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3 hours ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

1 - Harmony actually does parties from 60s to 90s! SO MANY PARTIES!

2 - I would also drop the 70s party.  It's the same 10 songs and the same lackluster participation.

3 - I would drop the worlds sexiest man competition primarily because while it seems like most guys just do it to have fun, there's always that one conventionally attractive guy that enters and I know I would personally take a hit to my self esteem to see the reactions go from fun whooping to stripper screaming

Agree with #3, but I would  also limit bingo.

For good service, not average, I tip 18% of pretax total. However, I impute beverage cost even if we just drink water. Takeout gets 10 to 15% depending on service I receive at pickup.  I round up to next dollar as I don't carry change.

Soylent green?

Usually, the only time age restrictions matter involve booze or an excursion, when you must indicate the name of each guest.  Then Royal's computer checks date of birth and calculates age.  This is how I was denied snorkeling reservation for being too old.  If you are booking the bungalow and don't need to indicate guest names, you would be OK as far as Cruise Planner is concerned.  Never booked a bungalow but I'd imagine that an extra tip enables Royal staff to look the other way...

We had vouchers from our TA a few times and found it necessary to take them to a restaurant on Day 1 and explain in detail before we could get reservations.  Even at restaurant I sometimes needed to explain the voucher.  As stated, the 3rd party should reserve in advance for best price.  The vouchers will be in your final paperwork along with luggage tags, itinerary, etc. So you would print those before you travel.

On Vision, Radiance, and Voyager class ships I've always had lower decks and found them convenient for dining and the promenade.  If you want to cruise, I wouldn't rule it out.  I find checking the rooms on the next deck above is important in considering potential noise.

Boredom can occur in AM on sea days, but it is short-lived. Larger ships have more to do. I have never felt the need to disembark early, just stay on longer,,,

We did Royal's tour last December and enjoyed it. I believe the more expensive tour is smaller group. You walk on paths once the bus gets to the ruins. Lots of photo ops, monkeys, gift shop, snack bar, etc. I recommend Chacchoben.

 Also, be sure to get an invoice that shows credit for deposit paid and remaining balance. The invoice will show if you've prepaid gratuities in case they go up. As long as they are listed on the invoice you don't really pay them until final payment date. Recommend using a travel agent who will get all invoices for you and answer questions.

Check out Central Park on your trip. Often afternoon or evening performances of great music.

If you are willing to get wet, the Amazing Secret River out of Cozumel is amazing. You must take ferry to mainland and walk/swim through cavern.  In Costa Maya, we liked Chacchoben.

Because  a specialty lunch is so filling, we pick a day when the MDR dinner menu isn't our favorite. We found Jamie's and Chops delightful and are booked in Giovanni's next cruise.

Look at cruise compass, link above on browser. Find similar cruise. I wouldn't worry. Just decide what you want to wear.

There was a time we'd get coupons that added a few pages, but not anymore. I print itinerary, luggage tags, and emergency phone numbers. I also print set sail pass.

3 hours ago, GJ_123 said:

Personally, I don't mind tipping and am happy to accommodate depending on the culture (for example in the US). But I do think Royal Caribbean takes exceptional liberties. I think charging daily gratuities, 18% on top of everything and expecting you to add tips to receipts and tip in cash is completely excessive. We are basically subsiding the staff's wages as RC doesn't want to pay them fairly while they rake in huge profits, it's as simple as that.

Personally, I do not pay the daily gratuities and never have. 18% is added to everything already and I would rather tip in cash for what I deem to be exceptional service, and I always tip generously in cash. But I just don't believe in the daily gratuities and think it's totally uncalled for.

The dining and beverage packages have gratuities added, but the stateroom fare does not.  Lots of behind the scenes folks work with your stateroom attendant to make your cruise possible.  If you look at the amounts that are imputed in the daily service charge, it isn't much.  So most folks pay it as a service charge and then add cash as they see fit.  

Yes, we should pay people properly.  However, in my home state and some others, the minimum wage for wait staff is ridiculously low because tipping is factored in.  That is just the way it is.  So tipping is especially important during "low volume hours" in the US.   

Now for cruising, regardless of how we feel about compensation systems in general, it is important to acknowledge that the travel industry depends upon tips to some degree (even in places like Europe/Australia/NZ where amount of tipping is reduced).  I agree that base compensation everywhere in the world should be fair.

The most successful cruise lines will accommodate multiple lifestyles. Corporate officials who manage organizational change find it helpful to explain the purpose of the change and how to navigate through it. This blog helps RC cruisers with industry changes. I was very reassured, for example when Matt published his tutorial on proctored covid testing - it really lowered my stress level at that unusual time. And all the guidance about using the App for checkin has been super useful. When we struggle with change, it's important to ask for help.

12 hours ago, Inkd said:

I’ve never actually seen anything like this even when travelling. 
 

I’ll be ok. If I can get boiling water in a container to use I’ll be fine. I can let it sit until it is at optimal temp so not to scorch the beans & make my own.

You might try getting a coffee card for Cafe Promenade if you will want coffee while roaming the ship. I've done that several times, and it is cost effective for the premium coffee or 1 shot espresso drinks.

4 hours ago, HeWhoWaits said:

IF you actually get it. Still trying to get one for 140 on Mariner in June 2022.

We received 1 of 2 for that same voyage. Good luck - hope you get it.

I don't like too much technology, so I sympathize. But I have found value in the App (I let my wife handle it), I arrange traditional dining, I use touch screens throughout the ship, and I don't sweat shuffleboard as teens usually have it. We are usually on smaller vessels with amore traditional atmosphere. That said, Central Park is great on Oasis class. We dress for dinner even if others don't, so we have a great time.

10 hours ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Remember that the aliens gave us AirTag technology. It is basically impossible to lose something in 2023 unless you want it to get lost. 

I use a backpack, but no valuables in it. 

9 minutes ago, steverk said:

As mentioned before, Belize is a tender port. I would definitely go with a Royal excursion for that port.

Honduras is a fairly dangerous port.  I've been told that cruise line excursions are statistically safer than 3rd party excursions. For that reason, I'd stick with a Royal excursion there as well.

As far as specific recommendations, there's a float trip through a cave in Belize. I don't specifically remember the name of the excursion, but there's more than one way to do it.  One of them, that looked really fun, was a zip line through a cave followed by the float trip and lunch. I did the hike, float and lunch. It was great, but the zip line looks even better.

In Roatan, the President's Cruise did an excursion to Turquoise bay resort. I really enjoyed it.

 

We did the Belize cavern excursion. Jaguar something...not that strenuous but you carry your raft and get wet. We enjoyed it. About an hour bus ride from port.

And if you are ordering in advance one or two meals, just book them at a good price. We've had MDR entrees change during a cruise. Usually last dinner isn't that great.  Also, we prefer specialty lunch which avoids dinner issues.

Check weather 3 days before cruise and cancel if you don't want to risk it. There just no guaranteeing weather on vacation. But it can be fun to be with others in a storm...

10 hours ago, Oldguy said:

We plan to take cash, for tips, with us.  Might be a bunch of $1.00 bills, to thick for my wallet.  Once in our cabin, they will be stored in the safe.  But what's the best way to carry onboard? 

 

 

I always wear a pouch under my shirt with extra cash and id/CC. It keeps stuff safe when traveling or in port. Too many people are pick-pocketed, sometimes electronically. I feel safe on the ship but it's getting there that's risky. Backpacks can be lost in 2 seconds.