Lovetocruise2002

I say a lot of things what did I say about the Icon RU? I cannot even remember anymore…

I thought the same thing this morning when I was debating to text my TA or not lol

Sales with Royal change every few days. Lately, they have been bouncing back and forth between the OBC offer and $600/$700 instant savings. For most of my sailings, it's pretty much a wash like what you have described for yours. However, with the 3 new ones I just booked Tuesday night, the net savings is lower with the OBC, not much, by about $100 on each reservation. I contemplated texting my TA to price adjust, but then I wondered to myself, what if I price adjusted, got the OBC, then used it for CP purchases, and then the price goes down somewhere down the road? I would need to price adjust again, I may lose the OBC with the price adjustment, but what happens if I spent it already? I figured that would not be worth the hassle, so I never texted my TA to price adjust on this one.

Can’t wait! We’ll all board with our matching Beis! Since we have so many American friends here, I will refrain from commenting

We’re just across the border from you so I hear you big time on that! Lol

@cookie10* this sums it up perfectly. To add just a bit more, there is no correct amount to tip a genie. As already said, when you ask that question, you will find all sorts of answers ranging from $100 per person, $100 per day, and insane amounts. Tip what you feel is best. There is no real right answer here. But like @WAAAYTOOO said, it’s not included in your cruise fare or prepaid gratuities.

Agreed. Wonder for March 2026 I found to be decent pricing. Probably the best I have seen in two years. Wonder 8/17/2025 is awful, I think that has to do with Star inaugural cancellation. And Utopia is just bad all around.

I am already booked! You know who to text lol UT 12/29/2025

I have never been a fan of the short cruises either, because I have to fly into all ports. However, this trend that Royal is starting is strangely coming at a good time for where we are at as a family. I have a 4 nighter booked on Allure for NYE this coming December, a 4 nighter for UT for March 2025, a 4 nighter for NYE 2025 on UT, and a 4 nighter on WN for March 2026. Two of these sailings are definitely going to be without my oldest, and the other two are questionable. In the past, I would never have booked so many 4 nighters, but the thought of leaving a 18/19 year old at home alone for a shorter period of time, while still being able to get away a bit is appealing and works for us for this coming season of life. The only negative is that my climb up the C&A ladder is taking a bit of a hit. Hopefully, in a few years, when I retire and we ditch the freeloaders, Royal will pick up more longer sailings again. The other thought I had is that with our new family rule of flying in two days prior to cruise, even a 4 nighter becomes a 6 day vacation for us. For a Canadian, who desperately wants out of the cold, I cannot complain!

VOOM not included on non-QN/OA/IC class is one of the things that bother me the most actually. It's actually the reason why I told myself that after my bookings for this year that I have on Voyager and Adventure (booked those upon release a long time ago) I am going to steer clear of the smaller ships, unless there is some steal of a deal. I used to be ok with considering a smaller ship, despite their lack of a CK/SL, VOOM, etc. because of the price difference. But the last few rounds of deployments, no way. Not worth it.

That's the good thing about Homewood suites and Staybridge, etc. Not fancy, but great for families and extra space. You forgot to tell us...did you ever make it to Next Criuse?

No need to re-list the ones that have already been added to the list in the past

I love that. Parents, still being parents even when their kids are long past grown. Gotta love them.

Another ship that I have noticed is priced way beyond what it is worth is Liberty out of Bayonne. Not saying that Liberty is a bad ship, but like Navigator, the pricing is ridiculous for what it is, and what it doesn't come with compared to other ships.

I am feeling that in waves right now....from my own kids, to the memories of time gone by with my own family (parents & sisters). sorry for the hijack

That is actually what I am happiest about. Grabbing 8/17 on WN before she goes to 3/4 nights.

They did. Prices not so pretty but I got WN 8/17; UT NYE; WN March 2026

Truth

We had 10 people in the Villa on Harmony last year and they were able to accommodate us with no problem. We did not pre-book anything and we got into all venues that we wanted, including Hibachi. This can either work for, or against you, depending on the particular sailing. If it's a sailing where a lot SC people are interested in the flowrider, you only end up with about 1 run each. So not great. And like already mentioned, the times are usually early, around 8:30/9am. However, if you get lucky and it's a sailing where not many SC people are interested, then you can almost have the whole thing to yourself.

Croissants don’t travel well either. Been there, done that

Phew! Nothing has changed

Literally, that is it. I could not even believe it when I first saw it. I walked around because I thought it wrapped around to the other side. Nope. A strip of space.

Oh shoot, I take that back. This might not help me. I just saw the email from the cancellation of Star and Wonder, August 17th is one of the replacement options. That is the one I want to book....I hope this does not affect the release of those itineraries tonight.

@OCSC Mike going to back to this...now those overlap days would make more sense

Nope. Doesn't change my plans. In fact, it would help me if Wonder did a few more 7N's in August 2025. I am prepared to book a B2B but would prefer not to.