Carpe Diem

The cost of photos can vary, but they generally range about $24.99 each on the ship. The price does not change throughout the sailing. The photo package of 10 photos for $119.99 is likely cheaper than buying individual photos on the ship. If you purchase the photo package, watch the prices on the cruise planner. If the price of the photo package happens to go down, you can cancel the photo package you purchased and then re-purchase the same photo package at the cheaper price. If you plan to buy individual photos on the ship, you might want to wait until the last day or 2 of the cruise so that you can select the photos you want from ALL of the photos taken during the cruise.

Usually all people on the same reservation check in at the same time. Just tell the agent during check in that the other person couldn't make it (make up any reason such as a death in the family, family emergency at home, recent car accident/injury, etc..). That should take care of it for you.

If it were me, I would select the 12:00 arrival time. Remember, the arrival time is a 30 minute window. This means 12:00 - 12:30 arrival. Hopefully you will arrive at the pier during that time window. But even if you don't, all is not lost. Royal Caribbean will still get you on board. You might have to wait a little as they "work you in" (they might try to limit the number of people boarding at the same time to avoid over crowding), or you might not even have to wait at all. None-the-less you WILL get on that ship. Bon Voyage!

According to Royal Caribbean's website the only restrictions to the Ripcord by iFly is "Must be 3 years old, weight less than 230 lbs. if shorter than 6’ or less than 250 lbs. if 6’ and taller." There is no mention of an age restriction. Here's a tip: Royal Caribbean sells a 2 minute Ripcord by iFly experience for about $49. But, if you check the app under "daily planner" soon after boarding and then keep checking often, you will see that they offer COMPLIMENTARY 1 minute Ripcord sessions during the cruise. When you see the complimentary sessions offered, be very quick to reserve it. The complimentary spots fill up quickly. One minute on Ripcord by iFly is enough, you don't need to spend $49 for 1 extra minute, trust me. Make sure to have your phone handy to video the other person as they "fly" on Ripcord. It's the best vacation experience ever! It is more fun than I can say.

Just a thought, but you could ask Royal Caribbean if "Luggage Valet" is available for purchase. This is a service in which (for a small fee) Royal Caribbean will print your boarding passes and they will take your luggage directly from the ship to the airport. You leave your luggage outside of your stateroom door on the last night of the cruise and then you won't see your luggage again until you arrive at your home airport. I have been to San Juan many times and I love Old San Juan. So much charm and antiquity! The food, music, shops, architecture and atmosphere in Old San Juan is amazing! Enjoy your trip.

Just 10 more days to go.....

They are not offered for sale on the Cruise Planner. They might be offered for purchase on the ship. You can also check ebay. There are a lot of Royal Caribbean items posted there.

Have you checked ebay? If you type in "Royal Caribbean" you will see all sorts of Royal Caribbean items posted there.

I cruise on Navigator every 10-12 weeks (a lot, I know!) so I actually know the answer to this one. Navigator will go to Singapore for a short drydock and then she will return to Los Angeles. She will only be gone for a total of 45 days. You will get a refreshed Navigator for your sailing. Lucky you!

Looking forward to sailing on Navigator of the Seas!

Looking forward to sailing on Navigator of the Seas!

Looking forward to sailing on Navigator of the Seas!

21 days to go. Getting closer...

We booked a balcony guaranty room. Royal Caribbean assigned our room number today. Surprised they assigned the room 31 days in advance. In my experience, they usually assign rooms closer to the sail date. I am happy with the room assignment. We have stayed in that room on that ship before and it was a nice room in a good location on the ship. Thank you Royal Caribbean!

We are looking forward to sailing on Navigator of the Seas on February 2, 2024. Who else will be sailing with us?

We are looking forward to sailing on Quantum of the Seas for the 7 night Alaska sailing departing Seattle on May 12, 2025. Who else will be on that sailing?

Cruise prices for this sailing are still good, so 3 family members and 2 friends booked this cruise too. Too bad the NorthStar is currently out of service. Hopefully they will get it working in time for our sailing. Glad the iFly by Ripcord is still working, though. I have done it twice before and it is so much fun!

