AnnetteJackson

This happens a lot.  Within the agency we will look at our bookings to see if we can help, but Royal does not contact clients about moving in this situation unless they made the mistake that created the non connecting rooms.  I have had some clients that had older kids that used the balcony as the connecting door for the rooms.  But always check back to see if they become available, because you never know until after final payment if those rooms are really going.  Also, if you are more flexible with your room type you might be able to find connecting.  But as you can imagine, connecting go early.

Great memory!  This is all the group cruises - so far.
How does the GC get decided - Matt and myself work together to find a cruise that works with his schedule, my schedule, but more importantly has interesting ports of call - something different.  Sometimes there are several cruises that are held while we decide or wait to see what else is released by Royal.
If can look at times that the boards, insiders, and comments to him will help make his decision, but in all the years we have worked on these group cruises - that really hasn't swayed him.  Ultimately, he will do two GC a year, and he decides when he has all the factors that he is waiting on from Royal on ships and where they will be sailing.

I have a strong feeling I'll want to book another group cruise, but damn if most of them aren't over holidays (I can't get PTO over holidays, booooo). 

Great memory!  This is all the group cruises - so far.
How does the GC get decided - Matt and myself work together to find a cruise that works with his schedule, my schedule, but more importantly has interesting ports of call - something different.  Sometimes there are several cruises that are held while we decide or wait to see what else is released by Royal.
If can look at times that the boards, insiders, and comments to him will help make his decision, but in all the years we have worked on these group cruises - that really hasn't swayed him.  Ultimately, he will do two GC a year, and he decides when he has all the factors that he is waiting on from Royal on ships and where they will be sailing.

Hmmm...I’ve never considered packing cubes before but I REALLY like these, Annette.  What an awesome product. I think I’m going to have to do this !

I love my HANGING packing cubes by Stow N Go - It has three shelves and a pouch at the bottom.  I can pack for a week in this.  When I get to where I am going I can pull this out, hang it up, and... Im unpacked!  I LOVE THESE THINGS!  and i got the smaller size so that I can use in a carry on or in a large suitcase with room for SHOES!
https://www.amazon.com/Stow-N-Go-Portable-Luggage-Suitcase-Organizer/dp/B01N9KMI1Z/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3988P1OA3PDQG&keywords=stow+n+go+portable+luggage+system&qid=1563412029&s=gateway&sprefix=stow+n+go%2Caps%2C616&sr=8-3

I love my HANGING packing cubes by Stow N Go - It has three shelves and a pouch at the bottom.  I can pack for a week in this.  When I get to where I am going I can pull this out, hang it up, and... Im unpacked!  I LOVE THESE THINGS!  and i got the smaller size so that I can use in a carry on or in a large suitcase with room for SHOES!
https://www.amazon.com/Stow-N-Go-Portable-Luggage-Suitcase-Organizer/dp/B01N9KMI1Z/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3988P1OA3PDQG&keywords=stow+n+go+portable+luggage+system&qid=1563412029&s=gateway&sprefix=stow+n+go%2Caps%2C616&sr=8-3

Great memory!  This is all the group cruises - so far.
How does the GC get decided - Matt and myself work together to find a cruise that works with his schedule, my schedule, but more importantly has interesting ports of call - something different.  Sometimes there are several cruises that are held while we decide or wait to see what else is released by Royal.
If can look at times that the boards, insiders, and comments to him will help make his decision, but in all the years we have worked on these group cruises - that really hasn't swayed him.  Ultimately, he will do two GC a year, and he decides when he has all the factors that he is waiting on from Royal on ships and where they will be sailing.

Just to add - i would check your account a few times during your cruise.  I have been on cruises where mistakes were made and I was charged for things that were not mine.  Its a lot of people on a ship-  things happen.  You will be able to check your account on your TV in the room.  They are great about fixing things at Guest Services.
Cash Account - just know that requires you to go to the desk to close that out at the end of the cruise.  I have seen people stopped on their way off the ship because they did not close their accounts out, or there were outstanding charges.  I use a card for this, but typically do not have any charges on it - just easier than going to the desk on the last day of the cruise when the line is HUGE ?

Sooo..come on 2021-2022 deployment schedules and OA5 announcements!

Great memory!  This is all the group cruises - so far.
How does the GC get decided - Matt and myself work together to find a cruise that works with his schedule, my schedule, but more importantly has interesting ports of call - something different.  Sometimes there are several cruises that are held while we decide or wait to see what else is released by Royal.
If can look at times that the boards, insiders, and comments to him will help make his decision, but in all the years we have worked on these group cruises - that really hasn't swayed him.  Ultimately, he will do two GC a year, and he decides when he has all the factors that he is waiting on from Royal on ships and where they will be sailing.

This group is all about encouraging booking more cruises, so it would not be too much!

Your reservation can be taken over by that Travel agency and then they can make changes to that booking.  It could take 3 to 5 days for them to have access to your reservation.

