ChessE4

We have booked two river cruises and will try Oceania again. However, discounting the included amenities, you will pay 100 or more per night for "smallness", and Viking overcharges for extended stays before or after the cruise. So Royal can be competitive on the right itineraries, typically with smaller ships.

I would make sure my travel insurance covered the flight just in case.

Be sure to see what the specific documentation requirements are for insurance. Is one doctor's statement enough?

If you are thinking of getting a junior suite, do it in advance for the double points. Using Royal Up to move up to a Junior Suite won't get you double points. I think moving up to a balcony could be useful because of the extra space, but Oasis class ships have so many types of balconies you can usually do that in advance, too. In the end, I think the extra $$ for a bid up might be more useful spent on specialty dining or a nice excursion. Just a thought.

You can buy a blow-up plastic container to pack bottle in suitcase. I have used that before.

515 according to latest cruise compass. There is a link to compasses above in the header.

I have had itinerary changes that forced this. Maybe you'll be at San Juan on a different day.

At casino the simplest thing for me is to use a slot machine with Seapass inserted. Cashier can explain, but you need to change the default pin for personal banker, then transfer $. I play a few spins for luck, cash out, and redeem cash. If you aren't going to gamble, the OBC stays until spent.

The provision is a deviation from "original" itinerary. We buy our policy shortly after booking to preserve preexisting conditions medical coverage. So any itinerary change thereafter would be covered, up to 300 max, or 3 ports.

It's an individual trip policy. It's on p2 and is labeled Missed Port of Call Coverage. We don't buy annual policies because of annual caps.Some people start with annual and then supplement as needed.

Our Allianz policy has a provision of 100 for missed or changed port from original itinerary. But Royal gave us 500 when they changed Canada to Bahamas after boarding, so we didn't file a claim. Max is 300 with our policy.

On our cruise 10 days ago we received a Royal Up solicitation a week before our cruise. That must have delayed Gty room assignments for some.

Last week the cruise closing show had some bathroom humor but mostly focused on cruise behavior, supposedly family friendly. 5 things you don't hear people say, like I just won big money in the casino.

Cruise evaluation?

Yes. It adjusts up and down and can be removed from the slider. Been on several different ships. Not sure which room type or ship you've selected.

I have tried espresso macchiato from Royal's cafe or a flavored latte to get my am coffee fix. You can purchase coffee card for that.

The coffee card drinks are much tastier than those from Crown Lounge machine, so I have also used your strategy.

I think smaller ships really emphasize customer service. This is an example.

For me, watching prices is just sport. I didn't use up my vouchers last week. If you aren't yet Diamond, apply the package cost to future cruises, bring wine on board, and take advantage of free booze onboard. Brilliance had cheap drinks of the day and a Margarita happy hour on day one. Just a thought...

Our Captain on Brilliance last week stated he didn't know when Royal would return to New Orleans once the Brilliance leaves for Europe.

On Brilliance last week I asked for sparkling water with a voucher and was given an unopened bottle with a glass of ice in the theater. My wife ordered Coke Zero and was asked if she wanted them opened.

When I redeem Royal CC points the OBC is specific to me or to my wife, not to other linked reservations.

Under what has changed, we noticed new production shows on Brilliance last week. Center Stage blended the contract musicians with RC Singers and Dancers plus orchestra in a fantastic variety show. I hadn't seen anything like that before, and it was awesome. Don't know what Oasis class is doing now.

On Brilliance now. Great service, hot MDR food at dinner, early seating runs 50 to 70 minutes for 3 courses. Only fiasco was parking at embarkation due to bowl activities. Entertainment good. Pastries and desserts show that economies are being made, but sweet tooth can be satisfied. Great lunch at Giovanni's!

Packed and ready to drive most of the way to LA tomorrow. Parking reserved for cruise. Safe travels to everyone! Update 8 Feb. A mess downtown. Fulton Place changed parking site and failed to notify everyone. One hour wait for cruise shuttle from new site, then 30 min to port due to traffic. A lot of late arrivals to ship. Everyone friendly despite circumstances! Lots of river traffic.