BrianB

Your chosen arrival time at the port should be on the Sea Pass. Either printed or digital. It's what you usually need to show 'the guardians of the portal' when you arrive on embarkation day. On the smartphone app's main page for your cruise...swipe right.

I'm also on that cruise. There has yet to be any notice regarding changes.

There have been some postings on other social media indicating Royal has been allowing cancellations and/or changes even though it's beyond final payment...due to the late notice. I don't know for sure because I'm keeping my bookings.

If anyone is looking for a bargain sailing…or two…check out the sailings on the Anthem out of Bayonne NJ for November and December. Savings could also extend to more sailings into next year. Prices have dropped significantly. Primarily due to cancellations and the lack of new bookings in response to the ongoing engine issue. These seven night sailings typically visit three ports…Port Canaveral, Nassau and CocoCay. But due to the ship being forced to travel at a reduced speed to ensure a comfortable ride, either Canaveral or Nassau will be skipped on each trip resulting in just two ports. Come join us as we meander up and down the east coast.

I’ll never try to correct someone else’s kid. Unless there’s an obvious imminent danger. If so, then I do it politely. I never want to get involved with helicopter mommy or daddy bear swooping to the defense of their sweet little cub, who’s never, ever, ever, ever, ever…did I mention ever?…ever wrong. Of course I’m exaggerating. Most parents are entirely reasonable and try hard to raise their kids as responsible, caring and respectful children. I know it’s not easy. In this instance, the lifeguard is a big boy and can take care of himself. I’m sure they have to deal with this sort of disrespect regularly and are trained to ignore it. But I’m also sure that they also have significant power as the nature of their job deals with saving lives. I mean it’s even in their title! If a lifeguard determines someone is doing something which can be dangerous to themselves or others…they can act just as security does under similar circumstances and initiate the review process which can ultimately result in the offending person and, if underage, their travel party being disembarked.

I got off the Jewel on September 28. The points posted on October 4…six days. The number of points posted was correct. I always check as sometimes they are wrong. I sail solo and earn double points. If I sail solo in a suite I earn triple. Sometimes they only post single points and I have to call. Calling can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. Regardless of which number or department. There’s always the possibility that the call is answered by someone who either misunderstands or is just depending on outdated information. Or is just having a bad day. As @WAAAYTOOOcommented…the best thing to do when you are reasonably sure you’re right, or feel you’re not getting the correct answer, is just politely end the call, hang up and call back. Arguing or demanding a supervisor can be counterproductive and time-consuming. In my experience, calling back and getting a different representative usually solves the issue. Good luck!

I’m not preaching. This is just me sharing. I’m a walker. Have been for decades. At least 30 minutes a day at home or aboard. Usually right after dinner. You can even break it up into several times a day, as long as it adds up to 30 minutes. It’s a good habit to get into. I know it’s not for everyone, especially those with mobility issues, but it’s considered one of the best, and easiest exercises. No preparation or scheduling required. I also do the stairs. I do power walking. About 120 steps a minute. Swing the arms. Just enough to not look too goofy . The centrifugal force makes the heart work harder to pump the blood out my arms. I prefer a lower outdoor promenade deck over the running track as the sundeck is usually crowded. During bad weather, I’ll walk the passenger hallways. Maybe some of you have seen me on the Anthem…I'm the guy speeding along like he’s late for an appointment. I don’t eat sweets or snacks…but I also don’t eat fish. At all. None. Hate it. Always did. My eating habits are poor. Just coffee for breakfast. I eat lunch, usually a sandwich…and dinner. Lots of chicken and pasta dishes. Lots. And that’s it. Virtually no fruit or vegetables. No vitamins or supplements, mixes, potions or snake oils. I get my numbers checked regularly and recently went through the cardiac screening process. For some inexplicable reason everything is normal or better. It could be a combination of metabolism, heredity and the walking. It certainly isn’t my diet. Good luck, good health, stay safe and enjoy your cruising!

