SPS

I disagree with this recommendation.  I do agree it's hard to know what you will do a year or more from now, but that's why refundable cruise fares exist and it's why I always book refundable fares.

The problem is that people were taking advantage of the previous policies.  They would book several cruises knowing they would likely never actually take them.  Then just before final payment was due they would cancel them and move to another ship   They would do this over and over, creating fake bookings they never planned to take just to keep their certificate.
From Royal’s perspective this created an excess amount of inventory suddenly appearing 90 days before sailing and they had difficult times filling all the cabins.  It created booking volatility.
The original concept was never to allow people to manipulate the system to keep a cruise certificate for years by constantly creating fake or placeholder bookings.
Royal is a business.  It has share holders it is responsible for.  Like many other cruise lines they changed policy to avoid people booking cruises they never intended to take.  
The policies in place now are designed to motivate people to only book a cruise that they intend to sail.  The $100 fee also allows them to cover some of their losses when they have to discount prices closer to sail date due to cancelations.  
Like most policy changes they change because people were taking advantage of them abusing the rules for their own gain.  
The current rules reduce booking volatility and create stable and predictable bookings which allows them to offer better overall pricing to all guests. In the past their losses from booking volatility were covered by fare increases for everyone.  This is one of the ways the current pricing available hasn’t increased compared with the overall inflation trends outside of the cruise industry.  

I'm not. I'm usually in the prep stages of the NEXT cruise already!

The Cruise Planner listed it recently for my upcoming Freedom cruise.

The Cruise Planner listed it recently for my upcoming Freedom cruise.

Sure, What is this doing here? Will have the Captain load cannons and we’ll have a hay day in port. Between Oasis and Anthem we should have it sunk in no time. Out numbered and out gunned. ?

Without getting into a greater discussion of the business practices of Park West, I'd say it should be a very low priority to do. Personally, I would not waste my time.

I was on the Grandeur cruise last year that started two days late because of the rudder issue that kept in in Canaveral for repairs and still got the full amount of C&A points for the cruise I booked. (I received 9 points for the cruise that was shortened to 7 nights.) So, I'm sure the passengers will the points they booked for as well.

I was on the Grandeur cruise last year that started two days late because of the rudder issue that kept in in Canaveral for repairs and still got the full amount of C&A points for the cruise I booked. (I received 9 points for the cruise that was shortened to 7 nights.) So, I'm sure the passengers will the points they booked for as well.

I was on the Grandeur cruise last year that started two days late because of the rudder issue that kept in in Canaveral for repairs and still got the full amount of C&A points for the cruise I booked. (I received 9 points for the cruise that was shortened to 7 nights.) So, I'm sure the passengers will the points they booked for as well.

I'm not. I'm usually in the prep stages of the NEXT cruise already!

I'm not. I'm usually in the prep stages of the NEXT cruise already!

I'm not. I'm usually in the prep stages of the NEXT cruise already!

This is the way I look at it, too. Yes, I drink my fair share of alcoholic drinks, but, I also drink quite a bit of bottled water and and enjoy a well crafted morning latte or two. So it all adds up to being worth it for me.
BTW,  @krwillia, that $44/PD is a pretty good deal.

I'm not. I'm usually in the prep stages of the NEXT cruise already!

The end of a cruise is just the start of a new countdown -- 101 Days till Brilliance.  See what I did there?

We did the southeast cruise back in January. We kept our phones on airplane mode while at sea and turned them on at Canaveral. (we had to skip Charleston because of the two day delay to Grandeur) If you keep it on network at sea, you are too far out to receive signal from US carrier towers on land and will end up on the "Cellular at Sea" network (if available) and could end up incurring additional charges.

I'm not. I'm usually in the prep stages of the NEXT cruise already!

I remember the thread you referenced/posted. The poster joined this site, complained, and then has vanished ever since.
As much I get obsessed with my upcoming cruises, I can't see how I could possibly forget that I have an upcoming vacation to pay for and have it cancelled on me.
I'm not as organized as @tiny260 , but, I am always aware of my outstanding balance and final due date.

Allure of the Seas? Secret Battleship? ????????????
https://www.theonion.com/shelling-from-royal-caribbean-s-m-s-allure-sinks-car-1819580080?utm_medium=sharefromsite&utm_source=theonion_copy&utm_campaign=bottom&fbclid=IwAR21TI27_rLBrnNbLKOR-eUVJzQ_wf8JKjfgdCOq9BdwGBVFnwj8mSl12_I

For those of you that are cruising this month, Congrats and Smooth Sailing!
January 2019
4- KLA (Mariner of the Seas)
5 - FlowBro Ty (Majesty of the Seas)
5- Broons77 (Rhapsody of the Seas)
5- TCinME (Rhapsody of the Seas)
5- BeatArmy2010 (Jewel of the Seas)
6 - yaya luvs to cruz (Anthem of the Seas)
6- MaryCS62 (Anthem of the Seas)
6 - Deedeelynn (Anthem of the Seas)
9- BeatArmy2010 (Jewel of the Seas)
11 - SouthernYankee  (Mariner of the Seas)
12 - Ashlynne12 (Brilliance of the Seas)
12 - krwillia (Granduer of the Seas)
12- L454S (Vision of the Sea)
13 - tiny260 (Allure of the Seas)
13- Jolly Ogre (Allure of the Seas)
13 - jrmende63 (Jewel of the Seas)
13- Oliver (Liberty of the Seas)
13 - Casino Crazy (Oasis of the Seas)
14 - SouthernYankee (Mariner of the Seas)
18 - mworkman (Anthem of the Seas)
18 - kpersons09 (Anthem of the Seas)
19 - SouthernYankee (Symphony of the Seas)
19 - davelliott (Vision of the Seas)
20- lauraodonnell86 (Freedome of the Seas)
20- Irieman (Freedome of the Seas)
24 - JohnUK (Grandeur of the Seas)
25 - RBRSKI (Independence of the Seas)
26 - SouthernYankee (Symphony of the Seas)
26- Gabe (Symphony of the Seas)
26 - fbcmusicman (Rhapsody of the Seas)
26- Joy (Rhapsody of the Seas)
26- Tammylee63 (Rhapsody of the Seas)
27 - SPS (Freedom of the Seas)
27- BTE (Allure of the Seas)
31 - Rede411 (Briliance of the Seas)
31- KathyC (Brilliance of the Seas) RCPeriscopers Group Cruise! 40+
 

If you have never cruised with Royal before, (your post sounds like that might be the case) the check in process can be fairly lengthy, so you'll want to dive in and get that done well ahead of time. (passport info, guest info, emergency contacts, flight info, airport transfers, etc.)
Personally, I like to think of it as an important milestone to reach to build excitement. It also helps get things prepared to reduce that pre-vacation stress that we all experience to varying degrees. Are these reasons compelling? Probably not, but, to each their own.
FYI: We are also sailing on FOTS out of SJ, but, on January 27th. 52 DAYS!!!
 

Would love to hear about the chat feature of Royal Caribbean's app

Well, after 3 cabin moves and who knows how many phone calls by our TA, we are back in the original cabin we booked a year and a half ago! 
@Matt is 100% correct when he says use a travel agent, John Ames at MEI really came through on this!
Scott