MikeK

Michelle just arranged a great Disney World trip for us !!

During a live blog on YouTube in January, I asked Matt what kind of boarding/disembarking assistance Royal had for those with physical impairmentsI. I asked because I was scheduled for (and had) a total knee replacement on Feb 8th. But we were also scheduled to board Allure in Fort Lauderdale on Mar 13
Matt advised to contact Royal and ask for Pier Assist. So I did that through my trusty MEI travel agent (shout out to Kelley Hardy)
What I can tell you is it was a true revalation in customer service. We found the Pier Assist spot very easily and I was promptly popped into a wheelchair for boarding. My "driver" couid not have been better.  Sheryl and I were whisked through the security process in record time, and were quickly taken to the transition point. This is where a member of Allure's crew took over and had me onboard in a few moments, depositing me outside Cafe Promenade until our cabin was ready.
Shortly thereafter, remembering the words of my physiotherapist (motion is lotion), although I had the option to retain the wheelchair for the whole cruise, I made the somewhat erroneous decision to return the wheelchair to guest services. (I can be an idiot if I want to and this occassion was no exception).
Prior to disembarking, we confirmed with guest services how pier assist worked for ship to shore. On the day we arrived at the appropriate spot on the promenade, once more deposited into a wheelchair. This time it was down to the transition point with a member of crew, and picked up by a wheelchair driver from the terminal who zipped us through customs and immigration and all the way to the car.
Huge Kudos to all involved. From Matt to Kelley, then the staff at the terminal and of course, the ships company of Allure. I thank you one and all for enhancing what was a difficult time for both myself and Sheryl.  Sheryl of course takes the prize
 

We were there in early February, third ship back. The vendors were vocal and considering all they had been through, hurricane and no tourism, so I can not blame them. We knew what we were looking for and made a targeted purchase, which caused a fuss from the other vendors, and we felt bad for them. We simply tried not to engage but we pushed, we had a vaild excuse, which was, we were from Australia and could not import wooden products, which helped.  It was tough and emotional for us as we thought about how hard life is for them, so we make our time there quite swift.  

One of the advantages of living in Florida and driving to the port.  I can pack as much as I please.  Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

Good point!  Don't assume (we all know what that means) that your luggage will be next to your door just because other luggage is next to the other rooms.  If yours isn't there,  look up and down the hall,  it could easily be put in front of the wrong room.  That has happened to us a few times.

I wouldn't count on what I'm about to say:  We, many of my family and friends, to include my wife and I have never waited for more than 3-4 weeks for the regular turn-around of a passport (not "expedited").  Having said all that, if your state issues "Enhanced" driver's licenses, that should be good enough to cruise with.  But, I don't travel, ever, without my passport in hand.  

Just fruit for thought:  While a B.C. or D.L. is good enough, consider the following:
If anyone that doesn't have a passport gets seriously sick or injured, while in a foreign port and needs to be airlifted back to the U.S. on an emergency basis, it may take an extended amount of time to get authorization to fly back to the U.S.  Why?  Because it is the law that passengers have a passport to enter the U.S. via aircraft (or not returning to the same port of embarkation).  If it is a real emergency, waiting on the an embassy to give the authorization could be detrimental to one's health. 
It's always, as far as I'm concerned, a good idea to have your/a passport while cruising and while in port.  
Again, just fruit for thought!

What generally happens is ship crew bring luggage up to your deck and the nearest crew elevators.  
Cabin attendants take it from there to a spot closer to your cabin.  The issue is that cabin attendants works starting at 6am that day beginning to clean the cabins as previous guests depart.  They get time off midday before their afternoon shift starts and they work into the evening.  During that time before they come on shift no one has been been moving luggage down the hall closer to your cabin.  It's there but placed anywhere so there is room for more bags coming up and off the elevator.
As cabin crew come back from their midday break they start moving the luggage horizontally closer to cabins where it belongs.  So it's common to see your bags down the hall somewhere if you spot them before the cabin attendants come back from their break.    

Yeah, while I am new to cruising and using a travel agent, from everything I've read, they'll do all that leg work for you so you don't have to spend a ton of time on the phone.

Yes, your story is exactly why I use one.

Someones enjoying it Matt

A TA will take care of any problems or issues that come up without you having to waste time trying to get things worked out with Royal.  They can take care of price drops (and often find them for you and just reprice them and let you know that you saved money!).  They get to know what you like, don't like, and can make suggestions if they know you are looking for something but don't have an exact plan.    If your cruise in May was booked in the last 30 days, you can transfer it to a TA.   Otherwise you cannot.
The way I feel about it is when I have a TA take care of my sailing, a small-business person gets paid.  I like supporting M.E.I. (and, in particular, my agent @michelle) because I always feel like they treat me like I'm the only person they're taking care of, even though I know they are very busy.  M.E.I. is a supporter of Royal Caribbean Blog, and that goes a long way with me as well.  I feel like they are friends that I just haven't met in person .... yet!

Solo cabins exist, but they are still pretty rare on Royal Caribbean.  They get booked fast when itineraries are released.  Your best bet is having the assistance of a good travel agent.
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/01/12/top-10-tips-going-royal-caribbean-cruise-solo

Yes, it's a real casino that has a lot of money that is no longer mine!

Our room on Harmony last week was ready at 1pm and our luggage was down the hall.  We just grabbed it.

When you get your seapass card it will have on it what dining room and table number your assigned in the main dining room. When your exploring the ship go to the dining where you table is,   walk in (yes you can do that) and find your tables location.   At dinner time you can walk directly to your table without waiting for someone to escort you.
 

I do not like to dress up so I usually wear nice jeans with a button up shirt even on dress your best night in the main dining room.  I have seen everything from shorts, tshirt and flip flops to tuxedos and everything in between.  Don't be concerned what everyone else is wearing and enjoy yourself...  Your on vacation!!!  Relax.

Hello and welcome to the cruise life!
Formal night (or dress your best as Royal has started calling it) is a dress code that applies to dinner in the Main Dining Room only. Otherwise, it is entirely optional and there are many people who opt out of it all together and either go to the buffet or some specialty dining where the highest dress code tends to be smart casual (polos and khakis type of thing).
 
Now - What is formal night dress code?
Smart casual+ lol....mostly. I like to pull out a floor length gown and a cocktail dress because I never wear them elsewhere, but you can just swap out the polo for a button up and will be absolutely fine. You're still on vacation and Royal gets that people want to be comfortable.

They are not as strict on formal nights anymore, they call it "dress your best" Smart casual is acceptable or jacket and tie if you like.

I do not like to dress up so I usually wear nice jeans with a button up shirt even on dress your best night in the main dining room.  I have seen everything from shorts, tshirt and flip flops to tuxedos and everything in between.  Don't be concerned what everyone else is wearing and enjoy yourself...  Your on vacation!!!  Relax.

I do not like to dress up so I usually wear nice jeans with a button up shirt even on dress your best night in the main dining room.  I have seen everything from shorts, tshirt and flip flops to tuxedos and everything in between.  Don't be concerned what everyone else is wearing and enjoy yourself...  Your on vacation!!!  Relax.

One of the advantages of living in Florida and driving to the port.  I can pack as much as I please.  Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

One of the advantages of living in Florida and driving to the port.  I can pack as much as I please.  Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

One of the advantages of living in Florida and driving to the port.  I can pack as much as I please.  Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

One of the advantages of living in Florida and driving to the port.  I can pack as much as I please.  Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.