CruiseMsclDad

Thank you ! It is a working trip if he does not go with me so that is a great idea!

Good to know! thank you, my youngest son always brings back to the ship half the beach ! Mitch

Besides constantly critiquing our progress, airline seats are the only big issue that has ever come up! Happy cruising!

Thank you!

There is a sea shell ban? I have never been asked, when did this start?

My son still has not made up his my about joining me on my upcoming cruise, so I was thinking of doing Anytime Dining for the first time, but on the fence if I am going solo. Pros & Cons of Anytime Dining? Thanks Mitch

Mariner of the Seas, September 9th!

I laughed when I saw this! When my oldest son came out to me, we then took our first dad/son cruise without his little brother, and he wore on embarkation day, a tank top that said "Out & Proud Cruiser." Mitch here happy to meet you!

Thank you ! All I want is just nice quiet blue beach, and just you know kind of want to be left alone for a bit. Do you mean "family" as in its not adult only resort? Thanks!

Can you tell me more here or you can email me if you want? [email protected]

Hi guys Mitch here! One of my ports on the Mariner is the port of Falmouth, Jamaica. Since this is a working trip, I really want to relax during this visit, so I was listening or reading not sure which to The RC Blog, and Matt mentioned a day pass, I think he was referring to hotels during layovers, great idea! I thought of applying this to my trip to Jamaica. My wish list includes a beautiful beach, availability of a massage or a spa, and good food and drink. Here is a list of resorts: Iberostar Rose Hall Jewel Paradise Cove Beach Resort PLUS SPA Hilton Rose Hall RIU Reggae RIU Montego Bay Has anyone had any experience with these properties? Thank you, Mitch

Thank you ! I am constantly amazed at how cabins are valued, When I first booked this cruise everything was so expensive, and certain categories I thought were sold out, but everyday certain categories would open and others close! I found out with this cruise and I will apply this to future cruises is you have to be very logical and be disciplined about checking daily for cabin choice selection changes. I wish my career would let me choose a date in the future because I would like to snag some deals near 2025, but I just can't at least for now. I know the farther out you book the greater selection of cabin choices that you have. I learned a lot during my first experience with Royal UP and i want to seriously thank everyone here and all those that privately emailed to share their advice, I learned a lot.

UPDATE! UPDATE! UPDATE! So I took Bobroo's advice, and I did a little research, found out the cost of OS, GS 1 bedroom, GS 2bedroom, RS, and then I was in the process of altering my bids, when I get a text from my TA. I found out my Suite GTY was actually a Junior Suite, long story short there were 5 Grand Suite 1 bedrooms available, and the upgrade from the Junior Suite was like $240. So my TA told me cancel, my Key which was $299. This upgrade price was last night and they had 4 left.

You are 100% correct, I guess since my divorce I have spoiled both of them, but the last couple of years my oldest has changed a lot, faced some stuff, he joined the arestling team, got into bodybuilding like his dad, so I can't complain, really. His school would let him start later if he decided to go, so time will tell Thanks, Mitch

Thank you so much for this info! Mitch

Hi! Thank you for your help! I am planning on getting the internet package anyway , this will be a working trip for me, maybe there will be a Labor Day sale? Thank you, Mitch

Hi! Currently I have a Suite GTY on Mariner, I am assuming it is a JS, I tried the barcode trick. Thank you for your help! I am planning on getting the internet package, this will be a working trip for me, maybe there wil be a Labor Day sale? Thank you, Mitch

Thank you so much! I really like how in the article you pointed out that is is like a scratch off lottery ticket, that hit hoe for me, I think I will put in some bids and just forget about it. Since my son is still debating on joining me, I think I ill be fine in a JS. Thank you again for this article. Mitch

Hey Cruisers! I decided to purchase The Key, for my upcoming trip, there is still time to cancel it, how has your experiences been? Mitch

I started cruising as a kid with different relatives, then mostly with my Uncle. My family are fanatical about certain things, especially cleaning. Growing up I thought all families on vacation cleaned up hotel rooms, or cruise ship cabins after the Cabin Attendant cleaned. My job as a kid, was the windows and the mirrors, which is one of few things that got larger over the years! But on a panoramic ocean view you can clean the inside all you want, if the outside is dirty well I am not hanging on the side of the ship to do them:)

Agree, if it were a newer ship I would bid more aggressively, I love the Mariner, for lots of reasons, but not for the cabins, and since I am going solo a JS is fine for just me.

Agree! At this point it would be just for fun, and since I am probably going solo a JS is fine.

I know the ship is almost sold out, I was just curious with other passengers experiences.

Hey guys! So I just snagged a Suite Guarantee, I am assuming its a Junior Suite, and today I can see the following categories that I can bid on: Grand Suite $0 - $700 Grand Suite - 2 Bedroom $0 - $910 Owner’s Suite $0 - $980 Royal Suite $0 - $700 I have never done a Royal Up before, what bids would you suggest and how has your experiences been? Thanks Mitch !

Awesome!!!