JohnK6404

LOL! I've just started collecting info on the very same topic! We are looking at early June 2024 for our 20th wedding anniversary. We're likely doing Ovation roundtrip from Seattle as we don't have the time for a cruise tour, etc., and don't want to deal with longer and/or international flights. A longer cruise tour including Denali is on the bucket list! June is our actual anniversary (6/4 - not a very unique blog screen name!). I understand early June is the end of the early shoulder season before school lets out and the season starts to get busy and more expensive. Although slightly cooler temps, the days are longer and little to no mosquitos as it's not during the rainy season! Whales may still be in the area at that time as well. Also, I heard you may see more waterfalls and streams, etc. I believe Matt had mentioned to expect the 2024 Alaska itineraries to likely be released in late fall or early winter this year. Here are a bunch of helpful articles and some videos posted by Jenna and Matt... each part of the season has it's own "advantages"... the first link below has many other helpful blog articles linked within as well! https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/alaska-cruises https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/03/16/what-its-go-alaska-cruise-the-early-season https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/11/16/what-its-go-alaskan-cruise-the-end-of-the-season https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/01/28/what-alaska-inside-passage-cruise https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2021/11/02/cruising-alaska-what-i-did-right-and-wrong https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/01/25/the-weirdest-alaska-cruise-questions https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/02/01/how-different-alaska-cruise-vs-caribbean

Can't speak for Indy, but on our last few sailings they tend to allocate only 2 separate one-hour or so periods for the duration of the cruise per activity (eg. rock climbing wall, North Star, iFly, Flowrider, zipline). Problem is that at least one of those time periods will likely be in conflict with an excursion or some other plans you've made for that day. I would not let this perk be a major reason why you purchase the Key. If it works for you while onboard, then it's an additional bonus!

Hi @Ja-sun! As already mentioned, the price onboard in NextCruise is the current online prevailing rate. The benefit tends to be a reduced deposit and OBC. My wife and I have utilized NextCruise in the past. Most recently, we booked our JAN 2023 sailing last OCT while onboard and during our last cruise in FEB, we purchased a couple of "Book Later" reservations for the first time. For us, we got $100 OBC and only had to pay the $200 reduced deposit for each reservation. We elected to go with these non-refundable deposit booking benefits. You can of course continue to reprice if the rate goes down with any NextCruise reservation. The current rules (for "Book Later" reservations) require that you select your sailing within 60 days of purchase to keep the OBC or you will lose it. However, you still have one full year from purchase to book a cruise before you also lose the $200 non-refundable reduced deposit (in our example). The deadlines are for making the booking, not the actual sail date. We used one when we returned home to book our OCT 2023 cruise. Any reservation with NextCruise will default to the last TA on file (pulls current sailing info in the system I believe), but you can change it at that time. You can also tell them to leave it with Royal for now and I believe (from what I remember) you have 30 days to transfer the reservation to your TA of choice. I would just verify the TA transfer rules/timeframe to be safe! They now actually allow you to book NextCruise reservations through the Royal app while onboard (at least Book Later option)... that's how I got into "trouble"... very dangerous!

Yes, the Chops menu Key lunch is still in the MDR as of last month when we sailed on Odyssey. We all enjoyed it! As far as the eternal question, "is it worth it"... everyone has an opinion and everyone places a different value on things. Is a STAR class suite worth it at 4-5 times the cost of an ocean view balcony cabin at $10-$15K? The value to you is all that is important. I understand why people love Sky and Star class (we just can't afford it, LOL! ). I will say that having the Key at reduced capacity with some of the Covid-related changes (early seating vs. dedicated reserved section) made it less desirable or necessary on our last sailing on Odyssey. As we return to full capacity sailings, and as long as you can purchase it around $20, it's a no brainer for us especially on Oasis class (and not in a suite). We enjoy the Chops menu lunch and always purchase the VOOM Surf & Stream. We now skip Chops and elect for the other specialty restaurants during the cruise. So at that $20 or less price point, you get all of the other benefits for effectively less than the cost of a drink per day. We're just hoping they return to reserved seating for the shows again. Leisurely showing up 15 minutes before the start of the show and being escorted to a roped off reserved section in the middle of the venue was priceless! Oh, all of the dirty looks... miss that!

Have a great time !!!

We see you!

