KimS

hey guys just got back from freedom of the seas,cruise,,it was fantastic,,but I want to warn every one about two unscrupulous characters on the ship,,,,they work in the Regalia jewerly store,,,Tyson is the name of one of the guys the other guy goes by the nickname Vin...they tried to sell me a diamond ring for $14,000 dollars,,I hesitated and they brought the price down to $8,000 dollars,,I was still suspicious,,so at final they sold it to me for $6,700 dollars,,,no tax remember?  they swore it would be worth more in the states and to prove it gave me a certificate ( not GIA Certified ) that if I found it to be worth less they would make it right...I have called Kallati jewelery the company who makes the ring,,no response..the ring has apprasied for $3,200 dollars GIA certified in the states,,have called Royal Carribean,nothing they can do for me....please do not buy any jewelry from regalia,,or Royal Carribean you will be sorely dissapointed and will have no avenue for relief,,they know once you step foot off the ship,,your recourse for satifaction is severly limited....these two guys re highly polished and know how to sell the problem is the stuff they are selling is close to worthless........

The only way to really have the decorations taken care of is to order them through Royal on the cruise planner.  I would sneak off and put them up yourself if you can get away with it like @AnnetteJackson  suggests.  She's quite the expert with the cabin door decorations ?
If you can't do it for the initial entry to the cabin, maybe later on in the cruise send him ahead to meet you for breakfast and then you decorate and leave the room.  That way he'll be surprised when you get back later.

For hubby.  I am a fan of light weight convertible pants.  Can make them shorts in a few seconds.

I agree with mworkman that if you wear jeans in the summer in Florida the ship will not be a problem.  CP can be hot during the day and warm at night; but I didn't find the temperature uncomfortable on the ship, except on the pool deck in the sun.

The only time it won't be hot is when indoors and at night it will cool off a bit. If you wear jeans all day in Florida and it doesn't bother you then it shouldn't on the ship.

Try not to overthink, yes Central Park can get a little warm during the day but its only a small part of the ship. During formal night spent some time the having pictures taken in a suit and was not uncomfortable

Very easy to throw a pair of shorts into the luggage - and then you will be ready for what your personal temperature tolerances tell you is best!

It does get quite hot as there is no air flow in CP and the AC in the ship is quite cold so the contrast is even more when you go outside.

Now, that makes sense!! ??  Everyone’s different & really does depend on if you’re really using their service to a higher degree. 
Feel like with the Anniversary decor already above, & will play it by ear with the concierges & maid attendant. 
Thanks❣️ 4 More Days!! ❤️
KimS
 
 

Again, you are going to get a variety of answers here because tipping extra (on top of auto gratuities) is such a personal choice.  Add to that mix is that not everyone makes the same level of requests from concierges and stateroom attendants.  Some ask for more than others.  And even that varies by cruise.  For myself, there have been sailings where I really did not need much help of any kind whatsoever and then some where things have come up.
IMO, tip what feels right to you.  And if you are already paying auto gratuities, then you should be tipping for service that you feel is above and beyond.  There "technically" is not a need to tip extra on top of that.  The only ones that don't fall into this category are Genies and concierges (I am not sure if they are included in auto grats?).

We had cake on our anniversary night at our table. They do include so discounts if you want a spa treatment and I think there was a personal photo shoot (still need to pay for the photos though lol). We never bothered with decorations but I think I might surprise my wife with something on our next cruise (also on our anniversary, kind of a tradition now). I think I will do something myself when she is occupied. I normally do the final packing anyways so would be easy to sneak stuff in the suitcase ? lol.

Typically people tip the concierges at the end of the cruise. Some also tip a bit at the beginning and then more towards the end. It really is a personal choice and there is no right or wrong way to do it.

Send another email and regardless of the outcome, tip well!

When you get your welcome email from your concierge, ask them if you couldn't please have 12 bottles of water, of your choosing. When last we sailed on Radiance in an Owner's Suite, we asked for 12 bottles of Pellegrino to tide us over for the trip. They were more than happy to provide that in our room upon embarkation day. The bottles were on our  dining table when we entered our suite.  Granted, we did have the refreshment package, so I don't know if that was the concierge being the concierge or if that was the concierge providing in advance a benefit other refreshment package. Either way, I don't think it would hurt to ask your concierge when you received their email.

Enjoy‼️
I have 6 more days for the Symphony cruise! ??

Enjoy‼️
I have 6 more days for the Symphony cruise! ??

