CruzOnBye

We're doing same itinerary but starting the 8th! I'll be watching for updated cruise compasses now that the short cruises on her started...I like to know what's going on. I go with the flow...but I like to know what's happening still, and in advance   Hope you have an awesome trip! Love that you booked it last minute, countdown has begun!

How exciting!! I can't wait to hear about the St. Thomas excursion, we have this same itinerary next year so really interested to hear all about it...I might snag a Black Friday deal on the excursion.. 

1 hour ago, AlphabetMafia said:

This made me laugh. My wife made me take her picture 2 weeks ago for our Nov 16th check in cause she had gotten her hair done and wanted to look fancy 

She gets it! 

I know some folks like to know RUB offers- mine just came in today. As mentioned above, I'm pretty content with my freebie Boardwalk View room so I don't plan on bidding. Otherwise, I may have attempted to roll the dice on one or two of the below.

34 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Not sure if anyone cares, and didn't know where else to post, but don't think I'll be blogging from Allure.

Got kinda hectic being a last minute cruise and then having our itinerary switched yesterday so I had to make new plans (going to Cozumel instead of Labadee and CocoCay was moved) and have to try to change dining reservations onboard now that the sea days and port days are reversed.

Not a relaxing start but once I get everything settled, maybe I'll change my mind.

Just praying they truly deep cleaned the ship.

If you change your mind, I'll be following in preparation for my Dec cruise.  

@Ampurp85 Loved reading this! Thank you for the insights. We sail in December on a 3 nighter. I watched Matt's video on Allure Full Tour and saw ELF/Wipe Out Cafe served breakfast, but when I look on the app it shows only 11:30am-5:30pm daily. Wasn't sure if they just don't advertise it on the app. Did you happen to notice a small buffet in there any of the days, or did they do away with it? We love Windjammer but not oppose to trying to trying something new. TIA.

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

Maybe it's because I always use pictures saved on my phone rather than selfies/new pics but somehow we have never ever had to have ours re-taken.

I've read sooo many people say they always have to re-take theirs at the port. I don't know what's so special about what I do, lol. (Also not remotely a big deal just odd).

Interesting! I'll give that a shot this go around..use a picture saved on my phone. Thanks for the tip. And you're right, it's not a big deal since the pic process at the port takes seconds, but still...if I have the option to skip an in-person photo shoot, why not?

Just now, Pattycruise said:

Click on naturalization papers and skip the passports.  Once the app works you can edit the document to the passport.  If you forgetthe gate agent will scan the passport for you.

Last night was the first time the passport scan worked for me! It's never worked and always had me input the digits so I usually skip that piece as well. However it was easy peasy since it scanned quickly. We always take our headshots too, a couple days after check-in, but every.single.time. the gate agents rescan us. I'm like helloo.....that was a fabulous kitchen picture of myself  Instead they make me take off my baseball cap and it's #cruisehairdontcare

37 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Checked in online early this morning for our 12-8-24 Freedom sailing (~3:00 AM so not as soon as it opened for check-in) and the earliest was 11:30.  Not sure if earlier times had been available but I really doubt it.  Also, another bad experience with the app.  As always seems to happen lately, the app would not work AT ALL.  I ended up having to go online and do the full check-in with passports, etc.  How much do I hate the app......

I keep seeing more and more posts like yours, issues with check in and the app. That's what kept me from sleeping last night for my checkin. I didn't have an alarm set, I just tossed and turned until midnight lol. I don't normally stress too much over it, I've waited days and still gotten 10:30-11am slot but I don't know if it's the fact that the ships lately have been packed/fully booked or if it's a combo of that and just tech issues. I did mine last night on the app, but I had it open on the web browser also in case the app crashed. I took screen shots once they were in my apple wallet too because someone above said their time changed on its own and that scared me.

Happy you still got before noon, but if you're like me, I want to be onboard asap! Cheers to a 45 day countdown to our cruises! 

Check-in update: 

Fell asleep at 10pm. Woke up at 11:15pm. Fell back asleep. Woke up at 12:01am and jumped up to do the check-in! I was like a kid waiting for Santa! Check-in didn't open until 12:10am...longest 9 minutes of my life  but we scored 10:30am port arrival! 

Room: We originally booked this cruise when we were on Odyssey last December, for a really good deal. We booked it through Next Cruise and transferred to my TA at MEI Travel, as an Interior GTY. We generally have booked 99% of our cruises as Interior GTYs and never expect anything other than a blacked out Interior room, which we are always content with. Anyway, after check-in last night, the room was not assigned, however Deck 7 was, along with an assigned muster drill station. I remembered reading on here about the barcode trick...so I gave a shot. Based off the deck # and last 4 digits of the BC, it seems we got bumped up to a Boardwalk View Interior! I think that is super cool. I read online, it is one that fits 3+ people (lol I had to be sure) and this specific room had a lot of great comments and videos online (yes I never went back to asleep last night, I was too excited!!) 

Just thought I'd share because I haven't heard of these "bumps" happening much anymore with GTYs, but it seems it is still possible! Royal Up hasn't sent any emails yet but the ship seems pretty sold out. I wouldn't RU anyway after this "bonus".

