Va4fam

Congrats @Jill for booking a dream cruise and having a huge reason to celebrate!

So I got totally sidetracked by the title and thought RCI had come up with a new amazing aqua theater show where someone is "walking on water."  
 

So I got totally sidetracked by the title and thought RCI had come up with a new amazing aqua theater show where someone is "walking on water."  
 

If it's a ship-only decision,  my preference right now would be to book Oasis with all of the new amplifications (and BBQ food!).   
If it's an itinerary based decision, that would be your preference.   I really want to book Oasis but we found a better itinerary on Symphony for next January and went with that.
 
 

I love BBQ! LOL Will this be the deciding factor?? Stay tuned LOL
I was thinking the same thing.. who wants to deal with Miami! I live in Brevard County, so flights arent an issue, I will be driving. I wish they had an itinerary out of Port Canaveral that I wanted.. That would be ideal. Im like 5 minutes from Port Canaveral ?

Day Two - The Butterfly Conservatory
One place that I had checked out ahead of time, and knew that I wanted to see, was the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. I spent a little time in the marketplace around Mallory Square before heading up Whitehead Street towards the conservatory. The conservatory itself is on Duval Street, but I wanted to walk up a little more scenic way first.

Lots of gorgeous homes, museums, and plant life to be had.

I saw a couple of beautiful Banyan Trees. They make such lovely branch structures.

Before I got to Key West, I had no idea how many chickens there were roaming freely, so I was quite surprised.

Though not as business heavy as Duval Street, Whitehead Street also had many shops and restaurants.
After a leisurely walk, I made it to the conservatory. My ticket cost $12.90 after tax, though I believe you can get a dollar or two off if you purchase online ahead of time. The ticket allows you entrance to the conservatory as many times as you'd like all day. I went in first to just experience it and enjoy it, and the a second time after a quick break in the air conditioning of the gift shop to take photos. The butterflies need a higher temperature, humid environment to thrive. I think the temperature was about the same as the outdoors, but it was noticeably more humid.
When you enter the doors after purchasing a ticket, there is a informational area with small exhibits, videos, benches, and even some power outlets, if you're looking for a place to get a quick charge. Through there, there are two more sets of doors, taking care to only open one set at a time, as a precaution to not let any of the butterflies out. The conservatory itself was beautiful, and had such a serene atmosphere. It was wonderful to watch so many butterflies zipping around. Everyone there had the biggest smiles on their faces, myself included. It was like being in a Studio Ghibli movie. My camera doesn't have a great action setting, so I wasn't able to fully get the experience of having all the butterflies flying around (and for some people, into) your head, but I did get some nice photos of the sedentary ones. 



The conservatory also has many birds in addition to butterflies.

Crashing my shot to get some fruit.

No kiosk.  They had people in the Music Hall with laptops that made our reservations.
 

Also following, we are sailing Empress for the first time in 5 weeks, and have another trip booked in 2021!

@spiralqueen....we did the pop up room on Anthem.  Never saw it listed in the cruise planner and never mentioned in the Cruise Compass.   We asked about it as soon as we got on board to reserve other on-board activities (thank you RC Blog and podcast (@Matt)  for THAT tip!). 
Our family of 4 was paired up with 8 other people.   Fun for all. 

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)

To the Cruise Terminal
My flight landed in Miami around 8:50am. I hung around the airport for a bit to grab something quick to eat, and try to figure out which terminal the Empress would be. I didn’t see anything on my cruise docs, nor on Royal’s site when I logged in. If anyone knows specifically how to find this out, please let me know! I’d appreciate it for next time. I searched through these forums to see if anyone said where the Empress typically was. The couple posts I found mentioned Terminal G, so I decided to input that for my Lyft and go from there. 

From the ride share area looking back at the terminal.
I followed the signage to the ride share pickup spot easily. Once there, I ordered my Lyft, and waited about 10 minutes until the driver showed up. Traffic was fine, until getting to the tunnel leading to the cruise terminals. Since I was early, there were still people disembarking from their cruises that were adding to the traffic. My driver took me to Terminal G, but the porters informed me that while Empress is usually at that terminal, today it would be boarding at Terminal J. I asked my driver if he’d be okay taking me further than what I had requested on the app. He was fine with it, and I made sure to tip him extra than I had been planning on for the trouble. I made it to Terminal J around 10:45am, making the total trip time from when I requested the ride about 45 minutes.
 
Check-In and Boarding
Outside of Terminal J was very busy. I didn't see any specific signage directing people where to check-in, assuming I was just there too early for that. I handed my bag over to one of the porters and he pointed in me in the right direction. Keeping my backpack with me for the day, I queued up to go through security on the lower level, where they checked my passport and ticket. I then took an escalator up to a second level to go through a metal detector and bag screening.

