CrznTxn

You can get the pods from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=lavazza+pods+for+lavazza+machine&crid=2NVMTRFM3N1G7&sprefix=lavazza+pods%2Caps%2C119&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_3_12

Happen to us on a Grandeur sailing out of Galveston with a Casino offer. The RCCL agent was confused about us insisting on a lesser priced Junior Suite when the offer said Balcony. She had to talk to her supervisor and when she came back on the phone she laughed and told us she was "obligated" to honor a customer's request for a lesser priced cabin and promptly booked the Junior Suite! Was great and we got double points for that cruise.

We brought a large pan of homemade fudge in mini cupcake papers individually packaged for some of the crew last Christmas (it was a request they gave to us) in Galveston. Other than a short delay discussing whether ziplock bags were technically "sealed" they let us through. Didn't hurt that we conveniently left the operators a couple of bags.

We have been on both decks midship and have not noticed any difference in motion between the two.

We have sailed on Halloween and the ship usually has activities for everyone. On our last one they has a party and awards for the best costumes. I wore my T-Rex head all day (including getting on which was interesting) and the crew and other passengers all had a great time.

It looks like you have 3~4 people in your party based on the room type you listed. 8578 would be my suggestion as it is clearer on both sides as you look out and as stated before closer to the elevator. We have stayed on Deck 8 a couple of times a couple of doors down from 8578 and really enjoyed it. Easy enough to get to Central Park to get to the back of the ship and in the right spot to go up or down to other floors. We always like a room more towards the front as the elevators are typically less crowded except after the shows in the evening.

Hear, Hear

The Diamond Club is limited to deck 11 since Covid. Deck 12 of the former two deck retreat is now the Pinnacle Club. The Diamond Club is my favorite place to work during the day as it is peaceful, the coffee machine is close with fresh ground nectar, I have a 220V plug that goes to my laptop and the view cannot be beat.

We used to get a Royal Caribbean branded corkscrew when we asked but I have not seen them lately. Last cruise we got a corked wine and glasses from the casino but no corkscrew. No worries, the wife always packs one in case of emergency.

Yes, you will have to go through the BC line at disembarkation to accompany the minor.

There is absolutely ice skating several times during the cruise.

3. On our B2B's, even in different cabins, we have been able to go to our new cabin and unpack as soon as we get back on. We arrange this with the room stewards ahead of time and they have been very helpful. Onthe last one we unpacked, left the room and went into the hallway through the closed doors to a big crowd waiting to get in. They all asked why we were able to get into our room when they had to wait. We told them we lived on the ship and if they did they could get to their room early too.

We get back aboard Allure in another week and cannot wait. We were apprehensive on sailing on an Oasis class ship but since that was the only 7 night option out of Galveston we bit the bullet and we have enjoyed it. The location of the Diamond Lounge is fantastic and I use it during the day for "remote" work as it is quiet and I have the coffee machine pretty much to myself. Mamma Mia is fantastic and we have been through two sets of cast. We are looking forward to sailing on Harmony in November but Allure has never been boring and we find new things to do on each cruise. When she leaves the end of October we will have sailed on her 8 times.

When we use our BOGO it is generally on nights 1 and 2. As stated before, we schedule a reservation on night one where I use my BOGO and then on night 2 where the wife uses her BOGO. We did not see this until we reached D+ and never thought to ask when we were Diamond. It is a great perk although it does make us spend a little more than we used to as we almost never reserved a specialty restaurant before D+.

Central Park balcony can be amazing. You will be able to sit there and listen to the birds chirp, the various groups playing music, which is mellow, great and chill.

Our first cruise I thought I would do good since our local grocer was running a mastercard special that gave me a discount on the funds and use it to book. Oops, RCCL would not accept it so I was stuck using it for something else. Something about they could not verify funds so never have tried since.

Does your original cruise receipt show as the below with an Ocean View Balcony? If so I would be all over them if was switched without an updated receipt. You should have received an emailed Cruise Vacation Receipt from Royal as your proof.

The show reservations should be on the app now although it is only Starwater in Two70. The rest of the shows are no reservation required. We were on Quantum a week ago and attending the shows was not an issue, just get there a little early to get a good seat. Even if you do not have reservations you can to to the show location and they open it 15 minutes prior to the show for walk-ups. Activities are the same. If you are signing up for activities at Seaplex, go there as soon as you board to get on the list (bumper cars, skating, etc). If you are signing up for dining you can go to any of the dining booths they will have set up to make your reservation although you can do it through the app prior to boarding. Good luck on the dining, it usually fills up quickly.

You can purchase your third party insurance anytime prior to your departure. If you want it to have cancellation coverage then you need it as soon as possible. Most have a clause that you have to affirm that you have not left the country yet. We have a trip September 24th and our new coverage taking over last year's insurance starts September 23rd. Traveling more than three times in one 12 month period the annual policy is much better than single trip policies.

It really boils down to what you want to pay. For the 92 year old I recommend you drop them off at the terminal and then park the car. If you park at the terminal it will be around $165 for uncovered and $200 for covered, irregardless of handicap parking permits. And other than the closest parking lot (and most expensive) you will have to walk from your car to the terminal. Only Pier 14 terminal parking has a shuttle as it is quite a distance. We park off site at an indoor parking garage and the shuttle brings you right to the terminal for a short walk. Also the terminal has escalators and elevators from the ground floor to the departure level. You can look up Galveston Wharves and it will show the on premise parking and options. It you look up Galveston Cruise Parking you can see the other options. Not as an endorsement, we use Port Parking as they are close to the terminal, indoor and cheaper than the terminal parking. We will be on Harmony in late November and have our parking pre-reserved.

Always advocate a passport when traveling out of the country. Having grown up overseas I have always had a passport when traveling as it was a hard requirement. Not sure when it changed but even after getting married and two kids we all have passports and they have come in handy for quick trips and even the kid's travels after they have grown up. They have passports for all their kids now and the cycle continues. Each of the grand kids have been on three cruises with us and they are excited when they get to show their passports for check in.

It should not be an issue as you are there and their last name and yours is the same. They will be looking for their last and first name and you for the same last name. With your wife's last name on her passport the same as yours and theirs it will be seen as one family unit.

We went to Guest Services and booked the shuttle from the port to the airport. Looked at the price and an Uber would have been the same or slightly less but since we were not in a hurry we chose the shuttle. Carried our bags off and was on the first bus from the terminal. Since we arrived the day before departure and the hotel had a free shuttle from the airport to hotel and hotel to port we did not need it there.

For years we would self fund as we would not use the amount charged even when it was $52/pd. It will be up to you as to your wallet pain threshold and whether you will indeed use the minimum daily amount required to justify the charge. Only you can make that decision. Personal opinion is now that the sailings are 100%+ booked there will be little incentive to lower the price as there are quite a few who will fork out the money. When the purchase numbers drop then they will evaluate and adjust the pricing to entice passengers to buy. Supply and demand.

I called in to the C&A hotline as we were having issues with communication and some other items and the representative (got a US based person) was very nice and she went over all the items listed on her screen. Some of these were not listed on any forms we have seen and one of the items was a check box for free upgrade if eligible or available. I was shocked and she said we did not have that checked but she would do that for us. We have had two instances since sailing after the pandemic where we were given an upgrade. One for a birthday cruise (be sure to mention a special occasion when you talk to them) and one where the Casino bookings were full but due to the wife's status there we were given the next level up balcony to get on the cruise. Not much of an upgrade but appreciated it none the less. Have not had one like @WAAAYTOOO but fingers crossed maybe someday we might get surprised.