RestingBird

Embrace the wrinkle!

The media are reporting today that former Celebrity Captain Kate McCue will now be working for Four Seasons Yachts.
There are only about 95 cabins on each ship, and cruises start at over $30,000.00. Guess I will not be sailing on this line in the near future.
I wish her well!

I primarily cruise solo.
It’s a business reality that less passengers means less onboard revenue. Everything from drink/dining packages, shops, excursions, casino, onboard activities…etc.
Many solo cruisers are repeat customers who may not spend as much simply because they have already experienced many of the ‘for a fee’ activities and excursions. I don’t need to visit the shops for souvenirs or logo items because I already have them. I don’t treat myself to the Spa or purchase art. I do frequent the casino and play enough to earn certificates that I can apply to future cruises.  Also, I have enough Club Royale points to give me free drinks in the casino. Plus, I also have enough C&A points to enjoy enough free drinks all day so I never have to purchase any. I occasionally eat at specialty restaurants, but I’m paying for just me.
During the restart, we solos were part of the successful come back. I started cruising again as soon as possible. I went through the health policies and protocols…I got vaccinated, and boosted, went and got tested before every cruise, wore my mask everywhere onboard, maintained my vaccine record card and possessed my negative test document. I did everything knowing there was a health risk…and a risk of being quarantined…but I really enjoy cruising and couldn’t wait to get back onboard.
But now…cruising is back completely! Bookings are at an all-time high. Ships are running at or above full occupancy. Demand has allowed the company to continually raise prices over and over. They raise prices on bookings and activities and people keep paying.
They now recognize that one fly in the ointment is solo cruisers taking up space. Space that could be available for doubles or family units. More occupants means more revenue. But if the ship is full…there must be potential revenue sources being turned away.
So the bean counters figure they can make up some of the difference by raising prices for solos. Nothing huge…just enough to offset some of the potential loss. I don’t have to like it but…it is what it is.
Nothing personal…just business.

I just mocked a booking for Celebrity and it seems that the issue is that they aren't applying their "75% off 2nd guest" discount on the solo supplement. Easy fix - book the cabin with a phantom guest who - oh no! - missed their flight. 

I wouldn't be much shocked by anything at this point.

While Royal Caribbean provides life jackets for onboard use, including those for children, they typically don’t allow guests to take them off the ship into port. This policy ensures that all safety equipment remains available for emergencies onboard. If your friend needs a life jacket for adults or children while exploring ports, it's best to bring their own USCG-approved option or rent one locally. Many excursion operators provide life jackets as part of their activities, so checking ahead can help avoid any issues. Always good to plan ahead for safety!

I'm watching Matt's latest video on YouTube and he mentioned that shareholders of RCL are once again receiving dividends. Where can I read more info about this?

