Villageidiot

I wouldn't worry about the photo too much. Last two cruises they took a new photo of my wife anyway.

2 hours ago, Jolly Ogre said:

I will never want the wifi, drink package or room service so why would I want to ever pay for it??

I agree and that's why I said if you were going to buy the drink package anyway it was not bad. Current price for the DBP on my next Royal cruise is $77.99/day. Makes $60/day look reasonable with the added wifi and gratuities. I cruise both lines and never buy anything but one device wifi on Princess and wifi and the soda package on Royal.

13 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Seems like yet another package that looks better than it actually is

It's not a bad package if you were going to buy the drink package anyway. Includes drinks, wifi, and gratuities. Also gives you room service and food delivery through the app. $60/day not bad. We cruise on Princess occasionally and as we don't drink it doesn't give us the same value as someone else so we stick with the standard fare.

Same cabin on Allure (same class as Symphony). Appears to be a railing and not that bad of an obstruction.

On Oasis and Explorer this year water was available in the Cafe Promenade as well. You just had to use a cup to fill your bottles. Saw many passengers doing this on the cruises.

We did this cruise on Explorer in April/May of this year. We were off the ship between 7:30 - 8:00. We did a Rome tour with airport drop-off through Royal and were at the airport by 3:30. 

On 7/5/2023 at 10:52 AM, smokeybandit said:

Even with the travel router you need to launch a web page to log in.

Very true 

My android phones will not create a hot spot from a wifi signal. You might be able to use a small travel router to do this but you would only have connectivity in your cabin then. 

I've used Premier Cruise parking twice this year. Covered parking in a garage a few blocks from the port. Free shuttle to and from the cruise. I think my 7 night cruise was less than $100 total (can't really remember) and right at $200 for sixteen nights back in April. The line for getting on the shuttle can be long but you'll make it to the ship. 

8 hours ago, Loyal to Royal said:

We are cruising in about 60 days. I plan to book our next cruise onboard for Alaska 2024. There are no itineraries that avoid Canada. Husband has a DUI that was dropped down to a physical control. Rolling the dice on it, but realistically we plan to just not get off the boat for our 5 hour docking in Canada. 
 

Do we really think Royal is going to prevent us from going all together or would it just be an issue in port if we try to get off the boat?

Contact the Canadian Border Services Agency and get an official answer. Good luck, Alaska cruises are beautiful.

https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/contact/menu-eng.html

41 minutes ago, DDaley said:

 Guessing it’s because people don’t drink as heavily in Alaska? 

Weather in September up there is tricky. Some cruises all you might be able to do is drink. First Alaska cruise we only made one port call and spent the rest of the time running from storms. Heavy rain and high waves closed all the pools.

Did the escape room  on Oasis at $20. I don't see the value at $40. The puzzle break on Explorer was almost as good and free.

On 6/20/2023 at 4:31 PM, mac66 said:

 

We were on cruise for my wife's birthday in Feb. They brought out a cake with candles on it and sang Happy Birthday. 

Same experience in February for my wife's birthday. Plus we received chocolate strawberries and sparkling wine in the cabin on embarkation. If you really want recognition on a special occasion go to Disney. They give you buttons to wear with the event listed on them. Everyone (including other guests) will be wishing you a happy birthday/anniversary/honeymoon etc. 

Haven't sailed in any of those cabins. Cruise deck plans has photos/videos of cabins on their site. Here is Explorer of the Seas (same class as Voyager) they have video of several cabins in that part of the ship. The cabins look good, we just prefer at least a balcony.

https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/deckbydeck.php?ship=Explorer-of-the-Seas&deck=12

15 hours ago, bobroo said:

Yes, Royal does confiscate passports during embarkation on certain sailings.

 

 

 

It's probably better than what we experienced entering Dubai in '73 or '74. When you flew in they took everyones passport and threw them in a large cardboard box. When you flew out everyone got to dig through a box until you found yours. We did this twice, always gave me a heart attack even as a teen.

Haven't stayed in Miami yet but I recall a few threads where people stayed at the Holiday Inn Port of Miami. Not far from the port and close to Bayside Marketplace. Supposed to be clean and reasonably priced.

2 hours ago, Austin said:

 Great crew on Explorer right now too.

Our waiter and assistant waiter were fabulous. 

Just told our TA to book this one for us. Unfortunately no teenagers in our party. Haven't done the southern caribbean itenarary before so we are really looking forward to this one.

We were on there in April/May. At least one slide now.  Picture from port day in Malaga I believe.

Port valet offered by the Port of Seattle. Great service

https://www.portseattle.org/page/port-valet-enjoy-seattle-luggage-free

It took about a month during the black Friday fiasco but that was an unusual circumstance. I'd reach out to them.

34 minutes ago, VicB said:

So essentially once you’re off the ship, they gather your flight information, take your bags to the airport, hand them over to the airline? What if there’s baggage fees?

You put out your checked bags the night before as usual and they take them to the airport for you. You don't have to handle them again until your destination.

https://www.portseattle.org/page/port-valet-enjoy-seattle-luggage-free

Are you flying into Seattle? If so be sure to use the free port express for your luggage leaving the ship. Goes straight to the flight and you pick it up at your final destination. No overweight baggage fees either. This service is offered by the port of seattle.

We did a transatlantic on Explorer in April/May. No issues with the size of the ship. The only problem was my wife got cabin fever after we missed the port stop in the Azores. Too many straight days at sea for her liking. Enjoy the cruise

1 hour ago, sleepy425 said:

I'm doing this in April.  I'm running races at Disney then boarding a cruise the next day.  It is $60 to fly MCO to FLL, $95 to rent a car plus the cost of gas (and tolls maybe? I didn't look to see if there are tolls).  I have to head to the airport to put my son on a plane back to CT, so smartest option is for me to also hop on a plane to get to the port.

This makes sense, I was picturing locals with access to their own vehicles flying to Fort Lauderdale.