Linda R

I had a price drop 3 weeks ago, but agree, other than that drop the price has stayed the same or has gone up. We sailed out of Civitavecchia this summer and our flight schedule was nutty to keep cost "low". TPA>LHR on Delta/Virgin, then through Chase Rewards,  LHR>ZRH>FCO Swiss, and on the way back SAS FCO>CPH>LHR, with the return on Delta to TPA. We are carry-on only. Chase Rewards does a great job of building flight schedules, for those who have access.

I ended up booking a 9 night Spain/Portugal  balcony cabin on Independence out of Southampton with refundable deposit for September 2025 for just under $3000 including taxes and port fees total for the both of us, from our travel agent. Seemed like a win/win at this point. Was glad to grab what seemed such a good deal. 

I just booked Comfort Plus on Delta for $1376 for  next May. And used airline points for one of them.  So on second free flight only paid taxes.   This year  in May I had  got tickets for under $1000 per person main cabin.    You just need to check around for flights once they open up and check with what the cruiseline can do for their flights too.   I always book my own though, and do better.  Check rates often, and usually on Tues or Wed.   I also will stay a day longer or before if rates are better for a certain day of the week.  As long as the savings are more than the cost of hotel room.  Flights open up for booking about 10 months in advance.   

Just keep checking every couple days.   I am thinking you will get a better rate sooner or later.   I always chack as soon as they are available for a base cost.  Then keep checking over next couple months. 

When I was on Serenade this past summer, they definitely shut down the soft serve part of the Windjammer at just after 9PM.  They would have a super long line at 9pm of everyone getting their last ice cream for the night.  But the coffee area in the Windjammer annex stayed open all night .  We liked this area better than the diamond lounge as a place to hang out each morning and talk to other guests while having our coffees.

I think they will still dock in Lahaina as many people go to other areas on the island anyway.   I often rent a car when in Hawaii on a cruise stop.  On the big island I rent a car as  can see both Hilo and  Kona.  Plus orchid farm and macadamia nut factory.    Have a great time.

If I remember it correctly there is coffee service just outside Windjammer, near windows on one side.  You can get into the Windjammer anytime thru those doors.  We go to Windjammer just before they close sometimes and hang out between meals to play cards, and have coffee and ice cream.   They never will ask you to leave Windjammer.  Unless maybe in middle of the night, when they are cleaning carpets, etc. 

Just adding that I got this same email, and we have 4 booked in the room, so the above comment may make sense given they are specifically calling out the size of the sofa bed.  
I think the point about them wanting to try to and resell these for alot more than what they originally were charging is completely believable as well.  Paid 7800 back in March for the room, including prepaid gratuities.  Same rooms on sailings for 2025/2026 are going for 10k, sailings for 2024 15k+, insanity.
I'm booked for October 2024 and my kids will be 11 and 8 during the cruise, so it'll be a bit a tight fit on the sofa bed, but they'll live.  They'll be so tired after playing on the ship all day it won't matter.

Pro: You get to come back to this one forum and brag to those who care.
Cons: You get to pay a premium price for the honor and privileges of that brag. Also, the bugs aren’t quite worked out of everything, so you get to be the test dummy to find and experience those bugs so others who sail after you don’t have to!

They will not cancel paid cabins.
yes, you lose the benefit of lowest fare credit
perhaps text people to remind them of the deadline, not everyone reads their email

On Brilliance it is in the Windjammer.  Some older ships they are in Windjammer.  Oasis and Anthem class are all by the pool.  Wish they were in both locations on all ships!

My wife did sip tour brunch not that long ago.  She enjoyed it, but she works in food service administration so it was of interest to her.  She enjoyed the Brunch and the champagne flowed.  I could tell she got a little tipsy because when she met me in Central Park afterwards she was very handsy.

