jopibaconpants

This is why we're married. 

Nice! Welcome aboard! We created a FB event for our sailing: https://www.facebook.com/events/1114832191961976/

 

Quick question. We are going on Liberty this April. Can we rebook this cruise at the My Next Cruise office? If so, would we receive any perk from them? After that, would I be able to transfer this reservation to MEI to be part of the group cruise? And if so, would I retain any bonuses I may get?

This may be a silly question, but are the shakes included in the drink package? 

I unfortunately have to cancel this itinerary...

Because I'm joining Matt for the Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS for getting my schedule worked out.  :lol:

We called last night as soon as the booking window opened. The moment we got in, it seems like they were having website issues as they asked us to call back 15-20 min. We did end up booking it, but we still haven't received a confirmation of our itinerary despite the fact that the deposit was already taken out of our bank accounts. 

My wife and I just booked the Symphony of the Seas cruise for December 8, 2018 going to St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and Nassau on an Ocean View Balcony Room. I really wanted the Thanksgiving weekend, but Uncle Sam needs me to come in for duty. But nevertheless, I'm way too excited!

Even though we have been on a good number of cruises, we purchased for the first time the deluxe beverage package for our spring break cruise that leaves in 9 days!!!!!!!  I thought that 45 dollars a day which includes the 18% gratuity was a good deal.  Let the beverages start to flow the minute I step on board. LOL

Exactly! You understand me lol.

I think you made a smart choice. One of the main reasons I get the package is paying for it up front just makes it feel like it's part of the cruise payment. I've gotten quit the shock when seeing the bill at the end of the week. Those drinks can really add up.

That's what I was afraid of. I want to use Vegas for example, I always have the mentality that I'm going to bring my own bottles of drinks to save money. It's just something about being on a vacation that gets you hyped up and excited that you lose just a tad bit of control sometimes.

I'm going on my first ever cruise next month, and I'm super excited! One of the struggles I had was deciding if I should get the deluxe drink package. For awhile I thought it wouldn't be worth it, but after listening in the podcasts, I ultimately decided to YOLO book it, and here are reasons why!

• 25% off was enticing. I got the package for about $44 a night, and seeing how each drink is about $12, I don' think it would be difficult to drink that much throughout a day.
• We booked a 5 night specialty dining package, so it's great that you can use it at the restaurants. I'm sure I'd want to try out all their featured drinks without having to worry about paying after.
• Speaking of trying drinks, it gives me the opportunity to really find my "go to drink at a Royal Caribbean cruise" just in case Matt wants me to be a guest in his podcast *ahem ahem
• I don't have to worry about buying too much drinks when I get in that happy state of mind lol.
• I originally wanted to bring two bottles of champagne and order fresh squeezed juice in the morning to enjoy at the balcony for some makeshift mimosas. But I don't have to worry about that anymore.
• I planned on bringing water bottles to the cruise, but since they give free bottles with the package, my luggage will be so much lighter!
• I am a heavy consumer of tea and orange juice. If each one is about $3-$5, I may not even need to drink alcohol to make the package worth it.
• Most importantly, I'm on vacation! Purchasing the package will make it feel more "all inclusive" without having to worry about going over board on spending. 

I would really, really enjoy a cruise that circumnavigates Africa.

Johannesburg and Cape Town are places that I must visit. Does RCI even offer cruises to Africa?

Thanks again, I wish Royal would open their 2018 itineraries.

March is taking too long! 2018 will be the year my wife and I do Europe. And hello from a fellow individual that resides in Dallas!

I don't recall seeing it in Sorrentos on Liberty in November, but I wasn't looking since Izumi was available in the evenings at the Windjammier. Complimentary I might add!

 

I can confirm that it was being sold last month in Sorrentos.

Complimentary!? Oh man, thanks for the heads up Wilson. 

I could have sworn I saw a photo of Izumi Express on Liberty the other week.  

I haven't been on Liberty, but I imagine it's the same set up as on Freedom: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/09/16/review-izumi-express-sushi-royal-caribbeans-freedom-of-the-seas

That's exactly what I read so it raised even more questions for me. It didn't help that I read the post about enjoying sushi sitting at the balcony. Like yourself, I can't refuse a good sushi and I feel like the Windjameyr's (yeah I went there) sushi won't be the same.

Quick question for those who has sailed Liberty of the Seas lately. Was Izumi Express available on board when you all went? Thanks in advance!

