RestingBird

I watched it a few days ago, good stuff 🤘

Make sure to get the latest possible check in time but get to port at 10am. 
Just imagine 5 hours in the new chairs….

I wasn't going to book Utopia, but with new seats in the terminal, I'm booking STAT!

Maybe that's why I've never had ads, lol

I'm a long time user of DDG but definitely no expert about how these things work. I know I don't have the annoying ads so much when I use it compared to when I accidentally use  big G. But my understanding is that bloggers want and need these ads as income for their sites. And without income, they may not be able  to maintain a site. 
 I'm not sure it would be beneficial to a site to have everyone blocking ads, however annoying. Unless the site could get income from the user in another way, which would be to contribute with a "membership" to help support the site. I have chosen this avenue for me with my (somewhat) ad-blocking browser. This site is of value to me, entertains me, passes along good information and keeps me in touch with cruising when I am not on a ship. And I would like it to continue.
So, I'm sure many, many more of you understand how the whole blogging, ads, etc. things work WAY better than me. But this is my opinion, however simple it may sound.

Download Duckduckgo from Google Play store. Use that as your browser for this site.

If it let you continue it is likely ok.  If the people at the port don’t think your photo is appropriate they will redo it.
Personally I’ve never read of anyone using their passport photo.  

The RC credit card is really not a good card for points or onboard credit.  A lot of travel cards provide better points and cash redemption that can be used to fund your cruise.  To set some base lines for discussion, each point with the Royal Caribbean card is worth $0.01, so 5,000 points = $50.  This means you earn 2% on cruise purchases and 1% on everything else.
My Navy Federal Flagship card has an identical point value ($0.01, so 5,000 points = $50), but I earn 3% for ANY travel related purchase (Airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises, Royal Caribean's slot machine 🎰 room charges, charters -- think fishing excursions or 3rd party port excursions, and much more).  For all other purchases I earn 2%.  These points are redeemable for cash that you can stick in an account and later use to pay for parts of your cruise (or anything else you want to use cash for).  There really is no point in converting this to onboard credit as you can pay in cash (or pay with your card and use the cash to pay off your card), but if you really wanted to, you could buy a gift certificate and use it for onboard credit.  On top of this, you also get some other freebies like free a TSA precheck and a free amazon prime subscription which more than pays for the $49 annual fee.
My Amex Platinum card guarantees onboard credit of $100 for an interior cabin, $200 for a balcony, and $300 for a suite if I use my card to pay for the cruise.  I get 2 points per dollar for the cruise booking itself and 5 points per dollar for flights and hotels, in addition to hotel credits that I usually use on stays right before my cruise. I get 1 for everything else.  I can redeem points as statement credits to pay for part of the cruise, or use them for something else if I want.  Again, you could convert to onboard credit by using points to pay for Royal Carribean gift cards, but why bother.  If I pay for the trip (airfare, hotel, and cruise) using this card, I get full coverage trip insurance that covers car rentals, trip cancellations and trip interruptions, trip delay reimbursements, emergency medical transport and evacuations, passport assistance, and translation services.  I never buy 3rd party insurance because of this coverage.  Admittedly, it does not cover actual medical issues (just provides medical evacuations), but I have global medical coverage through my employer that includes cruise ships, so I am covered.  You could get away with just medical only coverage if you used this card.  This card does have a high annual fee, but I get tons of rebates and cash back on it and it more than pays for itself each year.  And all the free travel status perks are extremely nice too and make the trip a lot more enjoyable.
I have both of these cards that I use in tandem to maximize my points.  I'll use the Amex card to pay for trips and the Navy Federal card to use for onboard expenses and trip incidentals.  I use another card for restaurants which gives me 3% cash back when I travel too to helps maximize points, cashback, and insurance value.

The do expire, after 5 years I believe.

I've always gotten it faster than that.  I've only done on board credit.  But you can also call if you don't see it in a week or so. But it's still a bit of a gamble. Not sure this helps, but it's my thoughts. 
 

Sometimes the redeemed OBC takes a while to show up on your Cruise Planner.  While I have never done this myself, I have heard that others have been able to call BofA and have them apply the OBC immediately so that it will be available for your use in the CP.  We use the BofA RC Visa card a LOT and we love it.  Good luck !

Get a glass of water in the windjammer, take it to your table, and fill your bottle. 

I'd like to better understand how my drink is being made and who gets the tip when I don't order at the bar. I was recently on the Allure, in Boleros Latin Club, and ordered a Mojito at the bar. I then went and found a seat in the lounge area and ordered another drink with a waiter. I noticed that he did not go to the bar, which was about 20ft away, but instead walked to the opposite end of Baleros Latin Club and disappeared into what appeared to be kitchen doors. I received my drink, but it was not taste like the first drink made by the bartender.
I found myself going back to the bartender for my drinks while the waiter watched. The remainder of the cruise I noticed the exact same thing happen across different areas. If I didn't order directly at a bar, the waiter would disappear to another area, but still very close to the bar venue I'm in, and then reappear with my drink order. 
To clarify, I'm not talking about the MDR or any show venues. 

Edit: I recently read a Reddit AMA from a Royal bartender. He stated that, he received the auto gratuity for every drink he served. That's a big motivation to give prompt service, which is great for everyone. Do the waiters get the same? Are they the ones actually making a drink? 
 

I haven’t done a Miami-to-Canaveral S2S but I have done a Miami-to-Tampa S2S, which is even further.  It worked just fine.  It was a long day but we got to Tampa and boarded without incident. We drove our own car since we live in FL.

