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Assuming you check in online at 90 days, you must still wait for the documentation to be prepared. My experience has been similar to JennyB, who reported about 60 days. In the meantime, you have a chance to update your information in case something changes or needs correction, like your payment information, emergency information, passport expiration date, etc.

How did you find the food type/variety? When we sailed out of Southampton, we noticed the menus were distinctly UK and not what we were used to. Just curious how you found our food.

Sometimes teens want the Voom package, and there is a combination that includes soda. When my son was young, he also ordered Shirley Temples. Also, for coffee/latte drinkers, there is a coffee card on some ships. Then there is the refreshment package to consider. I don't buy a soda package for myself because I love the complimentary flavored water, lemonade, and coffee served on every ship. From what you have said, you should consider just paying a la carte as needed.

PS. Pickpockets are a real issue in some ports, but that is another topic....

The real tip for us was when we discovered the waterproof lanyards designed for phones. We use them for our ID, cash, & Sea Pass when we go on excursions. We don't fully trust lockers in resort areas. Of course, on the ship, you don't need a wallet (maybe a few $$ for casino or cash tips for "free" drinks), but yes, I'd vote for a lanyard as long as you also get a larger, water-proof plastic sleeve.

The real loyalty benefit is that you are closer to Diamond. Then you get some free drinks, more food (of course), and other services.

yes, they are expensive, but they have multiple purposes. Some drivers' licenses aren't valid for air travel, so a passport comes in handy. Then there is the ID process when getting a new job - passports are a big help. The 5 year expiration for kids isn't good, but 10 years for adults reduces the cost. Passports are preferred over travel cards for cruises just in case you need to fly home for medical emergency or are stranded for other reasons. And of course there are those Jason Bourne fantasies about being a secret agent....

There is the drinking age on the ship, based on embarkation port, and there is the drinking age in country during port visits. For example, I think it was 16 in St. Maarten the time my son was given a rum punch on an excursion.

For first/second seating, the table number/dining room will appear on your Sea Pass when your board the ship.

In my family, my wife planned our first cruise with her mother (who was living with us and had prior cruise experience). She selected everything, but I knew enough in advance to request vacation time from work. Since then, it has been a family project, including our son, who has grown up from 5 to 21 on cruising. We also sit down with a travel agent to consider such things as air fare, best trip insurance, etc. Regarding excursions, my experience is that the "sales" repeat periodically, so you can probably get a decent pre-cruise price and wait until you are a couple months out (or less). Picking dinner time is important (like early or late seating vs. My Time Dining) if kids are involved. Best of luck!

I concur with previous posts. The app takes awhile to be updated -- i think they overwrite a previous cruise, because our September trip to Western Caribbean still lists St. Maarten, which is the prior week's Eastern Caribbean itinerary. In May, we had an issue about the arrival time in San Juan, and it turned out the app was wrong, but our invoice and cruise planner were correct. My wife also found out that loading the app on the ship seemed to permit some updates and links to other guests that she had trouble with at home prior to our trip.

@JRA I've never seen dinner on the calendar, just shows, wine tasting, excursions, etc.

@JRA Here is the link to Anthem deck plans. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/anthem-of-the-seas/deck-plans/1876/03 You can change the deck you are viewing by using the pull down menu on the upper right arrow. MDR is not really the official room name, maybe Silk or Grande would show up.

Look under Royal Gifts in Cruise Planner. You can do various events, get decorations, etc.

Yes, on the Harmony, there are Kiosks, so you don't see the actual prints we used to see on smaller ships. You do everything on a terminal, and there seemed to be 20 or more of them. My Cruise Planner for a September 2019 trip shows about $250 for the unlimited digital package and $200 for 20 professional photos. Not sure how that compares with other cruises.

No, it is another alternative restaurant. If you look at the deck plans you'll see the MDR aft, and multilevel. They give each floor a name. On the Oasis class ships they decks 3-5. On the Anthem it looks like Deck 3 and 4. You can view deck plans online, and on the RCI app if it is available for your ship.

We haven't purchased the package, so I can't give advice on price, but some people have stated that the facial recognition system which RCI uses can influence the number of pictures that are "captured" by your account. This is in addition to the pictures you register with a photographer by giving your stateroom number. I did see an ad in a recent cruise compass for $150 for 34 professional pictures. I recall seeing flashdrives/downloads for about $250 on the ship, but I suggest you check with someone who purchased a package. You might compare these figures with what you see in Cruise Planner.

We use AAA, because we have a membership for our car. We have used their Charlotte travel center by phone/e-mail or onsite agents where we've lived.

Here is the link to cruise compasses on this blog. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass I saw variations in show times, but 7:45 and 9:30 jumped out at me for one of the Voyager cruises.

I'm not sure you need to change reservations for dinner if you are the normal 2nd seating. The shows are scheduled to accommodate 1st and 2nd seating. The shows on Freedom class and below are typically 45-50 minutes, so if they start at 7 you can make dinner 8ish. I have seen small adjustments from night to night and cruise to cruise on actual show times, so check a cruise compass, if available. You will probably need to dress for dinner before going to the show. Oasis class ships are totally different, and you actually make reservations for each show you want to attend (except for a few short shows at the end of the cruise). But you are on a Voyager class ship, so you should be OK. Also, you can always warn your waiter that you may be arriving at 8:10 or 8:15 instead of 8 PM sharp, should you find that the transit time or congestion in stairways slows you down.

The casino hours vary a little based on weather you are at sea or in port, but when we were on the Radiance two years ago, the casino typically stayed open at least until midnight, maybe a little later. Check recent Cruise Compass for more details (on this blog some have been uploaded by members). Recent travelers can give you more precise information.

If you are on the several ships that require reservations, there is also a line of people who wait for cancellations. About 10 minutes before show time, the unused seats are released. It's usually best to have reservations on the more popular shows, but even then you may want to arrive 30 minutes early to get a desired seat. There are typically a couple of extra shows at the end of the cruise that don't require reservations, such as a short ice show, aqua show, or comedy show. Most ships actually have nightly shows - late dinner seating goes early and early dinner seating goes late, but it is essentially first-come, first-served, no reservations.

Don't be afraid to use a travel agent. Typically, they work with multiple cruise lines, so they can compare and contrast.

PS. And here is the link to this blog's video. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/the-key

Also for Boardwalk balconies. Now as a safety feature, the sliding glass door can be opened from outside (from the balcony). So your neighbor has access to your room and vice-versa. At least this was our experience last month.