monorailmedic

Considering how far off your cruise is, I'm wondering if fully paying it off in the next few months makes sense. If a promo comes along that reduces the cost of your cruise, and you've fully paid it off, there's no way to reduce your final bill since it's already paid off. I think I read elsewhere that if that happens, Royal just gives you the difference as onboard credit, and this may be acceptable in your case since you want OBC pre-applied for your trip.
 
I kind of look at that the same way I look at overpaying my taxes and getting a refund -- that's an interest-free loan you can't redeem until your trip, and in the meantime you might want / need that money. Might be better to hold off fully paying off the trip and putting that OBC money on your account until just a few months out, rather than over a year out.

I actually rather like the Scion/Toyota/Lexus comparison as that is a great example of clearly differentiated markets where price is a factor, though not the biggest factor.  If you want what a Scion offers than you don't want a Lexus.

Good point, though I'd also note that just like NCLs included drinks, flights can almost always be de-coupled from luxury sailings - or changed for other perks (pre/post hotel stays, etc).  There was a time that some cruise lines even looked into starting their own airlines, or doing permanent charters.  Crystal has done this now, but for a very different reason.

This is a big motiviation I have for wanting to sail on Koningsdam.

Welcome, Paula!
 
I think the artcile linked below will be very helpful to you.  I've sailed DCL a number of times, as has Matt, the admin of this site.  I personally sail many cruise lines, as they each have areas in which they shine, with great experiences at the ready.  That in mind, DCL just got to be too pricey for us in the recent years - I could cruise with a luxury line for the same cost.
 
Royal Caribbean targets a very similar audience to DCL, in that they're looking especially for families, and adjust their offering so that there is truly something for everything.  RCI has, depending on the ship, far more activities for high-energy folks, and often more specialty dining venues for those wanted to branch out from the main dining rooms.  Take a look below and do reach out if you have any specific questions.  I'd be you'll enjoy Liberty.
 
http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/disney-cruise-line

I always forget Buick is still a thing.  Can we find a different brand for this comparisson?

How about a good and I mean good deli. Corned beef and pastrami, bagels and lox? I worked in a deli years ago and we baked fresh bagels everyday, from frozen dough, and they were great. It's not that hard. This might be an easy concept that could be used for late hours. Who doesn't love a good Rueben at 1am?

It reminds me a lot of cars.  In General Motors, you have Chevrolet (RC), Buick (Celebrity) and Cadillac (Azamara).  It's not to say one is superior or inferior than the other, they just offer a different experience.

This is a hot topic that Matt and I discussed on a podcast a few months back.
 
Yes, Celebrity has ships that are small compared to newer RCI builds, and Azamara has R Class ships which are quite small (30k gross tons).
 
Royal Caribbean is a "mass market" or "contemporary" line, but that doesn't make their product inferior.  This is just the way the market is sliced up.  Azamara is a luxury line, yes, but if you're a family looking for ice skating, flowriders, parades, etc then you're not going to feel Azamara is a superior experience - while others may if they have different goals and desires.
 
That out of the way, I do wonder how RCI will keep cruisers who prefer sailing out of say, Baltimore and Tampa, ports that are a looong way off of supporting larger ships.  There are consumers in that market that want RCI's product.  Will we see offers for residents of certain states that make it more appealing for them to go to alternative ports?  We'll see.  I do think it's an intersting stumbling block they'll need to conquer.

Not at all!  I communicate primarily in a series of disclaimers :-)

"I'm not saying one word.....not one single word...."

I will concur with this statement, as the wife and i spend two weeks a year in Playa Del Carmen and enjoy Xcaret, Xplor and XeHa parks.  They (Mexicans) are very protective of the eco system and i support their efforts to protect what they have so others can enjoy it as well.  I'm sure if you get caught using unauthorized merchandise you will be asked to leave and not welcomed back.

I saw them in use on Navigator in February and haven't read about any restrictions yet.  I know Disney parks prohibit them.  While I don't own a selfie stick, I can't think of a time they've impeded my ability to have a good and safe time, though the same could be said for shorts in the main dining room ;-)  [drops match and walks away]

I saw them in use on Navigator in February and haven't read about any restrictions yet.  I know Disney parks prohibit them.  While I don't own a selfie stick, I can't think of a time they've impeded my ability to have a good and safe time, though the same could be said for shorts in the main dining room ;-)  [drops match and walks away]

I saw them in use on Navigator in February and haven't read about any restrictions yet.  I know Disney parks prohibit them.  While I don't own a selfie stick, I can't think of a time they've impeded my ability to have a good and safe time, though the same could be said for shorts in the main dining room ;-)  [drops match and walks away]

This is a hot topic that Matt and I discussed on a podcast a few months back.
 
Yes, Celebrity has ships that are small compared to newer RCI builds, and Azamara has R Class ships which are quite small (30k gross tons).
 
Royal Caribbean is a "mass market" or "contemporary" line, but that doesn't make their product inferior.  This is just the way the market is sliced up.  Azamara is a luxury line, yes, but if you're a family looking for ice skating, flowriders, parades, etc then you're not going to feel Azamara is a superior experience - while others may if they have different goals and desires.
 
That out of the way, I do wonder how RCI will keep cruisers who prefer sailing out of say, Baltimore and Tampa, ports that are a looong way off of supporting larger ships.  There are consumers in that market that want RCI's product.  Will we see offers for residents of certain states that make it more appealing for them to go to alternative ports?  We'll see.  I do think it's an intersting stumbling block they'll need to conquer.

Any particular reason?  If you're brining sunscreen, or buying it there, why not use something that is better for the reefs and wildlife?  

