DavidSodapop

I should probably stay out of this but I don't think "grammar shaming" somebody who is angry is anything except treating someone the way they said they've been treated already. If a mistake was made (and don't for a minute suggest that sometimes a large corporation and it's employees don't make mistakes--or are rude) why not just say so.
I like reading this blog because it was so nice to see everyone's positive outlook on cruising. All of you love to tout how much money you saved, and the value of the dollar, and saving up your pennies to go on cruises. It's nice to read--so when someone is upset they've lost a deposit I"m pretty sure all of you would be pissed off if you were out $500 in 24hrs for a clerical error on your part. Anger can get the best of us, as clearly at has gotten the best of you at this person with their vitriolic language. Direct them and help, don't criticize them for their opinion....it's always our behavior in bad times that is a great reflection of who we are, and admitting when we are wrong and moving on....

I should probably stay out of this but I don't think "grammar shaming" somebody who is angry is anything except treating someone the way they said they've been treated already. If a mistake was made (and don't for a minute suggest that sometimes a large corporation and it's employees don't make mistakes--or are rude) why not just say so.
I like reading this blog because it was so nice to see everyone's positive outlook on cruising. All of you love to tout how much money you saved, and the value of the dollar, and saving up your pennies to go on cruises. It's nice to read--so when someone is upset they've lost a deposit I"m pretty sure all of you would be pissed off if you were out $500 in 24hrs for a clerical error on your part. Anger can get the best of us, as clearly at has gotten the best of you at this person with their vitriolic language. Direct them and help, don't criticize them for their opinion....it's always our behavior in bad times that is a great reflection of who we are, and admitting when we are wrong and moving on....

I should probably stay out of this but I don't think "grammar shaming" somebody who is angry is anything except treating someone the way they said they've been treated already. If a mistake was made (and don't for a minute suggest that sometimes a large corporation and it's employees don't make mistakes--or are rude) why not just say so.
I like reading this blog because it was so nice to see everyone's positive outlook on cruising. All of you love to tout how much money you saved, and the value of the dollar, and saving up your pennies to go on cruises. It's nice to read--so when someone is upset they've lost a deposit I"m pretty sure all of you would be pissed off if you were out $500 in 24hrs for a clerical error on your part. Anger can get the best of us, as clearly at has gotten the best of you at this person with their vitriolic language. Direct them and help, don't criticize them for their opinion....it's always our behavior in bad times that is a great reflection of who we are, and admitting when we are wrong and moving on....

I should probably stay out of this but I don't think "grammar shaming" somebody who is angry is anything except treating someone the way they said they've been treated already. If a mistake was made (and don't for a minute suggest that sometimes a large corporation and it's employees don't make mistakes--or are rude) why not just say so.
I like reading this blog because it was so nice to see everyone's positive outlook on cruising. All of you love to tout how much money you saved, and the value of the dollar, and saving up your pennies to go on cruises. It's nice to read--so when someone is upset they've lost a deposit I"m pretty sure all of you would be pissed off if you were out $500 in 24hrs for a clerical error on your part. Anger can get the best of us, as clearly at has gotten the best of you at this person with their vitriolic language. Direct them and help, don't criticize them for their opinion....it's always our behavior in bad times that is a great reflection of who we are, and admitting when we are wrong and moving on....

I should probably stay out of this but I don't think "grammar shaming" somebody who is angry is anything except treating someone the way they said they've been treated already. If a mistake was made (and don't for a minute suggest that sometimes a large corporation and it's employees don't make mistakes--or are rude) why not just say so.
I like reading this blog because it was so nice to see everyone's positive outlook on cruising. All of you love to tout how much money you saved, and the value of the dollar, and saving up your pennies to go on cruises. It's nice to read--so when someone is upset they've lost a deposit I"m pretty sure all of you would be pissed off if you were out $500 in 24hrs for a clerical error on your part. Anger can get the best of us, as clearly at has gotten the best of you at this person with their vitriolic language. Direct them and help, don't criticize them for their opinion....it's always our behavior in bad times that is a great reflection of who we are, and admitting when we are wrong and moving on....

I should probably stay out of this but I don't think "grammar shaming" somebody who is angry is anything except treating someone the way they said they've been treated already. If a mistake was made (and don't for a minute suggest that sometimes a large corporation and it's employees don't make mistakes--or are rude) why not just say so.
I like reading this blog because it was so nice to see everyone's positive outlook on cruising. All of you love to tout how much money you saved, and the value of the dollar, and saving up your pennies to go on cruises. It's nice to read--so when someone is upset they've lost a deposit I"m pretty sure all of you would be pissed off if you were out $500 in 24hrs for a clerical error on your part. Anger can get the best of us, as clearly at has gotten the best of you at this person with their vitriolic language. Direct them and help, don't criticize them for their opinion....it's always our behavior in bad times that is a great reflection of who we are, and admitting when we are wrong and moving on....

