Hagar

An extra feature advertised with this service is that you don't get charged for an overweight bag. Loved it in June and July on Ovation even though weight wasn't an issue for me for these 7-night runs 😇

On Wonder in March. I had last cabin on deck 10 port side, and it was "Wonder"-ful!

We had a "CL" on Symphony in October of '21 so fully intended to respond to this post. Brought a smile to my face when I recalled that DW actually slept upstairs with me since I no longer need my "CPAP."  I hadn't actually seen the couch in action but after 32 years together I was hit with the "D" word the following month! Oversharing 🙃?
Just thought it was interesting what a post can shake loose, especially from a warped mind (my horns help hold my halo up though ;>)

One thing to remember....Royal Caribbean does not permit ANY travel agent/agency to offer a discount from a publicly published cruise fare rate other than a group booking which that agency may have independently negotiated.  So if an agent is telling you that they are giving you some kind of "special" rate not offered to the public, there is a slight of hand there, somewhere.  As I said, the group booking is the exception to that rule.  As @wordell1said, any kind of promotional bonus (gift baskets, OBC, free specialty dining, etc.) is coming directly out of the Agent's commission.  Now, a TA will have access to all of the current promos which may not be immediately apparent to someone looking at the website and that is absolutely a good thing....but the published rate will not change...only available promos (or a group rate).
I absolutely concur with @smokeybandit's post about the true value of a good agent being their personal service and NOT necessarily the small trinket that they throw to you on embarkation day.  Nothing could be more true this past 2.5 years when things were so dicey for cruisers.  I cannot imagine how much more I would have struggled with this tough situation had it not been for my awesome MEI agent (Michelle Cunningham @michelle).  There is a special place in heaven for these patient and thoughtful MEI agents for all they have been through these past 2.5 years.  
I used to be a "I will do it all myself" gal until I started using @michellewhen I was organizing a big group cruise.  BOY did I find out how much easier it was to have a strong advocate and I never looked back.  Yes, I love doing the "research" and there is nothing to keep you/me from doing that even if you have an agent working with you.  But when things go south - like they did in 2020, you will thank your lucky stars that you have someone on the other end pushing, while you are pulling.
 

Amen, I am an old phart and repeatedly question my sanity regarding this aspect of my travel "adventures"

On Jewel, you will not get complimentary internet, even if you are in a full suite.  Only Oasis or Quantum class ships include complimentary internet for full suites. So you will have to pay for internet under either circumstance.
The  vast  majority of the other Key amenities, however, would be complimentary for you if you were in a full suite (expedited boarding and disembarkation, for example). The full suite would give you breakfast in one of the specialty restaurants (this is not a Key perk) and of course, access to the Concierge/Suites lounge (not sure what Jewel has these days).  The suite would also give you reserved seating in the theater (a duplication of the Key).  About the only Key amenity that you would not get with the suite (besides internet) would be Chops lunch on embarkation day and a place to leave your carry-on bags on embarkation.  Another thing the full suite will give you is significantly more room and a much bigger bathroom.

I used the cruise lines round trip transfer in January and found it to be very efficient.

I didn’t even realize there was such a thing as an inflatable butt.  …of course, I have no need for such enhancement as I have a natural inflate-ation.  Lol

Legend of the Seas check-in in Shanghai 2009. Luggage drop-off was located in the terminal to be dropped AFTER check-in. Fights broke out, employees were terminated, and once onboard the staff/crew were so apologetic as they kept reminding us that we were in good hands "NOW."

Legend of the Seas check-in in Shanghai 2009. Luggage drop-off was located in the terminal to be dropped AFTER check-in. Fights broke out, employees were terminated, and once onboard the staff/crew were so apologetic as they kept reminding us that we were in good hands "NOW."

Legend of the Seas check-in in Shanghai 2009. Luggage drop-off was located in the terminal to be dropped AFTER check-in. Fights broke out, employees were terminated, and once onboard the staff/crew were so apologetic as they kept reminding us that we were in good hands "NOW."

Please don’t encourage the ‘one and done’ posters by insinuating their whining is going to be read by someone at Royal headquarters
 

I had a B2B in one of the single balconies when Quantum was brand new. DW wanted to go on the 12-night leg and Royal didn't know how to price it. They just cut my price in half so they could add her taxes and off we went >>>>>>>>>>
 
Close quarters is an understatement and a far cry from the suites I spoiled her with later in life 😇

On Allure in Feb. with a connecting door in my "JS." I asked stateroom attendant to check why it allowed SO much noise through it compared to other ships I have cruised on. Answer turned out to be single, ill-fitting door, and that maintenance could not improve the situation. Glad the occupant wasn't discussing state secrets on his cell phone when he sat on his side of that door since I could hear every word🙉

On Allure in Feb. with a connecting door in my "JS." I asked stateroom attendant to check why it allowed SO much noise through it compared to other ships I have cruised on. Answer turned out to be single, ill-fitting door, and that maintenance could not improve the situation. Glad the occupant wasn't discussing state secrets on his cell phone when he sat on his side of that door since I could hear every word🙉

To be fair, these kinds of logistics issues (lack of staffing/supply chain failures) are lagging affectors and add to that, a COVID uptick (whether real or contrived) and you have a mess.  It is extremely difficult (impossible ?) for Royal to make a timely adjustment to a ship that has already been pretty much sold out.  Their only option would be to cancel existing reservations and NOBODY wants to be caught up in that !  Did Royal ramp up passenger density too quickly ?  Probably.  But it will take time to "fix" that and by then, who knows what the situation might be.  Kind of a catch-22.

You will see everything from suits/gowns to t-shirts. The dress code is more of a suggestion these days, especially in the Caribbean. Wear whatever you are comfortable with. Some will be fancier, some will be underdressed. If sometone doesn't think you're dressed fancy enough... too bad.
Just one man's opinion. I could care less what anyone else wears to dinner. I'm there to eat. 🤣

I am almost always solo and do the $5 per dinner......but I do usually get the same waiter for the run(s) so that I can lump it all in at the end

Happy cruising and Dunkel to you!  

full suite on Allure last month and all three bottles depicted were in the shower

full suite on Allure last month and all three bottles depicted were in the shower

Just off of the Wonder and the suite deck being on 18 was something I really enjoyed.
Even though my cabin was a very affordable boardwalk balcony, I still love the gold card access that being a "P" provides. The bottle of Chandon for being #2 on the "top cruiser" list wasn't hard to take either 🥳

That's easy .... the Escargot from the MDR
 
 

Just off the "Wonder" and even though I have many free drinks as a "Pinnacle Club" member, I still love an occasional "Arnold Palmer" (half unsweetened iced tea and half lemonade ;>)