DMLM

Our first cruise was on the Monarch of the Seas.  Everything was wonderful as it was our first international trip together and also our first time in the Caribbean.  One of the funniest things I remember back on that ship was Sumu wrestling in the lounge with the inflatable suits.  It was a very funny event and I have never seen it since (13 cruises since).
D

Our first cruise was on the Monarch of the Seas.  Everything was wonderful as it was our first international trip together and also our first time in the Caribbean.  One of the funniest things I remember back on that ship was Sumu wrestling in the lounge with the inflatable suits.  It was a very funny event and I have never seen it since (13 cruises since).
D

Our first cruise was on the Monarch of the Seas.  Everything was wonderful as it was our first international trip together and also our first time in the Caribbean.  One of the funniest things I remember back on that ship was Sumu wrestling in the lounge with the inflatable suits.  It was a very funny event and I have never seen it since (13 cruises since).
D

Our first cruise was on the Monarch of the Seas.  Everything was wonderful as it was our first international trip together and also our first time in the Caribbean.  One of the funniest things I remember back on that ship was Sumu wrestling in the lounge with the inflatable suits.  It was a very funny event and I have never seen it since (13 cruises since).
D

We sailed to Rome and Florence last year and specifically used the cruise excursions in those ports since the sights were far.   We were happy we did as the trip in Rome barely got back to the ship in time.  Experience was awesome and worth the extra in both cases.
D

It is always so exciting to be leaving for a cruise.  I'm a bit jealous :-)
We have not been on Symphony but we wish you a fantastic trip.  Please make sure you share some of your tips and exciting experiences.
D

We have always eaten dinner in the MDR and have enjoyed it so far (14 cruises).  I'm sure the specialty dining is very good but we have not been disappointed in the MDR so have not felt the need to partake.  I'm sure you will enjoy whatever you choose to do.
 
D

There are certain aromatic experiences that make me happy on a cruise.  Visit the Schooner Bar and smell the rope oil.  That bar is my favorite as a result.  The Smell of a coconut/pineapple shampoo was another one.  Although, the shampoo was from many years ago.  
There are several visual experiences also.  We enjoy sitting in the Viking Crown Lounge when it is quiet to have a great view.  Our balcony at sunset or sunrise.  
Happy sailing!
 
D
 

I have only traveled on RCCL and have been to Europe twice with them.  The ships were on the smaller size (Vision Class) but the experiences were fantastic.  The crew really were amazing, the Diamond Lounge was cozy with the staff getting to know us and our preferred drinks.  We will absolutely sail with RCCL in Europe again!
D

We sailed to Rome and Florence last year and specifically used the cruise excursions in those ports since the sights were far.   We were happy we did as the trip in Rome barely got back to the ship in time.  Experience was awesome and worth the extra in both cases.
D

We had already paid in full and wanted to try MEI.  Our agent informed me it would be denied but she would be able to get it transferred.  A few days later I was informed it was transferred to MEI despite the email I received three days earlier.
Keep the faith and good luck!
 
D

LEAVING FROM:Barcelona, Spain onboard Allure of the Seas VISITING:| Palma de Mallorca | Provence (Marseilles) | Florence/Pisa (La Spezia) | Rome (Civitavecchia) | Naples (Capri) |

MEI was able to transfer our cruise to them even though it was already paid in full. Think it depends on who they talk to at RCCL. Our agent kept after it and finally got it moved and we have used her ever since. Get some extra perks and they keep watch on the fare drops. Saved $600 on upcoming cruise in October with the kids and grand-kids after we had booked in January under her watchful eyes.
 

I know that the general rule was that you cannot transfer after 60 days of making your reservation, but MEI Travel managed to get mine transferred. Just took a little more work on their end, but I don't know about once it's been paid.

