Peter D

I think it all depends on when they fully clear the ship from the previous sailing. I suspect you have the earliest advertised check in time, but that's not to say your 11am time could not start early, if the ship is ready to start.

Keep in mind that if you book two balcony rooms, you can frequently connect them by opening the balcony dividers. That way you do not have to worry about the connecting rooms with internal doors.

I think if you end up doing the no show option, you will also get solo points for crown and anchor.

The Voom help desk is generally a 'pop up' desk. I would expect to find it on deck 5 near guest services or deck 6 near shore excursions. Hope that helps.

For four people, it is definitely cheaper to get one plan with 4 devices rather than 4 one device plans. If you can share time, you can get lesser device plans and also save money.

Until recently, it had been $92.99, but these days, I predict this is as good as it will get for a long time.

Part of my assessment on dining preferences has been show times as well. Early seating allows more flexibility to see shows as, in general, the first show starts between 7-8pm and second is generally 9-930 pm. Late seating generally limits you to only one feasible show time.

you have to be careful of the advertising. They frequently tell you a price saying its 2nd 50% off, but the price it shows already figures that for 2 people. For example, the $133.50 price above might be advertised as $67pp. So if the cruise planner is showing you $76pp and also claiming 2nd 50% off, then it's assuming the 1st price is $101 and second is $51 for the $76 average. If it truly is going to be $89 for 1st and 50%off 2nd on the ship, then it would be worth it on the ship. Even if you get on the ship and its $101 for 1st and 50% second, you are no worse off than your current pricing. The assumption is you are not diamond or above for C&A, because if you are, those perks should be part of your calculations as well.

Probably not. As mentioned on my other posts, the tvs on most ships have their HDMI ports disabled and it is not easy to enable them. Some of the newer ships (Odyssey for sure) have Smart TVs which allow for Chromecast connections, and perhaps Independence will also have that functionality.

I think you have answered your own question. If you can go without service for the first 6 days, you will definitely be saving alot of money. As for the onboard price, I have found that the presumed onboard price that the cruise planner shows is pretty accurate. The onboard pricing for US based trips is $25-27, so 20 € per day seems consistent. Also, if you have a diamond status or above, there should be additional discount for that which you can apply whenever you purchase it onboard (which you cannot when pre-purchasing through the cruise planner).

The only beaches I've been to in St Maarten are Orient Beach (French side) and Great Bay Beach (Dutch side). I prefer Orient Beach, because I enjoy swimming there due to the robust surf and waves. There are plenty of bars and facilities there, but it should be noted that on far end of Orient Beach is Club Orient which is clothing optional, so with the teens, you might want to keep that in mind. Great Bay Beach is easier to get to get to from the cruise pier via water taxis. There is plenty to do in Phillipsburg as well. I cannot comment on the other beaches you have mentioned.

No you do not, however Royal Caribbean will not allow you to change all names on a reservation. At least one needs to remain.

The two set time for MDR are Main seating (typically 5:15 pm) and late seating (typically 8pm). You should be able to contact your travel agent and change your dining time before your cruise (as long as it's not within the next couple weeks). The travel agent should also be able to change it to My Time Dining, which allows any time and different times from day to day. Once you get on the ship, you would go to main dining room to speak with staff at front desk. They can help set times for your dining as well. I believe it's best to have a reservation for My time dining, but I think you can walk up and wait, but I have never done that. Breakfast and lunch in MDR is walk up and get seated system. I would also contact your TA for the specialty dining question, although it might be already on your account when you get on ship. It's better to double check before you go.

I was thinking the same thing. I doubt Royal's system is capable of blocking usage prior to 31Dec2022 for a 2023 cruise. I am sure they can prevent their usage on 01Jan2023. Totally agree. Royal should be allowing these to remain valid until a period of time after return to full operation, no restrictions. Maybe it will happen.

It might be tough to find any insurance 3 days prior to sail. Good luck. Please let us know how you make out.

Be ready to board Review our health and safety protocols. Questions? Visit our health center When I went to 'View boarding pass/ edit check in. This 'be ready to board' window popped up with vaccination, precruise testing etc. and at the bottom it states 'visit our health center".... For our Radiance cruise, it clearly states that ArriveCan is required. For those leaving from Seattle, is it also there? I agree that I would rather not give any information to Canada.

If Royal Caribbean allows you to get on the ship without it, then I would expect you do not need it if you are not leaving the ship in Canada.

I believe it is, but you have to wait and book it on the ship.

Sounds like you need to do a 3-day cruise to nowhere before August. You could always ask the Diamond Concierge or the Loyalty Ambassador while onboard. You never know.

With these cancellation emails going out, it's strange that on the Radiance cruise planner, they are still offering the cross-border train excursions. we are doing the short 2hr 45min scenic view excursion, so hopefully it will happen.

This is strange, because when it is named on the next cruise confirmation, Costco just need to 'pull' the reservation into their system. The only reason I've had to call is to trigger that so I can see the itinerary on my account. I don't think there is any time limit to do so. That said, I usually call within day or two of returning so I can check the itinerary in their system. Anyhow I am glad you've resolved this, because calling them is a pain.

It doesn't get much cheaper than public transportation. For $2 per person (one-way), you can take the capital transit bus. Route 3, Mendenhall Loop counterclockwise and Route 4, Mendenhall Loop clockwise. These buses are very much commuter buses, but they were clean and comfortable enough. You definitely see the resident lifestyle while on them as they go about their routes. Each bus runs every hour on the hour or half hour, so you can expect one every 30 minutes. The closest the buses get to the Mendenhall visitor center is the top of Glacial Spur Rd which is about 1.5 miles away. It is a relatively easy, flat walk to the center with some added scenery. If I recall correctly, the righthand side of the road has the sidewalk that goes the whole way. Anyhow, we did this last July and it worked out fine as long as you don't mind the walk.

I have done the drive from Miami to Key West and it was very nice place to visit. The only issue with that location is it does not lend itself to easily seeing other places in FL. I second the Everglades National Park suggestion. The NFL schedule should be out within the next few weeks.

I don't think there are perks for ocean view cabins. Platinum will get discount on balcony and suite cabins. crown-and-anchor-society-benefit-grid.pdf (royalcaribbean.com)

Also saw that Beatles band on Anthem back in November. We saw No Quarter on Christmas Eve on Odyssey. It was a great show that also featured Miles Schon who is lead guitar of DSB, Journey cover band that also played on that sailing). I love seeing the bands in the Music Hall of the Quantum ships.