markinct

(and hopefully they'll fix the propulsion issues they've been having the last few weeks...)

Oh man, how did you know?!  :P

Matt: I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that you just might favor Sabor.... just a little....

One of my many lottery fantasies involves just continuously cruising for an indeterminate amount of time so that fits well with your plan!

Mark, 
I'd recommend listening to last week's podcast that Matt did. Also, for the most part, all cruise lines now require agents to sell cruises at the same prices that they offer. This means that the price for the cruise is essentially the same regardless of where you buy it. However, some agency book group space and can get a better price as a result. For example, perhaps a family is having a huge reunion onboard, so the TA has received a special rate for the large group. Even though you're not part of the reunion, the TA can still book you at that rate if they have it. Likewise, TAs also will look for all the discounts available which the call center people at RCI don't always do. For instance, I saved several hundred dollars earlier this year because of a residency sale for the state I live in.
 
While your price likely won't vary much except as noted above, agents can throw in perks to sweeten the deal like insurance, prepaid gratuities, onboard credit, etc.

I booked to go on Allure last week for one week in September.I went to my usual travel who we have been using for 15 years.she first phoned Royal for us to get a price from them I couldn't believe how much they wanted.For a week with just flights which they couldn't say if they were direct or indirect.They wanted for 3 of us in a junior suite deck 8 midship 7 grand.We said thankyou but no thankyou.My agent phoned someone else and got a great price.A 4* hotel pre cruise plus one night post cruise.Direct flights all transfers included and gratuities deck 8 midship junior suite for just over 4 grand.We didn't take the all inclusive as we didn't need the drinks package.I couldn't believe how much cheaper we got the cruise for.

I just thought of another dream cruise option: Do a sailing on each Royal Caribbean ship, from smallest to largest.
 
23 ships (let's include Anthem, and since we're starting fairly soon include Majesty), at an average 7 day cruise would be 161 days.  We'll be sailing in a GS cabin, so at $14.25/pp my wife and I would rack up $4,588.50 in mandatory tips alone!
 
Imagine the pile of souvenir T-shirts one could amass...

Like WhiteSoxFan I prefer the Park Café on the Allure and Oasis for breakfast - but the Windjammer I think is
good - I went in August and it does have lots of different options which I enjoy also - the Bistro in the Solarium
is also very good like he said - I do move around for meals and order room service too on ships a lot for
breakfast just to try it out.

I love this idea, especially after seeing those suites on Quantum.

I'd love to board a ship on the east coast of the US, schmaybe Port Liberty, do a southern Caribbean trip, transit Panama Canal, Galapagos, then Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, then swing north with ports of call in south east asia, Japan, Korea, China, head east for an Alaskan itinerary, then south along west coast of north america. Disembark in LA, then leisurely train ride on the Sunset Limited to New Orleans... to possibly board another RC cruise.
 
But I haven't really thought this through...

bcarney,
 
I thought for sure that after the laundry you were going to say that you'd start cruising all over again. The reality of needing a diet is a real downer. ;)

I'd love to board a ship on the east coast of the US, schmaybe Port Liberty, do a southern Caribbean trip, transit Panama Canal, Galapagos, then Hawaii, Tahiti, Australia, New Zealand, then swing north with ports of call in south east asia, Japan, Korea, China, head east for an Alaskan itinerary, then south along west coast of north america. Disembark in LA, then leisurely train ride on the Sunset Limited to New Orleans... to possibly board another RC cruise.
 
But I haven't really thought this through...

I'd fly to Brisbane, Australia to do some/several of Royal Caribbean's South Pacific itineraries, and then jet up to Singapore for their east Asian cruises.
 
Then I'd come home and do laundry, and start a well-needed diet.

If you had unlimited funds, time and whatever else you need to make it happen, what would be your dream Royal Caribbean cruise?

Royal doesn't do a lot of world cruises like some of the other lines, but if I stayed on board long enough, B2B2B2B . . ., it might turn into one. :)
 
 
I think I would choose the repositioning on Quantum followed by a cruise on the Asian itinerary. I'd settle for an inside, but if price wasn't an issue, I'd go for a suite not only for more spacious accommodations but also for double C&A points.
 
