Moby Dick

I'm just Okay with a few pair of shorts and a few T-Shirts. But, my next cruise is to Alaska and I may have to pack a rain-suit (frogg-toggs), jeans and a jacket, too. BTW, most of my bulk is electronics, camera(s), Bluetooth speakers, drone, bipods, tripods.

I, for one, will request, if not done automatically, the paper Compass be put in my cabin every night. As stated in other threads, I don't like carrying around the imaginary tether to my phone while I'm on a cruise, especially sea days, most cruises I put it in the safe and don't see it again until disembarkation day, some exceptions apply. I like having the paper Compass folded and in my back pocket for quick reference. Sometimes, I may cut it up a bit so that I only take along the important thing to me. Such as operating hours of venues and entertainment locations and start times.

Counting happy drunks would be a good indicator.

I suggest you consider a VPN if you use "free WIFI". Speaking of VPN, does Royal's WIFI restrict the use of VPNs on their network? Does anybody know? My next cruise will be the first time I cruise with a VPN on my phone.

Knowing your past on here and your live BLOG, I didn't think you were. I left Facebook for many reasons long ago and I'll not initiate a discussion about that here, so I don't see your live VLOG anymore. But, my wife does and she keeps me up to date. If I see her no your live VLOG, I may slip in a question, every now and then. Your Info videos are among the best.

I completely agree, especially the last sentence.

Apparently I touched a nerve with at least a couple of you on this thread. First, I know I am very new to this message board. But, if you can and desire to look, I am a very loyal to Royal person and my post wasn't a complaint/false accusation/what ever. I also said, my very last words, "I hope it isn't true". Having said all that, was/is anything I say/said/reported untrue. Yes, there are far too many VLOGers out there that just like to cause trouble and would complain if you gave them a $1,000.00 but it was with old bills. But, that doesn't mean that everything out of their mouths is untrue. If you do a search on Youtube, you can find "several", not sure how everybody else defines "several". if you'd like I can change the word to "some", whatever. If you search one way, you find a verity, if you search another way, you find a different verity. I watch so many cruising VLOGS on Youtube, but I believe I even watched one that had a cast/crew member say that several/some of the props for the "Ice Show" hadn't showed up yet, even though the show went on without them, modified or not, I don't know. That's not saying the Ice Show was bad or even noticeable that props were missing. Just a reported fact. I don't think it is a bad thing for people trying to do their own due diligence and research all aspects of what they are paying big $$$ for. Make sure they are getting everything as advertised and so on. I personally would not avoid Wonder of the Seas based upon the VLOGS I've seen. In fact, I'm looking forward to cruising oh her when she comes back from the European season. I love Oasis class ships. So far, Symphony is my favorite. I fully understand that new things don't always go off without a hitch. I've opened several (that's 3) new parking garages at the Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport and the Detroit airport and none of them went off perfectly. The defects/unavailable services weren't, mostly, something that was in our control, it just happened. That doesn't mean we didn't receive critical critiques from our loyal customers or contract administrator (Broward County). Well, never mind. I don't want to sound like I'm getting defensive or offensive, too badly. I just want it known that I AM loyal to Royal but I'm not afraid to ask questions or even critique aspects of anything, good or bad.

Meeeeeee toooooo!

I wasn't going to get into this anymore. But, this is tooooooo rich to pass up. No, I'm not the one that SAID the perks pretty much the same between the key and the Junior suite. No, I responded to a person that hinted/suggested/asked. I said with a smiley face after it, "Purdy Much". MEANING it wasn't a serious answer but I suspected and I was right, you'd react negatively. Next, if you read my 2nd or 3rd response to you, I said I may have been wrong with the "cover charge" part. So, I am very much humble and CAN take being corrected. When I'm wrong, I have no problem admitting to it. Goodbye!

As it should be!

Are you booked on the Wonder? There are several VLOGS on Youtube that say that Wonder is not fully ready for prime time. The shows are still missing cast members and many rehearsals just can't happen because of the lack of cast. I think at least one said that they haven't received all the props, yet. I can't vouch for the information. I hope it isn't true.

Just saw this advertised the other day. I can't verify how good it is. Just might be worth looking into: https://mcotoportcanaveral.com/?fbclid=IwAR33C9kZDrL-Tty-HTwX6Nrmi6VhvfI86Z9IrtvEaXl2ys1voMA2uWP4IfM

And you are entitled to your own opinion. Mine just happens to be way different than yours. I don't look for "cross over" benefits, I look for overall value. I DON'T BELIEVE "THE KEY" OFFERS THE VALUE I DESIRE. Apparently, I'm not the only one! You do you, I'll do me! I'm going to stop with you. I feel you are just looking for an argument.

I haven't cruised since before COVID. However, isn't the Compass in some way, shape or form on the TV in your room. And the App, at least used to, have the daily list of activities. Not as complete as the Compass but enough to get you going in the right direction. Hope not all is lost because of COVID or other reasons. I'd really prefer to fold up the Compass and put it in my pocket for quick reference, I really don't like carrying my phone around, especially on sea days. I like to free myself from the imaginary tethering of a phone to my body when I cruise.

That's funny, none of the dinning rooms, Main Dinning Room 3, Main Dinning Room 4, My Time Dinning Room shows, in the App., shows hours of operation earlier than 5:30 PM (depending on the ship, of course. This is on the Ovation). I believe I remember being able to do Breakfast in at least one of the Dinning Rooms it was full service or buffet, which ever you want. I can't remember ever having lunch in a Main Dinning Room. On the Harmony, November this year, Johnny Rocket's doesn't show any Breakfast hours. I know I used to get Breakfast at Johnny Rocket's. Maybe, a lot of this stuff went away during COVID and hasn't come back yet. I hope it all comes back by May 13 when I get on the Ovation.

