Ryan79

2 hours ago, TXCoastPatriot said:

Sadly very true, and very disappointing.  Looks like I'll be booking on Celebrity Eclipse today.  No issues with Celebrity but I loose so many perks with our D+ and Signature with Casino Royale.  Thank you for the update.

Take a look at Princess. I’ve got a June 2025 British Isle cruise booked with them and it’s a great itinerary…better than the Royal one for 2024 for sure.

Don’t count on more spots opening up. It’s quite rare for it to happen. You should look into booking something through a 3rd party excursion vendor

Intercontinental Miami or Kimpton EPIC are two amazing hotels with great location.

25 minutes ago, Fastfaller said:

I booked adjoining balcony rooms. It's a bonus because my wife doesn't drink much and now I can get the DBP for just me since I am the only adult in the room.

I always do the exact same thing for the exact same reason!! Adjoining balcony is the way to go with teenagers for the extra bathroom, if nothing else. 

No way I would want to be stressing out about this during my cruise!! To add what was mentioned above, you will also have to hope & pray for short luggage drop off lines and short TSA lines. One thing goes wrong and you are kaput! Yes, it’s possible to make it….but are you willing to make that gamble and have a back up plan? 

I think the obstruction is the barrier on the end of the balconies that goes all the way up. The other barriers between cabins don’t, so it might be obstructed to see forward unless if you are standing at the railing. That’s what it looks like to me. 

I did this class on Quantum in July 2023 and there was 15-20 people. I couldn’t even imagine 80!!!!

There is no benefit to having the Key when visiting Coco Cay. 

Think how much Royal would have to spend decorating for everyone’s birthday and anniversary who are sailing! That’s why they give you the honor and privilege to purchase your own decorations in the cruise planner and those will be put up for you. 

No specific timeline. Some things may pop up almost 2 years in advance and I’ve personally seen excursions populate 10 days prior to sailing.

Just know that you will have to check them in as a separate check-in from your own reservation. Many have assumed that since the reservations are linked, checking in one will check in all linked reservations. This is NOT the case. 

You can even stay where you are and order someone completely different at the MDR. Eating a second meal at the same sitting an issue in the least

With over 6000 passengers onboard, you aren’t going to have any part of the ship with little to no traffic. If you get up at the VERY crack of dawn, that is your one and probably only option, but you will not have access to the front bow of the ship.

There is no set timetable when items populate in the CP. I have a December 2024 cruise coming up where I’ve been able to purchase drink packages since February 2023. But other times I have to wait until it’s under a year before I can.

Nothing with booking anything on Royal works on an exact schedule or timetable. There are general rules about when things become available, but the consensus advice is “ABC”….Always Be Checking!!

No. Your minimum cabin type would be Ocean View Balcony. Obstructed Ocean View Balcony is a lower type, so it would not be an option to assign you. In theory you could book the obstructed price and there is a small chance you could get an unobstructed ocean view balcony. With GTY, they can move you up in type but never down.

They are available online with an Google search and in the app. 

8 hours ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I'm not doubting your explanation but just not fully understanding. You say you can't use Canada as a foreign port to satisfy the requirement but we take cruises from NJ to New England/Canada every year. It's ok in that instance? Is there a difference that I'm not following? 

Also, Ensenada is used as a foreign port for cruises out of LA all the time. Ensenada is only 200 miles from San Pedro

There is no standard answer. Some items will be available as soon as the itinerary is made available to book over 18 months in advance and I’ve seen excursions pop up 10 days before embarkation. 

Your flight time has nothing to do with the disembarking group you get assigned UNLESS if you booked air through Royal. Otherwise there is no mechanism for Royal to even know when or if you are flying after getting off the ship. 

I’ve been once in very early January and I’d say it was mildly warm-ish….like mid 70’s and a tad overcast. Not cold, but certainly not warm enough to want to be in the water very much.

@jbrinkm In all honesty, I cannot remember the pricing and how I was charged. It was NYE after all and it’s a little fuzzy. I’m sure they found a creative way to add it to my bar tab. All I do remember is that my wife wanted “The World” from the desert menu and it appeared! LOL sorry I couldn’t be more help

I was able to get one about 2 years ago on Harmony with no issues at all. Not sure if that is normal or not, but it was New Years Eve and the Wonderland staff went out of their way to make sure everyone had a great time.

The prime slots get booked up VERY quickly. If you are able to board within the first hour the ship is taking on new passengers, you MIGHT be able to snag a better time slot but you will pay full price onboard. Personally I’d stick with the later spot and treat it as a dinner and a show!

I wouldn’t count on it.