WAAAYTOOO

Snackle Snaps.  That's adorable !!!

I have read that in some cases, for those who are not able to use their Chops lunch on embarkation day, they were allowed to use it another day.  I don't think this is a "rule" so you would have to check and see if they would allow it on your cruise, but you may be able to postpone your "free" Key lunch to a later day.

Do not make reservations (or pay) for children ahead of time.  Reserve/pay for adults only and just show up with children.  You will be charged for the children at the time that you complete your meal.

35 minutes ago, twangster said:

You should see how I make an interior cabin look...  

I have !  Pure genius !

It’s always a good idea to go introduce yourself to the Host and speak with him/her whenever you get the opportunity.

That is an excellent question.

It is not required to do so, but as you suggest, it is good etiquette to let them know.  If they know you’re not coming, they will not wait for you and can serve everyone else more promptly.

45 minutes ago, twangster said:

You mean this cabin 10720?

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/5068-anthem-112517-712-b2b/&do=findComment&comment=49992

Behind the artwork in the living room I wrote with a sharpie "twangster wuz here".  Did you see it?

Wow....you make it look waaay better than it really is !

I can’t believe that a bot of your stature would be caught deactivated in a dump like that !

43 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

 then over to Wonderland for dessert!

Wow !  I never thought of doing this !  Something for Oasis in Dec -assuming they add Wonderland to O.

1 hour ago, tiny260 said:

Considering your other post on the wave pool you might like to go Cave Tubing in Belize, my wife and I did it and it was a blast. Your mostly paddling sometime but it is still pretty cool.

Be prepared though.  The water is freezing cold !

Cool  !  Nice surprise. First I’ve seen of this list. Thanks for sharing it

I wouldn’t expect anything to be “free” except the ocean. 

I can’t wait to find out what changes/upgrades they are making.  I have Oasis booked for Dec 19 and Dec 20.  This Dec we will be on the second cruise after she comes out of the dry dock. I hope everything is ready to go by then !

Beverage service is so poor b/c about 5 years ago Royal got rid of all of the beverage servers in the MDR. There used to be dedicate beverage servers that did nothing else.  Now the assistant waiters have to double as beverage servers.  It really slows everything down.

We were on Anthem a couple of weeks ago and they offered WOW bands.  We didn’t use them bit many did.

Junior Suites pay regular gratuities, not suites rate gratuities.

The Barefoot cabanas are never available to book through the Cruise Planner that I have ever seen.  They are booked through the Genies and then through the suites concierge.  If I know for sure that I am going to want a cabana, I contact the suite concierge directly to let them know which one I want....and then again once the concierge reaches out to me.  I have not always gotten the cabana I wanted but I have always gotten a cabana.  As Tiny260 said, on the O and Q class ships, the Star Class pax have first choice.

There is also a fairly extensive thread going at the moment regarding milkshakes at JR.

It appears to be entirely at the ship’s discretion as to whether or not they permit persons with either the Deluxe Beverage Package or the refreshment package to get a milkshake at JR without paying the cover charge.  Many on the bigger ships report that they CAN get the milkshake and others (like me) have been told “no” on ships like NAV.

There is no definite answer at the moment.

Welcome Alex and Jaimee !!  I know you will love Royal Caribbean.

49 minutes ago, Minicruiser said:

traveling with some other families not in Star and wondering how that will work. Hoping it’s not too awkward.

Depending on how many people we are talking about AND your Genie, it can work out just fine.

On 2 of our 6 Star Class cruises, we have cruised with "others".  One of the things that is included in your introductory email from the Genie is a line that tells you that your SC amenities are available ONLY to those persons traveling in SC.  I have no doubt that they mean it....BUT both times that I have been on a SC cruise with friends, the Genie did their very BEST to include them whenever they could.

For instance...when we went to dinner, the Genies both always made the reservations for the entire group.  Of course, those not in SC had to pay for their meals, but the Genies never balked at making reservations for everyone.  Also, when it came time to reserve seats for the entertainment events, they were also always included.  Now granted, on the first "friends" cruise, there were only 2 of the 6 of us that were not SC so it was fairly easy to include these 2 others...and on the second such cruise, there was only 1 person who was not SC. 

Does your Genie have a right to say "no".  Absolutely.  Will they ?  Hard to say.  As long as you are not asking to have them join you in the Suites Lounge (we NEVER did that) or partake in any freebie food or drinks, I doubt they will say no.  If it is a very large group, then the Genie would probably have to decline to include them all.

I have found that it was helpful to forewarn the Genies that you have some additional people who may be joining you for some events.  It's easier that way than to spring it on them at the last minute.

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I won!! First time! Not sure what to do with this??

At least you didn't win the Loser's Pack !

Is Araceli doing food and beverages for your cabin crawl ?

12 hours ago, Jedi_Mky said:

I'm confused by this because we've got folks confirming that the milkshakes are included with the deluxe package, but the brochure on RCCL's site doesn't even mention them.

It’s truly ship-dependent.  I recall some months ago Matt had a blog post that confirmed that the JR milkshakes had been officially added to the drinks covered by the DBP but I’m not sure it was ever uniformly implemented.  There’s really no easy answer to this one. You will have to confirm the procedure ship-by-ship.  I know that on NAV last Nov it was NOT included.

40 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

It was really hard!!! I was so sad that I couldn’t finish my filet!

Cream of Mushroom Soup !  I’m so envious !  I too love the CK filet even though I am not a huge steak eater.  It’s not a good sign when you’re already suffering from food fatigue on day 1 !!!  So happy you are having a good time. What do the girls think ?

Why don’t we have any suite pix yet ?

Are you even going to be able to eat dinner ?  I’m stuffed just looking at what you’ve [the fam]  already consumed today !  I can empathize !

36 minutes ago, twangster said:

I finally got a picture of @Lovetocruise2002!!!

I see her suite !