USFFrank

Are you going on your own next month? If so try getting an all inclusive resort day pass. I liked the RIU, mainly because it's adults only. But if you're going with family who has not been to Nassau before, they may be interested in seeing the island. There's always the option for you to do one thing and your family do something else too.

The closest stops on Amtrak is either Sanford, Winter Park, Orlando, or Kissimmee. You would have to get other transportation from there to Port Canaveral.

That sounds like something similar from the cards you could get from the 3rd party companys. I bought a bunch thru AARP several years ago (offered at 10% off) and redeemed them thru my travel agent to pay down a few cruises. It wasn't easy, you have to jump thru a bunch of hoops, but they did it. I haven't seen those cards offered anymore for at least 2 years now. This link is from Royals website. https://www.royalcaribbeancertificates.com/

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Explorer of the Seas have its dry dock maintenance done in 2020? https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/06/09/explorer-of-the-seas-will-get-limited-dry-dock-august

Don't know where you can find discounted Royal Caribbean gift cards (the ones from 3rd parties that I haven't seen in several years were always a pain to redeem and could only be used to make or pay down a reservation). But gift cards purchased from Royal Caribbean can indeed be used for cruise planner purchases. Once you get the the redemption codes (there are 2 of them) you can either call Royal up or go online to put them on your cruises account as on board credit. It may take a few days for it to show, but once it does you can use that new on board credit for your cruise planner purchases.

Another thing to consider is, is your ship the only one in Coco Cay that day? If so the prices "shouldn't" be too bad. If there's another ship with you that day there will be more people who would want to go there (as well as the Coco Beach Club). Because of 2 ships worth of demands, Royal is going to jack up the prices of everything extra. So now everyone has to decide if it's worth it.

That's marketing for you.

In-port time at 2:40PM? I know that late is rare, but Ouch! And they say, don't book a flight out after your cruise till after 12:00PM. You would be lucky if you made a 4:30PM flight out today from TPA.

I'm pretty sure when I went to Nachi Cocom in 2019 that they called a taxi for us when we wanted to return to the port area.

It's been a while since I've been to Disney (and even longer since I've used their buses), but if memory serves me correctly, if your Royal excursion bus indeed drops you off at what's called the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC) there is not a bus that goes from there to Disney Springs. Someone please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about this. What you would have to do then is get on the monorail at the TTC and get off at one of the monorail resorts (either The Polynesian, Disney's Grand Floridian, or Disney's Contemporary Resort) and get on one of the busses from there to Disney Springs. When you want to go back, simply catch a bus to one of those resorts, then take the monorail back to the TTC. Disney's Contemporary Resort is the closest stop from the TTC. Those busses go back and forth at least 2-3 times an hour. Something else you could do as well if you have the time is do a monorail tour of those 3 resorts. They are all very nice to walk around, and you do not need a reservation to do so.

If you really want to go there, and are using the transportation just to go to Disney Springs only, and not any of their theme parks, then it would be OK IMHO. Just remember to bring allot of money, or a nice high limit credit card, and be sure to be back to your bus on time.

I don't recall them lowering the minimum bid, at least on the cruises I've been on. But I have heard of people just bidding the minimum and actually winning the stateroom upgrade.

I did that back in 2019. Someone was walking around offering it. It was in a small boat that holds about 6 people, not a catamaran. Didn't go to any reef, they just stopped a few times and we went in. I was not impressed.

Try out one of the 3rd party excursion sites.

That's terrible throttling it like that. My guess would be that once it's up and running on all of the ships that a new tier will be introduced with faster speeds, and of course a higher price to go along with it.

And then they would have to do something to make up for the loss of the beverage packages. And that would be to jack up the prices of everything else, including cruise fare, excursions, souvenirs, spa services, exercise classes, minimum bets in the casino, specialty dining. Did I miss anything???????? oh yea, individual drinks, including coffee, soda, non-alcoholic and especially alcoholic drinks

If anything, it's more catered to families. Just one example of that is there are no studio cabins for solo cruisers on this ship.

Happy 50th, and no I'm sorry, that towel would be on the floor.

Perhaps try out an all inclusive resort for a day. We did the Hilton Rose Hall in 2016. Falmouth All Inclusive Resort Day Pass & Shore Excursions (resortforaday.com)

I was in Cozumel this past January and opted for an all inclusive day pass at the El Cozumeleno Resort. You'll have to take a cab to get there. Very nice resort. The food was so-so, but the drinks..................... let's just say I'm going back again the next time I visit Cozumel. Try the drink they call the Toucan, it's as potent as it is beautiful. El Cozumeleno Cozumel Day Pass | Resort for a Day

If memory serves me correctly, the Canada / New England itineraries for 2023 came out this past February. I'm waiting on them for 2024 too.

Depending on the port, if I've been there within the past few years and have seen what I've wanted to see (like Nassau & Cozumel to name a few) I try to get a day pass at one of the all inclusive resorts. But if it's somewhere I have not visited before, I'll try to see and learn as much as I can about it when I'm there without burning out.

Besides the bed arrangement there once was also the option of whether any of the guests in a cabin were having some kind of celebration during the cruise (birthday or anniversary). You were able to choose what it was and on which day.

Interesting option. From what I have been reading Royal is still printing the Cruise Compasses up, just not as many as they used to. You can request them from your room steward and they'll be delivered to your cabin each evening like before. It was like that on my last cruise this past May.

I haven't seen that option in awhile online. It would be best to call Royal, or your travel agent up and give them your preferences. Once on board you could also tell your room steward your bed preferences if they're not to your liking.