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1 hour ago, FManke said:

I saw an article online where Viking Ocean Cruises offers a cruise sailing for 245 days, visiting 113 ports, in 59 countries.

Too much? Would you consider it if time and money was not an obstacle?

 

I think long voyages need to have a purpose.  For some it is writing, for others enhancing relationships, or learning specific cultures.   I couldn't go that long without a purpose, which what I find challenging about retirement.  Maybe it's just me... 

Another thought - around the world in 80 days as in Jules Verne but blending cruising with flying?

There will probably always be more people who like the larger ships as there are more people on the larger ships.....It is like the question of why you are more likely to be in the slow lane/line.  By definition, it is slow because there are more people, so the probability is higher that you would be there instead of in the short lane/line......

At any rate, there are still people on all the ships with more ships being built, so they predict continued expansion in cruising.

10 minutes ago, RWDW1204 said:

We agree with you. Have been on all 4 Oasis class ships, Freedom and Navigator. Like the bigger ones as opposed to the smaller ones, more to do but less ports to see. We're going back on Oasis in November and Symphony twice next year, so I guess we're definitely in the bigger ship group.

Just now, Kingk92 said:

Thank you so much! My wife is wanting to do all of these excursions and we have booked a few but I am trying to get her to understand we can relax and there is so much to do on these boats that are included in what we have already paid for lol

Also, I didn't know I could go ahead and reserve the aqua theater and all? Awesome going to book those tonight. Thanks!

Yes, you book them like anything else in Cruise Planner, but they will show up as $0 because they are complimentary.  Also, at the end of the cruise there are a couple of shorter shows (ice and aqua) that are first-come, first-served.  They will be announced in the Cruise Compass.   The Love and Marriage show and other events are also announced in the compass, no reservations, and highly recommended.

PS.  You need to reserve your shows (Cruise Planner).... which may affect your dinner plans.

26 minutes ago, Kingk92 said:

Hey folks,

My wife and I will be first timers on a Royal Caribbean boat. I have done Carnival and Disney boats and my wife has never traveled outside of the country or seen Caribbean water.  We are going on the Harmony of the Seas August 11th. I was just wanting some advice on what to do on the boat and when off the boat. We are porting at San Juan, Phillipsburg, and Coco Cay. Any and all advice is appreciated. Thanks!

We did that itinerary in May.  Since you are new to the Harmony, you might enjoy the video orientation they do on the afternoon of Day 1 (for us it was 2:30 PM).  In fact, I've attached our compass.   You can get an idea about the events, or you can view other compasses on this slte (see the Cruise Compass tab on the very top).

Getting familiar with the ship- is important because it is so large.  My observations are:  (1) Central Park has great, intimate "concerts" in the evening, (2) music is loud in all other venues, so adjust your seating; (3) the shows are well-executed but may have confusing plots, (4) if one restaurant seems too crowded (especially day 1), try another food source.  We enjoyed the Solarium, for example, when the WindJammer was packed.   You don't need to do everything - just have fun and stick to your cruise objectives, whatever they might be.

There is lots to see walking around Old San Juan.  There is lots of "free" stuff at Coco Cay.  The Harmony has something new called WOW bands as an option, although we used the conventional Sea Pass.  You've been on other cruises so you know the basics (like using your stateroom safe for valuables).  Bon voyage!

HarmonyOfTheSeas-CruiseCompass-May26-2019-FullSet.pdf

2 hours ago, mom2mybugs said:

We have 3 weeks btw summer school for Jeff and when we go back.  We could......  

We decided on Europe we were doing the long trip... The 12 day was cheaper than doing the 7 day twice on the bigger ship.  I think I'd rather do a b2b on a bigger ship though....   Jane

Our 12 night Med cruise was our most memorable, and for me a close rival was the Canary cruise out of Southampton.  So many historical sites in Europe we read about in school....

