BrianB

Yeah…I’m thinking it’s going to be a one and done with me too! I booked it once just to check it out and see if it’s as loud as people are saying. Looks like it’s a nightclub on a beach. Very loud music and lots of partiers/drinkers. I know that’s the intended vibe and they hope to attract the younger adults and those who love that atmosphere while on vacation. A good place to let loose with adult friends and enjoy the sun, sand, pool and sounds. Oh, well…hopefully many of those who pay to go there will be those who usually go to South Beach. There’s no pool there but it’s beautiful with all the amenities nearby; beach, bar, bathroom and snack shack. Plus there’s some sports activities for those so inclined.

It looks like the majority of the incidents involve gangs targeting each other. A concerning part is that these attacks have spread from the overnight hours into the daytime…more brazen. Therefore the possibility exists that they could also spread from their local neighborhoods to more touristy areas. It makes sense to issue the warning. Although non-residents do not seem to be targeted, being caught in a cross-fire between two armed groups during the day could be what they are concerned about. Be aware of your surroundings…everywhere you go.

I also tip cash per drink. I get the free drinks with my loyalty status and also free drinks in the casino. So there is no automatic gratuity added. I haven’t been given a receipt to sign or a copy showing how many loyalty drinks are remaining. Sometimes I’ll just ask and they’ll tell me. Occasionally I’ll notice a discrepancy where I know I had more drinks than what the computer shows…so I’m assuming some refills were not applied. I don’t drink much (or enough???) and never use the full amount of loyalty drinks. So I tip cash each time. Most times the bartenders will put it in a tip container to share. Very rarely do I see them pocket it. Sometimes while sitting at a bar I’ll see the servers come to make drinks and place the tips they received into the tip jar. I guess they decide among themselves how to share. After the first tip…from then on my drinks always have a ‘healthy’ pour.

Yes. When you purchase liquor onboard…or at a port…they will hold it and deliver it to your cabin on the night before you disembark after the second leg. They know you’re on a b2b.

@sleepy425 I’m hoping it’s not just a glitch. These two cruises are also paid in full and the first one sails next week. It’s not about the two dollars…it was just a bit of a surprise. I wonder if they’ll charge me the rest during the cruise…

I just called to pre-pay gratuities on an upcoming b2b. I was charged $16 per day. It appears that if the cruises were booked prior to the November change…and if I pre-pay prior to the sailing…then the previous charge of $16 per day is valid. If I don’t pre-pay…then I’m charged $18 per day onboard. I didn’t pre-pay on my previous cruises that were booked prior to November but sailed after the November raise and I was charged $18 per day onboard. I misunderstood the email. I thought if I called to pre-pay prior to the November raise date, only then would I get the $16 charge. Oh well… guess I’ll start pre-paying prior to sailing as virtually all of my pending cruises were booked prior to November.

I primarily cruise solo. It’s a business reality that less passengers means less onboard revenue. Everything from drink/dining packages, shops, excursions, casino, onboard activities…etc. Many solo cruisers are repeat customers who may not spend as much simply because they have already experienced many of the ‘for a fee’ activities and excursions. I don’t need to visit the shops for souvenirs or logo items because I already have them. I don’t treat myself to the Spa or purchase art. I do frequent the casino and play enough to earn certificates that I can apply to future cruises. Also, I have enough Club Royale points to give me free drinks in the casino. Plus, I also have enough C&A points to enjoy enough free drinks all day so I never have to purchase any. I occasionally eat at specialty restaurants, but I’m paying for just me. During the restart, we solos were part of the successful come back. I started cruising again as soon as possible. I went through the health policies and protocols…I got vaccinated, and boosted, went and got tested before every cruise, wore my mask everywhere onboard, maintained my vaccine record card and possessed my negative test document. I did everything knowing there was a health risk…and a risk of being quarantined…but I really enjoy cruising and couldn’t wait to get back onboard. But now…cruising is back completely! Bookings are at an all-time high. Ships are running at or above full occupancy. Demand has allowed the company to continually raise prices over and over. They raise prices on bookings and activities and people keep paying. They now recognize that one fly in the ointment is solo cruisers taking up space. Space that could be available for doubles or family units. More occupants means more revenue. But if the ship is full…there must be potential revenue sources being turned away. So the bean counters figure they can make up some of the difference by raising prices for solos. Nothing huge…just enough to offset some of the potential loss. I don’t have to like it but…it is what it is. Nothing personal…just business.

