PRebecca

Daggonnit, waited too long to pull the trigger, site shows no more left but I appreciate the feedback!! Missed OS for May (v. happy with GS!) so trying to snag GS for 2021. 

 You're Influencers here

Thanks so much for the feedback, it's appreciated!

Good evening kind experienced cruisers!

We're looking at Owners suite versus Grand suite on Independence oTS, not much of a price difference so I'm wondering: aside from cabin space what are the differences, if any? 

I appreciate any feedback and opinions. Its just 2 of us sailing, we have the GS booked but noticed not much additional cost for OS so it piqued my interest. First time in suite above JS, or 'real' suite. 

TIA

We snagged at $17.99 in February for May trip on Indy. That was lowest I'd ever seen. It quickly went up but only to $19.99-$21.99

@Cmaccullen  Hello, welcome to the boards! I believe you'll love Royal cruising if you're like many of us here! After our first 'real' RC cruise we booked several more in quick succession; I can't get enough

We loved Mariner! and we couldn't believe how great Cococay was, whether someone wants to just sit down and get some much needed R&R or wanted to have an active beach/pool day it really is as great as people say it is. Something for everyone. As for Nassau, we are able to find something fun to do and have a great day whenever we go- whether we stay on the ship or go have a great beach day on the Island.Knowing what to expect was very helpful and after lurking here for a bit I felt fully prepared to have a great day in ANY event!

I haven't been on an Oasis class yet (November coming up!) but have also watched a gazillion videos and those ships look incredible.

Happy sailing to you, thanks for saying hi!

There hasn't been an excursion post in over 24 hours.

Anyone want to share what your favorite Caribbean excursion ever was? Which island/ship/etc. I imagine Alaskan and Mediterranean are in a league of their own so let's start with Caribbean for this newbie 

For shorter cruises I seem to be happy with included options but for longer sailings (5+ nights) I plan to try specialty dining. Happy cruising, I loved Mariner and Cococay!

I sent lots of virtual hugs and loads of gratitude. I hate to add anything to their plate but also hope to grab a GS. If it doesn't pan out then it doesn't pan out. Thanks for your feedback.

Regarding the appreciation theme of this thread I come here for advice, because ya'll are awesome. Trying to be mindful of what the agents are going thru and not wanting to bug our MEI agent unless absolutely necessary I haven't had the need to contact them regarding our May sailing. 

In any event, I am trying to move to a Grand Suite for our May sailing and sent in the proper payment form and request via email to my agent; does anyone have any suggestion that I should call instead of emailing or do you think that the email will suffice? I hate to add more to their plate, but also would like to move to one of the available GS for our trip in May. Anyone have advice if I should do anything different or let it be with the email?

TIA

We changed our 2021 sailing so now we're going to St. Thomas AND St. John which is it's own port day instead of jamming SJ into our ST day, whoohoo!

I've searched the boards and see beaches at St. John, which I love, but wonder if there are other recommendations for SJ- or is it really a beach day is  (Which would be totally fine). EDIT: Just read Twangster's SJ portion of the blog above; wow amazing beaches and it looks like a little shopping possibly.

If anyone has a 'can't miss' St. John experience feel free to share here! Otherwise: 'underwater snorkel trail'? Sounds awesome.

#StillGoing

61 days for us! #stillgoing  I love it.

my goodness! Lovely!! thanks for sharing!! 

Stephanie is the TA I use, she's been great!

Yay for the SDD! 

If it is (or isn't) it'll be the same on Independence, correct?

9 hours ago, MommaMcLovin said:

Back from our experience with our South Beach Cabana - it was perfect!  Loved every minute of it!  Our attendant was awesome, you are right on beach, close to floating bar, bathrooms, food, drinks, everything you could ever want.  Plus the weather was amazing!  We definitely had our perfect day at CoCo Cay!!

Thank you for coming back and sharing your recent experience! So happy it was a great day for you

PS, this was the final 'sign' for me, I booked it for May and bed's been cancelled. Influencers here!

It was only specifically addressed in the email around South Beach but if you look in the cruise planner, mdescriptions and photos on beach beds no longer list loungers. To be fair though, that was not specifically addressed in the email

Yes that is what family is for 

Loungers were always a part of my decision making process (I'd like full sun, I'd like some shade)  but it wasn't enough for me to get up in arms and have a whole brouhaha about, but thought it relevant. Please be sure to comment if it's not across the board on all beds, and happy sailing.

Hello, I don't think this is old news so sharing here. South Beach beach beds do not include loungers. It was just what I needed to prompt me to pull the trigger on a Cabana so yay but thought someone else may benefit  from this information. 

South Beach is the only item mentioned below, but my guess is it's the same all over judging by the description and pictures that go along with the excursion in the CP.  The loungers are no longer pictured or in the description. If anyone discovers different please let me know!

Thank you for contacting the Shore Excursions team.

Kindly note, the South Beach Full Day Beach Bed Rental tour ZHF7 will only include floating beach mats, stocked water cooler and beach towels.

We hope you find this information useful and we thank you for taking the time to write Royal Caribbean International.

Kind regards,

Shore Excursions Inquiry Team | Private Journeys Assistant | Global Tour Operations

Now to decide which Cabana to get!

ok, thanks to you both. 

Hello cruisers!

I had Oasis booked November 2021 and switched with my TA to the Harmony GC to avoid the massive FOMO on the first GC I am able to make. I made the change with our awesome new TA who has been great. In my effort to not be a pest I thought I'd reach out here instead of bugging her. We made this switch February 21st and I see the Harmony on my Cruise Planner but never got an invoice for it; just a price via email with a note an invoice would come last weekend. It didn't and I have no doubt these agent are super duper busy being fantastic so I don't want to send a friendly reminder (be a pest) if it's not important.

Is it at this point so far away something I need to follow up on and make sure I have?

Looking forward to be reading along!

super great news, congrats!

1 hour ago, Stepheroo said:

I'm interested in this too. My husband and I are going to CocoCay in three weeks, and we're looking at a beach bed. Our options are Chill Island or South Beach. We'd like a quieter, more private spot, so I'm thinking South Beach?

Hi @Stepheroo welcome to the message boards!

I just went thru this same choice and thought I'd share what helped me decide, which is actually very little and probably not too helpful but here I am. I landed on a South Beach bed for our upcoming trip (May) because A. the floating bar seems pretty close and B. it appears to get deep enough for swimming . I also read the sand at SB is a little rougher with shells than CI so we're bringing water shoes. 

I had a hard time finding anything that indicated one was any better, quieter, calmer than the other because it seems to possibly depend on the other guests around you at the time.When we went to CI in September it seemed almost empty in the cabana area since not many were rented that day. If there would have been cabanas full of rowdy folks or kids (love 'em, dont get me wrong) on either side of us then it may have been a less relaxing experience, but as it stood the area was pretty empty and we felt almost alone.

I hope this helps, but if you're anything like me I went round and round and finally just landed at SB because of any random bit of info to push me in one direction over the other. Not even sure water good for swimming and floating bar being close is factual info but the point I'm trying to make is I don't know there's a blanket statement as to which will be more private. I think it will depend on who is near you at the time of your visit, but either location in a beach bed really should be a big score of a day

Hoping someone else chimes in.