Could I get quadruple points if I sailed solo?

Hey great question
I would definitely be in a Suite on Quantum and be sailing the Odyssey cruise they
have going all over world - 65 days would be amazing to me.  Just sayin

I'm just happy to be the enabler for all of you :P

I always print them in color, mainly cause I do it at work

November 2014
16 - Greg (Allure of the Seas)
22 - mactrio (Serenade of the Seas)
23 - Sheltie (Quantum of the Seas)
29 - Hooper (Oasis of the Seas)
 
December 2014
6 - Swazoo (Independence of the Seas)
6 - Hooper (Oasis of the Seas)
12 - Cleo (Quantum of the Seas)
13 - Auburn14 (Explorer of the Seas)
27 - Islandspud (Explorer of the Seas)
27 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas)
28 - AGSLC5 (Allure of the Seas)
 
January 2015
3 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas)
3 - DocLC (Jewel of the Seas)
8 - RCKRZR (Brilliance of the Seas)
22 - monctonguy (Brilliance of the Seas)
 
February 2015
2 - Geoff (Quantum of the Seas)
12 - poider (Radiance of the Seas)
12 - NCguys (Explorer of the Seas)
 
March 2015
13 - AGSLC5 (Quantum of the Seas)
14 - Marc (Independence of the Seas)
14 - Don (Serenade of the Seas)
21 - Matt (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!)
21 - RCKRZR (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!)
21 - pnyxprss (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!)
21 - Jamie (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!)
29 - ian91 (Quantum of the Seas)
 
April 2015
4 - bcarney (Jewel of the Seas)
5 - FloatMe (Adventure of the Seas)
10 - CaribbeanPirate (Grandeur of the Seas)
11 - markinct (Oasis of the Seas)
19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas)
 
May 2015
10 - RCL lover (Independence of the Seas)
 
June 2015
13 - Shocked (Anthem of the Seas)
19 - turtleclanscott (Jewel of the Seas)
21 - TheMays
 
July 2015
26 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas)
29 - DocLC (Brilliance of the Seas)
 
August 2015
1 - Marc (Adventure of the Seas)
 
September 2015
26 - RCKRZR (Jewel of the Seas)
27 - Steve (Brilliance of the Seas)
 
October 2015
24 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas)
 
November 2015
3 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas)
13 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas)
 
January 2016
3 - DocLC (Liberty of the Seas)
 
March 2016
13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas)

For those of you planning European cruises with Royal this summer, Virgin-Atlantic and the other partner airlines with Delta have drastically cut their fares. Ours from San Diego to Heathrow dropped by about 35%, saving us $1500 ($500 x3).
 
I'm not sure how long the sale will last, but I wanted everyone to know.

These are the way to go. I use to laminate them and also tried the packaging tape methods, but these holder hold up the best and are easier than the other two alternatives.

I do like these luggage tags: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/royal-caribbean-luggage-tags

I have them and agree that they're great. Much better than using other methods.

Don't forget those handy plastic tag holders. Man were they nice!

Hi !
I've sailed out of Baltimore a few times - and its very easy - I think you will like using My Time Dining even as a first cruiser
Like Bcarney says you can book times, waiters, and if you meet friends, and you will, eat with them
I think Chops is the only upcharge place you could try just for something different but if you don't you will still enjoy
the dining -
 
ShoreTrips.com is just as good as the ships shore tours, but since you have not done these before then sticking
with the ship tours is just fine as well. 

Clothes - yes black pants and nicer fun night time shirts is what I do a lot and one black dress or stretchy dress
my husband brings one jacket, and then two slacks he rotates, and variety of shirts.  We bring one suitcase and
one hanging back for both of us - and back pack with other gear (wine)   Bring a sweater, I'm always cold at shows
and the ship can get cold.
 
have a great time - and hopefully January in Baltimore will be warmer than past years
I'm in VA and freeze a lot.
 
:)