On the Jewel last week I received a card in my cabin telling me there were no blocks onboard and to fill in my name and address to have the block shipped to my home. approximately a month ago I received a package at home with four overdue blocks. I hope you get your block.

@WAAAYTOOO Works for me……at least it looks like it does.

I got a couple of future cruises booked. I realize how lucky I am to be able to cruise often and to live close to a port. I’m a glass half full optimist and always look for the best in life and in people. I’m addicted to the cruise life. I love the service, the crew and the food. Even if a meal may sometimes be a little bit off… it’s understandable that constant perfection is not possible on such an enormous scale. My servers are always anxious to please and will make any change or addition that I request. In fact, on all my cruises, I have never sent something back. But, that’s just me. As far as the vouchers are concerned, I’m not a big drinker so I never use my six.. Usually two a day. I like and appreciate the perks of my loyalty status. I mean, they can come and go at any time as the company sees fit to tweak them…either expanding, adjusting or even removing something. As Super Mario has said time and again…the free WiFi perk that comes with reaching P is a big thing. I agree. I very much appreciate not being charged for WiFi every cruise. I thought the company might have reconsidered that perk post-shutdown when StarLink was added and prices went up. They could have easily justified removing the free WiFi and offering it at a discounted price. But they didn’t. I don’t really frequent the loyalty lounges except maybe in the early morning for coffee. At that time they are usually sparsely occupied. I’m not a big conversationalist and can usually, if not always, be seen working on my iPad…or reading my smartphone. I consider myself ‘low maintenance’…lol. But, that’s just me…and this is just my opinion. Hi. My name is Brian and I’m a Cruisaholic.

I agree with ‘wait for the rush to end’ before going ashore. Hate standing in line waiting for the CocoCay song to start playing and then joining the stampede on the pier. I’d rather take my time. There are always chairs available. Of course the ones nearest to the beaches and pool are usually taken. But there have been times when I would go early for a great chair…and then shortly be surrounded by, shall we say, overly enthusiastic vacationers who have no problem sharing everyone else’s space. Going later gives me the opportunity to scope out an area and find a more relaxing spot. There are plenty. I used to do the beach club every trip…but that meant trying to be one of the first off and getting there early to grab a day bed by the pool. Love the club, but hated the stress of getting there. Anyway, supply and demand took care of that for me. The price for the club has skyrocketed due to demand and that gave me the excuse to do away with the stress and just relax. Thank you economy.

For me…usually it’s a bit of a chore trying to check in. Sometimes, but not often, it goes smoothly. Whether I choose to check in on the app or on the website. But I find that most of the time…there’s an issue. It’s frustrating to keep getting the message ‘Check in has checked out’ when I know check in is open. I switch from one device to another trying to get access. Sometimes I restart my device (smartphone or iPad) and that solves the issue. I know it doesn’t make much sense…but it happens. Persistence pays off…eventually. Good luck!

Apparently an ongoing propulsion issue. Emails received for my three November cruises on Anthem. Two are eliminating Nassau (Nov 7 and Nov 12) and one is eliminating Canaveral (Nov 26).

Yes. Sometimes it just doesn’t open for me…and after trying unsuccessfully so many times, it eventually says check in is closed. But, no problem. They ask the questions at the port when you arrive. Few quick questions. Easy. Enjoy your cruise!

Ditto! Big moneymaker for NCL having the private ‘Vibe Beach Club’ on the larger ships. Adult only, upgraded loungers, private bar. Solarium-like. Vibe started as a section on one side of the forward upper deck just behind the exclusive suite sundeck. Then, it expanded even further on newer ships to include virtually all of the forward sundeck for more purchasers. Prices have risen steadily…supply and demand. Maybe Royal’s considering upgrading some of the Solariums and making it an adult, for-fee area.