A Jr Suite is part of the Sea Class. It gets you the Coastal Kitchen. Well, read it here: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/what-are-the-benefits-of-royal-suite-class Is it exactly like the "KEY", probably not. But, it's "Purdy much" the same as far as the value of bennies are concerned. Plus, Royal Suites get double loyalty points. You enjoy your cruise, I'll enjoy mine. EDITED IN: BTW, the listings of the amenities don't show everything. For example, you can go to the dinning room, show your suite card and they will take you ahead of most everybody else to a table. Crew tend to bend over backwards, even more than usual, for suite guests. There are several Royal Suite Class benefits that aren't mentioned on the site.

Purdy much !

I currently have 49 points, on my next cruise (Ovation of the Seas, May 13, 2022, Alaska) I'll earn 24 points (double points for Suites and RCCL doubling that). So, while on that cruise I'll achieve Emerald Status. On my November cruise (Harmony, 8 day, Caribbean) I'll earn 7 points (not a suite on this cruise). That will put me into Diamond status. So, in two cruises, I've gone from Platinum to Diamond. Too bad I don't get the benefits of Diamond until my 3rd cruise which isn't booked, YET. I really don't care about Pinnacle, I'll never earn that as I'm 70 years old. But, I can sure try. I started cruising late in life (even though I'm retired from Port Everglades), thanks to my wife demanding that I start, glad I did, it's great (Thank you, Marian). But, for the first several years I was loyal to Carnival. They turned to crap and now I'm loyal to Royal. If I make it to Diamond +, I'll be very happy. But, I'm in very good shape, my wife is in very good shape and we'll give it a good go. Well, that's as long as we get inflation under control. No, I don't live in the Villages nor do I intend to. Those people are OLD!

You don't have to educate me on "special needs" children. My family has many "special needs" children. Many have been involved in the Make a Wish program (I'm sure you know what that means). My brother adopted almost 30 children from all over the world and each has their own "special needs", some severe and some not so severe. I fully understand the issues surrounding a family with "special needs child(ren). However, I know, for a fact, that whenever one or more of the kids start to have a melt down (or whatever you want to call it), they are taken from the otherwise tranquil setting where they don't interfere with the intended atmosphere. Taken away in a calm and relaxing way as to continue to "ignore" the obvious stressful situation, in a way as to not let the child know that the movement isn't as a result of their behavior. Family friendly doesn't mean that all norms of common decency or respect need be set aside. As far as how much I pay for a cruise, I don't know what that has to do with parenting. But, just so you know, about 90% of my cruises are Star Class. No, I'm not trying to be uppity. Just the facts. Also, I'm the proud parent of 2 successful daughters that as children did, on occasion, have meltdowns in public, such as restaurants and theaters. We would calmly remove them for the immediate area, out of respect for everyone else, and wait for the meltdown to end. BTW, I never said, "families of children with disabilities and special needs don't need to stay out out the public". All I'm saying is that parenting needs to be parenting, it's not a part-time job. When your (your, meaning all parents, not you individually) kids are going beyond the norm, do something about it, consider all others and the norms. Look, I don't want to turn this into a pi$$ing contest. I don't know you and you don't know me. I'm sure you are a great parent and you do what you feel you need to do for your child(ren). I'm only asking that people/parents respect the norms of society for the situation/venue they are in. It's not normal or respectful to be eating, in Chop's Grill for example, while a child (special needs or not) cries/screams almost endlessly and the parents just continue to eat and talk ignoring the child(ren). I don't think it is too much to ask for wife and I to sit down and enjoy a meal without a child sitting within 3 or 4 feet from us, screaming for an extended period of time. It's called common decency. I respect parents of "special needs" children. They, most of them, are very hard working, dedicated to their child(ren) and put up with a lot. BTW, I would bet that the vast majority of kids running around the buffet, tasting food and putting it back (without parents even close by), moving furniture around, playing tag, yelling and screaming in a restaurant/theater, running into people (including people with "special needs") aren't "special needs kids.

A very healthy non-smoker here. I don't think any of us should go outdoors or stay indoors, they're unhealthy and can kill/make you sick. I should never have spent more than 20 years in the Active U.S. Army and in law enforcement because it could have been hazardous to my health. I get ill when I smell un-fresh fish and very strong perfume. We need to ban un-fresh fish and very strong perfume. I'm allergic to crime, therefore, I don't go to high crime areas. Just say'in!

Yep, I trimmed a piece of thin cardboard the same size of a credit card and used that. In fact, I forgot that it was there, left it in the slot and the attendant(s) never removed it. Lights on when I entered the cabin. I can't remember which ship that was on, though!

Bar crawls and Slot Pulls are fun. Wish I could go and convince someone to organize a slot pull and bar crawl.

I've been wanting to go on a "group" cruise, have never done one. But, this one is right between our May 13th Ovations, Alaska cruise and our Nov 26th Harmony out of Ft. Lauderdale. Can't afford 3 cruises in one year, maybe in mid-late 2023 if you have one. But, we are looking to go on the Wonder in 2023 some time.

Sounds like fun. Hope you enjoy it.

Seats in the exclusive VIP seating section at shows in the Main Theatre, Aqua Theater, Studio B and Two70 (reservation is needed)". I would expect that if you buy the "KEY" RCCL would make it a special time (to show up w/o reservations made by the guest(s)) or locations in the those venues. Again, reservations are only as good as they are available. But, enough is enough. I just don't think it's a good program, for at least us and I think other's should make an informed decision. As stated, what is good for you may not be good for me. Choices are wonderful!