I fell on the Symphony of the Seas - January 2024 cruise. Was taken to medical where I was told I had a contusion and concussion - 
( I went to sit on the loveseat in the Schooner bar to play trivia ) the seat cushion was so soft- I went way down in the seat and fell backwards- no pillow or covering on the wood frame of the seat - I hit my head- I saw stars- my sister heard the crack !! )
Medical watched me for a bit- said to go to my room and rest- return at 8:30 next morning- so I did- I did not have headache- but the bump was very sore and my neck and shoulder hurt quite a bit.  Next morning when I returned to medical I was told the suggested I get off the ship and go to Curacao Medical Center for a CT scan to rule out a brain bleed or anything else serious- also insisted I go by way of ambulance- ( I walked into he medical center ) I was told if I did not go by ambulance- I had to sign a paper that I was going against medical advise! Not now if that would void my insurance- I did what I was told- 2 mile ambulance ride- cost me $523 - then to ER - had ct scan - dr said concussion - bad bump/ contusion- released me back to the ship -( after paying $ 847.10) Needless to say- the following 3 days on the ship were not as comfortable or close to enjoyable as I had expected- I was very uncomfortable, and was offered a massage for comfort and that was very helpful. I was told to reach out to RCCL post cruise for compensation/ resolution when I got home. I stayed in Florida with family for couple weeks- and 2 weeks after the fall- I woke up with very bad headache- after 2 days of no relief- I went to walk in clinic- was diag. post concussion headache- given a shot and told to rest- let the concussion heal- I continued with headaches for about 10 more days.
Now I wrote a letter to RCCL- first- they in no way pay for any of my out of pocket expenses 1 I was told regarding compensation - I was given free medical care on the ship- 
I am a Diamond member- tells you I have sailed for many nights with RCCL- Love this class of ship- scheduled to go next January on Wonders of the Seas. 
I have spoken to so many people in their Customer Satisfaction Department and even my travel agent wrote them- bottom line- NO - No Compensation for my lack of enjoyable cruise- would be so simple to credit my next cruise for the days I missed- Yesterday someone in that department offered $ 241 credit - not really sure where that number came from- But I am looking for a better resolution to this situation- 
I think RCCL is getting like the cheaper lines- the food not so great- finally Diamond Member- now the Diamond Perks have changed to available for Diamond Plus- 
Looking for outcome- I sent Mealy an email- but was told by another Customer Service Resolution Specialist that he does not answer the phone or e mails- I was speaking to the top resolution person - 
that was scary in itself - 
So bottom line- I fell on furniture that was not in the best of condition- on 4th day of 8 day cruise - paid out of pocket for medical - and RCCL feels they owe me nothing!
I just joined this group trying to reach someone who might monitor this page- and have a better resolution / suggestion ??
( also- another person in our group sat on the same loveseat and fell back- we quickly warned him- watch out- he caught himself to avoid hitting his head- I saw a child about 12 sit down and fallback- hit her head - but got up and ran to her mom....)
 
sorry for the long read- appreciate any suggestions 
thanks

Health is good. Had another foot surgery in '21 that took a while to heal, but that’s finally good and things are stable again.
My older daughter is doing great; she graduated college in '22 and has been figuring out what she wants to do for a living, and has been living on her own for the last several years.
My younger daughter is also doing great; she finished her freshman year in college last year, and is now living in Tokyo, Japan to pursue a career as a manga artist. She’s loving it there, and already has a job as a part-time assistant with a published manga author who told her that she’s already good enough to be published in a year or two. He’s helping her with getting her first full work created and submitted to one of the regular competitions, so she can start getting the notice of publishers.
Hope you’re also doing well!

Just saying a quick hello here, first time in about four years. I just booked the 12-night Odyssey sailing in Jan 2025, which is an itinerary I've been wanting to do kind of since I first started sailing with Royal in 2018 and learned about it. Seemed like a nice way to celebrate turning 55. 🙂
To everyone I haven't spoken with in all these years, hope you've been well!

I try my hardest to at least wear a collared shirt to dinner, and some nicer shorts or pants (except at the buffet).  Just my two cents.

Right on!!🤘

I just did a four night on Freedom, and I remember wishing that it was just a few days longer. Definitely not too small!

Freedom is currently my favorite ship, definitely not too small.

Formal has always been defined as tailcoats and evening gowns. On most cruise ships "formal" wear is really semi-formal.
"Dressing my best" depends on location, cruise line, time of year.  I always "dress up,"  because I have a great cruise line photo collection.
When I cruise in colder climates, I wear darker, heavier clothes. (Navy sequins)
In warmer areas, lighter colors and fabrics take the priority (Pink lace).
On Cunard, Princess, Celebrity, etc. I bring out my loveliest clothes--very elegant, eye-catching long gowns, husband in tuxedo or very nice suit.
On Carnival, RC, NCL,  I am a bit more casual and trendy in my dress. Husband might just do a sports jacket--I may even wear a short dress.
Sadly, costly cruise lines like Viking do not promote too much dressing up. Horrors-- I have seen elderly men come to breakfast in their pajamas.
We never pay any attention to what others wear at dinner- we are enjoying our own experience too much!

I try my hardest to at least wear a collared shirt to dinner, and some nicer shorts or pants (except at the buffet).  Just my two cents.

I try my hardest to at least wear a collared shirt to dinner, and some nicer shorts or pants (except at the buffet).  Just my two cents.

Just got the email...Coco Cay instead of Labadee in April.