That’s strange. As Matt said, assuming you’re in the US or Canada. I have lots of booked cruises and check nearly everyday for price drops. As soon as I find one, I call and reprice for the lower amount. I have never been denied. As long as it’s before final payment due date…even if I paid in full. They refund to my credit card if I paid in full before final due date. I book and service my own reservations online direct with Royal. But, if I didn’t have the time to do it, I would definitely use a good TA. If you used a TA, they would control the reservation and you would not be able to call Royal direct for a reprice…you would just call your TA and let them know. If you booked through Casinos at Seas, you would need to call CAS direct, but the agent should transfer your call for you.

I’m also leaving Bayonne on Thursday…heading north to Canada and Greenland. Hopefully. Most of the spaghetti models currently show Lee right on our course track up the coast. Been on enough sailings to pretty much expect anything. Royal will decide what to do when the time comes. It can be anything from a complete change of itinerary…such as two weeks in the Caribbean instead of Greenland (I’ll pack accordingly), or even an adjustment in scheduling ports. Also, two ports in Greenland are tender ports and waves/swells may prevent us from disembarking. We could also board and they may decide to keep us tied up in port for a day. Had that happen before. Such is the risk of sailing during hurricane season. The priority is safety.

The peninsula where Port Liberty is located used to be the MOTBY until 1999…Military Ocean Terminal Bayonne. There is lots of interesting information on Wikipedia about its history, all the way from WW2 through the Gulf War. I agree that it’s a much better cruise port than Manhattan. Piers 88 and 90 are very dated and in need of upgrading. Plus, it’s much easier driving to Bayonne rather than going into Manhattan through the Lincoln Tunnel from NJ. Especially on a weekday. Newark Airport is a straight shot on Route 78 to Bayonne with a lot less traffic. Also, the prices to park on the pier in Manhattan are very high. I think it’s $45 a day, but it may have gone up again. The one benefit of cruising from Manhattan, in my opinion, is coming down the Hudson River to the bridge…passing along the skyline, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The views are great! Coming from Bayonne, we just turn right and under the bridge. There have been some instances, very few and far between, where a ship leaving from Bayonne may turn left and go up to the Statue of Liberty, turn around, and then head for the bridge. Usually it’s for a publicity photo shoot. They understandably don’t like wasting fuel $$ unless it’s really necessary. I understand the city of Bayonne and the Port Authority are working on a deal to expand the city’s footprint further down the peninsula. This, along with the ongoing development…both residential and business (including a new UPS distribution center) will certainly result in the road being modernized as traffic flow increases. Hopefully it will happen soon.

If the port excursions are mostly beaches, snorkeling, boating etc… been there done that! Especially at destinations where some of these places are not so tourist friendly. For example…waiting in a long line for everyone to get off the ship so we can be herded onto transportation, overly crowded locations, expensive (renting chairs and umbrellas…drinks and sketchy food), not very clean, worrying about my stuff getting stolen, harassing vendors wandering the beach selling trinkets, etc. Even if there is a possibility of bad weather during the day. It can be miserable trying to get back to the ship. To be sure not all places are like that…but it seems many are. I always look for reviews from previous cruisers. Those reviews, plus my own experiences, help me decide. So I may just take a quick stroll around the port area. Just to get off the ship for a bit, then go back aboard. Most of my experiences are onboard the Anthem or Oasis. Different ships may vary. The Solarium is usually nice and quiet with lots of loungers available. Even around the pool and the sun deck. There is always bar service available. You can check past Cruise Compasses and see what’s open and closed on port days. There’s usually a crew drill during a port day where many services are limited until it’s over…which doesn’t take very long. If your ship is in CocoCay, the casino is usually open while in port…as is the casino bar. The Windjammer is open and not crowded. Some of the stations may be closed off, but that’s only because they don’t need as many due to the lack of passengers. It’s usually still the same choices. For me…the ship is the primary destination and I take the opportunity to enjoy it while most others are off on their excursions. It really is a different vibe. Some may think it boring…but I think it’s quiet, serene, relaxing and calm. It’s a nice change. Whatever you choose to do…enjoy it!

