RestingBird

I don't know when it started, but it's become obvious just recently.  I don't like it.  It smacks of Carnival's website - "want a bathroom with that cabin?  Just $15 more!"

Actually, anyone can request the mattress topper on any bed.
 
Just contact special needs and tell them that you have a medical need for a mattress topper.
 
[email protected]. Special <underscore> [email protected]
 
Do NOT wait until you get onboard. Chances are, it's too late at that point.

Duck tape, that'll help in all those situations, and should be ok to carry on ;-)

We try and sail in early April and late October/early November. I use the current offerings as a guide to know which itinerary and ship I want to try to book. I wait VERY IMPATIENTLY for the new itineraries to be released (feb-april) and book both cruises the day they are opened (18 to 24 months out). We usually make 3 large payments while leaving $100 to pay when final payment is due.
 
I am already figuring out what we will try and book for fall 2018, spring 2019 and anxiously awaiting the the deployment announcements!.

Drink a couple beers and start booking things that sound good, and then thank myself later.
 
Kidding... mostly.

Duck tape, that'll help in all those situations, and should be ok to carry on ;-)

Duck tape, that'll help in all those situations, and should be ok to carry on ;-)

Duck tape, that'll help in all those situations, and should be ok to carry on ;-)

It's been like that for a few months now, I don't like it either.

It's been like that for a few months now, I don't like it either.

I'd settle for a mattress that stops me feeling the supporting "frame" underneath it!

$10 last week ... one pull , won $10, called it a night ;)

The only thing ive ever won at is the claw machine full of cash bundles. Just stick with that

I have had lots of luck playing blackjack and Max Bet on various random machines. I too am not looking for an IRS red flag so I will say that I have won mucho,mucho,mucho,mucho,mucho dinero and have been treated very nicely by the casino hosts......

Keep an eye out in the terminal for a sign/line that says Gold. Of course you can use the regular line as well, but the 3 times we've been able to use the Gold line it was definitely shorter.

If you're willing to drive to Orlando there are a million things to do. Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach on the other hand have very little. One new attraction is www.cocoabeachadventurepark.com. I haven't been yet, hoping to soon. There are also 2 escape rooms in Cocoa Beach. Some find the pier enjoyable. There are 2 putt-putt golf courses in town.

Here is something important for anyone considering a European cruise to remember:
 
Often a European cruise you may be considering may have a port or a city you are unfamiliar with. Or in the case of a stop in Montenegro, an entire country you never knew even existed. There is a reason why Royal stops at these places and that's because those ports and cities are unique, wonderful, and bonafide "Awesome".  The same goes for the arrival or departure times from certain ports. Venice and Malta are always on top of the list of a well traveled cruiser's "Most Beautiful Ports in the World" and that's because they are stunning when you arrive at noon and they get better when you depart at 9 pm at night!
 
I have to tip my RCL helmet to Royal Caribbean for making these choices; they do a great job year after year. I've NEVER heard a complaint that the itinerary of a European cruise didn't meet someones expectations while I've been onboard or back home online. That includes reading posts to the Crown and Anchor Facebook group and there is nothing those people won't bitch about.
 
So Dutchmanoftheseas, if your Norwegian ports of call are giving you pause because they are unfamiliar and are seemingly just words that have too many vowels; have faith that each of those ports is incredible and worthy of traveling half way around the world to see.

Like Doc and Coney said you can take as many bags as you want on the ship.  We take a small bag for documents and meds so we don't have as much to lug around for 2 or 3 hrs.  A little off the subject but when we get our bags at the room the first thing we do is unpack and put clothes in the drawers and hangers.  We found it is so much nicer to not live out of a suitcase for 7 days.  This only takes 20-30 minutes out of the day.  Bring a laundry bag for dirty clothes and put them in an empty suitcase at the end of the cruise so it takes even less time to pack up to leave.  Remember to leave out clothes to wear the last day of the cruise before you put your luggage out in the hall for pick up the last nite.  Have fun....I know you will

Trail mix? How many cruises do I need to book to get trail mix?

I am writing this not to brag but to suggest the opposite.  I simply prefer the space in a Suite as opposed to any other Room.  I have sailed on Oasis class ships all the way down to the "Song of Norway"  (which by the way seemed HUGE for my first cruise ever in 1986). I have booked every size Stateroom minus the new Loft Size Staterooms.  I can afford (Barely) the Suites but as the years go by I ask myself if I would have been Just as happy with a Balcony or below Stateroom  and have been able to afford four times as many Cruises.  This becomes the new era of sailing for me as I was unhappy with my last sailing. Not because of the service as my room attendant, Waiter Staff, and ship Maintenance were excellent.  The Room 8504 was in fair to excellent condition considering its age but it was third room from the bow on the eighth deck just below the Windjammer. Paying for an Owners Suite I received the following:  Non stop noise from the Carts and equipment being moved around in the Windlammer from 3:00am until past midnight every day. Robes to use on our cruise(not to keep unless I pay $69.00 each) A basket of Fruit on night one. A plate of Strawberries on night three. An Excellent Concierge that escorted on and off the ship for priority boarding of all excursions. Exclusive Suite Concierge lounge (No Diamond Plus or below allowed).  And finally a 528 sq.ft. room with separate shower and whirlpool bath.
     Now,  as a Diamond Plus member paying for a Promenade room I would receive the following: Robes to use on our Cruise (one new Robe as a Free Gift for being a Diamond Plus Member). A basket of Fruit, four bottles of water and a package of mixed nuts and dried fruit on night one. A plate of Strawberries on night three. A plate of Petit Fours on night five. An Excellent Concierge that escorted on and off the ship for priority boarding of all excursions. A Diamond Lounge (Separate from the Suite Lounge but much larger). A behind the scenes tour of the Bridge, Galley, and theater. And finally a 179 sq. ft. room with a shower that you can squeeze into.
 
I asked myself on this last cruise 10/22/16.  Is it worth the room size?   To which I must weigh Comfort versus Number of Cruises I can afford to take.  I have come to the conclusion that with the knowledge of several cruises under my belt that my wife and I can cruise in a smaller, less comfortable room if we utilize the entire ship as our temporary home IE...  Spend more time in the Solarium, Centrum, and all parts of the ship.  This way we can literally afford four times as many cruises and have four times as many memories.  For those that say I get Double the Crown and Anchor points for a Suite, you are correct.  But, doing the math and taking four times as many Cruises would get me twice as many points and four times as many places to sail. I will from now on consider smaller rooms and many more new destinations to sail.
 
Happy Sailing to you no matter which way you choose or can afford to do so!

If you don't already know what cruise you want to book, my advice is to still spend the time agonizing at the computer before leaving for the cruise to come up with either the cruise you want to book, or at least a shortlist of two or three. For me it is frustrating to have someone else in the driver's seat while searching . But maybe that's just me.  :)

Yes, you may get drinks in Windjammer whenever it's open.
 
You may fill your travel cup, however it's standard practice not to fill your cup directly from the beverage dispensers, but instead fill a regular plastic cup and then pour that into your travel cup.
 
I know that people generally take bottled water with them when going ashore. I don't think it'd be a problem to take your travel cup.

There are always a few juices, and basic coffee, in the Windjammer (buffet), and Park Café, when they're open. That's about it for free drinks as far as I know.

Perhaps the first RCCL customer service rep you spoke to was pre-morning coffee too.  :P
 
Happy to hear things worked out.
 
D