FSUFAN

I used the Shareholder portal (link below). I downloaded my account statement from my broker, sent the statement to print in PDF and only print the page that the RCL shares were listed. Blacked out my account number and highlighted the line that had the shares listed and my name. I did this on Monday (July 4) and got an e-mail late last night (July 5). You put in your sailing date and confirmation number, drag and drop the file to the upload area and you are done. It took less than 2 minutes to do the upload via the portal (again, link below) RCCL Shareholder portal I think that you might be able use a "snipping" tool the do a screen shot of your online statement if you just bought the shares and don't have a monthly statement. It is a standard tool/app on any windows PC/laptop. I assume that Apple will have something similar. Just saying that the portal was quick and easy.

When I was working (and wore a suit and tie every day), I would wear a suit and tie on formal nights. Now that I am retired, I will probably just wear a sports coat and collared shirt and nice slacks. Non formal nights I will wear Dockers and a golf polo. Next cruise is in late October to NE/Canada. It won't be shorts weather on any day.

WHAAAT. I have not seen that Bar Harbor was removed. They still show it as a stop on the RCCL website. We went to Bar Harbor area (Winter Harbor) last fall and did the Acadia visit and more, so not real bummed about not stopping there is what you are saying is true (not that I don't believe you). Just took this screenshot from the RCCL website.

Mrs Fan and I are staying at the Westin Boston Seaport for our Oct 23 sailing on Voyager OTS. Booked with Bonvoy Points.

We were on an extended family Christmas trip a few years back and I bought two sixpacks of Red Stripe at a Caribbean port. It was cheap enough that I reasoned if they took it, it would be no big deal. The crew just sent it though the scanner and I took it to my room. So, that amount got thru, not sure they would have let me bring on much more.

Wherever you decide to stay, just Google "liquor stores near me" and you will get lots of places. There are plenty near the Pike's Market area. Last cruise we went on out of Seattle, we were able to grab bottles of wine the day before boarding. We did an Amtrack Sleeper train loop from Chicago to Seattle to San Fran and back about 2 months before Covid hit. I found a nearby liquor store via Google (Amtrack had us staying at the Warwick - nice place) and bought wine for Mrs Fan and a bottle of bourbon for myself (the train is very liberal on what you can bring on).

What's the old saying "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should". LOL Oh well, I guess - "Go BIG or go home" on a cruise should be "Go Big and go home big".

With The Key, don't they take your carry-on bag to your room while you have lunch? Anyway, problem solved, she has decided to have the massage on day 2, late afternoon while we are in Bar Harbor. We were just there last October (actually across the bay in Winter Harbor) staying at an Airbnb so we won't go to Acadia. We'll head into town for the morning and then get back on the ship that afternoon so she can go to her appointment.

I'm new to RCCL, but this is like a game of "Three Card Monty" with the sales. Nothing is straight about it. 30% off for 2 guests. 50% off for 1 - but you have to buy 2. "UP to 40% off" - (if you are willing to do the event at 7:00 am). Just tell me, this thing costs $200 and it is now on sale for $150 - Done, simple. Don't hide the gratuity and add it in after the fact. Give us the actual, total cost.

Lunch is kind of secondary to the appointment, but she will want to eat once aboard. She will want to go and change. I know each sailing is different, I'm just wondering if the room will be available (around 2:00ish) so she can change into something more casual to go to the spa? As I have stated in other posts, we are sailing veterans, but RCCL newbies. This will be the first cruise of two with Royal that we have planned in the next year. I just don't know what to expect on embarkation day.

I want to get Mrs Fan a massage on day 1 to get her relaxed for our October sailing to NE/Canada. They have openings on boarding day, but the only one that will fit our schedule with dinner and such is at 2:15 pm. Everything else is offered from 5:00 pm on (we are in an early seating for MDR) I bought The Key and figured we'd be on-board by noon at the latest. Then lunch. Is scheduling a 2:15 massage too early - will she make it? Will she be able to go to the room and change for the message before the 2:15 appointment?

We are staying at the Weston Boston Seaport - but I used Bonvoy Points for the stay. I would have liked to stay at a hotel that had free breakfast but could not justify the cost over a somewhat free ($22) points stay.

Our first ship sailing together (in different cabins) was the TS Flavia out of Miami. It was a Senior class trip and Mrs Fan and I were in HS together. That was way back in 1976. I think the trip cost us $150/pp. We were booked 4 to a room. Had a ball. We had all graduated already, so it was NOT chaperoned.

We fly to Europe every few years as "stand-by" passengers. I have a relative that was a FA for American. We get passes, but you are the last to board and you get bumped frequently. So, no checked bags. We use the roll up air/storage bags to minimize space. Pack it tight and a backpack for extras. We've done several weeks like that. You learn to sink wash some stuff early in the day so it can air dry before the next morning. For Guys - If you can pack a thin set of khaki pants and a collard polo shirt, wear a sport coat on the plane, then you have formal night covered. Also, for guys - wear a t-shirt under your shirt. It keeps your outer shirt from getting sweat on it and then you can use the outer shirt several times between washes and the t-shirt is thinner material and dries quicker if washed.