I’ve been aboard a ship that came back into port (Manhattan) a day early to beat a storm. We tied up at the pier and nobody was allowed off. I even used my remote to start my car and warm it up. We enjoyed the ship and the entertainment that evening. But, because we were in port, the shops and casino were closed. Only the casino cage was open so anyone with machine tickets or chips could cash them in. The next day, we disembarked as usual. I was also on a cruise that had to divert to Nassau on our way back from the Caribbean due to a medical emergency. We docked late at night and stayed just long enough for them to disembark the patient into a waiting ambulance. However, the course diversion made us a day late coming back to Bayonne. I felt sorry for those that had their flights affected…and those waiting to board as they lost a day. I understand they reimbursed a day’s fare for the next cruisers and gave some OBC.

For me, the port is the deciding factor. I live close to Bayonne and it’s an easy drive. I park at the port. Very convenient next to the terminal. I usually sail solo so the only person I need to concern myself with is *me*. Makes planning much easier. My favorite ships are those that sail from here! Anthem has been my most repeated ship. Then Oasis and now Liberty. I don’t really care about the itineraries because the ship is the the destination for me. I’m looking forward to when Odyssey replaces Anthem and Symphony replaces Oasis. I’ve never been on either. I’ll make a special trip to try Icon…but, I mean…it’s Icon! I’m easy to please and an optimist. Luckily I’ve never really had any bad experience with my accommodations, service or the food onboard…(hold on…I gotta go knock on some wood. Okay, I’m back!) I’ve only been on Liberty once for a b2b and I really liked her. Maybe because I don’t really have many ships under my belt to compare…but I loved her size and amenities. Little dinks and the wear and tear are expected with her age and lack of amplification. But, for me….I’m on a cruise! Again!

I always tip my room attendant on the next to last day of both legs. Even though I stay in the same cabin. As @WAAAYTOOOnoted, sometimes the attendants switch areas each cruise. I also tell my attendant to let me know if he/she is going to be moved mid-cruise so I can tip before they switch. I also tip my restaurant waiter and assistant each day. It’s easier for me and guarantees individualized service rather than hoping for the best and then tipping at the end. I’ll tip the MDR manager on the last day of each leg. Sometimes the managers change areas inside the restaurant each cruise and I don’t want to have to track him/her down. I also tip each drink…in cash. Makes it easier to just bring small bills and hand them out each time. Even if I have more than one drink, I’ll tip each time because I don’t know if the bartender or drink server changes in between.

Royal is sending out emails regarding our Greenland cruise in September.

The current price structure is pretty simple; charge as much as possible as long as purchasers are willing to pay to fill all available slots. As purchasing tends to drop, so shall the price. Supply and demand. After the losses during Covid, I really don’t expect RC (or any for-profit business) to fix pricing based on what seems a fair trade allowing purchasers to buy spots based on a ‘first-come first-serve’ basis. Although that may be good for customer relations, especially for those ‘in the know’ repeat customers…it doesn’t make business sense. Since the shutdown, and the accompanying loss of revenue, it seems the ‘maximum profit’ mentality has taken over. Gone is the reasonable pricing which provides a service for a fair fee plus profit. Now it seems it’s all strictly get whatever they can get…and then some! Oh, well…I can chose to purchase or not to purchase.

Yes, I use TSA combination locks. Never had a problem with them. Only once my bag was sent to ‘time out’ and I had to go down to security to get it. Apparently there was a sticker on the bag that said ‘ Iron’. Port security stuck it on when it went through their scanner. When I got to security on deck 3, they scanned the bag, did not find anything on the scan, told me it was fine and gave me the bag. When I asked if they wanted me to open it, they said not necessary. I asked why they didn’t just do that and send the bag on it’s way. Apparently I had to be there in case they needed it opened. Strange policy.