JohnK6404

... at least the claim process will be simple! ?

My friend and his family were just on Harmony (4/21/19 sailing) and went with a guaranteed Ocean View Balcony for this family of 4 (last minute booking through Costco Travel just over a month prior to sail date). He received his cabin assignment on Tuesday (4/16/19), 5 days before sail date. I don't believe there is a set policy/date for when you get your cabin assignment. Hopefully, you'll get your assignment sooner than later! I'm with you on hating the unknown and loving to plan! Have a great time!!!

Have an amazing time! We'll be at sea at the same time on Allure in WC/Labadee. Harmony/Symphony EC/Perfect Day is at the top of our list for our next cruise!

Yes, you can definitely purchase the soda package for just one, etc. My friend just got off Harmony with his family of four and he was the only one that purchased the soda package. They make it a "requirement" for the DBP because they are trying to control/discourage sharing of the alcohol package.

Following too! We’re getting on as you disembark on 5/19... Western Caribbean. I may also try my first live blog... we’ll see if my wife and friends tolerate it! ? Have an amazing time!

Just got this e-mail from Royal for our upcoming 5/19/19 Western Caribbean sailing... looks like just Falmouth is affected very slightly... @Hoski @b_resh_uh

Thank you so much @mworkman !

@teacherdl, I believe this is what @Atlantix2000 is referring to... CAS_Member_Benefits_Grid.pdf ... and the link to Royal's site... https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/cas/benefitsLoggedin.do ... and @twangster was kind enough to attach the handouts they provide onboard on this post (at that time in 2017)...

Just remember that anyone that purchased the Key has Jamie’s/Giovanni’s and Chops as an option for their complimentary embarkation day lunch between 11:30 and 1:30... may be a little busier that day. We’re doing Chops for the Key and Giovanni’s later during the cruise for the CP balcony perk since Chops is not a CP balc. option.

I'm looking forward to the flexibility the DBP gives you to experiment and try drinks/liquor you wouldn't normally order if you had to purchase them a la carte! If you don't like what you just ordered, try something else a few minutes later!

My understanding is that they are only offered on Quantum class ships and on the newer Oasis class ships (Harmony and Symphony)... we're on Allure next month and they are not offered.

Following this! We have the same perks (CP balcony) on Allure next month... my understanding is that we need to make the reservation once we are onboard. I think any reservation made through the CP would be chargeable. I had asked RC customer service a few months ago (called for another reason) and they stated we will have a voucher in our stateroom when we board on embarkation day... we have to make the reservation once onboard and that we should present the voucher at the restaurant when we go for the complimentary lunch. Curious to hear from others to see if that's completely accurate... sounds reasonable.

Yes, but I think it varies based on sail date, etc... the funny thing is that it was 30% off yesterday and came in at $45 USD... Tonight, it's 30% off and comes in at $46 USD for my 5/19/19 Allure cruise... funny math, maybe rounding? The underlying onboard pricing for my cruise has been $65 all along... that's where the normal online 20% off ($52), BOGO 50% ($49), and 30% off ($45-$46) pricing is coming from... I originally grabbed it at $49 and then canceled/reordered at $45. The current 30% off sale has restrictions... see Matt's blog post from today... https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2019/04/23/save-30-pre-cruise-purchases-royal-caribbeans-sale-you-sail-offer

The most recent sale we've seen is 30% off ($45 USD/person) which is the better sale since BOGO 50% is effectively just 25% off both packages ($49 USD/person)... I can't get into the Cruise Planner right now, but as of this morning it was showing the current 30% off sale. We're on Allure next month. Also, don't forget they tack on the 18% gratuity (aka "service charge") when you check out...

That must be the gold plated Key! ? We were very lucky to grab it at $19.99 for our upcoming Allure cruise next month. Wow! It recently jumped to $37.99 for my cruise too! It was $24.99 for the longest time...

I’m on it! ? I’m jealous of my good friend and his family ?... they just set sail on Harmony an hour ago for the same Western itinerary! Just sent me this... torture I tell ya! 4 weeks to go!

You're welcome! I think some people get nervous and take them just in case there is some kind of major emergency and they cannot get back to the ship to collect their passport (don't want to be stuck in a foreign country w/o their passport). I think most people "roll the dice" with that risk at most common destinations! It's just that RC doesn't need to see your passport for you to leave/return to the ship...

Welcome! Unless something has changed, you do not need to take your passport off of the ship... some people still do elect to take them. We went to Bermuda in 2013 and 2015 with RC and never took our passport off of the ship (left locked in cabin safe the whole cruise) at any time... you only need it when you first board the ship on Day 1 and when you have to clear customs when you leave the ship at the end of your cruise. I did take my driver's license since it was in my wallet as an additional form of ID. All you need is your sea pass to get on/off the ship at the destination ports. They scan your sea pass and verify your identity with the photo they have of you in the computer/security system.

We love it too! That's why Explorer (2013) and Liberty (2015) were the last 2 cruises for us... and why Anthem (and maybe Oasis next year while she's here) are enticing! We're about 60-90 minutes from Cape Liberty from where we are here on LI. We usually park at the port for the week... it used to run about $200-$225 for the full week. Still much, much cheaper than flying down even on SW from Islip/Macarthur. Maybe one day we'll get lucky and RC will give us an Oasis class ship full-time not just "on loan"! I would love to see Oasis cruise through the harbor and under the Verrazano!?

Another short list we’ll have to work on! 1. Liberty 2. Explorer 3. Majesty I’m sure Allure (next month) will take over the top spot! The order is also reverse sail date order. Looking for bigger, newer and more exciting these days as you can see! Looking at Harmony, Symphony and Anthem down the line... would also like to try the Amped smaller ships too! Favorite overall cruise to date was our honeymoon cruise on the Disney Wonder. Our very first cruise too! I have a feeling this Allure cruise will take over as favorite overall since we’re going with good friends!

You can verify online order cut-off times while you're viewing any item in the Cruise Planner (it's set to your sail date)... click on the item and then go to the bottom of the page and read the first couple of lines of the "fine print"... For us, with a sail date of May 19th, our online cut-off is 11:59 PM EDT on May 17th...

Thanks, will do! I will of course be one of many following your adventures very closely! I think as a group we'll have Allure covered for the month of May! 33 days to go (32 until we land at FLL)!

... and we're on the sailing after you!

Congrats! ?

Thank you! I didn't check today... just cancelled and re-purchased online... so did the couple we're traveling with... I'm not ashamed of taking another $16.52 off my bill! ? Cross your fingers it drops a little more!