BennyandBo

2 hours ago, gi333 said:

Thanks for your answers.  Is it always more expensive leaving from NYC?

Port Canaveral: anything else to do besides space Kennedy center?

Any good hotels good price in Port Canaveral?  If you would arrive 2 days before cruise would you Uber or rent a car in Orlando? 

Thank you

 

 

Leaving from NY/Bayonne is less money than Port Canaveral in April, May, and (early June). But July and August are peak summer travel.

You will save a lot of money if you stay in the Orlando Airport area and travel to the port the morning of. Orlando has so many hotels and Port Canaveral has limited inventory and peak summer pricing near beach. 

You can rent a car at Airport in Orlando and drop off right by Port Canaveral the morning of trip.

5 hours ago, CableKC said:

I am considering flying in on embarkation day and out on the same day as disembarkment day to simply save costs.

The flight that I am considering is the 1st flight of the day through Southwest ( yeah, I know ).    But it shouldn't be a major issue unless something really strange comes up since the dates that I am considering doesn't fall around a major travel holiday and it's on a Monday between 2 major travel hubs.

 

 

If your going to fly in the morning of to save money, then split the difference and at least get travel insurance.

September is hurricane season. August (First half of the month) out of NYC should be fine. August in NYC is also plenty hot to be in the pool. As far as rough seas, I've gone out of NYC and up to Canada about a dozen times in July and August and never had rougher seas then out of Miami to Bahamas in May. So take that for what it's worth. All that being said though, I would go for Wonder since it's brand new. And Oasis as second choice. Both will have more for kids. (And adults)

2 hours ago, Temeculaguy said:

I understand it might feel like RCL and other mainstream cruise lines are trying to squeeze more money out of you but I see it differently. I see it as they are trying to stay flexible by offering different things to different travelers at different price points. We have plugged in the cord as a way of avoiding moving up to the premium and upscale cruise lines. RCL has an a la carte model, allowing us to pay for what we want rather than moving up to a more inclusive or more premium line. We are on the cusp of a move as we are no longer fans of the WJ or MDR, but by moving up to a quantum class Grand Suite we can get the coastal kitchen, add the UDP for $250 a person and still be at $6K.  Viking, Oceania, the haven on NCL and the retreat on Celebrity for a comparable suite is in the 10K+ range. So even with the plug firmly placed for some cruisers it's still a value proposition.

One size doesn't fit all. Everyone should always do what works best for them. The "value" is such a personal thing and should not be compared against someone else take on it. 

On 1/8/2023 at 5:31 PM, Pooch said:

If you are looking for a beach day in St Maarten, Great Bay Beach is walking distance from the ship.  We rented 4 loungers, 2 umbrellas, lunch brought to us & 10 waters/sodas with tip for $130, 4 adults.

Thanks!!!

Because of this I am now welcoming any and all DIY beach day advice for both St Thomas and St Maarten. As well as any cost cutting advice/suggestions. This no additional expenses/purchases (Cut The Cord) with Royal thing has really taken off. I think it will make for an interesting blog/vlog. A challenge/hobby has been born. LOL.

OK, after having seen the new menu's I have to say desserts seem to have really taken a hit. 

15 hours ago, Bob C said:

Is breakfast and linch served in the main dining room and is it include in the fare. 

Both meals are included in the fare and are available buffet and other smaller locations as well depending on ship. All meals in certain venues are included in the fare. Additional costs meals are optional, not required.

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

It looks like Oasis, Allure, Harmony and Wonder have been consistently opening bookings from around 45-60 days. While there seems to be no rhyme or reason of when Symphony opens their bookings up. My Oasis was at 44 days, and I was able to book 4 shows and the escape room. The headliner shows in the app, but it looks like it's the standard first come, first served situation.

No rhyme or reason is right. I wish they would just come out with an official time-line already. Start booking 30 days out, 45, 60. Royal needs to just commit to a system.

12 minutes ago, FireFishII said:

@BennyandBo - I don't think @MJ_is confused.  I have seen the same thing - Even whey you pick the option "You pick your room", you are not given a choice of rooms.  Instead you get the message "Guarantee" room.  I have seen the same thing. 

OK, it just she had conflicting statements. I'll add again to everyone else's line "You will not be the one picking your cabin". Also it does not happen after final payment. Can be days before you depart. You need to be OK with that. And again don't worry about price drops if they are already that sold out for summer. 

