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Just a quick note since I booked a 2022 cruise recently. When I checked my invoice for a similar cruise in 2017, also for an ocean view stateroom amidship, I found the price in 2017 to be $200 more per person for the two of us. The difference can be explained mostly by when I booked: In 2017, I booked just 5 months in advance while my recent booking was over 2 years in advance. The first trip had 50% off the 2nd person and the recent sale was 60% off. OBC was the same for each ($50). For newbies, this is a little evidence in support of the veterans who urge booking in advance when you are able. PS. I selected refundable deposit and used a travel agent.

Just remember that all aboard is 30 minutes before scheduled departure, and there can be a line, so you really need to be back an hour early. And if you are concerned about traffic back from Rome (or anywhere else), you fudge it another hour. So don't schedule every last minute of your day in Rome. I would skip dinner in Rome and eat on the ship, for example, as dining can kill your free time. We used Royal's excursions on our Med cruise, and one port (Livorno) had horrible beach traffic in the summer -- we were nearly late. We found we were tired after 6 or 7 hours in port. By 2 or 3 PM we were ready to head back to the ship. A port-intensive cruise itinerary can wear you down.

The Main Dining Room has seatings or MTD, so you are reserved based on how you initially sign up. I have never tried the MTD stand-by line. Specialty restaurants prefer reservations, but you can always stop by and see what is available. Check a recent Cruise Compass for hours of operation for particular restaurants. No reservations needed for the casual dining places like Windjammer, promenade, Park Cafe, etc. Recommend reservations for specialty restaurants if you want a good time slot.

Flavored water is often found at the Windjammer or in the Solarium, or both, depending upon the ship. Water is also available at Cafe Promenade for the ships with a promenade. I also drink the water in the stateroom. Bottled water can be purchased many places, including bars.

My family took a Med cruise, and we were excited to see so many historical sites. However, I had already spent 5 weeks in Spain as a high school student learning Spanish. I was content with the cruise because I wanted to find out where I should go next for a land trip. I know now that I'd like to go to Italy for a couple of weeks... Whatever you choose, have a great trip. PS. My friends tell me that river cruises are like bus trips (land vacations) except the ship is better than a bus!!

I concur with all of the above with one comment: If I don't wear long pants on the ship, I pack a pair of dockers so I have long pants for the Main Dining Room I sometimes don't get my suitcase until after dinner (we opt for early seating traditional dining). My carry on is a back pack (intermediate size).

I wore mine to the Diamond Lounge once, and then lost the pin later that cruise. I thought they would need it for ID, but the lounges generally use your Sea Pass (the door is typically closed so you scan yourself in). My advice is to save it as a souvenir, or put in on your SeaPass lanyard, etc. At any rate, congratulations!

Marketing. Look at the bottom line price, not the percentage discount. Some folks use spreadsheets to track the price. The general consensus is that if you want the excursion and the price seems fair, book it. You can cancel and rebook later if the price goes down (or change your mind altogether and cancel before the cruise). You will find that excursions with a meal are more than those without, and the length of the excursion can be a factor. On occasion I've saved $10-$15 per person off a $50 or $100 excursion, but that is about it. The main point is that it is more expensive to book on the ship. You can download the entire Cruise Planner excursion brochure, peruse it at your leisure, then go into Cruise Planner later when you are ready to select. Have a great cruise!

I know, I was really suggesting that drinking 10 drinks in two days is overdoing it....but I was trying to be polite and used my legitimate excuse. The 10 drink cards I saw were about $80, so not really a great deal even if you can down all 10 by sharing. But I admit $8 is less than $13...I find the other ways of getting cheap or free drinks kind of undercut the unlimited drink packages or the drink cards. Just my opinion.

On our last cruise in September 2019, our excursions for Mexico said we needed the environmentally friendly sunscreen, which we purchased on Amazon - more expensive than conventional sun block (a small tube at about $20 for 3 fl oz; Steam2Sea). At Roatan (Maya Key), I asked our host if it mattered which sunscreen we used (due to the reef system), and any sunscreen was OK at that site.

When you get old and take meds, it reduces the amount of alcohol your liver can process...honest truth.

It is hard to predict, but usually by 45-60 days out. I will yield to a recent traveler on the Symphony, but that is been our experience on other ships.

When I purchased a coffee card, I was able to get a Chai Tea for my wife at the Cafe Promenade. That is one type of premium tea.

