WAAAYTOOO

I have not heard of anyone doing one of those insiders events. I personally have no interest in doing one but if I did ever do one, it would be for WWRY.

Cruise docs/luggage tags usually come on day 49 (7 weeks prior to sail date) but sometimes it is delayed by a couple of days if a TA or air travel is involved.

I also believe that when the inventory gets low (only 1 or 2 left) they will throw up that “not available” notice. If that notice comes up, There IS still at least 1 available. When it says “sold out” you are out of luck.

I always recommend that if you have never stayed in one of the ATS to try it once. The experience is very special. I will agree with Ashley. It is a LONG walk all the way aft but on the up side, no stairs. After doing the ATS a number of times we now prefer deck 17 but I am glad we did the ATS to experience the wonderful views and large balconies. Would I pay MORE for a 1 BR ATS ? No

Hey, Lorraine. If you want the Concierge to order for you then you have to let them know the day/evening before. If they are kind enough to give you their “private” phone number (only happened for us once) then you can call yourself and order. When we ask the Concierge to order for us, I usually just write it all down and give them the paper. It’s so much easier than trying to dictate it to them. Either way, make sure they know you want fresh eggs. Believe it or not, we got powdered eggs once EVEN when the Concierge ordered for us b/c we failed to specifically say we wanted fresh eggs. You have to really insist. And don’t forget to tell them what time you want your food to come and make sure you tell them EVERYTHING you want down to salt, pepper, butter, water, juice, coffee, sugar, milk. They will bring you exactly what you ask for and nothing more.

Happy Birthday, Bob !

Royal does not enforce boarding times. They try and control the crowds with suggested boarding times, but you can show up any time you want to. 10:30-11:00 is optimum, usually.

...and I’m pecking on an iPad at the AA Ambassador’s Club waiting to board an airplane !

To be honest, I suspect that most of the time you’re getting eggs from a cardboard box but that is definitely an improvement over powdered. Truthfully, the only time I am sure that I got a cracked egg was when we were SC and I specifically asked for fresh eggs. 99/100 you will get the cardboard box or powdered. I just cannot eat the powdered ones.

Hey, Trevor. There is usually a kiosk set up in the Promenade on boarding day where you can make all of your dining reservations for the entire cruise. If you don’t find that, you can go to any specialty restaurant and make all of your reservations at one time. Normally what we do is, since we are eating at a specialty restaurant anyway (on boarding day...usually Chops but not always) we just wait until we are already there and make our reservations then and there. Bottom line....you do NOT have to go to each restaurant separately.

If you’re talking about Boston next Oct., we’re on that one, too. Still 3 OS left on that one, but brace yourself. They are EXpensive. Not SC expensive, but for a Brilliance Suite, REALLY expensive. I’m sure that’s why there are still 3 of them left.

Welcome to the Blog !

I think this is the sign of a “mature” cruiser. That is not to say that there are not still adventures to be experienced....it’s just that you begin to be selective about your experiences. The “beach day” just isn’t as exciting as it once was. Nothing wrong with that. ...and I completely agree about staying on the ship where all of your food and drinks are already included - especially when you have purchased either the UDP, the DBP or both !

OMG. What a horrible way to end your trip ! What difficulties did this cause with getting home ? I doubt you “lost” them...

?? Aren’t you from Jamaica ?

Safe trip home, Joe. So glad you’re feeling better. Really enjoyed your blogs.

Yippee !! We will have some pre-cruise recon intel. Awesome !

Welcome, Andy !

Dan and I will be there.

I booked this one but will have to slum it in an Owners Suite. Unlikely SC will open with all you SC hogs on there ! ???

Bots don’t have fingers OR toes. You can’t fool us !

Yes, just once on each ship that I can recall. We are back on Liberty in Aug so I can check it out again then.

The only ships where we have had problems with the taste of the ship’s water were Freedom and Liberty. I don’t know if it is just a coincidence that these are ships of the same class or not. The water on Lib started out tasting bad but got better a day 2 into the cruise. With Freedom, it never got better. Since we had the DBP we just got bottled water when we wanted water but not sure what one would do if the water was skunky and they did not have the DBP.

Welcome to the Blog!

For the past 4 or 5 cruises, we have not heard from our Concierge until 5 days prior. It used to be 7 days prior. My guess is that you will hear from them tomorrow. You will love the Owners Suite. It is a game changer, sorry to have to tell you. You will not be happy with anything less, again.