CoupleOfCruisers

Gamble a lot.

👏👏👏
I have no idea who anyone else is! all of my recommendations come from this blog!

We were on a cruise (Grandeur) once with a lovely lady who often cruises Azamara.  Apparently, Azamara is a favorite of older, single, wealthy ladies.  She told us that they always have young men (staff) who serve as dancing partners for these older ladies.  She had a name for them (NO, not gigolos !!) and their sole job is to be dance partners as these ladies do not have dance partners of their own.
She was the one who fascinated Dan with her stories of emperor penguins in the Falklands (I've related this story in numerous other posts).  He has never forgotten her stories and standing next to an emperor penguin is now on his lifelong bucket list !

I think you need to understand the Azamara culture and approach to cruising. 
They tend to visit different ports that their smaller ships allow.  They have tended to be focused on the experience integrating local culture into the experience compared to Royal who brings the standard Royal experience everywhere they sail.  That's not a bad thing, just different.  Royal offers land tours in Alaska but infrequently anywhere else.  
For example a land tour in Europe before boarding a Med cruise isn't offered on Royal.  Or in Greece, or Australia, or... 
The tend to operate very different itineraries compared to Royal. 

First time I sailed on Grandeur sailing in Royal Suite which is probably about equal to Owner Suite....the 'regular' concierge was on vacation   I never got an email or even knew to expect anything.
Second time I sailed on Grandeur also in Royal Suite...the 'regular' concierge was there, he emailed me prior to sailing, called me to arrange somethings, called me on the way to the port, met me in the parking lot in the port....
So.....it's hit or miss 😉 in my experience when sailing on ships that don't do 'star class' with a strongly documented "this is what we do" list 😉

For just my soulmate and I:
1 - Roller-ed Suit Bag:  Good for all formal wear and all dresses.
1 - Roller-ed Large (25") Bag:  Good for virtually everything else.
1 - Roller-ed Carry0n (22") Bag:  Good for all the first day essentials (Something for dinner, pool, medications ... just in case luggage is late) + Wine.
We used to pack a lot more, but we have optimized our packing list over the years.  Each cruise we try to take a little less and see if that works.  Our next challenge is a 14 day Antarctic Cruise.  We did Alaska once (and ended up having to buy some clothes en route).  If anyone has Antarctic experience, we would love to get any hints.

I'm less worried about seeing someone in sandals than I am about seeing someone in "Nope, I don't own a mirror" skimpy pajamas. The only cruise that we have been on was another cruise line(Carni---) and there was a verrry large and confident woman rocking her extra small Winnie the pooh shorts and crop top jammies walking through the buffet.

I don't smoke but I don't mind smoking sections.  Live and let live.
However, there are reasons cruise lines fear smokers, and its another case of idiots ruining it for everybody.
 

As a non-smoker, I would book a cruise if it was all non-smoking and conversely would not book a cruise if it had open smoking throughout the ship.

Im from scotland we call 40 degrees with wind swirling round you outside " SUMMER" 
Also I dont smoke inside my house, be it sun, rain or snow i go outside, it comes down to having respect for non smokers which includes my wife. 
 
However respect should work both ways, if im in a designated smoking area outside no one has the right to complain or make comments to me about the smoke or smell

Actually, I think they tried this already.  A couple of years ago there was at least 1 ship that they tried a non-smoking casino for a couple of cruises. Granted, it was not a LONG test but they did try it.  That was the last I heard of trying a non-smoking casino so my guess is that it did not go well.   Of course, you cannot expect a test like that to go well when nobody was forewarned.  I'm sure they had nothing but complaints from smoking gamblers who had no idea they were going to be victims of a non-smoking experiment.  The non-smokers weren't made aware of it so they stayed away, like they always do.
I think that the results of going non-smoking is pretty well established in other industries, such as restaurants.  At first there is a holy uproar from smokers who either deal with it or change restaurants/lines but in the end, they gain more non-smokers, who eventually make up for the smokers that they lose.  We are going through this exact scenario right now with our American Legion Post.  The smokers are in full revolt as our new social quarters are going smoke-free but trust me, there are far more non-smoking members who have been campaigning for YEARS to have a smoke-free Post.  They will now come where they would not, before.  I believe, in the long run, we will gain more than we will lose but it will take time. BTW, there will still be a smoking bar for those who smoke; it's just the new lounge and dining room that will be smoke-free.
Celebrity seems to do well with non-smoking casinos but everyone knows they are non-smoking before they ever book so the expectations are established, beforehand.