So proud of the crew on Mariner of the Seas for rescuing the woman who fell overboard. Statistically, only about 28% of people who fall overboard from a cruise ship are successfully rescued and survive. The crew runs drills and practices for a variety of emergencies every week. This crew was obviously very well trained and they acted promptly and efficiently to save the woman's life. The media has done a good job talking about the woman, but they have not given proper credit to this amazing crew. When onboard Mariner of the Seas please take time to thank all of the crew for their amazing teamwork and dedication!

So proud of the crew on Mariner of the Seas for rescuing the woman who fell overboard. Statistically, only about 28% of people who fall overboard from a cruise ship are successfully rescued and survive. The crew runs drills and practices for a variety of emergencies every week. This crew was obviously very well trained and they acted promptly and efficiently to save the woman's life. The media has done a good job talking about the woman, but they have not given proper credit to this amazing crew. When onboard Mariner of the Seas please take time to thank all of the crew for their amazing teamwork and dedication!

We are Diamond Plus and we live 13 minutes from the pier in San Pedro. Needless to say, we cruise on Navigator a lot. You are correct that you cannot pre-book entertainment on Navigator. But, since you are staying in a grand suite, premium seating will be reserved for you for all shows. You will find Showgirls in the theater and you will find iSkate (ice skating show) in Sudio B.

They don't really do "formal night" anymore. Now it's "dress your best". A few people actually wear formal attire, but most people wear something a little better than jeans, like slacks and a polo shirt or dress shirt for men and a sundress or nice pants suit for women.

The Crown Plaza is in a safe neighborhood. It is in the city of San Pedro. There are a lot of great places to eat in San Pedro near the intersection of 5th and Mesa St and 6th and Mesa St. I live in this area and one of my favorite restaurants is Niko's Pizzeria. It is on the corner of 6th St. and Mesa St. According to Google Maps, it is 0.2 miles away from the Crown plaza and Google Maps says it's a 4 minute walk from the hotel. There are also MANY great restaurants right by Nikos. The San Pedro Brewing Company, Kalaveras (Mexican food) are also great. You will find Thai food, Italian Food, Mexican Food and any other kind of food you may want all in that same neighborhood. See Google Maps Walking Directions Below: from Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel, an IHG Hotel, 601 S Palos Verdes St, San Pedro, CA 90731 to Niko's Pizzeria, 399 W 6th St, San Pedro, CA 90731 4 min (0.2 mile) via W 6th St Mostly flat Use caution–walking directions may not always reflect real-world conditions Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel, an IHG Hotel 601 S Palos Verdes St, San Pedro, CA 90731 Head west on W 6th St toward S Centre St 0.2 mi Niko's Pizzeria 399 W 6th St, San Pedro, CA 90731

We will be on this sailing too. Any suggestions on transportation from the hotel in Seattle to the cruise port?

Orange County is too far away. LAX or Long Beach are your best airport choices. LAX is a very busy airport and it has a lot of flights to choose from. Long Beach is smaller and far less crowded. But, flying into Long Beach might be more expensive and since it is a very small airport, there won't be as many flights for you to choose from. The cruise pier in San Pedro is about 30-45 minutes away from the airport. Plan for transportation from the airport to the hotel (if the hotel does not offer a free airport shuttle). The closest hotel to the cruise pier in San Pedro is the Studio 6 San Pedro - Port of Los Angeles. It is within walking distance to the pier, although you could still take an Uber or Lyft if you wanted to. The hotel is similar to a Motel 6. Nothing fancy. The next closest hotel to the cruise pier in San Pedro is the Crown Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel. This is a nicer hotel than the Studio 6, but in the same neighborhood. You could walk to the pier from the Crown Plaza, but it's a longer walk. I would probably take an Uber or Lyft (unless either of these hotels offer a free shuttle from the airport and then to the cruise pier?? I don't know.) Once on the ship, I would go to guest services and pay for an airport transfer from the ship back to the airport at the end of the cruise. It would probably be cheaper than a taxi.

We will be on the May 19, 2023 sailing on Navigator of the Seas. We live 13 minutes from the pier and we are Diamond Plus members. We sail on this ship/itinerary often. We will be on Navigator on February 10, 2023. Looking forward to the May 19, 2023 sailing (and then August 25, 2023, October 23, 2023 and February 2, 2024 too!)