Linda R

Same here. I have taken them home in checked baggage and carry-on. No problems at all.

They go over to Europe in spring and return in the fall. Do not see how you would do a back-to-back?

It means you will not have to pay the usually $100 pp change fee. Your rate will be what the current rate is, not what you previously paid.

I would highly recommend taking the 1 way cruise. I have done Alaska cruises many times. You want to see the larger glaciers, like Hubbard, which are farther north. Weather can be very iffy. Best weather July or August. I went in June the baby seals are born that month and were laying all over the ice floating in the water. But this was also north near Hubbard glacier. It was my favorite sight on an Alaskan cruise. I always go on the newest largest ship available, as long as it is going 1 way. You probably will not have much choice with your ship going 1 way though. I like more restaurants and venues on the larger ships. The Alaska cruises for 2025 are not out yet, but might be in November. You can give them your travel agents name and number to add to the cruise when you book with NextCruise. My TA's information is already in the system so I do not need to give it to them. You will have a great time, enjoy!

I take many prescription medications and I take them all in daily pill sorters. I carry a list of what pills I take, but do not carry the prescription bottles with me. Never have. And I travel several cruises a year.

Cocktails approx $14, beer and wine $8 and up. There will be specials and drinks of the day at lower price. Any liquor you buy at liquor store cannot be consumed on the cruise. They will deliver it to your room the night before you disembark to take home with you.

You need to pick your own rooms to get them across from one another.

I turned Pinnacle this year, during a cruise. I was recognized at the C&A get-together at beginning of the cruise. But did not get benefits until the next cruise.

While this was unavoidable, and RC did offer a nice compensation, you still might need travel insurance, in my opinion. Many flights will cost more that $600. Especially if that is per couple, not per person. I also always have hotels pre-paid, before and after cruises. There could be transportation to airport or train station.

I believe those have a cord to plug in, and most likely are not allowed. Pretty much anything with a cord, except hair dryers, are not allowed.

My first cruise was in the 80's, and was not much to research then. No internet, etc. I had a fabulous time! I plan more now and have learned a lot of things. Some are just things that make life easier (magnetic hooks, better luggage, etc.) Also as you age the way you approach traveling, or things you do on a cruise change. Just go with it. Everyone learns from experience. Just have a fantastic cruise and don't sweat the small stuff. And then book your next cruise......and the next......

We do B2B cruises all the time. Most cruises in fact. I always tip room stewart after each leg, and usually give them a tip the first day too. The cabin stewarts can be changed at any time, and he/she may not know in advance. Same with dining. The table you had assigned for week 1 may change for week 2. If it is the same table the wait staff is likely to rotate. Tip as you go. I always do. And then never have to be concerned about it later.

Grand suite also gets free internet. Also usually double sinks in bathroom and tub. All day access to CK and Suite lounge. Jr suite just has CK for dinner. Even though you will not be able to have the other 2 guests join you, you may want the experience once or twice just the 3 of you. The GS is also larger with sofa living room area that may be nice for the 5 of you to visit in. Or have room service together. Just a thought.

Never heard of that show, maybe new on Wonder? I go on Wonder next month and will check it out.

Room service for coffee and tea is complimentary. And several places onboard have coffee/tea available, some 24 hours. I have only seen coffee/tea makers in cabin in Jr suites and above.

is May 2025 open now? I looked recently and only went thru April, and only certain cruises.

I am now retired, but when I did work I was self employed. So getting the time off was not an issue and I had the control. But if you work for a company or have children in school, etc. it isn't as easy to know if you can get the time off. Especially a year or 2 in advance. Just enjoy your cruises when you have them!

I take several cruises a year, so always have one coming up fairly soon. So booking 2 years in advance is not an issue and I have more to look forward to!

I usually use Travel Insured for my travel insurance. When you put in a claim you can get forms online and then I (or my travel agent) mails them. You need to include receipts for items you paid and show that they are not refundable. Hotels, train tickets, museum entrance fees, etc.

I book my cruises as soon as they are available, usually 2 years in advance. That is when you get the best price.

The cruise that was cancelled 3 days before a cruise was not anything RC could do anything about. A crane fell on Oasis in port and damaged ship. Not the fault of the cruise line at all. The ship could not be sailed. But I mentioned it because I showed you what RC did with refunds, etc. I use private travel insurance to cover other expenses other than the monies that were paid to RC. There are several companies to use. I always book thru a travel agent too, and they can handle the insurance for you. Plus putting in a claim if you need to. I have personally had to cancel a couple cruises at last minute due to medical issues. And was so glad I had travel insurance as they covered everything.

Often the comedy shows do not come up in planner to book ahead of time. You can book once you get on ship and if you are Diamond status the host in Diamond Lounge can also book for you. Although she/he is not in Diamond lounge until like 4pm. But sometimes you just cannot get reservations to comedy club. We have experienced this before and just go stand-by. And the later shows seemed to have less people in stand-by lines. We go to stand by line about 30 min prior and have always been able to get in.

Regarding the 2 dates you are looking at. The first 2 weeks in December are about the least expensive all year. We always go then, and airfare is less also. If you decide to go in April, beware many schools have their spring breaks in April and cruises can be more costly. And more kids onboard. Just a couple things you might not have thought about.

I have been on 2 cancelled cruises. One was cancelled about 5 years ago, about 3 days prior to cruise. RC gave us our money back for things we already paid, The hotels and other expenses we used our trip insurance to cover. The other cancellation was more like 20 years ago and RC booked the ship out to a private function, and was given maybe 2 months notice. That was 1 week of a back-to-back cruise so I was bummed. I did go on just the 1 week cruise though, and was given back any monies I paid to RC.

I would arrive an hour before your check-in time. I have had no issues boarding at that time.