cruisellama

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2589801-current-captains-continued/?do=findComment&comment=66037376

First time sailing in a 2BR Aqua and inviting some folks to watch the show with our group, we're wondering how many people could comfortably watch the show from the balcony?  Assuming since the cabin sleeps 8 (in theory!), then easily 8 people could -  Would 12 be too many?  Thanks in advance!  

Wont be ready soon enough.
I've started taking Lyft to the port to avoid dealing with parking. Is it cheaper than parking? Nope. But I really hate starting my cruise off annoyed at trying to find a spot.

Despite the show, I continue to be impressed by the skills of the skaters on such a small rink.  There are times it looks like they might end up in the front rows.

Everywhere you go you will have people with their carry on luggage parked next to a table. That's just all part of embarkation day. We prefer the suite lounge / CK because it is less crowded without the added traffic of people going through the area to get to another location. Certainly less so than any other bar or the Windjammer. I would enjoy lunch in CK and then move to the suite lounge side of the room to clear the table for another guest and relax until rooms are open.

But is CK a place to go with carry-on spinners parked by your table?  (By the time we're boarded I think it will be close to 11:30 anyway.)

Park Cafe! Never once saw the place packed/busy this summer on our cruise. 👍

CK will be your best option because it will be open fairly early. I think Parke Cafe and SB won't open until 11:30 or later. 

You're correct - I meant Icon.
 

You're correct - I meant Icon.
 

You're correct - I meant Icon.
 

The concept is interesting having a floating amusement park like Icon come to a port near you empty.  But it would never work because the ship would be loosing money the moment it sails out to sea.   Royal and nearly every other cruise line have devised so many ways to get them coins out your pocket in-between ports of call, one of the biggest being the casino which in most ports must remain closed. 
Your post does have me wondering how much money does an Oasis Class ship (or Icon Class) generate while at sea?  And I'm not even talking about a full sea day I'm just talking about traveling between ports? 

We will get off at CocoCay but not Nassau. New Hideaway Beach will be open 😁

We bring about 100 bucks in 1's just to tip bartenders and drink runners on the decks or wherever. If we decide right away that we are probably gonna be at the same bar most of the week (this past cruise we made a nightly stop at the upstairs bar of Music hall) we leave them a 20 the first night and man are they happy to see us for the rest of the week, I don't drink alcohol, and once they knew that- every time I'd step foot in that room, they'd start making me a different virgin drink every time. It absolutely helps. Also, my wife was a bartender for 25 years, she would feel so weird if she wasn't leaving a cash tip on the bar. 

I made the post mostly to confirm that this is what others have experienced.  Thank you for the feedback and confirm that points wise we are starting at zero.  We are going to enjoy the perks of Celebrity Elite and this to me opens up all the cruise lines since we are starting at zero.  I have started looking at Viking, Azamara and Seaborn because we cruise for the food and travel not the water slides and families to be the focus.  I am looking forward to more adult orientated cruises.  Am I finally becoming an adult ?  😊

The Royal Caribbean Group of cruise lines is the only one that offers tier recognition between sister cruise lines.  It's a wonderful benefit as the alternative which all other cruise lines do is nothing.   
Having sailed Carnival a dozen times when I stepped foot on Princess I had zero status.   Although they are sister cruise lines, they offer no recognition between family brands. Zilch.  
Consequently I'm not disappointed about Celebrity points being tracked on their own because it's the perks of Captain's Club that matter.  In fact it is pretty darn great that they recognize any sort of status when you have never sailed on that cruise line before.   

Since a ship has several thousand guests there are always last minute changes going on.  RoyalUp is also around to manage last minute inventory that becomes available so it doesn't go to waste or given away for free to a Pinnacle or Diamond Plus member.  With folks like yourself submitting bids that's all in place and ready to go in the event someone cancels at the last minute.
Life happens.  Guests have unexpected events in their life or in a family member's life were all of a sudden a cruise vacation just isn't that important compared to something that just occured out of the blue.  
I had a real estate deal falling apart.  Had I not missed my cruise I would have lost the deal.  Only because I chose to make the real estate transaction more important did the deal go through.  It was hard walking away from a couple thousand dollar cruise but I had a good real estate deal lined up that saved me much more than that.
A child had an unexpected change in their bootcamp graduation date.  That was more important than a cruise so I walked away from the cruise.  What was I going to do?  Miss the graduation?  Nope.  
What happened to my cabin on those cruises?  I'll never know.  
When there are three, four, five, six thousand or more guests on a ship there will always be a handful of people who have last minute changes impact their ability to cruise.  
 
 

Just take some $1 or exchange them.
This was my 7th RC cruise and for most I've had the DDP. I know grats are already added but I decided after reading facebook and blogs like RCBlog to tip a few bucks when getting drinks.
This was helped by winning $20 with my free slot rolls 🙂 
I have to say while you don't need to tip it really made a difference. 
I get beer mostly so it didn't impact the alcohol level but the friendliness of the staff (they were always friendly before but the level of friendliness increased) and the speed at getting served was improved.
Perhaps not noticeable if you haven't tipped before but I definitely noticed it when the pool bars got busy.
I will definitely be tipping bar staff in the future. 🙂 
 
 
 

I always tip the bartenders…they work hard for their money! 🎶 🎼 

Thank you, an hour later they contacted.

Yes - we do that all the time.  Easiest if you just give them a note with your "wishlist" for entertainment and dining and it can be set up when you board.  You can make any corrections if necessary when you board.  We put together a matrix with days and times we wish reservations.  They can even reserve the late comedy show when its not published in the cruise planner.
 

As long as they don't touch my already included cold entrees we're good. 🙂

and saved fuel

Well Grandeur and Voyager are now past the storm. The captain of Voyager was right. It really wasn't rough at all.

A charge for "warm" fresh from the oven.  What happens when they cool down?   Shouldn't depreciation kick in?  Seems much of these "tests" are poking guests in the eye.