4 hours ago, MJ_ said:

 But I know that I can't reprice my cruise after final payment. When should I pay in full in order to have the best choice of cabin but not risk paying too much of the price drops? Any advice? TIA.

Also, if a GTY is the only cat left don't worry about reprising after final payment. It is not going to go down. 

3 hours ago, MJ_ said:

So there is no option for me to choose a cabin. When I click on the option to choose my own cabin, it gives guarantee as my only room option. The other option is to let Royal choose my cabin. Which is why I'm so confused, lol... It seems to 

Something is wrong here. You may be confused. "Guarantee" and "the other option is to let Royal choose" is the same thing. Maybe you are not going down the page past option 1? Do you have a deposit put down yet? What ship and date are you looking at?

I agree with everyone coming up with ways to get port fees & taxes back with no shows etc. I also agree that travel insurance is a must. However, most don't purchase cancel for any reason as it cost more and generally isn't offered first. So your friends reason for canceling may not be good enough anyway. (Unless I missed that?) Lesson buy travel insurance and good coverage as well. But I say go on the trip. The fresh sea air and the connection with the sea and blue sky will clear your mind and help restart your engine. Everyone needs a reset after a loss. ❤

I just have to say I only posted this matter-of-factly. I never expected such interest and such incredibly kind well wishes. I will be sure to do a report upon my return after Memorial Day. And am seriously considering my very first travel vlog now on YouTube. (From behind the camera only) Can't stand to look at myself on camera/in pictures. LOL. But Thank You All For The Positive Feedback.

3 hours ago, letscruise said:

Sounds like you and a few other posters have been on multiple cruises previously and have "been there done that", so deciding not to eat at a specialty restaurant or do an excursion doesn't really have quite the impact as it would to a newer cruiser who decides to not do anything beyond what's already paid for (I would say they would be really be missing out!).  I'm not being discouraging and I think its a great idea to be able to divert that money into a future cruise or other expenses, I'm only saying it's easier to cut the cord when you've already experienced something or done it enough times to decide you won't miss it.  I don't think those who take a cruise as their annual vacation are all that interested in stripping out the extras like excursions, specialty dining, and a drink package.  Like others, I'd enjoy hearing how your next, trimmed back cruise goes--my bet is you will have an awesome time!  

What I'm currently debating cutting out on our Wonder cruise is the casita I was able to book, but it's on a port day and I would only get use out of it in the morning hours.  Not sure what to do, because in the spirit of this thread, it's an extra $200 that I've spent that I could easily get back, but since I've never rented one before, it would be a new experience that I'm sure I would like.  Decisions, decisions!  

Well, the last time we did St Thomas and St Maarten was 2007. That was Disney. Our last Royal was 2006 I think??? So not so much a been there done that as you might think. I don't even think Royal had specialty restaurants back then. And yes we have done a lot of Disney between 2006 and 2014, but that's been awhile now too. And some Carnival long weekends from NYC to Canada because we could literally walk to the ship from home. But nothing the past few years. So Royals specialty restaurants are a new thing to us. But I have to say now that it's not an option anymore, I'm actually feeling free. No expense, no reservation time stress, no feeling like there's so much food, yet here I am paying for more guilt. It's kinda nice feeling. 

As far as your dilemma. I was so stressed that I couldn't get a casita on a sea day. I laugh now. But I never would have paid for a port day. We always stay on board in Nassau and have pools and chairs practically to ourselves. There is so many spots in shade, in sun, by music, away from music, etc available on a port day why spend a ton and limit yourself to one spot. 

23 hours ago, PG Cruiser said:

I'm not getting what you mean by this.  What am I missing?

I typed a crazy long reply and had to dial it back. You have been here since 2018 and have 2970 post's. If you don't know how bringing up the subject of auto gratuities and/or there breakdown on here unleashes a pointless **** storm, I can't help you. LOL. 

IMHO Nothing black & white, 100% definitely for sure, totally provable, positive, or necessary for anyone to really know ever comes from this conversation. So why open the gates of hell. Nobody ever comes away the winner. LOL

This topic is like life, nobody gets out alive. LOL. (Best line I've ever heard)

10 hours ago, D Alt said:

you can definitely cruise without paying for all the extras but at what point does doing that spoil part of the vacation experience. Almost like cutting off your nose to spite your face. 

I will shave these costs where it makes sense, ie. on smaller ships or itineraries where I've been before, but sometimes I want to enjoy something new. 

