FloatyBoaty

I do tip all tour guides in the local currency (unless they really don't deserve a tip). Sorry, American, can't help it - and the tour guides are always waiting for it at the front of the bus - in fact a guide in Denmark even had the driver keep the back bus doors closed so that we had to go by them out the front door. I know that tipping isn't the norm in many countries, but tour guides do come up in most searches as the exception. I am usually able to order all of the currencies I need from Bank of America, but they don't always do a great job with the "small bills" request. I was recently on a trip where I wanted to have currencies that BofA didn't carry and ordered from Currency Exchange International and they truly honored my small bill request such that I was able to sort tips for each day ahead of time, which made the organized me very happy! Guest services does have some change for Euros, but they don't like to give you all their small bills. Have a great trip!

Yes, this is what I use. I recently submitted all of my remaining cruises for 2025 - Royal and Celebrity together - and the OBC was applied probably within 24 hours.

I just did a search online and the only category that shows up as sold out are suites. Here's a screenshot of a test booking for a balcony. I'd say they should try to book online or call a travel agent asap. Of course my test booking was only for 2 people - maybe their issue is adding children? Then if there's only 2 person rooms available they may have to book more than 1 room and split up parents - either way, there are rooms and possibilities - I'd say call a travel agent.

1- Giovanni's Table 2- Jamie's - but always ask for a booth or a table with the non-metal cafe chairs. I can't believe they have those uncomfortable chairs for what can end up being a long meal (if you have a bunch of people and order lots of different things) 3- Giovanni's Kitchen. I just have never had a good meal here. I know others have for sure.

I also recently experienced this trying to book 2 excursions for mom & I. In one port there are -zero- excursions for people over 75. In another they would not take anyone over 80. Mom is 84 and also walks and works out daily -she's in great shape - but it's the tour operator's rule. In both ports we booked independent excursions instead (and saved some money vs Royal & Celebrity excursions).

Wonder 2022. First cruise ever. Loved it and got busy learning more from you all and getting back on board!

I'm pretty much at that point with my Jan 2026 Royal cruises too - there are only a half dozen excursions listed and no wifi, no drinks, no dining. It's so bizarre because I have cruises booked on Celebrity in Jan and Feb 2027 that have bunches of stuff listed already!

We’re in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria now. Since we had already turned the clocks back 2 hours we are staying on ship time today. We docked around 8:00 ship time and we were soon free to get off the ship and explore Las Palmas. The ambulance was alongside. They have a fuel boat on the non-gangway side and thankfully have pulled all of the ashtrays and have “fueling in progress-no smoking” signs out. They are also re-provisioning since so much liquor, glassware, and food prep was lost. We are scheduled to leave Las Palmas for Miami at 4:30 ship time. They said that we needed to be able to hit that time to be able to make the (no promises) docking time in Miami of 6am Nov 17. We got our letters from corporate-I’m not in my stateroom to photo and post it, but it’s the standard $200 for domestic flight changes. There are some options with the beverage packages-you can extend the full package for 35.99/day or go to a la carte at a 50% discount if you previously had a package I believe. I’m D+ so don’t buy it anymore (love those vouchers). Voom packages extended no additional fee (I had to ask about that) There are guests disembarking today as well. They had immigration control on the ship for non-EU passport holders and there was a good sized line at guest services of people settling their bills. The crew is amazing. After spending all night cleaning the other night they were their usual positive, helpful selves yesterday. Bar and restaurant service was barely affected ( they were out of one kind of gin, but offered a premium one instead). Obviously that would not have been sustainable had we continued straight to Miami. So that’s the current scoop from my perspective. We’re glad we’re in the position that we can spend 3 more days onboard without messing up our home schedules too much! Have fun on your Odyssey TA next year. I’d love to be on that one too.

they have announced an additional 5 hours of internet time, so it’s up to 9 hours total now. Still no additional information/ letter from corporate yet. we are to dock in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria tomorrow for medical transfers, bring on provisions, and get fuel. the crew continues to amaze -bar and dinner service is as if nothing at all happened. @rclfan1912- Captain took an immediate turn to get the wind off our broadside and stop the tilt, as you can see in the cruise tracker. He said we were safe, but was that just after the fact and what the initial real level of danger was - I’m not qualified to say. We felt safe enough, but some people did run for their life jackets.

We were told that we will arrive Nov 17. No time has been given. Everything I’ve spoken to has changed their travel arrangements assuming a normal docking time.

