Ampurp85

Its the lunches for me, at $60 extra I would get it just to eat at Portside and Playmakers.

My opinion is the UDP is good for 7n and/or part of a B2B. I feel like it's way too much for a short sailing........if you aren't my brother.

I believe only Caribbean based cruises from the US gets lobster night.

I love that you can just get the cone, I had the waffle cone many years ago in Vegas and have been craving once since. I have yet to find a place in Chicago that does them. I wonder if some shows had been cancelled or if people had just forgot to make reservations, because a standby line that long sounds crazy.

The smaller ships like Enchantment and Grandeur leave a lot to be desired once you start sailing the bigger boys but usually make up for it with staff. However, with a lot of the crew being newer and post-restart, that has become less of a selling point. I think in general, the focus on the biggest and best has made Royal's smaller classes worse.

@WAAAYTOOO already explained that food and beverage gratuities can't be removed. But maybe you would like to know why. Just because you might only use the freestyle machines, doesn't mean humans aren't involved. They clean and refill said machines.

The bubble cone is pretty much the thing I look forward to by doing Icon or Utopia. I love Izumi but the dessert selections were lacking.

Having worked in and managed many of food and beverage related places.......an also having just been on Symphony in Jan. I would be as worried about a cruise ship as you are about every establishment you patronize in a similar pattern. Most of the violations are people centric. Which is to say you could go on a ship with a perfect score and still have the same odds. Royal has a lot of new crew, many who are from places that don't have the same standards, so it will be a steep learning curve. But for me, I have mild hypochondriac tendencies, I am always on the lookout.

Did the food truck food remind you of circle K or the Canadian equivalent? If I do decide to make prime again, I will probably do Utopia as a B2B. PC is just a pain for me when it comes to travel, despite the port itself being awesome. Also, it sucks that you can't take advantage of the suite deck due to weather. How is the family enjoying the ship?

@WAAAYTOOO they did this exact thing last year and the exclusions weren't posted until the first emails went out for Masters. But considering Star and Legend are available to book we should be okay for Icon as that is on my list as well. I was the first prime day (am) cert last year, which was a whole week earlier than this year's release and I am the second day prime(am) this year........don't know if I will be a prime next year as the prices, itineraries, and comps on Royal have gotten too crappy for me. If I can't book icon, it will be the proverbial straw and Celebrity/MSC will be it.

Looks like these are the prime cert rollout dates

First @SweetPea you are always welcome to pop in even if you don't cruise with royal Second to @Pooch and @PPPJJ-GCVAB I hope I have never in any capacity made you feel unwelcomed. I know everyone reads with their own perspective and in hindsight some things can come off short. If that has been the case, I would like to apologize. I think for the most part we are a good batch of expensive eggs that sometimes hatches a few crazy chickens. But I too may be jumping to Celebrity, I am not a suites person but a casino one and while I may dip a toe or two in NCL/MSC. It is hard to keep with Royal when, now you have to get 3K points just to get a casino offer for two or you are paying 7n prices to sail for 3/4.

The biscuits from Hooked have improved dramatically........and that is all I can nicely say about that I know you overate, but how was the ice show? So far Wonder has the best one, followed by a tie for Harmony/Freedom.

If you are sensitive to scents, I am and mostly avoid using the Royal stuff, then bring your own. The only thing I don't mind is the lotion, as the smell isn't as strong as the shampoo/conditioner/body wash.

Correct. I have been on Allure 3x, beautiful champagne bar with big chairs that were great for photos. Original plan showed bionic bar for 2020 amp, thankfully allure won't suffer.

The color scheme on Utopia is much better than the other ships, those rooms look clean and gorgeous. I am obsessed with the shower tile.

It's cruise day!!!! Also seeing all of you together, your sister looks like mom, and you look like dad. I love all the happy family photos. Was the WJ a madhouse? I know people love their lobstah!!!

I hope the visit with FIL goes as well as it can given the circumstances.

Not just Vegas but in a lot of casinos as long as you are playing they will give you drinks. I know Atlantic city, new Orleans and a few places scattered throughout the USA allows this. Many of the ones in Illinois and California do nonalcoholic drinks for free like water, soda and juices.

Yes. Click the Star or circle next to the topic. It will be a star if you replied and a circle if you haven't.

I too echo that dad is looking really good and I am happy about that for you. It's also great that the parents are up and about keeping everyone company. I hate to be that person, but I wonder how it feels to be without D18? I only ask because usually my mom comes on some vacation, and she won't be until possibly 2026 and it feels weird. But on a positive note........you are going to the outlets and then on a cruise.

Well, considering that it is in the solarium bistro, there wasn't much reason to get rid of it unless it did poorly. Samba Grill isn't a standalone restaurant.

Those Squishmellows . I am glad the issues were with car rentals and not delayed flights. The room is gorgeous . I thought the best thing about raising canes was the bread.

Also make sure it's actually a reduction of price. Some ships show it with gratuities included and some don't. I have heard stories of people canceling before they realized it was actually more once gratuities are added.

I don't think that 200pts is correct....... or at least tried and true. My bff mom hasn't cruise since 2023 and has 8 offers. She gets 2-3 every month and never even made prime. Has been on exactly 3 cruises. I consistently get more than 500pts a cruise and barely get offers.