WAAAYTOOO

I am the cabin crawl party queen !!  LOL

I have done this a number of times and it's a lot of fun - but also a lot of work.

Has a cabin crawl already been started for your cruise ? Are you or someone else in charge of organizing it ?  The reason I ask this is b/c the best situation is to have your suite be the LAST one shown.   Sometimes this is awkward with the logistics of a cabin crawl b/c the SC suites are all on the uppermost decks...and logic suggests that it's easiest to start at the top and work your way down.

The very best situation is to have someone else organizing the crawl (so that you can concentrate on your party !) but the organizer will work with you and organize it in such a way that your suite is the last to be shown.  When the crawl folks reach your cabin and find that there are food and drinks there, it, quite naturally, turns into something of a party.  If there are still rooms to be viewed after yours, the group is either going to be significantly delayed from finishing up the crawl or the crawl will come to an abrupt halt at that point and that is not fair to the other "show-ers".

Discuss this with Anil, of course....but a couple of "rules" that will apply:

1.  In order to have food from the specialty restaurants (or even the MDR, for that matter) delivered to your room, your cabin crawl must occur during the restaurants' normal operating hours.  This eliminates the chance of your party being during sailaway as no restaurants (except the Windjammer) are open during sailaway.  Cabin crawls generally do not occur on the first day anyway but sometimes Star Class guests will want the Genie to organize a party for them during sailaway and it's really not a good time at all for that.  Turnaround day and embarkation are very busy days to begin with and having to host a party at embarkation is really a huge imposition on the Genie and the room service folks that will be delivering food and drinks.

2.  The further into the cruise that you wait, the worst the participation will be.  So while day 1 is a no-go, every day that passes means that people will start doing their own thing and ports of call are happening and things just get busy.  People will forget about the cabin crawl and it gets harder and harder to keep it together. The ideal time for a cabin crawl is the first sea day, which is generally (but not always) day 2.  Most cabin crawls that I have been to are usually right after the Meet & Mingle, which is GENERALLY around 9 - 10AM on day 2.  The PROBLEM with that time is that the restaurants are not yet open.  UGH.  Another possible interference with the CC is that the Crown & Anchor Top Tier event is often held immediately after the M&M.  SO....I have found the best time to do the CC is around 11:30- noon (or 30 minutes after the conclusion of the Top Tier Event, if that is being held around this time) on day 2 (or the first sea day).  Doesn't this interfere with lunch ?  Yes.  There really is no "perfect" time and if you wait until after lunch, people will get busy, start thinking about DINNER and shows and then you have a whole lot of other conflicting events.

3.  You can get ALL the food you want but technically they ask you to please limit your requests to 1 specialty restaurant at the time.  IOW, if you are going with Jamie's/Giovanni's (this is normally what we do but Izumi is also a very good option) you will stick with their menu.  Have I seen this "rule" violated ?  Yep.  A friend of ours was in Star Class also, and they had a party one night and I swear there was food from every single restaurant.  We had to start turning food away at the door.  BUT I'm sure Anil will advise you that they prefer to have your food deliveries limited to 1 restaurant per meal.  The problem is with timing and ensuring that the food is all delivered at the same time and that it is still reasonably hot.  When they have to start coordinating with 2 or 3 different restaurants, the logistics just become overwhelming (this was the explanation I received).  It makes sense.  So if you want Mexican food from Sabor or sushi from Izumi or whatever you want, as long as the restaurant is open and serving, they will get it for you.  We always get our CC party food from Jamie's/Giovanni's.  The meat planks are easy to prepare, easy to move, easy to serve and easy to eat.  They will bring anything you ask for...but we generally keep it to "finger" food just to keep it simple. The Mediterranean olives and bread alone are worth it !  Even though your suite is HUGE, you WILL run out of seating space when 50+ show up for a party.   Finger food just works best.

4.  Room Service (with Anil's coordination) will bring EVERYthing that you need. They will bring plates, silverware, napkins, table cloths, stemware.....and then they will come back and clean it all up once it's over.  It's an amazing service. Your cabin attendant(s) will bring ice. If you decide that you want a server, the price for having someone serve is actually quite reasonable as I recall.  I cannot remember the cost (we never did it but I remember thinking it was not bad at all) but it isn't outrageous.  The same goes for a bartender (which we also never use)....which brings me to....

5.  Drinks.  You can have ANY kind of non-alcoholic beverage brought to your room.  Sodas, water (sparkling and still), flavored drinks, orange juice, anything they serve on the ship.  This is one of the things that you should ask for (not for the party, but just for your personal use) before you ever get on the ship.  They will bring you any beer that they serve on the ship in any quantity that you ask for.  IF you want wine or liquor, you will have to pay for it.  Having liquor brought to your suite is not a simple task.  There are a couple of ways to do it but it was expensive and complicated so we have never done it.  We do, however, have them bring a couple of bottles of wine and some sparkling wine and the prices for those are very reasonable. We always order a variety of beer and whatever we do not use for the party, they will take away if you want or just leave it...whatever you want to do.