I'd love a cruise that started in Italy, then made its way north and west to Spain and Portugal, then went up through Northwestern Europe and Scandinavia -- Northern France, England / Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Finland, and Sweden.

 

If there was a way to expand that to start more in the Mediterranean and also include Croatia and Greece, so much the better! Cover all my bucket list destinations in one fell swoop!

I'm waiting patiently for RC to release their European itinerary for 2018. If there was a trip that covers both Rome and Santorini or Myknos, I would be a very happy person. 

Prices, vacation days aside, what's an itinerary that you absolutely have to do at least once in your lifetime? What would it be, and what ship would you want it to be on?

Mine would be doing a Transpacific trip that has New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, Hawaii, and ends in Vancouver. I preferably want to be on a Quantum class ship. Even though I've never been in one, it seems like a fun fleet to be in.

This is one of my dream trips. I wish they released the 2018 schedule already since I'm booked up this year. I'm trying to get my wife to watch sports, so we decided to start this tradition that whoever wins the Super Bowl/NBA Finals, we would then visit that city. It just so happens New England won, so I'm using it as an excuse to book another cruise.

I have tried Breckenridge Vanilla Porter! And it is indeed amazing!

 

And thank you for posting this, because after I finished off the six-pack I'd bought, I forgot to write down the name of it so I could buy more! By the time I was able to go back to my local store, they'd already stopped carrying it and there went any chance to remember it by way of the label.

Ofcourse! And if you enjoy similar types of beer, I do suggest Belching Beaver's Viva La Beaver. It's a Mexican chocolate milk stout. It's like an adult version of chocolate milk, and who doesn't enjoy a nice cold glass of choccy milk? lol.

These arguments suggest Royal should sail from California as they could locally sourced the craft beers. ;)

You make me miss living in San Diego and spending time at Ballast Point.

OK, I have to chime in and throw a vote for those of us whose tastes run less to IPAs and other super-hoppy / bitter beers and more towards unfiltered wheat ales, stouts (just discovered a really good "west coast style" that gives Guinness a run for its money), or a good vanilla porter (never thought there could be a "dessert beer", but there you go ;) ).

 

I've found some photos and other examples of the pub beer menus here, and for whatever reason these "pubs" all list mixers and cocktails and hardly any beer, which to me is what a pub is supposed to be all about!

I love me some porters and stouts. I hope you've tried Breckenridge Vanilla Porter, it is amazing. If only they have my New Holland Dragon's Milk Stout, I would be set for the cruise.  :lol:

My wife and I were upgraded from a Balcony Room to a Junior Suite on Oasis last year for $300 total additional cost.  They called me a few weeks before sail date to offer this upgrade.  Keep in mind, that should you accept an upgrade offer, you will still only accrue C&A points at the rate you originally booked.  (ie: being upgraded from a D1 to a JS will not make you earn 2 points per night for that sailing.  You still only earn 1 point per night.)

That is an interesting point and thank you for the pointer. IF we get a call about something like this, I would be sure to ask about this information. I appreciate the input!

Royal Caribbean called us about 3 weeks before sailing and said there were 4 junior suites available if we wanted to upgrade at $200 a person.  That was a saving on the original cost of junior suites and we took it.

That's awesome! I hope we get the same luck as you do. I'm not gonna lie, I'm trying to get as much C&A points because I want that discount for the beverage package lol.

I'm excited and scared about trying Sabor. I'm excited because of all the great things I've heard about it, and I haven't had decent Mexican food in awhile. I'm from Dallas, but I absolutely can't stand Tex-Mex. I'm scared because I'm picky with Mexican food being raised in San Diego where I was minutes away from Mexico. I have a feeling I'm gonna eat so much guacamole during our cruises. Can't wait!

It's extremely rare and I stopped checking a long time ago because the answer was always "all rooms are filled, sir".

Thanks Matt. I figured that would be the case. But hey, I'd be putting my best Jim Carrey face and say there's a chance.

I've never heard of anyone getting an upgrade once onboard whether it's a paid or a free upgrade.  I don't think they do that.

I saw that it's usually reserved for higher tier C&A members, but I just wanted to see if anyone experienced doing that before? Here's what it says on their site.

Crown & Anchor Stateroom Upgrade Policy:

Our ships regularly sail at full capacity. Therefore, opportunities to upgrade are offered on a limited basis. If available, upgrades may be offered at the sole discretion of Royal Caribbean to Diamond Plus and Pinnacle Club. To determine which members may be extended an upgrade, we will consider the member’s Cruise Points and tier level, stateroom category paid and booking date.