Ditchdoc

If you are going to carry everything you own on board, I would say there is not much purpose to the luggage tags that identify your cabin. If you travel very light, this might be and option. Cabins are generally accessible in the early afternoon. If you board early, you may have to carry your luggage around with you for 3 or 4 hours or more. This is valuable vacation time you can get to know your way around, enjoy the pools or whatever you want. Toting or rolling a bunch of luggage around may not be what you want to do. The RC provided tags for check in, if you want your bags delivered to your room, are included in your Set Sail Pass. The Set Set Sail Pass is a printable document sent to your email address. You can print as many copies as you like. Instructions are included for folding and stapling to your luggage. Available also are clear plastic luggage tag holders that are more durable and attach easily to your luggage. They are reusable an can be found on Amazon. As a side note, being able to carry all your bags on departure allows you to be among the first to disembark and could be helpful getting a quick start toward home.

Due to uncertainty in the market world wide, cruise reservations are down across the industry according to some news outlets.

Very NICE! The first time I went to France, I stopped in a restaurant and no one spoke English and I did not know French. I was looking over the menu, baffled, trying to figure out what anything was. I flipped the menu over and there on the back was a gorgeous photo of a seafood platter. I just pointed at it to the waiter and soon feasted. There is truth to 'a picture is worth a thousand words'.

I've been trying to do a similar thing on Star of the Seas. I want to do a Chops +, add the Chefs table (which is discounted) and an onboard credit for the package. The Chefs Table is apparently not available yet and I kept getting an error. So I removed Chops fro the cart. Earlier, the RC web site asked what time and day I wanted to do Chops. After trying again later, I no longer got those choices, just add names of those going, put it in the cart and pay. So I am not sure what is going on with the web site. I called in to RC to see if they could 'ring it up' and it sounded like they were heaving the same issue and the RC person seemed to know less than I did about the Chefs Table. So ..... I am attributing the confusion to the fact I am still 200+ days out and it is a work in progress. I just wanted to get the reservations in early because the Chefs Table is limited to about 12 each night and with 6000+ passengers ..... the competition may be fierce.

Kicking off the holiday season.

OK...I am pretty familiar with most specialty dinner choices. We have a week long cruise on Star in November. We are planning on three specialty dinners. So far we have decided on Chops and The Chefs Table. We are undecided on the third dinner. Based on your experience, what would you choose?

Its changed quite a bit since we did the Alaskan cruise/land tour. A week long cruise and another week land tour. The weather was optimal and the scenery was other worldly. At the time RC owned the two level train car. The top was a 360 view while sitting in recliners with a bar and the lower level was half kitchen half dining room. The hotels were all 4 and 5 star. Alaska is very casual. Bags were picked up and delivered to the hotel room door. If you had two bags is was recommended to put your dress clothes in one for storage on the bus for the duration of the land tour. The scenery, weather and people all contributed to making it a trip of a lifetime.

We really liked the central park balcony. Over looking the park was pleasant. One evening an acoustic guitar player entertained for an hour or so. There was some noise from the pool deck but generally only during the day when we were mostly out and about. We have another central park on Star reserved.

Facial recognition is supposed to be used on a limited trial basis for cabin access on Star.

Went to Havana on Empress in 2018. It was a fabulous destination. Only one dock was suitable. Other docks were in disrepair. The city was in large part renovated. The architecture and people were great. Cruises could help the economy in a lot of ways. Too bad there is so much politics.

Biometrics is coming.

There are 3 or 4 levels overlooking surfside. Higher levels may be a bit quieter. If you have an infinity balcony, close the glass and the curtain to block sound. Finally, after 10pm or so, its pretty quiet. Some day time activities are pretty noisy. Most times, just having the TV on drowns outside noise. Maybe a white noise generator at night just in case?

Just made reservations for Star of the Seas in November. No where on line do I see Empire Supper Club. I hope to make reservations. Any insight?

As diamond cruisers, we do not always use all our drink vouchers so at the end of the evening we will turn them in for bottled water. This memo would not change that. On the other hand, especially on sail days , RC would off a special on a 'bucket of beer'. Not something I typically would do but for a reduced price you could get 4 or 5 beers in a bucket of ice at a reduced price. It would not make much sense to open all of them so I assume that special it gone with this memo.

I have no problem with paying a fair price for quality. What irritates me is what I call "nickel and dimeing". This is when you are sold a product for one price only to find there is a long list of additional cost that are not optional. Just tell me up front a ' turn key' price and don't change it unless I order options.

Cabin service reduced from twice a day to once and the tips are increased. Paying more for less.

Unless you have some specialized medical equipment, I just do not see the need for more than one or two outlets.

I generally eat and exercise like I normally do. Though....there might be a tad more alcohol involved.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D86MW921?th=1 Found these magnetic "hooks" made for Christmas lights. You could use these for the little battery powered fairy lights or perhaps with other light weight decorations.

My apologies on being ignorant of 'stay awhile'. I remember seeing it as a 'perk' a while back but had forgotten. If you have the extra time and no where else you wanted to go, probably worth it. It would beat sitting in the airport for a extra 4 or 5 hours if you had a evening flight.

Pack so you can carry off. You can be one of the first to leave the ship. My wife an I each carry a sturdy roller bag for most of our belongings. A smaller bag with straps or handles that can loop over the roller bag handle and can be pulled as part of that and finally a over the shoulder carry on bag. Its a bit of a handful but manageable while giving you the space to carry about anything you might want. This arrangement also will most likely get you through customs quickly and on your way to your next adventure. If the ship unloads your bags, you have to wait for your time, go find your bag (which may still be in the off load process) and still tote it all through customs. Packing so you can carry it all yourself can save you quit a bit of time.

Simple process. Check in with guest services when you initially board to make sure you are 'flagged' as a B2B. They will take care of everything as far as keeping you informed about what you need to do Some ships/ports, you get off and back on. Other times, you may no need to get off at all. If you should book B2B with different cabins, you will have to pack but staff will move your bags to the new room. If you keep the same cabin, you do not have to do anything other than report to the location assigned for B2B's on port day. On more thing. Those doing a B2B typically get a dedicated seating area in the MDR for lunch on port day so you do not have to contend with all the new folks getting lunch in Windjammer.

I gives you 24 hour access for the device you redeem it on. If you hand your device to the kid .....

Don't think it will matter. Do not think I have ever had to show a drivers license as long as I had a passport for ID. Since your passport matches your reservation, I think you are good.

While I was working, some employees would disappear several times a day for a cigarette break. I threatened to start taking a cigar break knowing it would take a good 30-45 minutes to smoke.