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I saw the burger station on the Radiance last year.

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.

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...

Cay is pronounced correctly as "key", but since it doesn't rhyme with day, RCI changed it. Can't think of a reason except for marketing. Words change all the time. Err is pronounced correctly as "urr" but everyone mispronounces like "air", so some dictionaries give it preference. So we learn to accept a changing language.....

The price for Med cruises is also affected by the port. Southampton is typically pricier than Barcelona or Rome (for me). The time of year you sail makes a difference. Generally, there is less discounting for Med cruises than for Caribbean cruises, for example. I have found some real gems booking farther in advance or maybe at the end of the season (relocation), but I can't persuade my wife to pull the trigger. Given that the regular price is stable, the only thing better than 50% off the second person I have seen is 60% off. So I agree with @FionaMG to book if the price seems reasonable relative to others of similar length, port, and time of year. Since you are talking next summer, I'd expect prices to climb, not sink, as time progresses. To get on board credit, consider using a travel agent.

As much as it is fun to brag about getting on the ship quickly, in the big scheme of things, waiting a little during the on-boarding process is OK. We've done that many times, and it's never been all that long. On those few occasions we were early on the ship, we had to kill time walking randomly around the ship. This can be awkward with a family and inevitable carry-on luggage. Balcony rooms are very nice (more spacious), and some have other perks with them - be sure to find out if you have any (e.g., Boardwalk balcony on Oasis-class ships). We've always checked in online and have noticed that the App still has some bugs in it. We prefer to use it to explore the cruise schedule, dining menus, etc, but not to share sensitive data. Too many cyber security issues out there.....

Copy all - thx for explaining. As I stated, I was confused by the first table when I went to Celebrity's website and wanted to be sure everyone knew the latest. In making a price comparison between RCI and Celebrity, I wanted to also compare on-board benefits and project the additional expenses I might have. You have clarified that nicely!

Yes, there is an art to eating American bacon. If it is too crunchy, it is only useful as "bacon bits" sprinkled on your eggs, a salad, or perhaps French Toast. Now I like it best when it isn't too crunchy, and then it is good by itself as a side or in a bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich. I love "Canadian Bacon" on egg sandwiches. Then there is all the delicious cured ham/bacon in Europe......So it is all good, but Americans sometimes need to be warned when to expect something different, and I've found some menu differences overseas. Ciao!

Good reason to have an agent who can make a few calls and answer your questions....But sometimes it just doesn't make sense. Best of luck!

My son's girlfriend went on her first cruise with us, and we all passed through the Diamond line as a group. I think they were more concerned with moving everyone through the process than sending her to a different line. This was Port Canaveral - not sure where you are sailing from. It's possible someone else would be pickier. After a cruise, it can take a couple of weeks for CAS records to update, based on my experience. Maybe on your first cruise you can talk to Loyalty Ambassador about the 2nd cruise situation. Standby for more comments from others....

I saw the Elite Plus and Zenith on the page I viewed. There was nothing on the page that stated Diamond was equal to Zenith or Elite Plus. https://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/tiers-and-benefits The reciprocity table you reviewed above wasn't on the above page. I am not disputing the new information provided above, but I think the original table was confusing because it omitted Elite Plus and Zenith, which clearly exist at Celebrity.

I believe this has changed. When I checked Celebrity's website last week, they had new tiers and additional benefits for D+ and Pinnacle equivalents.

I ate on the Grandeur numerous times, and to be honest, the food was the same as other ships with the exception of sailing from foreign countries. (UK has more meat pies. curry, and funny bacon, for example.) Because there are 9 nights instead of 7 or 8, there might be an occasional entree that is different. But if you live for adventure, wait and see! If you have a particular concern about dietary restrictions, I'd suggest working that out with MDR staff or Guest Services on the ship.

Yes, so long as they are available. I don't know how many there are. We saw tables of two in our dining room on our last cruise. They might seat you at a table of four, I suppose (without others). We saw some of that but not sure if it was due to no-shows.

We had adjoining boardwalk balconies on the Harmony in May, and they flip-flopped. One had the beds nearer the bathroom while the other had the beds nearer the balcony. 12317 was nearer the window/balcony. Not sure if this helps when you look at the deck plans....

The water temperature was very, very cold. Like you begin to think about hypothermia. I don't know the degrees, but let's say in the 50's in the water. It was probably unsafe. Outside walking around in the sun was fine.

Our experience with MTD was the same as @AshleyDillo . Once we were by ourselves, and another time we were with another family, but our agent had requested a "mixed" table in advance.

I often snag water at the cafe promenade (in larger ships) or in the WJ (all ships), especially when I can flavor it with lemonade, etc. I never buy bottled water on the ship unless I want it for an excursion and I don't think I can get it on land. Usually it is easy to buy water in port, often $1 a bottle or at most $2.

The 18% that folks normally pre-pay is the service charge. if you don't prepay, it will be billed daily unless you go to Guest Services and make other arrangements. I always prepay. Pre-paying is helpful when you book many months in advance because the daily gratuity will undoubtedly go up....

I have mentioned it before, but we assume that good service is worth a 20% gratuity. (I read just today that Celebrity is increasing their default rate to 20%.) So we start our cruise figuring we will add at least 2% for our wait staff and stateroom attendant. According to RCI, the 18% gratuity is divided so that about 40% goes to the stateroom attendant and 60% goes to the wait staff (the waiters receive more than the waiter assistants). (Based on the RCI formula, the food is valued at $45-$50 per person per day, but many vacationers consume more than that). We give the extra $$ at the end of the week in the provided envelopes. When it comes to purchasing drinks, I generally follow the European custom of rounding up knowing that 18% is already factored in. I don't think I'm being generous, nor cheap; I'm just trying to be fair when I receive good service. The Diamond Lounge is a whole different ballgame as the drinks aren't purchased, so the wait staff needs to be recognized in cash, as I have observed. Some folks tip along the way, others at the end, and the custom is different in Australia/NZ. I've only been on a few cruises at the Diamond level, so I invite comments from the more experienced cruisers. Everyone has a different approach to tipping -- I am just sharing what I have done up to now.

We use Firefox and don't have any special problems. However, I do sympathize with your plight, and it is valid for you to share that RCI lost revenue because of your frustrating experience. Although I have used computers since the 1980's, I don't especially like modern websites. Each site is different, and what works for one doesn't work for another....lack of standardization. I also hate it when I can't just search for a topic. I have to do that outside of the website (e.g., Google search). I am also tired of seeing lots of pretty pictures when I just want data so I compare cruise line X with cruise line Y. With all of this in mind, I use a travel agent, as others have noted. I let the TA run interference for me. While I am not a Carnival fan, I've had friends who were. Bon voyage! But do feel free to return to Royal cruises now that others have shared their insights and workarounds.

I can definitely agree with you. We rarely use the laundry, and I have been known to wash socks or underwear in the bathroom. It dries, eventually!

Yes. Now if you aren't Diamond and above (who receive some free time), there are charges for internet use. I don't remember what it was in May, but someone online no doubt has the latest.

I hope all booked passengers have a safe and enjoyable trip.

In my opinion, it would be negligent to place a child on a railing even with a closed window. Such a small child should be held firmly against the body, be seated on a chair, or be on the ground. There is simply too much risk to injury from falling 3 or 4 feet to the deck. As you said, common sense....