Neesa

Babysitting the luggage, that's always my job. They plant me somewhere and disappear to explore. I actually love sitting in quiet by myself to start. Question, what did you do for transportation from the airport to your hotel and then this morning to the port? Also, would you recommend? Have a great time, enjoying this adventure so far!

@Lovetocruise2002 Yes, just for clothes, toiletries are now pretty simple, I am an Eminence girl myself. If I need anything kiddo has an entire array to choose from. Also I love that D15 is crocheting, it calms the mind. Sometimes I forget this world is so different and to calm the mind is a necessity. My kiddo loves this activity, she volunteers at our local library assisting the teaching class, where she learned it and fell in love. She even chose to cancel X Box! She was mesmerized by that MineCraft thing. She is working on her big final paper for graduation, she chose to focus on the positives and future of nuclear energy, sometimes she is as her desk in thought with her crocheting in her lap, fingers working. I encourage such an amazing skill, she insists it helps her stay focused. I was so happy to read that, good for D15! Those clothes will jump in that suitcase in no time. I'm so excited for this trip!

I make a list! I create a calender labeled with the activities, excursions etc of each day. Then I fixate on a color pallet to mix and match allowing for everything to fit in my back pack and carry on. I label my packing cubes as well. You go D17!!! I love this Great minds....

I think you will! I had that cabin with same scenario on the Adventure, TBH they didn't bother me in the least. It was so spacious and comfortable back there, I failed to see them after a day or two. Enjoy this amazing journey! Following along ......

Yes, we just did this in June. I was lazy and booked through Royal. Next time I will book a private driver like @wordell1 suggested. The animals were fantastic, we felt the love by the caretakers. The rum and chocolate was tedious, I did not enjoy as it was crowded beyond measure at the little place for rum and chocolate they took us to. We did go to an iguana farm as well. The WORST part was they once again like most Royal excursions squished us in a tiny vehicle with knees in your throat, crowded to the point of every tiny seat taken and over bumpy roads minus any air conditioning. The transportation was abysmal, the animals were breathtaking and amazing. Next time I'm listening to @wordell1!!

Slight detour here, has anyone ever dined on deck 5 MDR of the Adventure of the Seas? Our cabin is on deck 10 & after our "challenges" with the elevators on the Wonder we decided we wanted to try to do a majority of stairs moving forward, we actually didn't "hate" the stairs. Whenever not on a class with #CK we do dine in MDR most nights. We have only ever been assigned decks 3 or 4. Is 5 saved for something special? Would they allow us a table there albeit we have the standard early seating? One last question please where do you prefer to sit (location in dining room) for a little less noise, rear, sides, corner, on railing? We always get a table for just the 3 of us, our sailing is 300 + days away and I booked a few specialty but the specialty restaurants don't have enough variety to draw us back after one visit, so thoughts? I would love to hear your ideas! Thanks so much!!

@WAAAYTOOO that is a goal! Pinnacles getting free internet is a beautiful and well deserved perk. Seeing that light at the end of the tunnel must feel amazing. With October being around the corner, Congratulations!!!!

@instaGator I replied to the DM, again that was so kind. I like the chart also, it helped me envision how i would do it. Thank you again

This, exactly. Of course the smaller vessels "star" class would be silly as they are....smaller vessels. The internet is something they could easily add to the amenity package of their suites program across the fleet. To enhance, mitigate or even sell higher end cabins on the smaller ships if they proudly advertised Sky Class benefits across our entire fleet.... now that would get people like me excited and I'm a Royal enthusiast! I personally believe little to no effort with a program announcement like this would drive even more monies their way. Just my 2 cents, I still booked the suite so I accept I'm part of the problem,

We are on an 8 night on the Adventure 07 June 2024. I realized after speaking with @Lovetocruise2002 and reading some additional great information sheets on here internet will not be included in the cabin unless you fork over additional monies. I personally find this insulting. I even sent a very kind and vibrant email to Mr. Bayleys office, they responded enjoy the suite as is. Kindly purchase the additional amenity if you so choose. Okay, it is what it is I continue to not love that the suites program isn't standardized but I'm part of the problem, lol I booked the cabin anyway! So to minimize the pain in my wallet can I piggyback the 2 days each of us get? Can I give kiddo all of the D + days? We would get 6 free days in total and that is enough. If this is possible, how do I do this, does it necessitate me visiting the internet desk every 2 days? This will be the first time trying to use this perk. I'm really being stubborn as I purchased some specialty dining and an excursion on the cruise planner, but it's the point darn it. I want to continue to feel joy, it just hits different knowing suites on other Royal ships include this amenity. Rant over, please help? Oh I'm in 1620 so it's like adding insult to injury This is our 18th Birthday/High School graduation celebration sailing that is why I splurged on this cabin. Sadly I didn't realize it only has one bathroom, oh my!

Clearly I need to go back to school to learn how to read, we start the 10th as well! The additional date is another open house. Wow and I didn't even start on my thermos yet, lol! Here's to an amazing school year!

@OCSC Mike we start classes 10 August but clearly our teachers are hard at work already. We've had a new to the school open house, schedules were delivered and emails are coming in. It's a sad time this month for everyone. Here we go again. Oh to top it off the population here has exploded, orange groves are now new homes....loaded with families. I honestly don't know how teachers do it. I'd have to bring a thermos of red sangria (I mean juice) to get through August alone! Teachers=Heros We graduate June 1, 2024 with classes ending a week before, so next sailing 7 June 2024.

