firegal2539

Here is what I found on the Royal website.
 
  All professional Photo operations are handled by Image Photo Services on all Royal Caribbean ships. There is no ability to offer post-cruise sales of any photographic products or services.

All shipboard photo products and services musty be either purchased pre-cruise at www.ourcruisephotos.com or onboard during a cruise vacation.

For more information please visit http://support.ourcruisephotos.com/ or call +1-850-250-3423 
 
Candie

How can I get a cruise ship to Dallas Texas? Talk about landlocked. We do have the Trinity River where you can't get a rowboat down, no one goes near the Trinity because too many unidentified floating objects. I am four hours from Houston and won't drive because Houston traffic rivals Los Angeles traffic.
Candie
 

Monctonguy,
I do what you do. I walk the ship, at least the parts they let me into. I find where the library, internet cafe, etc. are. By the end of the first two hours I have my bearings and can pretty much find everything from there on out. I love to people watch. I usually find a window seat that over looks the Royal Promenade and watch the crazy people. It is funny to me that you can usually tell the first time cruisers right away.
Candie

What WhiteSoxFan said is correct. On the larger ships they have reservations for the shows a month or more before sailing and they book fast. I usually make my reservations online because you have to stand in line and the seating can be pretty bad. Since I am a long time cruiser, I believe in booking excursions way before the cruise, but I also like to book private excursions not offered by the ships. You have to be very careful doing this and I wouldn't recommend it for a first time cruiser. My first time in any port I usually do an excursion that introduces me to the port city and the culture, after that I venture into other excursions. BTW, the specialty restaurants offer reservations online, so if you want to book any meals at one of these restaurants, I highly advise to do it before getting onboard. On my last cruise in March on the Liberty, every specialty restaurant was booked full before we sailed and the ship was not taking any new reservations.
Candie

I have rented all my scooters for Special Needs at Sea. It is in your room waiting for you when you board. There are some places that scooters can't go. The MDR is one. I know people will say they do but as soon as you arrive at the desk it is driven away and put at the front of the MDR because there is no room in the dining room. You are not allowed to park it in any hallway because carts and people can't get by. Some bars/lounges don't allow them. You can move all over the ship but I find some times the scooter  can be a pain to get on and off the elevators and into certain areas. Don't get me wrong I am glad I had the scooter for all of my cruises but sometimes they can cause problems. Oh, you can't take it off the ship. The crew is not allowed to help with driving it off of the ship on the gangway or helping load it on or off the ship.

Tony, Raye, and Anyone Else,
I spent about 30 minutes on the phone with RCCL Club Royal because I am on the Liberty the first week of May and wanted to know my ranking. Of course, they couldn't tell me. What the representative did tell me is the new ranking system and what each level is called and what you get for the level. I am going to list them below. Just remember this is just one representative's information and somehow it will change with each rep you talk to.
Step 1 is called Choice and you need to get from 1 to 2,499 points on a cruise. With the Choice level you qualify for rewards certificates and point redemption.
Step 2 is called Prime and you need to get from 2,500 to 24,999 points on a cruise. With the Prime level you qualify for the Choice benefits and the convenience fee waived and free drinks in the casino.
Step 3 is called Signature and you need to get from 25,000 to 99,999 points on a cruise. With the Signature level you qualify for the Choice and Prime benefits and priority check-in and one (1) comped device for WiFi and a short comped cruise. Also the rep stated she thought there would be Signature events on the cruise.
Step 4 is called Masters and you need to get 100,000 points on a cruise. With the Masters level you qualify for the Choice, Prime and Signature benefits and two (2) comped devices for WiFi, priority seating pretty much everywhere, usually a 7 day comped cruise, special Masters only events, dining, meetups, etc.
I hope this helps and as I said it is only what one rep told me. Supposedly RCCL is suppose to email all Casino Royale members before their cruise and let them know what their level is and what they qualify for. But if they don't just go to the Casino Host/ess.
Hope this helps. Candie

Garnet21,
I have been a solo cruiser for the last 10 years and I love it. I love the meeting of new people (friends) when eating in the MDR. I have met so many people that I still keep in contact with and have even cruised with again. The only problem I have found is one cruise I was seated with a family. Everyone there was related in one way or another and I was the only oddball, so I asked the maitre'd to switch me to another table and it was perfect. I don't want to sit alone, I want to mingle and talk. My last cruise, a few weeks ago, I was the only woman with five men, that one was fun. 
Give it a try, I think you will enjoy yourself. 

