Blur

One small note since not everyone is tracking... If you royal up you don't get the extra points.

I've seen lots of people not tip for their diamond vouchers so when I tip using mine they are usually very appreciative and you tend to get extra pours in your drink if that's what you're looking for.  

I've also had bartenders remember my name and say hi when I run into them at other venues.  Shows how much they appreciate it.

Mirroring what @Pattycruise said... I just did a b2b going to Canada 2x.. filled out arrivecan form for both and the only thing I needed to get on and off the ship was my seapass card.  I had my passport and arrivecan code but they never asked for either at Halifax.

No flow no go!  I only choose ships with flowriders... same reason why I am loyal to royal, since no other line has it.

Yes they did replace the surface on Odyssey since the previous one developed bumps from sitting in the sun during the great cruising void.  I have not been on it but I heard it's better but it's still the inflatable surface which many seem to dislike compared to the tension surface on the ships your used to.

2 hours ago, Vandy said:

We are sailing with friends that purchased the Key. Will we be able to dine with them on Embarkation day with our lunch reservation at Chops? I know their email says they are supposed to be served in the Chops menu in the MDR and ours is for the restaurant but it sounds like it is the same menu and offering. Thanks!

The key lunch is a very limited chops menu.  2 cents... To me it felt more like chops chefs in training were doing the key lunch in the MDR.

Non suites are probably easier to win on a min bid but doesn't mean you can't for a suite.  Depends on how many on ship and how many available that don't have higher bids than yours.

I am on a b2b on adventure and saw a couple say they got owner suite on a min bid so I guess anything is possible.

I've been able to bring rice wine but it has to say "wine" on the bottle or label somewhere.  Same went for port wine!

If they even notice the bottle that is.  I've had them examine a weird shaped Korean plum rice wine bottle but since it said wine they let it through.

I prefer close to rear elevators (noise has never been an issue on any RCL ship I've been on) and a high deck 1-3 levels below pool deck because I hate waiting for elevators when I don't need to or walking down a long hallway to get back to the room.

Ultimately I would pick a floor near wherever you would spend the most time.  It will save you allot of walking and vacation time unless you are actually looking to lose weight by doing a million steps.

37 minutes ago, D Alt said:

Not sure why my TA said this could be canceled but i guess the upgrade is final and non-refundable.  So can't change this if i wanted to. 

Moderator you can close this one out.  But cautionary tale to those bidding on a RU.  Be sure you outweigh the risks of changing rooms. 

I think that's stated in the wording when you bid.  That's why I only bid on rooms I know would definitely be an upgrade with the understanding I may get a worse location.

4 hours ago, Thecatlady said:

Has anyone had issues with their travel agents?  Long story short, our cruise booklet doesn't have my husband's middle name on it, whereas his passport does.  I brought this up with our TA and she told me RC doesn't want or need it.

 

We embark in less than 3 weeks on our first cruise ever, and I don't know what to do.

I actually prefer not having my middle name on the reservation.  Less is more when it comes to Royal!

Just means you have to prove less at check in since they only need to match first and last name.

6 minutes ago, 1st Mate said:

That's one of a few reasons why I/we prefer to do 1 or 3 from my post above.

Even putting the luggage out I would def put something on or in the luggage so whoever took it by accident can return it... But would still be annoying lol

I've heard of cases where people lose their luggage from someone else mistakenly taking it.  This is not usually something you worry getting on the ship since everyone going to the same place but when leaving it can be pretty annoying if it happens.  I usually pack light so just carry off myself but just something else to think about.

The person that lost the luggage was more concerned about the luggage bags then the laundry inside since they were expensive but still annoying.

15 minutes ago, MarkFamMan said:

Well, found out the hard way that the offer was if you booked prior to september 2021(which I did and I think that's when the agent said), BUT you also have to be a gold member or higher as well.

It was my first official cruise with Royal, as I have cruised a chartered Royal but not Royal so I miss out.  Was hoping to go directly to platinum .  Sailed an 8 night allure in suite so got my 16 and not the 32 I anticipated.

Now, how to convince wife who doesn't nearly enjoy cruising as much as I do to book again 

Convince her to let you go solo... That's what I did.  Then you get 2 points per night even in an inside cabin.