10 hours ago, Wnbfrog said:

 

As @Mljstr pointed out, there is a comma missing.  I believe the point is that they don't want folks in their swimsuits and bare feet running around the restaurant.  I have never seen a "shoe inspection" on any Royal Caribbean ship.   But my toes are so ugly, they belong in fully covered shoes.....

2 hours ago, RobinL said:

We tend to lean towards the bigger ships because they are newer and have "more" but is that important to most of you?   Would love to know what is your favorite ship(s) and why.   

Thank you!!

I prefer smaller ships, although I do love promenades.   I am just not a fan of the shows on Oasis class.  Central Park is a delight, though.  I think Radiance/Brilliance of the Seas were my favorites.  The pool tables and chess sets were unique. 

If you carry off your luggage you will be able to get in line early when the ship docks.  That said, 10 AM is early.  You have to factor in when the ship actually arrives (which might not be the scheduled arrival time), how many people are in line ahead of you, whether you need to clear customs/immigration, what time you need to be at the airport, etc.  I tend to plan for the worst, and I haven't flown through SEATAC in a long time.

3 hours ago, COAsh said:

So when we booked the cruise we purchased the Royal Caribbean round trip airport transfer. Our flight doesn’t leave until 4:45pm and my husband and I would like to explore old town San Juan. Any suggestions on the best way of doing this? Do we just not do the airport transfer and get a taxi instead? Can we explore San Juan and get the RC transfer later in the day? Should we take the airport transfer right after disembarking and store our luggage at airport and then take taxi from airport to explore San Juan and back? I have no idea what I’m doing as this is our first cruise. Any suggestions welcome! Thank you!!

Is there an excursion that includes airport drop off?   I've seen that on some of our trips.  The excursion might give you the "walking around" time that you need.

28 minutes ago, Mljstr said:

We had a pre and post cruise hotel last October in Rome. 

This time we are looking for London- (Southampton). 

We actually have booked a hotel but want to compare to Rccl with transportation from the port in Southampton  

I guess I will ask TA to check again. 

Since you mentioned Southampton, I wanted to mention what we did that we regret.  We didn't arrive a day early and take a pre-cruise excursion offered to us.  We thought buying our 2015 air fare through RCI guaranteed free transfers from the airport to the port.  We found out later that we needed to pay $100 each person round trip for transfers to the port.  However, a transfer was included in the pre-cruise excursion.  We now wish we had done that.  So as you conduct your cost analysis, you might consider options that already include the transfer.

1 hour ago, twangster said:

I have a B3B booked.  Three cruises in a row on the same ship.  B2B is cool, B3B is the next level.  

Now you've gone and done it, creating "cruise envy"...!   Looking forward to hearing a report...

8 September 19, Harmony...

1 hour ago, JC123 said:

Hi - I am sailing in September and have pre-purchased the deluxe beverage package, and have also prepaid gratuities. Should I still tip the bartender every time I get a drink on the package, or do they get their share of the prepaid gratuities? (If so, do I need to carry cash?)

Also, is the MDR on Harmony open for breakfast and lunch every day?

 

Thanks! 

Another point is that your prepaid gratuities for the deluxe beverage package (factored into the price you were charged) are for a hypothetical number of beverages at the rate of 18%.   If you drink less than the assumed amount (which depends upon the value of the drinks you consume), you are in effect prepaying more than the 18% in the DLB total price.  If you consume more $$ in beverages, then you are prepaying less than you would be paying "a la carte".   Then you consider the "rate" of the gratuity, like 18% versus the number you expect to pay for good service.  We assume 20% for good service, so even when I buy a drink a la carte, I normally "round up" on the receipt I sign for my Sea Pass.  Other travelers assume a higher or lower rate (15%-25%).  All of this means that the advice of @DandA is sensible, and also applies to restricted lounges, like the Diamond lounge where "free" drinks are offered during happy hour.  Since one isn't buying the drink, the waiter isn't really getting a gratuity unless you offer cash at some point (along the way or at the end of the voyage).  

