WAAAYTOOO

13 hours ago, barjpoe said:

I think now you have to pack everything

Maybe it depends on the ship ?  I recently had a B2B where we changed rooms and only had to pack the “loose” items.  They moved all of the hanging clothes for us.

1 hour ago, tonyfsu21 said:

So I am due a pretty good casino certificate on this Odyssey voyage at 9000 points and want to use it for Harmony next year in Barcelona 6/7. The certificate list does not show Harmony and ends on 6/1/26, will they make exceptions? 

In my experience, no.  If the cruise you want is not on the list you are pretty much SOL.  Maybe others have had a better experience, but I have never known them to award a cruise that isn’t on the list.

3 hours ago, MLH said:

They did offer to move to any other sailing, price protected

UGH.  Sorry to hear this.  On a positive note, I haven't heard of them price protecting anything in a LONG time.  Good for you !

2 hours ago, The Fox said:

I had called the Casino Line because two of my 4 upcoming cruises were showing GTY Interior on the website and App but our invoice says GTY Balcony. I checked the website again just before calling. While on the phone with the agent, both cruises popped up with an assigned Ocean View Balcony Spacious. These rooms had shown available on the website when you do a mock booking. Reservations are Mariner, August 23 and 28.

Did they officially assign you a room ?  This same thing happened to me - twice - and I insisted that they call the Revenue Department and get my OVB assigned.  The CS rep had mentioned that the balcony guarantee might "fall off" again unless the room was officially assigned.  Once the room is assigned, you can then move to a different cabin if the one they assigned you isn't in a good location....assuming there are other cabins in that category, available.  Revenue is the ONLY one who can officially assign a GTY room so they have to pout you ion hold and call Revenue.  

10 hours ago, dougalsgirl said:

It is considered good luck to place one of these statues in your nativity scene

Say what ?

I find the GS on the Q class ships to be even worse than those on the later O class ships.  That wall down the center of the room just destroys the spacious feel that the older GS have.  I also hate the bathroom layout in the Q class GS.

Do the Q class ships have Bionic Bars ?  It's been a long time since I've been on a Q class ship and I just don't recall.

38 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

Doghouse haters up in here. I always get the sausages and I love them. Long live the doghouse !! 

I'm also a fan.

15 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

@WAAAYTOOO This is a glitch. All my cruises say this since the website was updated and none are with any TA. If you click it it will say they are already linked. 

Welp,,,.there goes that theory....

I think this may be a case of very poor wording.  I suspect that this is TRYING to tell you that you don't have control of this reservation - it is under the control of the TA.  I've noticed that on the one and only reservation I have that is NOT under the control of a TA, info such as total cruise costs and balance due, etc. is available to review.  On all of the other rezzies, which are under the control of a TA, I get this same [above] message.  I think it's just telling me that I don't have access to some information.  Just VERY poor wording....maybe ?

4 minutes ago, steverk said:

I've heard the ATS are noisy. Does anyone know if this is true?

Yes, they can be.  When there is an AT show on it is very noisy,  No getting around that.  There will be some noise associated with AT show practice but nothing beyond that of concern.  BTW, there is a similar issue on the Quantum class ship suites relating to the 270 shows.....so it's not unique to the AT suites.

That's total BS about the Genies not being as attentive/experienced/responsive.  Just disregard that entirely.  Your Genie will be the same Genie that others have on the same cruise.  They rotate around to different SC suites.  This is one concern that you can simply forget about.

There are 2 disadvantages to the ATS, IMO and that is their distance from the elevators and the fact that it is away from Deck 17.  It is a LONG way all the way aft.  For me, that's a show-stopper but for most, it is not.  It is a long walk to get ANYwhere...and it's a long way from the Suites Lounge and Coastal Kitchen.

There are a number of advantages of the ATS over some of the other SC suites.  Namely, there are 2 completely separate and private bedrooms as opposed to one big open area.  The location (aside from its distance from the elevators) is just spectacular.  

