CruisingOz

I just took my first cruise as Diamond, on Wonder of the Seas.  We sailed out of "Rome" (Civitavecchia), which turned out to be the "alternate" embarkation port.  The "main" embarkation port was Barcelona.  This caused a few issues:
1) The app did not work for people boarding in Rome, so you couldn't book entertainment yourself
2) Entertainment could only be booked for the first half of the cruise; the 2nd half couldn't be booked until Barcelona boarding day
On our boarding day we were able to get booked for some shows in the first half of the week, and they wrote down our selections for the 2nd half of the week on a piece of paper.  The staff told us they would put in our other requests on Barcelona boarding day.
Turns out, they didn't.  Luckily, we had been talking with the Diamond Lounge concierge earlier, and he recommended we check back with him to make sure we were booked into the adult comedy club slot we wanted.  He was able to fix it for us, but it was a close call.
I also had some issues with Diamond drinks not posting to my account correctly, and he was able to quickly resolve those too.
So I would say that the perk I didn't think I would have any need for but turned out to be a huge help was the Diamond Lounge concierge.  At least for this cruise where I wasn't able to use the app.

A question for the experts.
Price protection for Australian cruises,I thought it had ended with the cruise with the confidence program.
But there’s speculation that it’s still a thing for us Australians.
Section 30 of the terms and conditions ???
What do you think??
 
https://www.royalcaribbean.com/aus/en/terms-and-conditions/information-terms-and-conditions-au
 

Woohoo, free drinks

Woohoo, free drinks

Well we finally turned Diamond. Just awarded the points from our Oasis cruise from last week. Booked at the right time and received double points for our short Adventure 4 day cruise, 8 points and double for Oasis 7 day cruise, 22 points in those cruises because they were running a promotion. 
Anyway we really wanted to hit Diamond because that's really where some of the good perks hit. The 4 drinks a day for both of us will be very nice. Diamond club is a pretty cool perk. Really looking forward to our Oasis cruise in May now, our first as Diamond. 
What are some other cool perks for Diamond? What are some sneaky cool ones that you can think of? Maybe some under the radar? 

My wife and I are both Prime, but when required we would book two rooms, so example myself and my brother in law and in the other room my wife and sister. This will allow us to maximise the discount and when on board, we see guest services and have the sea pass cards redone. 

Our Ovation sailing is 45 days today and check in opened. Although it opening six hours later than it normally does. My refresh button on the computer is worn out, lol 

I believe Royal is trying to do cruises to nowhere out of Hong Kong early next year.
If so and they get the go ahead, I think Wonder could replace Spectrum in Singapore.

I have booked on the Nov 9th sailing - so i'm doing my bit to help the cause! 🙂 Got a good rate on a GS too. 

Great to see!  

YIPPEE !!!!

After 880 days P&O Pacific Explorer became the first cruise ship to enter New Zealand waters since 2020.

I believe Royal Caribbean first cruise ship to arrive back in new Zealand will be Ovation of the Seas which will arriving in Picton on 1st of November (At least I couldn't a RCCL sailing that arrives in NZ before then)

'Kia ora' mean 'hello' in te reo Maori 

Would I able to bring an extension cord like this onboard https://a.co/d/2Agc8n0?
I've brought it on Oasis OTS recently with no problem. Should I not bring it incase of it being confiscated by security?
Future Cruises
Harmony OTS August 12 - 19 2023 7 Day Western Caribbean and Perfect Day Cruise (Miami, CocoCay, Cozumel, Puerto Costa Maya, Roatan)
Past Cruises
Oasis OTS August 14 - 21 2022 7 Day Bahamas and Perfect Day Cruise (Cape Liberty, Port Canaveral, CocoCay, Nassau)
Disney Fantasy April 21 - 28 2018 7 Day Eastern Caribbean Cruise (Port Canaveral, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, Castaway Cay)

You can use a digital boarding pass, and some people do it.  I prefer paper I can handle quickly; i am phone challenged.  It really doesn't affect processing time much.  I suppose it would depend on your check in time (we had to wait for the ship to disembark everyone).
The passport question is addressed in other threads, but the itinerary you describe seems to permit the exceptions noted on Royal's website.  The problem is that without a passport, one can't fly home in an emergency.
I am sure other members will comment.

It has been 45 days since the restart.

The App is correct. 45 days has been consistent for most, if not all sailings since restart.

1. Royal Theater shows are no reservations for the general cruising public.  Our ship was near full capacity and we did not have any trouble getting good seats.  We usually arrived at the show about 30 minutes prior, but 45 minutes might be better.
2. Pixels will show up once on board.  
3. Once on board, you should have very little problems getting your preferred reservations for specialty dining unless you wait too long to book.  I don't have an answer as to when "too long" is, but I know we got ALL of our preferred dining reservation times.  I also know that every restaurant we went to had a stand by list that was at least one page long.  So don't wait.  Again, if you are on board early, you shouldn't have any problems.  I imagine that Jamie's will open the outside seating, if not already open.  When we sailed, the weather was too bad for them to open up the additional outside seating.

No, the theater shows don't have reservations.  The beautiful dream was an excellent show so definitely make sure to go see it.
Yes, Pixels showed up once on the ship and required a reservation.  I don't recall if all the 270 shows required a reservation too, but Pixels definitely did.  We also had a 270 showcase, but I think it was a holdover from the presidents cruise so not sure if it's still being shown.
I didn't do any specialty dining so I can't comment on that aspect.

The 6 night testing rule for vax on cruises departing before Sept 5 still exists unless your cruise has stops in Bermuda or Canada.

 

If it was out of California, New Orleans or Galveston, you weren't required to test on sailings under 6 nights. 

If they announce an Oasis class, then I will book it. Imagine a 19 night on an Oasis class, oh wow, how awesome. I would not care where it travels to as the ship will be the destination. 

I think the prices on an Oasis ship ship would be eye watering compared to a Voyager ship. I am sure it would still sell out though.

How about trans Suez?
I can see it sold out already.

We can only hope 

If they announce an Oasis class, then I will book it. Imagine a 19 night on an Oasis class, oh wow, how awesome. I would not care where it travels to as the ship will be the destination.