I am keeping this nugget of info to myself and making it a surprise to the boys  

I had my 45 day check-in at midnight for Allure in Dec. Scored a 10:30am check-in window! Then I got way too excited to go back to sleep, I was already thinking of my packing list. 

We use walkie talkies when there and on CocoCay and while on the ship. It's worked really well for us, just got a random set from Amazon for a pack of 4 for around $30 for a decent set (or what we consider decent)

It’s not on my Allure Dec ‘23, it is on my Wonder May ‘24, and not on my Utopia ‘24. Maybe Utopia’s will add it later, since they still haven’t added much detail to the app for that cruise in general.

4 hours ago, Ryan79 said:

Bugs fly in from open balconies, the whole top of the ship is open to the air, bugs hitch rides on passengers coming into the ship and bugs come onboard even sometimes on the food that is loaded on board. Bugs are on EVERY ship ALL of the time. It would be ludicrous not to think there would be

The saying "I'd love to be a fly on the wall" never rang truer....here we are, paying for cruise fare, port fees and passports, and meanwhile, these little jokers hopping a ride on an incoming carton of limes...for the free. 

We were on a ship during Love Bug season in FL, and lovebugs were virtually everywhere! Staterooms, halls, dining area, pool deck was covered, it was the wildest thing. The crews were washing the decks and vacuuming inside everywhere to get them up. They hitched rides on everyone's clothes and flew in the doors, and then the checked bags were in our rooms after sitting at the port for x hours, so obviously they brought them into the room too. It was the craziest scene. But RCCL crew took care of it and by SailAWay you had no clue the massacres that took place. 

2016! First cruise on Majesty of the Seas and we visit Cococay before her renovations, and we loved her natural charm! We've been hooked on cruising ever since.

Me, hubby and our kiddo will be venturing on this ship for the first time. Kiddo had his first (surprise) experience on Independence of the Seas this past March and he was  mindblown! So I can only imagine his reaction to this one. He doesn't know about it, or any of the next 3 we have booked . We have a stop in Nassau, we will be staying on board and enjoying the activities! But it's game on at PDCC! No special purchases this go around-basic interior room, no dining package, but we will have the DBP! It's paid for but hoping to get a deal on Black Friday and get some cash back. For a 3 nighter I think we have plenty of free foodie options available on this ship.

Living in FL my entire life, I wouldn't call it picturesque driving to Port Everglades from Orlando unless you are coming from the deserts of Nevada and tired of sand and cacti. It's very flat, straight, with several drive bys of cows and trees and wondering when the next rest stop is. As others have suggested I would try to fly in to Ft Lauderdale Or Miami, Miami will be more of something "to see" on your way to the port. If you can't, then I would rent a car. I wouldn't want to be in rideshare for 4 hours with a chatty driver, both ways, but that's just me   Hope you enjoy your trip regardless!! Once you get to the port, you won't care how you got there. 

21 minutes ago, AshleyDillo said:

We will getting off when you board!

And we will be getting off when YOU board   wow this is depressing...

My December Allure cruise has 30% off DBP finally so I jumped on that, bringing it to $72.99pp. But my May 2024 on Wonder was BOGO 50% (I'll hold off till Black Friday), and zero sale for Labor Day 2024 on Utopia, it was $115pp. Ew.

Also, just for kicks and giggles I looked ahead at the DBP for my 4 night Sept 2025 Utopia sailing. $115.99 pp. I'm crying over my 3 night in December on Allure costing me $74.99pp so I am thinking Black Friday this year, I am gonna buy DBP for the next 3 cruises I have booked...

21 minutes ago, Kathleen said:

I booked a 4 day in March 2025 with my sister who has never cruised. We booked a boardwalk balcony. My husband seemed a bit hurt I wasn’t experiencing it with him first when I told him so I booked a November 2024 3 day with him in a Junior Sky suite! 

I think a Jr Sky Suite makes up for it hahaha! 

We are booked on a 4 nighter during Sept! Snagged a 10th deck, corner Boardwalk Balcony, near the Aquatheater. This is our first balcony! I'm very excited.  Also, $1500 for 2 adults, 1 child is the rate we got.

2 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Utopia opens for bookings on Royal Caribbean’s website as soon as Friday, June 23. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members can book on Thursday, June 22.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/06/20/royal-caribbean-announces-utopia-of-the-seas-will-start-short-cruises-july-2024

How I imagine the entire RCCL staff is right now  

I watched the website countdown like a hawk, but it looks like only an overview of the ship was released. I thought bookings would be released but I don't see them available yet  

We were on Independence in March and they had a silent disco in the Viking Crown Lounge for families. We took our 7 year old, we didn't stay long. He said "OK, these people are crazy, let's get away from this place"  I'm sure by "these people" he was referring to me and his Nana who were jamming out to the music. He wasn't impressed. There were a couple young kids in there with their parents, but mainly teenagers in large groups.  It's worth checking out even just to people watch for a moment lol.