Reigert2008

We get the refreshment package and have paid from a low of $18 to a high of $22 (per person per day before tip). Sales come and go, so find a price you like and make the purchase. The you can cancel and rebook if it drops. For our next cruise, we bought it at $20 back in November 2020 Andy then rebought in January at $18. good luck!

As you can see below, we’ve had a mix of rooms, but generally go for the cheapest we can get. We’ve upgraded a few times to a GTY version of a room when the price was negligible, or even cheaper with a rebate via AAA. We’re considered “cheapskates” by many family members since we don’t do speciality dining since “we already paid for food” and won’t “pay extra” for a balcony when we can sit on one of the decks for free :). like @twangsterstated earlier, there is no wrong way to cruise and people change over time. basically, do what you want and don’t let other people bother you about it. the only rooms I would “probably” never pick is an “ocean view” or “promenade view” I’d probably just stay interior or upgrade for the balcony. I just can see myself standing and looking out the window very much, but I’ve also never had one of those rooms so…. Cruise Safe!

@twangster i've been wondering if Royal Up would be offered. We've never done it, but i bet that does help some GTY people get upgraded as other people move up to other categories.

Thanks! I feel like we could be BFFs ? The thing i say to my wife the most and the thing she hates to hear is "So, I made a spreadsheet to...."

We've done GTY cabins on Disney and never had an issue, we like the cost savings and since we are basically never in the room it seems like it a good idea. We're "inside cabin" people for those savings, and then adding the GTY savings on top adds up and allows us to do more travelling. We would probably be pickier if we only travelled once or twice a year, but we generally take about 8 trips (of varying lengths) sine our work schedules tend to be pretty flexible. We don;t mind the wait for the room number, but my in-laws have asked me about a million times about it ? They've cruised before so it won't be an issue with room location. We're also on an Oasis class ship, so I personally don't think there is a bad room location.

Thanks so much!

I know I've seen this on here before (or maybe not), but when does Royal "generally" assign the cabin numbers for GTY (guarantee) cabins? This is our first time doing a GTY cabin, which was originally booked in 2019 so I cannot remember what I was told or find the information. Really just curious since my in-laws have a GTY cabin as well and will need sure they have a good feel for things before we set sail. Thanks. I fully expect things to be "different" due to the COVID situation, but looking for a general timeframe from the before times ?

We made final payment last week for an August cruise. If it goes great, if it doesn't then we'll see what the offer is. Either way it'll be a win-win ?

Thanks! It’s starting to make some sense and I think my deposit + FCC + wife’s FCC + tonight’s cc payment = total cost,but I’m on my tablet/phone and will be able to view it better on my PC. I may even call Royal to see if they can explain it and let me know if I will have any additional FCC remaining after the cruise. If we do have leftover, I wanted to use it on the next cruise we have booked,but final payment for that one is the day after we return from this one, so I guess we’ll “have to” take another cruise to used it up! ?

Hello, Just made final payment on our cruise and this TBZ5 line item appears on the receipt, and I cannot figure out what this really means. It appears that it lowered the final cost of the cruise and I really just want to make sure everything was paid correctly. Our TA had Royal apply each of our FCCs from a canceled cruise from last year and I think we may have FCC left over but the receipt is really confusing. Our TA is a replacement TA from the agency due to our regular TA having a medical issue. She’s nice and all, but is “new to booking cruises” and is going to Mexico next week, so it may be a bit before I can discuss it with her. We are changing agencies when we book our next cruise, but we already had two booked that we are getting through. It hasn’t been a horrible experience, but need to get to an independent party and not the “family friend” we originally had. thanks.

Not judging anyone and I enjoy teppanyaki as much as anyone, but I don’t think I would do it on a cruise. I thinks it’s because I don’t want to “pay extra” for meals since I’ve already paid for “food on the ship”. We do get the Refreshment Drink Package, since we do enjoy the froze “mocktails” and if the price is right, we come out way ahead than buying individual drinks. I also have become addicted to sparkling water and was already addicted to coffee ? stay Safe

I'm not sure, it's probably a close second to "Can I wear shorts in the MDR?" ? Stay Safe

Not going to lie. Sometimes I google it just to make sure I'm doing it correctly! ?

