JFCruise

I was checking staterooms for a cruise and found this weird thing. It is for a QOTS Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Seattle at the end of April. 3 adults and 1 child. The pre-tax cost is $1895 for rooms 6610 and 6672. They are in the Obstructed View staterooms, all on the starboard side, yet 6606 costs $1519 more than both - A total of $3414. I don't see the difference between those. 6610 is a connected stateroom whole 06 isn't; but 72 isn't connected either. A 1D regular Ocean View Balcony, also mid-ship and also on the starboard side costs $2103. Is there anything particularly special about 6606 on Quantum of the Seas? Also, is there a way to make images smaller?

You get a free photo for your cruise. In all seriousness, nothing.

@All4family I'd guess they mean the Diamond drink vouchers. I'm not sure If I'd ever pay for one of those monstrosities, but I have to say that many of the location names on Icon are A+. Desserted is an incredible name.

A quick google search shows there is one in Texas City, between Galveston and Houston.

They do have a program for kids under 3, but it costs extra - unlike AO at least.

Some tips: 1. Sign them up to Adventure Ocean on the first day, they have fun activities that kids love and gives parents some time to enjoy the cruise. 2. Don't worry about them dressing "well" to the MDR. Unless that's your thing. You will most probably see adults in shorts and tshirts, so there is no reason for a kid to not wear shorts and tshirts. The problem is that many toddler will make a mess of their clothes while eating so they can't repeat. 3. If you are traveling with your partner, give each other some "alone" time to just enjoy during the day. You have no idea how an hour being in the pool alone or just taking a nap can make your whole cruise better. 4. Also, if traveling with a partner, you can take turns sleeping in with the kids and the other one can go to a show/bar/casino/whatever. There is also the option of leaving the kids in Adventure Ocean (for a cost), but at least in my case leaving our kid past its bedtime is a total no-go. 5. I'm not sure how to put this without sounding bad but...trust the lifeguards in the pool area. I mean - definitely make them wear the floating vests and keep an eye on them, but depending on their ability by the pool, you will be able to take a step back. This one time, a lifeguard basically told me something like: "yeah, you can stay in your seat if you want, we got your kid".

This person on Reddit has been posting pics every day or almost every day. If anyone is interested in following, or hates the idea of TikTok like me. https://www.reddit.com/user/Bruin144/

Not sure if this helps, but I stayed at this hotel in Texas City, which is a bit past halfway between Houston and Galveston. It has a very basic included breakfast and there were a bunch of people with Royal Caribbean tags on their luggage there. I even saw a shuttle pick up some people but I have no clue how that was arranged. https://www.expedia.com/Texas-City-Hotels-Best-Western-Texas-City.h1916047.Hotel-Information?chkin=2024-01-26&chkout=2024-01-27&x_pwa=1&rfrr=HSR&pwa_ts=1705106745332&referrerUrl=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZXhwZWRpYS5jb20vSG90ZWwtU2VhcmNo&useRewards=false&rm1=a2&regionId=5926&destination=Texas+City%2C+Texas%2C+United+States+of+America&destType=MARKET&selected=1916047&latLong=29.391521%2C-94.902664&sort=RECOMMENDED&top_dp=90&top_cur=USD&userIntent=&selectedRoomType=316336515&selectedRatePlan=385863484&searchId=a3ed4350-9e84-4f9a-b988-4d95e5dd8c1c

Not that I condone it or would ever do it, but a 750mL bottle of Jack Daniel's costs about $30 USD. With that money, you can maybe buy 2 Jack and Cokes on board - or pay a third of a day of the package (which you aren't allowed to do). So, yeah...I can see why people will risk smuggling alcohol.

I wouldn't mind the later seating time, to be honest, 8 works wonders for me. I was just kinda worried for a bit that on the first day they would be like: "yeah nope, you aren't allowed on CK on this sailing". Even if I can't get there every night, that's ok. So, you have to do reservations each day? Can't do like a blanket reservation for the whole sailing? What happens if I make a reservation and later in the day the higher suites fill up CK, would I get bumped off?

I just mocked a booking for Celebrity and it seems that the issue is that they aren't applying their "75% off 2nd guest" discount on the solo supplement. Easy fix - book the cabin with a phantom guest who - oh no! - missed their flight.

I have seen that Jr Suite guests are welcome to dine on CK "when available" or some verbiage similar to that. Is it really common for CK to not be available for Sea Class guests? Or more of RC sort of covering themselves in case there are many guests dining at the same time or something like that?

So you are paying, what $55 for an appetizer + $17 for an 'Iconic' Porterhouse? That's $85 per person with gratuities. Seems a bit steep but probably people will buy it.

BHP looks pretty cool, there's actually a site that has a map with activities to do there. I'll think about it, since the Garden is 30 minutes away in a taxi and I feel it might be too rushed.

We arrive at the port at 5:00 PM and I'm travelling with a 5yo, so ideally we would like to be able to go back to the ship in time for dinner. So tea/snacks probably don't really mind.

How much time do you consider a "good" amount of time to spend in the Garden, Are 2 hours enough?

Victoria has the Butchart Gardens which look amazing. Never been there but might visit soon.

Doesn't McDonald's still exist?

@Cactus527 I did see that the show is way cheaper if buying directly with them, and gives us the option to eat lunch before going to it without having to go back to the pier for the excursion (yes, it's in walking distance but...pass). My only worry is if has any risk of selling out. Thanks for the info.

What are the better Ketchikan excursions? I'm thinking about going to the lumberjack show. It looks fun, even if tourist-trappy.

Apparently their new ice cream parlor that replaces B&J is now called...Ice Cream Parlor (amazed at the creativity there!). The C&A benefits PDF has been updated as well as the name on the app.

@WannaCruise - You get free 24 hour internet access, no purchase necessary.

It's also one of the truly "free" perks from C&A. Most perks from the program are discounts, which are nice - but you still need to pay for stuff to get the benefit. I'm not Diamond, but I would never ever make the drinks package work for me because I don't drink that much alcohol. I don't drink that much and not much into juices/shakes/etc. But 4 drinks a day...oh my - a couple of cocktails, a specialty coffee, and a whatever else is perfect. Anything else I can pay as I go.

I was once in the one in Allure, which is on the boardwalk. It was empty and sad. I don't know if it gets much action during summer when more kids are on, but it's easy to imagine it's not really profitable. BTW - there is ice cream as a dessert option in the MDR every single day. It's super basic, but between that and the one in the pool deck, it makes paying for ice cream (albeit, much more elaborate) a bit "too much".

That's the Family Gingertownhouse. It has 3 separate bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a slide, and genie service. No drinks package, though.