*For cancelling Navigator's shortened sailing* No thanks...I'm not paying full price airfare for a laughable attempt at a vacation.
I'm a very calm and understanding person when it comes to call centers/customer service.  They shouldn't be punching bags...but this has to be shared.
Was on the phone for two hours yesterday to cancel my sailing and flight.  The first person in reservations didn't listen to what I was trying to do, she eventually transferred me to someone to Air2Sea once I thought I was done cancelling my sailing.  The A2S rep said that I couldn't get a refund and it would have to be credit (fine no problem) but I would have to contact the airline to use that credit (turns out that ALL of that was wrong).  I then made sure to get transferred back to reservations to make sure my trip was cancelled.  The first rep DIDN'T cancel it.  So I had the second rep do that...so I thought...
Airline couldn't help me because they couldn't see the total they would be crediting me for and I would have to call A2S back. So another call to them revealed that I COULD get a full refund for the flight..great lets do that, I'm done being passed around..."but you need to cancel your trip" 
--I did that yesterday...TWICE--   "We are showing its still active"  
***table flip***
Took THREE times to get my trip cancelled and to get a confirmation email!  While I'm getting a voucher for the cancelled sailing...I'm not excited to ever try and deal with RC again.  Sure they are super busy but no two people had the same information to give me!!  
On top of all of this my trip for 2020 has disappeared off of my list of upcoming travel. (no email received for canceling this) All I've paid is the deposit but WTH?!!

We'll be there next week ?
If the ocean is too cool, their pool is heated. 

Paradise Beach is great if you aren't looking for an all inclusive.  It will cost $3 per person to get in and they expect you to spend $10 per person on food and drinks.  You don't have to pay for your chair and umbrella at the beach and you will have a waiter that takes care of you.  
I didn't find the drink and food prices to be extremely outrageous.
They have showers and changing rooms and and a nice pool on site as well.
I have visited Cozumel in January and was able to handle being in the water, even being from Florida where 70 degrees feels chilly.  

Our kids were a little older when we did our first Xmas cruise and that was their present.  In fact being a year or 2 past the Santa stage, I said to them, I can buy a little bit of junk or you can go on this awsome cruise over Xmas, the response was overwhelming.
But I like @DMLM suggestion, a few thing and the rest at home.  It's like with one of our grand-kids that has Xmas day with us every other year, his cousins know they get 2 Christmas's that year

That's a big draw for me. We have a 7-month-old, and I'm interested in Royal allowing you to put a 5th person in the room if they're under 3. A bathtub would be nice as well. Those C&A points are a big draw for me too!

I have never done a cruise on a ship for the holidays but have traveled with small kids over the holidays in the past.  What we chose to do was bring a gift (or two) from Santa and a note from Santa indicating that he dropped the rest at home so that they could enjoy them upon their return.  My kids loved it as they felt it was like having Christmas twice.
D

The other nice thing about a JS for families with small kids is the bathtub.  that is what got us started on the JS.  My little kids at the time really enjoyed the bath and we enjoyed the room size/double points.  It worked out well. 
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I'm traveling on Adventure in July 2020 and the Cabana's are listed and still available.  We have never booked a cabana and have not decided to do it on this cruise yet either.  We have found that there are shaded areas on the beach as well (if you get there early enough) so it comes down to the investment/benefit for us.  However, we are still debating if we get one on this upcoming cruise.
I would keep an eye on availability but sorry to say I suspect they are gone for your cruise.  Hopefully it is just a timing thing.
D

I will not cruise or travel outside the us without insurance.  While we weren't covered with our last huge issue even with the insurance, I still trust that the insurance will cover the medical if something happens... And too much can happen!  I just take the cost of insurance and consider it part of the cruise fare.  Jane

I use Squaremouth for all of my travel insurance. Plug in what I'm looking for and it matches me with a few companies - I pick what works best for me which is usually a different insurance company each time depending on cost and need.

Before we turned 65 our medical coverage would have covered incidents outside of the US but Medicare does not.  We have the Allianz AllTrips Premier plan that covers both travel-related delays/cancellations and medical emergency and evacuations.  We just don’t feel comfortable leaving the country without protection.  It is expensive but very comprehensive so we are delighted to have it, pay for it and never need it.