DunkelBierJay

On our first cruise (on a Vision Class ship), we went to a similar presentation that included a tour of the public areas. I sort of laugh about it now that we have a few cruises under our belt. The main benefit I remember was asking the tour leader who was on the Cruise Director's staff questions about places to go/do in port, and not necessarily on an excursion that Royal was selling. He jokingly said that he wasn't supposed to say anything about that, but gave us some good tips anyway. In terms of what you are asking, if you have not cruised before, I think it would be beneficial in terms of learning where things are and how to get around easily. Also, nothing substitutes for exploring with no other expectation than to see what you discover. Don't be afraid to go anywhere that is not marked "crew only." Our tour was fine, however, it was a Vision class ship, and absent a bunch of questions, it didn't take long. Later that day, I realized that if you know forward, aft, port and starboard, that getting around is very easy on a Royal Caribbean ship. Hands down, the best tour I have taken was an All Access Tour on Allure...it is expensive, but if you have any interest in galley operations, behind the scenes, seeing I-95, the bridge, the massive laundry operation and the incredible hustle bustle that you wouldn't see otherwise, it is worth every penny. I think such a tour on a Voyager Class ship (Mariner) would be as amazing as on any other class ship.

If you typically shoot manual, aperture priority and/or raw, bring your good camera. If you would only use the automatic feature on a good camera, a good iphone camera works well and you're not lugging extra stuff.

We like South Beach for the atmosphere and to see some crazy...the food options are great too. So far, we have stayed at Hotel Ocean and are currently booked at The Mercury Hotel which is further south...I am a geek, so I plan on getting up early to see the ships come through Government Cut from the beach and the area next to South Point Pier, and it is much closer. Hotel Ocean is about 13 blocks north from there.

It's a deal based on the price the day you see the promo and your willingness to take advantage of it. Past pricing is irrelevant.

I am wondering if anyone who is going to Perfect Day at Coco Cay has experienced seeing the half day pass disappear from their CP...I hope only to book a half day for the morning and then chill at the Oasis Lagoon Pool. I hope it reappears on my CP, but if not, I will wait till I am on board.

Thank you for posting the question. I had not thought to look at Empress' itineraries yet since Cuba was disallowed. My best guess is Havensight, yet was surprised that it had been closed according to @WAAAYTOOO. I will say that I would absolutely LOVE some of those itineraries they have posted for that ship, and the prices are great values. She is small, but mighty, and could be my favorite ship.

To me, this sounds like the most plausible explanation, and the person in the RC call center may not have picked up that perspective. It's unfortunate that this really seems to be a misunderstanding...that a travel advisor would have been able to avoid. It also goes to how confusing some of the category designations can be for experienced cruisers and first-timers alike.

I've definitely had different experiences with different browsers on Royal's website. I have booked online and over the phone successfully, and mostly using a travel agent. My experience with Royal's customer service staff on the phone has always been pleasant and competent, so I think your experience may be more of a one-off. Since cruising is so different than other travel vacations, I would always opt for an experienced and reputable travel advisor for a first cruise. It may be that we got lucky booking our first cruise ourselves, but the experience was great, and I was hooked on cruising on embarkation day. There is absolutely nothing like it, and I hope the universe is telling you to give it another chance. If not with Royal, then a competitor may yield a good experience for you. I can't say for sure, because other than European ferries, I have only sailed Royal so far. One thing I am convinced of is that Royal as a company is highly ethical and cares for its guests while it is still a for profit business. I am also convinced that they didn't bait and switch you.

They texted me some pics last night and it’s just so unusual compared to our experience on previous cruises. The attendant’s service and mood seems to have improved...I wish none of it happened because we have loved each attendant we had in the past.

Thanks. I would have advised them of that if they hadn't already gone to Guest Services. I sort of wish they tried to have a conversation with the attendant first, but they are learning, and overall I am proud of how they're handling things. I think it's the first time, they didn't see an attendant not long after entering their rooms. They entered a few minutes after 1 pm on Sunday and didn't see her all that day. I can't think of a time I hadn't seen my attendant relatively soon after getting in a room.

Two of my kids, age 21 and 19 are on board Allure this week. They embarked on Sunday. This is their first cruise without my wife and me (it's killing me that I am not on board with them). They have been on several cruises with us and have done a great job planning this trip with some of their friends. They Facetimed me last night explaining issues with their stateroom attendant. When they entered their room on embarkation day, they found it to be dusty with hair balls on the floor and in the bathroom, and generally not clean and ready. They also described some slime in one of the drawers in the bathroom. They said it definitely wasn't spilled shampoo. I'm kind of grossed out by that. Since they hadn't seen their stateroom attendant by later in the evening on embarkation day, they went to Guest Services to complain. Yesterday, they said the attendant complained back to them that she was in trouble over it as well as complaining that one of the rooms the group was in had a do not disturb sign on and she could go in and do work. Very disappointing. I recommended that if they were uncomfortable working out the issues directly with the stateroom attendant that they go back to Guest Services and request that another attendant be assigned to their room as well as to go to the loyalty ambassador to see if they could get additional advice on how to handle this. I also told them to write everything down and share it in the final survey. They booked the trip with MEI, who have been great, but I wonder if a travel agent intervention at this point would be effective or appropriate. I would love to see any other opinions on how to approach this without it destroying their experience.

