AlmondFarmer

9 hours ago, Bowen said:

Last night there was a grown man passed smooth out in the waiting area near the elevators on deck 10, just absolutely out cold.

Sorry about that. Too many drinks down at schooner. Lots of flights up to deck 17. Was taking a quick siesta. Security let me know that the elevators are open 24/7. 

1 minute ago, Doug_Texas said:

Yes, $200 is individual booking.

21 minutes ago, Doug_Texas said:

You are correct, $200 pp incl. gratuity.

Known what upcharge is if one has Unlimited Dining Package? 
guessing the $200 is stand alone price. 

Had an open booking to expire before next releases so went ahead and got a reservation of Oasis southern Caribbean Nov 29, 2025. I took a screen shot prices. It will be interesting to see how things move over the next two years as these are higher prices than normal for release day. Currently all star class available. Historically around half get picked up the first few days. 

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Yeah, that's why I asked. The one in your picture is the one we usually always get. I have never come across Moet Ice as the complimentary bottle of champagne. Thought that was interesting.

Beyond frustrating! I feel like I over tipped genie by 4.78% since I was given inferior Champagne. 
Has anyone has any success asking their genie for a $28.32 refund on tipped amount or should I speak with Jason Liberty directly?

I saw comment earlier but has it been confirmed that week of December 4th is only Star of the seas and all other 7 night Caribbean is this week?

I did take screen shot. 

2 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I am assuming there is fine print to adjust for this as well in the case that someone moves their open booking to a sailing that is shorter than 7 nights?

Yeah the $300 Royal OBC is grand suite or above for 7 nights. Over 10 nights is more $. Shorter duration is less. These OBC values seem the same as before. Deposit still $200 total. Good for two guests. If certain cabin type or sailing length is ultimately chosen, additional deposit may be required.
 

I regrettably didn’t take a photo of new form. 

2 hours ago, twangster said:

There is a small risk when you cancel your hold that someone could find that cabin and secure it before your TA is able to select it on the open booking.  Making the changes at an off time during the evening or very early morning helps your cause.  Sometimes the system takes up to 15 minutes to free up a cabin so there can be some nervous wait time when attempting a move of this nature.

If itineraries release when my TA is not available I will attempt to hold options via Royal website. Then have TA call in to access. If this is not allowed I will cancel hold on website while TA is on phone with Royal. I understand the risk of suite being picked up once it reenters available inventory. 
Lesson learned for me. Don’t wait till the last day to make open bookings. Line for next agent was an order of magnitude longer than line for next beer. Unwilling to wait to remove agency so I could book direct with Royal on phone 24/7 then transfer to agency before deadline.

1 hour ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Another question about these open bookings from Next Cruise. How does the deposit work for these? Since I am a suite snob, what would 10% be on an open booking?

The fine print on new form states that when selecting a sailing, additional deposits may be required. I’m expecting to pay an additional $800 on top of the $200 open booking when choosing a $10,000 suite. In this case no savings except the $300 Royal non refundable on board credit. 

Thank you @twangster. I was hoping you would respond to my question. 

6 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

FWIW, I wouldn't want a TA who isn't ready and waiting to pounce on new releases.

I think I’ll give agency the option to have someone available for me to use my two open bookings assigned to them when itineraries release or I’ll transfer the assigned open bookings back to Royal and book direct. 

4 hours ago, Cruisin and Boozin said:

It is and it’s the second time that I have received that specific one.

Not for last weeks Star Class guests with Wendy as Genie.

Is it possible to put a hold on a cabin through Royal Caribbean website and then transfer this hold to a reservation with a travel agent?

Im asking because I have open bookings which got assigned to a travel agency whose open hours likely won’t be when new itineraries release. My goal is to find the cabins I want, put them on courtesy hold, then once open, have my travel agency call Royal and use my open booking to complete reservation. 
I regret not taking my agency off of my open bookings but line at next cruise to do this was prohibitively long. 
Thanks to anyone who knows the answer or has experience with this.

There is a Harmony at NASA.

Added up flights of stairs for the week. 362 flights. I only went in elevator when being escorted by a genie. This was the rule for group. Anyone caught violating had to take a shot.

Harmony tied up in Galveston.

Fun trip. Many good things, few bad things. Excited to come back in February 2025 with an even bigger Star Class group.

Last day, sea day.

Galley tour in morning, bridge in afternoon. 
Sailing at impressive 23 nautical miles per hour. All three propellers are at 115rpm using 14mW  current fuel consumption 2,500 gallons per hour.

Great day in Cozumel. Birthday celebration is suite once back on board.

Costa Maya was awesome. Maya Chan is a good choice for groups with children. Only downside is lengthy drive on rough road. 
Food and drink are excellent. Service top notch.

Today in Cozumel. Going to pyramids and beach. Hoping for my daughters birthday she gets to sacrifice a goat on top of pyramid. 

Cruise has been fun. Spent sea days doing activities around the ship.

First port day today in Roatan. Group went to Maya Key. I highly recommend this for families with kids. Boat to island departs right by ship so one does not need to venture out. 10 minute ride to island. Nice beach and included lunch. Drinks for purchase. Beer buckets of 6 are $20. 

Great sea day. 150 Central Park for dinner. 

10 minutes ago, AndyPandy said:

So it’s rumoured that the Independence is back to U.K. from summer 2025 and the U.K. looses the Anthem. 
 

Why is RCCL downgrading the U.K. cruise market when other lines are sending improved ships?

Considering this a downgrade is subjective. Older ship, yes. Different offerings, yes. Those who have sailed on Anthem out of Southampton already, might appreciate a different offering. 
I for one am happy Royal rotates ships (Oasis class ship in Western Mediterranean another example) as it allows one to sail from same port, similar or same itinerary, but different shows and activities on board. 

Stayed at Holiday Inn in Webster. Good place, but I don’t feel it earned photo posts. 
Uber pickup scheduled for 8:45am, with expected arrival at pier ten at 9:35. Genie contact asked us to arrive at 10am for boarding. 
Amazing gathering of all going on cruise last night. A friend from graduate school recently built a new house on the water. Kids had fun running around and parents started their Star class drink packages (I didn’t get a bill and the end of the night) Hotel gym for a good booze sweat then to try the award winning breakfast in hotel lobby. Lots of food options within walking distance if award was given in error. 

2 hours ago, Tiffeven said:

We will be on this sailing with you in 9330.  Hossain is our genie.  Who do you have?

My family has Wendy. 

Flying from California to Houston Hobby today. Board Harmony tomorrow. 36 people in group. Most booked when itinerary released in March 2022. 5 Star class suites and two Sky class suites. One family in balcony.

I titled live blog “Giraffe Star cluster” because if one draws lines between Star suites to be occupied by group the image takes the shape of a giraffe….sort of.

I’m gonna skip the usual pre cruise stuff because it has been the standard Star class communication. Genie sent WhatsApp contact info this morning. 
Week dining and activity schedule set. 
 

Doing standard Galveston 7 night Oasis class loop. Did same in January 2023 on Allure. Different shore activities lined up.  Going again on Harmony Feb 2025 with 6 Star suites. My family prefers sailing out of Florida but 3.5 hour flight is nice compared to 6 hours. 
A1 two bedroom Aqua suite for my family or 5. Twin boys almost 9 and daughter turning 7 during sailing. Genie arranging a party for her.

I will effort to post info and pictures during sailing and try to answer questions. 

Finished almond harvest a week ago. 15 beers spread out over the 70 days. Seeing that this is my daily goal, I’ve told my liver to buckle up.