Chris Fish

I remember one cruise that the lobster night was not to good. It was a little disappointing but didn't ruin my overall vacation. I think the real issue was that it was the first week for a large percentage of the crew on that ship, or that is what we heard at a later time on the vacation.

This was before covid. Right now I really think that as cruisers we have to have a little more patience with staff. Look at what we deal with on land. Don't know of any business, including my own that doesn't have issues with staffing.

Thank you all for your feedback. I guess we will just have to see what the setup will be on Mariner this trip

Before covid, if we had MTD we could request to be seated with others at a larger table. It was a great way to meet other people. When on the Odyssey last fall we sat at a table for two and there was a number of table for two in a row, so we could talk to the table next to us but it still wasn't the same.

Is Royal allowing people to join with others at this point or do they still need to keep people separated? 

make sure you give the app permission for camera and photos. I kept having an issue and finally realized my mistake. 

Maybe the term pooling that you have heard is more in relation to the automatic daily gratuity that is split between a number of positions such as cabin steward, main dinning room servers etc.

I've always had the understanding that the extra tips given directly to the people that work on the ships stays with them. They have gone above and beyond and that is why we give them the extra tip.

Our first cruise was to Alaska on Radiance ots. I think an Alaskan cruise ,you tend to spend more time off the ships and on excursions so you may not have the time to take in all the extras on a bigger ship. I agree with Psycho and Barb about the glacier aspect and the smaller ships can go into tighter ports in general which may give you more or better options for ports of call. Have been on the big ships and do enjoy them but when we do another Alaskan cruise I will pick a small ship.

I can't offer any cruise discounts but I can offer my great appreciation for anyone who has served our country. 

It's such a relief to get past that required test. It's like the vacation has started once you get that wanted negative result. Enjoy your cruise. Only 22 days till mine

2 hours ago, need2cruz said:

I just used an MEI agent for the first time.  She was able to get me rooms that I didn’t have access to when I was trying to book it myself.  She was also able to get the cruise for $1000 less.  I’m sold on using an agent from now on.

Totally agree, used [email protected] after a break from using a cruise / travel agent. So far she has been awesome. Handled most of it over email but I wanted to quickly talk to her in person as we were starting a professional relationship and she quickly responded with that request. Looking forward to many years of working with her... and many cruises!

My wife packed an iron on our first or second cruise. We went down to the "area" and got scolded. I really think they need a little setup on the side, you know, some kind of jail setup that the husband's can take a picture of the wife being detained. Just a thought. RC camera people can camp out for the first day for the photo ops.

My wife shakes her head. I'm the male and pack more than she does. I have gotten better..... Many meetings, and group therapy., support groups..... but I'm getting there 

Dooounuuuuttss!

As I have stated before, If Royal wants more people to use the app, they really need to improve and update or at least have the the appropriate current information on the app. I have an upcoming 5 day cruise and they do have the entire menu and dinning room information for all days but other schedules for the pool or Flowrider are not complete. They only list 4 days. Very odd.

So on our second cruise we didn't set our luggage out the night before the last day. This meant we had to be in the first group that leaves the ship and walk off with luggage in hand. Well we found that it was so much easier than waiting in the different areas and then going through the mess of locating your luggage in the big disembarkation area.

My question is now people wait in their cabin until the appropriate time. Is it possible to walk off with your luggage at a later time? Or am I just asking for trouble. We have a late flight out of Orlando so we have a long day at the airport. Not sure if I want to try and do something during the day with having to drag luggage around.

Set the alarm for just after midnight to get an early check in time. I did that on the app. The good thing is you can finish the rest of the check in at a later time. 

I do enjoy his youtube videos

Not as much as Matt's though 

I ordered the emed test last fall but had a difficult time just downloading the app. I tried a number of times and it kept kicking me out. I tried one final time and finally got the app downloaded. I read online that many people that used android had issues with the download. I got so nervous that I was worried it would not work and I would be stuck without getting the test. My wifes phone was to old to handle the app. For some reason I thought that it was not ideal to try and run it through a computer.

We are fortunate that we have a Clear Choice MD close by and they handle things quickly. Little concerned with so many places not having the demand for test that it will become more difficult to get a test. We have a cruise coming in April so is becoming a concern. May have to give the emed test another try.

Our trip to Hawaii is when I purchased my first snorkel gear. It was cheap and did the trick on that vacation. That Christmas my wife surprised me with a Cressi snorkel set. Like stated above, well worth the investment. Set works awesome and I bring it with me on almost every vacation.

Welcome to the board.

Lots of great advice that has already been given and I agree with all of it.

I learned a lot by watching many, many and many of Matt's awesome youtube videos.

While the advice hear is great, I find the visual aspect of the videos shows certain things that help you get quickly adjusted once you are on the ship. So you are not wasting to much time just figuring things out.

And like someone already said, just take the time to enjoy your cruising vacation

When we went last fall I didn't see much but I think I was in the wrong area. But then I saw a sting ray between the beach and the floating cabanas which was cool. I think I need to check out the area by the rocks to the left of the jet ski area. I was mostly to the right of the jet skis.

Perfect Day is the newer, shinier place. Biggest difference for me is the food is way better at PDCC. I have always enjoyed Labadee as a great relaxing day on the beach. We usually go to Nellies Beach and I go snorkeling on my own over by the cabanas. It's not Hawaii snorkeling but there are colorful fish and it gives me something to do other than sitting on the beach all day. The Labadozee drink of the day was tasty. The food really needs an improvement on the island. Worth getting off and make the best of it. I'm on the Mariner the following cruise after yours.

What is done on a group cruise?

If Royal wants people to use the app I wish they would put more effort into the app being more up to date and work better. Going on a 5 night cruise in about a month and you look on the app and it only list the first 4 days of times for Flowrider, pool, and other activities. I've had issues on past cruises with the app being accurate.

I would totally agree. Matt, awesome job! You do a great job of all your ship tours. They are informative and professional. Your information over the years have made all of my vacations so much more enjoyable. I tend to do research before my vacations because once I'm there I want to know the layout and not waste time trying to figure things out. All of your tips have been great. Keep up all the great work.

I have to agree with Jill. I originally said not worth it but a 14 day cruise kinda changes the game. We had to change a cruise at the last minute and Royal gave us a ultra spacious ocean view with large balcony for the price of a regular balcony. The room slept 6 and it was just my wife and I. It was right under the Aqua suites so I think it was basically the same size. We did feel like "royalty" (no pun intended)