I sail solo, but I had the itch to try the Loft suites on Oasis. During the restart, when they were trying to get people back to cruising, the CLS prices weren’t that bad…even for a solo…and I really enjoyed them. Very nice having the exclusivity of the Loft deck on Oasis. I also did the Loft and the one and two bedroom Grand suites on the Anthem. But, now that the itch has been scratched…I really enjoy my balcony cabins. More than enough room and lots of storage. Plus I choose where I want to be on the ship. Much more convenient. I’m on team ‘another cruise’!

On the Anthem now. Yes, the nightly parade, dancing and loud music can get annoying when you’ve been there (done that) so many times. I also understand how some people eat much slower than I do and would rather take their time at dinner…at a slower pace…enjoying the meals and the conversation. So the event slows down their service. I do feel bad for the staff that they have to stop their serving routine and then have to start it up again. For me, I like to eat quickly and leave so I’m usually done just as the festivities start. But…I do notice how so many people love it and participate. Especially families. I’m guessing many of them are not frequent cruisers and this is very special for them. So as long as the guests are participating…and probably mentioning it favorably in their comments on the post-cruise survey…it will likely continue.

As I recall…the venue was originally a complimentary burger joint-type restaurant, then it became the up charged Margaritaville at Sea, then it was re-branded to another up charge venue and now it will be complimentary again. I recall on all my cruising on NCL out of NY, it never seemed busy as an up charge restaurant. It always seemed empty to me. In contrast, all the onboard Johnny Rockets I have been to have always seemed well patronized. It’s apparently a money-maker and even though the prices have been raised, its popularity seems to continue. I think it would be a mistake, in a business sense, to do away with the Johnny Rockets branding and make it a complimentary burger joint. However, I may be a bit biased…I absolutely love Johnny Rockets. But, if Royal should decide to make the Johnny Rockets venue complimentary without changing the brand, I’m all for it!

Another one…… People who decide to take a photo across a very busy walkway. Like the sun deck during sail away, or an elevator vestibule, or half a promenade. Expecting people to wait. Many do because it’s courteous and usually only takes a second or two. But the annoying ones are those that don’t snap a quick photo…but actually take so much time posing their photo that it would be quicker if they just did a painting!

If I really want a chair that’s obviously been ‘hogged’, I take my inspiration from a scene in The Godfather…”Leave the towel, take the chair”. I’ll move the chair and leave the towel on the floor where the chair was (as long as it’s not a tripping hazard). When the hog eventually comes back to claim ‘their’ chair…there’s no one for them to argue with. Other annoyances…people who stop and have meetings in choke points, especially as crowds are attempting to move along. Like after the show is over, or in elevator vestibules, or venue doorways, or the Windjammer, or the pool deck, or the casino floor, etc. People who not only stop to talk in the middle of walkways…but those who also have the habit of ‘spreading their wings’. That’s when they put their hands on their waist and their elbows stick out, doubling their size! People who come late to the show and slowly walk down the aisle and stop…scanning the crowd for a seat they deem acceptable…blocking the view while chattering back and forth. I really love when the entertainer, especially the comedians, shame them…”Can I get you anything? How about a watch?” or “I don’t come into your cabin at night and interrupt your performance!” Those that have no conception of elevator etiquette. But, these are just little annoyances when weighed against being on a cruise. Happy sailing!