6.  Back to timing.  Let's say the CC is scheduled to start somewhere (not your place) at noon.  It will be important to your party coordinators to know when to expect your "guests".  Depending upon how many people show up for the CC and how many different cabins are being shown, it may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours for them to finally reach you.  It's hard to predict when to expect them.  I have always arranged for my party to be "ready" 30 minutes from the time that they start the CC, knowing that they are unlikely to be there by then...but you want everything ready to go well ahead of time.  I have only had issues with timing once...and that was a Reyno party.  Anyone who knows Reyno knows that he is a manic (not to be confused with maniac...although that would fit, too) ball of energy.  The Genie will NOT be part of your party but he/she will generally show up right about the time that party is due to start to make sure that everything is ok and ready.  For that particular party, the food had not yet shown up when  Reyno got there.  I thought Reyno was going to bust a gasket.  He took off in practically a full run down the hall.  I have no idea where he was going but he went there in a hurry !  Shortly afterwards, he and the food showed up and there was only a short delay. Reyno is a hot mess but I can tell you that he is WITHOUT A DOUBT the best party planner of any of the Genie's I have ever had.
 

Let me know if you have other questions.  I'm sure you will.  This is a particular favorite of mine.  I love doing it and I have never ever had a party attendee who was not both impressed or did not have a good time.  It's fun showing them around the suite and going out on the balcony to look at the beautiful view.  You are in an ATS.  That is the most impressive view of all.  You're going to be have a wonderful party !

1 minute ago, SteveinSC said:

My MEI rep said no dice after getting her Ops Mgr involved? Not sure where to go from there. 

Very surprised.  That's the first time I've ever heard of them not getting a reservation moved for ANY reason.

MEI can still get your reservation transferred....even if final payment has been made.

I have not yet sailed on Symphony but I feel certain that they will offer Chef's Table.

Once your sailing begins offering food packages in the Cruise Planner, you will find the Chef's Table option in the Dining section. 

Back when I first did the Chef's Table, they only offered it once during a sailing.  I believe that nowadays they offer multiple chances to book the Chef's Table.

Very interesting.  They were giving cans for those people with the soda and/or refreshment package ?  I know that you can get a can if you have the DBP but have never heard that canned Coke was dispensed for soda or refreshment pkgs.

The aerial shows did not last long at all.   We saw exactly 1 before they discontinued them.  We were told that they could not keep enough riggers on the small ships.  I tend to believe this explanation. 

1 hour ago, slharman1 said:

@Matt Why does my account tell me I have the wrong password everytime I try to log on.

I always have to reset my password.

Not Matt....but maybe I can help.

A number of months ago Royal completely changed their website.  Prior to this, I had a "username", but after the website change if I did not use my email address to sign in, I would have to redo my password every time.

So....my recommendation to you is....if you are not already, sign in using your email address and hopefully that password (and yes, you will have to create 1 more new password) will be the last new one you will need.

If you are already signing in using your email address to sign in then it is an entirely different issue.

19 minutes ago, ellcee said:

Can you remove me from the June 13, 2020 and add me to the Odyssey Inaugural, November 5, 2020?

YIPPEE !!!  Congratulations !  I wish we could go...

When I read this thread title, I thought someone was husband-hunting. LOL

19 minutes ago, Amygs1 said:

Hobby airport (HOU)

The group is coming from Oregon (and I think they have one connecting flight)

I *think* I could board by myself, but wouldn’t want to.  I’d rather join my Mom in the mess and try to treat disaster as adventure!

HOU is good news.  At least they won't have to deal with IAH.

I completely understand about wanting to stay with your mother.  I would do the same

15 minutes ago, SteveinSC said:

Now, with the Panthers building their headquarters and practice facilities here.....keeps getting better!!!!    

I hadn't heard this news !  Very exciting.

There will be no room for a separate cot or bed even if they would bring you one.

I agree with you...that is going to be a very, very tight squeeze.

I would seriously consider either upgrading to a larger room category or booking a separate inside room for the boys.

No, you will not regret it.  Even a bad cruise (I've heard there are such things...I've never personally experienced one) is better than no cruise.  I know you will have a great time.  I really enjoy sailing out of Tampa.  We are sailing on Brilliance in November.

Off topic but....I have family in Rock Hill.  LOVE it there.

Congratulations on the GREAT prize !

Yikes, I would be very nervous about this itin as well.  Even if they are flying into HOU (vs IAH) that is going to be a very tight schedule with NO room for any type of error or delay.

From where are they (the rest of the group) flying ?  Is it a 1 leg itin ?

I will definitely send my good thoughts your way.  I'm sure it will be fine...but nerve-wracking.

Here's the real question....if they are all stuck somewhere and miss the ship can you board and sail without them ?

18 hours ago, Fairlynew said:

He said that company policy was to only pick up from the port until 10:30 and not to take any passengers to board the ship until that time. 

