise. Got the message 'Check in has checked out. Check in at the port'. But, I was able to access Royal online through Chrome. Although it was very slow, I was able to sign in and see my upcoming cruises. I even entered the online booking for my November cruise and was able to pick an earlier boarding time, 10:00…which was lucky because I checked in shortly after midnight when check-in opened and the earliest time offered was 10:30. So, I would say the answer is yes…you can. But not through the app…only the website. As long as there is no internet issue with the ship. Happy cruising!

I like to do my own bookings so that I am fully in control of my reservations. I monitor the prices and anytime there is a drop, I call and get the lesser price…pre-final payment date. Sometime the lower price only lasts for a short time and I’m quick to take advantage. I have saved lots on re-pricing! Sometimes I have done it multiple times for the same reservation. Whenever I make a reservation onboard with Next, the price is exactly the same as I find online. The benefit is the lesser deposit and some OBC. But, the reservation is mine. I also qualify for RoyalUp. As I understand it, Costco is your travel agent and they control the reservation. You can’t call Royal direct and get a re-price when the cost drops. Only your travel agent can. If you have a good traditional agent (like the one associated with this blog) they will do the monitoring and grab the lower price. Or, if they aren’t as quick…you can call and have them do it. I have heard many stories of the ‘Big Box’ travel agents being less than diligent about servicing an existing reservation. They are more interested in new bookings. They may not be as easy to contact as a traditional agent and Royal will not let you make any adjustments even though you are the paying customer.

I LOVE multiple port days! I like to watch as the ship enters and leaves the port. I like being able to just take a quick walk around the port area…if I feel like it…and re-boarding. I don’t do many excursions at ports where I’ve ‘been there, done that’. But, I really like it when many, or most, of my fellow passengers take advantage of the shore excursions and leave the ship for the day. I love staying aboard and enjoying the sense of space…. Exceptions for me are CocoCay and Bermuda. CocoCay is phenomenal and Bermuda is usually a multi-day port. I love Bermuda! Safe, clean…wonderful locals, beautiful sights and fantastic beaches!

@ken52891 Starlink antennas being installed on the Oasis today.

No. You're considered 'fully vaccinated' if you had the initial two shots (or one if J). Boosters are not required. Although vaccines are no longer required, they want to keep track of how many are vaccinated...and the unvaxxed must present a negative test. But...it's always good to check the online health protocols to make sure nothing has changed, including changes at the various ports you may be visiting. Stay informed!

On the balcony I can hear the live band when they're playing. Not in the room. But I've never found the music to be too loud or annoying. Even on the balcony.