WAYNO

Speaking only personally, as we live relatively close to Seattle and have rented cars to and from Seattle, be aware Seattle has some quite high tourism taxes. Renting a car within Seattle's city limits can cause the car rental cost to be quite expensive. If you can... arrange the car in a Seattle suburb, outside the city limits. You can still return the car to the airport rental facility. We found no rental car facilities to provide shuttles, so either via taxi or Uber, you'll have to find your own way to and from a car rental facility. For us, we rented the car in Oregon, and dropped it off in downtown Seattle. It was 25-bucks for a taxi ride to the port. Then at the end of the cruises, it cost us again, 25-bucks for a taxi ride to the rental car facility. Then although we already had a car reserved, the rental cost to drive back to Oregon was twice what we were promised and quoted, with no exception. They said sorry, it was the tourism tax superseding the price we were promised. I know folks have different experiences for different reasons, but try as we might, we were stuck with this. And we've done it twice with the same results.

Folks put their head in the sand and profess the food and water in Mexico and elsewhere is perfectly safe. Nobody's gonna tell them what they should or shouldn't eat. If it's so safe, why are there so many programs promoting and educating food suppliers, vendors and restaurants to cook cleanly and safely? I've been all over Mexico and the Caribbean. The pork, fish, or other foods on the sidewalk... did you see it being cooked? How long ago was it cooked? How was the refrigeration? With no running water or sanitary facilities near the food carts or other neighborhood vendors, how did they wash their hands and cooking utensils? Travel guides say to eat at obviously organized kitchens, with immediately cooked dishes and high food turnover. Montezuma's revenge is still real. So are many other communicable illnesses. And if folks don't get sick in spite of ignoring sanitation, good for them. Many folks do remain unscathed. I will remain cautious. https://www.fda.gov/food/international-cooperation-food-safety/fda-senasica-cofepris-food-safety-partnership https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-safety/north-america/mexico/tips-for-water-and-food-in-mexico https://mexiconewsdaily.com/mexicolife/dining-rules-health/

I love Captain Jacks's, sitting back and doing mostly nothing.

In Mazatlan, we trusted our pulmonia driver to find us a safe restaurant. The place was full of gringos, and we remained healthy.

It's just a fun urban myth. I've eaten many gusanos , soaked in Gusano Rojo Mezcal in my lifetime, and I've never been sick from one.

We also have the same questions and seldom eat or drink while ashore. I do let my guard down occasionally, and will eat a complete dinner at large, obviously popular restaurants. Interestingly, the last time we did eat at Mazatlan, we ordered soft drinks from a bottle. The waiter promptly opened the bottles and poured the beverage into a glass with ice. I didn't touch it, but quickly the waiter realized what he had done, and replaced our drink with a fresh one, still in the bottle. It is hard to un-learn old lessons.

My go-to entree in the main dining room is always a beef dish. Prime rib or steak always works. And on that extra special night, lobster! In the buffet, the primo entree choices are more limited. Minute steaks or roast beef when they have it. Pork chops also, when they have them. I'm no longer able to have desert. But my wife loves cheese cake. It's now rarely available in either the MDR or buffet, but when it is, she is happy. My wife also loves cake, so that's her choice when cheesecake isn't available. When it's available, in the MDR, I order shrimp cocktail for my desert. The first time I ask, the waiters are puzzled, since I also order shrimp cocktail as my appetizer. Once they understand my intentions, the shrimp cocktail is automatic. And sometimes the waiter brings me a double. Before my life changed, lava cake or a brownie and a scoop of ice cream, however simple, was my choice. Appetizers? As above, shrimp cocktail is my favorite. But sometimes I do change it up a little, and order a Caesar's salad. The menu has changed, and my favorites are not always available, but I usually find something to eat, even if it's in the buffet. A burger patty with a side of hot dog is my steak replacement. And grilled fish has always been good for me. However simple I am, I also notice what our table mates order. Some folks order escargot at every meal when available. Everybody that orders it, loves it. And the onion soup? I've never had it, but it is a table favorite, every time. We took our boy on a cruise recently. He ordered lamb, and loved it. So, although the menu changes don't please me every time, other folks at our table rave about the other choices. Bottom line... I appreciate everything, and if it sounds like I'm bellyaching, I need to be slapped and brought back to my senses. These cruises are a Blessing from Heaven.

Yes and no. Although you share status, points are not supposed to be shared. But most of the time, they do anyway. Then when you expect them to, they sometimes don't. And when you're finally convinced they are not supposed to be shared, they do anyway. Are you following all this? We've struggled with Royal over this issue. When each of our points were incorrect, it took an act of the CEO to get them corrected, while simultaneously their customer service, (an oxy-moron) said our points were way off because of improper crediting. We also receive conflicting advice while on cruises, with the Diamond Concierge. Two different concierges in the Diamond Lounge have two conflicting opinions and solutions. And even asking for a discussion on this forum has been futile. Because so many folks have received different treatment, folks are quick to belittle a post. Gee it didn't happen to them that way, so it couldn't have happened to me! Okay, it is what it is. I accept how the points earnings are best described by Royal. But even since our last points fiasco, I am again receiving points for cruises my Wife has taken, but I was not a part of. I've given up. In the scheme of things, I am now D+, with little chance of making Pinnacle, so point awarding no longer matters to us.

