Neesa

+ 1 Agree! My family thought I was a pro, and I felt like one with my very first sailing. I felt like we missed nothing and I had answers to all of the questions. We have fallen for RCCL and I am sure our amazing experience had to do with all of the kind people on this blog. I even reached out privately at first @WAAAYTOOO and the response was timely and warm. This was even before I found MEI so I was a DCL transfer newbie and she took me under her wing and made me feel like no question was stupid. Well I now have my TA MEI advocate Sharla & this Community to thank, I have 3 more sailings booked as of today, it's all YOUR fault. Thanks so much friends !

Researching a card that does not assign foreign transaction fees as after my last sailing I was surprised how they added up. ( I wrongly assumed my card didn't charge for this) Anyway, it sure does not look as if there are very many perks accept this and a minimal OBC when getting the RCCL card. Thoughts? Is there an incentive for maybe getting this card on my next sailing versus applying via the bank? Thanks everyone?

I agree with @PRebecca, go to Disney. It can be pure joy. No one would bat an eye to a single, sometimes shorter wait times for rides also due to so many big parties. I love going and immersing myself fully for a short time. It's really good for my psyche. Go early, rope drop time to get a good jump on the crowds, as lots of families with little kids get started a bit later. I found going alone left me to do and go anywhere I wanted, changing my mind on a whim. I have found most people are fully engaged in their families and pay not much mind to anyone else, but when engaging with another always a pretty friendly bunch! Enjoy!

@TotalF, in the cruise compass there was a youth/teen meet up the first night, I believe with counselors helping to break the ice. We let her go to that instead of the show, and after that she was all over the place with the little group they formed. We had a non negotiable rule, never enter a cabin but your own. She had a blast and still talks to the group on the X box thing. I forgot to mention our sailing was on the Harmony.

@TotalF, My daughter is an only child and at 13 this past November we let her go and do her own thing. She met great kids the first night and they were together the entire sailing. We were clear with our communication and curfews, she knew just one hiccup & she would not have so much freedom. There are cameras EVERYWHERE, the crew was so friendly and we (my husband & I ) are both "older"parents working in LE. (so we are very aware of some serious ugliness) We felt very comfortable with allowing her to be on her own, as we are really comfortable with her instincts and decision making skills. We felt it was safe to allow her to explore on her own. We sailed Thanksgiving week 2019. Great family vibe we felt on board..

@WAAAYTOOO You're ability to make lemonade out of lemons, I just love the positive attitude. I have been sending positive thoughts your way as well as your fellow cruisers and the staff of the Anthem. Here's wishing you a beautiful experience for the rest of your sailing. I second @ellcee remarks, I really hope one day to sail with you, you are an inspiration! Enjoy!

@constable145~ Wow, after reading this today I had the before school breakfast discussion with my 13 year old daughter who practically grew up in these kids clubs. A little background, my husband and myself both L.E. and she is an only child. First me, I closed my eyes and thought if it was her at 6 years old okay answer is no. My 6 year old daughter with 12 year old's, not a chance. As it was we visited the club every time to get a "feel" for the environment and or sub group we were leaving her with. Then I went to the expert, 13 year old pretty tough secure in herself, quiet yet sometimes outgoing and very nurturing (wants to teach and tutors now 1st graders) She told me almost always the kids were friendly and kind, but there were also always at least one or two who had "potty mouths" Thinking back she said she always felt comfortable with the girls but not the boys who sometimes rough housed. So surprisingly NO from her also, unless the 6 year old had a "buddy" Hopefully when you sail you can go there and check out the situation and they have a separate area/games/focus for the 6 to 8 set maybe they will, but if not, hard no from this cruising family.

+ 1 this suggestion. I have a shorter hair style but my daughter has long beautiful locks. The hair dryer would have probably burned out before she was done, it was comical. I purchased a really powerful travel blow dryer from Walmart, super cheap and power for days.( it was tiny too) Thanks to everyone advising this or it would have been touch and go with a teenage girl for 7 days, I was like pony tail anybody? Oh mom, thank you for bringing this from home. Mom hero status!

