Neesa

My sailing is June 7, 2024 and there is nothing, just a blank cruise planner. Just way to soon in my estimation.

@Lovetocruise2002 I just saw the IG pictures with the music, it brought tears of joy to my eyes. Thanks so much for sharing this new adventure. Since I met you guys it makes your Symphony sailing even more special. I felt I was missing sailing on her but through you I feel as if I am experiencing her as well. I appreciate you taking us on this journey. May God bless you and keep you, Happy 2023!

I often wonder why guest services is packed on boarding day. Maybe people placing cash on Sea pass cards? Getting extra keys? Asking for possible upgrades (newbie guests) Removing gratuity? Inquiring minds want to know! Lol! Just beautiful, it's raining here. Have a fantastic journey. Symphony always escapes me....maybe one day!

My cruise emergency kit! It's a money saver and if I have it I probably won't need it. Bandaid and wound treatment, Benadryl,Vicks, Neosporin, pain relief such as Advil, ginger gummies and sea sick patches. Night & Dayquill just for good measure. The electrical outlet converter plug an all in one hub from European to US including USB charging. Disinfectant wipes (my whole life I did this) to do a cursory cabin wipe, someone was just in here so a quick cabin wipe is routine. ( I do this in hotels as well) A good attitude, something may not be as I imagined, pack patience for days.....I want to enjoy every single second of my sailing. I've learned early on knowing how to pivot my attitude is priceless and a must have for any vacation.

First, no way boring! Love the pics. We stayed at this property 2 X because it's convenient and we love the self parking. We did the main building and believe me the rooms are light and bright, same decor as yours but even on the very top facing the port so I can stare at the ships, it feels cramped and old. No sound proofing at all and the rooms were very narrow, way smaller then the one on your pic! We will not stay again either as the hype, location and property do not reflect the price. It's a wasteful stay in our opinion. We bring a cooler with Publix subs and some snacks and eat on the balcony to save money as well as not taking chances that something we ingest us "off" ruining day one of our sailing. Embarkation today! Have a great adventure and Happy New Year! Can't wait to follow along with you as well!

Okay so happy for you, can't wait to follow along. Have the best time! I still am feeling positive about your Star Royal Up win the ability to pay a little more for a great upgrade chances. Staying positively positive over here. Enjoy your family, enjoy your sailing. Cheers to you! Wish we were there! Happy & healthy New Year

In my PERFECT Royal World I would love it (I know it would be a logistics nightmare) if we could know ahead of time what tribute bands would be performing. I am confident in saying I would book a sailing just to experience the Journey tribute band DSB I believe & the Zepplin one as well. I personally would pass on Bon Jovi but we went to high school with him back in the day when we lived in NJ & hearing that music so much I don't really enjoy it anymore. Sayreville NJ High School Baby!! (Same with Bruce, I know, I know but it was on every radio channel, every minute of every day. )

Just received mine, it's incorrect by 7 days. My Serenade was last minute though, total should be 41. I really wish it was more, lol!

Very similar to the Thanksgiving MDR menu.

I really enjoyed this, thank you so much for sharing! I sometimes wonder where the back of the house shared gratuity goes, no more. Just wow!

I have a family member sailing Royal for the first time. We do small grab bag type gifting so I made a royal cruise starter kit. I'm going to make sure they check in at day 90 or immediately when available to help make their journey as seamless as possible. Nothing like seeing that first time joy! As it gets closer I'm going to probably get them some door magnets as well.

On the last sea day of our Thanksgiving sailing this explains the scenario perfectly. The parents dragged the little ones to the Solarium pool, little to do and pretty boring. Not even water flowing from the lions mouths; the kids were cranky. Crying and screaming, running around but again not really a set up for them. One family brought electronics to loudly play cartoons for the kids but again really not the kiddos fault. I don't recognize cartoons of today, I'm from the bugs bunny era. On the Oasis class we enjoy the bistro as well, thinking back I can't remember any kiddos negatively impacting our enjoyment if I recall it (myself included) was the celebration of old geezers/vintages bistro!