I should probably stay out of this but I don't think "grammar shaming" somebody who is angry is anything except treating someone the way they said they've been treated already. If a mistake was made (and don't for a minute suggest that sometimes a large corporation and it's employees don't make mistakes--or are rude) why not just say so.
I like reading this blog because it was so nice to see everyone's positive outlook on cruising. All of you love to tout how much money you saved, and the value of the dollar, and saving up your pennies to go on cruises. It's nice to read--so when someone is upset they've lost a deposit I"m pretty sure all of you would be pissed off if you were out $500 in 24hrs for a clerical error on your part. Anger can get the best of us, as clearly at has gotten the best of you at this person with their vitriolic language. Direct them and help, don't criticize them for their opinion....it's always our behavior in bad times that is a great reflection of who we are, and admitting when we are wrong and moving on....

I should probably stay out of this but I don't think "grammar shaming" somebody who is angry is anything except treating someone the way they said they've been treated already. If a mistake was made (and don't for a minute suggest that sometimes a large corporation and it's employees don't make mistakes--or are rude) why not just say so.
I like reading this blog because it was so nice to see everyone's positive outlook on cruising. All of you love to tout how much money you saved, and the value of the dollar, and saving up your pennies to go on cruises. It's nice to read--so when someone is upset they've lost a deposit I"m pretty sure all of you would be pissed off if you were out $500 in 24hrs for a clerical error on your part. Anger can get the best of us, as clearly at has gotten the best of you at this person with their vitriolic language. Direct them and help, don't criticize them for their opinion....it's always our behavior in bad times that is a great reflection of who we are, and admitting when we are wrong and moving on....

I watched a documentary about RC preparing for NYE on allure and it looked pretty fabulous. Plus the boat would still
Be decorated from Christmas.
 
I've cruised Thanksgiving a few times (not RC though) and loved that I didn't spend all day cooking and then doing dishes.

I can't wait to hear about that in truth. I just reserved on another line (NCL) because I can get a ginormous haven suite for a remarkable price so I'm doing it...but it's really a sky class I am after...big ginormous ship with tons of stuff to do but always at the front of the line :)

Yea, it's an awesome perk.  Just remember that once you are past your final payment due date (90 days before sailing), you're locked to whatever price you have at that time.  If you create a booking that's for less than 90 days away, then you have 48 hours to find a better price.

For our Christmas sailing next week, there was nothing above junior suites available when we looked.  I would check back every day, and occasionally something would pop up in sky class.  Then final payment date hit and when people had to pony up the $$$, they backed out.  We booked 2 star class rooms right around final payment date.  So check back often!

I try to book every cruise, and I have 12 booked right now, at least 12 to 18 months in advance. I have several 2018 cruises book going through the end of 2018 and am now looking at 2019. If you book and decide to cancel there is no problem with a cruise booked that far in advance, also you get the benefit of cruise prices going down and getting the discount, or the prices could go up, which they usually do as soon as cruises are posted, and you have saved money. If you're not sure where you want to cruise you can put one or two on reserve and make your decision in a month or two.

Suites are the first type of room category to go because there aren't a lot of them, and veteran RC cruisers want them.
 
In general, book as far in advance as possible.

I booked my Owner's Suite for my next cruise on Oasis about 10 months in advance.  However, I checked last week (4-5 months before my sailing) and there was still 1 owner's suite left.  There are no Star Class suites available any more on the RCL website for this particular sailing.  However, there are several Sky Class (grand, crown loft, 2 bedroom aqua-theater) still available.  I took a peak just now on an Allure of the Seas Sailing for the exact same dates as my Oasis sailing.  There ware still some Owner's suites available, plenty of the other types of suites as well.  I guess it's just hit or miss depending on the sail date, ship, and current prices.  The best advice is to just reserve what you want as soon as you can and just pay the deposit.  It's fully refundable until 90 days before your sailing.  You can even call RCCL or your TA and have your deposit moved to a different sailing if you find another sailing you like better than the one you already booked. 
 
Also, if you book a sailing then find later that it has a better price (as long as you're more than 90 days before the sail date), then you can call to get your sailing re-priced to the then current prevailing rate.