Remember, we aren't talking official RCI policy here, just the practice of other travelers who are trying to make sense of the system and understand that the crew depend upon gratuities as a major form of compensation.

Update.  Link to Matt's article on the Key.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2019/03/26/royal-caribbeans-the-key-worth-it

4 hours ago, Sarahjmo89 said:

We've booked our first cruise and we're staying on the navigator of the seas in a junior suite. 

My question is the travel agent said that we get priority boarding with the junior suite and if I remember correctly he said we can board as early as 11am and hang out in a private lounge but I'm not sure what that means. Can any of you guys advise?

Also has anyone purchased "the key?" 

I was also trying to do a virtual tour of the room because the travel agent mentioned that we're located in the front of the ship which can cause increased sea sickness. But I was also trying to view the balcony. Is there a way to see my room/deck assignment on Royal Caribbean?

Any other advise is greatly appreciated.

 

When the ship is available for boarding, RCI uses a priority system, and suite people will have priority over others (we are diamond), but sometimes the difference between segments is just a few minutes.  The type of departure lounge depends upon the port, but it may just be a roped off area in the large, warehouse-like room. 

There are other posts about the Key, for which the most valuable perk is the wifi, but other things like storage for carry-on luggage day 1 may appeal to you.

Here's the URL  to the video which you can cut and paste into your browser. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z9-6aFBUBU

The cost is in the $20-$30 per person per day range, which isn't worthwhile for me, as I don't use the wifi.  Others love it.

Royal's FAQ site is down for maintenance right now.

22 minutes ago, Shari3 said:

Does anyone know how much the key costs on the Oasis? Even though I have Diamond status I am considering purchasing it mainly for the lunch on arrival day and reserved seating for the shows.  I have heard on the big ships like Oasis you have to arrive very early and get in line for the shows even with a reservation and I would love to avoid that as my husband is unable to stand in line for a long time.  What is everyone’s experience with this? Is it worth the money?

I didn't find the shows on the Oasis or the Harmony any more crowded than shows on smaller ships.  Our rule is to go about 30 minutes early (when doors are open), and we always get decent seats.  If you want the best seats, then maybe you need to go earlier and wait, but we generally don't.  The music is so loud you don't want to be too close to the stage, anyway. 

We are also Diamond, and we don't buy the Key, as we each get a free day of IT service as Diamond members, if we need it.  I find the Diamond Lounge or "drink vouchers" all we need in the form of extra amenities.

That said, there are many members of this site that really rave about the Key.  I prefer to spend my discretionary $$ differently, such as for a nice excursion.  Whatever you choose, have a great cruise!

7 minutes ago, dahdoul44 said:

Interesting to hear.  We are booked on HOTS on 8/25 with stops at Cococay , St. Thomas then St Maarten.  I wonder if they are going to re-route somewhere else.  Will continue to monitor this.  

Our Harmony cruise in May was Coco Cay, San Juan, and St. Maarten.  Maybe San Juan for you, too?

I drink the ship water.  I have been on several different ships.  They make their own, and you can also buy bottled water.  Several locations on the ship offer water by the glass, self-service, and the WindJammer has flavored water.  I am told that some of the soda machines also have a water option, but I haven't tried them.  I have found water on the pool deck and the promenade, and there is water in the stateroom (bathroom faucet), which I use to take pills.   For health and safety, they don't want you filling up a used container (like a water bottle).  Instead, grab a glass, fill it up, then later transfer it to your personal container.  Someone who has actually sailed the Anthem can give you additional details about that ship, and you can check deck plans to locate restaurants.

8 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said:

In general how is the "tap" water or ship water? I have lost 72 pounds since last July, 1 year, with just 10 more to go to my goal. I don't drink any soda of any kind any more. Its really water 99.9 % of the time now. I would normally get the soda package on our cruises but no need for that now so I think I'm just gonna bring my reusable water on our cruise on Anthem this September. So how is the ship water taste wise, and where are water fountains to fill up at? Are there a lot of them all over the ship, is it a pain to find water fountains? Thanks for any info.

