WAYNO

We took the bus tour. As the road parallels the train route, we saw the train for much of our bus ride, therefore seeing much of the same scenery, albeit from at times a different angle. The train however, would add the element of a train ride itself. The bus added the element of comfort.

I have sailed with a C-Pap many times. I always make a request at booking to provide an extension cord and distilled water. Originally, the cord and water were waiting for us in our room. On later cruises, the items weren't delivered until I asked our cabin attendant. But they've always been supplied. On some ships, the 110v outlet was convenient to the bedside, on others, the extension cord was plugged in elsewhere in the cabin.

Yep, just in the casino.

I've been thru this multiple times. One time recently, the airlines changed my flight, and we would have arrived at the port after the ship departed. The only option the airlines offered was accept or cancel the flight. I had no choice but to cancel, and then reschedule another flight, which increased the airfare substantially. The take away from all this, the rules change on a whim, and always in favor of the airline. I know this happens, so I keep my attention open to contingencies. And if I have a choice, I will arrive in my port city at least a day early.

We've been offered interior, balcony, and Jr. Suite. Sometimes we combine offers for an upgrade, and sometimes we buy-up for a better room. On our last cruise, we asked to upgrade to a Jr. Suite from a balcony. The upgrade cost was astronomical, so I declined and tried the Royal Up. That was unsuccessful.

As we entered our cabin on Odyssey, February 26th, we were surprised and pleased to already have a free cruise certificate waiting for us on our bed. At the end of our cruise, I had amassed a considerable number of points, and was eligible for another cruise. When I met with the casino host to get the newer certificate, he said since they gave me a certificate at the beginning of the cruise, I was not eligible for another, or even an upgraded one. Okay. I guess that's their rule. I thought about it, and went back a second time, meeting with both hosts, for verification of the reasoning. They both agreed, I was not eligible for another certificate or upgrade. Once home, I was planning another cruise, when I discovered on the first certificate, if I win another certificate on the cruise, it can be combined with the original offer to give me another $500 of casino play. Well, that couldn't happen now, since they refused me the second certificate. Further, and I know I have thirty days to book a cruise using these certificates, the thirty day clock began on the first day of the cruise, so the certificate was good only 22 days after the cruise. Had I been issued a certificate at the end of the cruise, it would not yet be expired. I reached out to Casino Royale hoping for the second and/or updated certificate, but have received no reply. I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth. Just a heads-up, if a person has enough points for another cruise, if they again refuse the certificate, at least hold them to 30 days from when you would have won the additional or upgraded cruise.

I'm not doubting he/she told you that. I do question the accuracy and/or completeness of the information, however. At the same time Royal Caribbean is lacking in Crown Royal, Crown Royal has announced that they have been unable to fill orders elsewhere also, citing a lack of product, a strike, and covid issues. I have received some conflicting information from different managers regarding other subjects, too.

My Royal Up also remained pending until day 2 of my cruise, when I was notified my Royal Up bid was not accepted.

I don't doubt that Crown Royal is unavailable at the ships bars, but I don't know if I'm ready to accept it's because of a disagreement or conspiracy between Crown Royal and Royal Caribbean. It was just on the news last night, and other current articles, there is a shortage of distilled spirits, including Crown Royal and a few others offered by the creator and/or owner of Crown Royal. The article suggested there are many missing items in liquor stores. Just maybe, there's no behind the scenes issue, but there could be the same trickle down problems with Royal Caribbean and the shortage of spirits across the board.

I live out here. I'm surrounded by locals. I hear everyday that Portland/Seattle are the Gardens of Eden, but with extra character. And these locals don't feel unsafe even if they have to step around or over needles, feces, and garbage. I just have a much different feeling of what is safe.

Although a person will travel through the decay getting to the motel, airport or cruise port, once there you'll be marvelously insulated. Another thing... Seattle is expensive for a tourist. There are exorbitant multiple taxes added to motels and car rentals, or anything else travel or tour related. When I'm there on a cruise, I take the shortest fastest route from the motel to the ship, and then out of there as fast as I can when the cruise is over. The locals are so accustomed to what's become of Seattle and Portland, they are defensive of their towns and profess this is the new normal, and they feel safe.

For us, I try to pick a cruise that takes us to locations we've not yet visited. Cruising the Caribbean on Royal it's very difficult to find such a place. I've seen enough of Labadee, The Bahamas and US Virgin Islands. So, the centerpiece of the cruise, is the cruise itself. Knowing that makes the choice easier. We also prefer ships that have the conventional full-size Promenade. Odyssey was a beautiful new ship, but it had an abbreviated Promenade. I miss the fun atmosphere of mingling in a large Promenade. If the ships resume parades, it would not be the same on the little Promenades.

Earlier this month on Odyssey, we had a combination of plastic bottles and pop-top cans. Also, available for purchase nearly everywhere are a plethora of drink can covers.

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It seems the rules change regularly. Different times, and different ships, apparently others are reporting different experiences as well. On Odyssey earlier this month, we were given a choice of sitting alone or sliding the tables together and dine with others. The more the merrier was my choice.

I've done MTD many times. In every case other than covid, we've shared a table with multiple couples. Earlier this month on Odyssey, they seated us alone at a table for four. I missed dining with other folks, so as soon as I mentioned that, they seated another couple with us, and slid the next table over to ours with a third couple. My point? Tell them your preference and they will accommodate you.

I am glad I am not a foodie. To me, donuts always taste good.

And I never knew Military/Veterans discounts even existed on Royal Caribbean. Maybe I'll ask next time.

I do think it is a geography issue. Royal from Galveston historically visits the Western Caribbean. Yes, I know there are exceptions. Cococay is a fluff port, and to drastically extend the cruise distance to add Cococay to a Western Caribbean cruise makes little sense to me. I've visited Cococay. We have no small kids, so I don't expect to go there again, other than it will likely be a filler for other cruises leaving Florida, similar to Labadee. If I had reason to go back, I would expect it to be from Florida, where Cococay is already in the neighborhood. It's an easy stop without adding a lot of miles to the cruise.

What do I most look forward to? Sunshine! In the Pacific Northwest, it's still mostly dank and dark. Sunshine is medicine for my soul. And how excited am I looking forward to my next cruise? Tons and tons, and So much so, I am totally envious of my Wife, who has a cruise coming up without me. We did cruise on Odyssey, earlier this month. I was just as excited for that cruise.

I've been on a lot of cruises, where the food and/or service is terrific, while simultaneously folks at the next table are complaining their food is disappointing. Everybody has their own expectations. I am not a foodie and I'm easily pleased. I've very much enjoyed and appreciated my shipboard dining experiences, and I very much count my blessings. I'm disappointed to hear others do not receive the same food and service that I receive. And in fairness, I also was not on Independence of the Seas.

Well then, since you all seem to need such petty things to spoil your vacations, I drink Pop every day.

I asked a supervisor in the dining room the same question. She said absolutely they are supposed to ask, and we are expected to answer on the survey that they did ask. It's a good thing.

Recently on Odyssey, after two days with no hard-copy Compass, we thought they were a thing of the past. Then on day-3, and every day for the duration, we had a Compass waiting for us on our bed. .

My curse is to overpack. Part of my excuse... it's winter where I get on the plane. So I'm wearing winter clothes. Need another set to fly home in. And another set in case I spill on myself. 4 pairs of shoes. I only actually wore 2. 2 pairs of dress pants. Wore 1. About 6 extra shirts, again just in case I spill on myself. See how all this works? My system has yet to fail me.