FSUFAN

Mrs Fan is sold on the Key. We had boarding issues in Boston (well documented in another thread) and I was not sure about it. Getting off the ship was a snap though. We finished our breakfast and we just walked over to the Key rep waiting at the entrance of the MDR, she walked us to the Customs agent and we were off. Less than 5 minutes. We bypassed long lines that snaked around the halls and stairs. Since it is discussed here frequently, I asked our Key breakfast mates (2 other couples) if they felt that the Key was worth it. All agreed that it was if you got it priced right. Anything under $25 seems to be the sweet spot.

@BigKarl is correct in stating that whatever line you choose, a balcony is a must have when sailing in Alaska.

We boarded in Boston just a week ago. The screening agent just kind of glanced at the tops to make sure they were sealed (my 2 bottles were in paper bags). I wish one of them was Stellum Whiskey (it's in a wine bottle shape). Mrs Fan could have easily had another 2 bottles.

It's my understanding that HAL was the first to sail Alaska. They have prime access to certain Fjords and bays that due to environmental restrictions only allow for a limited number of ships. In my mind, you are going to Alaska for the grandeur of nature not for clubs and discotheques. Per Gary Bembridge (on YouTube) HAL, and to some extent Princess, are the Alaska leaders in overall sailing experience. We did an inside passage on Princess years back for an anniversary trip. By far, the best cruise we've ever been on. I say that and we are sailing on the Quantum OTS in June with my grown kids and spouses. Another inside passage. The kids are all in their 30s and wanted more "stuff" than what was offered by Princess which was my first choice.

We're having fun, it's just a bunch of little things/issues that I have not experienced in other sailings (+10 cruises). It's death by a thousand cuts. I was assuming that a place called the Cupcake Cupboard would have cupcakes at least once. What decent bar doesn't have white wine (available at other bars on the ship)? Was that specific bar manager just too lazy not to get a few bottles for his bar? I agree with others that I probably chose the wrong class of ship. Again, I anticipated that this sailing and RCL, would be a step up from Carnival and its just not. Having fun but just a bit let down by hit-n-miss service and attention to detail.

I'm sure @tonyfsu21 would agree that less Gators is a feature and not a bug. @GatorCruiser 2 of my 3 grown kids are, to my shame, Gators. Lol. We live near Nashville now. We are all going to the Vandy v. UF game next month. Easier ticket than the swamp.

My son convinced me to try RCL for our upcoming Alaska trip on the Quantum. My 3 grown children and spouses are going. His take was all the activities. But they are all in their 30s. I don't see myself climbing the rock wall or riding in bumper cars. I joined this board after I booked the Quantum cruise. With all the glowing reviews about RCL, I booked this trip. Now dealing with a little "buyer's remorse" due to the glitches. From being on this board, I figured that RCL was going to be head and shoulders above the likes of Carnival and its not. Again, the Quantum may change my outlook and we have the HAL cruise just 2 months after that for comparison. Maybe, this is the new normal and I need to roll back on the expectations. Either way, I'm not giving up on cruises, maybe just not as brand loyal as some.

We saw Frankie and the Dreamers tonight and it was outstanding. Based off of the Broadway show Jersey Boys and Frankie Valle. So they got that going for them. I think they switched the Ice show from 2 shows on day six to a single show tonight (day five), so we missed out on that entirely. If I am mistaken, then it was a screw up on my part. Again, we are cruising on the Quantum OTS in June so I am really hoping for a better experience. As far as best bang for the buck. We are sailing out of Amsterdam on the HAL Rotterdam in August (Norway Fjords). The price is about the same as our upcoming Quantum cruise to Alaska. Mid ship balcony on deck 8. HAL is throwing in Pre-paid gratuities, wifi for two (the deluxe version), drinks package (15 max/day, alcohol and non), $100 onboard credit, $100 excursion credit, one meal in a specialty restaurant. I figured it is about $1,500 to $1,600 in perks. Not sure RCL is a better bang for the buck.

Don't get me started about the Key. We were in Bar Harbor. It is a tender stop. I am looking out the balcony and these nice chartered catamarans are pulling up to the rear exit. Big wide, open seating, big highback seats large windows. Near the front they are loading life boats. Cramped hard bench seats. Slow moving, pitchy, windows covered in salt spray. We go to the 4th floor lounge to be taken to the tender along with Priority people. So where do we go? Of course to the Cramped, Slow, pitchy, life boats. We rode back on the chartered catamaran. It was like first class vs. steerage. Also, went back up to the Cupcake Cupboard. Fool me once, shame on you. For me 4 times and I am a moron. I asked the girl working if they were ever going to have cupcakes. Her answer was no. They didn't even have cookies. I wish I had my phone to take a picture of the bare shelves. I am reminded of the scriptures that say it's the little foxes that destroy the vineyard. It is a culmination of minor issues and failures.