Garnet21,
I have been a solo cruiser for the last 10 years and I love it. I love the meeting of new people (friends) when eating in the MDR. I have met so many people that I still keep in contact with and have even cruised with again. The only problem I have found is one cruise I was seated with a family. Everyone there was related in one way or another and I was the only oddball, so I asked the maitre'd to switch me to another table and it was perfect. I don't want to sit alone, I want to mingle and talk. My last cruise, a few weeks ago, I was the only woman with five men, that one was fun. 
Give it a try, I think you will enjoy yourself. 

Just coming off of the Grandeur January 2 cruise, (yes that cruise) and was promised my cruise certificate before I got off in Port Canaveral. Never got and on the morning of debarkation went to Guest Services and they couldn't help. Was told that the casino staff was unavailable and to call CR, which I did. They reduced my certificate, that was originally $300 (according to the casino hostess) to $100 and was allowed to apply it to an existing cruise.
For the first time in my life I didn't want to argue with a cruise line, so I just took the $100 and used it.
Candie

I am sure many of you read Matt's Post Roundup of the Grandeur of the Seas problems, "Grandeur of the Seas had to go in for immediate repairs to fix an issue with her rudder earlier this week.
During a sailing, Royal Caribbean notified guests that Grandeur of the Seas was experiencing a technical issue which limits the operation of one of the two rudders used to steer the ship. As a result, the ship would be delayed in returning to Baltimore by two days.
The repairs took place on January 11, with the ship returning to Baltimore on January 13.  This caused the current sailing to be extended by two days and the next sailing to be shortened by two days."
I am not here to complain but when friends and coworkers asked me about this cruise I honestly couldn't say it was a great cruise, a good cruise or a bad cruise, it was just a cruise. I enjoyed myself somewhat with the limited things there were to do. I actually had time to read 5 novels because Royal doesn't give movies to watch in your cabin.
According to Captain Thor the rudder went out at 2 a.m. but many passengers including me, at 2 a.m. heard a very loud, long bang, the ship shook and immediately slowed down. It felt like we hit something. From that time on we limped around in the ocean. First Captain Thor was directed to take the ship to Freeport, but after turning around and heading towards Freeport for 5 hours, he was told that he wouldn't be able to work on the ship there and was told to go to Port Canaveral. Two days later we made it. I elected to get off of the ship, since it was the day we should have returned to Baltimore, and I needed to be at work the next day.
Many other things happened on this cruise. We were scheduled to go into Charleston, SC, first port, but Charleston closed the port and the only reason we docked there, three passengers were taken by ambulance to the hospital. Captain Thor asked passengers to not get off the ship since the whole city was closed down and he felt serious injury could happen if we did, but still many passengers got off to find a city totally closed. The next stop was Port Canaveral, which was having record low temperatures and all excursions that were outside, airboats, etc., were cancelled and part of Disney wasn't open. Next port was Freeport, it poured down rain, Nassau came after that and because of the weather we couldn't use tenders for CocoCay so we stayed in Nassau for two days.
Then on the way back is when the ship had it's problems. To add more misery, over 250 passengers had Norovirus and over 100 had upper respiratory infections, all were quarantined if they went to the ship's doctor. Only 2,000 passengers and 1/4 of them sick.
I don't blame Royal for any of this, Captain Thor couldn't control the weather, the ship problems, sickness, but he could control his crew and many of them were over worked, stressed, because of the illnesses on board and were very short, sharp and curt to all passengers. I understand this, but it doesn't make it correct for crew to treat passengers that way. I was one of the few passengers who tried not to go to Guest Services because there was always a line of 50 or more people and most were so upset all they did was yell at the crew working the desk. I realized how bad it was when I discovered all of the dancers and singers were working the soda machines, in the buffet clearing tables, doing washy-washy. Even the galley staff that I never see helped out at Guest Services.
Voom was mostly non-working because all passengers were trying to use it at the same time. The manager of the Internet Café tried to explain this to all but they didn't listen and still tried to get on the internet. I finally gave up after spending an hour just trying to connect to Yahoo so I could get my TA to find me a flight home and never connected.
I had a nonexistent cruise director, no passengers ever saw him, he didn't do the production shows, he didn't do the parties, the only thing I saw him do was the Love and Marriage game show and his television show. He was the worst cruise director I have ever had.
To say it was an interesting cruise, that would be correct. Again, I can't say I had a great, good or bad cruise, it was just a cruise. I truly did feel sorry for Captain Thor, he didn't deserve the passengers wrath. And sorry I guess I did complain.
Candie