Ive done plenty of b2b cruises in fact I just did a b2b on Wonder and it's the best. I love spending 14 nights on a cruise.
As others have stated go see the loyalty ambassador they will take care of you for that second cruise.
If you are changing rooms the great thing is your stateroom attendant will take care of transferring your luggage. Any clothes that are on hangars in the closet you can simply leave them there on the hangar and the attendant will transfer it over. However anything in the drawers, your toiletries you will need to repack into your suite case and they will transfer the suite case over to your next stateroom. 
Personally I would keep the $400 dollars and change rooms, because the only thing you have to pack up is whatever you place in the drawers, anything not on hangars and your toiletries. 

Thank You
 

I agree, have a good travel agent book this for you.   And do not try for everyone, or most of you, to do other things together.  Maybe dinners together but most times let people do as they please.  Get up when they want, etc. It gets very tiring to try and organized everyone.  

I carry cash too.    We both carry some cash in carry-on bag, in an envelope.  Never an issue.  As you said, once onboard we put it in safe.  Just carry what we need each day in pocket or purse.

I carry cash too.    We both carry some cash in carry-on bag, in an envelope.  Never an issue.  As you said, once onboard we put it in safe.  Just carry what we need each day in pocket or purse.

We got an Owner's Suite on our 27 November Navigator of the seas cruise for the minimum bid of 190 each.  Upgraded from a Jr Suite.  Never been in anything above Jr Suite so this will be fun!

The only RCL or Celebrity Landry that I know of is the Tide Pods that I take on all of my cruises.  If you have never done it, here is what I do:
I drop a Tide Pod in the bathroom sink and fill it with water. I soak my socks, underwear or shirts in the sink. I hand watch them and toss them in the shower. After getting them, all washed, I jump in the shower. I use the shower to rinse them out. I wring them out using the bar in the shower, then I rinse them again and wring them out one last time. I wrap them in extra towels that I got from the cabin steward.  The towel will help pull out the water. Then I hang them up to dry out. If I am in a hurry, I use the hair dryer to dry them.

I agree, have a good travel agent book this for you.   And do not try for everyone, or most of you, to do other things together.  Maybe dinners together but most times let people do as they please.  Get up when they want, etc. It gets very tiring to try and organized everyone.  

Congratulations !  That sounds like a fun cruise.  I wish I could get my family to commit to something like this but they are WORSE than herding cats.
My one piece of advice is USE A TRAVEL AGENT !  A good TA will be able to keep everything linked that needs to be linked (think meals), help you decide on how to book your rooms to maximize value and avoid potential problems.  There are just sooo many details that need to be considered.  Let a TA do this.
I guess I have one more piece of advice...don't try and force everyone to do the same thing at the same time.  Just ask @Ampurp85.  Be together without being bound together.

Just gave a bottle of champagne to the crown and anchor loyalty person onboard.  I did ask if she drank champagne and if she could accept the bottle.  She was thrilled.

I have taken to Diamond lounge and given it to someone.  To dining room and did the same.  Or offered to cabin attendant, who usually are eager to accept it.  But they do not usually take it until last day, so I just leave it in cabin for them in that case.   Another interesting case was the time I had a bottle of champagne called Michelle,  I stood by by cabin door and the next couple to come by I gave it to them.  Funny as her name was Michelle and it was their first cruise!  I was thrilled.

I have taken to Diamond lounge and given it to someone.  To dining room and did the same.  Or offered to cabin attendant, who usually are eager to accept it.  But they do not usually take it until last day, so I just leave it in cabin for them in that case.   Another interesting case was the time I had a bottle of champagne called Michelle,  I stood by by cabin door and the next couple to come by I gave it to them.  Funny as her name was Michelle and it was their first cruise!  I was thrilled.

I have taken to Diamond lounge and given it to someone.  To dining room and did the same.  Or offered to cabin attendant, who usually are eager to accept it.  But they do not usually take it until last day, so I just leave it in cabin for them in that case.   Another interesting case was the time I had a bottle of champagne called Michelle,  I stood by by cabin door and the next couple to come by I gave it to them.  Funny as her name was Michelle and it was their first cruise!  I was thrilled.