JohnK6404

I like this little 4-5 minute drone video on Symphony too...

Thanks! Just watched it... all from the engineering perspective (as titled), so it may not interest everyone. We liked it!

Hey @SteveinSC ! See if you can track this series down... they feature many RC ships... I watched the Allure episode which was excellent a couple of years ago... having a hard time finding it now... Yes, love the Mega Food episode on Oasis... it's currently available on Netflix... Another awesome documentary on Harmony and turnaround day... try pulling it up through the Science Channel website and log in through you cable provider: https://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/mega-machines-sea-giants/ Another video of Allure drydock...

Hi @CHRIS WONG ! Very nice to meet you and look forward to hearing about your experiences! Enjoy your contract on Mariner!

Got it! Makes sense!

... and remember to cancel that internet package if you purchase the Key of course! ?

No, the drink package is good on the ship and on Royal properties like Labadee and Perfect Day at Coco Cay.

Welcome Mike! My wife and I are on that cruise too and can't wait!

Hi @Kanelbulle ! Yes, the DBP can be used in all restaurants, bars, etc. on the ship and in Labadee or Perfect Day at Coco Cay. We used it in the specialty restaurants and in Labadee back in May. And you are correct... If you order a drink above the "cap" for that ship/sailing ($13 on our sailing) they will charge you the difference and I believe 18% gratuity on the additional amount (we never had to exceed the "cap"). Oh yeah, you cannot use it at Starbuck's. However, you can get smoothies at the Vitality Cafe with the DBP (they charge for protein powder, etc., but the smoothies are included). Our friends found this out early on and would start their day with a smoothie. Have a great time!

Maybe Oasis 6 will get that name.

Very true re: regional context.

What a blah, unoriginal name... I’ve already sailed on the Wonder (Disney Wonder). Lol!

Very true! It's also nice to have the same team as they get to know you and your preferences well and make the dining experience more enjoyable.

We have always done My Time Dining and regardless of group size (2-5) we have never been seated with another group (never had to ask for our own table). Also, we usually pick the same MTD time slot (when possible) and have always been seated in the same table with the same server team every time. I'm not sure if it's necessary, but if we like the table we're seated at the first night, we ask if we can keep that table for the rest of the cruise and they have always accommodated us. If you vary your dining times too much (MTD), you may have to be seated in another table or section as "your" table may be occupied at that time. If you really do not want to sit in another section and want to stick with the same server team on an evening with that odd time reservation, they will offer you the option of waiting for a table to clear in that section. I believe that is more likely to happen with Traditional Dining (seated with others unless you make a request).

Welcome!

The thought of being dry-docked for another 564 days until Symphony in APR 2021 was way too much for us to bear especially after our awesome experience on Allure this past May! We can't stop talking about that cruise! @Lovetocruise2002... yeah, we're hooked on Oasis class! As you all say... YOLO booked it! We had to take advantage of an awesome deal especially while she is here in NY in our backyard! Yay, no airfare or hotel! Can't wait to sail through the harbor again and go under the Verrazano this time on Oasis! Oasis... May 31, 2020!

Our two cents... everyone has their own opinion because we each value the perks differently. My wife and I, along with our friends, absolutely loved it at $19.99 back in May on Allure and will definitely purchase it again. That Allure cruise was the best experience on any cruise ship to date for all four of us! We loved the prime seating (next to suite reserved section - dead center seating) for all of the major shows and the ability to show up just 10-15 minutes before the show started with zero stress. We were always the ones to show up 30 minutes or more before the show hoping to get a decent seat in the venue. The embarkation day lunch was awesome (at Chops back then, now Chops menu seated in MDR)... the breakfast on the last morning (in MDR) was excellent too! The expedited boarding (we missed out on that - long story) and expedited departure was absolutely amazing (we were escorted through the Star class lane... literally less than 15 minutes to get from the Champagne bar in the Royal Promenade to our luggage in the terminal and through customs to our taxi). The regular line in the terminal was huge and snaking all around the terminal! Many, many jealous stares! We never needed the priority departure at the ports and never had the time to take advantage of the reserved activity hours (Flowrider, Zipline, Rock climbing wall, etc.). Here's what makes this an easy decision for us, especially at $19.99... If you had planned on purchasing the VOOM Surf & Stream package anyway, then it's effectively $11.50/day ($5.75/person) for all of the other benefits. I see the VOOM Surf & Stream package is $28.48/day for 2 devices for my next cruise in MAY 2020 in the CP... So for only $11.50/day for 2 people (based on $19.99 Key purchase price per person... $39.98 - $24.48), you would get all of the other perks... very easy decision for us in that case. One glass of wine costs more than $11.50!

Can you make the selection (through the above link) even if you booked through a travel agent or do you need to go through the agency? Also, do you get a confirmation? Thanks!

So jealous @Traveler ! Has been on my bucket list as my mother was born and raised in Japan. Have a great time and we'll be following for sure!

Welcome!

@J-Ro, welcome!

Welcome @MO & LO on the go! !

Have an awesome time @Andrew72681 !

@melmar02 have an amazing time! We'll also be following!

It is truly strange how many people have no clue what cruising is like... and when they try it, most of them are hooked! I tell them imagine that your all-inclusive resort travels with you from exotic port to port. At least a ship can navigate around/avoid storms and change an itinerary if necessary. If you are at a land resort and you get hit with bad weather you're out of luck and you're not going anywhere. What is the stat? Something like 20-30 million people cruise each year? Yes, something could happen, but what are the odds? Reduce those odds significantly and stay away from Carnival... LOL! Had to get that in! ?