@Jaymac Radio, I appreciate all of your time and efforts here. We are sailing the Mariner August 2020 for the first time with 2 stops at Coco Cay & looking forward to it even more (can't believe that is possible) due to following your journey! Thanks so much :)

@SC2020~ Sailing DCL numerous times, about 14+ times at Castaway Cay, I can say hands down CoCo Cay is better. I like the various options provided on this Island, so many you have to go back again to experience it all. I have the a Double Dip to Coco Cay booked as well as the sailing on Allure in 2021 that stops at Coco Cay & Labadee. With such a long drive why not do a B2B on the Mariner, I think it would be 4 nights/3 nights. I've said it here before we are platinum at DCL but have relocated our vacation dollars to RCCL. I had no idea how wonderful this line could be. Take a peek at the blogs, @twangster has a nice one amazing pics on the Allure & @Jaymac Radio, just familiarized us with his sailing on the Mariner. We have been on the Harmony and while it was massive and crowded (Thanksgiving week) it was easy to navigate and the throngs of people were dispersed in a way I did not feel over whelmed. The elevators at peek times were where I saw the numbers, but seriously it was the same over at DCL. Embarkation was jaw dropping fast no worries there. Our first Mariner sailing is this summer and while it is a bit smaller then the Harmony (for you the Allure) I watched so many videos, spoke with so many wonderful cruisers here that I know it will also be fantastic, just a bit different. Look at 1854 & 1804 on Mariner, we jumped on that & simply can't wait. So my vote is if you are not doing the 6 night on the big ship at least do a B2B, 7 days including lots of private island time= home run! You will be hooked. Also a shout out to MEI travel. Sharla was just wonderful answering all my newbie concerns, [email protected], always takes great care of us if you are in need. She as well as this blog Community are the warmest people ever.

@SpeedNoodles +1

@Mikeb1892, just used them on our last sailing on the Harmony. 1. They replace the Sea pass card, BUT for safety muster I would bring your card. We used our bands they scanned one of us twice and skipped another, we were harassed for 2 days accusing us of skipping the muster. Phone calls, letter messages, TV alerts....UGH! 2. If in a suite just ask concierge via welcome email & they will be in your cabin. All other cabins they are for purchase I don't know the location but I'm sure staff can guide you upon embarkation. 3. Yes, wearable credit card as well as unlocking the room, just don't mix them up as they are tethered to your individual Cruise Planner purchases. We enjoyed them sometimes, we really liked having the option....Sea Pass cards though if disembarking at Coco Cay or any port for that matter. Need them to get back on ship as well as off like @twangsterreiterated, so on board use only. Have a great sailing!

@Baked Alaska, LOL It seems you and I are conversing with Sharla at the very same time, she is fantastic! So I am not savvy like others here and my teenager is creating her "look" for school this morning but I just placed Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas Cabin 1694 in the search engine and clicked video, (see no joke I am old) and the cabin had a great video attached and a really great view of your super structure. This way you aren't surprised and know for sure. If you booked 1394 I believe it would look very similar. I hope this helps I know I would want to see to be sure, I am spoiled so I wouldn't enjoy it BUT for the right price I maybe could learn to love it. (But I spend hours outside staring at the sea) I hope you find it and it helps, I have stayed aft on DCL in 8188 and love the aft view! Have a great day, happy decision and say hi to Sharla for me....better not she my cringe, Oh NO! not her AGAIN ?

Share prices down as RCCL is reporting earnings tomorrow.(I am hoping prices go down as I have 3 sailings within the next 2 years. ) Seems like a buying opportunity to me @Carol Kemp I look forward to your experience when we get a handle on this virus. Here's hoping we combat this quickly so we can breath a sigh of relief. Sad that a black swan event is happening but I am now going to buy, buy, buy!

August 1 thru August 8, 2021 out of Port Canaveral there are four 2 bedroom grand suites available two on deck 9 and two on deck 10 for the same price as 1 bedroom grand suites the same sailing. I almost bit but I really like the quiet on 17. So not sure if this is a mistake or even a good deal but wanted to share in case someone could benefit from this pricing, @Matt, not sure if this is by design or not but if my fellow sailing friends can benefit and save some money, I wanted to spread the word. If this is a normal thing, sorry but I share with the best of intentions. Enjoy friends,??