If you will go to jhrewardife.com it tells you all about the program. It is for John Hancock insurers. Yes it is legit.
Candie

If you will go to jhrewardife.com it tells you all about the program. It is for John Hancock insurers. Yes it is legit.
Candie

I have to agree with Laurac22, if you purposely book an ADA cabin because you want a bigger cabin, than you are falsely booking a cabin that a person with a disability might not be able to get because someone who isn't disabled took it because they wanted a larger room. I am sorry the person that is not disabled should look at an Ocean View, Balcony or Suite, I understand it will cost more but they are being deceiving in booking a ADA cabin. The person that booked this ADA cabin is wrong, not the cruise line.
 
You have to make out paperwork stating you are ADA, but these people just lie, It might be better if the cruise lines required a doctor's statement saying the passenger is ADA. That would solve the problem. I know more paperwork for the cruise line but at least ADA passengers would have a chance to get the cabin.
 
I agree if the cruise line offers it to you near final or after, yes, then take it. 

Kayla,
I have to agree with you, everyone seems to stop and talk smack dab in the middle of a walkway. On my last cruise, one of the bars was in the middle of a walkway and a MDR was off on one side of the walkway. Passengers would always stop right in front of the MDR to decide if they wanted to have dinner there, go for a drink at the bar, go to a show, whatever, and there was no way you could get around them.
My last cruise I decided someone needs to write the "Guide to Elevator Etiquette on a Cruise Ship for All Ages". The whole cruise was seriously spoiled by passengers trying to get on the elevator. I had several experiences on my 10 day cruise, including the elevator was full, you couldn't have fit a toothpick in there but when we stopped on Deck 9, an elderly couple decided there was enough room for them. He put his hands on the door to stop it from closing and she tried to wiggle her 200 plus pounds into the elevator. When she did this, the elevator signaled it was over capacity and she stood in the doorway with hubby asking what that noise was. I finally looked at her and said "It tells us that the elevator is over weight capacity, which it wasn't, until you tried to cram yourself in it." I am serious, everyone on the elevator cheered me. I am sorry, but that couple was rude beyond belief and, yes, I was too, but someone needed to say something so they would get off. After almost 5 minutes, they turned around and left.
The other experience was the elevator had room for one more person and a family of 4 decided to cram in. All 4 of them had just come from the pool and were soaking wet and dripping water everywhere. The teenage boy was right up against my body, (I got to know him real well), when he got off, there was a water stain all down the front of my blouse from being pressed up against me and becoming my new best friend.
I use a cane to walk and there are people who always tell me to go before them but I won't do it because they have waited longer then I have to get on the elevator. The days of people being polite are long gone.
So, who wants to write the elevator etiquette book, you could also do proper line etiquette too! 
Candie

I have had a LUG bag for about 4 years now. It was invented by a woman who was driving back and forth from Dallas to Canada about every two months meeting with her fiance. It is an amazing bag and I use it every trip, as my carry on and in port. At least once or twice in the airport, port or ship, people stop and ask if that is a LUG. Two flight attendants had to bring theirs out to show me that they had them also. It has so many zippered compartments, it is waterproff, but it is expensive. It is called the LUG Puddle Jumper.
https://www.luglife.com/products/mini-puddle-jumper?variant=39503239441
Candie

I have taken around 40 cruises and am heading for Diamond Plus on Royal. Can't wait to get there. I also sail on Norwegian. There is only one ship I love in their line up and it is the Escape, their newest, until Bliss come out and I am trying to book that right now. NCL seems to give a lot more to the high ranking Latitude members. I am Platinum on NCL, heading for Platinum Plus. I brought the information with me for my status on both RCL and NCL on my last Escape cruise and NCL gives more, plus they give amazing discounts for playing in the casino. Last year I got 3 free cruises from NCL.
I have sailed Princess and I am a Ruby member, heading for Diamond, but I don't like there two big ships because there are no Ocean View staterooms, Interior and then Balcony.
As other people have said, cost factors in, ports, food, etc. I find the specialty restaurants on NCL to beat RCCL hands down. My last cruise in October on RCCL was the worst meal at a steakhouse I have ever had. The steak was tasteless, asked for medium well, got it well and the sides were just luke warm. 
I planned a huge Meet & Greet on the NCL Escape cruise, over 125 passengers attending and the officers were so amazing to us. Talked for about an hour. My RCCL cruise the M&G was a flop, officers just introduced themselves and left. (Before everyone gives me flack, I know they have a job to do but what can 30 to 60 minutes to speak to the passengers do to your schedule.)
I am taking my first HAL cruise in 2018, can't wait, doing a Montreal to Fort Lauderdale repositioning and there are only amazing things said about this cruise, just can't wait. 
I have 4 RCCL cruises book for 2018 and 2019, 2 NCL and 1 HAL. I wish I could remain loyal but I find the differences intriguing on the other lines.
Candie