I was so saddened to read the beginning of this post. You made me teary-eyed as it went on, I'm so happy you were able to enjoy your trip! I agree, driving from VA demands a 7 nighter from now on. I'm so happy you made the experience one that allowed you to enjoy your sailing and you will have some great memories and a story to last a lifetime.....remember that time 2 miles from the cruise port..... Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Port Everglades next week in the 80's. Keep warm, next week will be glorious.

@Crazycruiser50 Grand Suite? You will receive an email from your suites concierge about 5 days out. He asks if he can help with anything, I have had really great luck with responding with a request or two. Private table at MDR in a corner to help with the noise, and I ask about the dining reservations for the specialty restaurants. "Would you be so kind as to book Chops Night 1 1800hrs ? " You may be able to step on the ship with all of your reservations in hand. When I receive this amazing service I make sure to introduce myself & thank the concierge usually in the form of a monetary gift. Good Luck, enjoy your sailing. I loved Allure, I loved Mama Mia!

Here is our Suite welcome letter on the Serenade showing amenities as well as the suite breakfast menu. These I believe are the same all over the fleet that are not Royal Suite Class.

Pretty much! We usually do a specialty dining for embarkation lunch, there is a suites breakfast everyday and MDR or the specialty for dinner. The suites amenity below seem to be across ships without Sea, Sky, Star. It is was you make of it and it's okay! There is a suites lounge that is beautiful also, you get some happy hour treats and complimentary beverages from usually 1700-2000 each evening. FYI get there super early as it hits capacity very quickly. No seats by 1715 or so. ** Go to the third page under live blogs & I did a Tiny Slice of Mariner trip report with lots of pictures.. VT_VP_VO_Suite_FAQ-1.pdf

THIS My personal feeling as well. My perspective, it sounds great in theory but..... I couldn't wait to visit the Diamond lounge when I first achieved that many sailings, it was on the Oasis. Imagine my disappointment when I entered and saw the venue, just awful. The Oasis class ships have tucked it away in a windowless closet like situation & the Allure, well they roped off the second tier so the venue was super tiny as well. Accept for the Mariner in June 2022 the lounges were at or over capacity during peak times. The little picky foods were destroyed, just a mess. No where to sit and people all huddled around with limited space to walk. Nope, I don't enjoy that. The vouchers are wonderful & I honestly don't even visit the Diamond lounge any more, maybe just to poke my head in to see the venue, or during the day for a quiet place to read. It was very pretty on the Serenade but it was packed like a sardine can, I enjoyed sitting in the Vortex next door so much better. It's a venue I anticipated and looked forward to so much. Reality was very different then my expectations. (Just me, maybe others enjoy it but I think Royal believes it is something it is not, not anymore that's for sure. )

Complimentary internet would be an amazing perk. ( for the length of your sailing )

Agree, I would rather have say complimentary internet added to my drink vouchers. Keep the lounge it's over rated. Even the suites lounge is over crowded and not enjoyable. I agree @mk-ultra

Cruise planner usually has a water option. Sometimes we purchase 24 bottles and it's in our cabin upon arrival. We do this in summer months.

Question please relating to OBC re: next cruise. I went ahead and booked my cruise within the deadline to keep perks, when will that Next Cruise OBC show up? If it's last minute I'll for go paying my gratuity early and use it against that on board.

My love response is reflective of how happy I am you are sailing again. Looking forward to your trip report, have a great time. Yes, Star Class seems to have been diminished a bit but I'm sure you will still have an awesome time.

@BigKarl this goes back to my frequent and consistent complaint lately WHERE ARE THE PARENTS????? Kids/families on cruises and watching their happiness gives me joy, but the lack of parenting seems to be an ongoing theme lately.

Okay so my Ms positive over here is getting salty on your behalf. There is a way to gracefully handle this by Royal and they are missing the boat (pun intended) big time. This is a tough one, at this point for me I would be like I hear you universe, peace out. Can you get a full refund for the sailing even fcc and start fresh? In my little world 6pm dining alleviates the standing in line and waiting for a table at my time, but losing the black Friday deals is making me angry for you. No way that's right. Reach out [email protected] with a calm explanation start with the cruise planner specifics to at least request they respect the pricing you secured. Good luck, I am so rooting for you. We're you able to engage a TA? They could help as well. Positive thoughts coming at you. Royal isn't perfect by any means I am comfortable saying this is not something that is frequent.