I don't think we will be cutting off our nose to spite anything. The fact that Wonder is new to us will play a big factor. We have done tours of St Maarten and St Thomas before, so not too big an issue. I did want to do a beach, as we have only ever done land excursions on both islands. I don't know if doing that on our own, cheap, without Royal would be cheating? Then again pools on board practically to ourselves is very appealing. (Have to say even more so for Icon as there pools look amazing). Same itinerary for that in 2024. We happen to like the WindJammer and looking at all the buffet options up close. (love food porn. Live, Live, Live. Nude Up Close In Person. LOL). Use to like the MDR (Will see how the new changes will effect that). Have about $125 in on board credit. This may go to my favorite charity, The (diet) Coca-Cola company. My Heroin. Lol But enjoying what the ship has to offer is the goal. No specialty restaurants, No drinks package, No internet....not a single luxury...like Robinson Crusoe as primitive as can......Hey Wait!!! That trip didn't work out so well??? But, it was hysterical.

10 hours ago, CrimsonCruiser said:

I think you're going to have a pretty good time overall. Food & entertainment wise, I think Royal offers plenty included in the price especially on Wonder.

Excursions may still be subscribe you want to do but fortunately you're not forced to by ship ones and can usually save money by grabbing a local vendor.

 

Definitely second or third the idea of your No Cord Live Blog! I'm highly interested to see what you do and maybe grab some tips for myself

Well, the blog won't exactly be "live", No internet remember. LOL. But right after I return on Memorial day. 

12 hours ago, JoeOfTheSeas said:

Hey, so as you know, we are going on a cruise soon, 2 passengers, and we would like to have a private table, not to seat with others. I read online about the dining department email, and also about the fact that if we are on traditional dining time, we will be seated with others, and that if we want to have a private table, we need to switch to My Time Dining.

 

We sent an email to the dining department (we understand that approx. 3 weeks prior to sailing is okay) asking to switch to My Time Dining and have a private table, however now I read somewhere that this email is only to request a private table for traditional dining time. We are very confused at this point. 

 

If anyone can clear this up for us, we would highly appreciate it!

 

Thanks!

"and also about the fact that if we are on traditional dining time, we will be seated with others"Others.

No, this is not a fact. It is not a given. I would say 95% of the time if you request a table for 2, you will be accommodated. And if they won't and you say you will leave and go to the buffet, they really try to pull something out of a hat. But traditional doesn't mean group seating as a rule. Now I wish I had the picture people post of how close the small tables can be. Some have less then 12 inches between them. So almost seating with others, but still boundaries. Like a small NYC restaurant. 

58 minutes ago, PG Cruiser said:

Has anyone gotten the breakdown for the $16 automatic gratuity per day?

Oh, here we go again. Why do you hate us. LOL. I'll check back on page 43.

Well, I did it. I cut the cord so to speak. Royal has made menu cuts, housekeeping cuts, and who knows what's next since I booked my Wonder and Icon sailings. So I canceled all my purchases for my May trip. I'm up almost $2k and Royal is SOL. Lol. No drinks, no beach club, no excursions, no specialty restaurants. Zip. I'm going old school in May on Wonder and going to see if what's included is good enough. The amount I'm getting back is amazing and so far I can't really say I have any regrets. Might make for an interesting report come June on Wonder on the cheap. Time will tell.

First off welcome to 2023. Nobody needs to remove a hat for anybody else's needs, feeling, pleasure. Suck it up and deal.

Second. Many men have issues about lack of hair at a certain age. Ron Howard has a baseball cap on at Academy awards etc. Should they feel more insecure and uncomfortable to please you? No.

Third. Many have scares and marks etc from some very unpleasant treatments. (Not related to their hair) They keep hats on to make everyone more comfortable.

This Victorian age BS about how what others have on makes you feel and impacts your experience is complete selfish nonsense. 

After reading all this I would say a trip to medical on a ship is still cheaper then a trip to an urgent care on land without insurance. Or most doctors office without insurance. In the United States of overpriced health care that is.

OK, so what I'm getting so far is Wonder has better mattresses? That would be good to know.

3 hours ago, jp1 said:

Sailing in March and interested in the Coco Cay Beach Club.  Unfortunately we missed out on the Black Friday deals and the current price is 10% off ($269 pp).

Do they tend to sell out, and are there likely to be better discounts in the next couple months?

jp

The chance of the price getting much better closer to sail date is very slim. 

Zip lock bags. Any and all sizes.