If anything, this topic underscores the need to pay attention to what they're offering. This increases awareness of what a good deal really is, and sometime, you stumble upon one like a $39 drink package I got on a previous sailing. While PR can = marketing, marketing =/= PR

Yes! in addition to seeking out the awesome seating space aft of the buffet section, look for the honey stung chicken on embarkation day!

I'd like to see Blue Man Group on RC as well. I am pretty sure they are already on Norwegian Epic, although I don't know if that is an exclusive deal.

Not discounting your experience at Guest a Services...if I experienced that, it would make my post cruise survey. If you’re still on board, I would take it up with the salon directly since they are a contractor with RC much like the optician is at a Sam’s Club. The staff there sounds like they were confused.

I would do some checking with the cab companies first to see if you can pre-arrange a cab with a car seat. Another option is to rent a car and specify a car seat. Car rental options are right there at the port.

Smoke won't be an issue -- designated smoking is in the casino and the port side on deck five mid-ship. Your balcony will be serene -- there may be a small risk of hearing pool noise if your stateroom is below the pool on deck 10 Quiet stroll on deck at night -- absolutely...wow, it's wonderful...and, if you go to the helipad all the way forward, the stars are incredible because it will be unencumbered by light from the ship. Bring a sweatshirt in case it's chilly at night. hot tub -- the solarium hot tub is nice. the spa may be an option you want to consider. If you want to sauna, you will definitely need the spa. Boarding on Embarkation day -- Brilliance is such a fantastic ship...the ONLY thing I would make you aware of is that is a little harried is boarding this ship into the centrum directly, and compared to other ships, Brilliance is VERY busy in there with people figuring out which way to go and waiters trying to sell specialty dining. You will be near the elevators, but you may need to wait for one to get to Deck 11 where the Windjammer and pool deck is. If you board in the morning, I recommend going to deck 11, going forward and relaxing in the Solarium. The Windjammer buffet is nice, however it will be very busy and crazy on embarkation day. If you board at 1:00 pm or after, I recommend going directly to your stateroom, meet your stateroom attendant and then get your bearings. My favorite place on Brilliance -- the outdoor seating in the back of the Windjammer is SO nice and serene. It is separated from the hustle bustle of the buffet, there's a nice breeze, and the views are why I cruise. There were some people near me when I took the video below, but it was not crowded at all. We sailed in January, and it was slightly choppy, but not bad at all...if you are sailiong this summer, the likelihood of glassy seas is very good. Brilliance_WIndjammer.MP4

Our first was on Enchantment four years ago out of Port Canaveral, and it was fantastic! I HATED disembarking after only four nights. You will have a fantastic time. Are you sailing out of Galveston or Miami?

My cycnical self thinks that this is a mark up to mark down scenario where they will put it on sale a little later and then do a huge discount to the "last" price of $24.99...you may also want to check your shopping cart to see if it's still there at the old price.

I booked it at $24.99 per day using OBC a few weeks ago...I was excited to see a sale, and then saw that it does not apply to my sailing...yikes...$37.99

Aqua Theater for sure, but main theater on past contracts as well. Not certain about this contract.

A performer I follow on Instagram who is supposed to be on Oasis just posted that they are staying in Miami another ten days.

This is a risk depending on whether you are flying out of Miami or Ft Lauderdale. MIA is closer and more expensive. FLL is cheaper with Southwest and some Jet Blue flights, and is about 40-45 minutes away from Port Miami. If Symphony was sailing out of Port Everglades (Ft Lauderdale), I would feel ok with making at 10:30 flight out of FLL. Since Symphony sails out of Port Miami instead, I would lean toward a flight after noon to allow for unforeseen circumstances. In terms of motion, you will feel very little on an Oasis class ship, and a lower deck stateroom (deck 6 or 7) would be a good choice to limit what little you do feel. We were on deck 10 on a Allure in June and I can’t recall feeling any motion. We are sailing Symphony this year after sailing Allure last year she will completely blow you away. I hope you choose to go!

Ships I have sailed: Empress Navigator Allure Brilliance Freedom Enchantment Ships I have not sailed in the order I want to sail them: Symphony Anthem Mariner Jewell Adventure Ovation Any of the others

Here's an article that represents what I have been hearing from several sources... Ultimately, I think the government wants more pressure to be put on the Cuban government by their citizens...maybe thinking that removing the dollars that are going there now will do it...my view is that it is inconsistent since travel to mainland China and even North Korea isn't necessarily restrictive. Saying that tourism dollars somehow legitimizes that government also seems ridiculous. There needs to be more dialog, not less...just my opinion...worthless that it is. https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/trump-administration-imposes-restrictions-on-travel-to-cuba