melski94

That is what we use and no problems bringing in onboard.

If you wait until guest services split the OBC, then they need to use it onboard. If they both want internet or a drink package, could you use the OBC towards it on the cruise planner. The 2 daughters would split the rest of the cost as you can use multiple credit cards for payment or 1 pays the other back. Either way using the OBC prior to the cruise is probably the easiest. As for check in, each daughter should check themselves in and can apply their own credit card for their onboard account.

Probably too soon. Keep checking as it should open in a month or two.

Is she 75 pounds? My 8 yo is not and while she loves some land ziplines, she isn't big enough for Dragon's Breath. Even with 75 pounds, the weight minimum could be go up as it is adjusted for wind conditions. The landing is very easy. You are not really close that to the water. We like to book before on the cruise planner. First, you get your best choice of times. To me, the earlier the better. Plus, you usually can purchase it on sale on the cruise planner vs paying full price on the ship.

The rooms will be ready at 1. Luggage needs to go through the xrays and carry on sized bags are the ones that will fit. Luggage is typically delivered outside your stateroom or maybe down the hall but not actually to your room.

There is no Coastal Kitchen on Navigator and no private suite seating for lunch and dinner. Coastal Kitchen is on O and Q class only. There isn’t a suite section on Cococay. The adult only pool is mostly shades is called the solarium but there isn’t a suite section in it. Formal nights aren’t really formal anymore. You will see a wide variety of dress even on formal nights.

For Cozumel, I would suggest looking into Playa Mia. It is a bit of a miss on food but has a large toddler friendly splash park and a decent beach.

We went to Wonderland on Symphony last month. The food was ok but the dessert (the World) was the best thing I’ve ever eaten. However, I was shocked and maybe a bit disappointed that there were so many kids in the restaurant. We were looking for a more adult restaurant and thought so based on the menu but there were tons of kids there wanting to meet the Mad Hatter.

My cruise next week shows Thrill Waterpark as sold out too. I guess I'll get the family out early and they can take an afternoon nap in the cabana!

Are you on My Time Dining or Traditional? With MTD, they might try to put you at a table for 2. With Traditional dining, you will be at the same table each night. If your kids aren't eating with you then it would be a no-show. Empty seats happen all the time with Traditional.

While I've never been on Freedom, I have been on both of her sister ships. Here's my take on negative reviews: ignore them! You can find any of the same complaints on any land or cruise vacations. Remember, there are always more people willing to write a negative review than a positive review. 1. Food is very subjective. Are you a foodie? If so, then you may want to skip the MDR and eat at specialty restaurants. I think of the MDR as above average wedding type food as they are serving a thousand people at the same time. My family is fine with it. We've had some very good dishes and some just ok dishes but never anything horrible. If you don't like what they bring, just ask for something else. The wait staff really works to help you. Windjammer isn't my favorite (not a fan of buffets in general) but its fine. It can be crowded during peak times but since there are only 2 of you, it won't be a huge deal to find a table. 2. Very rude passengers. You can find them at any time on both land and cruise vacations. I haven't found anyone super rude but there are many people who think they are special. 3. Over-crowding. I've never found the Freedom class or any RC ship to feel generally overcrowded. There are crowded times (after muster drill, after shows) but if you are ok to use the stairs, it isn't a big deal. The blog is taking a group cruise on Freedom over NYE so there are many people here willing to sail on Freedom. Looking at Freedom's schedule, Freedom would have been recently renovated under the Amp program by when you sail. Now is a good time to book as other ships that have been Amped have gone up in price once it was published what would be done to the ship.

I would not delay my departure to the airport significantly. I've been on a flight that was delayed but they put another aircraft in its place and it left on time. We're on Navigator next week so can't wait to follow along!

Over time, I find my cruises almost always go up in price. The earlier I book the better deal I receive regardless of the current sale. It is very similar to airline tickets. You are booked on a Christmas cruise which is one of the most expensive weeks to cruise and I am not surprised that the price has gone up that much. Sometimes, I find the price goes down but the savings aren't huge as the biggest savings come from booking early.

I try to show up at 10-10:15 am. The ship typically begins boarding at 10:30-11. It goes by really quick once boarding begins.

What kind of compensation are you looking for? Yes, you should be refunded any cost for your shore excursion but beyond that RC does not owe you anything else. RC has the right to change the ports at any time for numerous reasons, ie weather, harbor issues, propulsion issues, medical evacuations and more. It is in the cruise contract. Port changes happen ALL the time, Yes, it is disappointing but sorry you don't deserve any other compensation. You were notified prior to final payment date and you could always change your cruise if you feel disappointed.

RC's policy is kids can be in their own room if connecting, adjoining or directly across from the parent/legal guardian's room. Since the kid's room is 3 doors down, they won't allow you to name both kids in the room. You can get extra keys at guest services made but you won't be able to change the sea pass card.