I also have to take part in HIPAA training because of my work in IT at a Healthcare company. The best way I've been able to explain HIPAA to people is like this. HIPAA says that your "doctor" cannot share your medical information, it does not prevent you from sharing your medical information. So yeah, if anyone asks you about anything medical you can freely share your own information (not your family members, without thier consent). It's not like any company is going to be linked to your medical record, you would basically have to attest to it or show your card (or something similar) Also, please stop writing HIPPA! ?

This is on the Royal site, it’s probably worth a call or email to Royal and your travel agent to dot all the i’s and cross the t’s, no sense in showing up to the port and not having something. Good luck. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-family-legal-documents-do-i-need-to-board https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-if-i-am-traveling-with-a-minor-and-i-am-not-their-parent-legal-guardian

I'd also make sure you have any "legal" documentation that allows you to make decisions should there be some emergency in regards to the friend. You never know what could happen and where you may be when it happens. From my point of view, it's not worth the extra work and stress to bring someone who is unrelated, particularly a minor. Even when traveling with my in-laws, it's a concern that we'll be in some foreign land and they won't let my wife make decisions that need to be made if there is an emergency. It's kinda like travel insurance, you never need it until you do. (always have travel insurance) Just my opinion, I know people travel with kids friends all the time. i'm sure there are both good stories and nightmares out there.

Yeah, we are not booking anything until ships start cruising again here in the US, we don't want to tie up any additional money, but i keep looking at things to see if I can sneak in another double pointer or two!

and this is the crux of my concern. We have a 12 year old who will cross over to 13 the week before our cruise ? So i didn't want to get surprised by it! No one in our party will have Voom or anything. It'll be so nice to be 100% disconnected for the first time since November 2019

Thanks! I hadn't even though of the eMuster. I can access everyone's docs (once available) since we are all linked, and I will totally be printing out each person's set-sail pass as a backup. I'll be the one printing out the luggage tags for everyone as well, so will do the pass ? Basically, I'm the "travel supervisor" that helps make sure the TA is not overwhelmed with questions the travel party is too "lazy" to google ? It's so much easier when it's just the wife and I traveling!

Thanks! I hadn't even though of the eMuster. I can access everyone's docs (once available) since we are all linked, and I will totally be printing out each person's set-sail pass as a backup. I'll be the one printing out the luggage tags for everyone as well, so will do the pass ? Basically, I'm the "travel supervisor" that helps make sure the TA is not overwhelmed with questions the travel party is too "lazy" to google ? It's so much easier when it's just the wife and I traveling!

I hope this will be a quick and easy question. We are not at the point where we can check in yet, but trying to get ahead of the train before it hits me. I've generally checked in via the web, but the app shouldn't be a problem and I cannot remember what we did when when we cruised out of Miami way back in February 2019! My question is: Is it sufficient for one person in each cabin to have the app and be signed it to scan the set sail pass or does each person in each cabin need to have the app and related sign in account and does the same apply for a kid under 16? Basically, I'm trying to figure out if I need to work with some others to get them accounts and make sure they remember the password. Thanks.

I hope the cruislines track and report the number of cabins that are “moved” to the non-US ports. It could show the CDC (or anyone) the number of people that are traveling abroad to cruise. Maybe that data will show how blocking the US ports from opening is not preventing cruising.

I have no experience with your specific situation, but have a young niece with medical concerns and have become familiar with looking for this type of information for our travels. I did some searching and wanted to share some links I found. first, if you have a travel agent, they may be able to get a lot of information for you. Royal has a page dedicated to accessibility and it’s here - https://www.royalcaribbean.com/experience/accessible-cruising Royal has included Down Syndrome under the Autism & Developmental Disabilities page - https://www.royalcaribbean.com/experience/accessible-cruising/autism-friendly-ships Stay Safe.

I’d check your profile with Royal Caribbean, there’s probably a checkbox someplace. I think you can sign up at this page as well. https://www.royalcaribbean.com/crown-anchor-society

Saw this article today. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/09/dr-scott-gottlieb-how-covid-safe-bubble-can-be-created-on-cruises.html?&qsearchterm=Health Advisor