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For perks, I'd invest in more cruises for loyalty rather than more $$ on board. Sometimes best family experiences don't cost, eg, time at pool or beach, conversations with other guests, watching sunset at sea, catching a great show. I loved coffee card which is less than soda package. Last room upgrade we got was 10 years ago...

Haven't cruised since the menu change, but previously we enjoyed the crab cake appetizer, and our son liked the cold fruit soups. For entree, we enjoyed the lamb shank, pork medallion, lobster tail, and duck. I also liked tiger shrimp. Rarely had a bad meal, although I wouldn't recommend the pasta dishes in the MDR, especially ravioli. The great desserts have been mentioned, and usually anything chocolate was good. My all-time favorite was the chocolate sensation. Next year we will see how the new menu has been adjusted. Still thinking there will be changes based on survey results.

To your point, I believe other cruise lines have similar food quality/staffing issues. A line we selected for a special 2024 trip because of its itinerary has had many poor reviews for declining food quality, and food was always touted as its strong suit.

Yes, getting double the value would be better, which is why OP needs an answer. I still wonder if it is in the too good to be true category, so I am eager to hear the final answer from someone who knows.

Constant sales, and Black Friday. Most folks check frequently, buy when reasonable, and cancel/rebook if prices drop. PS. Popular stuff can sell out early.

Don't know but work around is pay for a cruise separately, use points for Obc, then take out cash on the ship. I have done the casino trick to get $ but others go to Guest Services.

Absolutely. On our last trip to the Med, one of the ports required a tender. Excursions are given priority for the tenders. So if you don't book an excursion, you'll just wait longer to disembark. On ports where you dock, again, the excursion groups leave first. There are some excursions that are "at your leisure" and provide transportation to the city center. Enjoy!

My wife had that problem and it was her VPN.

We saw major excursion errors in our Med cruise last year. Early on there was a different port, and we had trouble schedule excursions on a couple of days. After a few months it was fixed. Unless your TA or Royal has informed you of an itinerary change, I wouldn't believe the Cruise Planner. Sorry I can't help with St. Kitts and St. Lucia, but you might try watching some online videos about them.

Not wrong, but a little odd that we have no cruises this year. Did some last year and are booked in 24 and 25. But it seems like I should be in cruise planner or something...

I still think that the motivation for a cruiser should be to pay a fair price, not get a super deal. (You don't get points when you die for all the great deals you got.) Yes, as consumers we've been burned enough with overpricing that we like to catch a sale when we can to offset the other misfortunes, but we need to be realistic about vacation travel. We found the loyalty benefits helpful as we moved up the ladder as long as we were buying something we'd purchase anyway. Did bingo a couple of times and gave up, but at least we had some discounts to try it. Ditto for some drinks or internet. I look at the bottom-line price not caring or understanding which "discount" I got on our staterooms; if the price is fare or even "good" for the room category, I don't think twice about the marketing. Same thing in cruise planner - is the price fair? If not, don't buy it. Fair is subjective, and so are our individual tastes/preferences. Hence, all the disussion on this forum.

I think my post was misunderstood. I was agreeing with other posts about dress being flexible while recognizing that parents and grandparents have the extra responsibility of dealing with children. Sometimes setting an example for them is useful, sometimes not. I wasn't being condescending. Steve Covey always emphasized principles over "rules"....

Ditto. Our Royal invoice omits our middle name, which is shown on passport. Now on another cruise line, the invoice shows middle name, but we are booking air travel.

We stayed at Hotel Colon at Cathedral. Good location. Restaurants and cafes nearby. Flea markets sell silver that is really just plated, so it's good to be cautious as in any city. Little things like the market two blocks away can be fun. How far you walk is up to you, but some Barcelona sights need a cab or bus.

I thought they expired 4 or 5 am. On 7 night cruise only 7 days of benefits, so to speak. Coffee cards are different.

The basic rule of cruising is to be considerate of others while enjoying your vacation. Setting an example for children is also wise. So in the end, there is flexibility in using good taste.

Generally, excursions are safe if you stick with the group and don't wander off. We have been to Jamaica twice. Most ports visited have a lot of poverty and crime, so one needs to watch out for pickpockets and such. Ditto in US cities. Royal does some vetting of tour operators, but sound judgment is always needed.

No walkin in our JS. Glad you got yours.

4 and 5 not found on Vision jr suite.

Moi aussi.

I calculate value of room, food, entertainment, and destination travel. I don't pay more than 250 for room, and the rest is worth 150 for a couple. So I don't pay more than 200 per day per person with taxes. That's 1400 on 7N cruise. We once got jr suite at that level, but usually balcony. Others splurge on vacation. I believe in getting your money's worth, but you've got to know when you've had it. (Hemingway.)

You can look at All things Galveston thread. We got a hotel and parking package with shuttle to port.

On our 8N with Mariner to ABCs last June, the formal nights were 3 and 7. Both were titled "Dress your best".

When we lived near Baltimore and parked at the port, it was fine, although not covered. You dropped off luggage, tipped the porter, then paid for parking and parked. I don't know if it has been updated inside the terminal in the last several years. We are sailing Sept 24 out of Baltimore to go to Boston, Maine, Nova Scotia, and Halifax. Looking forward to that trip. I can tell you that the Junior Suite we had on Vision last year wasn't as fancy as they are on Oasis class ships. (We typically get an ocean view or balcony stateroom.) We love the Centrum on the Vision class ships, but there isn't as much specialty dining, if that is something you want. We enjoyed our Chops lunch, and service throughout the ship was great. I don't think we ever had issues disembarking at Baltimore (six or seven cruises).

We never pick a cruise for the ship, usually itinerary, price, and time of year. We adjust to the ship and enjoy its features.