One problem with the drink card is that when it is offered late in the trip, you don't have enough time to safely use it. I can't safely dtrink 4 or 5 alcoholic drinks in a day, so I have no interest in the card. Remember also, as others have said, that there are specials on the ship, likely cheap mimosas or free champagne, etc.

Concur with others, including @JLMoran , and we now generally use Allianz. You can select a "tier" of coverage -- more expensive if you want extra $$ for medical, for example. We found it easy to submit a delayed baggage claim online with Allianz when we traveled to New Zealand. One benefit of Royal's contractor is the "cancel for any reason" provision, whereby you could cancel at almost the last minute, forfeit your deposit, and get the balance in future cruise credit. So it depends upon your needs -- luggage issues, medical issues, schedule/weather uncertainty, etc.

We liked the Maya Key excursion, which includes beaches, snorkeling (with a guide), a small zoo, buffet lunch, swimming pool, lockers/showers. gift shop, etc. It is peaceful and less crowded than the main tourist attractions. The key is just a short boat ride from the arrival pier, and you can return early to see other sights in Roatan.

Have you seen this link? https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/does-royal-caribbean-offer-luggage-valet And here is a previous post from this blog. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/6573-luggage-valet/ You should probably contact Royal to verify the terms for your specific cruise. Enjoy!

At Coco Cay, we have typically snorkeled off the beach at Chill Island. To see the fish, you need to swim to the rock reefs at the edges of the small cove. Next trip, I am going to try an excursion that goes to a natural reef nearby. It wasn't very expensive, and I am thinking it would be a better snorkeling experience at Coco Cay. At Puerto Rico, as @JLMoran has stated, we typically check out the fort or walk through the old town area for shopping, vendors, cafes, etc. Have a great trip!

You will be OK, but try to be sensitive to others-- different venues have different suggested attire. That means wear your best on formal night in the MDR, whatever that ends up being. We once lost our luggage and didn't have the nicest clothes to wear, but we explained to our wait staff it was the best we could do, and we were readily accommodated. Attire at dinner isn't about judging others, but it is about trying to create an atmosphere where all can enjoy the sights and sounds as well as the food and the companionship. Other nights might be casual (still no shorts/T's at dinner), tropical, or even smart casual, although that seems rare these days. Also, some ships have a white night party, and guests have gotten in the habit of wearing white to dinner. That might be another option when it falls on a formal night. Have a great cruise!

I think the moral of the story is to pick your own room (which we have always done) after shopping around for the desired itinerary and time of year. We have never tried to game the system, and we haven't been disappointed. A couple of cruises were more expensive than we liked, but that was because we selected popular dates (we had little choice due to school schedules) and didn't book far enough in advance. Whatever you choose, have a great cruise. PS. We always use a travel agent.

My son always enjoyed the teen club, which managed to stay busy roaming the ships we were on. Don't forget line dancing classes and pool-related activities. Folks play board games -- bring your own or check one out at the library. There are movies to watch as well as informal sports deck activities. At 16 my son really enjoyed meeting other teens, because no one knew who he was or had expectations about him -- he could just be himself. Have a great trip!

I hear you, but I've got to note that we found service in the Harmony Diamond Lounge very slow last year on two cruises -- even though we arrived early to snag a small table. We've also found that we don't need appetizers since there is plenty of food at dinner. Soooo, while a lounge can be peaceful, I have noted it is faster getting a drink at bar using the Seapass voucher, and I won't be violating the rule on taking items out of the Diamond Lounge (seldom enforced, but still posted on our last cruise). For me, the best part of having the Diamond Lounge is getting an espresso in the morning....and maybe one of those apple danishes. Have a great cruise!

In the days of tendering at Coco Cay, the waves could be an issue (we missed the port once). Now it is less of a problem with the pier. Twangster has already given you a weather update. I have never gotten sick on a Royal ship, but a couple of times the seas were rough, and bags were hung in the staircases. I can't remember the last time that occurred to us. Have a great trip!

On the Harmony last year, it was also 12 for us. We ended up breaking into sub-teams as clues were found, but we didn't really experience the "big picture". Although we solved the puzzle in the end, it was a little disjointed.

The MTD times should be in the compass, and I've read posts that they start at 6:30 or 6:45. We usually schedule traditional dining, and our requested shared table has often had vacant chairs. Not sure what you requested with your dining reservation (shared or just your family) -- a family of 3 might be given a table for 4 which allows for one extra chair but not two. Best of luck...