Peter D

It further complicates the break even when you figure in free drinks. Adding 4, 5, or 6 drinks for D, D+, and Pinnacle, brings these numbers up in the 10-16 drink range. Honestly if Royal offered C&A members free drink value (say $40-60/person/day) to the onboard savings, buying a drink plan would look a lot more appealing over just 4-6 free drinks.

slick indeed. I tried to check pricing on a current booking. The mock RCL booking was ~$75 more than my current booking but with supposed OBC. Called travel agent, who could not match what RCL website was saying to my booking reprice, so they called RCL. RCL told them the mock price was for new bookings today only. My price would be $265 more to get a $250 OBC....

Maybe contact the Agency rather than the agent?

GTY suites look like the best value at the moment.

Not knowing anything about how travel agencies do business with the cruise lines, Is it possible that these prices are offered to general public at a high price, but travel agencies are offered lower prices to fill out their group blocks? Or did travel agencies already get the 'pick of litter' and this is what's left?

I do not have any pricing for August either. I was just going by the description on the RCL page. I am also interested on the pricing when it comes out. I expect more than Chef's table ($85), but hopefully less than Empire Suppler Club ($200).

Maybe it is being replaced with the 'Immersive Dining Experience"?

As a fan website, any answers you get here need to be taken with grain of salt. I recommend consulting the Royal Caribbean website for this topic. Travel Documents | International & Domestic | Royal Caribbean Intl. and Travel Documents & Requirements | Royal Caribbean Cruises Under the 'Unacceptable forms of identification" it states A temporary driver's license (paperwork without a photo I.D.) If your interim Ohio ID has a photo on it, it may work, but there is a risk. I would also not expect a college ID to work. As you did not mention when your cruise is, maybe you still could receive your official drivers license. Finally, make sure your birth certificate meets the requirements listed here: Can you use a birth certificate for a cruise? | Royal Caribbean Cruises Good luck, hope it all works out for you.

Is Chef's Table complimentary with Star Class UDP or does it still require an additional surcharge?

I am not asking for additional savings. That sale starting 11/9 was listed as 'pre Black Friday early access'. I read that as preview of things to come, but the prices during that first weekend were the lowest they have been during the whole early access when it ended on Wednesday at midnight. Then the actual Black Friday sale starts today and the prices are higher than ever. My point is Black Friday used to mean something, and in year's past there have been some very good deals. One should be able to expect early access pricing is just a preview of things to come. That is not the case, so much for the "Biggest Sale of the Year- Black Friday". But good news, they just kicked off the new "Biggest Sale of the Year- Cyber Monday".

It is pretty sad that prices for things I got on November 9th as part of the Black Friday 'early access' were much cheaper than actual Black Friday. What a scam Black Friday has become.

Interesting. I booked it as soon as it was announced (as placeholder TBD) for two different nights on my October 2024 sailing, and the charge was only $400 for each night. This $72 gratuity is a new addition. Seems they either planned for the gratuity to be included or they forgot to add it originally.

Leave your husband home and get inside cabin If you factor in the loss of deposits into the cost of a different sailing date/ship, then you will see the true cost of changing. If it were me and I saw a different sailing/ship, this is how I would rationalize it. As a side note, downgrading may allow you to pick a room at the same price. Staying in the same room for a back to back 3 and 4 night cruise is nice, and the GTY balcony almost certainly will not be the same room.

This is what I was afraid of. We are going on Harmony in April, so hopefully it will be back by then... Thanks for the confirmations.

Does anyone know if the escape room on Harmony of the Seas is currently operating?

The more I see on this Sky Jr Suite, the less I like about it. I had booked it on Utopia when it was available. I did question the location (deck 6 adjacent to Schooner Bar-port side and Photo/excursion desk-starboard side). Sill I liked the idea of it at first. As time went on though, It seemed to me that it was just a very expensive Jr suite, so I just rolled it back to a standard Jr suite. Now it seems that most other ships calling it Sky Jr are not actually giving any sky perks is definitely a head scratcher. That almost feels like false advertising.