I was in short sleeves today on PEI it was so mild. This was the first time we've been able to use the balcony and not get wet

The clientele are certainly older. Mrs Fan and I are mid 60s and probably in the lower third of the ages on board. We chose the dates hoping for less kids and we hit the mark on that. But lots of canes, walkers, and scooters on this sailing. More power to them and everyone seems to be having a good time.

Okay – help me to understand the lore of RCL because we are on the Voyager OTS right now sitting at the dock in Charlottestown, PEI, Canada, and I’m just not feeling it. Mrs Fan and I are RCL newbies and this is our first sailing with RCL. We have sailed on Princess, NCL and Carnival. Not trying to be an Eeyore and will most likely be flamed for this post but these are my first impressions. I stated earlier in another post that embarkation in Boston was a complete mess. We had 10:30 boarding PLUS the Key and were turned away from the Key line (per the rep, it was too crowded) and sent to the back of the main embarkation line behind hundreds of people (probably a 150 yard long queue). Talked to another rep that got us back in the Key line after arguing with the original rep. So that was a poor start. Dinner the first night was Looonnng. There were 4 of us at a 6-top and it took over 1 hour and 40 minutes from start to finish. I assume short staffing issues. We stopped ordering dessert now in order to get in and out in an hour now each night. Mrs Fan and I head up to, I think it was the High Notes bar, anyway, it was a bar that was supposed to be open at 10:30 am (Mimosas for us). Anyway, it was 10:45 and the bar tender was still fetching glasses and getting the bar ready. Same thing with some Ballroom dancing. I told Mrs Fan that I wanted to see what the deal was. Supposed to start at 3:30, at 3:55, still no music. People asking, no one had answers. I went back to the room. Drinks are super weak, and nothing is really much under $14. I ordered a Buffalo Trace on the rocks in one bar and they had none at that bar (it is at other bars, just not here). Ordered a glass of Chardonnay at another bar for Mrs Fan and again, none at that bar. At most home bar set-ups, you have a jigger that has a large (1.5 oz) side and a small 1.0 oz size. The jiggers that the bartenders use appear to have the small 1.0 oz on both sides. Maybe due to the DBP they use a smaller shot for each drink. We went to see a classical guitarist in the Promenade. It was kind of noisy to start with the tile floors and people milling around, then as we are listening to him play there was this loud “kerchunk!” sound. Then it happened again, then again. Turns out they set up a corn-hole game not 5 yards away from the guy playing. Every 10 seconds or so, kerchunk!, delicate strings playing – kerchunk! I really felt sorry for the guy. He was excellent, but to have the game right there. Poor planning on RCL. The venues are too small. The Piano player at the Schooner bar was another excellent performer, but all seats were gone 20 minutes before she started. Once she started, people kept streaming thru the bar and piano player, weaving in and out of chairs looking for seats. A simple “Venue full” sign would have helped cut down on the distractions. Pig and Whistle Pub, never any open seats. We have the Key and were 15 minutes early for the skating show and were turned away. A rep at the front said that they opened up the Key area when to main seating got full. They are now asking people who have already seen it to NOT come to a second viewing so others can attend. We are going to try again tonight. I guess we need to go 30 minutes (or more) early. So far, the food is ok. On par with Carnival, not as good as Princess. Desserts are mostly bad on all ships I have ever been on, with the exception of the “molten chocolate” cake on Carnival. They have a cupcake shop (Cupcake Cupboard) on the 11th floor. I’ve been 3 times looking to get a cupcake. Nope, no cupcakes, only cookies. They grab one out of a jar with tongs and put it in your hand. No napkin, no paper sleeve, no plate. They appear to have some of the other desserts from the Windjammer too, but no cupcakes. Room steward is the very bright spot of hope for this sailing. She has been lights out great. Got me a feather pillow on day one. Even got Mrs Fan a fan for her to use at night. She keeps the room spotless and has really made being in the room relaxing. The Voyager OTS itself is a little "long in the tooth" now. Rust stains are visible from the outside and on the balcony of our cabin. Again, the venues are smallish. The upgrades done a few years ago I guess did not include adding plugs or USB ports. There are 2 total 110 power outlets in the room plus one for shavers in the bathroom. No outlets by the bed stands. We have a sailing booked in June on the Quantum OTS, so I hope the bigger newer ship might change my negative feelings.

Mrs Fan and I are going on an Alaskan cruise with our grown kids and spouses in June (4 cabins). I check prices for add-ons almost daily. Several are soda drinkers. The soda refreshment package went on sale for $6.99/day the other day. I blasted out a group text and told them that it was the lowest price I had seen in months and they should grab it. I even said that they could cancel later if they decided differently. None bought, one told me that he hadn't looked at my text (Ok Boomer). Well, the price is at the "sale" price of $8.99/day now. Lead a horse to water, something, something.