The 2 BR ATS were our introduction to Star Class.  We did 3 of them before we moved on to other SC suites.  You will love it....nothing like it !

54 minutes ago, JohnK6404 said:

 

OMG how cute is this ?  

2 hours ago, TXcruiser07 said:

Hi, quick question

We normally book the 3 night dining package prior to our cruise.Why can't we book times before we get on the ship? It seems that every time we try to book on the ship, the premier dinner times are taken (6:00-7:45). We book times within an hour or so after we get on. We also get on the ship pretty early. Is there any way to book in advance? Or any tips to get better times?

Note: We are a party of 9

 

Thanks!

If you find that all of the “good” times are taken, just book something as close as possible to the time you want and then change the time once you board.  Yes, I understand that booking after you board is what you’re trying to avoid…but it is what it is.  Take what you can get now and make changes onboard.  The system is designed to try and space the times out.  You have to work with what you have.  There will be availability once you board.

49 minutes ago, MNCharlie said:

I have had a very good experience with my Travelpro luggage. Wheels, Handle, & zippers have a lifetime warranty on most. If you buy the more expensive bags they have lifetime warranties against damage from airlines as well. If you have a Costco membership you can get a discount through their Costco Next program on certain models.

I have the full lifetime warranty Travel Pro luggage.  It DOES have good durability but getting the luggage repaired (or relaced...whatever they decide to do) when it DOES become necessary, is a bit of a PITA.  You  must go to an authorized TP distributor and that isn't always easily done.  Our folding valet is in need of some SERIOUS repairs and it's more than 100 miles to the closest authorized distributor.  I have just not made the commitment yet to go there and begin the process.

On the subject of durability, however, I give Travel Pro a very high rating.  It's good luggage...but pricey.  One thing's for sure....I have never had a minute's trouble with the wheels.  They are sturdy and reliable.  Zippers ?  Not so much.

Yikes.  Very scary  Glad to know that he is doing ok.

To  my knowledge, the only pubs that serve food are those on the Quantum class ships.  I have not sailed on Icon class yet so not sure about them. 

1 hour ago, dougalsgirl said:

a man out walking ran up to us and drew our attention to the ocean where HUNDREDS of dolphins were swimming and jumping alongside us. 

I am so envious of this !  It's just something that you don't normally get to experience in the Caribbean.

4 hours ago, mikeMTL said:

Hey everyone,

I booked my parents their first cruise, 4 night on Wonder in January, in an interior room. My dad, who is a little worried about potential sea sickness, as he, like me, doesn't do well on swings, asked me if I could upgrade them to a balcony room as he read that it might help. Can I upgrade rooms and transfer my deposit over. Also is this a real thing?

Royal Caribbean is always happy to take more of your money !!  Yes, you can upgrade his room without any "penalty".  Of course, you will pay the prevailing rate for any upgrade but they will do it, happily, as long as there is a room available.  I have never suffered from sea sickness so I cannot help with that issue.  I do know that the common consensus on prime locations for those who suffer from motion sickness is to book a room that is as near to midship and as low a deck as possible.

8 hours ago, Sludog said:

How would a BOGO diamond plus dining offer work for a dinner party of three? For example it would be for three people myself, wife and son. Do the first two people get bogo offer and the third would pay full price for one person? If that's the case then we will just wait for a discounted dinner price offer which come around about every other week. 

Yes, the third person would pay full price - and if the third person is a child and there is a children's price, they would pay that lower, children's price.  

I think Izumi sushi is included in the BOGO but I've never tried to use it for a lunch.

28 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

This real life stuff is never-ending. I feel like something new is popping up every few days. Some stuff isn't all that major in the grand scheme of things but we all handle stress differently.

