JohnK6404

We have been sitting at the 30% off for the deluxe drink package ($46) since 3/6/19... regularly $52 (20% off) and was $49 during the last sale (I think it was BOGO 50% last sale).. this is the current price for Allure this upcoming May 19th sailing...

Agree... get it now (we are on Allure at the end of this May)... we originally purchased at your price ($49)... I recently cancelled and repurchased at current "sale" price of $46 (30% off)... hoping it goes down a couple of dollars more (wishful thinking maybe)!

... that's it? Not much of a selection! LOL! Thank you for posting this @twangster... answers my earlier questions regarding what is included other than the brands/types of alcohol listed in the Cruise Planner under the deluxe package. So many options just on that menu!

... or we would all have to spoon with the folks in the cabin next to you... one long bed running the length of the ship with curtains to separate the "cabins"... almost 7,000 passengers on a smaller ship... LOL! ?

You are more than welcome! You are on the best forum for RC advice! I have learned sooo much over the last few years and continue to learn every time I log in! ? I would keep checking the Cruise Planner regularly (maybe weekly for now)... My dining options (both specialty and My Time) opened up for us 14 months prior to our upcoming May 2019 sailing (big surprise)! We were able to book excursions, including our cabana in Labadee, 9 1/2+ months out... entertainment/show reservations opened up 96 days out from our departure date... The general consensus seems to be that there is no set schedule/pattern across the fleet, even on the same ship... no rhyme or reason, to when options become available in the Cruise Planner! Keep checking ?!

Wow! Looks really nice!

Yes, there is always an "up-charge" for specialty dining, but you do NOT need to purchase a specialty dining package to try a specialty restaurant... you can choose to do it a la carte and pay the price in the Cruise Planner and make a reservation for that particular restaurant. If you know which restaurant you want to try, I would definitely recommend making the reservation pre-cruise to ensure you get the day and time of your preference. I'm also assuming that you can go to any of the restaurants once you are onboard and ask them if they have available seating/reservations for a particular evening of your cruise if you do not want to commit to the pre-cruise purchase or really aren't sure of which one to try. As an example, this is what Giovanni's looks like (Allure's Italian restaurant) if you want to purchase it a la carte through the Cruise Planner... $39.99 per person. The Dining page will look something like this... if you want to try more than one restaurant, that's where the dining packages add real savings!

Always very exciting!

You can cancel and repurchase through the Cruise Planner. It only takes a couple of days to get your refund. They do not make adjustments to Cruise Planner items (unlike cruise fare adjustments).

@Matt Thanks for the links... cool to know! Awww... that's sad... I love watching the other ships in/around the ports... looks like we're alone at Port Everglades on 5/19/19 (looks like everyone moved up to Port Canaveral in May including Harmony!)... also no one with us in Falmouth (5/22/19) and 2 tiny Carnival ships in Cozumel (5/24/19) when we're docked.

I can also tell you that in our limited experience (only 3 cruises on RC so far ?... and will continue to live vicariously through everyone on this blog!), during the course of your dinner, someone on your server team will ask you how your day was and what your plans are for dinner the next evening. They naturally will know if you elected My Time dining (and understand that you may have altered your dining time for the next evening) or that you may be electing to go to a specialty restaurant or even the Windjammer at some point. Definitely agree that it would be good etiquette to make sure they know your plans (if you know them at that time!).

Take a peek under the Drinks section... https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/05/31/whats-included-your-royal-caribbean-cruise-fare I'm not sure about the lemonade availability, but I would assume that water would be available at any pool bar or nearby restaurant.

Have an amazing time! We'll be watching for updates!

We just watched it too! The scope is just amazing! My mouth was salivating when they were planning and cooking the lobster tails!

... part of the reason my wife and I are seriously considering moving further south one day... also love Disney and all of the beaches... save the cost of airfare! LOL! At least for now, Southwest and Frontier fly direct to Orlando and Ft. Lauderdale out of my backyard (Islip/MacArthur Airport)... no need to drive into NYC to JFK or Laguardia! ?

I do not know personally... I believe only Quantum class plus Harmony & Symphony offer the use of the WOW bands. Hopefully someone with more recent knowledge can chime in... not that it would impact my decision of which ship to sail, but it would be nice to know the complete list as of now...

Funny thing is that they all link back to this blog! ? https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass

To be honest, this upcoming cruise will be the first time my wife and I elected to purchase the deluxe beverage package (decision made easy based on the fact that we're travelling with good friends and we have the full day in Labadee to take advantage of the package!). We usually just buy the soda package and buy the specialty coffees and drinks a la carte. We are usually relatively light drinkers... maybe 1-2 glasses of wine and 1-2 mixed drinks/cocktails per day. Based on what you're telling us, it sounds like with just a $27/day difference in cost, it would definitely make sense to go for the DBP. I've read on this forum that the package will cover drinks up to $12 or $13 based on the particular ship/sailing. I believe, from what I recall, that most wine or cocktails will cost somewhere between $8-$12 each... so 3-5 glasses of wine and/or cocktails should at the very least allow you to break even... let's see what the folks with more experience with the DBP have to say!

We too just cancelled and repurchased the deluxe drink package on 3/6/19 through the Cruise Planner... both the new charge and credit posted to my credit card on 3/8/19. When we cancelled and repurchased our Labadee cabana this past January (did this by phone through RC customer service), it took just 3 days for the credit to hit my credit card. They tell you it can take up to a week or so to see your credit for the cancellation, but it's usually very fast!

@RickM58 @Hoski This appears to be the most recent Cruise Compass with that itinerary (we're also doing the same itinerary on Allure on 5/19/19)... this one is almost a year old... https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compasses/allure-of-the-seas/sun-2018-04-22-0000

Yes, Royal Caribbean International...

I can also personally attest to Facebook messenger! I just sent them a Facebook IM 10 minutes ago to confirm our complimentary lunch options (Giovanni's, Sabor or Johnny Rocket's for those interested!) for our Central Park balcony cabin and they literally responded in about one minute!!! I wanted to confirm so that we could decide ahead of time which restaurant to choose for the Key complimentary lunch on embarkation day... Chops Grille it is!

Try this and see if it works for you... https://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/mega-machines-sea-giants/

I'd be completely surprised if you had a problem! You are paying for the cruise and the additional charge to eat in the specialty restaurant. I cannot see how they would not let you eat less food than you technically paid for when it's common for folks to ask for multiple appetizers, desserts, etc! I'm going to guess they will be very happy to accommodate you... they will want to make you happy. ?

Will be following! Have an amazing time! On Allure May 19th this year!