Kerry

We ran on the track on deck 5 - I GPS'd it for fun, I averaged 2:49/mile! The ship moved 10 miles across the ocean... Strava doesn't have to know it wasn't really me all that way!

20 hours ago, RCVoyager said:

This is just my opinion, but to me, there is no comparison whatsoever to the current trend of music cruises where the normal entertainment is given the week off and touring music acts (usually at least 1 headliner and a bunch of lesser knowns) are brought on board to entertain. I've been on three of these cruises, and they are amazing.

The first two were headlined by the Barenaked Ladies.  We were guaranteed 1 full length concert with the band.  We got 2 and several additional appearances and experiences.  At the sailoff show they said the following (or something similar) "We are here with our families.  If you see us with our families, we ask for privacy.  If you see us out by ourselves or with other band members, stop us to say hello."  In addition to that, the band sat for hours for each travel party to come through a line in which a photo was taken of your party with the band.  Each passenger was given a free 8X10 photo.

On top of that was the legendary Barenaked at Sea photo in which some 700 people gathered on the Lido Deck to drop their robes for 5 seconds to create a moment we will never forget (it can still be found on the internet).

Then the best part of all was that we were exposed to some bands we never heard of.  Most of them you might hear for a couple of songs as you walk by the venue in which they were playing.  However, you might also hear something fantastic... and we did.  The band 'Gaelic Storm' started playing on the stage in the casino one night.  I'm convinced, this is the greatest band noone has ever heard of.  I always suggest people check them out.  Crazy talent, amazing stage presence, strong lyrics (drinking songs, funny songs, meaningful songs), and without a doubt the most fan friendly band in the business (they come out to do a meet and greet with fans after every show and are known to have fans on stage during the show).  Great band.  Check them out.  You won't be sorry. 

The Rock Boat is my dream vacation!!!!! So jealous!!!

***Edit - you're talking Ships and Dip, though, right? I just realized I confused myself with my music dream cruises. Rock Boat is Sister Hazel...

Harmony in 16 days! Nov. 3, 2019

We decided against the photo package on this one and only buy the prints we really love. I feel like I'm going to regret it. 

22 minutes ago, CNA Jacksonville said:

I just checked and we had at least 27 different backdrops for our recent three nighter on Mariner.  This includes dinner table photos.  We missed the ashore Nassau pictures as we stayed onboard that day.  Otherwise it would have been over 30 backdrops.  Also, on Coco Cay the photographers wander the beach and they'll take however many pictures you want of yourselves there.  

Do they do the same at Labadee? 

And depending on their ages, it would be less expensive to get them now. My oldest was 15 when we needed them, so I got the full passport at the "15 and Under" rate that will last him 5 years.

15 minutes ago, JLMoran said:

I can't decide if trying that would cause me to have a or a reaction. Not a fan of anything grapefruit, but the idea of combining that with super-spicy habanero...

I'm willing to take the chance! 

@vanelli56 How was the trip?????

On 9/29/2019 at 7:49 PM, Baked Alaska said:

Yes! I had a few of those in the 80s! Flaming Dr. Peppers (except we dropped flaming Jagermeister into the mug), boiler makers, and red beers were the undergrad days in KS!

Oh my gosh - We'd have "Theme Nights" in college where the rules changed depending on the night... One night being "You can't drink it unless it's lit on fire." Pretty sure I should be dead.

How do the drinks at Sabor work? Can I get a Jalepeno-Cucumber or Sweet and Spicy margarita at a bar (they don't have one on Harmony like they do on Oasis, correct?) or are their specialty drinks only available if you're dining?

On 9/30/2019 at 2:33 PM, Flacruiser99 said:

What would do you at night??

Same thing I'd do during the day on on a beach... feel the ocean, look at the sky. Breathe. I'd choose cruising over all-inclusives all day long, but I do miss beach sunsets. It would be awesome to get both.

54 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

...and who says it would be closed anyway ?  No reason why most of the island couldn't remain open if there are guests there overnight.  Obviously they would not remain open ALL night but I would guess that they could have the water park and most of the restaurants, etc. open until fairly late.

