Neesa

This was booked day one of release, it was a sailing with friends. As time marched on we fully intended to cancel due to outstanding commitments. Fast forward, as we realize sailings for our family will be on hold for some time and final payment is around the corner, we decided to keep her. So, anyone else on this summer sailing?

Gees, hawking the cruise planner, just a few offerings! Ugh, not even PDCC beach club admissions yet. I see the cabanas prices all over the island are up up up! $4,000 for the over water cabana? Thats another 7 night on a smaller class of ship. This gives me pause for the beach club admissions prices, I think they are waiting, my gut says these prices will be the highest we've ever witnessed for this area of real estate. Hopefully the adults area will be open by this sailing impacting the demand thus the pricing, ho hum 400 + days to go!

@Lovetocruise2002 So glad I found your blog this a.m. Following and looking forward to your adventure! Life has been a roller coaster as of late, thank you so much for bringing us along!

@ScottD wait, he sailed already. I missed that. Call the C&A line where there is a prompt to get your number, it should have been assigned after he sailed. Then if it isn't automatically given via the prompts, hit the prompt to speak to a rep. " Hey there, we sailed on ship, date and I can't seem to find my son's C&A number. May I have it to apply to our future sailings?" Please let us know, I usually have a good experience with these reps!

@ScottD So not true, I would call again and speak to someone else. I set my daughter up with her very own number when she was young, even before our very first Royal sailing. ( She is 16 now with over 200 points of her own) Good Luck! I would call the C & A number listed on the website.

On our Serenade sailing in November 2022 we received the towel which I requested before hand as well as the tote bag that was a huge surprise. I'm not sure why but I think it may have had something to do with the fact our cabin was changed very last minute (RUB) and the items as well as the LA had no idea where we were (LA words when I visited her desk looking for my waters) The items are super cute and the towel was thin, so it went well in the luggage, I had carry on only. The towel is very cool looking so I use it on the guest room bed for decoration. (Nautical/Beach style theme)

I'm so happy I didn't miss your trip report. I stumbled on it this morning when I had some unexpected down time. I enjoyed your style and no nonsense truth. I read it straight through, Vintage Magnet/ Cabash kept asking me things I was like STOP, please I'm engaged in this experience. Loved all the photos, I lost my Symphony sailing in the shut down and have yet to sail her, the one that got away....sailing much less now as we are partnering with kiddo to pay for college, we don't want her saddled with debt straight away. I could feel your stress and frustration regarding that first cabin, OMG that was hard even to read about, I can't imagine the anger after not sleeping, I'm so glad the Angel from guest services showed up to rescue you! I have commented previously on our last several cruises after the shut down it seemed to me that cruising etiquette as well as respect for fellow humans has disintegrated some what, everywhere but more pronounced on limited spaces such as cruise ships, clearly evidenced by deck 11 shenanigans on steroids. I'm so happy you were able to move and enjoy the rest of the sailing. Random fact, born and raised in NJ before moving to Florida, worked in Shop Rite for 9 years, loved Shop Rite! Seriously, you met @WAAAYTOOO ? How cool is that!!! As far as the beach club at PDCC our issue was the massive amount of flying insects attacking our food. It was so disgusting, I thought the plants surrounding the dining area while pretty played a large part in attracting them. It was gross. Clean bathroom, not gross Thanks so much for bringing us along, I actually saw the @Ampurp85 cat that caught my attention, I gravitate to certain posters here and I'm so glad I did. I knew if she was commenting I'd be interested; and then I saw it was @asquared17 win win!!

@Bowen I just placed your cabin number in my search engine and there is a video of the cabin you have booked. I loved the views, ocean view, boardwalk view and finally aqua show without the price of the aqua suites. When kiddo is off on her own and I start booking again, I'm so looking for that cabin. I could sit out there for hours.

CK will be there next time, I personally would keep the cabin you have now. The idea of CK is always amazing, but sadly sometimes the experience is a bit lacking. A junior suite will have you vying for open times that may not suit you. Depending on how many top tier passengers are enjoying the space, it might not be worth it. Most pins are very sweet but I don't love it when Royal fails to limit the availability and I am stuck at a table I'm not enjoying at a time I wouldn't prefer. That cabin you have is a great cabin, feel good about keeping it!