Be wary of the Sky Junior suite on Harmony from suite perk perspective. If you look at the details it claims Sky Class Exclusives but only lists Sea Class perks. Not sure if that is mistake or not. Sky Junior Suite An incredible intimate suite with a great view, plus added suite benefits. Size Stateroom: 287 sq. ft. Balcony: 80 sq. ft Beds Two twin beds that convert to a Royal King bed One double sofa bed in staterooms with up to 4 and 5 guests One Pullman bed in staterooms with up to 5 guests Occupancy Up to 5 guests Sky Class Exclusives Dinner at Coastal Kitchen, based on availability* Royal Caribbean Classic Bathrobes for Use Onboard Luxury Pillow Top Mattress Luxury Bathroom Amenities *Reservations are required. Beverages are not included.

I was just looking at Harmony and Oasis for Nov 2025. The Royal booking system lists Jr Suites and Sky Jr Suites. As previously observed, Royal introduced this Sky Jr suite for Utopia sailings as basically Jr Suite with Sky Class amenities. The assumption was this suite class was going to be rolled out fleetwide at some point and Harmony and Oasis sailings are now offering it. The problem I see though is the Sky Jr suite amenities listed under these Harmony and Oasis sailings are just the typical Jr suite Sea class list and not true Sky class. I hope that is a mistake.

You are probably right to worry about the cancel and rebook option. I have been burned doing that very thing. I know it says 'Don't pick up the phone..." but that is probably best thing to do. Calling the Royal Customer service numbers and trying to get it manually adjusted is probably your only option. The onboard price is not likely to be cheaper than cruise planner pricing, so I would not count on any onboard refund (as onboard credit).

I bet if you had said 'nevermind, I am not going to buy my arm full of t-shirts, magnets, and key chains'... they would have given the bag. Frankly, as consumers, this probably what we all need to do.

I've had two recently including one for my Wonder of Seas cruise last month. Costco tells you it will be given onboard, but on both occasions, Costco dining credits were just added as regular onboard credit for use in cruise planner and usable for whatever you want.

Couple other things to consider. The NorthStar on Quantum is currently out of service and has been for quite a while. The website even mentions it, so if that was something you were interested in, keep that in mind. I am guessing it will require the routine drydock maintenance to repair. Also, both Quantum and Anthem are large ships. When we were on Quantum in August, we were not able to get to Dawes Glacier due to ice floats. For that matter, in July 2021, we were on Serenade and it was turned back as well for same reason. The point being is that while Royal lists that as a destination, it is very hit or miss if you will actually get to see it. Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau may be your only option on either cruise to see a glacier. If the destination is more desirable than the ships, I would also echo the recommendation for Radiance of the Seas. In May 2022, we did a northbound from Vancouver to Seward, spent 2 two nights in Seward (fjord cruise and halibut fishing) and then took the scenic train to Anchorage (flew home from there). That itinerary will hit 3 of the rotational ports and Hubbard Glacier (which I believe is a more dependable stop). It was without a doubt, my favorite Alaska experience.

If you really wanted to go to the Cape, perhaps taking the ferry from Boston to Provincetown is an option. Provincetown is a unique experience, that is for sure.......

We sailed Alaska on Quantum in August 2023 and have been on Anthem many, many times. The ships are pretty comparable. "We Will Rock You" is a pretty good show, especially if you are a Queen fan. Sonic Odyssey on Quantum is a pretty good show also featuring an Earth Harp which is quite unique. "Spectra's Cabaret" is probably a better show than "Star Water", but I wouldn't personally choose a ship based on either show. Same goes for "The Gift" vs "Sequins and Feathers". Looking at the Summer 2025 itineraries for both ships, the ports may be where you want to base your decisions. There are two common ports (Juneau and Victoria, BC) and there are four rotational ports: Sitka, Ketchikan, Skagway, and Icy Strait (in my order of preference). It appears Quantum is the only ship that will be going to Ketchikan and/or Icy Strait. Furthermore, I'd recommend picking one of the sailings that visits two of those optional ones, so I personally would avoid the Anthem sailings that only go to Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, BC. One side note, while you did not mention which week you were looking at, if you have a chance to witness one of the salmon runs, that is pretty cool thing to see. We saw the Coho (Silver) Salmon run in late August and Sitka was a great port to see it.

Another place to look is on the Royal App, main dining room link where it states "Guests are asked to dress in smart casual attire for dinner seatings". That seems the recommendation for the specialty dining as well, except Chef's table listed as 'formal'. That said, @ChessE4 is correct. Don't worry and wear what you like.