In the words as sung by Britney Spears...  ? Oops, I Did it Again ?
For those who are wondering what is he talking about?  (or thinking I've enjoyed one too many happy hour drinks)  I just finished 14 nights on this little beauty last week.  You can read about that B2B experience here:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/14213-empress-b2b-14-nights-on-the-biggest-little-ship-july-2019/
Those cruises were great but they were Western Caribbean and this 8 night cruise is Eastern Caribbean including a stop at Tortola in the British Virgin Islands.  Royal hasn't visited the BVI very much in recent years so when I saw the BVI added to the itinerary in the wake of the Cuba cancellations I knew I had to do it.  Icing on my cake comes courtesy of another visit to Perfect Day at CocoCay. 
Itinerary
Miami Perfect Day at CocoCay Sea Day San Juan Tortola St Thomas Sea Day Sea Day Miami Our Perfect Day ends at 2pm so we can make it to San Juan for a 3pm arrival after a day at sea.  We stay until midnight in San Juan so if all goes well I hope to get some evening and night pictures around San Juan.
Sailing in a Junior Suite I have scored one of the most forward deck 9 JS cabins this time.
I love this small ship and her big heart.  It's a good thing I love this ship because this will be my fourth cruise on her.  My Crown and Anchor points haven't been posted yet from my last cruise on her so with the "paint still wet", I'm heading back to the love of my life, or at least the love of my life right now. 
Because I'm flying I don't like taking just one cruise so with a night off the water in between, I'm doing a side-to-side over to Majesty right after this cruise.  A few years ago I started dreaming about a tour of the small ships and this marks another step towards completing that goal.  
I think I set a record this time having packed my suitcase a full two days before the cruise.  Basically I took my cruise clothes from the dryer and put them right back into my suitcase.  
      " You see my problem is this
       I'm dreaming away
       Wishing that heroes, they truly exist
       I cry, watching the days
       Can't you see I'm a fool in so many ways
       But to lose all my senses
       That is just so typically me
       Oh baby, oh "
Okay that doesn't make total sense but it's the only part of the lyrics that somewhat fit so I'm going with it.  

I asked a similar question the other day and was directed to the Royal Gifts section of the Cruise Planner where you could order an Anniversary Decor package for $49.  Perfect.  But now I am beginning to wonder if I should, given the reported problems.

After getting our email from the Concierges, I asked them, although knowing how busy the are, esp on the day of embarkation with the room attendant cleaning the rooms, if there was anyone who could put up Anniversary decor before we enter the room & got a yes❣️ 
This was a tiny part of their response, I am so happy!! Hope the hubby will be! ?
Thank you for your email Ms. Kim 
Your  suite will be decorated before you get to your room on Saturday. 
Best Regards 
Willie Salaya & Jackie Yabut 
Symphony of the Seas Suite Concierge 
Deck#55014 / 55015 | Email : [email protected]
 
Thanks to you all heading me in the right direction❣️
KimS
 

After getting our email from the Concierges, I asked them, although knowing how busy the are, esp on the day of embarkation with the room attendant cleaning the rooms, if there was anyone who could put up Anniversary decor before we enter the room & got a yes❣️ 
This was a tiny part of their response, I am so happy!! Hope the hubby will be! ?
Thank you for your email Ms. Kim 
Your  suite will be decorated before you get to your room on Saturday. 
Best Regards 
Willie Salaya & Jackie Yabut 
Symphony of the Seas Suite Concierge 
Deck#55014 / 55015 | Email : [email protected]
 
Thanks to you all heading me in the right direction❣️
KimS
 

Jackie is awesome! She is so efficient and kind. Willie was in the Diamond lounge when we sailed but I have heard wonderful thing about him too. 

After getting our email from the Concierges, I asked them, although knowing how busy the are, esp on the day of embarkation with the room attendant cleaning the rooms, if there was anyone who could put up Anniversary decor before we enter the room & got a yes❣️ 
This was a tiny part of their response, I am so happy!! Hope the hubby will be! ?
Thank you for your email Ms. Kim 
Your  suite will be decorated before you get to your room on Saturday. 
Best Regards 
Willie Salaya & Jackie Yabut 
Symphony of the Seas Suite Concierge 
Deck#55014 / 55015 | Email : [email protected]
 
Thanks to you all heading me in the right direction❣️
KimS
 

please come back after your cruise and let us know how it went, it will let others know what to expect.

It wasn't extra...just put the date of embarkation and they will be up!  Have a great trip!   Jane

When you purchase them you need to specify the delivery date.  I assume as long as that date is embarkation day the stateroom attendant will put them up.  I never thought twice about it, I just assumed that would be the case.....and it was.