Eaglelover

I doubt that eating away from excursion will be permitted, at least for this summer, if the sailings even happen. I look forward to eating at Tracy's crab shack in Juneau, but I doubt that it will permitted. 

I'd have to quarantine for 14 days before returning to work, so no ?

YEP!!!  Life is too short. Can't live in fear. Just follow the protocols and you will be fine.

One of the CDC's requirements are volunteers for test cruises. It's not clear how volunteers will be picked, but hypothetically, would you want to volunteer for a test cruise? Why or why not?

Also consider that fact that its light a lot longer in July up North.  You may be staying up longer to digest that later than normal dinner hour.  Just have fun in Alaska...its a blast and the food is fantastic...try eating lunch at the ports.  SALMON FRESH!  The best!  

JLMoran, I was thinking about your post and I wondered if each of those required a pre-meal cocktail?  Bloody Mary, Mamosa, Beer, Gin and Tonic, Beer, Scotch and Soda.... you know the drill.  I think I know the evening schedule.  All of a sudden the DBP looks valuable.?

JLMoran, I was thinking about your post and I wondered if each of those required a pre-meal cocktail?  Bloody Mary, Mamosa, Beer, Gin and Tonic, Beer, Scotch and Soda.... you know the drill.  I think I know the evening schedule.  All of a sudden the DBP looks valuable.?

Atlantix2000, in a blinding flash of the obvious, I see your light!!  We're central time so that means it's already 2 - 3 hours earlier.....   Maybe this isn't the issue that I thought it may be. Of course the whole body schedule is messed up anyhow.  Now, if I can just get the Captain and crew "onboard" (so to speak) with my time needs!

We, more than once, commented that the Navy folks had all the luck - cruising all the time... while she waited at home and I rode around in vehicles that were not particularly water-friendly!  I (we) appreciate the many folks who affirm our crazy life.  Many have served - we'll remember that over the next several days.  There were a lot who were in harms way more often than I.  I give thanks for all of them - many of whom post to this blog.??

HeWhoWaits, thanks for the congrats.  She lived through 20 + moves (Army, retired) so it was more her patience than me doing something right!?️

The DBP was on sale for $43 a few times on the Liberty 11/1/20 sailing. Our replacement on Liberty 10/31/21 has been on sale for $46. I'm going to wait for Black Friday to see if it goes down a little bit more, but I expect $46 is most likely the low for that sailing since day 1 is Halloween.

Me too. Radiance (Alaska 8/21). ?

So when you board a ship, you get affected by the same magic spell as me? You know, the one that turns you into a hobbit? ?

Over the last several days the DBP on Radiance (Alaska May 2021) has become $43 per day.  Is this happening all over the fleet?  I, of course, hopped right on that deal.

Just do this! In fact, forget the chips!
Not much to add accept personally, our eating habits are different on a cruise ship. At home, at best, breakfast is a yogurt (if anything at all), lunch isn't much bigger. However, when cruising, at breakfast 1 I start to stress about breakfast 2 let alone lunch 1. So, add in your vacation eating habits.
I too thank you for your service & congratulate you both on 50 years! We will only be 5 years in September (although dating way longer than the average couple) and she's already sick of me :).

Here's another thought.  Where are you from?  If you live on the east coast of the US, your normal 4-5PM dining time will be 4 hours earlier at 12-1PM.  In this case, you're going to have to eat at a different dinner time than normal anyway so you might as well temporarily adjust your eating (and sleeping) schedule to whatever the local clocks say.  Days are also going to be much longer in Alaska in May so you will still be eating well before sunset if that matters to you.

Thank you both for your service.

We, more than once, commented that the Navy folks had all the luck - cruising all the time... while she waited at home and I rode around in vehicles that were not particularly water-friendly!  I (we) appreciate the many folks who affirm our crazy life.  Many have served - we'll remember that over the next several days.  There were a lot who were in harms way more often than I.  I give thanks for all of them - many of whom post to this blog.??

Atlantix2000, in a blinding flash of the obvious, I see your light!!  We're central time so that means it's already 2 - 3 hours earlier.....   Maybe this isn't the issue that I thought it may be. Of course the whole body schedule is messed up anyhow.  Now, if I can just get the Captain and crew "onboard" (so to speak) with my time needs!

WAAATOOO, again you have provided some sage advice to this neophyte.  I've been glued to the computer trying to learn the ins and outs, but sometimes just a simple explanation makes it come clearer.  I don't think the 5 night plan is an option (I'll have to check - and Black Friday is coming) so it looks like we just do the earliest seating possible (I do hope that it's available) and enjoy the sea days - there are 3 full ones.  Thanks again!

@WAAAYTOOOanswered your questions quite well, but she forgot the most important part!
Congratulations on 50 years! You must be doing something right if she's put up with you that long. ?

We are also early diners and relatively light eaters.  We always purchase the UDP.  Unless 5:30 - 6:00 is too late for you (most specialty restaurants begin serving at 5:30 or 6:00), the UDP will work fine.  My only concern for you would be the possibility that the repetitiveness of the menus at the somewhat limited choice of specialty restaurants on Radiance could be an issue on a 9 night itin.
The nice thing about the UDP is that it includes both dinners and lunches whenever the specialties are open for lunch (usually on sea days).  Also, realizing that on an Alaska itin you are often off the ship for lunchtime, it’s just a matter of what is most convenient for you.
Here’s what I would recommend. If they are offering a 5 night dining plan, I recommend that.  That would give you plenty of opportunities to utilize the specialties but also give you the flexibility to make alternate arrangements for some nights.  Just remember that only the UDP offers the option of complementary lunches. Between the Main Dining Room, the Windjammer and other options around the ship, you will not go hungry on nights that you do not have specialty reservations.
If they are only offering a 3 night dining package, I would get the UDP.  It’s very nice to be able to board the ship and go to Chops for lunch on boarding day.  I will note, however, that with the COVID restrictions (whatever they may turn out to be), lunch on boarding day at Chops may no longer be an option.  ??
Enjoy your first cruise !  You’ve picked a wonderful way to start out !

Helium Balloon, now that's a gas, gas, gas.?

My 5/9/21 (hope) Oasis DBP dropped from $61 to $46 per day, which is the best I've seen in a long while.  I cancelled and re-purchased and today it's back to $61.  Strike while the iron's hot ?

Congrats on Gold - welcome to Royal Caribbean!
Each one of you should have your own account and number.  You will not accrue anything faster, but there may be a situation where you don't cruise together and having your own number makes things easier.  I tend to always use my husband's number for checking prices and such, and the account I use for all Cruise Planner check-ins and purchases is tied to him, but we both do have our own.