CrimsonCruiser

I think I saw elsewhere on this forum that the cruise docs were never updated to reflect that they do allow non-alcoholic beverages. And on a personal, anecdotal note, both in 2021 and 2022 we took on bottled water and protein shakes and wine with 0 problems.

Hello fellow queer! Welcome to the forums

huh! I never knew that. Then i guess the difference is they use Rum instead of Vodka or whatever alcohol is used most often in the US. Either way it is DELICIOUS and adds a really good flavor to her baked stuff. When she ran out between cruises I literally said we need to book a cruise JUST to get more. Interesting. I got a carved wooden dolphin from Falmouth on our 2015 cruise and the only "issue" that popped up with it was going through TSA at the airport because the fins looked EXTRA pointy to the scanner. The look on the agents face when she saw it was a freaking dolphin was like "....i hate my job" lmao

I've never been awake/or noticed an evac but there was one overnight once. When I woke up the captain was saying "We had to turn around last night to evac a passenger in [whatever port we had just left] and we're pushing it at full speed so we can make it to [whatever port we were heading toward] on time." I think I preferred that vs seeing it...I'm empathetic and get shaken easily if I witness someone in need of that kind of help.

They are strict on the weighing and, as Ampurp said, they weigh everyone. It's not just to make sure people are under the limit but it also lets them know what harness and equipment to use. If you want to be fair to her without asking, I would just let her know that there is process to weigh for almost all weight-limited activities.

My mom buys vanilla extract from Curacao or Cozumel every time we go and there's been no problem with her bringing it back on board. She did have fun on Allure last time because the Curacao vanilla does technically have rum or rum flavoring in it and the people at the booze desk apparently were confused on if it counted as alcohol or not (and that was only to determine if she had to leave it with them - no issue bringing it back). You should be able to bring any other prepackaged foods and snacks on board as well. Water, chips, pasta etc

I definitely agree with NCL which makes me so sad cuz the stuff IN the ship seems fun and cool and like I thing I'd want to do. I think Princess is nice. The princess lady is subtle on the front so it can be either hair or waves...or wave hair lol I like the new Carnival vs the old. The old looked dated to me back in the 90s lol

I'm pretty sure Icon will have the bigger letters as will Utopia. Not sure if they will do it for the older ships...can you imagine how much space the longer names like INDEPENDENCE, ADVENTURE, or ENCHANTMENT OF THE SEAS will take up

Definitely loved the central park shoots on Allure and it seems like people didn't know he was there because I never saw a crowd vs the promenade spots (car, stairs, balcony and backdrops). Unless they were hiding there weren't any formal night photogs out for the Boardwalk BUT on a sea day one was floating around the carousel and as most people didn't care to take photos he was very happy to snap the same people 20 times. Semi-related suggestion I only just thought of...they should totally put a photographer by the zipline exit to get pics as people come down it. I already pay for the package but I would DEFINITELY pay to get that shot.

I think I know the answer but...can I get those tourist stamps in my expired passport? I was surprised to get it back when we last renewed and it seems to be the safest place to get those fun stamps

While not exactly "recent" I can say that we sent our wine and snacks through with the porters in 2021 and there was no issue. Our bags arrived on time and were not searched or anything. And I did recall seeing that policy in the edocs for that cruise after the fact. I think the policy is there as more of a precaution than an issue. If something happens in the rough handling of the baggage to break a bottle or glasses or burst cans, royal wouldn't want to be held liable for the damage to one or more suitcases and items. On our last cruise, I made sure to use a backpack to carry on the items since I knew they'd be heavy and it was the right choice, so that's what I'd recommend (I pack a backpack for excursions anyway).

I'm glad you were able to enjoy your trip with all that was going on. It's insane that people were that...let's say relaxed...on the ship.... Maybe the booze is better down under? (Kidding..but also REALLY wondering why it was so insane..)

In terms of getting in trouble I think it walks a line. Balconies, I think, would be considered an extension of your private area. But they are open to be viewed by others (above and next door neighbors, not to mention at port) and so have a public component to them. Intercourse in a car in a public lot or street is still considered illegal because someone can see you indecently exposed so I'd imagine it goes the same for this. I suppose Royal would do a case by case basis on if you get warning, fine or kicked off since things like smoking on the balcony are published no-nos but people aren't exiting in droves after doing it.

