parkyy2k

I saw this posted in another group and thought it was really cool. Didn't say how long the guy spent making it but it's over 5000 Lego pieces

Odyssey has been stated as taking over for Anthem, both in Bayonne for the winter and in Southampton for the summer, just like Anthem does.
 

Just to bump this up again, they are still offering the £40 promo (£275 for 7 night sailing).  I had to call because the chat person said they only process over the phone.  They refunded my previous booking and added the new one at the lower price.  I could just about fall over at how good a deal this is.

Welcome to the message boards.
At your age it may depend if you look older or younger than your actual age.  A 16 yo that looked 14 and acted like a 12 yo would be under more scrutiny compared to a 15 yo who looked and acted like someone older.  
If you are running around and screaming you are more likely to be challenged.  If you are fitting in with the general demeanour of everyone else in the solarium you'll probably go unnoticed.    

I don't even know where to start, but all of the reasons above and more.
1. We like the ability to book well in advance and pay over time before the cruise. It's nice after a great vacation to not have large credit card bill or have a considerably lower bank balance.
2. It's much less stressful than a typical land vacation. I don't have to rent a car and get us from place to place on a daily basis. Our "Hotel" takes us from place to place with spectacular views along the way.
3. Other than the occasional specialty dining experience, we don't have to worry about shelling out money for restaurant food several times each day. And where else am I going to be able to try caviar and escargot for no additional charge?
4. So many activities that would cost so much extra on land that are included; Entertainers, Theater shows, Flowrider, iFly Skydiving sim, the North Star, and so much more.
5. We have been able to visit destinations that we had never even thought we would be able to see.
6. We like being able to do "as much" or "as little" as we want. Particularly on sea days. Nothing better than having a cocktail out on the deck while the waves roll by OR while soaking in the hot tub in the Solarium.
7. SERVICE: Sometime during the first day of each cruise, I'm reminded of just how much the crew and staff spoil us! They crew on each ship we've sailed on aims to please.
8. The chance to "unplug".  We purposely do NOT buy internet service so we can get away from the usual noise of our daily lives and live more in the moment.
THERE'S MORE BUT THIS POST IS GETTING TOO LONG! 

The (mostly) all-inclusive nature that includes food, beverage, entertainment, and travel... plus I only have to drive an hour to my home port.

Big thanks @Stephen
I managed to get a drinks package for £275 ☺️

Big thanks @Stephen
I managed to get a drinks package for £275 ☺️

Anyone done this recently? 
we did it a few years ago,  anaged to purchase the refreshment package for my husband who doesn’t drink.
This time round I’ve purchased the refreshment package and called up RC to purchase the DBP on a promotion I saw but because I booked through a travel agent they couldn’t put it through. I contacted the TA and they are saying both parties have to buy the DBP.. 😐

My wife noticed an offer on the Deluxe Drinks Package that was posted on a Facebook group. This is for European sailings of 5 nights or above and represents a huge saving.
The offer is only available on Live Chat and although the offer advertised has expired, Royal Caribbean have extended it.
Today's price is £71.05 pppd, but if you contact Royal Caribbean on Live Chat they will add it to your outstanding balance at £40 pppd (in fact it's slightly under, as the cost per person for the 7 night sailing is £275)

Big thank you to @Stephen!

When I finally managed to get on chat this morning the operator was rude and completely useless. The agent refused to check the offer, quoted £360pp as that is what the system says, and would not look into this Facebook promotion at all. Genuinely a terrible experience on chat.

I decided to call whilst waiting for responses from the chat agent, and the lady I spoke to immediately acknowledged the offer at £275pp and added to the booking!! The difference between the two channels was night and day.
Big saving on the drinks package for our first RC Cruise on Wonder next week (29 May) from Barcelona. Thanks again Stephen for sharing!!

Any from Wonder of the Seas Barcelona Sailings?

We had a very nice room with huge panoramic window. No matter how I asked, they moved us to level 3, ocean view. 

My guess is 1-3 sailings. 

@OCSC Mike, Totally agree.  We had a tag torn off one cruise...Talk about a nightmare trying to get our bag.  We now only use the plastic tag holders that attach with wire rope.
 

Now reports coming out that Icon may be larger than Oasis.  They even quote @MAT the blog in the article.  Interesting...
 
https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/cruise/royal-caribbeans-icon-of-the-seas-to-be-bigger-than-oasis-class

Strawberry daiquiri in a hot tub!

get a cocktail as fast as humanly possible

Check in is a few days away.  We have bought pretty much everything we want/need on the cruise planner in advance.  We have bought and planned out stuff to pack (umbrellas, rain jackets, binoculars, meds, outlet adapters, magnetic hooks, binder clips, etc).  We have count-downs on whiteboards, calendars, and anywhere else in the home, office, or cars to remind us how close we are to vacation.  We have pre-planned dining and activities.  We have prepared a centralized information sheet with all emergency contacts and such.  We have ordered our e-med test kits (with extras just in case). We have double checked flight, hotel, and other reservations.  We are up to date on vaccines and boosters.  We have passports and most documents ready.  We watch YouTube and check the forums daily (almost 5 times a day).  Spouse and I have almost caught up with work to avoid vacation work e-mails.  Bills are paid to date and funds available to pay bills while away.  Cash has been withdrawn in various denominations for extra tipping, etc.  Arcade funds deposited onto kids' sea passes.  Already into our second week of dieting and I am at 6 pounds lost so far (for a goal of 15 pounds lost prior to entering the Windjammer 😁).  We check Royal Up and do mock bookings daily (up to 5 times a day).  We talk to our TA at least once a week (she is our friend).  I have pre-printed past Compasses and nearly memorized MDR and specialty dining menus.  We even have our alcohol orders (with back up choices) pre-planned for each day of sailing.  Got new prescription glasses and visited dentist in case any fillings were loose or new cavities.  
WTH....this is STRESSFUL! I NEED HELP. LOL
Anything I am missing?  Please..Calgon...take me away. (BONUS points if you get that reference....and no...I am not old, I just remember those ads from childhood)

I love the curries!

I love the curries!

Did your MIL use the same travel agent or book directly with Royal?  TAs can add their own rules.  For example, Royal's final payment date may be X but your TA might require you to pay them at least a week earlier since the payment goes through them not Royal.
Are you booking under the same rule system?  Your location says Manchester.  If that's Manchester in the UK and your MIL is American, you'd have different booking rules because the UK has different consumer protection laws.
That said, I think Royal use to have a rule for prepaying gratuities with MTD some years ago but I don't believe it is true anymore.  Your TA may be out of date on the rules and that might be a sign that they aren't the best TA to use for booking cruises.

Vitality cafe? Yes, they are included with refreshment pkg and DX 

Yes get it now!!
Not only does it work for sodas, but bottled water, fresh squeezed OJ, specialty coffees that are not Starbucks, smoothies from the spa, and milkshakes from Johnny Rockets. 
Also all the mocktails...so alcohol free daiquiri's and frozen drinks like coco loco, and labadozies.

⛴️Refrigerator magnets of the ship we're on.