Sunset ride on the Balloon... Moonlight ocean float... I could dig this!

18 hours ago, Flacruiser99 said:

Beyond me why anyone would want to overnight is closed amusement park.

Yup, to each their own!

I'll keep my eye out here. Sometime in the next 10 years we're going to get married on a beach somewhere, and a sunset wedding on Coco Key and reception on the ship while still having the next day as ANOTHER "perfect day" has started playing over in my head since @Matt's podcast yesterday. So if RC can make that happen before 2029, that'd be great. 

Are there any updates on potential overnights at Coco Key? Or an easy way to search those itineraries if they already exist? 

17 minutes ago, Danish vikings said:

I keep asking questions - guess I am just super excited for my upcoming cruise on the symphony end of October.

2 questions;

Can you prebook spa treatments and if so how much cheaper are they when pre booked?

Can I ask for several starters at dinner time when eating at my time and at any of the other restaurants? Or is that being greedy?

 

 

I've not done any spa treatments on board, but from what I gather there are usually better deals to be found booking those on board, especially on port days.

Order to your heart's content in the MDR... specialty restaurants may depend on if they are a la carte or not...

Have a great trip!!

Are there specific drinks that have been listed you can only get at certain places? I have made an actually list of everything everyone has recommended, and I'm going to try every one of them... just want to make sure I can find them!

Just because I'm a math nerd, I've discovered that by just trying everything recommended so far on this thread, I've paid for almost 1/2 of my drink package. And I haven't even added in my morning Bourbon Mint Mocha. This is going to be fun!!!  

Can you crash a Royal Wedding and reception on board?  I swear there's a wedding on every single embarkation day at least, and there is just about zero resources for what it's like. "The first rule of Cruise Weddings is we don't talk about Cruise Weddings."

27 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

This is good advice to keep one's sanity....however, there is one advantage to keep tracking prices.  If the price of an upgraded cabin category drops to a point BELOW what you paid for your cabin, they will upgrade you at no cost.  They will NOT refund any money to you, but they will upgrade you so that is 1 reason to keep your eyes on the prices, even after final payment.

...and off I go to check current prices!!!!

22 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Not Matt....but maybe I can help.

A number of months ago Royal completely changed their website.  Prior to this, I had a "username", but after the website change if I did not use my email address to sign in, I would have to redo my password every time.

So....my recommendation to you is....if you are not already, sign in using your email address and hopefully that password (and yes, you will have to create 1 more new password) will be the last new one you will need.

If you are already signing in using your email address to sign in then it is an entirely different issue.

I kind of consider you Matt, Jr. 

1 hour ago, AshleyDillo said:

I've also been told to not pay in full until 90 days out because often you aren't able to take advantage of price drops this way.  They don't like to refund your payment method.  You can maybe argue for onboard credit, but if you pay off the cruise early it seems as though you make things more difficult.  I'd rather sock the money away in a high-interest savings account until the 90 day mark and then I make the money off of it rather than Royal.

That's what we discovered. We paid in full on the last day (keeping my money as long as I can  ) and then the price dropped by $150/pp. We couldn't take advantage because we were paid in full. I guess it's like buying your wedding dress... once you buy it - quit shopping! Once my PIF date comes and goes, I need to quit looking. I'm still going to have a great time, and I was willing to pay that to go in the first place, why know what I'm missing? Even if it is $300. 

The Rum Chata Colada!!! I overheard someone order it in front of me on Oasis last summer, and I was a goner.

Central Park is beautiful after dark. Stunning. I will not be getting a proposal on Harmony on our Nov 3rd cruise (sniff, sniff), but if I was, Central Park lit up at night with the guitar player in the background would be amazing. Not that I've thought about it or anything... Congratulations!! (If you're considering the balcony, just make sure first that there's enough room for her, the furniture, and for you to get down on one knee. You don't want to trip on a chair!) 

Thanks! I'm just going to have to be realistic about the amount of gym clothes I pack. My optimism says 5 days, my realism says 1.