CNA Jacksonville

Can't agree with this any more if I tried.  Pandemic or no, bring on the manned buffet stations.  I'll gladly deal with the potential of slightly slower lines as a trade off for people with questionable hygienic practices not pawing up my food and/or befouling the serving utensils.

You mean we finally get to eat food that hasn't been touched and put back by kids and some disgusting adults?  The amount of things you can observe in just a minute or two in the buffet line (anywhere not just a cruise) is absolutely disgusting.

Pretty sure there hasn't been a definitive plan announced yet.  However, if I were a betting man, I don't believe we'll be serving ourselves anytime soon.  What that will look like or form the WJ will take is anyone's guess.  I've heard suggestions of a modified food court style eatery which I'd be interested in.  

This is an old article from the beginning of May. They backed off the "there wont be a buffet" stance, but I don't believe there has been anything definitive announced yet. I think the buffet will be as it is now when there is an outbreak of noro - they will have staff in place to serve guests.

Here is ours.  Courtesy of Royal Caribbean ?
 
IMG_6052_photo.HEIC

Thats a really good idea, like that

Though I would say the Number 1 item lost on a ship is my Waist line :P

That's a genius tip!
I've never lost my phone, but I have lost my dignity on the FlowRider a couple of times.

@CNA Jacksonville  Its not that the TA will get you the best price initially, however some offer something like a small amount of onboard credit.  Where I found their real value comes in, is the checking for price reductions as time goes by for your cruise.  Sometimes the TA has a block of rooms reserved from Royal at a discount rate, and if they do, awesome!  But in the case of the non block of rooms, they can reprice your cruise.
So say you book initially and your TA got you a price that was 1000 dollars.  You put down your refundable deposit and are all excited.  3 months later your TA working hard for you sees that your 1000 dollar cruise is now 800 dollars, and they get your cruise repriced at the lower rate.  You just saved 200 dollars without lifting a finger.  
Cruise planner extras are a little different.  Say you buy a drink package, and it comes out to be 60 dollars per person per day.  You buy it because you're comfortable with that price.  Well, you have an awesome TA who has been tracking cruise planner sales for you as well, and they tell you to check the cruise planner because there's a sale.  Well you do as your awesome TA says, and that 60 dollar beverage package is now a 42 dollar beverage package, so you cancel your 60 dollar one and repurchase the 42 dollar one and a few days later the refund arrives for your 60 dollar one.  Your amazing TA has saved you yet more money.

I have said this several different threads on this board, but I would say give one a try with 1 cruise to see what you think.  BUT I always recommend that you treat this like you would finding a contractor to work on your house.  Get on the phone and ask the agent what they do for their clients, what else they mat be able to provide, etc.  This is hopefully the start of a relationship with a person that can handle all your vacation needs so you can relax and just vacation.  Make sure to ask about price reductions are they done automatically or do you have to let them know.  Ask if there are fees with the agency as some do charge a fee just to quote and book for you.  Make sure you feel comfortable with the agent you are working with.

Like most here we pre-pay gratuities and use cash for the dining room ($5 each for waiter & asst waiter) and $2 for bar drinks.  We also tip the room attendant $5/day.  Funny in that recently I put on a pair of pants and found some crisp fives and some singles in my pocket left over from the September cruise on Mariner.  LOL

We bought the Photo Package on our two Mariner cruises this year and really liked it.  On the first cruise we took home (digitally) over 100 pictures and on the recent three night adventure 90 photos.  We made a point of stopping at each and every photo opportunity.  We thought the quality of the pictures was very good to excellent.  Usually you can see the pictures within an hour on board through the link they share with you and just the other day RCCL sent me a zip file with all of the pictures from this month's cruise.  I usually send the ones we like best to Walmart for printing and to put in a small memento photo album.  And the digital pics can be shared easily on social media and shared with family and friends.
Discounts are always available on embarkation and the first day or two of the cruise.  And when you get the package you also recieve some accessories.  In our case we got a small album and a 5x7 RCCL frame.

We bought the Photo Package on our two Mariner cruises this year and really liked it.  On the first cruise we took home (digitally) over 100 pictures and on the recent three night adventure 90 photos.  We made a point of stopping at each and every photo opportunity.  We thought the quality of the pictures was very good to excellent.  Usually you can see the pictures within an hour on board through the link they share with you and just the other day RCCL sent me a zip file with all of the pictures from this month's cruise.  I usually send the ones we like best to Walmart for printing and to put in a small memento photo album.  And the digital pics can be shared easily on social media and shared with family and friends.
Discounts are always available on embarkation and the first day or two of the cruise.  And when you get the package you also recieve some accessories.  In our case we got a small album and a 5x7 RCCL frame.

We bought the Photo Package on our two Mariner cruises this year and really liked it.  On the first cruise we took home (digitally) over 100 pictures and on the recent three night adventure 90 photos.  We made a point of stopping at each and every photo opportunity.  We thought the quality of the pictures was very good to excellent.  Usually you can see the pictures within an hour on board through the link they share with you and just the other day RCCL sent me a zip file with all of the pictures from this month's cruise.  I usually send the ones we like best to Walmart for printing and to put in a small memento photo album.  And the digital pics can be shared easily on social media and shared with family and friends.
Discounts are always available on embarkation and the first day or two of the cruise.  And when you get the package you also recieve some accessories.  In our case we got a small album and a 5x7 RCCL frame.

We bought the Photo Package on our two Mariner cruises this year and really liked it.  On the first cruise we took home (digitally) over 100 pictures and on the recent three night adventure 90 photos.  We made a point of stopping at each and every photo opportunity.  We thought the quality of the pictures was very good to excellent.  Usually you can see the pictures within an hour on board through the link they share with you and just the other day RCCL sent me a zip file with all of the pictures from this month's cruise.  I usually send the ones we like best to Walmart for printing and to put in a small memento photo album.  And the digital pics can be shared easily on social media and shared with family and friends.
Discounts are always available on embarkation and the first day or two of the cruise.  And when you get the package you also recieve some accessories.  In our case we got a small album and a 5x7 RCCL frame.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2019/10/07/royal-caribbean-holds-first-late-night-visit-perfect-day-cococay
Looks like fun!

The Cruise Compass I submitted (and now posted) was for the 27 September sailing and only a week old.  

The Cruise Compass I submitted (and now posted) was for the 27 September sailing and only a week old.  

We returned this morning from Mariner of the Seas and I submitted the weekend Cruise Compass for posting here.  That will have the show times.  

The Cruise Compass I submitted (and now posted) was for the 27 September sailing and only a week old.  

Well, since the trip is to the Bahamas we enjoy Bahama Mama, MaiTai and Pina Colada.  Oh yeah, wine with dinner too ?

We returned this morning from Mariner of the Seas and I submitted the weekend Cruise Compass for posting here.  That will have the show times.  

We just returned from the wedding anniversary weekend cruise on Mariner of the Seas.  The anniversary package I ordered was in place on our arrival.  The missus was quite surprised!
IMG_6052~photo.HEIC IMG_6056~photo.HEIC

We returned this morning from Mariner of the Seas and I submitted the weekend Cruise Compass for posting here.  That will have the show times.  

We returned this morning from Mariner of the Seas and I submitted the weekend Cruise Compass for posting here.  That will have the show times.  

We returned this morning from Mariner of the Seas and I submitted the weekend Cruise Compass for posting here.  That will have the show times.