They recommend it due to the damage sunscreen does to the reefs and wildlife. If you're going to go snorkeling or swimming please keep the fragile nature of the ecosystems in mind. When we were in Akumal last year they ask that you use reef safe sunscreen as they have a lovely reef and a number of turtles living just off the beach. Also any cenotes, dolphin swims or X parks should/will ask the same thing. Badger is the brand we heard recommended most often. Amazon have a great range though. The other option is if you're doing a trip early in the day don't wear any and use a rash vest while swimming. You can pop lotion on afterwards if you're not in the water again (obviously pools are the exception to the reef safe rule). Hope that helps. :-) Have a fabulous vacation!

Cash is King as the crew can use it for what they need. You also need to realize that their cabin space is very limited, so they don't really have room to store gifts. Something like a small treat from your hometown (e.g., pre packaged candy) might be nice, but money is the best way to go.

These are great points when it comes to Pinnacle members and some longer RCI sailings, though when you look at world cruises outside of RCI the story can change quite a bit.

Great question.
 
So for most of us in the US, we think of cruising as rotating 3, 4, or 7 night itineraries.  Where entertainment, dining, etc are pretty static.  This is however only one "type" of cruising.  While entertainment is often not as robust in the way we think of it on short Caribbean sailings, it is frequently changed out.  Different lecturers, performers, etc.  These acts and experts can be changed out anytime the ship is in port - there is no reason to wait until the end of a world cruise.  Further, generally speaking, guests on these sailings are looking for lower activities levels while on board in favor of port-intesive itineraries, visting a wide variety of new places.
 
These sailings are often on faaaar smaller than Voyager class btw.  Voyager class ships are 138k gross tons, carrying 3,100+ passengers.  Oceania's Insignia, for example, tends to do world cruises for that line, and she is 30k gross tons, carrying 684 passengers (upper berths on these ships are rarely used).  
 
In short, it's a very different kind of cruising, appealing to a very different audience.  We love longer sailings on smaller ships - but we like 7 night Caribbean sailings on larger ships too - they're just different.  So throw away the ways you think about repeating menus, entertainment, itineraries, etc when it comes to not just world cruises, but most cruises that are not home-ported (or temporarily home-ported) on roating through the same itinerary or two.

Great question.
 
So for most of us in the US, we think of cruising as rotating 3, 4, or 7 night itineraries.  Where entertainment, dining, etc are pretty static.  This is however only one "type" of cruising.  While entertainment is often not as robust in the way we think of it on short Caribbean sailings, it is frequently changed out.  Different lecturers, performers, etc.  These acts and experts can be changed out anytime the ship is in port - there is no reason to wait until the end of a world cruise.  Further, generally speaking, guests on these sailings are looking for lower activities levels while on board in favor of port-intesive itineraries, visting a wide variety of new places.
 
These sailings are often on faaaar smaller than Voyager class btw.  Voyager class ships are 138k gross tons, carrying 3,100+ passengers.  Oceania's Insignia, for example, tends to do world cruises for that line, and she is 30k gross tons, carrying 684 passengers (upper berths on these ships are rarely used).  
 
In short, it's a very different kind of cruising, appealing to a very different audience.  We love longer sailings on smaller ships - but we like 7 night Caribbean sailings on larger ships too - they're just different.  So throw away the ways you think about repeating menus, entertainment, itineraries, etc when it comes to not just world cruises, but most cruises that are not home-ported (or temporarily home-ported) on roating through the same itinerary or two.

This is common, especially on other lines, and pretty much never in the US.  Look up Pullmantur itineraries in Souther America and you'll see continuous examples of this.
 
1) Yup, cruises don't need to be so closed.  Busses nor planes are like this.  Your direct flight is just one leg of someone else's trip.
2) This is just like any other disembarkation day.  Consecutive cruisers are supposed to get off for a moment, everyone else gets off for good.  If someone is left on board you can get they'll start paging them, checking their cabin, etc.  Nothing really different here.
3) There are some sales and logistics advantages to this - if the market demands multiple legs of this itineraries.  If the demand isn't there it only become more challenging to sell.  In the US the archaic laws we have (Jones Act, Passenger Vessel Services Act, etc) make this type of thing extra difficult, and frankly, the demand isn't there, b/c it's very rare to see a sailing out of the US that visits the US.  The exceptions are FL cruises with calls to San Juan, NYC/NJ sailings that stop in Port Canaveral, CA sailings going to AK (and sometimes stopping in OR), and Eastern Seaboard cruises that stop in Bar Harbour and such.

This is common, especially on other lines, and pretty much never in the US.  Look up Pullmantur itineraries in Souther America and you'll see continuous examples of this.
 
1) Yup, cruises don't need to be so closed.  Busses nor planes are like this.  Your direct flight is just one leg of someone else's trip.
2) This is just like any other disembarkation day.  Consecutive cruisers are supposed to get off for a moment, everyone else gets off for good.  If someone is left on board you can get they'll start paging them, checking their cabin, etc.  Nothing really different here.
3) There are some sales and logistics advantages to this - if the market demands multiple legs of this itineraries.  If the demand isn't there it only become more challenging to sell.  In the US the archaic laws we have (Jones Act, Passenger Vessel Services Act, etc) make this type of thing extra difficult, and frankly, the demand isn't there, b/c it's very rare to see a sailing out of the US that visits the US.  The exceptions are FL cruises with calls to San Juan, NYC/NJ sailings that stop in Port Canaveral, CA sailings going to AK (and sometimes stopping in OR), and Eastern Seaboard cruises that stop in Bar Harbour and such.

I know you weren't picking on them :-)
 
Yeah, CCL is a lightening rod in the industry.  Partially b/c of a few notable incidents, partially because they're the big name, so they get the big attention - both good and bad.