I am a RCL newbie and this is live from the Voyager of the Seas. Boarding with the Key was a huge "cluster" this morning in Boston. We had a 10:30 check in plus the Key. Got to the terminal at 10:28. Per the rep at the Key line queue, the line was full and we needed to go to the end of the regular Boarding line. Well, we walked probably 150 yards, passing hundreds of people, the entire length of the terminal to get to the end of the line. I was fuming hot mad. We stood there for about 10 minutes not moving. I told Mrs Fan that I was going back to the Key line to see what was up. I ran into another rep and told her that we had the Key. She said follow me. So she walks us back to the Key line and the queue is nearly empty, but the rep we initially met was not letting anyone get in line. The second rep pulled her aside and kind of pushed us through. The entire time, the first rep was trying to keep Key purchaser's out of the Key line. Finally, she relented and Key purchasers started getting on board. She had been sending Key purchasers to the back of the main line for probably 30 minutes. I have no explanation for her actions and I am still mad about it. Thank goodness for the second rep I met.

If you are traveling from an area that doesn't have a Publix, after your breakfast. Find the nearest one and order a Publix Sub. Take it aboard. My favorite is an Ultimate with Boar's Head on a multi-grain roll. You won't be disappointed. Kinda kidding, but kinda not. My middle-grown kid and his wife moved to Texas. We were sailing out of Miami for a family cruise. Picked them up at MIA the morning of the trip. Dad! What? Can you stop by Publix? Why? I need a Pub Sub really bad. Texas got nothing like it.

And to top it off. I got the e-mail on my phone about an hour ago that says *Congrats!* You've been ch... It's just an ad for the HUGE SALE that is "Ending Soon", and I need to "Act Fast", but has been going on for months and months now.

I get these large cans of Folgers "Black Silk" from Sam's Club. I found the Black Silk about a year ago and really like that version of Folgers. I have to buy them online, but the shipping is free. I too use a Mr. Coffee (flat filter) brew pot. I am no fan of Starbucks - it tastes burnt to me. When I am out or traveling, I will drink most any brand. I really like the coffee at Pilot, Circle K, and Racetrack gas stations.

We sail Sunday 10/23 on Voyager OTS - Got the notice this morning 10/21 (Friday). Still in the running for RU I guess. As much as I want to upgrade, I think I would rather know that I am in or out at this late date. Email from RCCL: "We have reviewed the RoyalUp bids for your upcoming sailing onboard Voyager of the Seas. While we have not selected your offer yet, the team onboard the ship is still reviewing, and may choose it for upgrade based on availability at departure time. At any time, you can check the status of your bid by visiting the RoyalUp portal www.royalcaribbean.com/booked/cruise-room-upgrade." "If you have not been contacted directly by departure time, your cabin has not been upgraded."

The value of the Costco card depends on the price of the cruise. I have 3 cruises coming up and I booked 2 thru Costco and 1 thru a TA. I did the TA trip and gambled that the ship might be less crowded and maybe we would be able to Royal Up. It didn't happen, the ship is full. As you might be aware, Costco doesn't participate in Royal Up. Anyway, here are my examples from Costco. I booked the Quantum OTS to Alaska in June 2023. Balcony room was $3,257. I got a $190 shop card and since I used my Costco Visa, got another 5% off ($163). So, $353 in total discount. Booked another cruise, (HAL) out of Amsterdam next Aug. Balcony room was $3,966. I got a $310 shop card and since I used my Costco Visa, got another 5% off ($198). So $508 in savings. With the HAL cruise, I also got pre-paid gratuities, $100 onboard credit, $100 excursion credit, WiFi for 2, deluxe drinks package (beer, wine, liquor, but not the top shelf stuff - but the stuff I normally drink). The HAL promotional add-ons are about $1,600 worth of stuff.

Nothing to do with cruising but - Clemson University Boosters try to get their fans to use $2 bills during road games to show the opponent that they are in town and that they spend money. https://clemsontigers.com/the-2-dollar-bill-tradition/

Anyone can go to any bank and ask for $2 bills. Same with $1 Sacagawea coins. If the bank doesn't have them on hand, they can order them. People on another travel board talked about using them all the time as a way to "separate" yourself from other passengers.

Rats - I just paid for and scheduled a test (2 tests - Me and Mrs Fan) thru Rapid Test and Trace. I will probably still use them though since it is paid already. We are on the VOTS out of Boston in late October - 7 nights with stops in Bar Harbor and 3 Canadian stops.

Thank you @AshleyDillo for the link. Mrs Fan and I now have appointments with Rapid Test and Trace on the Friday morning before our Sunday Cruise. We fly on Saturday and stay in Boston on Saturday night. Again, if one of us would test positive, I can cancel and get points/dollars back.

I don't cruise until October, and this is my first RCL cruise, but they appear to be standard plastic bottled water like you would buy at the grocery store. Screen grab from RCL site

@deep1, I am hoping for the same good use with The Key. Bought it for Mrs Fan due to dealing with large lines/crowds at embarkation. The ships are now seeing full bookings. We too got it for about $5 or $6 more than Voom S+S. We are both RCL newbies and we have done early boarding on other ships/lines. It has always been a nice perk that I am willing to pay for.