1 hour ago, Ne47 said:

We have an upcoming cruise on Harmony in late August and are staying star class.  First time on RCCL (we have sailed DCL) and first time on Western Caribbean itinerary.  It’s just me and my 9 year old son.  He doesn’t like the beach but loves swimming in pools.  I love lying around getting served frozen drinks.  We will be getting off at coco cay and at Costa maya (to zip line.).  I’ve considered getting a resort day pass in Cozumel but am also considering just staying on the ship in both Cozumel and Roatan.  It seems kind of silly to disembark to go somewhere to pay for food, drink and pools when we have all of that already on board.  But does the ship really empty out on port days and/or if we stayed onboard for 2/4 port days will we regret it?  I’m also super concerned about safety - as we will be traveling without my husband.  

So any advice?  Is using the ship’s pools on a port day with less people and enjoying our star class perks just as good as snagging a day pass for a resort?  Thanks for any advice!

I think a 9 year old would enjoy many of the 3-4 hour excursions, and you would return in time for a lunch on the ship.  Our son at that age enjoyed excursions.  It boils down to why you booked the cruise -- was it to travel or just unwind?

1 hour ago, stephenkurucz said:

If I tip the room steward at the beginning of my cruise do you think there is any chance of getting a couple of bath robes or are these only available to certain cruisers? My girlfriend and I are in an ocean-view balcony room on the Allure Feb 2020. 

 

Thanks!

Platinum level - you need to ask for use of the robes.  They don't automatically put them out anymore.

https://dlxffu6hwewxp.cloudfront.net/cas/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/CAS_Member_Benefits_Grid_APRIL-2019.pdf

1 hour ago, Nikkoo said:

Thanks guys. In the MDR is it like a buffet breakfast or ordered from a menu?

 

sorry to be a pain but first timer here

 

thanks again

I'd say it's worth trying MDR for breakfast once, then you can judge.  I found it to be leisurely, as at dinner, with the chance of being seated with others with whom you can strike up a conversation.  I have also found the food sometimes lukewarm, but I never tried the buffet.  There is a limited breakfast menu.  The day I wanted blueberry pancakes they were serving chocolate banana....

1 hour ago, tdcackler said:

I watched a YouTube video of the WJ spread on Liberty this afternoon and it looked like they had a "build a burger" station where you can add what you want to your burger. One of my sons LOVES burgers and will flip over this. Can someone confirm this sort of thing may be an option?

I saw the burger station on the Radiance last year.

18 minutes ago, Chaosgirl426 said:

holy crap.. i feel like i am 100% out classed... i have 2 part time jobs, one of which i get 40 hours a year, and the other i get whatever i accrue (up to 58 or so hours), working on getting a full time job as i just graduated this may (this cruise is my gift to myself and my hubby, and it takes place over my birthday week)... im just glad i can get some pay for going..

Don't feel bad.  Pay and benefits (total compensation) are rarely "fair", one can only look for consistency within one's chosen profession/occupation and employer.  Personal worth has nothing to do with wealth.  Just enjoy what you have, and let me wish you an early Happy Birthday!  As Hallmark Channel (smile) has recently stated, it isn't what you've achieved that counts, it is who you are.  Bon voyage.

3 hours ago, bfloluci2 said:

on-line check in will not accept my credit card info...it keeps telling me to input valid card number...which I am!  RCCL customer service says to just complete 

check-in and state that you are using cash...and then change this once on board....seems like that will be a pain.  anyone else have this problem??

I should add that even when the online system accepts your card, it's good to double-check on the ship.  I was almost detained at departure because RCI stated they didn't have my CC on file even though I entered it online.  So I made an extra trip to Guest Services and re-did everything in person.  I should also add that the check-in representative at Port Canaveral didn't want my credit card and wouldn't do anything with it...