Some Cruise Directors have theirs published (Like on insta). If they don't have it published, most of them will provide it upon asking.  Their is also a popular user on the Cruise Critic website named DeltaBlue (https://boards.cruisecritic.com/profile/27438-deltablue/), people send him what directors are working and when, and he posts it. This can be helpful to identify your cruise director about 1-2 weeks prior to departure.
As of right now: 
ADVENTURE: John Blair as of 2-7-25 #1736
ALLURE: Mark Rous 1-20-25, Mike Szwajkowski for the dry dock. #1684 
ANTHEM: Raphael Wu as of 1-27-25 #1724, Ricky Matthews 7/4-9/5 #1657
BRILLIANCE: Katheryn Falcon has taken over until 5-10-25 #1731
ENCHANTMENT: Sheenagh Walker as of 12-20-24, until 6-19-25 #1742
EXPLORER: Marc Walker 2/16-3/9 Star Trek & 80s Cruise #1712, Mark Rous March 2 #1763
FREEDOM: Eric Lopez #1673
GRANDEUR: Jamie Fentiman as of 10-29-24 #1638, Daniel Gilham as of 3-2-25 #1717
HARMONY: Ana Ribeiro as of 2-9-25 #1751
ICON: Chris Brown as of 11-2-24  #1651
INDEPENDENCE:  Mario Isla as of 9-16-24 #1526 
JEWEL:  Thiago Motta as of 1-23-25 #1717
LIBERTY: Tornado Tanya 1-24-25 #1714 to 5-15-25, then 7-7-25 through August #1730
MARINER: James Robinson 11-19-24 #1658, Adam Donaldson 2-22-25 to 3-13-25 #1765
NAVIGATOR: Mike Szwajkowski as of 2-3-25 for 4 weeks #1719
OASIS: Eric Rodas as of 10-24-24 for TA #1610
ODYSSEY: Steve Knisley on 11-3-24 #1627
OVATION:Mike Hunnerup #1682, Ricky Matthews 3/15-5/15 #1657, Brian Leavitt 5-15-25 #1746
QUANTUM:  Katie Knowles 11-19-24 #1691, Bal Gabor 3-7-25 #1760,  Jamie Fentiman coming in May #1741
RADIANCE: Bill Brunkhorst on Radiance as of 2-15-2025 #1754 
RHAPSODY:  Michele Scarpato #1755
SERENADE: Joff Eaton #1670, Marc Walker 1/26-2/9 ComicCon and 90s Cruise #1712
SPECTRUM: Bonnie Bai as of 2-12-24 #1284   
STAR:  Mike Szwajkowski  May, 2025 #1615 
SYMPHONY: John Grantham on 1-26-25 #1712, Steve Knisley in mid May #1702
UTOPIA: Katy McCullagh 11-1-24 #1624, Marc Walker 3-10-25 to 7-7-25, 10-3-25 to 1-30-26 #1626
VISION: Clo O'Connor as of 1-16-25 #1676
VOYAGER:  Ken Jones #1711
WONDER: Dan Whitney as of 1-12-25 #1676,  Ricky Matthews 9/12-11/28/25 #1657
Hope this helps!
 

If I could get my cruise points from my most recent cruise that have yet to post after 30 days that would be great instead of this nonsense 😂. But honestly, this is an interesting new feature!

Someone had to post it... 

Look for them under your profile in the app.

Just a heads up for anyone going to Roatan in the near future, all the sloth, monkey, parrot & animal holding excursions are no longer allowed.  (As of March 1st)
The animal parks and sanctuaries on the island who are properly licensed to have these animals will be able to keep them. However, visitors will not be able to hold or handle the wildlife, such as the sloths. Island guests will be able to still observe the wildlife and also take a Sloth Selfie, but no longer hold the animals.  I'd assume more particulars will be known over the future.
 

 

Just for fun, let’s post pics of our secret sandwich here.
Here’s mine:

 

I would think they will accommodate you once you board the ship if they don't agree to assist via email.
On embarkation day, I'd make a beeline to the MDR host desk and ask them to set aside a 9-top for each night you wish to go to the MDR.
Good luck. 🙂 

As a man I definitely turned my nose up to it (pun somewhat intended...) when my wife first mentioned it, but it's a game changer.  Post-relievement spray is a great idea as well.  We also bring a small pack of sanitizer wipes.

Awesome!  Thanks for replying!

Yes

If you can get a drink package below $60, that's a steal of a deal.  Below $70 is already a good price

Well that was a joke, we have 2 kids with us on our cruises, a 11 year old and 3 year old, there is no such thing as getting lucky on a cruise. 🤣

I don't know why I'm so excited because I don't drink much and do not get the drink package but it's 59.99 I just saw for our May cruise. We get 4 drinks from Diamond and that is too much for my light weight butt. 🤣 
That is extremely low though right?

I'm not sure my husband will bother with the poo-pourri, that's why I want to make sure they won't confiscate my Lysol spray because it's an aerosol. 

poo-pourri is a must pack
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2025/01/16/travel-things-bring-cruise-under-10

Adding to the overwhelming endorsement for Poo-Pourri. Wonder product, goes on EVERY cruise with us!

Public toilet on deck 3 or 4?  Just saying.....I'm convinced this is the unspoken rule/plan that many cruisers use.

Now that you know you can bring something to help the smell, I have the important question.  Does your husband think it is funny to stink you out of the room? 🙂