Audrey V.

We receive more bonus dollars with our Costco Visa than the Royal branded credit card...no need to own the stock from our perspective.

Thank you & to Audrey as well for the information! I love getting new tips from the seasoned Cruisers 

You can also add it to your Apple Wallet if an iPhone user to see the numbers.

Me and a buddy of mine wanted to be adventurous and picked this option. I hope we get lucky like you did. 

So after check in there is a bar code, but no numbers.  Using a camera, "read it" and you will get the numbers for the bar code. The last 4 numbers is the room assigned (unless more than floor 10), but subject to change.  

So after check in there is a bar code, but no numbers.  Using a camera, "read it" and you will get the numbers for the bar code. The last 4 numbers is the room assigned (unless more than floor 10), but subject to change.  

The last poster raised a good issue, which is the GTY works great for a couple traveling by themselves.  It cannot be done for multiroom bookings. 

My kid when he was 8 once complained about turndown service at an Omni because they gave soothing lotion instead of a chocolate.  We started camping and staying in hostels more. 
By turndown service, I did not mean moving the sheets back, but the Stateroom Attendent freshens the sheets if you have an afternoon nap,  puts a Compass and a towel animal in a charming way near the bed. They also give fresh towels and remove the garbage in the eveningand in the morning. If glasses were used, they take away the old glasses and put new glasses and coasters. I am not staying in a Suite, but a regular room. 
 

I usually sail in a cabin I have chosen, but not always.  As far as location, I've had some bad cabins, but they were always ones that I chose.  So be aware that you can get a bad GTY cabin, but it isn't necessarily the case.
The reasons we usually pick our cabins is that my wife has knee problems, so we usually try to get an accessible cabin.  These aren't available as a GTY.  
Also, if you are sailing with another party, your cabins will not be close to each other.

I booked a gty recently.  Check-in is the 23rd so I will know soon where my room might be. I plan to do the barcode trick.
I booked the gty not caring where my room was as I just wanted to be on the ship. I booked it knowing I might not be able to move my cabin. However it was a different of $350. Sometimes you luck up and sometimes you don't. 

This is also yet another shining example as to how a great TA can make cruising life better without having to lift a finger! 

While we normally don't do GTY bookings, we took advantage of a great deal for double points in a Junior Suite GTY (slightly obstructed) for a 9-night Eastern Caribbean Nov 2023 sailing on Explorer.
Two days after booking, Royal pushed the sail date to mid-Dec and gave us the option to move or cancel with no additional fee, My travel agent was able to score us a great Junior Suite without an obstruction and closer to the elevators.
Lucky day for sure...and what a terrific way to obtain Diamond status, too! 🙂 

Stateroom Attendants do a lot more than clean, and can be your eyes and ears on the ship. Not only do they make sure your Stateroom is in order twice a day, they learn your preferences and bring to your attention the Compass and ship news, fresh glasses (including wine glasses if requested), evening turndown, etc. They will also help if you do not want to keep things (e.g., dressy clothes or a souvenir no longer wanted. 
 

Stateroom Attendants do a lot more than clean, and can be your eyes and ears on the ship. Not only do they make sure your Stateroom is in order twice a day, they learn your preferences and bring to your attention the Compass and ship news, fresh glasses (including wine glasses if requested), evening turndown, etc. They will also help if you do not want to keep things (e.g., dressy clothes or a souvenir no longer wanted. 
 

Agreed. "Cleaner" feels very disrespectful for their effort, workload, and kindness. Stateroom attendant.

It hit me wrong when I read it too. 
 
Stateroom attendant.  

Back to seafood basics and aversion. 
You may want to try something other than fish, such as lobster, shrimp or fried calamari.  Bay scallops too. These may not be as "fishy". If the lobster appeals tastes good, there are a few whitefish that will taste as good when dipped in butter or cocktail sauce or tartar sauce.
Until you decide you like it, I would avoid oysters,  mussels, clams, escargot,  etc. 
I am over 60 and just recently decided to stop my aversion to bananas. I still get grossed out if mushy,  but can now eat them after overcoming my purely in my mind  reaction over them. 

There is a reason Florida is the Sunshine State.  Except for a hurricane or tropical system (wave or storm), expect some sunny parts of the day. And if I rains, you may get a very photogenic rainbow.

Not checking out every included food venue for each applicable meal/time and/or not trying more things before it's too late.
Caveat: The food is a big part of cruising for me if you couldn't tell. 🤣😋

I had some very good chowder in Ireland just last month
 
 

My only port of call is Bermuda. This reminds me of that scene in Jurassic Park. I can deal with bad weather, but I would rather not encounter any velociraptors on this trip.
 

I think it means that for big vessels, waters in the affected areas will be choppy. This week are anniversaries for Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina. 
Stay away from too much alcohol and greasy foods.  Take seasick medicine if prone to seasickness and follow captains orders.

I think it means that for big vessels, waters in the affected areas will be choppy. This week are anniversaries for Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina. 
Stay away from too much alcohol and greasy foods.  Take seasick medicine if prone to seasickness and follow captains orders.

Ok I admit it.  We got that Owners Suite.  But in my cheapo defense, we got it half price through a lift & shift from a much smaller ship!
 

I think you’re fibbing a bit on the “cheapskate” moniker.  True cheapskates don’t cruise in balconies or purchase the DBP…but I won’t mess with your self-image too badly…😇😂
Have a great time and looking forward to the live blog.