We were in 8694 on the Adventure of the Seas, the balcony was huge. I'm talking dining table for 4 and loungers as well. Some super structure but it didn't bother us you could see through and past it. Loved this deck. Can't comment on 9. You can't go wrong with this cabin.

Paging at@twangster I am of the understanding that the Royal Up program is managed by a third party vendor, Royal would not know anything about this or be able to help. I do know this has happened to me once. My bid was canceled and then I went back in and the minimum bid allowed was 3X as much, at the end of the day it's about making the most $$ they can of course so I bid if I'm comfortable but I most always book a cabin I will be happy with initially. Good Luck, standing by for @twangsterhe knows all and explains it so well.

Have your TA call Royal. There are a few accessible suites (very few) but they do exist. I feel your pain, I have this same issue but am to proud to ask the doc for the paperwork. It's just the tall tubs so I feel it's bad karma for me to take an accessible because others may need it more, if someone couldn't sail due to my taking that cabin I feel like I'm not a nice human. Oftentimes I ride the bike in the gym and use the spa showers or hubby comes with me and helps me climb in. He gets so upset because I refuse to get the paperwork but I just can't not yet. Good Luck! Happy Sailing!! @Ampurp85 is correct, the 2 bedroom suites usually have a stand up and a tub type.

Our last stop at Coco Cay in November we were there sharing the island with the Anthem (we were Serenade) the speakers on the beach were many, very intrusive. Super loud and fighting genres, it was not enjoyable. So loud, all I kept thinking was am I that old or are they that rude? It was very off putting and we did move about, but it made me sad.....I would never do that, but maybe I'm just old.....

@Sea Squirrel yay, I loved deck 7 and with the library beneath I'm sure it would be nice and quiet. The balcony though was tight, I would ultimately go up at least one deck to 8 for a larger balcony. I think 8 in my opinion is the sweet spot. Deck 9 would probably have a nice balcony as well, and I would choose it if there was a cabin above on 10 if deck 8 was unavailable but that's because I loved using the stairs, I think deck 9 would be a bit much for me after a few days. Deck 8 for the win It was a very spacious and lovely cabin. Enjoy it!

Here's a few of my collection! One is ready for framing.

Did you eat that tomatoe? Gees, even when I smile and say hold the tomatoes, that one comes out..... every time. Coco cay, my biggest takeaway every visit is just because you can doesn't mean you should!! Especially when an Oasis class ship is there, adding another makes the Island just to full. Our last visit the Island was just dirty, debris in the sand (bottle caps, cigarette butts etc. I thought come on Royal, if you say it can handle it, then handle it. I mean I get over it and enjoy my day, but especially if you are the second ship seeing all those people, searching for even two chairs together...it's a tiny bit daunting. It's nice to hear about your enjoyable and successful massage visit. I always say I'm going to do it....and then never do it! The upsell at the end turned me off years ago on DCL and I have yet to give it another go. FYI, I have a puzzle passion. I purchase beautiful puzzle pictures and do them for hours. They calm me, center me. Then I frame them, let's just say they are all over my home. Sometimes I make kiddo stop and do them with me, they always start out in silence, but after the pieces start finding a home, the conversation flows, sometimes it's pretty deep! Quality time on steroids! Prayers up for your mom, I'm sure that you will be a great help after this recharge for yourself. I wish you comfort in these difficult days ahead. It's great you can come back with a hands on relief technique, I'm sure she will love it dearly. I wish for you tons of strength and a positive outcome.

Funny you mentioned it.... I was on the phone today with my concierge for a b2b I'm doing on another line. She was amazing, so sweet. Being very personable she asked did we ever sail before? Well, 10 minutes telling her about Royal and how it was more fiscally prudent etc. etc. I just thought it was funny how I wanted to try a new/different ship/line and I'm telling this representative how she must try Royal! I Crack myself up sometimes!!!

By the way, this makes me happy. I was hoping you would do that. Going it alone is to stressful, one accident and it's Sunday...just no. I didn't want to say anything previously so as not to make you nervous. Great choice your going to have a terrific day! I appreciate you making me feel better, I was hoping you opted for the shuttle. To stressful otherwise.

So cool, I love that. Albeit we are on the west coast when there are launches if the clouds aren't thick we run outside like little kids and watch it, what a sight to behold! Never gets old. I'm impressed you are doing Universal today, the weather is going to be perfect I believe. Is it a Royal shuttle that is getting you there? I'm with you in spirit, you are braver then I. Have fun and I wish for you an amazing day! It was cool seeing our Old Glory flying on the ship, I have only seen it once before. You Go girl, have a blast......standing by for pics!!