There are some big box stores that will give extra discounts. I also book all my own travel arrangements to most places except a cruise. Using a TA helps me as I typically book connecting rooms and those aren't the easiest to find on my own. I can and sometimes will tell the TA the exact rooms to book but she still does the booking as she needs to call RC since I have my kids under 21 in a room and we'll be in the other. That being said let me share what my TA (Nancy at MEI) has done for me in the past 6 weeks. This is the first time in 5 or so years of cruising where I've had problems. 1. My TA called me out of the blue to tell me about my July Navigator cruise. RC moved one of the rooms (my kids room) to a different deck. When we booked, the room had a 4 person occupancy but after dry dock it was only for 2 people. My TA caught it and spent 3 days working on what she knew would be an acceptable solution to me. She and her supervisor finally had both of the rooms moved so they are still connecting. While she explained this to me, she casually mentioned the next problem in #2. 2. May Symphony cruise. RC said I suddenly owed a balance. My TA showed them the paperwork that we were paid in full. I think it was because I canceled the Key and rather than refunding me, RC somehow said I owed them the money. My TA worked it out so I could get my refund and show it was paid in full. I couldn't print out my set sail passes and she spent some time on the phone working through their IT issues and it was finally solved the day before my cruise. 3. Another email from the TA. "Did we cancel your 2 sons on your March 2021 cruise? RC refunded the deposit for them." She quickly put my 2 boys back on the reservation so I didn't have a repricing situation. Talk about bad luck with RC over the past few weeks. I've been dealing with a family crisis and absolutely would not have had the time to been able to resolve these on my own. While I don't pay her a dime directly, she has been a wonderful advocate for me when problems come up. And that doesn't even talk about my Alaska cruise where she's priced out so many different options for me.

Check out this previous post. There is a consent form in the post.

While I love Uber and use Uber in most cities, I find a taxi is almost easier at the airport and cruise terminal in Fort Lauderdale. We (family of 6) typically just jump in a taxi van after our cruise at Port everglades to go to FLL. I find it easier than waiting around and figuring out the Uber driver is along with hundreds of other people.

I think the OP's problem is that she was willing to pay a higher price to pick her room but never given the option by RC to select a room. Hence, she felt like she was taken advantage of by RC as she was paying a higher price for a guaranteed room. Having seen this first hand on the Royal website, I agree that it is quite misleading. It is unfortunate that in today's IT age, that the Royal website is so bad. We all know this and laugh about it but it really gives a horrible impression for first time cruisers. I've been recently looking at other companies, even Celebrity, and it is amazing how much better their websites are compared to Royal.

I've recently seen this when I was looking at an Alaska cruise. I was trying to figure out what rooms were available. When I was looking for an Interior for 4 people, it would go from you pick your room to where you put in your info. I always use a travel agent but I like to figure out my own rooms. My travel agent later said that the only interior rooms that were available were in a guarantee interior rooms. It is unfortunate the website isn't more transparent but I don't think it was a bait and switch just a very bad website. I do most of my travel plans myself. I also do most of my own research including picking my staterooms, however, I still use a travel agent to actually book the cruise. In the last 6 weeks, my travel agent had to advocate for me on 3 of my upcoming cruises! The power behind a good agency can really help one out when things go wrong!

Going for a different date would certainly keep cost down. We love an Oasis class but those get really pricy for a family too. To me the best value is the Freedom class ships. You get quite a bit of activities without the sticker shock of an Oasis class ship. All school vacations will have a surge in pricing but not like the holiday sailings. My suggestion is to pick the ship first and then the ports especially it being your first time. You will be on a ship much longer than the maybe 8 hours in port. You can find something to do in all ports and if not you can chose to keep it a ship day. What works for us may be different than you but a must have for my family is the water slides. If you can afford a Harmony or Symphony then go for it but if not Independence is a great ship too.

Just select yourself to receive one package. Royal does this with several things: VOOM, cabanas, and more. If you only want 9 chocolate strawberries, just chose yourself. If you want 18 (2 plates of strawberries) then chose 2 people.

Sorry to hear about your cruise but it really does sound like you had a good cruise. I think you have to realize that every vacation both cruise and land has changed from 10 years ago. It sounds like you had a very good cruise outside the lines at the bars and the flowrider. I tend to have high expectations in my mind about the cruise. I do agree about bar service as that can be a source of major frustration for me too but I've learned to find a roving server and tip a few $ to make sure they come back. I wonder what happened at the flowrider as I've seen them shut down the line at say 10:30 if it closed at 11 to make sure everyone who was in line was able to ride. My family has aged beyond Disney and while we like WDW, a Disney cruise is not worth the premium to my family. Similar to what @Rose City Cruiser said, for the price of a DCL balcony, my family can live the suite life on OA class.

I would keep calling. I'd hate for RC to cancel your cruise due to a computer glitch.