@TessOR Don’t forget the bag of wash and fold laundry is for each leg of the b2b2b…that’s a lot of laundry. But, I’m pretty sure that’s for cruises of five nights or more. Also, if you want…you can cram lots of stuff in your suitcase or packing cubes without worrying about wrinkles if you want to spend the $17 on the first day for the Express Press service. Again, pretty sure that’s for cruises of five nights or more. They’ll press your things overnight. Just remember you’re limited to ten items in the bag. I usually send out my nice shirts. Beats trying to carefully fold and pack after ironing them at home. They do a good job and come back nicely pressed on hangers. Also, some cruisers have commented about having very good results with Downey Wrinkle Release spray. I also have some nice wrinkle free clothes that I use for cruising. Nice shorts and polo shirts that I just shake out and they’re fine. Even if I need to rinse them out, they dry quickly. Don't forget the most important thing to pack; patience and a good attitude. You’ll be on a cruise! Enjoy!

@Starrynight0154 I don’t think my case is a potential fraud issue. Just seems like a computer issue. Their computer keeps kicking out that annoying email that says I owe $68.38. I believe it has to do with an excursion I purchased. I used some OBC and paid some…then cancelled and re-booked during Black Friday deals when the price dropped. They aren’t gaining anything because as soon as I pay it…it gets refunded back to my credit card almost immediately after it clears. They responded quickly to my email and I’m satisfied with the answer. I have it printed out along with all the other emails, receipts and refunds. Still…….fingers crossed.

I keep getting an email telling me I have a balance due of $68.38 on one cruise in February that shows zero balance due. When I first got it…I paid it, just to be sure. The next day the amount was refunded to my credit card. A week later…another email…I paid it. The next day the amount was refunded to my credit card. This kept happening…I felt like I was in the movie Groundhog Day. I emailed Royal and they responded…assuring me my balance was paid in full and instructing me to ignore all future balance due emails for this cruise. I keep getting them…at least once a week. I keep ignoring them. So far I’ve received fourteen…with two months to go. Fingers crossed!

@PPPJJ-GCVAB Weather overnight Sunday night was ‘interesting’. Even for me. I'm in a balcony cabin on deck eight forward. Lively seas…very high winds. Started getting worse around ten at night. Lots of movement. Wind kept blowing through the seal of the balcony door…sounding like a train whistle. Lots of huge bangs as we hit the swells…sometimes felt like we were running over speed bumps. Bouts of heavy wind blown rain, combined with sea spray occasionally hitting my balcony door. Lucky none came through the seal. Managed to save my coffee service tray as it slid across the table. Unable to sleep due to getting shoved around and the intermittent train whistle. Forgot to clear my toiletries from the counter top in the bathroom so had to go clean them up after they bounced around the bathroom floor. Finally started to ease around three in the morning. Still motion during the day Monday…just more typical of a winter sailing from NJ. I feel really bad for those suffering from seasickness….and I hope those on their first cruise don’t decide it’s a ‘one and done’. Capt. Toni reported at the tier event on Monday that the top wind Sunday night was in excess of 64mph. Some of the shops had displays knocked over and the Solarium Bistro suffered some minimal scattering of items. Probably similar issues aft in the Windjammer and maybe the crew mess. I also felt really bad for the cabin attendants. After a busy and tiring turnaround day on Sunday…I spoke to some who said they couldn’t sleep due to the motion. Many were sick. When they tried to service the cabins Monday morning, many passengers slept in due to being unable to sleep during the storm. This caused them to have to extend their work day. A very difficult time for them…but they always do their best. All in all…it was an exciting five hours or so overnight. But, I knew we were safe and in good hands…on a ship that was built to handle much worse. If I had to decide whether I would do it again under the same circumstances…absolutely. For me it was really no big deal. Been in worse. But, again…I feel really bad for those who were sick and hope that this experience doesn’t turn them away from cruising in the future. That would be a shame.

