Ditchdoc

I think it would nice if RC designed some modern smaller ships. I realize the profit margins may not be as good but I think the market would be there for 3 or 4 classy smaller ships.

I have been a first responder for many, many years, A war veteran and a senior. I can't tell if checking that box makes any difference.

A sturdy sole. Most tennis shoes will do. Of course if you are serious about rock/wall climbing, there are specialized shoes to purchase starting at about $50 on up to $200 or more. If this is just a casual thing for the cruise, a good pair of tennis shoes will work.

Makes sense ... but maybe hard to enforce. "Sorry Mam, but that duck is contraband." "Sorry Mam, the line is slow today because we only have one duck sniffing dog." "Sorry Mam, this area if off ducking limits." "Sorry Mam, but you can not duck in here." Sorry ... I will quit.

Take something benign and fun and people will find a way to Duck it up.

Welcome Aboard

Nice...not so long ago...you looked through all the printed photos on racks. Tech is moving faster all the time. Next....click 'photo' in the app and a drone shows up in seconds to take one.

Its a 'thing' started by passengers. Not RC sponsored. People buy ribber ducks from Amazon, Dollar Stores etc. Often they put tags on them saying 'Con-quack-ulationas' and other cute things. They hide the ducks around ship. Just not in pools or bathrooms. People hunt for them as a pass time (especially kids). If found, you can re-hide them for some one else to find or keep them. Some people will bring hundreds of ducks with them on the cruise to hide. On Amazon you can find packages of hundreds of ducks. The variety is endless. Star Wars ducks, Cowboy ducks .... whatever. There is a Facebook page dedicated to Cruising Ducks. There is a similar initiative for people that drive Jeep Wranglers.. You often see ducks perched inside the windshield. If you see a Jeep you like, You leave them a duck on the hood where the owner can find it. Some nice Jeeps had enormous collections of ducks. It seems kinda foolish yet fun.

Here is the basic process ... Photographers are pretty much everywhere at opportune moments. You can have them take your photo, or not. They collect your room info. Within 24 hours, you go to the photo 'store' on board and there will be a touch screen kiosk. Follow the instructions to see all they photos that have been taken. Select the ones to want to purchase, or not. You can opt for digital sent to you or prints you can pick up. It takes a few hours before the prints are available. Your room account is charged or you prepay for a package in advance. So ... there are no limits as to how many you can have taken. That cost nothing. Only pay for the ones you want to keep. Our experience has been mixed with the quality of the individual photo. Sometimes its the subject, sometimes the photographer. Sometimes you get a great photo.

Seems simple enough to enforce a 5 and older rule for the main pools. Any child younger than 5 has to stay in the splash/kiddie pool area. Most children are bladder and potty trained by 4 so restricting younger than 5 should mostly fix the issue. It should be good with most people since almost every public play/rides have height, weight or age restrictions. Then its up to Royal to ensure there is some kind of wet play area for those under 5.

$1000 charged = $10. You can cash in on line for on board credit. If you charge about $70,000 or $700 credit...that is a BOGO or 2 for one cruise. Usually that's a 7 night Caribbean ocean view. If you pay the difference for a specific cruise, for example, the difference between an ocean view and a balcony, you can upgrade the 2 for 1. These are approximate numbers. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/visa-signature/royal-caribbean-visa-signature-rewards-options.pdf Gives the details. It takes a fair amount of cash flow for significant rewards and interest rates are not the best. Depending on your circumstances, it can provide some perks.

Never gone to one. Some times watched a bit that replayed on room TV. Questions were somewhat risque but in our politically correct world, that has probably been tamed down. The main draw is most likely a laugh or two. To capitalize on the laugh, it requires a good host and good questions, otherwise it probably falls flat. There are a number of 'events' that to me were interesting the first time just to see what it was about but afterwards ... didn't really car that much about. Love and Marriage, Scavenger Hunt , Belly Flop, Best Legs (usually men), Derby Horse Race and others I am sure are fun if you have had a few drinks.

That would make sense in that if you were flying, had an evening flight, and nothing else planned. Why not stay on board a few extra hours!

That would be tough for.me. To see all the excited people boarding, knowing I gotta get off, would make me sad. So what's next? A no cruise day pass? The ship docks and you get to board for 5 hours and then get off?

No interest in pigs at all unless they are bacon. So they can charge all they want to swim with them as far as I am concerned.

I have had this card for maybe 15 years or more. I don't really care for it that much Interest rate is high and to claim even a cheap 2 for 1 cruise means charging 60k plus on the card. In all those years, we have taken advantage of the twofer twice. We have cashed in a few hundred here and there for OBC, excursions etc. For some people that have a lot a cash flow and are able to channel that through the card, you could get some nice perks. Then again, those that have that much cash flow are probably not that concerned about the perks.

Not many pack carry ons' for the pool. Towels should be available, just pack pool necessities like suit and sunscreen and you should be good to go.

Line jumper

Ill be 92. See you there with my solar dancing shoes on.

The whole issue is unfortunate. It does highlight one issue if you are cruising outside your home country and your passport is lost for any reason. You will most likely have to contact your native embassy for a replacement. You will need your passport number. I keep my passport info on a card in my wallet and a photo of the passport in my phone. You could potentially email the info to yourself as well with appropriate precautions. Hopefully if you find yourself in need of the info, you will have it some where you can access it.

Your family may be different but my guess is, they are not going to want to do every thing together. Focus on family time, perhaps at dinner, to share stories of the days adventures. I am sure staff will work with you on seating, even with my time dining. Smaller groups will be easier to manage for interests. Pre teens, teens and seniors are probably not going to want to do the same things. There will be times paths cross and times the entire group can gather. Spontaneity is in large part what cruising is. Don't try to manage every activity. It just don't work.

Ain't Scared of the Seas

Find a bar that suits you. Find a bar tender you like. Confirm they work there on a regular schedule. Give them a fat tip on day one. Now when you go back, odds are you will get priority and stronger drinks.

If you can pack every thing in a good roller bag where you can leave the ship ASAP with no waiting in customs etc, you can potentially get started an hour, maybe two earlier.

A cargo ship took out Key Bridge in Baltimore last night. Vision cruises out of there. I would check if you are booked in the next week or two. There may be issues.