Main problem is during the evening were the Casino turns into smoking lounge , During my last cruise there were many times you can see group of people grabbing chairs and seat for a long time smoking and chatting. I heard people saying it was too cold to smoke on deck 15 so that is why everyone there.
So , or band smoking also in the casino or add somewhere a small smoking lounge like they have in some of the airports. 
If I were RC , I would take one of the big ships and do a revenue test , with smoking allow for few weeks and than with smoking not allow for few weeks (publishing ahead of time) , if the revenue will be the almost the same or better when smoking is not allow they can rollout it on the entire fleet. Also if more and more people will complain about the smoking in the survey it might help. 

As a smoker myself i think smoking should be banned from all in door areas, you cant smoke in bars or resteraunts nowadays ( even in asia ) so why allow it on ships? 
Even though its allowed i myself will go outside to designated smoking areas.

I wonder how many people are like me and would like to gamble but won't go near the casino because of the smoke.  I can't stand the smell and hate how that smell lingers in your clothes after being around it.  

When we were on Mariner, you could constantly smell casino smoke in the promenade.

Totally agree - smoking should be banned from the whole ship - and i mean the whole ship!!

The wife knows ALL.  Hopefully you realize that now !
😁

They may send you back home since you didn't follow their directions.....

Here is what I am seeing:
Selecting 1 stateroom (inside), 2 passengers:
Interior Stateroom Guarantee
 
$2,132.00 2 Guests Flash Sale -$50.00 BOGO50 NRD -$521.00 Subtotal: $1,561.00 Taxes & Fees $262.06 Total For Room (after discounts) $1,823.06   Selecting 1 stateroom (inside), 1 passenger: Interior $2,638.00 1 Guests Flash Sale -$50.00 BOGO50 NRD -$860.00 Subtotal: $1,728.00 Taxes & Fees $131.03 Total For Room (after discounts) $1,859.03  
Without the tax it's $95.06 more
After the tax, it's $35.97 more (I know this isn't a break the bank issue but I am irritated that I am penalized for being independent).
Perhaps I need to find a Sugar Daddy or a Boy Toy..... *insert eye roll here*

I did step through the booking and it took me all the way to putting in my credit card info. And that price quoted for a single person INCLUDED the "BOGO" offer they are currently running. Meaning it was close to 3k for a solo traveler before the discount when it was showing $781 pp for double occupancy.
Um. No.
I did do a search of good lines for solo travelers and have found a few that either have solo/studio rooms OR don't penalize you for being single. Sadly, I may not be able to be loyal to RC if that's how they want to do it.

Hi Dan, Diane, & Dave !!!   Welcome to the RCB family.  @sk8erguy1978  @CoupleOfCruisers
I am new here too and also lurking for years...
We started on the Carnival Inspiration in 1996.  Last cruise was Anthem in June and next is Anthem in October.  Next year's Harmony will be our 30th cruise.
Art (& Ceil)

Hello Dan,
I also just became a member after lurking for awhile. We are  diamond members. Due to life getting in the way our last cruise was 6 years ago but we are anxiously awaiting our 11 day, April 2020 cruise! And getting ready to book more! 
We’ve been cruising for about 22 years first 8 cruise were with Carnival cruises we then made jump to Royal Caribbean and never looked back.
Diane & Dave 
 

I’ve bought some beautiful 14kt gold  pieces of jewelry on board! Surprised to hear people say they don’t have good deals!  I thought prices seem good!
 I bought jewelry in jewelry store in Cozumel one year that was on sheet RC recommended. About 2 years after I got back found out it was cheap, not real gold. That was upsetting.

Hello Dan,
I also just became a member after lurking for awhile. We are  diamond members. Due to life getting in the way our last cruise was 6 years ago but we are anxiously awaiting our 11 day, April 2020 cruise! And getting ready to book more! 
We’ve been cruising for about 22 years first 8 cruise were with Carnival cruises we then made jump to Royal Caribbean and never looked back.
Diane & Dave 
 

Welcome, Dan, Diane and Dave !