Yes, Oasis changed Dazzles to the Music Hall. Two levels with an interior open staircase connecting them. Bars on both levels. Beautiful venue overlooking the Boardwalk.

$105,177.58 for the Family Townhouse? Sorry, but that’s $177.58 more than I would have spent for it.

I appreciate the company’s position of withholding information out of respect for the family…and the process. I agree that they have more substantial evidence including cameras and witnesses. But there’s no immediate need to satisfy curiosity or quell rumors at the expense of prematurely reaching an official conclusion until all of the investigative processes are complete…from all agencies involved. Then they can issue a carefully worded statement addressing the cause. Litigation will likely follow, as usual…a life was lost and all avenues need to be explored as to how it happened, what preventive measures were reasonable to ensure it didn’t happen, and can anything be done to prevent it from happening again. Condolences to his family and friends.

12-3 Anthem 12-17 Anthem 12-31 yep…you guessed it…Anthem.

@WAAAYTOOO According to the story, a collision involving a P&O ship this past August damaged some lifeboats and other life saving equipment, so they had to reduce capacity. Passengers were asked to volunteer to leave the cruise at the current port. I believe they offered incentives such as a refund plus future cruise certificates. Also they would have a dedicated flight arranged to get them home. I don’t know if they got their volunteers or if they had to pick. If they did, I also wonder how….eeny, meeny, miney, mo? Rock, paper, scissors?

I usually go to guest services, or the Loyalty Ambassador, on the second day and ask them. They can give you the final count for your cruise. There’s always no-shows on embarkation day…or those unfortunate enough to be denied boarding for whatever reason. They can also give the breakdowns…how many kids and loyalty levels. Then it’s easy to just Google the ship for capacity limits. They’ll have the numbers for full double occupancy and full to capacity. Capacity is the top number allowed onboard that the available life boats and rafts can hold. In other words…having every available bed, pullout, drop down, crib or rollaway bed occupied will never happen. I have seen once where they offloaded some crew members and put them up in local hotels for a week because we had so many guests onboard. Recently, there was a story where some cruise passengers had to be disembarked mid-cruise due to damage to some life boats. The maximum amount of souls onboard is the amount that the life boats and rafts can handle.

I’m on the Anthem now…Nov 26, 2023. Doing a b2b so I’ll be on Anthem Dec 3, 2023. Then Anthem again Dec 17, 2023 for one week (cruised over Christmas last year…too crowded!). Then Anthem Dec 31, 2023 b2b with an 11 night on Jan 7, 2024 for a nice 18 night cruise. That’s it for December, 2023.

I guess I can be considered a frequent cruiser. I’m also a retiree and have the time to manage my own reservations. I don’t mind checking my bookings every day to see if there have been any price drops. Same with any Cruise Planner purchases. I’m pretty well versed dealing with RC agents when I call. For example, I know when to politely end a call and call another agent when I feel I’m not getting the right answer. They really try but sometimes they are mistaken, or misunderstanding, or not completely informed. I know to call resolutions if I have to. I know my casino cruises can only be serviced by the casino agents so I call them directly. I have an excellent source of Royal-related information at my fingertips……….here! I usually book en mass onboard so I only pay $100 deposit and get the OBC (depends on cruise length…but typical seven night is $100). It’s helpful to me that NextCruise can check cabin availability on b2bs, which is my preferred cruising itinerary. Easier than me going back and forth trying to lock in the same cabin on each leg. I don’t know if I lose anything (reduced deposit and/or OBC) if I transfer a NextCruise to a TA. Honestly, I’ve been considering checking out a TA to see if it’s worth it to me. The one thing I’m wary of is I would no longer ‘own’ the reservation and would depend on the TA for any and all adjustments, changes or re-pricing…many of which come and go quickly. Although the trade-off would be an expert that can handle any problem that arises. So far, I guess I’ve been pretty lucky. No major issues that I couldn’t handle quickly and satisfactorily. But, thanks to all your comments…ya got me wonderin’!

Hello! I’m booked!