@Lovetocruise2002 once again I'm behind. 24 days, glorious! What ship please and are you blogging it? I hate missing your adventures. We visited 2 colleges this past week and honestly I am finished sailing for a few years (after the 2 booked next summer) This whole process is depressing and exhausting. At least she wants to go more technical so she will have licensure and a profession when done. Oh my I just returned from the supermarket, I'm not sure where inflation is reported to be going down but it's sure not in Tampa Florida! The people who say this obviously don't shop for their families in person. I will live vicariously through you until probably 2027. Don't get me wrong kiddo is working and will absolutely do her part but we don't want her strapped with crushing debt, it's hard enough now a days.... Bring it on please, I can't wait for your next experience! Did you Royal up bid? Oh, by the way did you find any ducks?? You know I love my ducks! Last thought now that you're back. I'm not a fan of the suites neighborhood on the Wonder, nope I prefer the older Oasis class ships set up of deck 17. Thats why on the Utopia I booked @OCSC Mikes suite next to CK. Im there for the inaugural festivities but otherwise will be from lounge to balcony, period. Looking forward to sailing in my CK cabin! Glad you're home safe

Its actually sad, if paying for a Royal Suite one should get at minimum Sky Class benefits. Royal really should look at their suites program and standardize it. At least wifi, leave the concierge alone! They are busy enough with the multiple suites and pinnacle guests. Come on Royal, you are bragging about bookings being better then ever, look in your rear view for a second and support your crew as well as your guests. A superior product begets next cruise bookings! Revisit the suites product sooner rather then later. Please?

What a wonderful blog....again. Thank you so much for taking us with you. Have an uneventful and safe day of travel. I am so happy your trip on the Wonder was so joyful! Can't wait for your next adventure!!

Okay again with another stupid question. First finding out I missed out on the Mason Jar last month because I mixed it up with Portside Barbecue (gees) @OCSC Mike and @Lovetocruise2002 what are Ranger cookies? Seriously, you need to take away my RCCL membership card As an aside, my server last month also came from the Symphony. He said he believes Vinay and the "team" will be going onto Icon. When I inquired about the Utopia even the concierges said " no way!" Reason being they hated the quick turn around, they prefer a longer itinerary. Turn around days are the hardest and most stressful for them. I was surprised I thought that would be the opposite as new and more frequent wallets onboard, who knew?!

Wait what?? Okay now I have to try the Mason Jar, so I officially take back my Mason Jar review at this time, lol!!! I was on the Oasis for sure, yikes!!

I went to the Mason Jar on the Oasis I believe...

I just watched an interview with Jason Liberty on CNBC finance show. He assuredly stated he is comfortable raising prices and will continue to do so as guests are paying said prices. My heart sunk.....

Love this new option!!!

First things first, Happy Anniversary We were running around doing senior year stuff, yearbook photos at the studio as per the school, (nothing like in 1984 when I graduated!) So I'm so glad I could catch up! What an amazing couple, love the picture with the swans! CK was amazing, I actually returned home and sent an email to Jason Bayley naming Vinay & Shereen along with our server and concierges. Just because my sailing was not really great, I couldn't blame the aforementioned crew. I wanted to make sure I recognized this team which made me feel like family. I never heard anything back I hope Bayleys office gave them some positive feedback etc. Shereen was the best CK host we ever had! Hands down!! Okay please don't judge but clearly I'm the only person on planet earth who did not enjoy the Mason Jar, phew....okay I said it. We have 2 local family southern kitchens within a stones throw away, and we just kept comparing and I guess we are very lucky, our southern crushes MJ. Sorry, so sorry but wow, I feel better now, lol!! I love that you guys are relaxing, that balcony begs to be utilized, yep I'd be all over that as well. I am so enjoying your blog, Im living vicariously through you, but the good news is my new lawn mower leaves amazing clean lines......great cut

The white is nice but the red sangria, just heavenly.....

@tonyfsu21 staff has enough to do on this huge ship, no "wonder" they don't pay attention to the deck 18 sundeck anymore. Sadly since it's virtually impossible to keep the hallway doors secured Royal needs to make the doors out to the sun deck open by sea pass card only, like dare I say DCL.. otherwise it will remain if you can find it you can use it. Why pay extra for the amenity if you don't have to. It was unbelievable by probably day 3 that the most favorable loungers were "taken" by guests who had regular sea pass cards. It made me feel like an idiot paying for the suite neighborhood for sure.

I'm not sure if you enjoy red sangria but the sangria they made me in CK was amazing, I'm still thinking about it. It was refreshing, sweet but not overly and no heartburn. Have you noticed if they have secured deck 18? I believe we had 1900 kids as well, I know on our all access tour they told us they ordered more pizza and ice cream for our sailing. I think @Ampurp85 is onto something. The first time families are going all in, I think the Wonder and soon the Icon will replace DCL for sure!

We sailed with 62% first time cruisers. If my math is correct 4323 first timers with 6936 guests. I am sure this was where a vast amount of the "issues" stemmed from. AND being on the free for all deck 18!!! I'm so happy you are having the best time. I truly felt ugly when it appeared I put a damper on your up coming sailing. So, so happy!!!!