@GatorCruiser we were told about an hour ago that we will receive letters from “the home office” later this afternoon, so hopefully they’ll have info for you as well

We onboard still have little info, only the day we are arriving, no confirmation of the time. Everyone has been given 2 hours of internet, but that is the extent of the information thus far. Obviously there is so, so much for them to work out and everyone I’ve talked to is mostly asking “how is everyone in your group” and “where were you when it happened “ and sharing their stories. Captain Frank and Cruise Director Ilcy(sp?) have been great communicators. When you do get on, know that there is an amazing, helpful, and very positive crew onboard.

Funny-I’m deck 7 forward. I’ve also definitely felt worse, but it felt like Captain meant we’d be returning to our little 2 meter seas once the squall passed. Guess not! And yes, I’ve met some first time cruisers onboard…between this event and 2 of our 3 ports being switched, I can only imagine what they’re thinking!

I was just thinking the same thing. First of 7 sea days trying to keep us safe & entertained, their long drill, and now having to clean up this massive mess. We are still rolling quite a lot too!

I am also on this cruise and was in the theater when it happened. Lots of people did get up and rush towards the exits while others stood and advised people to stay in their seats before the cruise director was able to get on the microphone and implore people to stay seated. She said the piano had slid all the way across the stage behind the backdrop. When we eventually came out of the theater there were people opening the doors to the outdoor deck on 5!!! We hurried to get away from the wind, so I don’t know if some people actually went outside to “see” the crazy waves Captain Frank has said repeatedly that it was an unexpected squall and we were hit broadside by 80mph winds as @Pattycruisementioned while we were going 23 knots. He immediately slowed our speed. Fingers crossed that when they complete this room-by-room accounting of passengers that all souls are on board. Only heard one Alpha Alpha Alpha following the big tilt.

Our balcony chairs here on Explorer are also zip tied in the awkward position (and have the “do not lie flat” sign as well). We were on Celebrity Equinox last week and the sign was there but no zip ties.

Yes, same experience.

I also really really hate this. The disruption in service, the very loud announcements, the very very loud music, and the waiters being co-opted into something that not all of them enjoy either. They did this at least 3 times on the TA we were on in April/May and we were just trapped in the corner of the dining room - our entire table scowling and dodging the waving dirty napkins.

Starwater is the only show on Quantum that will be available for reservations. It is in 270, which is a smaller venue than the Royal Theater. You just show up to all of the shows in the Royal Theater- early if you want specific seating (they usually open the doors about 45 minutes before showtime, but you will see people still coming in and trying to find seats minutes before the shows)

Here's the link with the MEI travel agent form on the right in the yellow box. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com That form is how I met my travel agent @Jenn G-MEI Travel so hope you have as good of an experience as I have had! Congratulations to you and your fiancé and have a wonderful honeymoon!

Don't cancel - change. If you put down a non-refundable deposit your deposit will transfer to the new cruise. There will be a $100 per person change fee added to the cost of the new cruise due at final payment. I just moved 2 cruises within the last month and one last year too. If you used a travel agent, you can have them take care of this for you.

HI @pat8635 MEI Travel is a sponsor of this site and the agency that many of us who love the Royal Caribbean Blog use. There is a bright yellow box on the home page here https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com that you can fill out and someone will contact you. That's how I started using my travel agent @Jenn G-MEI Travel and I'm not sure I would sail without her! Best of luck and happy travels!

There were about a dozen of us doing B2B on Quantum last September and they just invited us to the Key lunch instead of having a separate lunch (as I’ve seen on some of my cruises). On the cruise I got off last week, I heard several people saying they weren’t offered anything on their B2B turnaround day - so I guess it varies?

We just got off Grandeur last Monday. You are correct. We were able to use all 3 at once.

I have, but don't use the compression kind. Using the regular packing cubes, I overfill them and then zipper them down so they're compressed, but not as much as they would be with the compression cubes. It can make your luggage heavier for sure since you're packing more stuff into less space! Another note that I haven't seen mentioned is that my clothes come out of the cubes much less wrinkled than when packed without the cubes. My thought is that they are just so tightly packed that they can't shift around they way they might otherwise? I do fold them super carefully before putting them in the cubes. I know it kind of doesn't make sense since you're smashing them tight, but really! I love the packing cubes - as others have mentioned, it is so easy to unpack and just toss cubes into the drawers/on the shelves. For me, packing takes longer, but unpacking is so easy!