In 2021 our stop in Labadee was changed to Nassau due to the unrest at the time for the President's assassination. Even though it was said all over that most of the concern area was in Port au Prince on the other side of the nation and Labadee is a semi-gated area, they didn't want to risk going. So I would agree with what others are saying and guess that the port in the area of issue would get changed. Reflection of the change, however, may not come until you are onboard given how close we are to your sailing.

Yup! PowerAde and PowerAde Zero in the various fruity flavor offerings. (Powerade Zero was my way of drinking "water" because I can't stand unflavored water)

It has already been such a time saver. just log in, pop over to the watchlisted cruises and can see the base fare across all 4 categories for up to 5 sailings. Don't know if there will be any kind of alert system to a price change - it'd be nice if there was - but I'll at least take that I no longer have to hit all the buttons to mock book.

Take advantage of room service dinner FROM THE MAIN DINING ROOM! It's so nice after a long, eventful day to chill in the comfort and quiet of your room with the same delicious and quality food you'd get if you were forced to put pants on Oh! And use the Suite Concierge for like 90% of what you'd do at guest services. They can do most everything (I think they can't take cash payments) and there's no line to stand in.

An OBC offering seems to be a pretty standard perk of booking with Next Cruise but the amount is kinda meh unless you're in a suite for 7+ nights. I think it ranges from $50 - $600 with that lovely larger number being for people in grand suite or higher on a 14+ day sailing. When we've done it, GS for 7 - 8 nights, we get $300 for the room. Travel Agentss and OBC - this is a fun conversation on the boards and so far I have to agree. Basically the consensus is that those TAs that offer OBC are great for their add-ons but may not be as proactive, responsive or helpful as those that do not. Booking with a TA is a not a guarantee for OBC and good TAs that will reprice, organize flights, handle fires etc usually don't offer any perks unless/until you've proven to be a loyal/repeat customer. That said, we use a TA with the agency "Cruises N' More" and get about 10% of a our subtotal cruise fare as OBC, a specialty dining voucher and a spa voucher. I like these perks and our TA is responsive and kind and will reprice if I present her with the information

If I understand the way GTY works, Royal closes off a set number of rooms for those GTY sales in order to ensure that all people get the room they paid for. So if they are all showing as sold out that should mean both the "choose your own" and GTY cabins have all been filled and now it's just a matter of assigning GTY sailors to their room. Unlike airlines, I have never heard of a cruise line overbooking rooms.

Got another automated response from the claim. "Status Update Still Searching" (me too, Royal, me too) And they finally gave me a time frame: "If we are unable to find any items that match the description of your reported lost item within 30 days of your report, we will send you an email advising you that our search was unsuccessful, and your report will be closed." So I have until approximately Feb 4, 2023 to wait with bated breath. Meanwhile I've transitioned to looking in the "weird places" such as the toolbox, linen closet and upper shelves I rarely touch.

I think you're going to have a pretty good time overall. Food & entertainment wise, I think Royal offers plenty included in the price especially on Wonder. Excursions may still be subscribe you want to do but fortunately you're not forced to by ship ones and can usually save money by grabbing a local vendor. Definitely second or third the idea of your No Cord Live Blog! I'm highly interested to see what you do and maybe grab some tips for myself

I'm glad to hear it worked out for you! Thanks for sharing your experience

Hi friends. Looking for good vibes, mainly. A few months ago, I discovered a bracelet I last had on my fall 2021 cruise was not in the place I normally put it. At the time, I figured it was probably just somewhere else in the house, but after a bit of looking it hasn't yet appeared...so to cover my bases I only just submitted a claim to RC Lost and Found. Honestly, I imagine it's been too long even if it was left on the ship somehow (we're VERY thorough in checking our rooms before we leave) but it can't hurt to try, right? So...asking for your good vibes and also, if you have any experience with Lost and Found claims can you give me an idea of how long they generally take to respond? The 'we got your claim' automated email just says "we'll let you know if we do or don't find it" but offers 0 information on time frame.

I don't know that they would change but I can tell you that August 2022 theme nights were: caribbean night white night 80s night formal night and dress your best night order is not right as I've forgotten which came which night