Like @AshleyDillo stated before we are a fan site but I promise we are not Royal apologists. When they get it wrong we do opine here. I read your complaint a few times and what keeps jumping out at me and it was your very first statement, your friend of 20+ years & yourself participated in a heated exchange at check in. Honestly I am surprised Royal allowed you to board. When we are angry we have much difficulty controlling our emotions which as an outsider (Royal representatives in this case) may be ill prepared to deal with/mediate. Royal is a company providing a vacation experience, they are not crisis counselors. I am sad that your sailing was not what you had imagined, but the company can only do so much. I'm sure as much as you articulated the problems so did your cabin mate ex-friend. Royal reps/security really has no idea who to believe, they ultimately just wish peace and no escalation. Yes, the cabins may have been unoccupied but they leave some cabins empty for deep cleaning and such during some sailings, at least one became available eventually for you. I had to deal with Royal security once when my 16 year old didn't show up at the cabin at the pre scheduled time and after an exhaustive search and not hearing from her (we always text) we did ask for security to help, they were amazing. Could not have been more compassionate. She heard the announcements of her name and came bouncing up to the guest services desk like what did you do mom, I'm so embarrassed. She did text, we did text but the internet was down, no one realized this so no texts were going through; she did everything right explaining where and what time should would return, she was in the teen club via the text. They cared, they were compassionate, I also maintained my composure while articulating my issue and that was hard. I promise you that was HARD. It breaks my heart that you and someone you hold so dear have gone your separate ways, I am so sorry for that. Honestly though, I don't know what else you would want from Royal they are not arbitrators in disputes, they provide a sailing for the monies. If you choose to not take advantage of all of the offerings and have a bad experience due to things beyond their control I think they have abided by the terms of the agreement. Do you want your money back because the fight made you not enjoy your sailing? That is not really a resolution that would be available or entertained. I whole heartedly wish you peace and joy, I wish for you to heal from your hurting as well. It seems a piece of you is lost when the friendship ended, looking to Royal for some healing is looking in the wrong place. Please book another cruise, just you! I bet this experience can be turned around, prayers up Maria

I will add to this thread by saying the Odyssey has a pathetic suite sun deck as well. I really thought to myself no way. There were many other beautiful outdoor spaces, almost an after thought?

Just to add another thought while this was also prevalent on our Serenade sailing out of Tampa, the odor of it seems to be everywhere not just cruise ships. We smell it in the park, at the beach when we leave our neighborhood on a long walk. Last week it was prevalent at the outdoor mall. I am very sensitive to even perfume/cologne (really bad, especially if someone takes a bath in it) and boy that is on cruise ships also. I do my best to keep moving but have learned to deal with it. So I guess my input here is the weed smells are really just an extension of what is going on landside, the cruise ships can really only do so much. They can advise/ask passengers to forego it , but let's face it they can't even mitigate the chair hogs....this is why I never even mentioned it, I figured it was just something that is now part of life.

I'm so happy you recouped the monies. How disgusting this human took advantage of you and your situation, I understand it will be hard to trust again. The good news is you are here, on this site. We will do everything we can to turn this around for you if you can have faith and allow us. Please go to the home page and fill out that yellow form. MEI travel not only sponsors but takes an active part in our conversations here. You will be matched with a reputable agent, one who has compassion and has proven themselves or they don't represent that company. It's a great idea, cruising is special, quality time with the ones you love is something that must be put on the front burner. When you meet your TA (they will contact you shortly after you submit during business hours I use [email protected]. @Sharla) they will do their best to understand your specific situation. Given your criteria the MEI TA may previously have a group booking known to them or manage to create something so wonderful you will have renewed faith. You were not meant to work with that ugly person, please don't give up. And like previous posters have opined, your reservation confirmation comes right away, book that sailing and don't pay the entire balance until it's due date that way you will be able to take advantage of price decreases and favorable promotions. Please don't let that jerk take away your joy, do what feels right in your heart.

Yay! Following along. Glad you made it safe and sound. Music pun intended to my ears about all the live music. I derive much joy from live music, I had been deprived of it on our last two sailings, was slim pickings. Looking forward to your adventure!!

To lighten the mood......