WAYNO

We've come a long way and are very much spoiled to even think of Voyager-class ships as small. These ships are still huge, and quite magnificent.

I have bought a lot of cigars while cruising Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands. I am told all my Cuban cigars from these places are fakes, but whoever is making them is doing an exquisite job. I bring them home to share with my Cigar smoking friends, and we thoroughly enjoy them. I miss the cigar lounges on Royal, and I have never gone to the other smoking areas to partake in a cigar. I bring them all home.

I don't remember ever experiencing a mosquito problem, anywhere while cruising. Bathrooms... many tourist spots have bathroom attendants that actually keep the bathrooms usable, even for an American...but we are expected to tip with each visit. That's fine with me to get a clean bathroom.

I agree too, plan your own celebration! Expecting a cruise line to celebrate for you, you could be disappointed. For important birthdays, or even our 50th anniversary, Royal knew of these occasions but did nothing.

Good to hear, if they are really doing Skagway. Skagway is a fun port. You can spend the money, and get on the train, bus, or other excursions, or just stay in town and shop all day.

I do not understand "wait list". I always schedule the early dining, but on recent cruises, my itinerary says 5:15/5:30 (wait list). And we are seated immediately, every time. Simultaneously, on our last 3 cruises since November, there has been a surprising number of empty tables.

We've done the Bayonne to Maritime Canada cruise in early September, which is a similar weather pattern. It was never warm. It was like being on the Oregon Coast in Summer. Looks beautiful, but bring some wind-breaker type clothes. The ocean was generally not rough, with the exception of outrunning a Hurricane (Dorian?) on the last day. Anthem of the Seas handled these seas remarkably well.

We have found, officially, canned soda is not available with any package. But, especially depending on the ship, canned sodas may still be available. We both have/had the Refreshment Package, Prime free Casino drinks, and Diamond Drinks. On Symphony recently, canned sodas were readily provided, anywhere. On Navigator, canned sodas are nearly universally denied, unless a passenger just happens to be tight with a server or bartender. Believe me... Tips matter!

Door decorations are very fun for us. As we're approaching our room, we recognize we're getting close, just by seeing the countdown of other recognized door decorations in our hallway. Back in 2016, we were gifted a door magnet with our names on it. We've never since been on a ship without it. This magnet was sold by an internet blog site of our past. I would like to see such a magnet available from this site. @Matt We add other things to our door decor as we travel. Funny too... We cruised with our Son recently. He was in a different cabin, so we hung a magnetic note pad on our door so we could keep in touch if the wi-fi didn't work. Never did he have an occasion to use this note pad, but other random folks would occasionally leave us a nice note. That was fun too.

The earlier the better, both in getting on and getting off the boat. Flying from the Pacific Northwest, often to Florida, we're battling very long days, against time zones, and with often very inconvenient flight options. Earlier bark/de-bark times give us a larger window to find doable airline connections, as well as shuttle and/or motel connections.

We were also given an accessible Junior Suite for an upcoming cruise. Initially we were receiving a comped Junior GTY, but I asked to be close to an elevator if possible. Next thing we knew, this accessible cabin was assigned.

The ABC's were on my bucket list. Since my cruise there last fall, but not including Bonaire, the complete ABC's will remain on my bucket list.

@Ampurp85 Your blog is so nice and upbeat. Thanks. I will look forward to reading of your cruise. Have fun!

Actually, I do care. I know folks look forward to getting all dressed up for a night out at a nice place, and I do my best to respect that. Dress your best is doable for me, as there's nothing I can wear to look really dressed up. It's far easier for my Wife. A nice top and even slacks, and she looks quite dressy.

In fairness... Although I have never had a good hotdog at the Dog House, their sausage dog however is far better. I still had to throw the bun away, as it sat in the warmer way too long and was quite dried out. I went quite a few cruises since I last visited the Dog House. I also thought last month on Symphony I'd try it again. Nothing had changed. A person might ask why I didn't ask for a fresh hotdog and/or bun. Some of you might remember I had an ordeal even getting mustard from them, so I was just done.

I like hotdogs. I have found the Dog House to be disappointing. Now, if I want a Hot Dog, I will get it from Wind Jammer. They will be fresher, far less tough, and the bun will be fresher.

Some folks hate the food, some folks hate the mattresses. Ya can't make just one mattress to please everybody. I find the mattresses to be just fine .

Nope. The rack was empty. We were told they didn't have any, anywhere. Wasn't waiting in line behind 30 people to ask for sure. And our cabin attendant on this cruise, we almost never saw her, so we didn't ask her, either.

On Navigator recently, the last 3-cruises, we received them daily as soon as we asked our attendant. On Symphony recently, we didn't see a single one, even at guest services.

I showed 'em. I cut back to a 12 pack for each of our next 3 cruises. For me, the convenience still outweighs the cost.

Adding to the magnet discussion... We like refrigerator magnets. The selection has diminished somewhat, and in some cases they've not been available at all. But what we've found available when magnets have not been available, is keychains. A dab of glue on the back to attach a magnet, and voila!

As is my Wife. I get left at home for the Sep 29th cruise.

I know folks say no, it can't happen, and it's not supposed to happen, but not everybody has seen that memo... My Wife and I cruised recently with our adult son. The first cruise of his life, but his sea pass card definitely said Diamond. And the misunderstandings and questions continue.

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Again, the 5th identical booking on Navigator since November of '22 . And this one, because some friends we met for the first time on Navigator in 2022 texted us to say they were booking this cruise, and invited us to join them. And also because it's a great cruise.