Cactus527

Interesting, as my kiddos didn't have a welcome letter for any benefits for our last sailing. Now they're excited for the next one! Did you see the video for the youngest Pinnacle member ever, @twangster? I immediately thought of you - "it's kid Twangster!" At around ~100 cruise days every year of his life, it's stunning he's achieved that status already.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/food-drink-onboard-policy

IS THE INTERNET FOR REAL?!?!??? *celebrates*

I am LOVING how they now have the benefits listed online. I especially like that there's a youth benefits section at the bottom now. The categorization of everything ROCKS! https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/crown-and-anchor-society-benefit-grid.pdf

We *loved* the lumberjack show in Ketchikan. Definitely recommended. We also loved the dogsled musher camp in Skagway. You can only do the White Mountain Pass railroad in Skagway too, so if that's something you want to see/do, it's the only time that's available.

...and now I want to sit down at a piano and figure out a melody for this. LOL!!!!

That's interesting! I'll have to keep checking the tab to see if anything ever pops up...

Keeping video off is always an option: this is how I eat, drink, roll my eyes, and make choking motions at others without getting in trouble.

The absolute sweet spot to buy airfare is 54-60 days prior to the flight. You are currently within 21 days of flying (3/8), so yes, the airfare is going to be incredibly high because they know you'll pay whatever they want. Remember that many airlines have schedules posted 6+ months in advance. Also, I ran possible dates for flying from NYC-Miami. Did you try Southwest?

I don't fish, but there is this...

Agreed. For those that don't casino, I'm betting we're not going to see "My Offers." (see what I did there LOL i slay myself...)

Explorer just got twin slides!!!!! https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/02/27/royal-caribbean-adds-water-slides-explorer-of-the-seas

I did a Zoom meeting via Surf & Stream on my last cruise. We were in port at the time, but it was fine for me to hear and see others. My video was a bit laggy, but I'm unsure if that was the connection via ship or something else. Hope this helps!

Having read about these drink cards extensively, it seems they are only offered toward the very end of a voyage if at all. So, no, it probably would not be offered on Day 1 of any cruise. It doesn't make financial sense for RC to do that when they could get a beverage package out of the customer instead.

I keep them in an outside pocket on my main suitcase. That's not a pocket that is ever locked. It has nail clippers and extra zip ties in it, that's it. That way, I never am missing something to open my suitcase with!

@Matt, does this still apply in 2023?

I always put a pair of nail clippers in one of the outside zipper pockets of the suitcase in order to clip off the zip tie when I get to my destination. Easy, no issues through security, and zip ties are incredibly cheap to use.

If you have the question, there are probably 10 other people that have the same one but are just afraid to ask. The only bad question is the one that doesn't get asked!

We use zip ties. Easy to cut by security if needed, obvious if it's tampered with, but also secure for the suitcase and reusable of you do it right.

I did a solo cruise in January. I was definitely anxious that I would be bored or feel lonely, but it was the BEST! I got to do whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and I met such great people. Definitely recommended! If there is a board for solo cruisers, I may have to look into it - I'm unaware of one at the moment.

According the thread above (I just read through for the first time), it doesn't appear so. Still, it's easier to keep an eye on up to 5 at a time!

I remember this particular cabin type being mentioned in a video I watched. It's a double balcony because part of it is obstructed by a structure on the ship meant for the plants to grow on. You kind of get a secret spot behind the wall/structure. If I find the video (I've watched a zillion), I'll come back and link it here.

As funny as that could be, I'm just too chicken to try anything beyond 100% honesty with customs. It's no fun when you're the child with customs trying to state your parents made a mistake in a language you're not fluent in while trying to get home (happened to me as a child). OP, correct it now! Save everyone a headache later.

@smokeybanditdo you know if that applies to JS on any ship?

On my last cruise, I tried to get as many mocktails as possible to try. My favorites ended up being Shirley Ginger, piña colada, blueberry nojito, and Pretty n Pink. I personally found that anything with grenadine was divine. Hope that helps!