Second floor of Terminal J, leading around to the metal detectors & bag screening (top left).
After the screening, I headed over to the Royal check-in table to get my Seapass. They confirmed the credit card I had on file as well for gratuities and other charges. One of the questions asked was about overall health, ie, if you had been exhibiting any symptoms of flu, nausea, etc, in the past two weeks. I hadn't, so that was that, but I'm wondering what happens if people say yes to this question? Do they bar them from boarding? Once I was checked in, I took a seat in the waiting area, getting ready for when they would start boarding. I started to look through the various info that I was given during check in, especially the map of the ship.

Seapass and the map of the ship given to me at check-in.
I didn't have to wait long for them to start boarding the ship, around 11:10am. Once all the higher status loyalty members made their way on, they called for everyone else to start boarding. I passed on the photo op outside of the boarding bridge, but it looked like a cute moment to celebrate the start of your vacation. By 11:20am, I was in the Centrum and ready to begin my cruise!

An instance where being on the shorter side is to my benefit.

One reasonable request would be to ask for assurance that Guest Services, regardless of time of day, will be much more responsive to security requests. They failed, in my opinion. I doubt you'll receive any remuneration post cruise, but an assurance by RCCL would be a reasonable request.

We have sailed on Enchantment and will be trying Empress for the first time next month.   Looking forward to our first Oasis class vacation next January on Symphony.  All the ships are great, just some are more suited for what type of cruise you are seeking.   

RCBlog group cruises are fun.  There are a lot of adult activities, we sometimes have cake, we definitely have booze, we also play Jenga and do shots, and try to get the pub singer to hate us.  And as an added bonus you get to hang with the Cookingyo family.  Well worth the price of admission to a group cruise. ???
 

Just wanted to share! 17 days until we sail! 
 
So excited!

We bought a 4 pack of magnetic clips at the Dollar Store.  Great for hats, cruise compass, light jacket. 
Giant  plastic clips/clothespins for beach, pool, or balcony chairs (also at Dollar Store).
Also found a mesh laundry bag that "doubled" as a beach bag for towels and a place to put wet clothes on the drive home.
Flashlight.
Highlighter.  I forgot mine last trip and really missed having it.
 
 

We loved our cruise on Anthem last week.  Crew was great, ship was beautiful, everything was great....EXCEPT for the people in the cabin next to ours.
Apologies in advance if this involves anyone on this forum.
There were 2 and sometimes 3 young men staying in the cabin next to ours.  Probably 18-22 years old.   Never heard a peep from their cabin all day but every night at 3 or 4 am, they would come in and proceed to slam doors, move furniture, open/close the balcony door repeatedly, wrestle on the floor, dribble a ball against the wall, and be very, very LOUD.  After about 60-90 minutes of shenanigans, they would go to sleep, or leave.   After waking us up the first two nights, we called guest services to see if there was anything they could do.   They suggested to call them the next time it happened. 
We ran into the father of one of the young men entering the cabin one evening and told him about the issue.  He said he would take care of it. 
The neighbors on the other side of us, and the opposite side of the noisy cabin told us they heard the noises too.
Things improved for one night but got progressively worse the rest of the cruise.
We called guest services two nights in a row and were placed on hold but never got to speak to anyone.
The last night of the cruise, the young men came back to the cabin at 11 pm, seemed to be intoxicated (audio cues only).  One young man indicated he could not wait for the bathroom and was going to "use the balcony" as his personal restroom.   They went out quickly but resumed the noise at 4 am. 
We received an apology from RCI for the incident but are concerned that no additional measures were taken to minimize the disruption to us and our neighbors.  We have never experienced inconsiderate neighbors before and wondering if anyone else has and what you did to resolve.  I detailed the account in the post-cruise survey with RCI but should we pursue it further?
 

@Twangster-that's good advice to go up the chain of command.   We did what GS asked us to do and called when the noise started at 3 AM.  Unfortunately nobody picked up the phone two nights in a row.   I believe my wife said they called the following morning to apologize they  didn't promptly respond at the time of the call.   I had a talk with guest services that evening but they indicated not much they can do until the noise happens again. Oh, and that they were very sorry for our inconvenience.  

Call Security (or insist Guest Services does) that's their job to handle these situations. I personally wouldn't confront them directly (or recommend anyone else does either). The last thing you need is to get into a physical altercation and possibly be removed from the ship.
We had friends in our cabin to finish last call drinks (so 2 or 3 AM) on our balcony on the last night of the cruise. We weren't being 21 years old obnoxious, but talking loud and taking photos with our new friends. Our neighbors didn't appreciate the volume and Security knocked on our door. They politely asked us to lower the volume. We apologized and that was the end of it.