This is one reason why we almost never take a shuttle to the port.  Rental car shuttles is an obvious exception, but no matter what kind of shuttle it is, they never want to take me as early as I want to go.

18 hours ago, Fairlynew said:

We got a drink at the robot bar, and both of them were so awful, we didn’t finish them. 

This is why I believe the robo bar to be an incredible waste of prime real estate.  It's a one and done kind of thing.

I think the OP was asking whether or not her sister (inside cabin) would be permitted to board with she and her daughter (GS).

The answer is, almost certainly.  While you are technically required to be booked in a full suite in order to board with the suites, it is doubtful that anyone will be checking your sister's Set Sail pass and then turn her away when the rest of the party (you and your daughter) are ready to board.

Technically this COULD happen but it is highly unlikely to happen.  Just have your sister tucked in behind you and your daughter and I think you will all just move on, together.

8 minutes ago, S.Marie said:

I just booked our first family cruise with MEI based on everyone’s recommendations on this thread and I am so excited! We want to travel more as a family so I wanted to make sure we had a great TA to help us along the way! 

Good choice and welcome to the Blog !  I know you will become addicted like the rest of us.  

2 minutes ago, slharman1 said:

Hello everyone, we are going on our first cruise on Liberty of the Seas on January 26th leaving out of Galveston.

I got our cabin number a week ago. Deck Nine, right next to the  elevators by the Library.

Seems like a good location - any thoughts on that?

Excellent location !  Very fortunate for a GTY.  Enjoy Liberty.  Great ship.

Not sure if you are flying or not but it's a very good idea to double check your flight reservations WITH the airline.  There are SO many changes lately with flights that it is just a good practice to make sure that nothing has changed. 

I learned this lesson the hard way.  A number of years ago we did a TransAtlantic cruise which left Florida and went to Harwich, England.  I had made my airline reservations very early through the old Royal Caribbean travel agent (it's called Air2Sea now but I can't remember what it was called then).  We spent a few days in London following the cruise and then flew out of London to come home.  When we got to the airport we found out that there had been a "change of equipment" at some point since I had made the reservations and they had moved us from our premium PAID seats (we had paid extra $$ for certain seats) to somewhere I had no interest in sitting.  I was so mad, as you can imagine.  They had not bothered to let us know that they had changed aircraft and instead of giving us the same equivalent seats on the NEW aircraft, they just dumped us somewhere that they had open seats.  We had a recent experience with the same thing not 3 months ago.  We were booked in row 2 (First Class) and when they changed aircrafts, the new aircraft did not have a row 2.  The first row was row 3.  They basically cut us out of First class completely, but this time, at least they refunded our money.

The moral to these stories is, DO NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THAT YOU HAVE THE SEATS YOU RESERVED !  The airlines are constantly changing times, itineraries and equipment.  Quite honestly, they really don't care if they inconvenience you at all.  Make sure that YOU are not the ones that they "cut out" of the new configuration.  Check directly with the airline on the airline website.

You didn't mention where you are flying from so it's a big difficult to judge whether $914 PP is a reasonable or unreasonable fare during spring break.  I'm going to go against the majority here and say that you should book your airfare as soon as possible.  Personally, I have never found that the airfare drops much - certainly not enough to justify waiting and maybe finding it hard to book at the "last minute" (and to me, 90 days prior to a cruise is last minute).

I love Jet Blue.  If I weren't a status customer of American Airlines I would choose Jet Blue every time.

Spring break is a very pricey time to both cruise and fly...so you're going to pay top price for both.  The holidays are the same situation.  

Good luck with finding an airfare and itinerary that you are comfortable with and as others have already said, Welcome to the Blog !!

14 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

@WAAAYTOOO you need to YOLO and get on the inaugural on November 5th!

I know. I wish we could but too many booked right now. No more time !  With the October New England GC, December 2020 Oasis and March 2020 unofficial GC I’m all booked up !

I’m so happy to see them creating different itins. The 7 night east/west big ship itins are incredibly boring.  This coming from someone who could care less about a ship’s itinerary !

I really don’t have a clue but for my Dec 1 cruise on Oasis, the ocean view rooms have been sold out since before I booked my room.  I realize that ocean view on an Oasis Class ship is the smallest number of rooms in any category but it was still very unusual. 

5 minutes ago, tinman1224 said:

My wife and l want to meet you two. You guys are our heroes, we are only going on our 13th cruise and are diamond members for the first time. You guys are almost living on a cruise ship! Lol!!! Safe journeys!!  

Congratulations on Diamond.  That’s where it starts to really make a difference. 

I sure hope we do get to meet soon.  We have met a lots of super people on RCCL Blog group cruises.  I can’t wait for our next one !

I have experienced some very hard mattresses in the past but it seems that lately they’ve been better.  Maybe I’m just getting used to them. I used to write and ask for a mattress topper but all they do is add one of those thin, quilted mattress pads so it was a waste of time. I no longer do that.  I do, however, ask my cabin attendant to place 2 folded duvets beneath the sheet and it helps some.  It’s just easier to deal directly with the cabin attendant.