On 4/12/2022 at 5:06 PM, 1st Mate said:

From what I remember/heard, the control of announcements IN a stateroom is controlled by the person making the announcement from within the bridge or wherever.  They don't like to make in cabin announcements, especially in late night/early evening, unless it is very very important.  

Lol the only time I've heard an in-cabin announcement is on debarkation day when they want you the hell out of the room.

30 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

They're supposed to ship overnight once approved,  but I had to contact customer service after about 4 days. 

I had the same experience.  Once they actually ship it's fast but had to call them after 5 days of no shipping update.

It was almost like they just forgot to ship it until I called to ask about it.

7 minutes ago, starbrat said:

Quick question. Back in May of 2021 I booked our first Royal Caribbean Cruise. April 3 -7 2022 A 4 day star class star loft suite. When I booked it was double points. so normally a suite would be 2 points a dat but at that time it was 4 points a day in suites. 

Fast forward…. we had a great cruise….. I just just checked my crown and anchor status and it shows us at only 8 points. Should I call someone and if so who? 

For the promo I think the requirement was you had to be gold already.  Since you were in a star class maybe they'll make an exception but according to the promo you would only get 8 since it was your first cruise and wasn't gold.

You can call crown and anchor society number.

10 minutes ago, Pima1988 said:

The one thing to realize there are actually 2 lots, one covered garage and 1 out in the open.  They do not let you choose which one you park in, or at least they didn't pre covid.  Both are a short walk and gated  The point is if you are sailing in the summer, you should take a window shade for your car just in case.  When we sailed Anthem we had the covered garage.  When we sailed Adventure we were in the open lot.   

We were told that this is how it typically goes, which makes sense.  Anthem sails on a different day than Adventure, it is a bigger ship.  That means they fill up the garage leaving Adventure in the open garage.  

I do disagree about it not being super busy.  There will be a bottle neck when you get close to the terminal.  It can be a long line of bumper to bumper bc they funnel you down. Nothing insane, but frustrating.  We always joke that it takes longer from the time we hit the FUNNEL for dropping off the luggage than it takes once we park the car and are on the ship ordering our 1st drink.

One piece of advice keep your carry on with you in the car and not in the trunk.  Learned that the hard way.  We were traveling with another couple and drove our car.  We placed our carry on in the trunk (SUV) and they threw their luggage on top of it.  The porters just grab and pull.  The next thing we knew after we parked the carryon was unloaded with the porter.

Sorry, I should have made it more clear... Compared to NYC it's not super busy.  Anyone who has driven in NYC and not moved an inch in an hour in traffic knows what I mean lol.

Info on significant others and dependents are also in the following article as well.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/crown-and-anchor-society-loyalty-program

35 minutes ago, 1st Mate said:

Can you provide a link for that?  I'm not doubting you, I'm only going off of what I've been told by calling the C&A phone #.  Royal Caribbean "Land Side", I should double check whatever they tell me.  

I know minor children share the level, but I wasn't aware of adult family members (spouses).

This is definitely true.  You need to call crown and anchor and have them link the accounts.  Currently DW is diamond like I am with only 17 points earned herself.  It shows 108 on her account as well but that's my number.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/aus/en/faq/questions/crown-and-anchor-benefits-for-companion

4 hours ago, YOLO said:

@Blur Welcome to the Royal Caribbean Blog Forum!

Thanks! Long time lurker and hoping to be a positive addition to the cruise collective 

1 hour ago, markinct said:

Could it really be this easy? Since it's in the NYC Distortion Zone I sort of assumed it would be a far greater hassle!

It's in NJ and not in a super busy area.

13 minutes ago, GatorCruiser said:

So helpful. My MIL is having the same issue with her points. I will spread the word wide and far!!! I’m sure the C&A people will be happy with less phone calls too. 

Had the exact same thing happen to DW and when I was told that solution by the royal representative on the phone, I laughed and said you can't be serious but did it anyways... And it worked!  I am a software engineer so things like that make me go... Yikes!

Yes, and if your accounts are linked if she does go solo and become diamond before you, you also become diamond and enjoy those perks.

Started with 17 points pre-shutdown.  5 solo double points cruises, 1 regular solo cruise, and 1 regular 2 person cruise later will be 178 points by November!

I would have taken more if I had more saved vacation time...