Do you mean this? It's a pinned thread positioned above this thread near the top of this section... https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/forum/5-people-connect/

I’m sorry you had a bad experience.

Jenna posted an article on the blog back on March 11th covering her experience: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/03/11/wonder-of-the-seas-live-blog-day-7-perfect-day-cococay

Taste is subjective and quality can vary by sailing of course, but we've always enjoyed our lobster tails on every cruise to date. We always make it a point to attend the last formal evening in the MDR just for the lobster tails. Naturally, growing up and living on Long Island I have been all over New England. I'm certainly not going to compare it to a fresh Maine lobster just out of a tank, etc., but we definitely find the Caribbean lobster to be very tasty and consistent with Royal. I actually ate 6 tails last month on Odyssey! The pics are from our last 3 cruises... presentation and quality has been very consistent in the MDR. Now I'm craving lobster! Allure (2019) Oasis (2021) Odyssey (2022)

Welcome!

Unless it has changed recently, only one person needs to purchase the bungalow/cabana through the Cruise Planner. The charge you see is the total cost for the cabana ($499, etc.), not per guest (unlike most other CP purchases). You do not need to provide the other guest information. We booked an over-the-water cabana at Nellie's Beach back in 2019 and shared it with our friends (split the cost later). I purchased it and we all just checked in for the cabana. They do not need the names of the other guests. I know, the Cruise Planner is confusing when it comes to booking cabanas/bugalows! Regarding wristbands... we did not get wristbands so I can't answer that question. Maybe that is something new or maybe they make you wear them if there is a large group? I guess since it was just the four of us, our attendant (Regis) had no problem remembering who was supposed to be in our cabana! Have an amazing time!

Hibachi or teppanyaki style tends to refer to a style of Japanese cooking on tables/grills. It usually involves an interactive show with the chef. The food is of course all cooked... don't worry, no sushi! LOL! On Odyssey, they split the restaurant into two: Izumi for sushi (traditional table service dining) and Teppanyaki for the hibachi grill experience. Izumi on Oasis class ships is one large restaurant split into two sides. Here are some pics from Odyssey...

Hi @Leighq and @SpicyCherry... check out these two videos... very, very helpful! The first one was posted by Matt... the second one is also very good as he films the entire process (and makes a mistake and wastes a test kit)...

Yes, you will get an e-mail from eMed and can print a copy as well... this is what it looks like within the Navica app...

That's when you need Arnold to step in...

Passengers that are nasty to crew members or other passengers... really want to throw them overboard!

Chris just posted this... he will be joining Ovation of the Seas! Good luck @CHRIS WONG !

I agree... The Solarium Bistro is a "mini-Windjammer" for breakfast and quiet in the early morning with some nice options (also cook to order omelets/eggs). Cafe Two70 is great for coffee and grab-and-go stuff. They do have tables to sit at on the outskirts of Two70. I believe you can also sit anywhere in Two70. We stopped by both throughout our cruise on Odyssey last month on both port and sea days.

Unless something has changed, either form is acceptable when showing proof of your negative Covid test results. We actually had both, but I showed them a printout of the results when they were checking the other documents at the port. Proof of vaccination must be the actual card... not copies, photos, etc.

Disney's Castaway Cay has had an "adult beach" for years from what I recall... I think it's called Serenity Bay at the farthest point on their island. Royal is trying to offer the same experience and one that is similar to the solariums onboard their ships. Serenity Bay is definitely not a nude beach. Mickey and Minnie would not approve. Royal is also very family-centric. IMHO, I highly doubt they will ever offer a nude beach option. I think they will leave that for the other ports of call that they do not own.

Yes, they are now offering 8-night cruises to Bermuda from Port Canaveral on Mariner of the Seas... almost booked one! https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruises/?departureCode_PCN=true&destinationRegionCode_BERMU=true

Thank you so much for looking into this Michelle!

May we ask what was the explanation in your cancellation notice? As of this moment, that is the only sailing (12/4/22) missing from Royal's website... all of the other sailings from NOV 2022-JAN 2023 are still showing and open for booking.

Welcome! So exciting! You chose a great ship and itinerary for your first cruise! Jenna's article linked by her above is excellent! I will have to refer to it again for our next cruise which is stopping in Nassau! Also take a look at the "Getting Started" section up top and linked here: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/getting-started If you haven't had the opportunity to watch this video created by Matt, it's an excellent place to start!