In the future call guest services and tell them to send security.  Don't ask them, tell them.  
I had a similar issue on a recent cruise.  Upon the first call to GS, GS called their cabin and told them to be quiet.  I heard the phone ring and it got quiet for 30 seconds before they ramped it up again.  My next call to GS wasn't as polite and I directed them to send security.  Security appeared wearing body cameras to document the incident.  
All you can do is to escalate your calls.  Late at night the lowly GS person probably isn't very senior.  They may not want to deal with it.  Don't let that stop you.  Ask to speak to the GSM (Guest Services Manager) .  When they hear you use their lingo like "GSM" they'll know you are not new to this game.  In the morning talk to the deck supervisor.  They themselves may or may not be in a position to do anything but the more senior staff involved the more they'll know it's heading up the chain of command. 
None of them want the Hotel Director involved in a matter that should have been dealt with at a lower level but engaging the HD is the nuclear option.  If you have to go there, having engaged the deck supervisor, GS and GSM will usually work in your favor.   The ship in general doesn't want this going on, you just need to get around any junior guest services personnel that don't know or don't want to handle it.

I am glad that the issue didn't ruin your holiday.  Whether RC reaches out to you is anyone's guess.
There has to be a bit of give and take while on a vacation along side lots of different people from different cultures, upbringings and ways of doing things - all stuck on a ship in the middle of the ocean.  Being able to roll with the stuff that inevitably happens is part of travelling, but most people understand there is a limit.  IMHO, disrupting at least 3 neighboring cabins on a ship went over that line.
As I finish preparing for a cruise that leaves this Saturday, I am now unpacking the ball I was going to dribble and bounce off the walls of my cabin so I don't disturb my neighbors.  Thanks for the reminder to be kind and considerate.  

We loved our cruise on Anthem last week.  Crew was great, ship was beautiful, everything was great....EXCEPT for the people in the cabin next to ours.
Apologies in advance if this involves anyone on this forum.
There were 2 and sometimes 3 young men staying in the cabin next to ours.  Probably 18-22 years old.   Never heard a peep from their cabin all day but every night at 3 or 4 am, they would come in and proceed to slam doors, move furniture, open/close the balcony door repeatedly, wrestle on the floor, dribble a ball against the wall, and be very, very LOUD.  After about 60-90 minutes of shenanigans, they would go to sleep, or leave.   After waking us up the first two nights, we called guest services to see if there was anything they could do.   They suggested to call them the next time it happened. 
We ran into the father of one of the young men entering the cabin one evening and told him about the issue.  He said he would take care of it. 
The neighbors on the other side of us, and the opposite side of the noisy cabin told us they heard the noises too.
Things improved for one night but got progressively worse the rest of the cruise.
We called guest services two nights in a row and were placed on hold but never got to speak to anyone.
The last night of the cruise, the young men came back to the cabin at 11 pm, seemed to be intoxicated (audio cues only).  One young man indicated he could not wait for the bathroom and was going to "use the balcony" as his personal restroom.   They went out quickly but resumed the noise at 4 am. 
We received an apology from RCI for the incident but are concerned that no additional measures were taken to minimize the disruption to us and our neighbors.  We have never experienced inconsiderate neighbors before and wondering if anyone else has and what you did to resolve.  I detailed the account in the post-cruise survey with RCI but should we pursue it further?
 

I am sorry that you had to deal with such an issue on your cruise.
I would not have put up with that behavior for an entire cruise or being put on indefinite hold with Guest Services.  First night of the cruise - ok - I remember my first beer too.  From the 2nd night on - GS or Security better be at the neighbor's door to deal with it.  I would also be noting the names of everyone who I interacted with at that point.  If the neighbors are waking you up, your cruise has already been negatively affected.  Standing in line at GS to discuss with Management is a small (additional) price to pay to get it resolved.  I know for a fact that the line at GS in very short at 3am.
If the issue wasn't resolved onboard, but you had names of everyone you spoke with - mentioning it on the survey or an email to Miami would have had more weight.  Once you are off the ship there is nothing to be done.  
I don't know what day you spoke with the father, however, I would have mentioned to GS that you knew a father of one of the young men was onboard.
From the Guest Conduct Policy:
Parental and Guardian Responsibility For purposes of this Guest Conduct Policy, a minor is defined as anyone under the age of 18. A young adult is defined as anyone ages 18, 19 or 20. Parents and guardians are responsible for the behavior and appropriate supervision of their accompanying minor(s) and young adult(s) throughout their vacation. This obligation applies during transfers to and from ships, inside terminals, while onboard, at our ports of call, during shore excursions and at our private destinations. This responsibility applies at all times, regardless of whether the parents and guardians are physically in the company of their minor(s) and young adult(s). Under no circumstances should the parent or guardian of a minor debark the ship without their accompanying minor(s) or without having made arrangements for the accompanying minor(s) appropriate supervision on the ship during their absence.

The only C&A tier that they recognize on the cruise where you achieve it, is Pinnacle and even that one is not a guarantee.  All of the other tier levels are realized on the cruise following the one where you achieve it.

Your status does not change until your next cruise.