Just make sure when on board that you are getting the type rate you are wanting - non-refundable vs refundable.  They will always start with non-refundable rates and it can take a lot of pressure to get to a refundable rate with them.  If you book a non-refundable rate you do have 60 days to come back and make changes, but the rate will stay non-refundable.
Also, dont forget about checking the rates for cruises you already have booked.  There are times that the OBC offered on board will make the difference in the price you are already paying.  
 

Great memory!  This is all the group cruises - so far.
How does the GC get decided - Matt and myself work together to find a cruise that works with his schedule, my schedule, but more importantly has interesting ports of call - something different.  Sometimes there are several cruises that are held while we decide or wait to see what else is released by Royal.
If can look at times that the boards, insiders, and comments to him will help make his decision, but in all the years we have worked on these group cruises - that really hasn't swayed him.  Ultimately, he will do two GC a year, and he decides when he has all the factors that he is waiting on from Royal on ships and where they will be sailing.

Hello - Please contact me at [email protected] or call me at 919 605 6282 so I can jump in to help you with this situation

If someone in the room travels with a flat iron for hair - it can help iron out some of the wrinkled areas.  I know it would take a long time to do a garment, but it is great for quick fixes. ?
 

Hello - Please contact me at [email protected] or call me at 919 605 6282 so I can jump in to help you with this situation

Hi Annette, thanks for reaching out, I will contact you. 
Thanks

Hello - Please contact me at [email protected] or call me at 919 605 6282 so I can jump in to help you with this situation

Hello - Please contact me at [email protected] or call me at 919 605 6282 so I can jump in to help you with this situation

Great time had by all at the pizza meet up tonight. Huge thanks to @Matt and @AnnetteJackson for organizing and feeding us ?? 
It was so great meeting some people there tonight that up until now, I only knew virtually. I cannot wait to meet the rest of the gang tomorrow on board!  Currently trying to explain to D12 how wide the RCBlog Cruising community spans. She thought it was just the message boards but now that she has met some people, she is trying to wrap her head around the boards, the Insiders, and Periscope. It really is awesome to see how @Matt has grown and shaped this community for all of us. Thank you @Matt
I did not scope tonight but some others did. Check out these great scopes tonight by @Matt, Jose, and @KathyC (who might I mention is super nice and awesome!). I wish you were coming with us @KathyC!!
https://www.pscp.tv/w/b-1bnDF4TlFhYVJPT2V3UWJ8MVJEeGx2V2dqRW9HTBZLq_h-toE0LdQwUIS4p24dG5vB5orXuUKPl_wyKjVP
https://www.pscp.tv/w/b-1buDF4TlFhYVJPT2V3UWJ8MVJEeGx2V2FwWWRHTDr8k7yrfzVp3saBbYwE5audsQz0_AsnV7vBpHjYc5X_
https://www.pscp.tv/w/b-1b0TF4TlFhYVJPT2V3UWJ8MU93eFdrV3d2UWV4USUOnMNENhQ7mQaWeq1QdapVIoqhAQLc3exvqov1i6__
https://www.pscp.tv/w/b-1b7TF4TlFhYVJPT2V3UWJ8MUJSS2p2ZVBrYUJLd11eUtyvDTvM6gvRkGDODQJWLEH1rRusJYS1YKbKy4b4

Great live blog @Lovetocruise2002.  It was fun to read all 18 pages of this live blog post being on this cruise.
Not meaning to hijack, but a few of my random thoughts.
It was fantastic meeting everyone on the Group Cruise.  One of my favorite cruises so far...by far having 80+ other groupies to hang with was fun.
As has been mentioned about eating in the Two70 Cafe is a hidden gem...the Solarium Bistro is another great place to avoid big crowds.
One funny moment was on day 2 or 3 I was eating dinner up there, and I get a notification on my phone of @Matt doing a live periscope, and I look around the small room, and two other tables were listening in.
Where ever I would go, I would usually see a friendly face, or a red MEI lanyard (thanks @AnnetteJackson .)
As mentioned, the flow of people is not very good, especially around the Royal Theater.  What made it worse, there were major shows/events scheduled when a major show ended, and another event started in 10 or 15 minutes afterwards.  People trying to get in (and blocking the hallways) while the theater was letting out.
Also noticed a few shows/events that started 10-15 (one was 20 or 25) late.  I don't remember this happening so often on my previous cruises.
Being on three Voyager class ships in the past, Anthem my new largest ship...I did miss the openness of a promenade.  
Looking forward to joining more group cruises in the future.

When I am cruising there are cruises where I do not go into the MDR at all.  I do apply gratuities in advance to my reservation, but if I dont go to the dining room, I have them adjust where those gratuities are going to.  I have elected for the MDR portion to go to the stateroom attendant, or a team of bartenders if I hung out in one bar more than the other.  I do not mind tipping people at all with extra tips and love to give cash to them, but I do not like to tip for services I did not use.

How often do you get to dress up!?!?!
My family has gone not formal at all to PROM formal.  My girls were in college, but took their old prom dresses to wear again on the cruise. 
The one thing I love about cruising is the opportunity to dress up or not.  
Dont worry about others, dress up or not, based on how you feel about it, enjoy the photos, and who cares if you are out dressing everyone on the ship!  When are you going to see those people again anyways!