pepperandchips

This made me laugh
And this made me laugh harder
That looks... unsanitary... ?
 
I am loving all your photos... They are hazardous though, might have checked a few navigator sailings for prices throughout the day. Thank you for sharing!

Thank you so much ???? The struggle a real lol 

I know many people have said the ship’s blow dryer is fine but if you care enough about your routine to have a particular diffuser I’d bring your own dryer if you can possibly squeeze it in. The dryer in our stateroom was... ahhh... rinky dink? That’s the most polite way I can describe it. And don’t get me started on the unspeakable pump of 2-in-1 shampoo/conditioner mounted on the wall! Egads! 

Thanks @pepperandchips !  I went ahead and booked The Key.  I was going to get the VOOM package, then I seen that I have 2 tender ports as well,so I thought it was worth the extra few dollars to skip a few lines too.

We are back and had an amazing cruise! Brilliance was just delightful. That said, we were not able to use ultimate dining on embarkation day for lunch. Chops looked full and the manager who assisted us with all reservations and checked in on us all cruise long told us he could not seat us without the Key. I was bummed until the kummelweck hit my tastebuds and then I wasn’t too upset ?

I am speculating, which I’m not sure is really helpful, but I think he *could* have seated us had the situation merited it. I bet a gold sea pass would have gotten us seated even without a reservation. I also didn’t offer to pay out of pocket for it, but later thought I should have asked just for research purposes. Chops lunch on embarkation day was definitely available in my cruise planner for purchase so logic follows you’d be fine with a concierge reservation! We never did make it to chops for lunch so I guess we’ll need to book another cruise so that I can try that burger...

Not weird at all, I’m a koozie person and a yeti person and brought both on my cruise last week and neither left my stateroom. FWIW I drank Dos Equis which was served in plastic cups poured from glass bottles so I could enjoy in the solarium pool. Somehow they never got warm on me ?

Oh, Jane... so sorry! I remember not so fondly going on a cruise with my family when i was about your daughter’s age when there were not yet such things as smart phones but I coveted just 5 minutes in the Internet cafe to email my boyfriend (ew). I remember getting into a shouting match that was interrupted by an early version of “Fun ship Freddy” (worst idea ever). It’s hilarious now but it was SO dramatic then. And I had mononucleosis at the time - who let me onto that ship?!
So yes, get dd her own Voom for your own sanity next time! Now, off to read your updates! ?
 

Oh, Jane... so sorry! I remember not so fondly going on a cruise with my family when i was about your daughter’s age when there were not yet such things as smart phones but I coveted just 5 minutes in the Internet cafe to email my boyfriend (ew). I remember getting into a shouting match that was interrupted by an early version of “Fun ship Freddy” (worst idea ever). It’s hilarious now but it was SO dramatic then. And I had mononucleosis at the time - who let me onto that ship?!
So yes, get dd her own Voom for your own sanity next time! Now, off to read your updates! ?
 

Make sure you check around. I know that there is a travel agent sponsor of this blog but there are lots of offers out there - and if you book through a wholesaler, just make sure you trust their customer service team. (For example, what if you notice a price drop? Will Expedia help you with repricing your cruise? I’ve never used them, so I’m not dogging them, I just don’t know).
 
I recently booked what I would consider a last minute deal through Costco and am getting a big cash card from them after I sail - to me that’s better than OBC as I will be poor when I get back and need groceries ?
 
To directly answer your question, I took the Royal confirmation number provided to me by Costco and linked it to my pre-existing Royal account profile. It was easy peasy and I’ve been able to view anything I need to take care of in cruise planner. But I do know if I needed to change cabins or make modifications to my reservation I’d be at the mercy of costco’s phone agents. 

I looked it up and it was basically a party group. It was called the Dream Weekend Cruise - I went to their webpage on my work computer and now wish I had not. There was a lot of skin showing in the photos from their events. Curious parties have been warned!

Have a great cruise pepperandchips!

Travel agent OBC is normally available on day 2 of the cruise once onboard, this kind of OBC is not normally in the cruise planner prior to sailing.  Was that part of your question?

Speednoodles, this lunch is for you......

I looked it up and it was basically a party group. It was called the Dream Weekend Cruise - I went to their webpage on my work computer and now wish I had not. There was a lot of skin showing in the photos from their events. Curious parties have been warned!

Just in time for the RoyalCaribbeanBlog Group cruise on Mariner, I've fixed the missing photos from this topic.

