AandD

We just returned from a cruise out of Galveston cruise port. Most organized embarkation/debarkation process we have experienced. Very organized. Transfer using Royal to Hobby was about $ 35 each. 

I finally used the $11.01 of the $100 dollars Royal said they would give me on 2 Easy Roatan Monkey, Sloth and Iguana Interactions in Roatan.  Now I will let it go.

I finally used the $11.01 of the $100 dollars Royal said they would give me on 2 Easy Roatan Monkey, Sloth and Iguana Interactions in Roatan.  Now I will let it go.

I finally used the $11.01 of the $100 dollars Royal said they would give me on 2 Easy Roatan Monkey, Sloth and Iguana Interactions in Roatan.  Now I will let it go.

I finally used the $11.01 of the $100 dollars Royal said they would give me on 2 Easy Roatan Monkey, Sloth and Iguana Interactions in Roatan.  Now I will let it go.

Not until I get to use the $11.01 of the $100 dollars Royal said they would give me for buying 2 of the Premier Pass.

My wife and I boarded Mariner Friday for our very first cruise and it has been wonderful so far. I followed all of Matt and fellow bloggers advice so far. Got the earliest checkin time. We flew in two days early. We took a Lyft to the port and arrived 40 mins prior to our embarkation time. There was a short line but not bad. Sailed through security to some chairs we sat in until time to board
 
We entered the ship right at our muster station so that was super quick!  Went to the stand by the orange dune buggy and made all of our dinner reservations. Got 6p for dinner at specialty restaurants every night!!  
 
only negative is our shore excursion tomorrow got canceled. Not a huge deal though. 
 
This is awesome!!  My wife and I are thinking this is the life. 
 
Thank you all for your advice!!!  Thanks Matt especially for all of your time and efforts. It really helped us out!

Not until I get to use the $11.01 of the $100 dollars Royal said they would give me for buying 2 of the Premier Pass.

I never thought of that teddy. I always like looking at the doors as we come and go, but to go out of our way on other decks. Nice. I can't even draw a stick figure so whatever people do I can appreciate. 
 

I never thought of that teddy. I always like looking at the doors as we come and go, but to go out of our way on other decks. Nice. I can't even draw a stick figure so whatever people do I can appreciate. 
 

Not until I get to use the $11.01 of the $100 dollars Royal said they would give me for buying 2 of the Premier Pass.

ALL reasons why I am so grateful for my travel agent!!

Not until I get to use the $11.01 of the $100 dollars Royal said they would give me for buying 2 of the Premier Pass.

premier pass... the gift that keeps on giving 🙃

I will be on this cruise with my wife. Not celebrating anything, just getting away.

I will be on this cruise with my wife. Not celebrating anything, just getting away.

We have had Priest onboard that did a Mass about half of our 20 cruises. Only once was it announced in the Compass. Sometimes they had a bulletin board announcement.  Sometimes it was word of mouth. Always low key. But from 10 to 150 showed up. I don't know if "Royal Does not foster having Priests", but we made a point to thank Royal for giving us a little space for an hour or so on Sunday mornings. 

… or when you have three on the books and know that you can’t book more (damn fiscal responsibility!!! *shakes fists*) and you just do a bunch of mock bookings over and over to get your cruise fix. 😂
 

Getting rid of the bionic bar and Wonderland would be great improvements.

"Crew is VERY happy with cash tips. Had all kinds $1,$5,$10,$20."  I started carrying a bunch of $1, $5 and $10 for tips. Works great starting at embarkation all the way thru the cruise.  We dont tip quite as much to our attendant, but I give him or her a tip the first day, halfway through and at the end. We are not high maintenance, but I think we get a little better service tipping the attendant before the end of the cruise.

"Crew is VERY happy with cash tips. Had all kinds $1,$5,$10,$20."  I started carrying a bunch of $1, $5 and $10 for tips. Works great starting at embarkation all the way thru the cruise.  We dont tip quite as much to our attendant, but I give him or her a tip the first day, halfway through and at the end. We are not high maintenance, but I think we get a little better service tipping the attendant before the end of the cruise.

This is something which really depends what  is important to you. The JS will get you:
1. Dubble C&C points (so if you are missing 8 to 14 points for diamond  it's something to take I to consideration , 4 X 2 free drinks X 7 X 14 = 784 $).
2. Bigger Balcony most likely with recliners)
3. Bigger room.
4. Walking in closet.
5. Option to eat dinner in Costal kitchen. 
6. Bathtub.
So it's depends what is important to you. Are you going to use the balcony allot ? Is bathtub important ? The fact you have a huge closet were you can easily stor your luggage ? 
On the other hand some people will say that they will use the 1600 $ to take extra cruise or use it to UDP.

Here is my comprehensive video review of Wonder of the Seas in 2023. I review the drink package, unlimited dining package, WoW bands, ports of call, and much much more.  Enjoy.
If you don't want to watch it I can sum it up that we will continue to happily cruise with Royal Caribbean. 
 
 

What I do is sharpen the chopsticks to a point, then stab the sushi.  🙂

We just walked right on to the Northstar for a complementary session just after boarding in Hawaii a couple of weeks ago.