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Thanks so much! Helpful and practical!

It may have technically been a steward and an under steward or some other title, but we had two guys, twice a day, servicing our CLS on Harmony. But that was 2022, before the cutbacks

Getting my tipping bank in order and wondering a couple of things: 1) For suite passengers, are there two concierges in the lounge and do they trade off duties such that both will expect tips by the end of the week? 2) Are there still two cabin stewards for suites or has it been reduced to one with the cost cutting? Or was that just on Oasis class anyway? 3) For bag-drop in Southampton, are these British porters who will expect to be tipped in pounds? Or Royal employees who will be happy with US dollars? Thanks to anyone who knows and can help with my over-planning!

We had a good experience at Secret Harbor in St. Thomas with Aqua Action. I did a long review on it when I got back, over on cruise critic https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2923708-review-for-chair-rental-at-secret-harbor/#comment-65006394 if you want to read all the details. I think it would be a very good beach for young children. The water is protected, calm, and shallow. I don't think they had sand toys, but you may know that you can purchase collapsible buckets on amazon to take in your luggage.

Trying to set my expectations for our upcoming Anthem cruise. Am I correct that there is not a bar in the suite lounge/concierge club? I have seen reports that it's just slow waiter service during the happy hours? Also, is there not a bar in the suite sundeck area? We had such a great experience on deck 17 on Harmony. It seems like suite experience may not be so seamless on Anthem. Which is fine, I just want to go in with correct expectations to avoid feeling grumpy lol. Any tips for best use of sky class benefits on Anthem?

We've sailed Rhapsody with our daughter when she was 16 and when she was 20. Loved it both times. Yes, it's smaller and more laid back, but the crew involvement was the best we've had. The shows in the centrum are fun, and it's an easy ship for the youngs to meet and then continue to meet up with people their own age.

Just to add on to the discussion: we started annual trip insurance with Allianz in 2022, set it up for Nov 1-Nov 1 because we had several big trips in that time frame and it seemed to make the most sense. Fast forward to this July and a surprise diagnosis of stage 4 cancer for my husband. We had to cancel a very expensive trip for September, past the point where we would only get 50 % back of the cost. Allianz issued a check very quickly to cover all of that. By fall, a treatment plan was in place and we are able to take the big trip we had booked for this January. If we had not had annual insurance, we would not have been able to insure this trip because, with a preexisting condition, you have to buy (far more expensive) trip insurance within the first 14 days of deposit, and we were already well beyond that point when he was diagnosed. Luckily, we were able to simply renew the annual policy, so we've had uninterrupted trip insurance and the preexisting condition is covered. We are only in our 50s, this was not on our radar at all - we thought we might need the insurance for breaking a leg on a hike or something. But we were glad we had it.

We did the free session for suites on Harmony and had so much fun with it. The photographer took us all over the ship for some really great shots, and he was really skilled at getting us relaxed and laughing, so we looked very natural and happy in the photos. The price was insane and we told him we were sorry for wasting his time but we just couldn't justify purchasing. At which point he offered us the photo package we could have prepurchased, with I think 5 digital downloads for a price I can't remember now but we felt was worth it. We also tipped the photographer, so that added a little to the price. I still love the photos and am so glad we did it. As Firefly said, definitely worth haggling over the price. Having said that, for a large group, you may be better off buying one of the photo packages and then just making a point to getting the group together as often as possible to take advantage of the photographers all over the ship. When we sailed with a group of 18, we did this and they really did a great job and took plenty of time to arrange and pose us.

We are in the same boat, so to speak, and have opted to try going without the drinks package this first cruise as diamond coming up. But we will be in Norway, very port intensive and not sitting by the pool on the regular. Also, the package has not dropped below $74.99 pp/pd so it would take a lot of daily overages to be "worth it." On Harmony, our suite steward replenished our large bottles of Evian every day, so the waters we would normally get value from on the package were not so much a factor. Not sure if this will be the case for you. I tend to agree with Twangster though, if it will help with "vacation mode" then I think that goes a long way toward justifying a package.

We think of cruises as our least expensive vacations - ones that offer a lot of value for the dollar. We tend to splurge on luxury land tours or river cruises. So it's not so much a set dollar amount as a comparative amount - if 7 days cruising in a suite to the same islands as always, costs the same or more as a 10 day guided tour to some exotic place, I'm going with the new exotic trip. That has definitely come into play this year as we look ahead to trips we want to do. We got a great deal on Anthem to see the Norway fjords this May, but we booked that the day it came out and then followed up when prices dropped for a few hours. Our February 2025 Caribbean cruise will be on Princess because a ten day in a giant aft suite on that was significantly less expensive than a 7 day on one of the big RC ships. So to answer the spirit of your question, we have definitely made changes to our cruise spending if not to our overall budget.