@Levi, @twangster, thanks to the both of you. I just booked 1750 on Allure out of PC August 2021. You both helped guide my decision? This week caught my attention when I saw the 1 and 2 bedroom grand suites were the same price, I almost went for the 2 bedroom grand as I thought the price was very fair BUT, deck 9 or10, connecting cabins and the non stop door bell ringing, yikes. I will watch for price drops for the L1 and adjust later, I would be miserable once I settled in, if I booked a deck besides 17, I know it!

I had my teenager take the pics with her cell phone, she had them uploaded in seconds. We took them against a very light wall, she took a selfie of herself. They were all accepted at check in, just a breeze.

@MikeK, was the balcony in 1756 much smaller? Was there noise from being right there at the entrance to the 17th deck cabins? Thanks so much!

Okay, crazy question I think. Can anyone here remember the type of car on the promenade of the Mariner? Anthem? Are they the same as on the Harmony? Curious minds want to know. Any additional ships cars identified will also be greatly Appreciated. We love this random stuff! Thanks in advance ? I resort to anything I can to lure my husband into booking new sailings?

On our previous sailing there was a group of about 20 Pinnacles in the Suite Lounge. They all arrived early and as a group commandeered the best seats in the lounge for happy hour offerings. This group proudly wore their pins and did this every evening, but they gave me JOY! I loved seeing them, so inspiring; everyone simply put was young at heart while not in years and I thought how wonderful for them, I want to be them when I reach that age. They were a quiet group and I felt like celebrating with them/for them as I thought "now that is how you do it" With so many nights under their belts I was happy for them and in awe, I gathered the courage to break into the group one evening and the warmth, stories and information they shared left me wanting more. So while I have no desire to wear my pins given moving forward, on the day I reach Pinnacle I will proudly wear it, as it represents to me a celebration, I worked hard and played hard. (So keep those window seats, you've earned them!)

@CGTLH, That is something good to know, no mention of any suite guest lunch anywhere while researching & I really appreciate the menu image. If similar to DCL suite lunch the menu would probably be the same. @Lovetocruise2002 & @WAAAYTOOO, after reading your response last night I went on cruise planner and booked 1200hrs embarkation lunch offering at Chops. The menu was something we would enjoy and we prefer to start any sailing with a celebratory relaxing and somewhat quiet lunch. It was 21.99 each as being only a 4 night on the Mariner with limited options I wasn't feeling the UDP. I am so appreciate of the menu presented above as I know I made the correct choice, it falls a bit flat compared to the Chops lunch offerings. Thanks for all of your help friends! ? Cheers

@Pooch Hi! I find mine located on the cruise planner under the internet drop down offering. So far they offer 3 different credit purchases on mine. 20.00 price for 25.00 credit, 40.00 price for 50.00 credit and finally 80.00 price for 100.00 credit. It is purchased under the title arcade credits and don't feel bad it was something I didn't realize was there either. Took lots of clicking ?? to locate the first time. @Cri, yes I went to guest services desk the first evening (really late) no line and they locked it with a few clicks of their mouse. I tried calling down but no one answered the phone, it literally took less then a minute.

@Lovetocruise2002, @WAAAYTOOOSince sailing on Mariner of the Seas in cabin 1854 panoramic suite for the first time on a voyager class, would you suggest Chops for embarkation lunch or do they provide a "suite lunch" offering? I have previously only enjoyed a Coastal Kitchen experience, thanks so much for your thoughts and suggestions.

@Cri, just did this! Purchased for my daughter (13) and placed on her seapass/wow band. All she did was tap or swipe, and then she also mistakenly used mine and was charged. So make sure whomever it is tethered to is the person who uses it. (Card/band) We mixed up our bands one evening, that is how I found out. A quick trip to guest services straightened it out but now you know and don't have to waste your time there, fyi I did have our accounts combined for one folio but it only was pre payed when she utilized her card/band. Also, I had them place a lock after the initial 50.00 and watched every evening on the tv folio, just in case! Have fun!! It all worked out fine.

@TJ!, the above indicates examples of on board credits tethered to the actual monies spent on your cruise fare. When you book sometimes this incentive is afforded to make the booking more attractive. A great TA though is so much more then an OBC. (Albeit OBC is nice! )