lambdabeta

Hi everyone! I pride myself on being very social when I meet people in person, but online, I’m a certified lurker ?. I read the message boards, take notes ?, and have learned so much from everyone on this blog (thanks @Matt for this awesome platform) but I rarely make a post or comment.

Maybe it’s because everyone has already said what I was thinking (and y’all don’t need to see my “ditto” response ?)... Maybe it’s because I can’t come up with any interesting new questions or topics that are worth posting ?... Maybe it’s because I’m afraid that my post will be the equivalent of the kid sitting alone at the lunch table in a crowded middle school cafeteria ??...

Soooooooo... This post is dedicated to all of the lurkers out there just like me! Say hi, hit like, or drop a comment of your choosing below! Or don’t. ? You are still loved and welcomed here!
 

In my previous career the base pay wasn't all that great, but there was a lot of overtime which we never counted as main salary so it was extra income, plus I had a few weeks of vacation time (think 3 but forget). However, our vacations were restricted to January and Summers as both wife and I were pursuing degrees late in life, so we cruised most January's and took summer vacations to NJ or MD beaches.
Fast forward, we both finished degrees (Software Developer & RN) and have more disposable income, our vacation time is decent too, wife gets 4 weeks off and I get 3 weeks and 4 days. We try and do at least one cruise a year and some other week long vacation, in addition to weekend trips here and there. This year, I visited friends in FL and NC and had two guy weekends in LV, in addition to a 5-day cruise and land trip to London. Next year we have two 7-day cruises booked and a weekend LV trip, nothing else yet.
We are also 41 & 38 with no children, a low mortgage payment and average bills. Our only debt besides the mortgage are student loans (which I cannot wait to just tackle them) and they are not that horrible thanks to tuition reimbursement and family assistance.
I'll admit, outside of an emergency fund, our savings accounts aren't anything to brag about... BUT, we make sure to invest for retirement first. We also have a separate "fun" account where each check we put a few dollars ... it adds up quick.

As many people here know, I am a teacher and my cruising schedule is pretty much dictated by the school calendar.  My contract with board does not allow time off for vacations other than those designated times over the holidays.  Hubby's schedule is 100% flexible but that doesn't help as I am the planner and mine is not.  Because of this, we unfortunately fall into the category that @twangster mentioned, we pay a premium to cruise because we can only go during the high season.  
My strategy is to book early.  We take at least two cruises each year.  One over the summer, and one over March Break.  I book these two as soon as itineraries get released (often that is almost two years out).  From that point, I watch prices and often re-price multiple times before we pay final payment at 90 days out.  We have saved thousands this way.  I usually book direct with Royal (because I know exactly what I am looking for) and then I transfer to an agent for further savings.  
Because we can only take a limited amount of cruises each year, we do splurge a bit when we cruise.  We like our suites and the benefits that come with it.  The mentality that, "We can take this money and take more cruises," does not apply too much to us because we cannot take more even if we tried.  So that makes us unapologetic suite snobs.  Last but not least, this is the home of "YOLO Book It!" so we have totally run with that motto over the last few years! ?

I notice it says you Live in California.. That hurts you slightly because airfare must be a killer.. I am only 32 years old BUT I live in Ft. Lauderdale about 15 min from Port Everglades, 30 minutes from Miami, and 3 hours from port Canaveral. Also I am self employed and can do work on any cruise ship that has good internet. I also really enjoy gambling and because of this I get offers for comped cruises all the time and those are the ones I choose to go on. Because of the combination of offers sent to me, the fact that I live so close to ports and don't have to pay for airfare, and that I am self employed and can go whenever I want I go on about 8 cruises a year. I also LOVE cruising. it is my #1 passion in life so to me I have made it super important. The only other trips I take are to Vegas and Disneyworld. So for me I can use all my spare vacation money to mainly focus on cruising.. Also having children is not in the cards for me so I have a lot more disposable income than other people do.. In short I think you will find there really is no one magic way to be a dedicated cruiser you just have to go with what your given and make it work for you. But I am happy that we have a new cruising convert on these boards.. Symphony is a fantastic ship you will love her!!! 

Be careful not to get too caught up in the hype.  Cruise lines offer many additional items to enhance your vacation experience.  They are great and there is no question some of them are very popular but...  do you really need them to enjoy a great cruise?  Photo packages, dining packages, drink packages and so on.  They are nice, no question.  However they are not required to have a great cruise.  
Some people come away from a cruise with a large bill from everything they chose to add once onboard.  Some people come away with a very small bill at the end of a cruise.  Nothing wrong with either approach but one can save you lots of money to spend on another cruise.
Watch for sales in the cruise planner and check often.  I frequently save significantly on excursions by catching price drops. Excursions help you experience a destination.  Some destinations lend themselves to an inexpensive self-explore approach, some destinations really warrant a professional excursion.  Don't cut yourself short by trying to do everything on your own but be smart in researching and knowing the best approach to experiencing a destination.  

Not 100% accurate, but pretty close...
 