We were native Floridians until we retired and moved to TN. Remember that FL is a LONG state and a trip going north or south could be hours. Going east and west not too long. From Cape Canaveral to Key West will be a 6-8 hour trip depending on traffic in the area from West Palm to Miami (plus stops). Cape Canaveral to St. Petersburg/Clearwater area 2-3 hours. St. Augustine as some have mentioned. Do the "Red Train" or similar to see the sights in St. Aug. If you want beaches, pretty much any coastal town/city will have nice beaches and public use areas. East coast has tan/brown sand that is somewhat course, heavier surf. West coast has white sand that is fine grain and less surf. St Augustine with a Jacksonville swing to see the Jags is easy. Tickets to the Jags should be easy too. Dolphins and Bucs will be a harder ticket to get.

Also understand that carry-on bag size in the US (21-22 inches) is NOT the same in Europe. The carry-on size is smaller (20 inches). It sounds minor, but they will look over your bag before boarding and then hit you up for a baggage fee if it is a larger US sized carry-on. Google the "man in seat 61" website for how to get around Europe via train, ferry and even plane.

Not sure I would care for buffet in the MDR. My daughter (mother of 3 little girls) told me "Dad, when I go on vacation, I want to be served. I spend every day serving others at home" so she goes to the MDR to have someone wait on the table and bring her food. Makes sense to me, so the last few cruises we've been on, we go to sit down breakfast in the MDR. Anyway, this RCL newbie and will be sailing for the first time with them in October. I will want to sit down, order a Bloody Mary, eggs benedict and ask for some cold smoked salmon on the side and maybe some extra bacon too. Can't wait.

I like Buffalo Trace a lot, but I drink Dickel 12 on a regular basis. On the ship it will be BT.

The stacking is all wrong in this picture. Per my English friends, you start at the bottom tier with savory (finger sandwiches and the like), then you move up to the middle tier for scones, then finally to the top tier for sweets. Not sure if you need your Pinky finger out or not.

We are sailing from Boston R/T to Maine and Canada in late October (Oct 23-30). I am looking at the Daily Planner in the Royal app and there is NO lobster night in the MDR! Can this be correct? We are sailing in the "Land of Lobsters" and the closest thing we get to Lobster is a Seafood and Lobster Bisque soup served as a starter on night 6. Please tell me this is a mistake and the nightly menus in the App are wrong!

What port did you fish out of?

I think personally, any inside passage cruise for a first timer. The trip is easy, the ports are nice and you get to see plenty of wildlife and even glaciers. As I stated in an earlier post, we are going on the Quantum June 2023 with our grown kids and their spouses. Mrs Fan and I have been on an inside passage before and if it wasn't for my kids, I would have opted for something different and longer. But again, they have never been before and they are still working and need to get back to work in a week. My only request was that we stopped in Skagway for the White Pass/Yukon train. Only 1 of the Quantum's June sailings ported in Skagway. Excursions - Whale watching, visit to a glacier, White Pass/Yukon rail trip, Float Plane trip, all are great and can be done on an inside passage from Seattle.

I was an IT project manager before I retired and with me, I plan everything. Even if you decide to wander, I would at least make a list of sights that I wanted to see. For sure in Rome. Make the list, then go to google maps and map out a walking route or public transportation route, etc. The Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, The Vatican, the Pantheon and much, much, more. There are Piazzas, churches and museums galore. Walk a block or two away from the main streets and hit some window service cafe type place. Best Pizza I ever had. Same with Gelato. But do be aware of your surroundings and count your change. The first time I went to Rome, they were still using the Lira and it was crazy to keep up with the exchange. A subway ticket was like 3,000 lira (just a few bucks). I slid a 50,000 Lira note to the subway ticket guy. He pushed back something like 10,000 back thru the change window and paused, I waited, he pushed another 10,000 and paused again, I still waited and finally he pushed the balance to me. I wonder how many tourists, grabbed that first 10,000 and left. They are on the Euro now, so most of that exchange nonsense is over. How to use Google Maps walking directions

Yes on Ginger. You can get dried/candied ginger online (maybe at CVS or Walgreens - I've seen it at Costco) or even make your own. Also, Bonine as mentioned. Start it the day before you get on the ship.

IMHO - Look for information about Hop-on-Hop-off buses at each of the "minor" ports if available. At least there will be some sort of direction and explanation/history of the area and what you are looking at. Using Google, find a high rated, guided tour for Florence and Rome. There is just too much to see at those stops. You could spend a week in Rome and not get to everything.