To be honest coming from Australia (and right now driving to Sydney from Melbourne to board our first cruise tomorrow - explorer of the seas) I'm pretty sure anywhere we go over there will be amazing (never been USA or its neighbours).. Luv all your suggestions and will take on board :-)
 
So super excited, but nervous at same time.
Can't wait to get my first cocktail :-) xox

I would leave out of Florida with certainty...it's has so many european visitors for a reason it's very appealing to everyone and there are many things to do, and then pretty much ask yourself if it's sun and interesting cultures your seek, or is it shopping/gambling you want. I like the swimming with the dolphins and rainforests and places that make various alcohol so I like San Juan as a stop and then pretty much anywhere is great in Caribbean but I prefer to skip bahamas generally.....I can't imagine that not being fun, hell I want to go!

I paid for trip and airline tickets all at once on a travel card that gives me a big multiplier for hotel points, and then I am using those hotel points to go for a week in Hawaii this year. I funnel all expenses through a single card to max my points out for travel and maintain a high "club" status to get perks and more points. But in advance of anything I sock away enough cash to pay it all off the month the bill comes due so in a way I save early but just use the card to get the points...it's not that different I just like getting the points for stuff I"m going to pay for anyway. 

It is recommended to bring an original birth certificate when traveling with children whose names on passports differ from your own. I just returned from my first cruise in Greece on RCI and while I was never called upon to use it (as my childrens' last names are a combination of two last names ) it is still something to have in case--extra documentation particularly in the case of "these are MY kids" is really never a bad thing and could provide clarity---remember the laws of the USA do not apply to us when traveling to foreign countries....a stupid point I realize but I and others sometimes forget that :)

We are departing on the 19th from Venice for Greek Islands cruise, I will certainly review it upon my return, it is our first cruise but I eagerly await to see if our family likes this form of travel!

I should probably stay out of this but I don't think "grammar shaming" somebody who is angry is anything except treating someone the way they said they've been treated already. If a mistake was made (and don't for a minute suggest that sometimes a large corporation and it's employees don't make mistakes--or are rude) why not just say so.
I like reading this blog because it was so nice to see everyone's positive outlook on cruising. All of you love to tout how much money you saved, and the value of the dollar, and saving up your pennies to go on cruises. It's nice to read--so when someone is upset they've lost a deposit I"m pretty sure all of you would be pissed off if you were out $500 in 24hrs for a clerical error on your part. Anger can get the best of us, as clearly at has gotten the best of you at this person with their vitriolic language. Direct them and help, don't criticize them for their opinion....it's always our behavior in bad times that is a great reflection of who we are, and admitting when we are wrong and moving on....

As someone who has cooked for 50 people on a thanksgiving and someone who has cruised on thanksgiving... cruising on thanksgiving is the best. No food prep and no cleanup and plenty of places for that post meal nap. Enjoy!

If you do end up enjoying it, consider booking your next cruise onboard for some added perks. Also keep in mind that some of Royal's newer ships are very different and more like resort hotels if that's something you think you might want to try in the future.

I should probably stay out of this but I don't think "grammar shaming" somebody who is angry is anything except treating someone the way they said they've been treated already. If a mistake was made (and don't for a minute suggest that sometimes a large corporation and it's employees don't make mistakes--or are rude) why not just say so.
I like reading this blog because it was so nice to see everyone's positive outlook on cruising. All of you love to tout how much money you saved, and the value of the dollar, and saving up your pennies to go on cruises. It's nice to read--so when someone is upset they've lost a deposit I"m pretty sure all of you would be pissed off if you were out $500 in 24hrs for a clerical error on your part. Anger can get the best of us, as clearly at has gotten the best of you at this person with their vitriolic language. Direct them and help, don't criticize them for their opinion....it's always our behavior in bad times that is a great reflection of who we are, and admitting when we are wrong and moving on....

I should probably stay out of this but I don't think "grammar shaming" somebody who is angry is anything except treating someone the way they said they've been treated already. If a mistake was made (and don't for a minute suggest that sometimes a large corporation and it's employees don't make mistakes--or are rude) why not just say so.
I like reading this blog because it was so nice to see everyone's positive outlook on cruising. All of you love to tout how much money you saved, and the value of the dollar, and saving up your pennies to go on cruises. It's nice to read--so when someone is upset they've lost a deposit I"m pretty sure all of you would be pissed off if you were out $500 in 24hrs for a clerical error on your part. Anger can get the best of us, as clearly at has gotten the best of you at this person with their vitriolic language. Direct them and help, don't criticize them for their opinion....it's always our behavior in bad times that is a great reflection of who we are, and admitting when we are wrong and moving on....