Thanks for the good information all! The list of items to take just grew....

Bring your own. That’s all ?

You are going to have a great time! 
 
I bought a bunch of crap for my cruise on Freedom in 2015 that I never ended up using. So of course, I totally learned my lesson and bought $100 worth of more crap for my cruise next month! ? I think the essentials are what you’d take on any beach vacation plus some motion sickness medication and anything you can’t live without at home - for me, that’s a small fan since I have to have the white noise to sleep. This time I also sprung for the plastic luggage tag holders, a multi USB charging hub (no surge protection - search Anker on amazon), and antibacterial wipes that my husband will actually use. He detests alcohol based “goo” that is all around the ship. I also pack clips no matter where I’m going - they’re great for holding your drapes closed for a sleep in morning, holding your towel onto your chair during a windy sea day, and keeping chip bags closed on land vacations ?
 
As for me, I’m not packing water shoes this time. I’ll bring my Chaco sandals to wear to the beach - in a pinch, they can stay on in unexpectedly rocky waters, but I didn’t need water shoes and regretted bringing them last time. We swear by our Deuter city light backpack - it’s great for everything from hiking to theme parks, cruising and more. Towels and water bottles fit great in a small backback.   As a “must have” this time, I’m bringing the ultimate dining package. I very much doubt that @WAAAYTOOO is an “old, fat woman” but if I have learned anything from her expertise it’s that cruising is for enjoyment and happiness - for me that means eating great food, so I’ll spend all my dinners in specialty restaurants. Your mileage might vary! 

You are going to have a great time! 
 
I bought a bunch of crap for my cruise on Freedom in 2015 that I never ended up using. So of course, I totally learned my lesson and bought $100 worth of more crap for my cruise next month! ? I think the essentials are what you’d take on any beach vacation plus some motion sickness medication and anything you can’t live without at home - for me, that’s a small fan since I have to have the white noise to sleep. This time I also sprung for the plastic luggage tag holders, a multi USB charging hub (no surge protection - search Anker on amazon), and antibacterial wipes that my husband will actually use. He detests alcohol based “goo” that is all around the ship. I also pack clips no matter where I’m going - they’re great for holding your drapes closed for a sleep in morning, holding your towel onto your chair during a windy sea day, and keeping chip bags closed on land vacations ?
 
As for me, I’m not packing water shoes this time. I’ll bring my Chaco sandals to wear to the beach - in a pinch, they can stay on in unexpectedly rocky waters, but I didn’t need water shoes and regretted bringing them last time. We swear by our Deuter city light backpack - it’s great for everything from hiking to theme parks, cruising and more. Towels and water bottles fit great in a small backback.   As a “must have” this time, I’m bringing the ultimate dining package. I very much doubt that @WAAAYTOOO is an “old, fat woman” but if I have learned anything from her expertise it’s that cruising is for enjoyment and happiness - for me that means eating great food, so I’ll spend all my dinners in specialty restaurants. Your mileage might vary! 

Welcome aboard !
The only REAL mistake you can make is to not have the proper travel documents (I recommend always having a current passport).  That is really the only thing that could keep you from boarding the ship.  The rest of the details are far less important than you think they will be.  Trust me, I've made plenty of packing omissions and somehow I have managed to have a great cruise every single time !  Probably the worst packing mistake is not having comfortable shoes.  It's easy for me to say as I'm an old, fat woman BUT trying to be too cutesy can really cause great anxiety.  FORGET about what looks good and bring what FEELS good.  You will never see any of those people on the ship again...dress comfortably ! - especially the shoes !
You'll be fine !!!  Enjoy your first cruise.  You only get one <first>.

Looks like Baked Alaska!

We put luggage tags on our carry-ones b/c half the time Dan has no idea what our cabin number is !

Giving this cruise blog a bump since I just finished fixing the photos and I know people are eagerly looking forward to another Alaska cruise season.

After dinner we rushed to the Fine Line since it has been cancelled so many times already this sailing. This is my favourite show to date. I was so excited to finally watch this with my girls! Last time they weren’t with us and I streamed it to them. The Fine Line did not disappoint. In the words of D10, she said it was Epic! ?
And I am so happy that this guy was not on vacation for this sailing!

After the Fine Line, onwards to Columbus. The kids loved this one as well. This is also my favourite RC original production, although that might change with Flight this summer.

Now...