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You'll want to check the excursions forum. The excursion we booked goes to other reefs where fish can be seen rather than just going to sting ray city.

It's about one's need to control. We use our AAA agent, but she likes to wait on flights and hotels for best pricing, while I like to lock and load everything as soon as possible. I am learning to trust more and control less. Our agent has been a helpful advocate, as discussed above.

I lost my son on the Grandeur when he was 6, so for some years my worst fear was losing him again. Now it is missing the ship on excursions or during enroute travel.(I have documents covered.) But really, my worst fear should be my wife not having fun!

Glad it worked out. My son thinks the ticket and passport carrier I wear around my neck is silly, but it gives me great relief to verify I have travel documents with a single glance.

We tried a key near the port that had guided snorkeling, a zoo, swimming pool, buffet lunch, showers, and a great gift shop. This was a Royal excursion, but I forgot the name. Try Google? It wasn't Big French or Maya.

Exactly. After our New Orleans trip Super Bowl weekend, our next two cruises are Alaska and Eastern Caribbean. When I decide to visit Chichen Itza, I'll fly.

Take her to Love & Marriage show!?

Used it in 2015, and it was not cheap. Found out later it would have been better to book excursion with drop off. Royal did a good job gathering everyone at airport. Someone stole wife's suitcase at disembarkation.

Your logic is sound for marginal difference in price. But seniors aren't supposed to drink more than 3 to 4 alcohol drinks per week. Few men who drink follow that guidance, although my wife rarely drinks. I average 5 to 6 glasses of wine per week at home but 2 to 3 per day on cruise. So my Diamond vouchers are enough. By NOT buying DBP one can take more cruises and get to Diamond level faster. Then the DBP is unnecessary. Just my opinion...

My wife says her VPN messes up the App on the ship. Here at home, no problem.

Yes, our May 2025 Alaska cruise dropped. It isn't visible with laptop in cruise planner. Tried to add it, but system says it's already linked. Now in App, my wife sees partial data like res number and ship name. We aren't changing anything for Black Friday, so I can be patient. Cruise does appear for new bookings, but only interior room available.

Favorite spot is Chill Island, and tip is to get off early. We return to ship after lunch and enjoy the peace. Everyone else got a late start...

It's a wash when package charges gratuities.

We always pick our rooms through TA, especially when booking 2nd cabin. TA gets us rooms together.

Try looking at cruise videos. That's what I do to get ideas. I also look up port maps.

We were on bus to airport by 715 am, but this was 2 years ago.

I wouldn't dream of doing serious financial transactions on a ship or hotel network without heavy duty security precautions.

For Barcelona, I am not a Gaudi fan, but a bus ride to Montserrat is an option (go for a 6hr or longer excursion), in addition to wandering around the Gothic Quarter. Do be aware of pickpockets/scams. We knew cruisers who lost their passports at Barcelona. Videos cover these threats. We did Montserrat by arriving Barcelona early and using Viator, but Royal also had an excursion.

Also, check Royal, as the baggage allowance is usually higher than Allianz. However, you must have clothing receipts. Few people have proof of purchase, which makes a lot of baggage insurance coverage moot. Often the default without receipts is less, like $300-$500. But if you carry off your luggage at disembarkation, you only need to worry about embarkation. Your risk is reduced 50%.

As I researched Royal and Viator I noticed a difference in two stops vs. three. So I would check that. We opted for Coral Garden Stingray City Sandbar Snorkel at 58.99 each on sale. You might also check tour duration.

You reached a fan site, not Royal Caribbean. That said, Royal sends the survey link by email the day after the cruise. When on the ship, you may always leave feedback with Guest Services.

Curacao is pretty and a chance to use Spanish. Costa Maya has the ruins I love.

I don't believe Reddit is an authoritative source for pay policy, although I appreciate folks trying to share. We will continue to prepay gratuities and then tip cash for the excellent service we receive 90% of the time. And of course, for drink vouchers we use.

Get some Euros. You'll want a bottled drink from a street vendor at some point, or need a cash cab or bus.. You can take out some at atm in Rome if you notify your bank in advance about your travel.

That's great! Not what I experienced shopping online in September. Everything was nonrefundable. So all operators aren't the same in Ak.