We've flown a lot. We have no favorite airline, as none of them are user friendly, helpful, or trustworthy. And none are getting better We have also found MIA to be the least friendly and/or helpful airport. And the more we fly, the more we are experiencing delayed and/or cancelled flights. Our most recent cancellation was MIA. And in the Miami culture, the airline employees were pretty worthless. It was not their job man. When I'm delayed, I find myself researching other flights. I use Flightrader24 to track delay patterns. And in most cases, I've found Southwest to have the most delayed or cancelled flights. I no longer include them in my travel searches, regardless of itinerary or cost. Southwest Airlines and MIA... Not a combination I would ever trust. I wont for a second expect to convince anybody any more than the Southwest fanboys/fangirls will convince me otherwise. I have my own experiences, and act accordingly.

Yes, I can relate. Not long ago, we had 4 cruises on the books, making a total of 7, November to November. We now are down to only two left, and the next one is not til the end of September. I feel naked. We had one more planned, but just one day of procrastination caused it to no longer be available. The lesson here is book the cruise the minute you receive the offer.

Is an early flight possible? Yes. Is it likely? Maybe. Is it guaranteed? Absolutely not. Because we have experienced so many ground transportation snafus, I always book an afternoon flight. And every time there is a hang up, and I realize we would not have made a noon-or-earlier flight, I smile that I booked the conservative flight. Even then, ground transportation and air schedules have a way of inadvertently adding a day or more to a vacation.

The walk-in closet is a huge draw for those choosing a Junior Suite. We have also had a Junior suite with a smaller closet and two separate bathrooms. I missed the huge closet, but my own bathroom was pretty nice too. To pick one over the other, the walk in closet would be my choice. .

That's not a bad upgrade price. I've paid more... And to me, always worth it.

We just received a casino-comp offer for this cruise. I'm headed out the door right now, but when I get home I'm gonna give 'em a call. ...and an update. Whoops... I spoke too soon.. The rooms are already gone.

I don't think the question was if cruise lines need a meteorologist. My question is, if they are struggling financially, would an unknown face be cheaper for them than a popular local TV weatherman?

When one couple rates a meal as wonderful, and the couple at the next table rates the same meal as horrible, who should Royal listen to or take seriously?

Odyssey is quite gorgeous and wonderful. However, it does not have a conventional promenade. That in itself makes Odyssey not my first choice. I also understand the promenade may not be as important to other passengers as it is to me. Regardless of promenade or other preferences, this ship is quite magnificent.

I looked too and saw nothing. Interestingly... While I was looking I figured I should book a couple VOOM's for some upcoming cruises. None were to be found for one of my upcoming cruises using the APP on my home computer. But visiting the phone APP on my Wife's phone, the VOOM was available. Being forced to do everything digitally, when they don't always maintain their end, makes it tough for a dinosaur.

I live and play in Western Oregon. The weather in the Coast Range is similar to Southeast Alaska. Not particularly cold, but often quite wet. I seldom use rain pants, other than the heavy rubber ones we wear while fishing. How do we identify tourists? They wear rain pants. Seriously, if you're comfortable wearing rain pants, by all means go for it if that's how you are inclined. My experience, you can be wet from the rain, or wet from sweating inside your rain pants. You're still wet either way. And rain pants that breathe? An oxy-moron designed to sell rain pants. In a boat is a different story. Inactivity while wet can be very uncomfortable. One good blast of spray, and you'll likely remain damp and cold for the rest of the excursion. Water shedding clothing will be worthwhile.

I gotta say, after reading so many posts by so many people basically hating every cruise experience.. . Why do you cruise if you know it's gonna be so awful? I know every person has their own expectations and experiences. But it seems a lot of folks cruise to be disappointed. Makes me glad I grew up poor, so I can appreciate this floating heaven on earth experience. I too sometimes have less than a perfect experience, and like others, I do come here to vent. After I re-read my posts a few times, and realize I'm sounding like the other people, I try to tone it down, and re-count my blessings.

Port Canaveral is our favorite. And I've found the whole area is geared to cruisers. I've stayed at multiple places, and one way or the other, transportation to the airport was super easy. Not super fancy but our favorite stay is La Quinta in Coco Beach. Pool with bar, an easy walk for dinner, and a wonderful included continental breakfast. And a bus to the pier waiting outside the door after breakfast.

Our last couple of de-bark's have been dreadfully slow, and dreadfully un-organized. That said, I've learned to expect these snags, book a late flight, and life goes on wonderfully.

Very nice production. Thanks.

My Wife was in Cozumel last week. I just asked her about this. She remembered the extra TSA-style stop before the ship, but she said it was completely unobtrusive on that day.