There's two types of escape rooms. Dedicated escape rooms and "pop up" escape rooms.
Ships with dedicated escape rooms, where there is a specific room that only does escape rooms. This costs money:
Symphony Mariner Navigator Harmony Oasis (as of November 2019) Independence There's also "pop up" escape rooms, where they can do it in a lounge. This is complimentary Ships with this are:
Anthem Ovation Brilliance Serenade Harmony (it has both)

I believe this is still one of those mysteries of Royal Caribbean.  

So on ours, it's only $77 more for The Key + Deluxe Beverage package than the Deluxe Beverage/VOOM combo for both of us total. Wrapping in the embarkation and debarkation perks plus not having lines, it's looking super appealing. 

Yes, you each get a VOOM code.  We bought the Key for SY in July.  Right now we are still booked in a JS with no chance to upgrade to GS or above because I cannot justify SY suite prices.  We got a good deal on VOOM (2 device plan) over black friday but with just the two of us, the cost of the Key was less than $130 more.  We figured we can justify that difference with the additional perks of the key.
On Anthem, I did not get it as we have our kids with us and that is 4 purchases for a 9 night sailing.  Not worth it in that case. 
I really think it depends on who is going and length of sailing.

That is how I would do it. I hate to have to but I am so tired of not being able to sit near the pool.The heat is intense so I can't sit far away from the cooling off source. Plus my husbands ankles get tired with all the unnecessary walking.If more folks did this then perhaps the selfish non present folks would get a clue. We were in the Schooner Bar last year on Liberty and I had high heels on. Went to sit down and the man 2 tables over said he was reserving 6 chairs for a party not yet arrived. Stood the whole time and saw that his party never arrived, he left and  others took the chairs.

Thank-you!  Good to know!  I am less interested in swimming, and more interested in a nap with a view!!  ? 

You absolutely have to be joking, right? At least I hope this isn’t how you really feel!! 

Enjoy your time at Guest Services arguing about you un-returned towel charges.  No, you do not get to wander off for lunch and expect to keep your chair when tons of people would like one.  What part of that confuses you?

I feel this post may be intended as satire (at least I hope it is). If not, it seems as though you enjoy a lot of the different amenities and dining options available on ships. the reason for the 30 minute chair rule is so that other guests may enjoy the pool areas while you are off enjoying the other amenities.

That response about people looking for chairs being "unreal" says it all. I'm looking for a chair and can't find one near the pool and others are out to lunch and actually  think that they  can block someone else from enjoying the pool while they  go to lunch at chops. I"m speechless!

Rules mean nothing to people who have wrapped themselves in a cocoon of self importance.

Actually, Cookie10*, you are the one who is unreal. You have a total disregard for the RC pool rule of "no reserving deck chairs/loungers" as well as total lack of respect for fellow cruisers. My question for you is, what makes you so special? 

Let’s add against the rules to that list...

Everything you just said only reinforces why so many people find such conduct to be selfish, self-centered, boorish, and classless.... not to mention rude. 

 

 

It makes sense to me.  The math works.  It amazes me the number of people who have decided The Key is not worth the money.  I am of the feeling it is worth the money if you value your time and the other things it offers.   We think The Key is worth it and we bought it for $21.99.  I am hoping there is a further sale but if there is not I am fine with what I paid.  I wish the people who have never used The Key because they don't think it is worth it would stop judging those of us that do.  Everyone is different.  What I value is different from what someone else does.  I get it.  However, your opinion on the value is not relevant if you haven't experienced the benefit.

In the end, the only person to whom you need to justify your purchase of anything is you.  If it makes sense to you, then you've made a good decision.

I like to help the greater cruise community.  
I find a chair for myself that is available.  Then as I have observed an area for a while, I move chair hog stuff and return to my chair.  Some innocent person comes along and starts using the now empty chair.    Chair hog returns and confronts innocent person who can honestly claim they didn't do it, the chair was unused.  
Walking to breakfast if I notice a series of hogged chairs that are still hogged when I return from breakfast I grab the towel and drop it off somewhere.   Chair is freed up. 
I consider it a community service.  

I'm not inherently a dishonest person... but I always just move the towels if I don't see anyone on them after about 15 minutes (I only do it when there are no personal items). The ONE TIME someone came back, we had been sitting in the seat for over an hour, so I simply told them there were no towels present when we showed up. I reminded them of the policy and told them their towels must have been removed by staff. Maybe not the most honest thing... but neither is not adhering to the very obvious rules...

It makes sense to me.  The math works.  It amazes me the number of people who have decided The Key is not worth the money.  I am of the feeling it is worth the money if you value your time and the other things it offers.   We think The Key is worth it and we bought it for $21.99.  I am hoping there is a further sale but if there is not I am fine with what I paid.  I wish the people who have never used The Key because they don't think it is worth it would stop judging those of us that do.  Everyone is different.  What I value is different from what someone else does.  I get it.  However, your opinion on the value is not relevant if you haven't experienced the benefit.