CrimsonCruiser

I have returned! It's good to be back. Missed this place.

Reservations need to be made in person on boarding day.It will be busy but it's best to go and book what times you want as soon as you can. As for breakfast and lunch, it is a strict royal policy that JS are not able to come in for those times. If you show up, you will not be seated. THAT SAID...on a recent harmony sailing in a JS we got a call from Coastal Kitchen on the second to last day inviting us to lunch complimentary. We hadn't asked about it or anything like that, my guess is that numbers were low up there for lunches so they were offering dining to guests that normally wouldn't have been allowed. We didn't look a gift horse too much in the mouth so not sure if there were any additional factors that played into that (the fact that we were diamond, that we had only been in 1 other time that sailing, the fact that we only had 2 dinner reservations for the whole sailing etc). So...yeah..that happened and it is SUCH a YMMV scenario I only bring it up because it *did* happen not that it *will* happen

Our very first cruise we called and booked over the phone because we were taking advantage of a Cruise and Universal Studios package that royal used to offer and it was nigh impossible to book that online as first timers. Our second and third cruises we booked online ourselves. Everything after that we have booked through next cruise on board to get that sweet sweet suite OBC

Since we always book suites and suites don't have a reduced deposit, we like to book on board solely for the OBC. It's the only place you are promised OBC without having to pay extra on the base fare for the free money.

Like Doug said, there is technically and officially a corkage fee (which is applied regardless of a cork being required) and in 3 cruises taking advantage of the bring wine on board, this past August as Izumi Hibachi on Harmony was the only time it was ever mentioned to us. And, I will say we cackled when the staff said "oh there's a corkage fee" and we said "...it's a twist off..." and they're like " well, we still have to charge if we open it" to which we said "okay...then I'll twist it" and I swear they were much confused. In the end, we just saved it for the MDR. But note that your mileage may vary so if you want to avoid any and all chances of fees, it's best to open it in the room and bring poured glasses to dinner.

Resurrecting this to ask if anyone has ever taken their own polish to the spa? I know it's a pretty common practice on land but not sure if the ship spa would have any issues with it. Last time I went, they only had a selection of like...8 polishes and I didn't want to be limited like that again.

okay that is CRAZY! I've never seen something like that before..one would THINK the flooring for an outdoor area would be weather resistant!

Resurrecting my old thread to see if anyone has any opinions on Allegro Resort Cozumel or Occidental Grand Resort These are the two I'm finally narrowed down to and just looking for the hive mind's feedback on either to help me make my final decision.

Refreshment package took the win with 35% of the vote

I got this from someone who was on Harmony earlier this year and as far as I can tell in my fb group for our august sailing, it's pretty much still the same.

We discovered this last year. We had a favorite photographer and he was down by our dining room on the last night and i think we were going to be changing outfits or something after they were going to stop taking photos so we asked if he could take some with my phone and he was nice but said whether we used the backdrop or not, he couldn't do it. He could get in trouble for even touching my phone.

I am definitely the reason we wouldn't leave all that early. I like to sleep in and it's already a stretch for me to be up in time for hotel breakfast lol. If they serve from 6-8, I'm usually running in at 7:45 hoping there's still enough left for me to cobble together a meal lol. Then there's showering, repacking for boarding (especially the carry on with the drinks) and all the other little things. And since we HATE to feel rushed on vacation we have no problem taking our time. That said, it will be a good idea to re-evaluate that and see how we can shave off time. Just in case. I definitely want to talk to my past self about why I picked 12:30 instead of 1. Shame on her

was it in a recent sailing? I really don't remember seeing it in the planner lately.

I like the little show on the last day but not an everyday thing. I like it for the last day because, often by dinner, I've been cooped up packing and being sad that the trip is winding down and the music and smiles and dancing and embarrassed laughs of the staff that are participating are a nice way to remind me that it's not over yet. That said, I do wish it was just upper staff or something because I can tell that some waitstaff don't want to do it and those that are too busy or for any other reason not dancing, have a hard time getting through the aisles between conga lines and crowds that stop to watch. In fact, I don't know if they still do it, but on my very first cruise there was a farewell type of show in the main theater on the last night and they brought out as much as of the staff as they could (room stewards, waitstaff, entertainment, crew, i think even cleaning staff) and gave them big thank yous and cheers and they had show there that the staff did on the stage and we actually got teary-eyed because it was so fun and nice and seeing our room steward up there was so cool and we hooted and hollered in support of how awesome they were.... if this isn't still happening...I want it to happen again. Not just because it would stop the MDR dancing but also because it's a chance to celebrate all the hard working staff areas

This is actually really good to know. This will be our first year doing specialty dining for boarding day lunch so I definitely didn't know what to expect. Thanks for easing my mind a bit on this.