In lighter news, we're still debating if we want to keep the UDP for the 1st 3N leg next month. I know the price is worth it on paper but the meals will get redundant for my wife (lots of filet dinners), I still think it's an insane amount of food factoring in the daily credits, and I was obviously happy last cruise with all the seafood and Indian food in WJ (my wife struggled a bit though). That said, I've told her I don't care how much she eats. I just like knowing there's something she'll really enjoy at every meal (even though food isn't nearly as important to her). I've also told her if she gets tired of filet to just order a little something at whatever actual specialty venue and she can make Playmakers or Gio's Wine Bar her actual dinner. She loves filet but we're burger and pizza people at heart. I'm still leaning towards keeping it b/c I'll use it to try new and different stuff and, as frugal as I am, cruising is our one splurge and cancelling it to save $200 or whatever isn't going to make or break the budget.

Just venting and rambling... I'm sure the regulars are used to it by now. If anyone feels like responding, great, if not, that's totally OK too.

Your reasoning is sound.....and as you know, I am an oft-victim of the food coma.  I struggle with my love for food and food overload.

Having said that, I have found, over the years, that I can more easily handle a 3 night UDP than a 4 night.  We recently sailed on Jewel (4/3/4) and we did the UDP for the middle one (3 night).  By the time I began to really feel the burden of the food coma, it was over !  I don't think I could have done another day though....just sayin'.  My point:  consider keeping the 3 night and if you want to cancel something, maybe cancel the 4 night ?

I have similar anxiety about passing up a deal.  I know you have struggled with this before (as do I)...but sometimes you have to consider the practical side, not just the $$. 

For example, we are on a 16 night Panama Canal cruise in October.  They put the UDP on sale for that one and it truly is a remarkable deal, $$-wise....but really ?  16 days and nights of specialty dining with only 4 specialty restaurants onboard ?  I'd be unconscious (and bored) before we even got to the canal !  Some on CC were going on and on about what a great deal it is....but sometimes $$ isn't as important as the practicality.  I purchased the 10 night package plus a couple of random lunches and I still think this is going to be A LOT of food for us.  On a per-meal basis, the UDP is probably a better deal (although, I did the math I still have, overall, a lower total cost than what the UDP would be) but the very thought of eating SO many scheduled meals over such a long period of time, is just no bueno - for us.

8 hours ago, JohnK6404 said:

Not related to the live blog, but not really appropriate for it's own dedicated thread! 

I had mentioned in the very beginning of this blog that with the loss of our Bella 2 months ago at almost 13-years-old , our 7-year-old male Golden (Jake) was clearly depressed and a little lonely after spending his last 6 years with her as part of our family. We had always planned on rescuing another Golden in the near future and wanted to at least wait until we returned from the cruise...

Christine and I received a last-minute call yesterday from our rescue that there was a litter of 11-week-old puppies in NJ that was surrendered and needed homes ASAP. We coordinated with a NJ rescue and after a horrible traffic-laden 4-hour drive (one-way) to NJ this afternoon, we picked them up and brought them back to NY. They all look healthy and have since been bathed, fed, etc., and are currently sleeping with Christine downstairs in the kitchen! 

We already thankfully have qualified adopters lined up for all 5 (including us of course ) and should be in their new homes this weekend, but now we have to make the difficult decision to pick just one tomorrow!      

Jake is already in love with all of them! 

Who would EVER give up those cuties ?  Goldens are a gift from God.  The most wonderful souls ever created.

10 hours ago, billdauterive said:

I just got a different online offer that covered the exact same cruise I had already used my prime cruise for.  So I couldn't resist switching out that booking with the new offer and then using my now freed up prime cruise for Star in Feb.  Also upgraded to an OV balcony gty for under $500.  I never go on brand new ships because of the outrageous cost, but I guess I'll finally get to go on one that's under a year old.

You were fortunate.  They usually won't let you change a comp cruise (including annuals) b/c once the offer code has been redeemed, it cannot be used again.  Nice job !

4 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Unfortunately as soon as any part of the chicken besides the breast is involved my wife is out.

+1