In Curacao, there are some really good spot to see turtles. One is a small dock area where the fishing boats come in, and throw overboard their leftovers. It's a sandy bottom and swarming with sea turtles. We did this with a private guide. I'm pretty sure that there aren't big tour going there as it is a small gravel parking area off the side of the highway. But if you look on trip advisor for private tours, I guarantee they will know about this spot. Sadly, the company we used on several trips went out of business during the pandemic or I would give you their contact info. However a quick search shows that some of their guides seem to be working with curacao actief now. If you can book with Bernice or Elmer, you will have a fabulous day.

We get the drink package, and always tip an extra couple of dollars per drink. More than at the bars, I find this really enhances service at the places servers bring drinks to us, like Schooner Bar or the Pub. We tend to return to these spots nightly (or afternoonly on sea days ) and often it is the same servers every time. Usually, my drink is in front of me by the time I've settled into a seat after the first night or two. And when we are ready to call it a night, bottled waters magically appear to go back to our cabin with us. When we traveled with my aunt who did not drink, and didn't have a package, I was often brought a glass of wine and a ginger ale, and she was never charged. Plus, when a server "claims" us because we tip on the first night, we then get to know him or her over the week, which we really enjoy. We then get to name and lavishly praise them on the survey, which I've been told they appreciate as much as the cash. This is a lot of happy on both sides, for a total outlay that is less than one nice dinner out at home. Why wouldn't we do this?

the weather I would worry about for December is in the US. If you'll be flying to embarkation, I'd plan on maybe going two days ahead in case there is a storm and/or another airlines meltdown like this past year.

Early and dislike Hubs usually comes back into room and works for a couple hours after breakfast. It's nice to have it all serviced by then. But I also love coming back in after our evening around the ship to a turned down bed, dim lights, and a bathroom cleaned up after our pre-dinner showers. As for not needing what you don't get at home - the whole point of a vacation is to be pampered!

Interesting, so how does it work on Anthem, for example? We were not planning on doing drink package, since we are in a suite and have our diamond drinks. But would reconsider this if the suite lounge does not provide drinks.

I had to look this up - thank you! A good laugh! Wouldn't it be great to have them perform onboard sometime?

Thanks, Matt! I had to check and make sure this wasn't one of your recent posts that I'd missed lol. This is awesome! Will be stealing some of these for sure!

Oh good one! And yes to the Bob Marley! I'll have to go listen to this one lol

I've been downloading some playlists for our next cruise, and it made me wonder - what songs make you feel like you are definitely on vacation? For example, on the way to the airport to leave for a cruise, we always play (and sing, badly) Where the Boat Leaves From by Zac Brown Band. And of course, just about any Jimmy Buffet song counts as cruise music. What will you be tapping your toes to on your next cruise?

Thanks @FionaMG for all this great info! This is getting me excited about our May 2024 cruise! And giving me some great places to start researching. I really appreciate you spending the time!

I got the notice while standing in line at Target, and said "I wish!" out loud. Got some strange looks.

This is how we ended up in a CLS! I had gotten a royal up offer and was checking prices to see how much to bid. It was much less expensive just to make the switch myself. I wonder how often this is the case. And we loved the space - I'm sure you will too!

The CLS balcony is not small, despite what photos may make it seem. It is very deep and having the double height really opens up the view. We were out there every night looking at the stars. I cannot stress enough the convenience of being right there on deck 17 by the CK. And then just a quick toddle across to the suite sundeck. We loved the two full bathrooms and there were only two of us! When we travel with adult daughter, the extra bath is a must.

Oh, no! Was this on your generally ill-fated cruise or another time? We've been lucky to go twice so far, and have them booked again in March. I never even thought about the chance of it being cancelled. But that's a strong current for the drift snorkel. I imagine if seas were rough it would be dangerous for all but the most experienced.

For an all day private tour for two with VIPCuracao, it was $325. This included our guide, entrance fee for the caves, and her fuel costs for driving us all over the island. We paid for our own lunch in a restaurant she chose for us based on our preferences - and bought her lunch but that was not expected or required. Of courses we tipped as well, I don't remember what, probably another seventy five or hundred.