I finally got to talk to Stephanie with MEI, so helpful, and finally I am booked on a Royal Caribbean Blog cruise. I am so excited. I get to meet the ALL KNOWING and ALL POWERFUL, MATT. I am going out to look for an autograph book tomorrow just so I will have his autograph.
WAAAYTOOO you had better sign up for this cruise so that we can finally meet and spend all our time in the casino.
Candie

Bobroo,
I recently retired after 30 years with our local fire department (not a firefighter). We used the Pelican for so many things. With firemen, they act like 3 year old boys, and purposely try to destroy every thing they can get their hands on.
I would love to have one of those Pelican's now so I could do what you did.
Candie

rjac,
I, too, looked at the form and didn't see any openings for fat, old, no talent lady and then I noticed they need a video. Does my 1980 Polaroid Instamatic where it spits out one picture count as a video.
Candie

No Matt not Freeport Bahamas, please send me somewhere else. I had my September Eastern cancelled. My November Eastern is going to Key West, St. Thomas, Tortola and Nassau. Guess I won't be seeing any of those ports. In February 2018 another Eastern, same ports. I don't want to go to Freeport. UGH, you ruined my day.
Candie

I agree with JL about the negative noise on CC but I still read the reviews. I think when people go on a cruise they expect it to be like what they saw on LOVE BOAT. I always remember that show and think about how poor Isaac the bartender worked every bar on ship, every day. The Captain was never in the bridge, instead he was mingling with passengers, but I feel people expect that kind of treatment when on a cruise. If you have your expectations so high you will be disappointed. CC is not the only negative review site, there are several others. Trip Advisor has their share of negative reviews.
I have read many reviews where passengers blamed the cruise lines for the weather, the sea conditions, people on board who were sick, etc. It is what you make it.
Anyways I kind of veered off subject, if you read CC and just remember that this review might be biased, sometimes there is still good information in the review. 
I use Trip Advisor when I am looking for a good restaurant at home, a good hotel to stay at the day before the cruise, it is a wealth of information and it also lists excursions.
For information about ports, I use whatsinport.com, cruiseportinsider.com and tomsportguides.com. The first two have a rundown of everything that is in port, weather information and what to pack, many things. Tom's Port Guides is written by a man who has traveled to all of the ports and compiled them into a wealth of information. He will tell you whether the port is walkable, how far from the ship to the center of town, his suggestions on excursions. It is an amazing wealth of information but unfortunately he hasn't traveled to every port, so there are many missing.
I don't like vacationstogo.com. I have had friends who were kind of messed with on their booking. I don't like that they charge a fee for booking with them. A travel agent, at least to me, is the best way to go for a booking. A very good travel agent can make recommendations on everything to do with a cruise. My TA, since I know her so well, will tell me if she thinks the cruise just isn't right for me.
With a membership to the Royal Blog you can get cruise tracking, I use it all the time.
Matt is a wealth of information and so are the members. WAAAYTOOO has taken so many cruises she has so much knowledge about cruising and many others are the same. Just ask your questions and you will always get an answer.
Candie

rjac,
I believe it is called the "S.S. I've spent WAAAYTOOO much money in the casino this trip".
Candie

rjac,
I believe it is called the "S.S. I've spent WAAAYTOOO much money in the casino this trip".
Candie

Yes I retired from the Irving Texas Fire Department after almost 35 years. I loved my job but I felt it was time to let younger people take over.
I have worked a part time job for two years but they frowned on me taking off once a month for 7 days to take a cruise, (I just don't understand that)!!
I now work from home picking the hours I want to work and when I can take time off.
I cruise about 6 to 8 times a year, although Harvey and Irma have managed to ruin two of this years cruises.
Candie

rjac,
I believe it is called the "S.S. I've spent WAAAYTOOO much money in the casino this trip".
Candie